Collection of thirteen Autograph Letters Signed, addressed to Robinson by various individuals, mostly relating to the publication of Robinson's song 'Gently Down the Stream'.

The collection is in good condition, with each letter entirely legible. Two items particularly aged, and one with a couple of closed tears unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. Each item bears evidence of the fact that the collection was previously held together with a pin. An interesting sidelight into the musical culture of Victorian London. COPAC only locates one copy (at Cambridge) of Robinson's piece, published by W. Sprague of Westminster in [1874], copied by F. C. Wood, 'words by permission of Messrs. Hopwood & Crew'. All items 12mo. ITEM ONE (one page, with slight loss at head): 'Willm Haslam' of 41 Middleton Road, Dalston, to 'Master Robinson', 21 March 1871. He will not require 'the services of yourself & Friend - on Thursday at Hounslow'. ITEM TWO (one page): Theodore Distin ('Theo Distin') to Robinson, 28 March 1872. 'I shall be happy to sing for you for whatever you can afford to give - & be pleased to help you in any way'. He will also 'look over' Robinson's 'Hymn': 'I have not yet had time'. Distin, member of a family of musical entertainers, is notable as the man who brought the first of Adolphe Sax's Sax Horns to Britain. ITEM THREE (one page): 'Chas. F. Combe' of 17 Westbourne Terrace North, Bayswater, to Robinson. Offers to engage Robinson in employment and gives details in four parts. ITEM FOUR (one page): Combe to Robinson. 'I find I shall be obliged to make an attendance at S. Olaves at the end of the present quarter There appears to be a feeling which we cannot quite overcome - [...] I write therefore to tell you that I shall be obliged to terminate your engagement at the expiration of your next month [...] I am sorry I have been unable to offer you a better position [...]'. ITEM FIVE (one page): Letter of Robinson ('W. W. Robinson Jnr.'), 64 Murray Street, New North Road, Hoxton, to [firm of music publishers], asking whether you may 'use the words of one of your songs entitled "Gently down the Stream" for new music, seeing no Writers name to [sic] the words. [...] I am anxious to get it Published'. Undated reply from individual with indecipherable signature, one page, on reverse, stating 'If you have any desire to be implicated in a suit at law by all means make use of the words of the song published by Messrs Hopwood & Crew they have nothing to do with us'. ITEM SIX (two pages): Letter to Robinson from 'F. C. WOOD, | Lithographical Music Copyist, | 32, VINCENT SQUARE, | WESTMINSTER, S.W.', 27 October 1873, on Wood's letterhead, giving an estimate 'for 2 pages of music & title'. 'My former estimate was for 12 stave pages & I see by putting the song on 1 page 15 staves will be required [...] Work done by this system is always cleaned off the stones as soon as finished, so that the entire number of copies is likely to be required are always ordered at once. This makes it so much cheaper than engraving. Proofs also cannot be given, but accuracy is insured by my having a correct copy & thoroughly examining the work before printing a single copy. If your copy is correct you need have no fear.' Discusses details of legal deposit and asks to be informed on some matters relating to the song. 'What will you do? [...] You may depend on the work being thoroughly well done.' ITEM SEVEN (two pages): Wood to Robinson, 30 October 1873. 'I always enquire whether copies sent me are correct because proofs not being given it is not at all likely I can take responsibility of mistakes in copies sent me. When I have a good copy to work from parties need not fear for my work, because I take good care to do it right. But as you seem rather fearful of the result I have taken the trouble to copy the whole out and send it herewith for your approval. [NOT PRESENT] Please see if it is correct & the music arranged as you desire to the two verses and if you return it at once I shall at once proceed. You will thus see that I have done all that can be expected to insure correctness & if I can turn out 70 pages of Band music with only the omission of one crescendo - and no mistakes surely 2 pages may be done properly.' ITEM EIGHT (two pages): Wood to Robinson, 10 November 1873. Sends receipt for his work of £1. 8. 6 and undertakes to forward a receipt from Stationers' Hall for five shillings. 'I am glad you are satisfied with the work as in fact I was sure you would be. But I am sorry to say theh work is cleaned off the stones. It is always so to make way for other work.' Offers to copy another hundred at £1. 4. 0. Signed receipt on verso of second leaf of bifolium. ITEM NINE (one page): Margaret Bucknall, 21 York Place, Newport, to Robinson. 'My sundays are all arranged for! Many thanks for so kindly offering to help me.' ITEM TEN (four pages): F. T. Barnard, 9 Cambridge Terrace, Salcombe Road, Sidmouth, Devonshire, to Robinson, 19 August 1876. 'The Wedding takes place on Saturday next at Eleven o'Clock. Play some thing bright and pretty until the Bride arrives upon her arrival at Altar finish immediately. After ceremony whilst they are in Vestry, similar music, leading into Wedding March.' Gives further instructions and asks Robinson to discuss with the verger. 'Respecting terms of course it ought to be One Guinea, ask about it, and try hard for it, but if any demur is made do not object as something was mentioned to me a short time since about obliging a friend for such a ceremony but I gave no decided answer; of course I, being away, alters the case [...] but take what is offered, and I will arrange with you afterwards'. ITEM ELEVEN (two pages): Distin, of 96 Penrose Street, Sutherland Square, S.E., to Robinson, 2 January 1877. He is pleased Robinson has 'succeeded in gaining the appointment' and hopes 'it may be only the beginning of a successful Career for you. & if my word has been the means of helping you towards it I am very pleased.' Thinks it 'rather strange' that he has 'not yet heard from Ryle, who promised to send me my Fee "sharp."' ITEM TWELVE (two pages): F. Jones ('per RG.'), 27 Doynton Street, Highgate, New Town, N.W., to Robinson, 22 June 18[7]8. Thanks him, 'on behalf of my troupe', for sending 'Gently down the Stream' with band parts, 'which we shall have the greatest pleasure in singing at our next entertainment; I with-held myself from writing before, as I wished to put your letter &c, before a special committee last evening, they unanimously thanked you for your great kindness, and agreed to have [the song] tried by the band this evening; they (the band) tried it, & the Musical Director & the whole of the Troupe pronounced it a very pretty and suitable song'. Asks if Robinson would insert 'on the title page of a new edition "As sung by Mr. R. S. Austin of the original Lilian Minstrels". I have Grafton Hall, Grafton Street, Tottenham Ct. Road, in view for our next concert'. ITEM THIRTEEN (one page): Jones (again 'per RG.) to Robinson, 9 July 18[7]8. He 'cannot get Grafton Hall for a Saturday evening, which night is most convenient for the vocal portion of my troupe, the majority of which, reside out of London.' Consequently he intends 'suspending all further concerts till September', but will let Robinson know if the Troupe perform before then.