Autograph Letter Signed to Lord Harmsworth, presenting a copy of ' "Ye Pepys Journall" 1665-1954', containing a 'List of Portraits Commissioned and Painted', and biographical information, including an account of the her bookselling mother.

Letter: 12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium. Good, on aged paper, with small rust stain at head from paperclip. She is writing to Harmsworth ('President, Dr Johnson's House') to ask him to accept a copy of 'my Journal in which mention is made of my Portrait of Dr Samuel Johnson which hangs in the Garrett of Dr Samuel Johnson house this was presented by H. B. Wheatley whom I knew for many years.' On a visit to the curator of Johnson's house she was 'pleased to see the picture still hands in its original place'. The 'Journall' is 4to, 9 pp, stitched, on shiny art paper, in original light-brown printed wraps. Very good, in aged wraps with a little rust staining from paperclip at head. A curious production. The fifth page carries an account, with portrait, of Margaret Grose's mother, who 'kept a second-hand book shop in Leicester Square, named "The Antiquary," after her husband's ancestor'. She describes visits from Gladstone, 'many contests' with Bernard Quaritch at Sotheby's, and the purchase of Ben Webster's collection of autograph letters. Anecdote of a 'Mazami [sic] Bible' found by Quaritch in a parcel of rubbish at the Hamilton Palace sale. 'Mrs. Grose also kept a bookshop opposite Westminster Abbey. One of her customers there was Sir Frederick Bridge, and he invented her old sign of "The Olde Webbe of Westminster," and named her Mrs. Spider and himself the Fly, as he could seldom pass her door without being caught in her toils.' Pages seven and eight carry a biography of Margaret Grose ('Just the Part of a Wonderful Life') by 'Ada Marius' (clearly Grose herself), beginning 'Miss Margaret Grose, when very young, lived with her parents in an old bookshop opposite St. Mark's Church, Kennington, where the Field Marshal Lord Montgomery's father was Vicar'. The list of Margaret Grose's works covers the first two pages, beginning with 'A presentation portrait of H.M. King George V which was unveiled at The Dome, Brighton, by Colonel Sir Neil Campbell, [...]'. The third page features a photographic reproduction of a painting of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, with note that 'Miss Grose also painted the Coroniation of the late King George VI and Queen Elizabeth I [sic] in 1936 and had the honour of a visit from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I, now Queen Mother, to see the picture finished in the Coach house, and admired it very much, also wished for her address, H.M. saying she would come andn see her for which Miss Grose felt greatly honoured from such a gracious and beautiful Queen.' Scarce: no copy in the British Library or on COPAC, the latter listing a 1923 edition at the Bodleian, and a 1958 edition, published by Gray in Barnes, at the British Library.