ENGLISH

[Printed handbill.] New Version of the House that Jack Built. [Parallel texts, with the 'old version' in one column, and the 'new version', in circumfluous language, in another.]

Author: 
[Victorian parody of 'The House that Jack Built']
Publication details: 
[Without date or place.] [Late Victorian?]
£125.00

8vo, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Fair, on thin aged paper, laid down on a sheet of backing. In small type, with the 'old version' of the nursery rhyme, in the left hand column, transformed into a 'new version' of 78 lines of prose in the right-hand column. The first line - 'This is the house that Jack built' - is changed into 'This is the domiciliary edifice erected by John.' The 'priest all shaven and shorn' becomes 'the ecclesiastical gentleman, the summit of whose pericranium was denuded of its natural covering'. Scarce: no copy in the British Library or on COPAC.

[Printed handbill.] New Version of the House that Jack Built. [Parallel texts, with the 'old version' in one column, and the 'new version', in circumfluous language, in another.]

Author: 
[Victorian parody of 'The House that Jack Built']
Publication details: 
[Without date or place.] [Late Victorian?]
£125.00

8vo, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Fair, on thin aged paper, laid down on a sheet of backing. In small type, with the 'old version' of the nursery rhyme, in the left hand column, transformed into a 'new version' of 78 lines of prose in the right-hand column. The first line - 'This is the house that Jack built' - is changed into 'This is the domiciliary edifice erected by John.' The 'priest all shaven and shorn' becomes 'the ecclesiastical gentleman, the summit of whose pericranium was denuded of its natural covering'. Scarce: no copy in the British Library or on COPAC.

[Chamberlain] Secretarial Letter in his first person Signed 'Austen Chamberlain' to Dear Mr President (later revealed as Humphrey D. Barnard) declining a fresh engagement [Cambridge Univ. Union Centenary.]

Author: 
Sir Joseph Austen Chamberlain (1863-1937), English Conservative politician, signatory of Locarno Treaties, winner of Nobel Peace Prize
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 9 Egerton Place, S.W., 12 Feb. 1915..
£95.00

2pp.,8vo, black-bordered, bifolium, good condition. I am at the present time so tied by public work that I should hesitate to take any fresh engagement, but in addition to this I feel that the times are unsuitable [First World War] for anniversary celebrations for which none of us can have much heart at the moment. I beg of you therefore, to excuse me, and, did I not fear to be impertinent, I should suggest that it would be more consonant with everyone's feelings at the present time if the Union postponed the celebration of its centenaryuntil the War is over.

[Richard St John Tyrwhitt, art critic.] Autograph Letter Signed ('R St John Tyrwhitt') to 'Miss Bosworth', presenting a copy of his 'A Handbook of Pictorial Art' to her. WITH inscribed copy of the book.

Author: 
Rev. R. St. John Tyrwhitt, M.A. [Richard St John Tyrwhitt (1827-1895), English art critic, cleric and supporter of John Ruskin]
Publication details: 
Lettter dated 29 March 1869, no place. Book published at the Clarendon Press, Oxford. 1868.
£150.00

Letter: 1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Attached by the blank second leaf of the bifolium to the reverse of the front free endpaper of the book. Envelope addressed by Tyrwhitt to 'Miss Bosworth | Parks Town' tipped-in beside the letter. He is not sure whether she has a copy of 'my art-book', which she mentioned 'the other day'. 'If not, will you kindly accept of this one, tho I fear it is not a very good one in the illustrations?' Book: [xv] + 480pp., 8vo. Sixteen-page November 1868 publisher's catalogue at rear.

[Sebastian Carter, printer and typographer] Autograph Letter Signed to the numismatist Ewald Junge, with papers relating to the artist and theatrical Edward Gordon Craig (1872-1966).

