In the Beggarly Style of Imitation by Jean Marc Ah-Sen

Author:Jean Marc Ah-Sen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, short fiction, poetry
ISBN: 9780889713734
Publisher: Nightwood Editions
Published: 2020-04-18T00:00:00+00:00

Swiddenworld: Selected Correspondence with Tabitha Gotlieb-Ryder

Goldie’s van Dongen

To Serge Mayacou, of Hamilton

Serge,

I made some serious enquiries on your behalf about whether Goldie would be amenable to selling the Paul Kirchner and Peter van Dongen pieces. Kirchner is a definite no; with van Dongen, although he is rather attached to it, he did assure me somewhat indeterminately that this would not be the case forever. “This is not an ‘anfractuous’ enticement to entertain offers”—(his exact choice of words). I don’t know that he has a firm number in mind; when he says something like that, it’s usually to weigh up whether it’s enough incentive to let it go. If it’s too low, he may not coun­ter-offer, just respond, “I’d rather just keep it” (as he has done before).

Confidentially speaking, however, I think I can tell you that no one—at least while I have been in his employ—has ever made an offer for it, much less expressed so much as an interest. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I think this bodes well. I know that he has been negotiating for years with a collector in Kalamazoo about an original Roy G. Krenkel. Goldie is under the impression that they are about to agree on a number (seven years onwards), but this wouldn’t be the first time that he’s overestimated finances, or his bargaining power for that matter. Don’t let appearances to the contrary fool you—though the studio is certainly spacious, well-situated (opulent some might even be accustomed to say)—Le Nid de Duc it is not. I have your contact information now, so I can advise you should the time come.

I enjoyed our conversation about Bruce Pennington and Eschatus. I am not aware of any publisher other than Paper Tiger ever having rights to publication through legitimate means, however. You are always welcome to stop by in the studio if you have any further questions, or simply want to look through what Goldie will be putting up for sale in the future—I would be more than happy to set anything (available) aside for you.

–T. Gotlieb-Ryder

To T.G.R., of Toronto

Tabitha,

Thank you for your note. I am touched by the gesture of consideration. I enjoyed making your acquaintance as well—if you could reach out should the van Dongen go to market, I would be in your happy debt. I would not hesitate to show my gratitude.

I looked through my Galaxies and could not believe you were able to reference the artist based on my inadequate methods of description. I can confirm it was Phillipe Caza who did the cover in question.

–S. Mayacou

To Serge Mayacou, of Hamilton

Serge,

Movement on the Krenkel front imminent. If all goes as planned, the transaction will be finalized within a day or two. Privately, I can confirm Goldie is still taken with the van Dongen (it currently resides over his mantelpiece, next to the portraiture his wife Marlana made in his likeness). He will push lesser pieces on you to generate immediate funds for the Krenkel deal; additionally, he

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