Corrected Typed Biography of Irish author William Maginn by his nephew Rev. C. A. Maginn, with subscription list of a memorial he is raising to him. With two Autograph Letters Signed by the nephew, discussing a proposed edition of his uncle's works.

The three items in good condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper. ONE: Typescript. 5pp., 4to. Paginated 1 to 5, with the first three pages and last two forming separate sections, the second section headed 'P.S.' C. A. Maginn's signature in type on pp.3 and 5, and his address given on p.3. The second page contains the subscription list to the proposed memorial, with eleven contributions listed in type (headed by three guineas from Messrs BLackwood & Sons, and including a guinea apiece from Professor Saintsbury, A. P. Graves and Clement Shorter) and five contributions added in autograph (including one from 'Right Hon. T. P. O'Connor M.P.'). The background to the memorial is explained as follows: 'The end of Dr. Maginn's short life was overwhelmed with many troubles when broken in health and saddened in spirit he retired to Walton-on-Thames, where he died of consumption on the 21st August, attended to the last by his friend, Edward Vaughan Kenealy, who contributed a most eloquent obituary notice and biography of him to the Dublin University Magazine for January 1844, in which he says his grave in Walton-on-Thames churchyard will in future be a place of pilgrimage and resort for the Classical enthusiast; but notwithstanding this, no stone has ever marked his resting place down to the present day. | This long-standing reproach I hope to be able to roll away by erecting to his memory a Mural Tablet of Sicilian Marble in Walton-on-Thames Church, the total cost of which is estimated at £45, including £10 for a Faculty. | Towards this sum I have already received more than £30 in subscriptions'. The postscript discusses Maginn's works, with nine titles added in autograph. TWO: Autograph Letter Signed from C. A. Maginn to Messrs E. Whitby & Son, 8 Princes Street, Yeovil. 6pp., 4to. Neatly and closely written. He begins by listing the four short stories mentioned by Whitby's in a previous letter, agreeing that he would like to see these republished, 'together with about a dozen others, which are less known, and in fact almost quite unknown, certainly in the present generation'. He gives a list, more than a page long, followed by details of publication. 'With regard to the publication of these Stories I have just seen Mr. Cape, who says that he is willing to consider the idea of republishing the whole of these stories in a cheap and handy form of one volume, with an Introduction. | For the writing of the Introduction I suggested the name of Dr. A. P. Graves, or Mr. Shorter, of the "Sketch," or Dr. Garvin, of the "Observer," but I have just heard from Dr. A. P. Graves that, though quite willing to do it himself, he would prefer that it wa done by Professor Saintsbury, as he considers that his words would carry more weight. I shall accordingly ask Professor Saintsbury to do it.' THREE: Autograph Letter Signed from C. A. Maginn [to E. Whitby]. 3pp., 4to. He informs Whitby of the publication of one of the stories in 1928 by Elkin Mathews & Marot: 'Before approaching Messrs. Elkin Mathews & Marot I had suggested the republication to Mr. Jonathan Cape, but I could not induce him to take it up. I also suggested it to Mr Humphrey Milford, of the Oxford University Press, to include items in the "World's Classics" series, but though at first the seemed favourable to the suggestion he eventually declined it [...] I also suggested the republication to Messrs. Dent, Peter Davies, Heinemann, Eveleigh Nash, Hutchinson, The Press, and Macmillan, but could not persuade any of these firms to take them up. I also offered items to Messrs. Benn, who were willing to consider them, and intended to have offered them also to Messrs. Constable.' He describes the Elkin Mathews edition and its favourable response, before concluding with a discussion of his enquiries 'in a second-hand Bookshop' visited while staying in Derby.