Author: 
Sebastian Carter, printer and typographer (born 1941) [Oswald and Helene [von] Nostitz]
Publication details: 
Letter undated, on letterhead of Victoria House, 40 Oxford Road, Cambridge.
£220.00

LETTER: One page, quarto. Somewhat aged and creased. An attractive item in Carter's disciplined calligraphic hand. A damning assessment of Craig's son Edward Anthony Craig ('Edward Carrick', 1905-98). '[...] If you know him, you presumably also know what you are taking on! We had some dealings with Teddy over possibly printing old EGC's engravings of Robinson Crusoe, but Teddy sold them, [...] My impression is that the old rogue manufactured archives in order to sell them to someone - preferably twice.

[ Rev. Robert Anderson Jardine, the man who married the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. ] Album of newspaper cuttings and other material, with signed note on front cover: 'PROTESTANT CUTTINGS | PAMPHLETS & general items: | R. Anderson Jardinee'.

Author: 
[Protestant Cuttings] Rev. Robert Anderson Jardine (1878-1950), Vicar of St Paul's, Darlington, who performed the 1937 wedding ceremony of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor
Publication details: 
Cuttings dating from 1910 and 1911, and 1930.
£350.00

Jardine, dubbed by the press 'the Poor Man's Pastor', travelled to France to perform the ceremony. As a result, his vestry committee resigned and he resigned his living, emigrating to the United States. The cuttings are laid down on 19pp of a Victorian folio volume, in superior brown calf binding, tooled in gilt, with marbled endpapers, and 'HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS' stamped on the spine. As the title on the spine indicates, the volume contains the manuscript of a harmony of the gospels, covering 127pp, with the text written around columns of printed text cut from a printed bible.

Libellus lapidum.

Author: 
Hilary Pepler and David Jones [S. Dominic's Press]
Publication details: 
'Printed & published by the Author at | Ditchling Sussex | & at 350, Oxford Street. London, W. I. | A. MCMXXIV. D.' [1924]
£90.00

Small 8vo. Pages: viii + 24 + [4 blanks]. Original cream paper wraps: title and price in red and engraving in green on front. Wraps discoloured, rubbed, sl. turned at edge, and stained, with covers loosening and loss at foot of spine. Internally sound and tight, but quite heavily foxed. Dated ownership inscription on flyleaf. Titlepage vignette and 15 engravings. Collection of whimsical poems about places like Hampstead Garden Suburb and people like G. K. Chesterton and Bernard Shaw. Taylor & Sewell A125b. With: H.D.C. Pepler, Aspidistras and Parlers. St.

Libellus lapidum.

Author: 
Hilary Pepler and David Jones [S. Dominic's Press]
Publication details: 
'Printed & published by the Author at | Ditchling Sussex | & at 350, Oxford Street. London, W. I. | A. MCMXXIV. D.' [1924]
£90.00

Small 8vo. Pages: viii + 24 + [4 blanks]. Original cream paper wraps: title and price in red and engraving in green on front. Wraps discoloured, rubbed, sl. turned at edge, and stained, with covers loosening and loss at foot of spine. Internally sound and tight, but quite heavily foxed. Dated ownership inscription on flyleaf. Titlepage vignette and 15 engravings. Collection of whimsical poems about places like Hampstead Garden Suburb and people like G. K. Chesterton and Bernard Shaw. Taylor & Sewell A125b. With: H.D.C. Pepler, Aspidistras and Parlers. St.

[Austen Chamberlain] Part of Autograph Letter Signed ('Austen Chamberlain')('clipped') to unknown correspondent.

Author: 
Sir Joseph Austen Chamberlain (1863-1937), English Conservative politician, signatory of Locarno Treaties, winner of Nobel Peace Prize.
Publication details: 
No placeor date.
£30.00

Part of Letter, c.16 x 7cm, good condition. Surviving text: [...] I hope these notes will be useful, but I have no papers or books of reference here. Image on request.

