Duplicate of the text of PGL/1/17, but written on the back of a postmarked envelope originally sent to Lennon at his first Paris flat in rue d'Odessa in 1962.
According to Lennon's note, Beckett's troubled eyesight must have led him to think he was writing on a sheet of paper, but he has no recollection of any discussion about how Beckett got hold of this old envelope or returned it to Lennon again.
Letter 19
Nabeul - Tunisia
7.11.69
Dear Peter,
Many thanks for your
letter.
Don't know when I'll
be back. Not for some
time. Look forward
to that jar then.
All the best to you all.
Sam
[Context: Beckett was in hiding, having been awarded the Nobel Prize (which he had turned down previously). Flood waters helped to keep those journalists who had tracked him down at a distance. He sent his publisher, Jerome Lindon, to collect the prize. Much later in his flat he showed Lennon a photo of the spectaculor event and said he would have fainted if he had to walk up that staircase. He stayed away in Tunisia for some time]
[Notes: Recorded as 18 in original transcript. Top left corner of the envelope is torn open]
Letter 20
11.2.70
Dear Peter,
Use my name with
pleasure in hope it
will help.
Up to cataracts in
losing skirmishes. See
you soon I hope.
Yrs. ever,
Sam
Answer phone between
11 + 12
most days
[Context: The Guardian had dispensed with Lennon's services. He was invited by Harry Evans to come to London that year and work for the Sunday Times. He did, harbouring an ambition to work again in film. He asked Beckett if he could use his name in the BBC. Beckett readily agrees.
Britain was not open to unknown film makers, particularly those without conventional training, and in the early turbulent 70s had no taste for making films on Lennon's preferred subject, Ireland. Ireland had no film industry and Lennon was persona non grata with the state RTE. With a young family and the challenges of a new job in a new country his will to make films faded]
[Notes: Recorded as 19 in original transcript]
Letter 21
Ussy
12.8.71
Dear Peter
Happy to
inscribe.
Hope you are
Enjoying Spain.
Good to be here
Again after a
Year away.
No date yet for
Op. Probably late
September.
Make me a sign
Before you leave.
Hommages to Eeva
Yours ever,
Sam
[Context: Beckett was back in his country house having just spent the year evading the fall out from the Nobel Prize. He was awaiting an operation. Lennon and his family moved to London in October]
[Notes: Recorded as 20 in original transcript]
Letter 22
Paris
24.11.71
Dear Peter
Yours dated and posted
19th only this morning!
I'm here this next week.
Phonable
daily 11 to noon. Look
forward to seeing you.
Best,
Sam
[Context: Lennon was now working for the Sunday Times in London and going over to do a story in Paris. He tells Beckett the most convenient way to contact him would be through a friend, Peter Graham, long resident in France. Beckett then replies to 46 rue Dunois, Paris 13e]
[Notes: Recorded as 21 in original transcript]
Letter 23
Paris
26.11.73
Dear Peter
Thanks for yours of 22.
I'm not sure if I'll
be in Paris at the time
you say. If I am it
would be good to see
you. Best is to let me
know where I can
contact you. Don't answer
the phone at all nowadays.
Best,
Sam
[Context: Addressed to Sunday Times in London]
[Notes: Recorded as 22 in original transcript]
Letter 24
Paris
14.3.76
Dear Peter
Thanks for your good letter.
I'll be in London from
about mid april for about
a month for rehearsals at
Royal Court. Shall give
you a tinkle then.
In august I'll probably be
in Morocco for most of
the month.
All ? when we meet.
Best to you all,
Sam
Con + ?
great form.
Just back from
the snows.
[Context: Beckett gave Lennon a copy of the English edition (1973) of First Love signed: 'For Peter with friendship from Sam London May 1976']
[Notes: Recorded as 23 in original transcript]
Letter 25
Paris
21.6.79
To Bickerton Road, London
Dear Peter
Today recieved letter of June 12
forwarded by Court.
Sorry not to have seen you
in London. After rehearsals
I was good for nothing but
empty space. I left after opening.
Con has not been too good
these past years but has been
well looked after and is better now.
Hope all is well with you
and that we may meet soon again,
after so long
Best always,
Sam
[Context: They never met again. The Royal Court, probably inundated with letters for the Nobel Prize winner, had been lax about giving him this one from Lennon. The following year Lennon voluntarily quit the Sunday Times when Murdoch took over. Working for the parsimoniously paying Listener and freelancing, subsidised trips to Paris became a thing of the past. Distance, involvement in work and family and Beckett's own work and increasingly limited mobility meant they did not meet again. Lennon rejoined the Guardian in September 1989. Beckett died that December. Con Levanthal had died earlier]
[Notes: Recorded as 24 in original transcript
