Letter from Ralph A. McCanse to John G. Neihardt, May 21st, 1968
Let me send you this color print, taken at the luncheon in Branson during the Kewpiesta. Keep the negative, because we have a copy of this picture for our permanent album.
We were so richly delighted at your reading from the special volume "The Quest" that I ordered copies from the publisher — really to suffer the keen disappointments I fiinding the supply was exhausted — not a single copy left in store-house or on shelves. Times such as "the drift of the clouds — the lift of the moon" were pure music as you read them: I find too, in a recent incursion into Emerson that the circle concept occurs also in his work, of course.
Forced to secure some substitute, I have searched the files of the book-stores and come up with the paper-back Lyric and Dramatic Poems.
The beauty is still there!
Will you consent to autograph this copy— and return it at your convenience. I enclose here a stamped container. — In the other shipment: Lyric and Dramatic poems
Mrs. McCanse was made richly happy at getting to visit with your talented daughter during the anniversary celebration at Columbia (our [second home?] ) recently—Please remember her to us!
Gratefully yours, Ralph A. McCanse Professor of English Ralph Alan McCanse