[Edward Clarke, Barrister; Oscar Wilde's lawyer in Trial] Autograph Letter Signed Edward Clarke to Arthur a Becket, Journalist

Author: 
Sir Edward Clarke (1841-1931), English barrister and MP for Southwark, Solicitor-General from 1886-1892, lawyer for Oscar Wilde's action against Queensberry,.
Publication details: 
[Headed] 37 Russell Square, 22 Feb. 1890
£55.00

2pp., 12mo, bifolium, fold mark, good condition. Text: Forgive my not answering your note sooner. I should be delighted to help you to the appointment you speak, & fel sure you would make an excellent magistrate, but the competition for these places is enormous, & I fear that actual experience is criminla practice is looked upon as essential. I think it best to tell you candidly where the difficulty lies, but if in any way I have the opportunity of serving you it shall not be lost [...].

[Rafael Sabatini, Anglo-Italian popular novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed Rafael Sabatini to Mr. Gunter about residences in Wales..

Author: 
Rafael Sabatini (1875-1950), Anglo-Italian author of romance and adventure novels
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, Twenty-seven Fitzjohn's Avenue, NW3, 24 Jany 1928.
£80.00

1p, 12mo, blank area dusted, mainly in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Further on the subject of MAESHENDRE, which you offered me, if this is still available I think I should like to take it for 3 or 4 months from 14th March. Before definitely deciding I should like to view it & for that purpose I will run home to Glasbury on Friday or Saturday next if you can give me the offer of it firm until then. I might want the [?] to extend the term for which it is now offered if possible. | Will you please wire me tomorrow to the Adelphi Hotel Liverpool, whither I am going in the morning?

[Charles Reade, novelist] Subscription only of an Autograph Letter, signed Charles Reade.

Author: 
Charles Reade (1814-1884), English novelist and playwright [Manton Marble (1834-1917), editor and proprietor of the New York World]
Publication details: 
No place but part of date (23/46) on verso.
£28.00

Paper, 16 x 6.5cm, fold mark, good condition. Subscription only as follows: Lombard St. City | I am | Your obed[ien]t serv[an]t | Charles Reade Image on request.

[Charles Reade, novelist] Subscription only of an Autograph Letter, signed Charles Reade~No place but part of date (23/46) on verso.~Paper, 16 x 6.5cm, fold mark, good condition. Subscription only as follows: Lombard St. City | I am | Your obed[ien]t serv

Author: 
Charles Reade (1814-1884), English novelist and playwright [Manton Marble (1834-1917), editor and proprietor of the New York World]
Publication details: 
No place or date surviving cut.
£25.00

Part of letter, 9 x 5cm, formerly tipped on something by survivng stamp hinge, both side stained but text mainly legible. Recto: [soon?] as possible - he has been very ill - staying for three months at [Ben ??]: - but as his illness came on with indigestion I have persuaded him to take the; Verso: [?] and regards to [?] Hepburn - believe me | Yours very truly | DMMulock:- Image on request.

[Joseph Hatton, novelist and journalist, editor of the Sunday Times.] Autograph Letter Signed to Alexander Ireland, describing his grief at the death of his son the explorer Frank Hatton, and the comfort he has found in Ralph Waldo Emerson's writing.

Author: 
Joseph Hatton (1837-1907), novelist and journalist, editor of the Sunday Times [his son Frank Hatton, geologist and explorer; Alexander Ireland, Scottish journalist and bibliophile]
Publication details: 
14 April 1883; with his stamped letterhead, 14 Titchfield Terrace, Regent's Park [London].
£60.00

See the two men?s entries in the Oxford DNB. A long letter, covering all four sides of a 12mo bifolium with mourning border, with the first pages written conventionally on the recto of the first leaf, and the rest written lengthwise. Signed ?Joseph Hatton? and addressed to ?Alexander Ireland Esq?. In good condition, on aged and worn paper, with tape from mount adhering to the second leaf. Folded once. There were some doubts regarding Frank Hatton?s death in the jungles of Borneo, but the accepted account was that he had been accidentally shot.

[John Coates, English tenor, and Luisa Tetrazzini, coloratura soprano, opera singers.] Autograph Signatures on leaf from album.

