Archive of Correspondence to Cheryl Van Dyke, Manager of The Imprint Bookstore.
Port Townsend, WA & various other places: 1975–1981. Correspondence Archive. 17 items total: 13 TLS, 2 ALS, and 2 APCS. Items listed individually below.
This collection documents the administrative and social structure of the Port Townsend, Washington literary scene during its foundational years. The correspondence centers on Cheryl Van Dyke in her role as manager of The Imprint, a bookstore that functioned as a primary hub during Centrum Foundation’s annual Writers’ Conference at Fort Worden State Park. The letters are often in response to Van Dyke’s inquiries regarding bookshop stock to support conference lectures and workshops; they frequently evolve into warm, personal exchanges that reveal the close-knit nature of this regional symposium.
This material originates from the personal papers of Cheryl Van Dyke, a poet and artist whose early collection, Cheat Grass, was a cornerstone of the emerging Copper Canyon Press catalog. As an essential figure in the region’s fine press circles, Van Dyke’s stewardship of The Imprint made the shop a vital setting where established writers and burgeoning Pacific Northwest voices intersected.
Condition is uniformly Very Good to Near Fine, showing only occasional light edgewear or minor corner creasing consistent with professional handling. Near Fine. Item #71406
17 pieces of correspondence. No envelopes present. Organized here chronologically:
1- Hugo, Richard (“Dick”). APCS to Cheryl Van Dyke. Missoula, MT. Postmarked December 17, 1975. Postcard [3.25” x 5.5”]. This warm personal note is written, addressed, and signed in black ink by Hugo.
2- Whalen, Philip. TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. San Francisco, CA (Zen Center, 300 Page St.). Dated April 8, 1977. Two pages [11” x 8.5”] typed on rectos only. Signed by Whalen in black ink at the conclusion. A few later notations in pencil, presumably by Van Dyke.
3- Broumas, Olga. TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. Eugene, OR. Dated May 22, 1977. One page [6” x 9”] typed on recto only, on toning pulpy paper. With one correction, and signed by Broumas in black ink at the conclusion.
4- Hamill, Sam. Typed Circular (Reproduction) sent to Cheryl Van Dyke. [An invitation and open call for poetry or prose submissions for two upcoming periodical publications.] Port Townsend, WA. Dated November 16, 1977. One page [11” x 8.5”] photomechanically reproduced on recto only. On Copperhead letterhead (Copper Canyon Press), with the names of Tree Swenson and Jo Cochran also listed at the top. Correction, small illustration, and signature of Sam Hamill in black (also reproductions, part of the general circular).
5- Snyder, Gary. TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. n.p., n.d. [likely California, circa 1978]. This one page [11” x 8.5”] letter is on the verso side of an open letter and subscription form for the Kuksu Press and its Kyoi/Kuksu literary journal. Signed in black ink at the conclusion by Snyder.
6- Gallagher, Tess & Cheryl Van Dyke. TLS to Tess Gallagher from Cheryl Van Dyke [initial letter on the recto] and ALS to Van Dyke from Gallagher [response letter on the verso]. [Washington (state), dated April 6, 1978, with response undated.] One page [5.5” x 8.5”] TLS on The Imprint bookstore’s letterhead and ALS response in black ink on verso. Signed in blue ink by Cheryl Van Dyke, and in black ink by Gallagher at their respective conclusions.
7- Stafford, William (“Bill”). TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. Lake Oswego, OR. Dated April 7, 1978. One page [11” x 8.5”] on recto only. Additional note in Stafford’s hand, and signed by him at the conclusion in black ink.
8- Wakoski, Diane. TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. East Lansing, MI. Dated June 15, 1978. One page [11” x 8.5”] on recto only. Signed in black ink at the conclusion by Wakoski.
9- Kumin, Maxine. TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. Princeton, NJ. Dated April 11, 1979. One page [9” x 6”] on Princeton University letterhead, on recto only. Signed in blue ink by Kumin at the conclusion, with a short note in her hand.
10- *Levertov, Denise (*typed and signed by Phyllis Leith, Secretary to D.L.). TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. n.p. Dated April 16, 1979. One page [11” x 8.5”] on recto only. Signed in brown ink by Phyllis Leith, secretary to Denise Levertov.
11- McElroy, Colleen J. TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. Seattle, WA. Dated April 17, 1979. One page [11” x 8.5”] on recto only. With one brief additional note in the margin, and signed in black ink at the conclusion by McElroy.
12- Halperin, Mark. TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. n.p. Dated April 25, 1979. One page [11” x 8.5”] on recto only. Signed at the conclusion in blue ink by Halperin.
13- Swenson, Tree. APCS to Cheryl Van Dyke. Cedar City, UT. Postmarked June 25, 1980. The postcard shows an aerial view of Escalante Canyon, Utah, with a quotation by Joseph Wood Krutch (card produced by Beautyway of Flagstaff, AZ). A warm and lengthy handwritten personal note in black ink, in Swenson’s distinctive hand while “on VACATION,” and signed affectionately by Tree Swenson at her conclusion.
14- Stafford, William. TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. Lake Oswego, OR. Dated April 21, 1981. One page [11” x 8.5”] on recto only. Signed in black ink at the conclusion by Stafford.
15- Yolen, Jane. TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. n.p. Dated May 5, 1981. One page [11” x 8.5”] on recto only. Notations in (presumably) Van Dyke’s hand. Signed in blue ink at the conclusion by Jane Yolen.
16- Matthews, William. TLS to Cheryl Van Dyke. n.p. Dated May 8, 1981. One page [11” x 8.5”] on recto only. A few notations in (presumably) Van Dyke’s hand. Signed in black ink at the conclusion by Matthews.
17- Heynen, Jim. ALS to “David” [?] and to Cheryl Van Dyke. Norwich, Norfolk, England. Dated November 22, [no year]. One page [10” x 8”] on recto and verso. All written in black ink. Warm professional and personal content. First message addressed to “David” [?] takes up most of the recto, signed by Jim Heynen at the conclusion. The second message addressed to Van Dyke starts near the bottom of the recto and extends all the way to the end of the verso, and is signed by Heynen at the conclusion.
Price: $1,000.00