The Paul Bowles correspondence with John Widdicombe comprises 49 letters and postcards reflecting the long-lasting friendship Bowles maintained with Widdicombe, whom Bowles met during his brief time as a student in Virginia. While on his travels, Bowles posted letters from various locations abroad, which ranged in content from news about musical and literary acquaintances, such as Aaron Copland or Gertrude Stein, to sketches of local nationals and their culture.