‎"LAXNESS, HALLDOR.‎
‎Autograph signed letter from Laxness to Neiiendam concerning the Chinese writer Yeh Chun-chan (Ye Junjian), translator of H.C. Andersen. - [SIGNED LETTER FROM NOBEL PRICE WINNER HALLDOR LAXNESS]‎

‎Reykjavik, 26 February, 1958. Original typewritten letter (280 × 208 mm), 1 page, 20 lines, with corrections in ink, signed by Laxness. Fine and clean. Accompanied by the two photographs of Laxness and Yen Chung Chien mentioned in the letter. Enclosed in the original envelope.‎

Reference : 63534

‎A highly interesting letter from the Icelandic Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness to a certain Neiiendam (possibly Henrik Neiiendam (1924–1996), a prominent Danish journalist, literary critic and theater reviewer), concerning the identity and career of the Chinese writer Yeh Chun-chan (Ye Junjian, 1914–1999). Laxness confirms that the author Neiiendam had enquired about is indeed the same writer in Latin letters as Yen Chung Chien, Chung-Chan Yeh and Yeh Chun-chan. He identifies him as the author of The Mountain Village written in English and describes him as “a highly esteemed and strongly engaged” figure in China associated with the Chinese Writers’ Union and the editorship of major cultural journals. Laxness notes that Yeh had translated H.C. Andersen's fairy tales into Chinese and recalls having met him almost daily in Peking in December when Yeh was a guest of the Danish ambassador, Aage Gregersen. The letter concludes with Laxness giving Yeh's address at the Chinese Writers’ Union, Peking, and mentioning that he is enclosing four snapshots taken in Peking during their journey including one of Yeh alone and others showing Yeh together with his Chinese interpreter, Laxness and Frk. Bergs, his secretary. In 1955 Laxness was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature ""for his vivid epic power, which has renewed the great narrative art of Iceland"".‎