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255.
Typed Letter Signed to film historian David E. James, dated July 24, 1982.
80 words. Folded twice for mailing, accompanied by the hand-addressed envelope with Smith’s return address in New York. The upper half of the letter is illustrated with one of Smith’s numerous collages, variations of which were used for his business cards and self-promotion.
The letter responds to an offer made by James to arrange for Smith to give a talk at the Los Angeles-based Foundation for Art Resources, though his request that he “emerge from the visit with $7,000” probably explains why it never happened. He also suggests renting a theatre “for a long run of my project”, provided it had “a private entrance and some architectural interest.”
A similar letter dating from the previous month is reproduced on p.190 in “Jack Smith: Flaming Creature. His Amazing Life and Times”, the only letter by Smith that appears in the book.
