Scope and Contents In Nov 1973, Finlay writes to Thorpe that he had hoped to start Archaic Carrier following Thorpe's completion of Torso Aircraft Carrier but now has decided to collaborate with him in making a game entitled, Pacific, that will be carved from wood as the next project. The letter includes information on playing this game like draughts (checkers) and instructions on its components. Thorpe writes back in Dec 1973 with his understanding of what is required from him and suggestions for wooden materials in making the pieces. In Dec 1973, Finlay writes to Thorpe that his suggestions for making Pacific seem excellent and includes further details he wishes done on its components. Thorpe replies two weeks later with further details and also sends samples of woods. A few days later, Finlay sends further instructions and complements Thorpe, "you are a continual reminder that people can collaborate in a resonable way --- something I am only too often driven to doubt by other experiences..."...

Scope and Contents In March 1973, Finlay writes to Stephen Bann to compliment him on an account of a Tarasque weekend and to discuss a poem in French by Claudel, from "100 Phrases for Fans," that had been translated and sent to him by Edward Lucie-Smith. He encloses a copy of this poem which he retyped with his own modifications as well as a letter from Smith. Finlay requests Bann's opinion as to the appropriateness for him to interpret the poem's layout as a sundial inscription and of Finlay's rendition. Still in March 1973, Finlay writes to Edward Lucie-Smith for clarification of Claudel's poem that he had sent to Finlay previously. The poem reads Fan (opposite page), Poems written upon the breath. Finlay asks Smith as to why "Fan" is on the opposite page and why the words have been split. Finlay wonders whether the disjointed words equate to a fan-picture when the fan is closed and if the phrase in the poem, "written upon a breath" signifies that the fan makes a little breathing. Bann responds to...

Scope and Contents

Finlay provides instructions to John Thorpe, a woodcarver, for making a wooden sundial at Stonypath. He also explains the poem that he has written after Claudel, the French poet, translated by Edward Lucie-Smith. The poem was supposed to be written on a fan with fan its first word, but in Finlay's version "fan" is eliminated since the dial itself is fanlike. The poem begins, viz., "Poems written upon the breath" (metaphor for breeze). Harvey's letters deal with the drawings. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

Scope and Contents

These are preparatory drawings for a wooden sculpture sited in Finlay's garden. One drawing is cut on the circle and the other is not. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.