[Jessica Brett Young, widow of novelist Francis Brett Young.] Four Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mr Jackson', 'Manager, Heinemann & Cassell', discussing her husband's copyrights in an energetic style, with notes on the writing of 'My Brother Jonathan'

The first three letters each 1p., 4to; and the fourth 2pp., 4to. In good condition, on aged and creased paper, with three of the four letters stapled together. Letter One: 13 October 1967. She writes 'for information about my position concerning my late husband's books, and my Biography of him which Heinemann's published in London in 1962'. The closing of the firm's Cape Town office has been a shock to her. Letter Two: 4 November 1967. Note in top left-hand corner: 'This is the 3,686th letter since May 1963 - 80% of which are to publishers & David Higham my Literary agent.' She would like six copies of her biography of her husband. 'The Revival of his books is very pleasing & my correspondence increases all the time.' Letter Three: 5 November 1967 ('3,687th letter'). Her husband's 'most popular book', 'My Brother Jonathan' has just been republished, and she has received six copies. 'They unfortunately let 17 titles out of print & a Birmingham firm "Cambridge Ltd" took over the 17 & have been reprinting in photostat 2 copies a year.' Letter Four: 12 November 1967. She has been 'under doctor's orders & overloaded with correspondence. She wants the copies of the 'latest Reprint' of 'My Brother Jonathan', as she is 'sending copies to "The Cape Times", "The Cape Argus" & "Die Burger". She concludes the first page of the letter by stating that she is 'enclosing notes on the life of the book'. These notes cover whole of the second page, beginning: 'My Brother Jonathan, just republished by Heinemans for the 23rd. Edition. Francis told me the whole outline of the story that had lain in his subconscious mind for more than 20 years. In January 1928 it was finished after less than 4 months work, with 140,372 words. In 1948 the Film was having splendid notices in London, & in the same year it was shown for the first time in Cape Town at The Colosseum.' She concludes by discussing the film's reception in Cape Town. Jessica Brett Young's papers are now in the University of Birmingham.