Clare Summerskill and Ingeborg Utech correspondence

Content Description

This collection contains fifty-eight letters and greeting cards from Clare Summerskill to Ingeborg Utech (1936-2022), documenting their long-distance relationship and Summerskill’s early career. Summerskill, a playwright, stand-up comedian, and musician, met Utech, a German American woman who worked in hotels and later practiced as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCWS). In 1985, they met in London and became lovers. At the time of her correspondence with Utech, Summerskill was pursuing an advanced degree at a university in London. Summerskill resided there for the span of these letters, while Utech lived in Howard Beach, New York. The letters discuss the romantic relationship between the two women. The letters discuss the hope for a reunion, the concerns of a new long-distance love, ongoing love for each other, and the desire to maintain the relationship, Clare’s work and schooling, mentions of Utech's life in New York, and their eventual breakup. Summerskill’s reflections and dedication to her chosen career in theater and her early accomplishments, including the opening of her production of " The Celibate 3" and beginning to receive offers from BBC film and radio, are documented throughout the letters. Originally hole-punched and maintained in a plain binder, letters were removed and placed in a folder.

Acquisition Type

Purchase

Provenance

Purchased from Langdon Manor, 13 August 2024.

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

No