[Sir Arnold Wesker, British playwright, one of the 'Angry Young Men' of the 1950s.] Two Typed Letters Signed to Philip Dosse of 'Plays and Players', the second with reference to F. R. Leavis and 'standards', John Russell Taylor and John Tarter.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. Both items 1p, 4to. ONE (11 July 1972): Signed 'A. Wesker'. In good condition, with short closed tear at one edge of central postage fold. He begins by explaining how to apply for permission to print his play 'The Old Ones', adding: 'But as for writing an introduction to it, I am afraid I would prefer not to. It is a very simple, straight-forward play and doesn't need a great deal said about it. John's interview, will, I am sure, cover the most interesting aspects.' In a postscript he states that he has received the latest number of 'Plays and Players', and that 'the piece in CUES concerning the second of my new plays, THE JOURNALISTS, was so totally inaccurate that I can't even begin to work out how such information was compiled'. TWO (26 September 1972): Signed 'Arnold Wesker'. In good condition, lightly aged. Begins by discussing 'John Tarter's piece on the Richmond Lecture': 'as I got deeper and deeper into it I began to thank God that I was not involved in the academic blood battle of which Tasker seem [sic] to be part'. Moves on to the literary critic F. R. Leavis: 'I have, of course, known Leavis and many people I have met claim their whole attitude to literature was shaped by him. I have only dipped into odd books but am ashamed to say I have not really read him. I shall do so with great interest now since the whole question of standards is one that concerns me - though I am glad to have discovered Austin, [sic] Elliott [sic] and Henry James for myself. He is 'somewhat put off by the Tasker lecture. Although I am not very good at it, I occasionally reach out for some vivid and ironic turn of phrase to make my point; but I am very suspicious of the continued caterwauling that screeches through the pages of Tasker's pain'. Ends with reference to his 'reply to John Russell Taylor': 'I hope Buckley [playwright David Joss Buckley] find room for it and although it is not as cataclysmic an encounter as the Leavis/Snow one, I hope he lets the press know - say Phillip Oakes and the Sunday Times - that it is taking place'.