MANUSCRIPT

[ Benjamin Webster, actor-manager and dramatist. ] Corrected Manuscript (possibly autograph) of 'The Unfortunate Youth! a Farce in One Act. by B. Webster Esqre.' [ Retitled 'The Unfortunate Boy! or Always in for it.' ]

Author: 
Benjamin Webster [ Benjamin Nottingham Webster ] (1797-1882), English actor-manager and dramatist
Publication details: 
'T. R. H.' [ i.e. Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London ]. Undated [ 1840 ].
£800.00

68pp., 4to. In fair condition on lightly aged and worn watermarked laid paper. Sewn into brown paper wraps with 'The Unfortunate Youth. | T. R. H.' on cover. The title on the title-page is retitled in pencil 'The Unfortunate Boy! or Always in for it.' Possibly in Webster's hand, but with what may be the initials of the transcriber following the 'FINIS' on the final page. The text of the play is on the rectos, with occasional writing on versos. Emendations in ink and pencil, including additional dialogue.

[ Ernest Elton, New York actor. ] Prompt copies with manuscript additions from his directing of the women students of the University of Vermont in the Shakespeare plays 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Much Ado about Nothing', 'Twelfth Night', 'As you like It'.

Author: 
Ernest Elton (fl. 1900-1922), New York actor [ William Shakespeare; University of Vermont; Syracuse University ]
Publication details: 
Two of the plays with Elton's address given as '131 West 40th St. | New York City', and one with it as ''A.S.A. 114 W. 40th St''. University of Vermont. 1900 [ 1902 ].
£2,000.00

The four items present here are the prompt books for performances of Shakespeare plays by the 'Young Ladies of the University of Vermont', under the direction of New York actor Ernest Elton. BACKGROUND: Professor George B. Bryan, in a 'History of Theatre at the University of Vermont' writes that around the turn of the century 'The women students launched their own dramatic activities. If the men could stage their frivolities at the Howard Opera House, the ladies would perform classical plays on the lawn of Grasse Mount.

[ Guy Bolton and Fred Thompson. ] Early uncensored typescript draft of 'Song of the Drum' ('A New Musical Comedy | Book'), before the setting was changed from India to 'Huzbaria' because of political unrest.

Author: 
Guy Bolton [ Guy Reginald Bolton ] (1884-1979), Anglo-American writer of musical comedies, associated with P. G. Wodehouse; Fred Thompson [ Frederick A. Thompson ] (1884-1949), English librettist
Publication details: 
With typed address of 'Fred Thompson | 419, East 57th Street | New York City. | (Plaza 2018)'. Stamp of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane Ltd. London, W.C.2. Undated [ circa 1931 ].
£450.00

Jeffrey Richards, in his 'Imperialism and Music: Britain, 1876-1953' (2001), pp.272-274, discusses this piece at some length, beginning: 'There was a late entry in the imperial cycle, the now-forgotten The Song of The Drum, written by Fred Thompson and Guy Bolton, which opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on 9 January 1931. It starred Derek Oldham as Captain Anthony Darrell, Bobby Howes as comic relief Chips Wilcox, Peter Haddon as silly-ass "Goofy" Topham and Marie Burke as glamorous spy Countess Olga von Haulstein.

[ John Baldwin Buckstone, actor and playwright? ] Set of manuscript parts for an adaptation of Bulwer-Lytton's 'The Last Days of Pompeii', fifteen of them carrying the name of the actor or actress.

Author: 
[ John Baldwin Buckstone (1802-1879), English actor and playwright? ] [ The Adelphi Theatre, London ] Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803-1873), English novelist
Publication details: 
[ Adelphi Theatre, London? ] Undated, but some paper with watermarked dates 1837 and 1840.
£800.00

A total of 97pp., mostly 4to, with a further four slips. Around thirty separate parts, unbound. Written in at least two hands. In fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. Fifteen of the parts (mostly from the first act) carry the name of the actor or actress at the head: 'Mr Bland', 'Mr Jonas', 'Mr. Gray', 'Mr Howard', 'Miss Barratt', 'Mr Webster', 'Mrs Baker', 'Mr Bedford', 'Mr. Lynne', 'Mr F. Lloyd', 'Mr Hailes', 'Mrs Ridgway', 'Mr Ridgway', 'Mr Hailes', 'Mr. P. C'. Bulwer-Lytton's book was published in 1834, and was an enormous success.

