Francesca Woodman often used the backs of her photographs to write letters to family and friends, addressing, stamping and dropping her prints directly into the mailbox. These dispatches tended to include updates on projects, the latest on travel plans, reports of books read, or news about an especially good dessert.

In this letter to her parents, sent in the spring of 1977 shortly after her grandmother’s funeral in New Hampshire, she includes an image of herself in George’s childhood home on the front and writes:

“i am, as you can imagine enjoying my inheritance very much! It’s a good week for antiquities in Photo procedures this morning he showed us his collection of ancient cameras including one that makes a 7”-14” neg—A banquet camera It was very interesting but i still took a peek at my blue enamel watch.”

She also announced: “im trying my hand at fashion photography.”

George replied: “I think about your photographs. Whatever your teachers are like, they don’t seem to stifle your development, or force you into cliches. I like your picture of you in a quilt in front of a quilt.” He also commented: “Nearly all of your mail arrives postage due—it is nice of the Post Office to bring it along, but you are taking your chances.”

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