[Frank Norman.] Three Typed Letters Signed and one Autograph Card Signed to Philip Dosse of Hanson Books, complaining about his treatment over the reviews he has contributed to ‘Books and Bookmen’.

Norman is puzzlingly absent from the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The four items are in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. They are all signed ‘Frank Norman’, and the letters are each 1p, 4to. ONE: TLS, 17 February 1975. He was ‘not inspired’ to come up with anything more than a short review of Melvyn Bragg’s ‘The Silken Net’: ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr Bragg’s opinions of my books are rather the same as mine of his. - In reverse.’ TWO: TLS, 5 April 1975. In enclosing a review he states: ‘I dislike discussing money, but I am a little disconcerted at not yet having been paid for my lengthy review of Brendan Gill’s Ways of Loving which appeared in last month’s issue of Books & Bookmen.’ He suggests that he should be getting the ‘going rate in most quality periodicals, these days’, of £40. ‘I am delighted to be reviewing for you and I very much hope that our association will beb a long and fruitful one.’ THREE: TLS, 2 August 1975. He begins by discussing a review that has not appeared, although ‘in the “scheduled contents” two months running’, and the fact that he hasn’t been paid for the Bragg review. ‘I don’t want to appear over-sensitive but this makes me feel that you probably no longer want me as a contributor. I was really keen on the idea of developing a wider ranging line of book reviewing by working for you but naturally I don’t want to foist my services on you if you don’t want them.’ He asks for confirmation that he is not ‘making a mountain out of a molehill - and please [last word underlined] may I be paid for the Bragg and Bain reviews.’ The letter has manuscript notes at one corner in blue ink. FOUR: ACS, ‘Sunday’ (postmarked London, 10 August 1975’). He thanks him for the letter and cheque. ‘I’m delighted to learn that I missjudged [sic] the situation about my reviewing for you. I would indeed like to do more books so please keep me in mind.’