[ Sir William Martins, Gentleman Usher. ] Autograph Letter in the third person to actor-manager Benjamin Webster, asking him to arrange a performance of a farce at the Adelphi Theatre 'at the rather earnest wish of a former Lord Chamberlain'.

Author: 
Sir William Martins (c.1787-1874), Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State [ Benjamin Webster [ Benjamin Nottingham Webster ] (1797-1882), actor-manager; Adelphi Theatre, London ]
Publication details: 
St James's Palace [ London ]. 16 February [ no year, but on paper watermarked 1844 ].
£45.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condiion, on aged and worn paper. Marked 'Private', and written with an urgency suggesting the involvement of royalty behind the request. The letter begins: 'Sir William Martins presents his Compliments to Mr Webster and at theh rather earnest wish of a former Lord Chamberlain entreats Mr Webster, if it be practicable to allow the Farce of "Powder & Ball" to be played at the Adelphi one evening this Week either Wednesday Thursday or Friday'. He will 'explain further' and writes 'in case he should not be fortunate enough to meet Mr Webster at the Theatre'.

[ William Boyd Carpenter, Bishop of Ripon. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Boyd Carpenter') to 'Professor Lang' [ probably William Robert Lang ] regarding George Thomas Shettle and the lack of 'spiritual ideals' evidenced in the Great War.

Author: 
William Boyd Carpenter (1841-1918), Bishop of Ripon and court chaplain to Queen Victoria [ Professor William Robert Lang (1870-1925) of the University of Toronto; George Thomas Shettle (1861-1936) ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 6 Little Cloisters, Westminster. 30 January 1918.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. He begins by apologising for being unable to give any information regarding Shettle, who 'only came into Ripon Diocese in 1911, theh year in which I resigned'. He is unacquainted with Shettle's books, none of which are credited to him in Crockford's. He agrees with Lang's 'letter & notes on Church & Education matters': 'the War is constantly disclosing how far astray our Education & Church method has been.

[ Daniel Terry, actor and dramatist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Danl. Terry') to the wife of the architect William Atkinson

Author: 
Daniel Terry (c.1780-1829), English actor and dramatist, friend of Sir Walter Scott [ William Atkinson (c.1774-1839), English architect ]
Publication details: 
Without place or date, but with note stating that it was written 'about the year 1829'.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. Addressed to 'My dear Mrs. Atkinson', and with contemporary note at head stating that the letter is 'To Mrs. Atkinson Grove end - about the year 1829', Grove End in Paddington being the estate of the architect William Atkinson. In good condition, lightly-aged, with minor traces of stub adhering to one edge on blank reverse. He thanks her for her 'beautiful present' and informs her that he has 'secured 6 places in the front Boxes for to-morrow evening - and shall do myself the pleasure of bringing up admissions for that Number either to day or early to morrow morning'.

[ 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).

[ Charles Mathews, actor and dramatist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C. Mathews') to Richard Wilson, declining an invitation because of 'so much responsibiltiy on my shoulders in the new farce'. With cartoon of Mathews, Yates, Reeves, and an elephant.

Author: 
Charles Mathews [ Charles James Mathews ] (1803-1878), English actor and dramatist [ Richard Wilson (1759-1834) of Lincoln's Inn Fields, Member of Parliament ]
Publication details: 
'Theatre | Thursday Evg.' [ No place or date, but before 1834. ]
£45.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium, addressed on second leaf to 'Rd. Wilson Esqr | Lincolns Inn Fields'. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. The letter begins: 'My dear Sir | I have so much responsibility on my shoulders in the new farce that I really dare not venture into society on those days on which I perform in it.' If he had a holiday he would accept Wilson's 'polite invitation', 'but so situated I am sorry to say it is impossible'.

[ Dame Sybil Thorndike. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Sybil Thorndike') to 'Mrs. Radcliffe', explaining her reasons for being unable to sit for 'Mr. Priest'.

