[‘The Old Bohemian’: G. L. M. Strauss [Gustave Louis Maurice Strauss], Anglo-Canadian writer and dramatist.] Autograph Letter Signed to Octavian Blewitt of the Royal Literary Fund describing his poor personal and financial situation.

See his entry and Blewitt’s in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged laid paper, with thin strip of tape from mount on reverse of second leaf. Thirty-seven lines of text. Addressed to ‘Octavian Blewitt Esq.’ and signed ‘G. L. M. Strauss’. He begins by describing his situation: ‘I venture to solicit your kind friendly advice. You know that two years ago a well nigh fatal illness compelled me to leave The Charterhouse on an out pension of a guinea a week - an exchange which I bet to assure you I have no reason or wish to regret.’ During his eighteen months of illness he ‘received only nine pounds a quarter - fifty-four pounds in all - from the institution. Even the kindness of my friends could not, then, altogether shield me from incurring some pecuniary liability to enable me to live through this period of more than usual expense’. Since his recovery he has written his reminiscences, which have ‘yielded me only seventy pounds for the copyright’. The letter continues with further news, and he ends by asking Blewitt whether he should appeal to the committee of the Royal Literary Fund.