[Thomas Seccombe, biographer.] Two Autograph Letters Signed to the publisher John Lane, concerning the Titmarsh Club, and Lane's publication of books by Stephen Sydney Reynolds.

Author: 
Thomas Seccombe (1866-1923), English critic and biographer [John Lane (1854-1925), London publisher (The Bodley Head); Stephen Sydney Reynolds (1881-1919), Devon author; The Titmarsh Club]
Publication details: 
One from 18 Perryn Road, Acton, W [London]. 2 April 1908. The other with the same address on letterhead of the East London College (University of London), Mile End Road, E. 21 October [no year].
£120.00
SKU: 15891

Both items in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. The letter begins: 'Dear Mr Lane, | Conscientious research in Titmarshian activities seems to point to the fact that you owe to the club the sum of 22/- for two dinners in October 1907.' He continues on this theme for a while, before turning to Reynolds: 'I am very glad to hear that you are going to bring out the Holy Mountain & Poor Mans House by Reynolds. As partly responsible for the suggestion of the Mountain & the location at Acton, I take some interest in the book & also in its author. A good many others do the same & I think it should attract enough preliminary notice to attract some public attention to a kind of satire, rather vitriolic, which a large populace may conceivably fasten on with voracity.' He regards the book as 'somewhat experimental', the 'Poor Man's House' having 'more solid & artistic qualities. I cannot help thinking that there are possibilities of literary achievement quite out of the common in S. R.' The final paragraph describes a book he has acquired. TWO: 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He thanks him for sending 'A Poor Man's House', of which he has 'written glowingly in my two little causeries, one in The Reader's Review, the other in the Country House'. He asks him to 'repeat the experiment' by sending another book, before commenting: 'Reynolds far exceeds my anticipation & I am proud with a certain reflected glory in having contributed before any one else to his being Deterré as Pope said of Dr. Johnson. I hope your sporting support of him will be justified & I certainly think it will.' Reynolds' entry in the Oxford DNB notes Seccombe's influence on him. The Titmarsh Club was a society formed in appreciation of the works of Thackeray.