LONDON

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE (13 January 1934): 1p., landscape 12mo. The 'proposed article sounds the sort of thing', but Strangeways cannot accept it until he sees it. TWO (3 February 1934): 2pp., landscape 12mo. He thanks him for sending the article, regarding which he writes: 'if the musicians mentioned in it had been more important or there had been more about them, it wd. have been worth printing; but as it is I am afraid it is not of sufficient interest.' The writer's reference to 'Ranzini' is, Strangeways points out, 'almost certainly' a mistake for 'V.

Only a handful of letters (or less) by the artist, aesthete and murderer Thomas Griffiths Wainewright survive (None yet traced!). He holds the dubious distinction of being the first English murderer to employ strychnine; with his wife's help he first murdered her half-sister and then his uncle. Artist, essayist, connoisseur and dandy, friend of Charles Lamb and patron of William Blake, Wainewright is a fascinating and elusive figure who inspired Oscar Wilde, whose study of Wainewright, the essay 'Pen, Pencil and Poison', first appeared in 1889, cribbed from the introduction to W.

A treasure trove of socio-medico-legal information, in seven out of a total of ten volumes of notes by a protégé of Sir Bernard Spilsbury (two of whose autopsies are described in detail), with descriptions of his autopsies (1931) and his own reports as coroner of numerous inquests by him (between 1931 and 1945), in cases of murder, suicide (mainly Lysol and gas poisoning) and accident, such as: 'Self induced abortion', 'Septic foot - cutting toe-nail', 'Arm caught in machinery', 'Fall from barge into R[iver]. Lea', 'Burns at home | Clothing caught fire', 'Fall fr.

One page, 12mo, dusted but text clear and complete. Walford asks May I represent you, as hitherto, at the Speech Day [underlined] at Harrow on the 6th of July [underlined from 'Harrow'] and also at Mill Hill School on the Prize Day, the 28th inst. [underlined from 'day'], when the prizes are to be distributed by Lord Aberdeen? Buckle replies on the same page's base, Please report these two speech days shortly for us, as you suggest. Quite a short paragraph. | G.E. Buckle.

Number 22172, pp.3707-3775, UNbound, still in original gatherings A-I (total 9, each four pages, unopened), first pages sl. grubby, and others edges dusted, ow good condition. Each gathering stamped in red as NEWSPAPER. It includes comprehensive reports on fighting and situation from April 1858-[9] April, concluding (no.

For information on Kenney and the recipient Thomas Hill, see their entries in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. Bifiolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Addressed, with postmark, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Thos. Hill Esqr | Queen Hith' [i.e. Queenhithe, London]. Hill had presumably requested a representation of Kenney, and the tone of the letter is that of one man of the world addressing another, accurately caught by a dramatist: 'Dear Sir, | I have just received your note of the 10th.

3pp, 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Addressed, with Versailles postmark, on reverse of second leaf, 'A Mademoiselle Holcroft | Chateau de Pinon | près | Chavignon | Dep. de l'Aisne'. The background to the letter requires some explanation. In 1812 a prosperous Kenney had married Louisa Mercier (c.1780-1853), daughter of the French dramatist Louis-Sébastien Mercier (1740-1814), and fourth wife and widow of the playwright Thomas Holcroft, a leading radical who had assisted his friend Thomas Paine publish 'The Rights of Man'.

1p, 8vo. Fifteen lines of text, in green ink. In fair condition, lightly aged, folded twice, with short closed tear to edge of one crease. Signed 'Sybil Thorndike'. Although 'deeply gratified', her 'present duties' will detain her 'at the Theatre every evening until 11 o/c', so that she will not be able to 'act as a Steward at the Anniversary of the Royal Literary Fund at the Guildhall, next Wednesday'.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dear Sir | I regret that I am an [sic] unable to become a Steward at the Royal Literary Fund dinner, but I have pleasure in sending a small donation to the fund.'

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. As a captain in Howe's army, he served in the American War of Independence at Lexington, Bunker Hill (where he was severely wounded) and in all but one engagement up to November 1778. 1p, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, with central spike hole to both leaves, on aged paper, with reverse of first leaf laid down on part of leaf cut from an album, captioned in a nineteenth-century hand. The reverse of the second leaf is addressed, with three postmarks, to 'Messrs. Barlow & Co | Wine Merchants | Black Friars'.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with traces of yellow paper mount adhering to the blank reverse. Reads: 'Mr & Mrs. Bohn present their compliments to the Mayor of Liverpool and Mrs. Hubback, and have much pleasure in accepting their polite invitation for the 15th. proxo.'

