FESTIVAL

[Peter Pears, English tenor.] Two Typed Letters Signed, sent to individuals writing about the dying Benjamin Britten. With printed programme and libretti of their ‘Concert in aid of the Sandham Memorial Chapel, Burghclere’.

Author: 
Peter Pears [Peter Neville Luard Pears] (1910-1986), English tenor, closely associated with the composer Benjamin Britten [Sandham Memorial Chapel, Burghclere]
Publication details: 
The two letters from 1976, both on letterhead of The Red House, Aldeburgh-on-Sea, Suffolk. Printed programme: The Stone Gallery, The Vyne, nr. Basingstoke', 20 April 1958.
£200.00

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. The material is in good condition, lightly aged, except that the envelopes of the first two items are somewhat worn and grubby. ONE: TLS to Douglas C. Dorrington. 1p, 12mo. The address to ‘Dear Mr. Dorrington’ and signature ‘Peter Pears’ are in autograph; the rest is typed. Written while Britten is dying. Reads: ‘Benjamin Britten wishes me to thank you for your kind message.

[Mary Whitehouse, campaigner against the ‘permissive society’, founder and president of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association.] Two Autograph Notes Signed on compliments slips, and her ‘New Address’ in Autograph.

Author: 
Mary Whitehouse [née Constance Mary Hutcheson] (1910-2001), campaigner against the ‘permissive society’, founder and president of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association
Publication details: 
None of the items dated, but from the 1960s or 1970s.
£100.00

A controversial figure much-ridiculed by the media, but nevertheless wielding considerable influence. See her entry in the Oxford DNB. All three items in good condition. Items 1 and 2 are 11.5 x 9 cm compliments slips for ‘The Secretary’ of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association, with the address in the bottom left-hand corner: ‘MRS. MARY WHITEHOUSE | Triangle Farm House | Far Forest | Nr. KIDDERMINSTER | Worcs.’ and her phone number at bottom right. ONE: ‘The Secretary’ crossed out by Whitehouse and replaced with her signature ‘Mary Whitehouse’. Autograph message: ‘In haste.

[Sir George Christie, longtime chairman of the Glyndebourne opera festival.] Typed Letter with Autograph passages, to ‘Mr. Hedley’, stating that he and his wife are ‘thrilled [at his knighthood] - first and foremost for Glyndebourne’s sake’.

Author: 
Sir George Christie [Sir George William Langham Christie] (1934-2014), for a third of a century chairman of the Glyndebourne opera festival, founded by his father John Christie (1882-1962)
Publication details: 
26 June 1984; on letterhead of Glyndebourne, Lewes, Sussex.
£56.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded twice for postage. The letter reads (with autograph parts in square brackets): ‘[Dear Mr. Hedley,’] / Thank you. / Mary and I are of course thrilled - first and foremost for Glyndebourne’s sake. / [It was charming of you to write. / Yours sincerely, / George Christie / P.S. I’m afraid I dont ever send autographed photographs. Sorry to disappoint you.] / [P]PS Please forgive typescript.’

[Royal Festival Hall.] Printed brochure: ‘London County Council / Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Concert Hall, Ceremony to be performed by The Right Hon. C. R. Atlee, C.H., M.P., Prime Minister’. [With press release and manuscript notes.]

Author: 
[Royal Festival Hall; Festival of Britain, 1949; London County Council; Clement Atlee, Labour Prime Minister; Howard Roberts, Clerk of the Council; Felix Aprahamian]
Publication details: 
[Ceremony performed on 12 October 1949. Building commissioned by the London County Council.]
£150.00

The present item is rare, and its interest is heightened by the fact that it is accompanied by a press release and has the covers covered in what are clearly notes on how to film the ceremony by a press cameraman. Only three copies on COPAC: at the British Library, Sheffield Hallam and the Bishopsgate Institute. An 8vo stitched pamphlet of twenty unpaginated pages in printed card wraps. Internally very good.

