ALS signed “Janis,” five pages, 6 x 8, October 14, 1965. A lengthy five-page letter to her fiancé, Peter DeBlanc. This letter was the 33rd letter she had written to him since returning home, and she has numbered the envelope at upper left “No. 33.” Joplin was trying to change and live a normal life, trying to reconnect with old friends. In part: “Today is our anniversary. Sigh. It’s been pretty good, hasn’t it? I love you XXX This is the first time I’ve written you at this hour. It’s 9:30 A.M. & I’m waiting te go te school. I got up early te study, but I feel I know everything, fairly well, I mean, so I decided te write you & go down & mail this before I go te school. I went & visited Karleen last night. I don’t think we could ever be close friends like we were. I really feel kind-of sorry for her. She was always damn smart—even smarter than me—but she married a guy who is just an ordinary-type person. He’s a lot of fun, drinks w/the boys, gambles, is working as a plumber’s assistant & doesn’t really want te ‘do’ anything with his life. And it just seems like Karleen hasn’t made any progress since I last knew her—oh, she isn’t as silly because we were young then & she has two terribly noisy children but she’s not becoming a bigger or more intelligent or more mature person & she certainly had the potential. I guess living a certain type of live [sic, life] really hampers you—but then I’m finding that out myself. I’ve been a beatnik for so long that I’m having te learn or re-learn a lot of things. Ah, well, I imagine she thinks I haven’t made any progress either. But she was duly impressed when I told her about you—she knows of Mensa & of course I told her that you were in it—she eyed me w/new appreciation. Sigh. I love to bask in your glory....” After discussing an upcoming visit to friends Philip & Diane, she continues: “Mother wants you te come te Houston or even, God forbid, Beaumont. But I think that would be a little too much. You won’t feel so affection-starved after you’re here for a while & living in a small, classless town would really bug you, I think. I’d try Dallas—it’s the most progressive city in Texas & the most cultured. But, do what you want te do. But then I’m sure you don’t want te come te Beaumont, do you? Gawd. Guess I’ll go mail this—I love you XXX. I’ve been mulling some thing over of late, perhaps I’ll have enough time this weekend te write you a discourse on it. Nothing important though. ‘Bye I love you XXX....” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Joplin’s hand. In very fine condition. JSA/Roger Epperson (REAL) Auction LOA and RRAuction COA.
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