[ Harold Coster, 'Photographer of Men'. ] Typed Letter Signed "Howard Coster", to Secretary of Authors' Syndicate Ltd, accompanied by typed list of his sitters, and brochure containing portraits of G. K. Chesterton, Algernon Blackwood, M. R. James,.

Author: 
Howard Coster [ Howard Sydney Musgrave Coster ] (1885-1959), 'Photographer of Men', London
Publication details: 
Letter from 8 and 9 Essex Street, Strand, W.C.2. [ London ] 2 April 1930. The brochure containing portraits from the 'Supplement to 'The Bookman'" Christmas, 1929.
£350.00
SKU: 19755

The items are in good condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight rusting from a paperclip. ONE: TLS from Coster to the Secretary, The Authors' Syndicate Ltd., London. 2 April 1930. 1p., 8vo. As they may need 'portraits for publicity purposes', he is 'enclosing a small brochure […] These pictures, which were specially taken for the Christmas Number of the Bookman, will give you an idea of the style of work I do and I have also attached a list of the portraits already in my collection.' He can 'arrange sittings' if they need up-to-date portraits of all the Authors whose publicity work you underake'. He does such work 'for several firms both here and in New York so that their files may be kept quite up-to-date'. TWO: Typed list of 'Portraits in the Collection of Howard Coster, Photographer of Men.' The phrase 'in the Collection' means taken by him. The list contains around one hundred names, in two columns, including the Earl of Lonsdale, H. V. Morton, Algernon Blackwood, G. K. Chesterton, John Galsworthy, M. R. James, Lewis Melville, A. A. Milne, Alfred Noyes, Allardyce Nicoll, J. B. Priestley, Osbert Sitwell, Frank Swinnerton, 'Sir Philip Sasson [sic]'. THREE: Cream card brochure (33 x 23 cm), containing prints of excellent close-up portraits of G. K. Chesterton, 'Dr. Montague James', Alfred Noyes, Algernon Blackwood. Printed on cover of brochure: 'Howard Coster | Photographer of Men | 8, Essex Street, Strand | 'Phone: Temple Bar 7866', and with number amended in pencil. The prints are each 18 x 14.5 cm, on 33 x 23 cm loose pieces of paper, uniform in layout. Each has 'Supplement to “The Bookman,” | Christmas, 1929.' at top right of the border, with 'From a camera portrait by Howard Coster' at bottom left.