[6th Marquis of Donegall, as President of the Nation Federation of Jazz Organisations. On behalf of.] Autograph Signature to circular to the Kent County Army Cadet Force, offering tickets for the 1951 jazz concert at the Royal Festival Hall.

Author: 
[6th Marquis of Donegall] Edward Arthur Donald St George Hamilton Chichester, 6th Marquess of Donegall (1903-1975), President of the Nation Federation of Jazz Organisations [W. P. MacQueen Pope]
Publication details: 
31 May 1951. On letterhead of Kent County Army Cadet Force Welfare, 16 Hyde Park Gate, London.
£120.00

A nice piece of ephemera, associated with a landmark concert in the history of British popular music. 1p, 8vo. Twenty-three-line typed circular, with perforated order slip for tickets at end. In fair condition, lightly aged. Signed ‘Donegall’ and with autograph address to ‘Dear Mac Queen Pope’ (i.e. the theatre historian W. P. MacQueen Pope). The circular begins: ‘I am writing to you because H. R. H.

[E. V. Knox, editor of Punch.] Autograph Text of Prize-giving speech for speech day at Brookfield Secondary School for Girls, Highgate, with two versions of programme, and covering note.

Author: 
E. V. Knox [Edmund George Valpy Knox] (1881-1971, 'Evoe'), editor of Punch, 1932-1949, essayist, poet and humorist [Brookfield Secondary School for Girls, Highgate, London]
Publication details: 
Speech dated by Knox 19 July 1951. The two programmes for Brookfield Secondary School for Girls [Highgate, London], Speech Day, 1951. Knox's covering note on his letterhead, 110 Frognal, NW3.
£220.00

See Knox's entry in the Oxford DNB, along with those of his father and three brothers. The school was in existence in various places and under various names between 1914 and 1965. Four items, in good condition, lightly aged. ONE: Autograph Speech by Knox, headed 'BROOKFIELD SCHOOL'. Dated 19 July 1951. 3pp, 12mo. On three leaves held together with brass stud, with directions to the school on reverse of last leaf. Written in capital letters. Knox begins by noting the prizes: 'Difficult to think of anything else when one sees this table loaded with gifts.

[Richard Kayne [William Sydney Kuttner], composer and author.] Signed Autograph Score of 'The Lady Theme' for the 1972 Chichester Festival production of 'The Lady's not for Burning', framed for Christopher Fry.

Author: 
'Richard Kayne', pseudonym of William Sydney Kuttner (b.1928), Scottish composer, novelist and journalist, resident composer at the Chichester Festival Theatre
Publication details: 
Inscribed by Kayne: 'The Lady's Not For Burning. | Chichester, 1972.'
£180.00

Evidently written out as a gift for Christopher Fry, from whose papersit derives. A 10.5 x 24 cm piece of printed manuscript paper, on grey mount in glazed black wooden 17.5 x 31 cm frame. In good condition. Signed at top right 'Richard Kayne.' Towards top left: 'The Lady's Not For Burning. | Chichester, 1972.' Within the uppermost of three lines of staves Kayne has written and underlined 'THE LADY THEME'. The central stave contains the opening bars, for alto flute.

[John Lee, astronomer and mathematician.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Lee.') to George Ransome of Ipswich, urging him or 'some delegate' to attend 'our peaceful congress', 'the Hartwell Peace Festival'.

Author: 
John Lee [born John Fiott] (1783-1866), astronomer and philanthropist [George Ransome (1811-1876), Secretary of the Ipswich Museum; Hartwell Festival of Peace and Temperance]
Publication details: 
'Hartwell [i.e. Hartwell House] near Aylesbury'. 4 August 1851.
£56.00

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Lee and his wife held regular festivals of 'Peace and Temperance' in the grounds at Hartwell, and he writes that he hopes Ransome has received the prospectus of the festival which he sent him. He and his wife would be pleased were Ransome to attend, and he offers him 'a Bed in our house, or to secure one for you in Aylesbury'. In a postscript he states: 'If you cannot come or your Brother; I hope that you will send some delegate, or MP. to represent Ipswich at our peaceful Congress'.