Author: 
Dame Sybil Thorndike [ Agnes Sybil Thorndike ] (1882-1976), English actress [ Alfred Priest (1874-1929), English artist ]
Publication details: 
On her letterhead ('Under the Direction of Bronson Albery & Lewis Casson'), from the Criterion Theatre, London. 1 February 1923.
£35.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, aged and creased, with slight tearing at edges. She begins: 'Please forgive me for not answering your letter before, but I have been so rushed!' She is not able to 'sit for Mr. Priest just at present': 'We are just on the point of starting rehearsals for several plays to be toured and, in addition, my two small girls are ill, so that I want to spend all my spare time with them.' She is trying to 'get out of' sittings for another artist.

[ Daniel Terry, actor and dramatist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Danl. Terry') to William Campbell, playfully inviting him to come and drink with him and 'Geddes' in Mount Street.

Author: 
Daniel Terry (c.1780-1829), English actor and dramatist, friend of Sir Walter Scott
Publication details: 
'Sunday Afternoon'. Without place or date.
£45.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed on second leaf to 'Wm Campbell Esqr. | Brook Street'. In good condition, lightly-aged. The letter begins: 'Had I been aware, before dinner, of what our friend Geddes has just informed me after dinner, - that you are at present a Batchelor, you certainly should have had no excuse for not returning with him to a friendly knife & fork in Mount Street'. He asks him, if he is 'quite alone', to 'come immeditely & lecture him for his remissness - & drink to his better behaviour - we are quite en famille with only Geddes'.

[ The Garrick Club, London. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('R H Atkinson') from the secretary of the Garrick Club to drama critic R. W. Lowe, regarding 'the privilege of engraving the pictures in the Club Collection'.

Author: 
R. H. Atkinson, Secretary of the Garrick Club, London [ Robert William Lowe (1853-1902), drama critic ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Secretary's Office, Garrick Club [ London ]. 15 May 1888.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Lowe's request has been laid before the Club's committee, and there is no possibility of acceding to it: 'You say in your letter that you are aware that the privilege engraving the pictures in the Club Collection is "rarely" granted, but in this matter I fear you must have been misinformed as it is against the Rules to grant it at all'.

[ Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian. ] Two Typed Drafts of article: 'It Was Top of the Bill | The Story of Music Hall.' One draft with autograph emendations. With copy of covering letter to Greville Poke, editor of 'Everybody's' magazine.

Author: 
W. Macqueen-Pope [ Walter James Macqueen-Pope ] (1888-1960), theatre historian
Publication details: 
Drafts without place or date. Covering letter to Poke dated 20 January 1951 [ without place ].
£450.00

ONE: The earlier of the two drafts, titled 'It Was Top of the Bill | The Story of Music Hall. | by | W. Macqueen-Pope.' 14pp., 4to. Paginated 1-12, with two further pages carrying material to be inserted. With a few autograph emendations, including an addition to the ending. Macqueen-Pope writes knowledgeably and with a passion for his theme, which is that 'Music Hall reflected public taste even more accurately than did the "legitimate" Theatre because it was created by the people themselves. The basis of the Drama of the Theatre - was religion.

[ John Cust, 1st Earl Brownlow. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Brownlow') to C. B. Massingberd, regarding Royal Humane Society medallions to be presented to Richard Hoodlass and Joseph Dobson.

Author: 
John Cust (1779-1853), 1st Earl Brownlow, peer and Tory politician [ The Royal Humane Society, London ]
Publication details: 
Belton House [ Grantham, Lincolnshire ], 8 February 1834.
£56.00

2pp., 4to. Bifolium, with the lower part of the second leaf lacking, and only part of Brownlow's franking of the address present, together with his broken seal in red wax. Frank reads: '<...> Febry eighth 1834 | <...> Massingberd Esqre | Ormsby | Spilsby | <?> | Brownlow'. In fair condition, on lightly aged and ruckled paper, with folds strengthened with archival tape. He writes regarding the award of the Honorary Medallion of the Royal Humane Society to 'Rd.

[ Naomi Jacob, author and actress. ] Two Typed Letters Signed (both 'Mickie') to W. Macqueen-Pope, on subjects including Ellen Terry, Bernard Shaw and Teddy Knox of the Crazy Gang's 'Nervo and Knox'.