Author: 
John Coates (1865-1941), English tenor, and Luisa Tetrazzini (1871-1940), Italian coloratura soprano, opera singers
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£50.00

The two signatures are written one on top of the other, close together, on a leaf extracted from a printed diary, with the bottom of the 'C' of 'Coates' touching the top of the 'e' of 'Tetrazzini'. In good condition, on lightly aged and foxed paper. No other manuscript text. The page (163) has printed on it the dates ?June 29? and (halfway down) ?June 30?, and the signatures are beneath the former. On the reverse is a printed poem by ?Louise Chandler Moulton? (?A maiden sits in her bower and sings?). Image on application.

[Sir William Bovill, English judge.] Autograph Letter Signed to his wife, regarding temporary living arrangements for the family [at the time of the Duke of Wellington?s funeral?].

Author: 
Sir William Bovill (1814-1873), English judge, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas [The Duke of Wellingtons Funeral, 1852]
Publication details: 
?Westmr [Westminster, London] / Wednesday morg.? [No date, but 1852?].
£30.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded for postage. Docketted in pencil in a contemporary hand: ?1853 [sic] / Duke of Wellingtons funeral? (on 18 November 1852). Signed ?W: Bovill?. Begins with reference to the family business (corn factors) in Milford Lane, City of London: ?My dearest Wife. / I have just seen George & find that there is the large bed room at the top of the house in Milford Lane unoccupied & we can have it - they can arrange something for the two boys & I dare say Mr.

[John Oxenford, dramatist, critic and translator.] Autograph Letter Signed to ?William?, ?about ?Cologne Singers.??

Author: 
John Oxenford (1812-1877), dramatist, critic and translator
Publication details: 
[18 April 1857.] No place.
£25.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. On first leaf of bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with strip of tape from mount adhering to the blank second leaf. Folded for postage. Undated, but docketted ?18 April / 1857 / About ?Cologne Singers.?? Reads: ?Dear William. - All the songs are clear, and if you send they will be given to the musicians. If it is not convenient to send, drop me a line, and I will send to you. / Very tly yrs / J. Oxenford?. Oxenford provided a number of translations of German works for musical accompaniment.

['one of the Two Best Read Men in England': Abraham Hayward, author and translator.] Autograph Letter Signed with reference to a 'long review' of his book in the Morning Post.

Author: 
Abraham Hayward (1801-1884), Victorian man of letters and lawyer, whose translation of Goethe?s Faust was praised by Carlyle
Publication details: 
'8 St. James St. [London] / March 11 [no year]'. On embossed letterhead of the Athenaeum Club.
£30.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, and Antony Chessell?s 2009 biography of Hayward (subtitled ?one of the Two Best Read Men in England? - the other was Macaulay). 1p, 12mo. On first leaf of bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. The recipient is not named. Reads: ?It is now nearly three weeks since I heard from you. What is the cause. / I send you the Morning Post with a long review of my book. / All goes well with me. / Ever yours / A Hayward?.

[Claude Lovat Fraser] Illustrated handbill for two of his publications.

Author: 
[CLAUD LOVAT FRASER]
Publication details: 
Without date or place [1916].
£55.00

Printed on unwatermarked tissue paper. Dimensions of paper roughly seven and a half centimeters by eleven and a half. A very good copy of a frail and ephemeral item. An attractive illustration by Fraser of an ivy-clad wall memorial topped by a cherub encloses the following 'There are Published | I. Farewell to the Faeries, by Richard Corbett. | II. Three Poems, by Kenneth Hare. | Decorated and Published by C. Lovat Fraser, and can be obtained from Everard Meynell, 46 Museum Street, W.C. | [short rule] | Price SIXPENCE each, net.' See Image.

[Alfred Austin, Poet Laureate.] Autograph Signature with Autograph Note disavowing poems. On printed acknowledgement of ‘Kind Congratulations’ (at his appointment).

