This text has two goals: to discuss a surviving fragment of correspondence between Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna and her friend Melania Plater-Zyberk, and to provide information on the latter (since she is a part of the little known circle of people close to Iłłakowiczówna). A fragment of her correspondence with the poet dating back to the period from 1960 to 1970 has survived in the authors family. The collection includes fifteen letters written on postcards and seasonal cards. The poet provides information on her daily concerns, intentions, arranged meetings, and also discusses her literary and artistic achievements. Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna’s letters are private and as such enrich with new tones the poet’s extensive epistolography - both the official and the family correspondence kept in four Polish libraries (with the largest collection kept in the Kórnik Library).

The essay will focus on a mid-nineteenth century medallion from the vast collection of Polish bibliophile Ludwik Gocel (1889–1966). Made in 1854 in the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., it depicts a prominent nineteenth century American, Judge Charles Mason (1804–1882), and is a valuable token of the U.S. history. It was designed and completed by Polish distinguished medalist, Henryk Dmochowski (in the U.S. known as Henry Dmochowski Saunders; b. 1810–d. 1863) who can be called a “soldier-artist,” since he participated in three Polish uprisings. Expelled from partitioned Poland, in 1851 he came to America where he was offered the chance to work as a sculptor. This essay’s main aim is to describe the fate of the medallion, apparently almost unknown in both America and Poland, with special emphasis on the role of Ludwik Gocel in its preservation. This rare piece of art has never been included in Polish or American art publications in the field of sculpture.