[24]pp, 12mo. Stapled programme, in shiny covers. Strip torn away from back cover, and with staples slightly rusted, otherwise in fair condition. Large signature 'Ivor Novello' diagonally across title on front cover: 'Richard D. Rose | presents | Ivor Novello | in | I Lived With You | A comedy in three acts | by | Ivor Novello'. An illustrated 'magazine' programme, containing articles and advertisements. No copy on OCLC WorldCat. From the papers of Novello's friend and biographer, the theatre historian W. J.

1p, 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged and creased paper, folded twice. Reads: 'Sir Frank Benson regrets that his departure for South Africa will prevent his having the pleasure of availing himself of the Literary Society's kind invitation to assist at the banquet, on Wednesday, July 16th. -'

9pp, 12mo. On twi bifoliums and a single leaf, only the first of the bifoliums carrying the letterhead. In good condition, on aged paper. Folded once and in an envelope with 'Whist for 2. | Rules by Miss Stanton.' on cover. The letterhead has the feel of the 1920s, but the handwriting is Victorian, and presumably that of an old spinster. The first bifolium carries a separate set of instructions over four pages, headed 'Whist for two', and concluding: 'Hope you can read it excuse blots for I cant see what I have written'.

Two pamphlets, uniform in layout, both stab-stitched. Providing information on educational costs for Indian students (and students generally) in pre-war Britain. No copies of either on OCLC WorldCat. ONE: 'Notes and Suggestions for Indian Students for the English Bar' (February 1914). 17pp, 12mo. Aged and worn, with slight rust staining from paper clip.

Three items, the first being a file containing the aggrieved 'Answer' of the Indian Students' Department to the criticisms of it within the 1922 report of the Committee on Indian Students ('The Lytton Committee'), comprising thirteen documents, all typewritten, and several with manuscript emendations; the second item being a small collection of related newspaper cuttings, along with the typescript of an article, and a copy of a printed item titled 'Correspondence between the Secretary of State for India and Lord Lytton' (1921), no other copy of the last of which having been located; the third

Each letter 1p, 8vo. Both in fair condition, lightly aged and creased. On signing one of the letters she has slightly smudged it. ONE: 28 May [1950]. She thanks him for his 'fascinating-looking book, THE MELODIES LINGER ON', and for his 'most generous inscription'. She and her husband 'Richard' (the drama critic Richard Halliday) have 'read bits and pieces and have looked at every photograph, and can't wait to really sit down and read the book from cover to cover!' She continues: 'And that will be soon.

[12] + 158 + [8]pp, 12mo. In buff printed wraps. Advertisements at front and rear. Aged and worn, but tight and complete. Packed with revealing information under the main headings: Legal Study; Government Service; Agricultural; Forestry; Universities and Colleges; Teachers' Diplomas; Colleges for Women; Medical Study and Diplomas; Accountants; Engineering and Technology; Architecture; Art Schools; Commerce; Languages; Coaches and Private Tutors; Schools; Exemptions. Ownership signature at head of front cover: 'R. M. J. Knaster'. In addition to being listed under 'Educational Advisers.

See the entries for Smith and MacQueen-Pope in the Oxford DNB. Walt Disney had read The Hundred and One Dalmatians earlier in the year in which the present letter was written, and had immediately begun negotiations for the rights, much to Smith's delight, as she had hoped that he would make it into a film. 2pp, 8vo. A long letter, in a close and elegant hand. Writing on behalf of herself and her 'friend' and business manager Alec Macbeth Beesley, and on receipt of his latest book, she begins: 'Dear Popie, | How very, very kind of you to send us Give me Yesterday! Thank you so much.

It is puzzling that Van Druten, one of the most successful British playwrights of the early 1930s, should not have an entry in the Oxford DNB. The present entertaining and informative letter is written from the A. J. C. Ranch in Coachella Valley, which Van Druten purchased with his then-lover Carter Lodge and the British actress Auriol Lee (it was named after the initals of their first names).

