CUMMINGS

[Ebenezer Prout, English musicologist and music theorist.] Signed conclusion of Autograph Letter to Dr William Hayman Cumming appealing for assistance on behalf of a 'most deserving young man'.

Author: 
Ebenezer Prout (1835-1909), English musicologist, music theorist and critic [William Hayman Cummings (1831-1915), singer and musicologist]
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£20.00

See the entries for Prout and Cummings in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. The second leaf of a bifolum, the first presumably carrying the commencement of the letter. The present fragment, in a good firm hand, reads: 'in the way he desires but if you can do so, you will not only be assisting a most deserving young man, but I shall regard it as a personal kindness. / I am, my dear Cummings, / Yours very cordially, / Ebenezer Prout. / Dr. W. H. Cummings.'

[Robert Lax inscribes a copy of his first book to the playwright Christopher Fry and his wife, 'merely to think of whom gladdens the heart & makes the countenance shine'.] The Circus of the Sun. [Signed by Lax and illustrator Emil Antonucci.]

Author: 
Robert Lax (1915-2000), American poet, friend of Thomas Merton; Emil Antonucci (1929-2006), artist, illustrator and proprietor of the Journeyman Press, New York [Christopher Fry]
Publication details: 
New York: Journeyman Books, 1959.
£380.00

[55]pp, 8vo. Number 448 of 500 copies, with colophon signed by 'Robert Lax' and illustrator 'Emil Antonucci'. In quarter binding of spine in plain black cloth and paper boards on which are printed circus photographs by Charles Harbutt. Nice inscription on front free endpaper: 'For Mr & Mrs Chistopher Fry, merely to think of whom gladdens the heart & makes the countenance shine, | Robert Lax'. Lacking the original plain glassine dustwrapper. In good condition, apart from a 6 cm horizontal cut or rub mark to the front board, which is not overly obtrusive.

[Philharmonic Society, London.] Engraved Certificate electing Lord Alverstone a fellow, signed by Sir Edward German, Francesco Berger, Waddington Cooke, William Hayman Cummings, Myles Birket Foster the younger, Stanley Hawley, Alberto Randegger.

Author: 
Royal Philharmonic Society, London; Sir Edward German, Francesco Berger, Waddington Cooke, William Hayman Cummings, Myles Birket Foster the younger, Stanley Hawley, Alberto Randegger, Lord Alverstone
Publication details: 
Philharmonic Society, London. 17 May 1909. Engraved by Warrington & Co., London.
£120.00

An attractive artefact, printed in black on one side of a 46 x 34 cm piece of thick paper, with the embossed circular 'lyre' seal of the Society added in red ink in the left-hand margin. Completed in manuscript with the details of the election as a fellow of 'The Right Honourable Lord Alverstone G. C. M. G.', on 17 May 1909. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Ornate heading of the Philharmonic Society, with royal crest (the society being 'Under the immediate patronage of | Their Most Gracious Majesties The King & Queen Alexandra') and the engraved names of the principal officers.

[ William Hayman Cummings, Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, to musicologist R. A. Streatfield. ] Six Autograph Letters Signed (all 'William H. Cummings') regarding Handel and a controversy in the Morning Post on 'Cannons' and Duke of Chandos.

Author: 
William Hayman Cummings (1831-1915), Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, tenor, organist at Waltham Abbey [ Richard Alexander Streatfeild (1866-1919) of the British Museum, musicologist ]
Publication details: 
All from Sydcote, Dulwich, S.E. [ London ] Between 25 September 1913 and 20 February 1914.
£120.00

The six letters in good condition, lightly aged and worn. The first five on grey paper, the sixth on white paper with mourning border. The first letter (25 September 1913) reads: 'Your letter in yesterday's "Morning Post" reminded me of your fine book on Handel. I read it on its publication, and it is always close at hand as I write in my study. But, alas, I am in my 83rd year and my memory is not what it was. I ought to have looked at what you said before writing to the M. P. In any case, I thank you for taking part in the fray, which I think is not being quite fairly fought.

[ George J. Firmage, literary critic. ] Folder of material relating to e. e. Cummings and his wife (christmas card from them, pamphlet by Holley Cantine inscribed by her, cuttings, offprint, photographs), with poem inscribed to him by Oscar Williams.

Author: 
George James Firmage (1928-2005), authority on e. e. Cummings [ Edward Estlin Cummings (1894-1962); Marion Morehouse Cummings (1906-69); 'Oscar Williams' [ pen-name of Oscar Kaplan (1900-1964)] ]
Publication details: 
Most items from New York City. Dating from between 1962 and 1972.
£320.00

George James Firmage was born in New York; attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1947-48) and College of the City of New York (1949); BA, New York University, 1952; pursued graduate study, University of Massachusetts, 1952-54; publications supervisor in advertising and marketing services department, First National City Bank, New York, 1954; wrote several books, including E.E. Cummings: a Miscellany (1958) and E.E. Cummings: a Bibliography; editor of A Garland for Dylan Thomas (1963) and of E.E. Cummings' Three Plays and a Ballet (1967).

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