DIANA

An interesting letter, containing an assessment by a leading publisher of what he sees as the unusual position he considers his profession occupies within the business world. See his entry, and that of his partner Nigel Nicolson, 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. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The present item is 2pp, 12mo.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Both letters in good condition, lightly aged. Both signed ‘Duff Cooper’ and the first addressed to ‘Thomas Earp, Esq., / Kitcombe House, / Newton Valence, / Alton, / Hants.’ ONE: TLS, 9 January 1952. 1p, 12mo. He will try to get hold of a copy of ‘Voyage de Shakespeare’ and is glad Earp liked his ‘little book on the same subject’. In an autograph postscript he writes: ‘I suppose you have tried the London Library.’ TWO: ALS, 11 April 1952. 2pp, 12mo.

Valediction of Letter only, 5 lines inc. signature and address, 19 x 7cm, laid down on similar sized paper, with remnants on verso suggesting that it was in an album at one time, with note identifying writer ("The Countess Spencer"). Text: "& you will very highly oblige & gratify me. | I have the honor to be your Royal Highness most obedient Sert | Lavinia Spencer". From a large collection of similar conclusions,so often to the Duke of York ("Royal Highness" etc) that they may reveal the fate of his incoming correspondence, or part of it..

These two items date from the 1960s, a period during which Saville was a notable 'face' on the London scene: he dated the 'Avengers' actress Diana Rigg and the Pop artist Pauline Boty, and flew Bob Dylan to Britain for his first acting role.

Both letters good, on lightly-aged paper. The second letter in envelope addressed by Mosley to 'Peter Reid Esq | 68 New Cavendish Street | London W1 M 7 LD [sic] | Angleterre'. Letter One (2pp., 12mo): She begins: 'My husband asked me to answer your letter. I think we have got photographs of Rolleston, but all such things are stored in Ireland, where we used to have a house. When I go through them (which one day I must) I will send you what I find.