Typed letter signed "Lionel Britton" to Joan Jefferson Farjeon, scene designed daughter of J. Jefferson Farjeon, detective novelist and playwright. WITH: related correspondence.

Novelist and playwright, author of the "flawed masterpiece" "Hunger and Love". Two pages, 8vo, fold marks but good condition, one ms. correction. A substantial letter dated 30 Oct. 1956, in which he reports on a letter from "Miss Black of Curtis Brown Ltd" (literary agents) in which she reports that Miss Farjeon does not want to sign a second agreement for "The Impossible Guest" (novel by Joseph Jefferson Farjeon published in 1949 which Britton presumably adapted for the stage). He goes on to argue that a second agreement is customary, especially when the first is "in favour of the dramatist", saying that "one must see both sides". He explains why at length, recommends that she should have an agent to watch over her interests (Curtis Brown would be convenient for both), promises proper accounts, says that she should retain the right to make a second adaptation if this one unsuccessful. He recommends that she consult with Miss Black and consider at length. He concludes: " Plays are chancy things, and we must not put our hopes too high, but THE IMPOSSIBLE GUEST does make a very fine play, and BACK TO VICTORIA is even better - he anticipates a wild success (Father's name on Broadway, up in lights, etc.) and expresses great admiration for his work which he thinks under-rated. "We could not give him a better monument." WITH: two typed letters signed by members of Christopher Mann's staff (literary agents) dated 1958-9 about agreement with Britton for J.J. Farjeon's "Mother goes gay", in one of which (1959) Aubrey Blackburn can't make sense of Britton's letter,with the other of which (from W.Digby-Seymour, 1958) is the copy of a typed letter from Joan Jefferson Farjeon to Lionel Britton about his collaboration with J.J. Farjeon on "Mother goes gay", quoting their agrement at lenth and asserting her rights. AND: a typed letter from Kitty [Black] of Curtis Brown (1956) concerning the Lionel Britton matter above saying "I have had a letter from a character called Lionel Britton, enclosing a contrcat for the dramatisation of THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM. What is it in aid of, and have you agreed to it all." She finds his presentation "imposing" (sardonically) but he misses the point that she has inherited rights in the book, a point which should be in the contract. AND: a copy of a typed letter from Aubrey Blackburn of Christopher Mann Ltd (1956) to Kitty [Black] of Curtis Brown Ltd saying that "If you really want my comment on Mr. Britton's statement I could quite easily give you an adequate reply by using one word." She gives more though saying the the letter gives Britton no rights. "It implies that if he wants to adapt Mr. Farjeon's novel for the stage Mr. Farjeon would want to see the results and go through his work. That is all." She suggests Britton's letter is returned to him. Six items.