[John Lee, astronomer and mathematician.] Autograph Letter Signed ('John Lee.') to 'Miss May' [daughter of astronomer Charles May], regarding the procurement of lodgings for a meeting of the British Association of Science at Ipswich.

Author: 
John Lee [born John Fiott] (1783-1866), astronomer, mathematician, antiquarian, barrister, numismatist and physicist [Charles May (1800-1860) of Ipswich, astronomer]
Publication details: 
On embossed letterhead of Totteridge Park School, Hertfordshire. No date. [1840s?]
£56.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Neatly and closely written. At the end of the letter Lee names the recipient as 'Miss May | Carr Street | Ipswich'. (She was the daughter of Quaker astronomer Charles May, a partner in the firm of civil engineers Ransomes and May.) Lee begins by stating that he and his wife 'are anxious to come to Ipswich on tuesday the first of July in order to attend the meeting of the British Association of Science'.

[Christopher Fry makes directorial suggestions.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Christopher') to 'Dear George', giving detailed comments on a production of Congreve's 'Way of the World', with reference to Joan Plowright and John Moffatt.

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright [Joan Plowright; John Moffatt; William Gaskill; Chichester Festival]
Publication details: 
[From the 1984 Chichester Festival?]
£250.00

The item would appear to relate to William Gaskill's 1984 Chichester Festival production of Congreve's 'Way of the World', in which Joan Plowright played Lady Wishford, and John Moffatt played Witwoud, although it is not clear why Fry should have been making directorial suggestions in this case. 2pp, 8vo. Written in pencil. In fair condition, aged and worn. Folded twice. From the Fry papers, and so possibly either a draft or not sent. The identity of the recipient is not clear.

[John Christie, founder of the Glyndebourne Festival.] Autograph Letter Signed I'John Christie.')

Author: 
John Christie (1882-1962), founder in 1934 of the Glyndebourne Opera House and the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Lewes, Sussex
Publication details: 
On letterhead, Glyndebourne, Lewes [Sussex]. 22 March 1956.
£90.00

1p., 12mo. In envelope addressed to Giles at Moulsecoombe, Brighton. In good condition, lightly aged. He has looked for Giles's letter 'but cannot – yet – find it. Sorry. I vaguely remember it.' He will find Giles '2 tickets for a Dress Rehearsal if you will let me know which one.' Options of six operas, on six different days are listed, including Figaro and Giovanni.

[ Carl Dolmetsch, classical musician, leading figure in the revival of the recorder, and Director of the Haslemere Festival. ] Autograph Signature ('Carl Dolmetsch') on part of typed letter.

Author: 
Carl Dolmetsch [ Carl Frederic Dolmetsch ] (1911-1997), classical musician, leading figure in the twentieth-century revival of the recorder, for 56 years Director of the Haslemere Festival
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£15.00

Signature on an irregular piece of paper torn from the bottom right-hand corner of a leaf. The valediction to a typed letter. Reads: '[...] gards from us all. | [...] ncerely, | Carl Dolmetsch'.

[ Festival of Britain, 1951. ] Printed 'Festival of Britain | May 3 - September 30, 1951 | Information Summary'.

Author: 
[ Festival of Britain, 1951 ]
Publication details: 
Printed for H.M. Stationery Office by Messrs. Fosh & Cross Ltd., London for Festival of Britain 1951, 2 Savoy Court, W.C.2. [ Dated '3/51', i.e. March 1951. ]
£100.00

16pp., 12mo. Stapled pamphlet. In fair condition, aged and dogeared. Cover reads 'FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN | MAY 3 - SEPTEMBER 30, 1951 | INFORMATION SUMMARY'. The lettering of the words 'FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN' is in the distinctive style, and the festival's logo is on the back cover. A list of contents on the second page includes an introduction on 'The Festival Organisation', information on events around Britain, 'Travelling Exhibitions' (including the 'Festival Ship Campania'), 'The Churches' Participation', and sections on books, films and 'Admission Charges'.

