Frank Lloyd Wright autograph letter signed with interesting content regarding Wright's frustration and sadness that he's not treated better by his children from his first marriage to Catherine Tobin, who Wright divorced in 1922 after leaving her for another woman. The pain of the family dynamic is evident here, with Wright frustrated his children don't hold him in higher esteem, though he clearly has affection for and wants a better relationship with the recipient of the letter, his eldest daughter Catherine. Though estranged for many years, he and Catherine would ultimately reconcile near the end of his life.
Undated, but with original envelope postmarked from Chicago on 9 December 1914, shortly after the famous Taliesin fire that took the life of his companion Mamah Borthwick. Letter reads in full,
''Dear Catherine - / At any other time I might not have felt a lack of respect and sympathy or shown myself so beaten.
When you in your final desperation in fear of missing your evening in Madison showed me again your ideas of me - they so easily incited me to fury because they showed me the self same old fock upon which my life has split - again manifesting itself and in my own flesh & blood - worlds without end - Amen! And it is wholly unconscious on your part too. I am sure of that and that is why I am so ashamed to have been so rough with you when I know you really tried hard to do something for me and did do many daughterly things. What I meant by 'rough-neck' (a slang term I use too often) is one who thrusts unfeeling criticisms into sore places regardless of the hurt - a certain hard, self-righteous, regardless way of looking at the weaknesses of others., That you should appreciate the things that are me is not likely now and I should not abuse you out of my disappointment.
Only, I can not bear again at any point the expressions of the old discordant life that are so totally upsetting to my balance and frustrate my usefulness. If you can refrain from letting it out - we could still have a good deal that is worthwhile together. I am too sore - too sensitive, now to put up with the same old arrogant assumption of superior or rather my 'inferior' qualities by my own children [?]. Lloyd has just written me some pages of instructions regarding the landscaping of the Southern project which seems so uncalled for as to show him in a most stupid light. I do not understand it. I only know I can not stand it from you all any more.
It is a regret to me that I did no more to make your stay pleasant. But [?], illness had thrown sixteen men on my hands who needed me every minute and the weather was so bad as well.
So your visit was very far from what I would have made it if I could. It was a delicate and perhaps inopportune time anyway I suppose because I am nearly broken as it is. You really did try to care for things and I appreciate it more than you realize probably and your voice was a pleasure, what little I heard of it - come and see us at Cedar St./ Father.''
Composed on all four side of bifolium Taliesin stationery measuring 4.25'' square as folded. Very good to near fine condition. With original mailing envelope addressed to Miss Catherine Wright in Frank Lloyd Wright's hand.