[Clifford Bax, playwright and author.] Autograph Letter Signed to Clifford Musgrave (‘Mr Muspratt’), regarding a lecture he gives in Brighton, accompanied by the actress and model Meum Stewart.

See his entry, and that of his brother, in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Clifford Musgrave (d.1993), Borough Librarian, was instrumental in the saving and renovation of the Brighton Pavilion. Both items in good condition, lightly aged. Both written in an elegant close calligraphic hand. The first is misaddressed to ‘Mr Muspratt’, and the second to ‘Mr. Musgrave’. Both signed ‘Clifford Bax’. ONE (14 February 1945): 2pp, 16mo. Nineteen lines. Regarding the arrangements for a lecture he is going to give, he has been asked by ‘Eric’ to communicate with him about his ‘Brighton visit’. As the letter of ‘Eric’ was ‘hurried and ambiguous’, he asks whether he has arranged for the actress and model ‘Miss Meum Steuart [sic]’ to stay at the ‘Old Ship’, or at ‘the Albion (if it has been reopened)’. He understands that ‘Eric’ will be joining them at their ‘little supper-party at the Ship after the lecture’. There is a possibility that ‘Mr. Leon M. Lion, whom you probably know through Eric’, will be joining them. He thinks he has addressed him by his ‘true name (it is quite familiar to me)’, although he is in his address book as Clifford Musgrave. TWO (24 February 1945): 1p, 12mo. Seventeen lines. Begins: ‘Dear Mr. Musgrave, / I did enjoy my brief visit to Brighton . . . . that place of such happy memories for me. In 1935 I all-but took a flat no the sea-front: and as very small children we spent several holidays at a boarding-house in the Old Steyne. What is more, I have always enjoyed the Pavilion because it speaks of a determination to make life gay.’ In addition, Musgrave himself ‘came up to expectation. Indeed, Miss Stewart and I when we were in the train lamented our poor chance of cultivating sombody so much to our liking’. Furthermore, Bax ‘met’ Musgrave ‘this morning in the correspondence columns of the Lit: Supp: - a charming surprise’. In a postscript he expresses relief that the gout with which he is at present inflicted ‘postponed its visit till after my talk at Brighton!’