“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

(The object for the 70th envelope experiment was the first draft of a letter I wrote tonight, to a local dentist. It concerned the recent sale of a painting to him, made through our friend, Marie Colucci. Details later. Jane had not seen this draft, or even the final copy of the letter, although she knew I was writing it this evening. I sealed it in an envelope when finished; then showed this to Jane and asked her to mail it tomorrow morning. I briefly and roughly described the contents, however.

(See the copy of the first draft of my letter on page 31. A brief history: Last month our friend Marie Colucci let a local dentist, Dr. Lodico, whom Jane and I have not met, borrow an abstract painting of mine to try out in his office. A couple of weeks ago, on August 31, Dr. Lodico sent payment for the painting, with a request to see more abstracts for his office. Tonight’s object is a first draft of my reply to his letter, and is dated September 12.

(“An array, or disarray.” Seth’s use of “or” is somewhat confusing here, since both these terms can apply to the object. My letter concerns a group, or array of paintings I have available to show Dr. Lodico. Also, the Arts and Crafts Exhibit, featuring displays, or arrays, at Mount Savior is mentioned on the object.

(Disarray can refer to the jumbled appearance of my letter, used as object, with its crossed-out words, etc. Jane thought that disarray could also refer to the fact that abstract paintings are mentioned in the letter; to some people abstracts would be in disarray, as compared to conventional paintings showing things in the usual sense—flowers, houses, trees, etc.

(“Something twisted.” We don’t know, and neglected to ask Seth to explain. Another reference to the elements in abstract paintings, or to the letter itself?

(“Four square, or four squares.” This is a reference to the fact that I have four paintings to show Dr. Lodico, in answer to his letter. As stated, Jane did not see either the first draft of my letter, which was used as object, or the final copy, which I had sealed in an envelope. I did ask her to mail it, though, and described its contents roughly.

(Four specific paintings were discussed between us, and I priced each one with Jane present, so that she could quote prices to the doctor should he call while I was away. This data is reinforced by the next data, and vice versa.

(“Geometric.” An excellent reference to the character of the paintings. All of them are geometric variations, featuring lines, circles, triangles, blocks of color, etc., in a fashion definitely angular. In addition, the painting bought by the doctor is also strongly geometric in design.

(“A miscellany of objects.” A reference to the Mount Savior Arts and Crafts Exhibit, mentioned in the letter used as object. Many kinds of objects will be on sale at the exhibit, other than paintings. I have a letter concerning this exhibit and sale from the monastery, dated August 27,1966.

(“Connection with October, and four, or perhaps 64.” Without seeing it to make absolutely sure, Jane and I are reasonably sure that the abstract Dr. Lodico has purchased from me was painted in October, 1964. I am sure I did the painting at least two years ago. I have the habit of dating my paintings, so will be able to check this data when I visit the doctor’s office. If no notice is added to this data at a later date, it can be taken as correct.

(“A main turnabout, or a connection with Maine.” The turnabout connection is correct. In the letter used as object, I inform Dr. Lodico that I’ve changed my mind about sending the abstracts to the Mount Savior exhibit, and plan to submit other kinds of paintings instead. This makes the abstracts available for the doctor’s inspection, and perhaps purchase.

(“Connection with a circumstance not repeated, and a road.” We make no connections for circumstance. Road is also too general. I thought of the long steep road leading up to the Colucci residence in the country. Marie Colucci is responsible for bringing my paintings to the attention of Dr. Lodico, as explained.

(The group of people data is too vague. It may refer to a recent gathering of friends here at the Water Street address, about two weeks ago. Marie and Andy Colucci were present, and at this gathering Marie told me about Dr. Lodico being interested in my paintings.

(“A presentation.” In the letter used as object, I offer to present my paintings for the doctor’s inspection. A presentation could also refer to the Mount Savior Arts and Crafts Exhibit, which is mentioned in the letter. There could be other interpretations.

(“A disturbance in the afternoon.” Possibly a reference to my invitation to the doctor, on the object, to visit us at any time to see the paintings I offer. I say afternoons or evenings might be best. Technically an afternoon visit on his part would interrupt the working hours of Jane and me, but we would not really call it a disturbance since we want to sell the paintings.

(An A. The first name of Marie Colucci’s husband is Andy. As stated above, under the group data, Marie and Andy were in the group visiting us a couple of weeks ago. During this visit they discussed the sale of paintings to Dr. Lodico.

(This data is an excellent reference to the painting roughly indicated here.

(It is one of the abstracts referred to in the letter used as object tonight. Note the sharp shapes. These shapes float in the center of the painting. In addition the painting is done in various shades of brown, from golden yellow ochre to deep brown.

(First Question: What’s that array or disarray? “I am not sure here. A display, perhaps, though only perhaps, that is not neat, or ordered. As flowers grown wild and disorderly, for example.” Here I sought elaboration of Seth’s first data. As stated, my letter used as object specifically mentions the Arts and Crafts Exhibit at Mount Savior. This could be a display. My abstracts, offered for sale to Dr. Lodico, can also be a display; and again, to some abstract paintings might not seem neat, or ordered.

(As an aside, Jane personally likes abstract painting, so we don’t know whether this would influence such related data or not. Also, checking out the building data described on the last page, we saw that flowers were used as decoration for both the Lodico office, and the medical office building with the flat roof, across the street. Both displays of flowers were orderly however.

(2nd Question: Can you say something more about geometric? “The shapes perhaps cubes. Gold colored, and partially in shadow. This reminds Ruburt of Jungle Gyms at a playground.” See the sketch of the abstract on page 39. As stated, this is one of the group of paintings written about in the letter used as object. This particular painting has strong cubist leanings. Some of the shapes in it are based on cubes. It is painted in browns, ochres, and golden tones. Shadows play a prominent role in it also. And Jane said the design of the painting, with its interlocking angular shapes and lines, reminds her of a Jungle Gym at a playground.

(The photo idea however is quite legitimate, since a photo can be related to a painting in many ways. The areas on all of the abstracts are of course filled in, and also the abstract foundation of the paintings relates them to the idea of buildings. In fact a friend interpreted one of them as being a painting of buildings recently. Jane said Seth might not be able to very easily distinguish between the emotional charges connected to a photo and a painting; they might appear much alike to his perceptions. This is even more apparent in the next data, which I break into two parts.

(7th Question: Do you want to name the object? “I am not sure. There is a strong connection with a photograph, but I do not know whether the object itself is a photograph. Dark colors and light colors and shadows.” Thus the visual idea of a painting and a photo are closely related, to Seth. Some distinction is made, either by Seth or Jane, in that a photo is not definitely named as the object. “Dark colors and light colors and shadows” can refer to either a photo or a painting; the description is quite apt for the painting roughly indicated on page 39.

The October connection had to do with the painting already purchased. I believe the music referred to Ruburt’s subjective feelings about one painting (we had hesitated to credit this when we interpreted the data), and also to some musical leanings on the dentist’s part, or his family.