[ Printed pamphlet. ] The Official Programme of The Tercentenary Festival of the Birth of Shakespeare, To be held at Stratford-upon-Avon, Commencing on Saturday, April 23, 1864. Also, An Account of what is known of the Poet's Life; [...].

Author: 
[ By order of the Committee, The Tercentenary Festival of the Birth of Shakespeare, 1864 ]
Publication details: 
At London: Imprinted for Cassell, Petter, & Galpin, at the Belle Sauvage, in Ludgate-hill, near Paules Church-yard. 1864.
£80.00

The full subtitle reads: 'Also, An Account of what is known of the Poet's Life: a Guide to the Town and Neighbourhood of Stratford-upon-Avon And sundrie other matters just now of publicke interest relating thereto.' 96pp., 8vo. In red printed wraps. Pp.79-96 carry advertisements, as do the wraps, and there is also a leaf of advertisements on red paper inserted at rear. Aged and spotted, in brittle and worn wraps with slight loss to extremities. Illustrations in text. At head of front cover: 'Published under the Authority of the Committee.' Several copies on COPAC, but now uncommon.

[Janet Leeper, writer on ballet.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Janet') to the theatre director E. Martin Browne, giving a detailed analysis of productions at Aldeburgh and Southwark of Benjamin Britten's opera 'Noye's Fludde'.

Author: 
Janet Leeper, writer on ballet [E. Martin Browne (1900-1980), English theatre director; Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), English composer; the Aldeburgh Festival]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 30 Bramham Gardens, [London] S.W.5. 15 January 1959.
£220.00

4pp., 8vo. 102 lines of neatly and closely written text. With original envelope addressed by Leeper to 'E. Martin Browne Esq | 99 Claremont Avenue | New York 27 | U.S.A.' Leeper begins by expressing her pleasure that Browne is 'going to do the first American performance of Noye's Fludde', which she describes as 'a great work - big & simple & satisfying, & very moving'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Benjamin Britten') and Typed Letter Signed ('Ben') from the composer Benjamin Britten to the publisher Hans Juda, with seven other items including an Autograph Card Signed from Britten's secretary Jeremy Cullum.

Author: 
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), English composer [Hans Juda [Hans Peter Juda] (1904-1975), art collector, publisher of the magazine 'The Ambassador']
Publication details: 
Britten's and Cullum's letters from The Red House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk. The nine items dating from 1962, 1964 and 1965.
£280.00

The nine items are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Items One, Three and Four, from 1962, and stapled together, as are the other six items, dating from 1964-5. ONE: Autograph Letter Signed ('Benjamin Britten') from Britten to Juda. On letterhead of The Red House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk. 25 July 1962. Responding to Item Three below, Britten thanks Juda for 'sending the magnificent book on Graham Sutherland', which Britten is 'very glad indeed to have'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Oliver') from artist and stage designer Oliver Messel to collector Hans Juda, describing his terms for the sale of the originals of two 'designs for the Glyndebourne brochure' in 1952, which Juda's firm helped produce.

Author: 
Oliver Messel [Oliver Hilary Sambourne Messel] (1904-1978), English artist and stage designer [Hans Juda [Hans Peter Juda] (1904-1975), art collector and publisher; Vagn Riis-Hansen]
Publication details: 
No place or date. [2 December 1952.]
£220.00

1p., folio. Fair, on lightly-aged paper; with staple- and punch-holes in left-hand margin. Docketed in pencil, at head 'file Oliver MESSEL', and at foot '2/XII/52'. He thanks him for 'your charming messages [...] about the designs for the Glyndebourne brochure', which were 'given me by Vagn' (Messel's partner Vagn Riis-Hansen). 'For the one design ie.

Anonymous Manuscript, in English, giving details of the 'Course of Procession' in a Shinto festival, Nikko, Japan, 1 and 2 June [no year], 'from Iyeyasu [i.e. Ieyasu] Shrine to Futaarano [i.e. Futarasan] Jinja' and from 'Futaarano Jinja to Tabisho'.

