Item 0003 (378) - Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

Identity area

Reference code

GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0003 (378)

Title

Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy

Date(s)

  • 17/9/1882 (Creation)

Level of description

Item

Extent and medium

27.5 x 22.5 cm

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Content and structure area

Scope and content

Handwritten letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy on the recto of six ruled letterheads of R. J. Moss & Co., Alexandria. Sheets 2-6 are numbered at top right. Family and financial issues are raised, as well as poetry, Cavafy's genealogical notes, the political situation in Alexandria and Egypt in general. Commentary on poems composed by John.

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Language of material

    Script of material

      Language and script notes

      English

      Physical characteristics and technical requirements

      Writing in ink. Watermark: R. J. Moss & Co Alexandria. Physical item wear: oxidations.

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      Note

      Cavafy, John Constantine. “Letter by John Cavafy to C. P. Cavafy”. Letter, 17.09.1882. GR-OF CA CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0003 (378), Onassis Foundation C. P. Cavafy Fonds. From The Digital Collection of the Cavafy Archive, edited by Onassis Foundation, Athens, last modified 01.10.2025. https://doi.org/10.26256/CA-SF02-S01-SS02-F20-SF001-0003.

      Alternative identifier(s)

      Παλαιά ένδειξη ταξινόμησης

      F49_Φ1-37

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          Archivist's note

          The transcription and editing of the letters of John Constantine Cavafy addressed to C. P. Cavafy was first carried out by Katerina Ghika; said transcriptions were subsequently uploaded to the official website of the Cavafy Archive.

          Archivist's note

          Reference to "The death of Phocas", a poem by John, which C. P. liked. John also refers to his poem "By the rivers of Babylon". He writes about his influence from the anthology Passionate Pilgrim, published in 1599; it contains, among other things, sonnets by Shakespeare. John sends his brother two works by Dickens.

          Accession area