Joseph Campbell Autograph Letter Signed.

CAMPELL, Joseph.

$400.00

Item Number: 146688

New York: N.p., December 26, 1977.

Rare autograph letter signed by American writer and author of ‘The Hero with a Thousand Faces.’ Octavo, two pages on 136 Waverly Place stationary, the letter reads in full, “Dec. 26, 1977 Dear Dr. Selby Thank you very much indeed for your kind and very interesting letter of a month ago. I am enclosing herewith the photo for which you asked [not present] — a bit out of date, but since the date is of some of the books, the later volumes of ‘The Masks of God,’ it is not altogether inappropriate. Your suggestions for a book developing my ‘Myth and the Body’ theme may stir me to action in that direction. I have some other things already under way [sic] which will have to come first, but yours may follow. It was very kind of you to write and let me know of your appreciation of the lecture. Best thanks and best wishes for the New Year – Cordially, Joseph Campbell.” In near fine condition with a vertical fold. Accompanied by ephemera which advertise Campbell’s ‘Myth and the Body’ lectures at the Oasis Center for Human Potential.

Joseph Campbell is best known for his masterful book 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces,' in which he discusses his theory of the journey of the archetypal hero shared by world mythologies, termed the monomyth. His theory has been consciously applied by a wide variety of modern writers and artists, among them poet Robert Bly, novelist Richard Adams, directors Stephen Spielberg and George Lucas, and musician and lyricist Jerry Garcia. At the end of his work 'The Masks of God: Creative Mythology' and a few of his lectures, Campbell describes the function of mythology within human society: maintaining a sense of awe and gratitude before the 'mystery of being,' explaining the shape of the universe, validating and supporting the existing social order, and guiding the individual through the stages of life. The Oasis Center for Human Potential has said of Campbell and his lectures, "Grounded in Jungian psychology and world mythology, he has a remarkable ability to show how the patters of the world, ethnic and personal myths are woven and how they impact on human experience. What at first appears as a scholarly presentation becomes a deep, personally involving and meaningful exprience."