[ Beatrice Irene Magraw, children's author as "B.I. Magraw". ] Collection of personal papers, including autobiographical account, an article, newspaper cuttings, portrait photograph, publicity material, letters from Richard Church and Norman Fulton.

Eleven items, in good overall condition. ONE: Autograph biographical account, on form headed 'National Service'. 4pp., folio. Bifolium. Includes personal and academic details, details of publications and political views. As her 'Literary Pseudonym she gives '(occasionally) "MARY PADESON". She has, she states, no academic qualifications, 'But read economics in youth (Society of Oxford Home Students) Ill-health prevented continuance of studies & examination'. In the section on 'Practical experience in spheres other than literature, drama or music' she gives information on her work lecturing; as a 'temporary investigating officer' at the Trade Board; and teaching at Bishop Cotton School in India ('my husband was on the staff'), 'also helped to correct examination papers in English subjects, sent to the School by Govt. of India'. TWO: Autograph account of her 'Published work', apparently in continuation of Item One. 2pp., 8vo. Seven entries, giving full details of composition (collaboration, remit) and business arrangements (royalties, advances, sales). She ends: 'Shall I send you copies of the plays (17 in all) – with a view to television & broadcasts?' THREE: Typescript of article on 'Bishop Cotton School, Simla.' 3pp., 4to. With corrections in autograph and the name 'B. I. Magraw' added at the end. On reverse, in another hand: 'Mrs. Magraw | Cist Vicarage | Canterbury'. Written in support of an appeal 'made from many pulpits for an endowment' for the school, described as 'the leading school' of India for European 'domiciled communities' who 'cannot afford to send their boys to England for the public school training that they would like'. The school is said in the article to be seventy-five years old, which would date its composition to c.1934. FOUR: Typed Letter Signed ('Irene') to 'Phoebe'. Ash, Canterbury; undated. 3pp., 4to. With autograph postscript and corrections. Describing a 'Jubilee outing to London' organised by Magraw and her husband for 'fifty two of our Mothers Union members'. The party are allowed into Buckingham Palace, and 'given places inside the courtyard' to see the King and Queen drive out: 'Charlie thought that the King looked slightly surprised and perhaps he was – we were a quaint line, all ages and figures and types! […] Some of the mothers had never been to London before, and many of them had hardly had a day's holiday, they saved up penny by penny. […] They work very hard most of the year in the fields and gardens picking fruit etc for Covent Garden'. FIVE to EIGHT: Four publishers' publicity pamphlets, advertising the following titles: 'The History at our Doors' (G. Bell & Sons); 'The Magic Bookshelf' (G. Bell & Sons); 'The Thrill of History Book I' (Collins); 'The Magic Bookshop' (Collins). SIX: Black and white posed photograph of a young girl (Magraw, no doubt) with pigtails and ribbons. Mounted on paper, with label of J. White & Son, Littlehampton. NINE: Album of press cuttings relating to 'The Magic Bookshelf' by Masefield and Magraw. The cuttings date from 1936 and 1937, and are provided by the General Press Cutting Association, Limited, London. Included is a letter to Mrs Magraw from the firm, dated 26 April 1940. A total of 26 cuttings (some loose) and 14 typed transcriptions of articles, dating from 1936 and 1937. TEN: Autograph Letter Signed to Magraw from the author Richard Church. On letterhead of The Cast House, Cranbrook, Kent; 25 November 1955. 2pp., 12mo. 'I am glad that you enjoyed my last book, which has had so much recently publicity. I don't know why it has thus been singled out from its forty predecessors; but that is the way life works.' He refers to 'a month's lecture tour round the cities of Italy', which has put him 'closely in contact with a superb, & still vital, civilization'. Ends regarding her 'generous offer of the loan of your home in Somerset'. ELEVEN: Typed Letter Signed to Magraw from Norman Fulton, Head of West Regional Music, BBC, Bristol; 2 May 1960. 1p., 12mo. Concerning 'the manuscripts of the old music you mentioned in your correspondence with Mr. Desmond Hawkins'.