A nice artefact of the censorship of pre-First World War British theatre. The London production of Vollmoeller's wordless drama 'Eine Venezianische Nacht' was censored by the Lord Chamberlain's office, and the production at the Palace Theatre, London, in November 1912 was panned by the critics. 15pp, folio, on fifteen leaves gathered together with green ribbon, interleaved with six typed slips of variant text, and with one leaf a composite made up of several sections glued together. Mimeographed typescript. In fair condition, on aged, worn and creased paper, with final leaf detached.

Hassall's fifteen-year association with Novello began in 1933 when he acted as his understudy, followed by successful collaboration on the 1935 musical 'Glamorous Night', and he is commenting here on the appearance of Macqueen-Pope's biography of Novello. See the three men's entries in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. A long letter: 86 lines of closely-written text.

See both their entries in the Oxford DNB. Two long letters. Both 2pp, 4to. Both letters on aged paper, creasing at the head. Each folded twice. Written in a close, elegant hand. ONE: 23 January 1957. Writing on behalf of herself and her 'friend' and business manager Alec Macbeth Beesley she begins: 'Our dear, dear Popie, | It really is fantastic. This morning I wrote you a tiny fan letter, combined with thanks for your radio mentions of me. I then carried it to the little pillar-box at the crossroads near here, in time to catch the 3.40 post.

The Secretary of State for India's memorandum is printed here without a date, so it is unclear whether it was written by Sir Joseph Austen Chamberlain or his successor (from July 1917) Edwin Montagu. 26pp, 8vo. Stapled and in grey wraps with title on cover: 'MEMORANDUM | ON THE | Position of Indian Students | IN THE | United Kingdom.' In good condition, with rusted staples. The first page has the drophead title and introductory passage: 'The Position of Indian Students in the United Kingdom.

[12]pp, folio, paginated [205]-216. Double-column newspaper, on two unattached bifoliums. On lightly aged and spotted paper, and in fair condition, apart from insect depredation to margin at centre of outer edge (not affecting text). The leading article, covering most of the first two pages, is 'Labour and India. | Inspiring Messages from Leaders. | The following messages from prominent Labour Leaders were received at the Labour and India Conference held at Essex Hall on December 11th, a full report of which appears in this issue of INDIA.' Messages follow from 22 individuals including G.

Fifteen items, totalling 73pp, comprising thirteen letters, one of them incomplete, an address and a five-page transcription from E. V. Neale. Closely written, and somewhat untidy in arrangement, but containing interesting biographical information and information about the co-operative movement. The letters total 56pp. Almost all are in 4to. In fair condition, with light signs of age and wear.

ONE: Marsh to MP. 19 November 1951. 2pp, 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with light rust spotting from paper clip. Folded twice. Pencil note by MP. Marsh begins his letter: 'My dear Popie. | Very many thanks indeed for the book. It came on Saturday, & I read nothing else till I finished it this morning. Very many congratulations too, your Achievement story is itself a big achievement, & everyone who loved Ivor will be grateful to you for it. You can imagine how many memories it revived in me, & how much it added to my Knowledge.

2pp, 18mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded once. Written in a close, elegant hand. Written on receipt of a presentation copy of MacQueen-Pope's latest book, the letter begins: 'My dear Popie, | Thank you so very much for St James's, Theatre of Distinction. I think I am enjoying it even more than I usually enjoy your individual-theatre books, because the St James's meant so much to me. It was the first London theatre I ever went to - long before I could read or went to a school.

1p, 4to. In fair condition, on aged and creased paper. The letter begins: 'Dear Mr. MacQueen Pope, | Please forgive me for bothering you, but you are I know, the horse's mouth as regards theatre history.' She explains that she is 'in the throes of a book on ballet' for her publishers William Collins, and she asks him to help her with 'a problem in the section on early ballet in England'. The problem concerns 'the King's Theatre Haymarket' and 'the Italian Opera House'. She gives a facts and dates, asking 'was it all one and the same theatre?

Contemporary duplicated typescript, from the Christopher Fry papers. 14pp, 8vo. Each page on a separate leaf. In fair condition, lightly aged. Fry's introductory talk is present in its entirety on pp.1-5, this is followed by an unpaginated page, then pp.8-15 with p.[10] also unpaginated. Hence p.6 or p.7, beginning the extracts from the play, would appear to be absent. On the front page, between the heading and transmission details is: 'Rehearsal: Thursday 4th June 1953: 10.00 onwards | Recording: Thursday 4th June 1953: 12.15 - 1.00 p.m. 3A | Recording of Insert: [BLANK]'.