Author: 
Naomi Jacob (1884-1964), English author and actress [ Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), authority on theatre; Teddy Knox of the Crazy Gang's 'Nervo and Knox'; Clarice Mayne, music hall star ]
Publication details: 
Both from 'Casa Mickie [ the second spelled 'Casa Micki' ], Gardone Riviera, Lago di Garda, Italy. 16 July [ 1953 ] and 5 August 1953.
£150.00

Two chatty and characteristic letters. ONE: 15 July [1953]. 2pp., 4to. On aged paper, with wear to edges and vertical closed tear at foot. She begins by praising his books 'Ladies First' (1952) and 'Shirtfronts and Sables' (1953), adding in an autograph note 'Yes I bought them when in London.' The first contains 'that wonderfully beautiful tribute to Ellen Terry. I don't know when I have read anything which moved me so deeply, you rose to great heights when you wrote that. You are beginning to run James Agate very close on my shelves'.

[ Helen Faucit, English actress. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Helen Faucit Martin') to John Coleman, explaining why an engagement in Sheffield would be inconvenient to her.

Author: 
Helen Faucit [ Helena Saville Faucit, latterly Lady Martin ] (1817-1898), English actress
Publication details: 
42 Albany Street, Edinburgh. 20 February [no year].
£40.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Her engagements will keep her in Scotland for three weeks, after which she intends to 'return direct to London'. Sheffield is too far out of her way, and would 'prove tiresome & expensive'. Should she visit Manchester 'at Easter or Whitsuntide' she would have no objection to performing in Sheffield for a couple of nights.

[ Helen Faucit, English actress. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Helen Faucit') requesting a private box for a performance of James White's 'John Savile of Haysted'.

Author: 
Helen Faucit [ Helena Saville Faucit, latterly Lady Martin ] (1817-1898), English actress
Publication details: 
55 Brompton Square [ London ]. 15 November [ 1847 ].
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. She asks for a 'Private Box at your Theatre on Wednesday evening if your new play of "John Saville" [sic] is acted.' Rev. James White's 'John Savile of Haysted' was performed in London in November 1847.

[ Henry Kemble, actor. ] Long Autograph Letter Signed to 'Seymour', entirely written in verse, giving a humorous account of his activities in provincial theatre.

Author: 
Henry Kemble (1848-1907), English actor
Publication details: 
Theatre Royal Nottingham, 21 September 1871.
£600.00

8pp., 12mo. Text complete on aged and worn paper. A charming and high-spirited description of life in the provincial theatre in Victorian England, in better than average verse showing the influence of Byron's humorous poetry.

[ Alan Pitt Robbins, news editor of The Times. ] Signed Copy of Typed Letter to the theatre impresario Prince Littler, regarding the possibility of a charity performance of 'My Fair Lady', and the Festival Dinner of the Newspaper Press Fund.

Author: 
Alan Pitt Robbins (1888-1967), news editor of The Times, 1909-1953; secretary of the Press Council, 1954-1960 [ Prince Frank Littler [ born Prince Frank Richeux ] (1903-1985), theatre impressario ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Newspaper Press Fund, Bouverie House, Fleet Street, London. 21 October 1957.
£56.00

2pp., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The letter begins with a reference to W. Macqueen-Pope, 'who has been a close friend of mine in the worlds of journalism and the theatre for more years than either of us may wish to remember - at least forty'. Having applied unsuccessfully for seats at the premiere of 'My Fair Lady' he suggests a 'special performance' for 'those members of the journalistic profession who fall by the wayside'.

[ Edward Fitzball, writer of melodramas. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Fitzball') to an unnamed recipient, regarding changes to the last scene of his play 'The Haunted Hulk'.

Author: 
Edward Fitzball (1792-1873), English playwright specialising in melodrama [ Benjamin Nottingham Webster (1797-1882), actor-manager ]
Publication details: 
'Monday Evng.' [ London?, 1831. ]
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He has had a conversation with 'Tomkins', and as a consequence has 'made a few alterations in the last scene of the "Hulk"'. He asks him to read the last scene and 'manage, if possible, to get the Prompter's Copy set right before the reading of the Piece'. He feels his changes make the play 'more original, and more likely to render the Piece effective'. With postscript. 'The Haunted Hulk', a Nautical Drama in two Acts was performed at the Adelphi in 1831.

[ Helen Faucit, actress. ] Autograph Signature ('Helena Martin') on part of letter.

Author: 
Helen Faucit [ Helena Saville Faucit, latterly Lady Martin ] (1817-1898), English actress
Publication details: 
31 Onslow Square [ London ]. No date.
£20.00

On 6 x 11 cm piece of paper., torn from the foot of a leaf. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Mr Martin sends kind wishes with Yours | Very affectionately | Helena Martin. | 31 Onslow Square.' The reverse reads: '[...] attend to <?> William's little ones are all laid up with scarlet fever, so there is no [...]'.

