Typed insurance valuation by auctioneers Christie, Manson & Woods of the art collection and library of the Labour Party politician Tom Driberg [Baron Bradwell]. With typed and manuscript material relating to bequests to a number of celebrated friends

Valuation: 29pp., 4to, in a brown folder bound with green ribbon. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. With a few manuscript additions. The title reads: 'T. DRIBERG, ESQ., 601 MOUNTJOY HOUSE, BARBICAN, LONDON, E.C.2. | VALUATIONS FOR INSURANCE | CHRISTIE, MANSON & WOODS. 1973.' Following the title, the list is paginated 1-28, and concludes: 'WE VALUE for INSURANCE Purposes and for no other Purpose whatsoever, the foregoing DRAWINGS, PRINTS, PICTURES, FURNITURE, OBJECTS OF ART, PORCELAIN, ANTIQUITIES AND BOOKS at the Prices affixed, making a Total Sum of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY NINE POUNDS [£29, 559].' The two most expensive items are paintings by Philip Wilson Steer ('Nocturne: The Terne at Ludlow', £3,000) and Edward Lear ('Toske, Upper Nile', £1,200). Next in value come: 'A Black Wedgwood "Michael Angelo" vase, on triangular foot, the body of the vessel supported by three caryatid figures - 13in. high' (£1,000) and a copy of Nicolas Fatio de Duillier's 'Fruitwalls Improved', published in 1699 (£900). Among the other books are inscribed volumes by W. H. Auden, Cyril Connolly and Evelyn Waugh. Scored through in pencil (and presumably withdrawn)l is the following item, valued at £500: 'Crowley (Aleister): Diary for Cefalu Year, original manuscript, specially bound for the owner'. Among the paintings are works by Paul Feiler, Henry Inlander, Walter Sickert, Duncan Grant and Mervyn Peake. 'Thorns', a drawing in pen and black ink by Graham Sutherland, valued at £700, is 'accompanied by a letter from the artist to T. Driberg, dated 10. 8. 53, discussing the drawing'. Accompanying the valuation are three documents. ONE: Manuscript list (3pp., landscape foolscap 8vo) in two hands, begun as a typescript, listing paintings and books from Driberg's estate, selected as bequests by ten of his friends: Sir John Betjeman; The Hon. Mrs Patrick Leigh-Fermor; Miss Joan Littlewood; John Rayner; Michael Foot, M.P.; The Reverend Gerard Irvine; Dr David Cargill; John Struth Junior; Stanley Orme, M.P.; and the Lord Paget of Northampton [amended from 'Reginald Paget'], Q.C., M.P. Carefully written out and ticked off in pencil and ink. TWO: Ten manuscript lists, each 1p., 4to, and on a separate leaf, all written out in one of the two hands in ONE above, giving prices for the paintings and books selected in ONE. No names are given, but the identities of the ten individuals can be ascertained by reference to ONE. Betjeman's selection, headed by paintings by Edward Lear (£500) and Walter Sickert (£75), has a total valuation of £752. By far the most 'generous' selection is that of the Rev. Gerard Irvine, with a total valuation of £2455, and including two items 'not mentioned in valuation': 'The Story of Cupid & Psyche and a Book of Engravings by William Morris (3 Vols.)', £400, and 'Speculum Aureum 1481', £750. Joan Littlewood's modest selection (with a total valuation of £97) includes one item 'not found probably selected by someone else'. THREE. Manuscript memorandum (1p., 4to) in pencil, listing four books 'On Loan to R. Cronin'.