In 1930, a teenaged boy named Archie Minasian wrote to his dear cousin in San Francisco that he had composed a poem in only fifteen minutes, modestly downplaying his work with a dismissive “It’s no good anyway. I liked it a little.” His cousin, a struggling young writer named William Saroyan, responded: “I’m damn glad you are writing ... I’m very much interested in you”. Thus began fifty years of personal correspondence between these artists and best friends. Sourced from the personal collection of Saroyan’s cousin Charles Janigian and the William Saroyan papers at Stanford University, this collection of letters, fully annotated by archivist Mary Alexander, celebrates a friendship like no other.

The Edition

The book was designed and produced by the Arion Press which has an historic relationship with both Saroyan and Minasian reaching back over sixty years. In addition to various postcards and charming sketches, this collector’s item is profusely illustrated with photographs of Saroyan, Minasian, their family and circle of friends and includes an appendix of artworks from Saroyan’s own art journal. The book is fully indexed and comprises 368 pages with an introduction by Mary Alexander and family trees of the clans. The binding is full cloth, and a matching protective slipcase is included. Subscribers of the Arion Press receive a 20% discount. Shipping and handling fees are additional.

Production Details

• Edition of 400 numbered copies for sale

• Quarto, 12 ½ by 9 ¾ inches, 368 pages

• Bound in cloth with slipcase

Read the full prospectus here.