[ Walt Disney, animator. ] Full-page colour cartoon strips from the English edition of 'Mickey Mouse Weekly', including 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Cinderella'.

Author: 
[ Walt Disney, animator ] [ Alice in Wonderland ]
Publication details: 
Printed for the proprietors Willbank Publications, Ltd, by Odhams Press, Ltd, London. From the issues of 29 July 1950 and 21 July, 1951.
£25.00

Six leaves extracted from the two issues, carrying six pages of coloured cartoon strips, with black and white text and illustrations on their reverses. In fair condition, lightly aged.

[ Tunisia Campaign, British North Africa Force, 1943. ] Duplicated 'SECRET' document by Major-General Charles Keightley, titled 'Main Lessons from the recent Campaign in North Africa as applicable to an Armd Div.'

Author: 
General Sir Charles Frederic Keightley (1901-1974), 6th Armoured Divison, British North Africa Force [ BNAF ] [ British Army, Tunisia Campaign, North African Campaign, 1943 ]
Publication details: 
'In the Field | 7 Jun 43.' and 'HQ 6 Armd Div, | B.N.A.F. | 7 Jun 43.' [ British North Africa Force, 7 June 1943. ]
£320.00

7pp., 8vo. On four leaves stapled together. In good condition, lightly-aged and with rusting staple. Stamped 'SECRET' at head of first page. Facsimile of Keightley's signature at end ('Maj Gen | Comd | 6 Armd Div.').

[ British Army, Sicilian Campaign, 1943. ] Two duplicated documents: 'Lecture by Maj-Gen V. Evelegh, C.B., O.B.E. on 78 Div's Part in the Sicilian Campaign' and 'Notes on Observations made in SICILY' by Lieut-Col. D. E. P. Hodgson.

Author: 
Major General Vyvyan Evelegh (1898-1958), General Officer Commanding, 78th Battleaxe Infantry Division, British Army; Lieut-Col. D. E. P. Hodgson of the Welsh Guards [ Sicilian Campaign, 1943. ]
Publication details: 
Evelegh's 'Lecture' without place or date, but contemporary. Hodgson's 'Notes' dated 'IN THE FIELD | 9 Oct 43 [ 9 October 1943 ] | DEPH/LCH'.
£320.00

Both items in good condition, lightly-aged and worn. Both scarce: no copy of either traced, either on OCLC WorldCat or on COPAC, and no copies in the Imperial War Museum collection. From the papers of military historian Barrie Pitt, author of 'Crucible of War'. ONE: ' 'Lecture by Maj-Gen V. Evelegh, C.B., O.B.E. on 78 Div's Part in the Sicilian Campaign'. Two pages each on a separate leaf, the first 8vo and the second half an 8vo page. Stapled together.

[ Cyril Clemens, editor of the Mark Twain Journal. ] Typed Letter Signed to military historian Barrie Pitt, informing him of his election as 'A Knight of Mark Twain'. With photocopy of letter from Winston Churchill to Clemens, inscribed to Pitt.

Author: 
Cyril Clemens [ Cyril Coniston Clemens ] (1902-1999), editor, Mark Twain Journal [ Barrie Pitt (2006), military historian; Winston Spencer Churchill ]
Publication details: 
Clemens' letter to Pitt is dated 5 May 1978. On his letterhead as editor of the Mark Twain Journal, Kirkwood, Missouri. The photocopy is of a Churchill letter dated from 10 Downing Street, 25 October 1943.
£65.00

ONE: Typed Letter Signed from Clemens to Pitt. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Expansive signature in blue ink. Letterhead with printed quotations from President Ford, Carl Van Doren, William Faulkener, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Message reads: 'Dear Barrie Pitt | In recognition of your outstanding contribution to Biography, you have been unanimously elected, in succession to the late Captain Basil Liddell Hart | A KNIGHT | of | MARK TWAIN'. TWO: Photocopy of letter from Churchill to Clemens.

[ 9th Corps, BNAF, 1943.] Thirteen Tunisia Campaign documents, including secret typed report: 'R.A. Experiences and Lessons from the three Battles fought by 9 Corps between 6 Apr and 12 May 1943'. Also a questionnaire with replies from five officers.