Author: 
[Kanaya Hotel, Nikko, Japan; Japanese; Shinto festival; Ieyasu; Futarasan Jinja]
'Course of Procession' in a Shinto festival,
Publication details: 
1 and 2 June [no year - late nineteenth century?]; on lettherhead of the Kanaya Hotel, Nikko, Japan.
£75.00
'Course of Procession' in a Shinto festival,

8vo, 3 pp. On the rectos of three letterheads of the Kanaya Hotel. The three leaves attached by string to one corner. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Headed 'Course of Procession', and divided A and B. Section A merely reads 'On the 1st of June | Three sacred cars move from Iyeyasu Shrine to Futaarano Jinja at about 5. P.M.' Section B begins 'All men clad in various costumes will be ready until 10.30 A.M. for a grand procession and at about 11.00 A.M.

Small collection of material relating to 'Music Today', comprising two advertisements, the programme for the inaugural concert, and a Typed Letter Signed from Hamilton to V. W. A. Conn, with the autograph draft of Conn's letter to Hamilton.

Author: 
Iain Hamilton (1922-2000), Scottish composer, chairman of the 'Music Today' contemporary music programmes, held in the Royal Festival Hall Recital Room [Samuel Beckett]
Publication details: 
All items dating from 1960.
£165.00

For more information relating to this influential series of concerts, see 'Pursuit: The Uncensored Memoirs of John Calder' (2001). Seven items, including two duplicates. Text of all items clear and complete. In fair condition, but with one side of a duplicate advertisement heavily sunned (see below). ONE: Typed Letter Signed ('Ian Hamilton') from Hamilton to Conn (husband of the poet Jeanne Conn), 12 February 1960. 4to, 1 p. Eighteen lines. Responding to Conn's criticisms, explaining reasons for cutting short discussion and cancelling part of the programme, and giving future plans.

Scrapbook of material collected on a trip to Scotland for the 1958 Edinburgh International Festival, including letters, programmes, tickets, maps, postcards, newspaper cuttings.

Author: 
The Edinburgh International Festival, 1958 [Victor Conn of Eltham]
Publication details: 
[1958. Items from England and Scotland, collected in 'A Collins Scrap Book'.]
£280.00

Around 140 items, laid down on 53 pp of a contemporary 37 x 25 cm stapled scrapbook. In original red and orange wraps, with 'Edinburgh Festival 1958' in manuscript on front cover. The collection is in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with occasional items a little discoloured from mounting. The scrapbook itself is slightly grubby and ruckled. Collected by Victor Conn of Eltham, London, who was presumably responsible for the neat captions to some newspaper cuttings and other items.

Autograph Signature ('Jules Benedict').

Author: 
Sir Julius Benedict (1804-1885), Anglo-German conductor and composer
Publication details: 
January 1866; on letterhead of 2, Manchester Square, W. [London].
£18.00

12mo: 1 p. Very good. Reads 'January 1866 | [signed] Jules Benedict'.

A Scheme for a new Station on the South East Side of the River & a New Bridge with its approaches from the East & West

Author: 
Reginald Blomfield
Publication details: 
[1916]
£250.00

Printed., 13"(w) x 26" (l), fold marks, sl. chipped, good. SIGNED "Reginald Blomfield R.A./ Sept. 1916/ New Court, Temple". Apparently a new a station which was never built. Instead the site eventually became the setting for the Festival Of Britain.

two typed letters signed to Malcolm Mackenzie of the Empire Art Council

Author: 
David Eccles, later Viscount Eccles
Publication details: 
both 1p, one large and one small 8vo; the first (on Minister of Works letterhead), 25 April 1952; the second (on House of Commons letterhead), 1 June 1953
£50.00

In the first letter Eccles thanks Mackenzie for his congratulations on Eccles' 'scheme for forming a national collection of works of art'. Any help the EAC can give will be welcome, 'as the need for pictures and works of art for Government buildings, both at home and overseas, is really great'. In the second letter he thanks him for his telegram of congratulations 'on the Coronation decorations. Everyone in the Ministry of Works has tried hard to produce something worthy of the Queen and of our contemporary art'. Two items,

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