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Soundtrack: Rêves nostalgiques by Joshua Kyan Aalampour.

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For the great doesn’t happen through impulse alone, and is a succession of little things that are brought together.

Vincent van Gogh, Life According to Vincent, p. 124.

The first item I acquired, before entertaining the idea of studying Sonia’s life, was her copy of The Voice of the Prophet. This slim hardcover is a collection of Nathaniel’s religious and Jewish poetry. Sonia had scribbled several corrections on the text, and it was only after my first analysis of her handwriting that I wanted to know more about her. Who was she really? There was little (or wrong) information about her in all the scholarship of H.P. Lovecraft to give an in-depth portrait of her, and so I decided I would change that.

The second item I acquired, by this point seriously studying Sonia’s life, was Alfred Galpin’s copy of The Rainbow. This was a feat that required a community, and with the help of backers, I was not only able to get them but was able to bring them back into publication for others to acquire. It was time to take what was rare and obscure and make it accessible because it’s the possessions of the departed that brings us closer to their person, to their life.

The third item I recently acquired was something I felt would be the holy grail of all Sonia things! A year ago, I had jokingly vowed that I would save money for Sonia’s passport rather than for my future retirement. I never saved that money, and the dream still came true but not in the way I had originally planned. The truth is, what I’m about to share is not physically in my possession, not framed on my bookshelf along with the other Sonia belongings. And that’s okay because the person who owns these materials is a woman who runs her own bookshop and that makes me indescribably happy! I am glad that it did not go to some nondescript entity whose only wish is to obtain and hoard, but went to another woman, who is just as curious about Sonia as I am.

Lot #45119 was originally an online auction over at Heritage Auctions, which contained Sonia’s passport, citizenship card, her copy of Selected Letters I and Selected Letters II, and two letters. Both copies of the Selected Letters contain a few corrections and one annotation by Sonia. As for the letters, one is addressed to Philip Grill and the other to Winfield Townley Scott. The original posting may be seen here: [H.P. Lovecraft] Sonia Haft Greene Lovecraft Davis.

I would like to give a hearty thanks both to Michelle Souliere of the Green Hand Bookshop for the following scans, and to Dave Goudsward for putting us in contact.

Annotation (p.68): “H.P.L was an atheist and did not believe in God; either a living or a dead one. He hated Jesus and called him a “milk + water” person.”

Transcript:

Dear Mr. Grill:

In reply to your interested letter regarding books signatured by H.P. Lovecraft, I have five books, namely:

THE FABULOUS ‘FORTIES

LALLA ROOKH

THE TEMPTATIONS OF ST. ANTHONY

ROGET’S THESAURUS and WHITE FIRE by the late John Ravenor Bullen, diceased, [sic] not signed but has a preface by HPL which is really a review of his book.

There are also several snapshots of HPL and one each, of his aunts.

It is difficult to state on what basis to part with these. I’ve had several requests for the items but no definite offers.

Someday these small items are likely to be worth a great deal more even than anything of Edgar Allen Poe’s. And while I should like to accomodate [sic] HP’s admirers, I am very much in need of cold, hard cash, and will be willing to part with them to the highest bidder. The offers would have to come from those most interested, and most able to make the purchase.

At one time I should probably have been happy to give them away to his admirers and collectors of his works but frankly, my finances being in the “red” I am obliged to avail myself of what these items will bring.

If still interested, please let me hear from you again. Thanking you for the inquiry, I am

Sincerely Yours

Sonia H. Davis

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Sonia had originally placed an ad for these books in The Phoenix:

Transcript:

Dear Mr. Scott: —

If it is not too much trouble, could you find the cut of my photograph? If not, I shall have to have one made. I need it for publicity, as I am chairman for a benefit entertainment and tea. I’d appreciate the favor very much.

Thanking you in advance, I am

Very Sincerely

Sonia H. Davis

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Sometimes dreams don’t come true in the way one expects them to, and in this case, I’m equally as grateful as if I had bought Lot #45119. However small these offerings may seem in the grand scheme of Lovecraftian study, they’re still another puzzle piece that gets pressed into the greater picture. Every little piece matters.