Author: 
Eric Harrison [ Major-General E. G. W. W. Harrison (1893-1987) ], soldier and Olympic athlete; General Sir Charles Frederic Keightley [ 9th Corps, British North Africa Force; Tunisia Campaign ]
Publication details: 
In the field with 9th Corps, British North Africa Force [ BNAF ], Tunisia. May and June 1943
£800.00

The thirteen items are in good condition, with moderate signs of age and wear. In buff folder, with '265/G(SD) | LESSONS DERIVED FROM TUNISIAN CAMPAIGN' in red pencil on cover. The material, including a report by Harrison, a questionnaire and two responses to it, was produced shortly after the campaign, following an order from the Army Commander that a printed report of the lessons learned be produced as quickly as possible.

[ Barrie Pitt, military historian. ] Collection of material apparently assembled during the writing of his book 'Churchill and the Generals', including typescript of a piece on Montgomery of Alamein, titled 'The Making of a Field Marshall'.

Author: 
[ Barrie Pitt (1918-2006), military historian and editor, 'Purnell's History of the Second World War'
Publication details: 
None of the items with place or date. [ 'Churchill and the Generals' published in 1981. ]
£235.00

The collection is in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. ONE: Photocopied typescript of the beginning of a piece titled 'The Making of a Field Marshall', on the early career of Montgomery of Alamein. 10pp., 8vo. With a few autograph emendations. Ends abruptly. Apparently unpublished. TWO: Two black and white press photographs, each 13.5 x 19cm.

[ 'Purnell's History of the Second World War.' ] Folder of material gathered by editor Barrie Pitt, mainly consisting of typescripts of signed translations from Italian by H. Fields, but also containing a typewritten paper on the Special Boat Service

Author: 
[ Barrie Pitt (1918-2006), military historian and editor, 'Purnell's History of the Second World War'; General Giuseppe Mancinelli (1895-1976); H. Fields, translator ]
Publication details: 
Fields' translations all date from 1968. The other items without date or place.
£450.00

Despite the name, the series was published by was published by Phoebus Publishing Ltd, in co-operation with the Imperial War Museum, from 1966. Sir Basil Liddell-Hart was first editor-in-chief, followed after his death by A. J. P. Taylor. The items in this collection are loosely inserted in a buff folder, with 'Sub-editing, Production | Illustrations, Art-work etc' in red ink on cover, under which, in black ink, the name 'Peter Dunbar'. Nine articles, together with nine notes and 'integrating notes' on various articles, all translated by H.

[ British North Africa Force, Tunisia Campaign, 1943. ] 24 original BNAF documents (many secret), sent from the field during the Battle of Tunisia by 6th Armoured Divison and 9th Corps, including operation orders, march tables, Eisenhower message.

Author: 
[ 6th Armoured Divison and 9th Corps, British North Africa Force, British Army, Tunisia Campaign, North African Campaign, 1943 ]
Publication details: 
[ British North Africa Force, 6 Armoured Division and 9 Corps. ] Tunisia, North African Campaign, 1943.
£850.00

The collection was acquired by military historian Barrie Pitt, while writing his 'Crucible of War' series on the Desert War, from Captain Vincent Duncan Jones, 6th Armoured Division, BNAF. It is in good overall condition, with rusted staples and other minor age and wear. All items duplicated typescripts unless otherwise indicated.

[ British North Africa Force, Battle for Tunis, 1943. ] Contemporary duplicated 'SECRET' typescript: 'German Tactics in Tunisian Campaign.'

Author: 
[ British North Africa Force [ BNAF ]; Tunisia Campaign; Battle for Tunis, 1943 ]
Publication details: 
Without date or place [ British North Africa Force [ BNAF ], Tunisia, 1943. ] Headed '102/G/I.'
£650.00

4pp., 8vo. On four leaves stapled together. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Divided into eight sections: 'General', 'Tanks' [including TIGER TANKS], 'A.Tk Guns', 'Fd Arty', 'Recce Units', 'Panzer Grenadiers' [including 'CONCLUSIONS'], 'Engineers' and 'Air Co-operation'. Scarce: no other copy traced (not in the Imperial War Museum collection). From the papers of military historian Barrie Pitt.

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