A collection of personal correspondence written by Morrissey during his teenage years and early twenties is scheduled for public sale. The letters, addressed to Simon Pitt, a Birmingham resident who later became the city’s poet laureate, span from 1974 to 1979 and capture the young artist’s thoughts during a formative period in his life.
The 26 August auction will take place at Dawsons Auctioneers in London, with the combined collection expected to achieve a £22,000 valuation. Individual letters will be offered as separate lots under the title Before The Smiths: The Morrissey Letters. Throughout the correspondence, the future musician articulates various creative ambitions, writing at one point that his goal is to become “a rock ‘n’ roll star or an actor, or a writer,” while later asserting “I always said I was a genius, but nobody listened.”
The letters provide commentary on significant cultural moments of the era. Morrissey discusses attending a Sex Pistols performance at Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall in June 1976, recounting his changed perspective on the band. He also references encounters with notable figures including Patti Smith and members of the New York Dolls, whose UK fan club he presided over. Additional topics include his involvement with The Nosebleeds, his initial punk band experience, visits to notable venues such as New York’s CBGB’s, and attempts to join established acts like The Clash.
The correspondence also reflects on the political environment of the period, particularly following Margaret Thatcher’s election as prime minister in 1979. In one letter, Morrissey expresses concern about the incoming government’s policies. The letters eventually conclude with mention of his involvement with a London-based band that had secured a recording contract. Morrissey would later form The Smiths with guitarist Johnny Marr in 1982, establishing himself as a significant figure in British indie rock during the 1980s.
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