Forever Saroyan Publications and Reprints
Forever Saroyan has reprinted many of Saroyan’s writings, mostly for private distribution and using local Bay Area small presses. His book of letters with his cousin, however, is available for sale to the public. We will also be selling gift sets of greeting cards featuring Saroyan’s and Minasian’s artwork, as well as the book Let’s Have Fun in San Francisco, at “The World of William Saroyan” exhibit in San Francisco, coming soon. For more information about any of these reprints or the Correspondences collection, please email .
Featured Publication
William Saroyan & Archie Minasian: The Complete Correspondence, 1929–1981
In 1930, a teenaged boy named Archie Minasian wrote to his dear cousin in San Francisco that he had composed a poem in only fifteen minutes, modestly downplaying his work with a dismissive “It’s no good anyway. I liked it a little”. His cousin, a struggling young writer named William Saroyan, responded: “I’m damn glad you are writing … I’m very much interested in you”. Thus began fifty years of personal correspondence between these artists and best friends, chronicling their journey through the tumultuous cultural shifts of the 20th century—the Great Depression, the golden age of Hollywood, World War II, the youth movement of the 60s, and the cynical 70s. As Saroyan established himself as the most popular writer in America and Archie found his voice as a poet, their lives remained connected from Fresno to Hollywood to Paris and beyond through these letters. From artistic recognition to family squabbles, prosperity to poverty, their friendship endured a lifetime of creative and personal highs and setbacks with a deeply shared bond of Armenian character, equally hilarious and heartbreaking. Sourced from the personal collection of Saroyan’s cousin Charles Janigian and the William Saroyan papers at Stanford University, this collection of letters, fully annotated by archivist Mary Alexander, celebrates a friendship like no other.
Charles Janigian, Managing Director of Forever Saroyan, LLC, is pleased to announce the publication of a limited edition of 400 copies of William Saroyan & Archie Minasian: The Complete Correspondence, 1929–1981. The book has been handsomely designed by the renowned Arion Press in San Francisco which has an historic relationship with both Saroyan and Minasian reaching back over sixty years. This collector’s item is profusely illustrated with photographs, postcards, and charming sketches, and includes an Appendix of artworks from Saroyan’s own art journal. The book is fully indexed, 368 pages, and measures 12-1/2” x 9-3/4”. It is bound in two colors of cloth, green and tan, with titling foil stamped in gold on the cover and spine. A matching protective slipcase is included.
A Christmas Psalm, 1935
By William Saroyan
200 copies of this Christmas Psalm by William Saroyan printed for Charles J. Janigian by the Arion Press of San Francisco in 2015 and intended for private distribution, from the text in a copy of the first edition printed in 1935 by the Grabhorn Press for Gelber, Lilienthal, Inc.
A Christmas Psalm, 1939
By William Saroyan
200 copies of this Christmas Psalm by William Saroyan printed for Charles J. Janigian by the Arion Press of San Francisco in 2016 and intended for private distribution, from the text of the first edition printed by Quercus Press, San Mateo, California, in 1939, with a woodcut by Mallette Dean.
Psalms, 1936
By William Saroyan
Designed and handcrafted by Jonathan Clark at Artichoke Press in Mountain View, CA, this reprint was originally published in the collection of short stories, Inhale and Exhale, in 1936. Each psalm has been paired with a sketch that Saroyan made in the 1930s, at the same time he was writing the Psalms. This limited edition printing of 200 copies will be on display at The World of William Saroyan exhibit in San Francisco.
Hilltop Russians in San Francisco
By William Saroyan with art by Pauline Vinson
Written in 1941, this is a San Francisco gem dedicated to a small immigrant population of Russians on Portrero Hill at the time. Saroyan’s preamble is accompanied by watercolor reprints by Pauline Vinson made for the Works Projects Administration (WPA). This edition is abridged, containing fewer paintings than the original, but retaining Saroyan's full text and the tone of the original. This limited edition printing of 200 copies will be on display at The World of William Saroyan exhibit in San Francisco.
The World of Archie Minasian
Reprinted from a 1986 special edition of the periodical Ararat, this excerpted supplemental memorial edition is dedicated to the poetry and writings of Archie Minasian. This will be on display at The World of William Saroyan exhibit in San Francisco.
An Introduction to the Paintings of Archie Minasian
By William Saroyan
An introduction to Minasian's watercolor and poetry exhibit, Saroyan wrote this piece in 1971. The exhibit showed at the Palo Alto Civic Center in 1974. This will be on display at The World of William Saroyan exhibit in San Francisco.
Bells and Sermons
By Archie Minasian
This short collection of poetry was originally published in 1940 by the Lutheran Literary Board and reprinted in a limited edition of 200 copies. This will be on display at The World of William Saroyan exhibit in San Francisco.
Let's Have Fun in San Francisco
By Edith Shelton and Elizabeth Field
This charming 1939 guidebook to pre-war San Francisco includes essays from luminaries of the day, including an introduction and essay by Saroyan, essays by Herb Caen, Beniamino Bufano, and others. This reprint will be on display and for sale at The World of William Saroyan exhibit in San Francisco.
Saroyan's Sketches Greeting Cards
This special giftset contains twelve 5x7 inch greeting cards featuring six unique sketches from the 1930s, never before exhibited. The inside of the card contains insightful quotes from Saroyan's various publications. A perfect piece for a fan or for anyone who loves the exactness of Saroyan's abstract sketches made when he was a young man. A special 1939 publicity photo of Saroyan and the opening of his play, The Time of Your Life keepsake is included within. This will be on sale at The World of William Saroyan exhibit in San Francisco.
Saroyan's Watercolors Greeting Cards
This special giftset contains twelve 5x7 inch greeting cards featuring six unique watercolors never before exhibited. The inside of the card contains insightful quotes from Saroyan's various publications. A perfect piece for a fan or for anyone who loves the vibrancy of Saroyan's abstract, cubist paintings made in the mid-1960s. A special 1939 publicity photo of Saroyan and the opening of his play, The Time of Your Life keepsake is included within. This will be on sale at The World of William Saroyan exhibit in San Francisco.
Minasian's Watercolors Greeting Cards
This special giftset contains twelve 5x7 inch greeting cards featuring six unique watercolors from the 1960s through the 1980s by Archie Minasian. The inside of the card contains Minasian's beautiful poetry from various publications. Minasian's vibrant abstract watercolors will dazzle art lovers and his poetry will intrigue. A special "An Introduction to the Paintings of Archie Minasian by William Saroyan" keepsake is included within. This will be on sale at The World of William Saroyan exhibit in San Francisco.
Meet Uncle Aram
Written by Aram Saroyan
This book was first printed in 1970 by Haig H. Toumayan, Boston, Massachusetts. Second printing 2019 by Forever Saroyan, LLC. Saroyan's Uncle Aram, who made appearances both in Saroyan's stories and memoirs, wrote this delightful book of memoirs to set the record straight with humor and love.
The William Saroyan Family Tree
An exhaustive family tree of both the paternal and maternal Saroyan families, compiled by archivist Mary Alexander and genealogist Alan Ouzoonian, with help from Diane Minasian, Roberta (Manoogian) Dittes, Charles Janigian, Jaqueline (Papazian) Kazarian, Antranig "Jimmy" Michaelian, and Frances Tatum. Completed in 2016.