Author: 
Alfred Austin (1835-1913), Poet Laureate
Publication details: 
9 January 1895. With printed letterhead ‘Swinford Old Manor, / Ashford, Kent.’
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Wilfred Scawen Blunt’s assessment was brutal: ‘It is strange his poetry should be such poor stuff, and stranger still that he should imagine it immortal.’ And it is ironic that Austin may not have even written the lines for which he is now principally remembered, on the illness of the Prince of Wales: ‘Flashed from his bed the electric message came | He is not better, he is much the same’. 1p, 12mo. On the first leaf of a bifolium of good watermarked wove paper.

[Shakespeare portraits: James Hain Friswell, novelist and essayist.] Autograph Letter Signed to the publishers Virtue & Co, regarding their ‘fine print of the Chandos Portrait’ and his ‘certain status as a critic on that special subject’.

Author: 
James Hain Friswell (1825-1878), novelist and essayist [William Shakespeare portraits; George Virtue, London publisher]
Publication details: 
18 January 1873; on letterhead of Fair Home, Bexley Heath, Kent.
£65.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Friswell was described by Tennyson as ‘the would-be poet, / Friswell, Pisswell - a liar and a twaddler’. 1p, 16mo. With mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Fourteen lines of text. Addressed to ‘Messrs Virtue & Co.’ Signed ‘J. Hain Friswell’. Begins: ‘Gentlemen, / Many thanks for your fine print of the Chandos Portrait of Shakspere which I will notice in the P. C.

[Fanny Stirling [née Mary Anne Hehl] (1813-1895), English actress.] Autograph Letter Signed asking the actor W. H. Swanborough, manager of the Strand and Royalty Theatres, to ‘wade thro’ the accompanying “M S”’.

Author: 
Fanny Stirling [née Mary Anne Hehl] (1813-1895), English comedy actress whose career spanned five decades [William Henry Swanborough, actor and manager of the Strand and Royalty Theatres, London]
Publication details: 
No date [between 1858 and 1872, when Swanborough managed the Strand Theatre]. ‘3 Duchess Street / Portland Place [London]’.
£35.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. The Swanboroughs were a significant Victorian theatrical dynasty, and the absence of any member of the family from the same work is puzzling. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly worn paper, with traces of glue and strip of tape from mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. Folded twice. Addressed to ‘Mr. Swanborough’ and signed ‘Fanny Stirling’.

[‘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.

Author: 
G. L. M. Strauss [Gustave Louis Maurice Strauss] (c.1807-1887), Anglo-Canadian writer and dramatist, nicknamed ‘The Old Bohemian’ [Octavian Blewitt (1810-1884), Secretary, Royal Literary Fund]
Publication details: 
4 June 1883; 4 Inverness Terrace, Broadstairs, Kent.
£56.00

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.

[Gilbert Thomas [Gilbert Oliver Thomas], pacifist poet and critc.] Autograph Letter Signed, thanking ‘Calvert’ [William Robinson Calvert] for his review of ‘Calm Weather’ and discussing the critical response to the book.

Author: 
Gilbert Thomas [Gilbert Oliver Thomas] (1891-1978), pacifist poet and critic, imprisoned as a conscientious objector during the Great War [William Robinson Calvert (1882-1949), journalist]
Publication details: 
8 April 1930; on letterhead of Flatford, Meadway, Gidea Park, Essex.
£180.00

2pp, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Thirty-nine lines, closely written. Signed ‘Gilbert Thomas’. He begins by thanking him ‘most warmly for your letter and the most kind and generous review to hand this morning.

[The original ‘Kitty Warren’ of Bernard Shaw’s play ‘Mrs Warren’s Profession’: Fanny Brough [Frances Whiteside Brough], English actress.] Autograph Letter Signed to Rev. J. C. [Westly?], in response to a request for an autograph.

Author: 
Fanny Brough [Frances Whiteside Brough] (1852-1914), English actress associated with Charles Hawtrey, the original ‘Kitty Warren’ of Bernard Shaw’s play ‘Mrs Warren’s Profession’
Publication details: 
‘Theatre Royal / Drury Lane / London / July 20th 1892’.
£45.00

1p, 12mo. On thin paper. In good condition, lightly aged, in trimmed and spotted windowpane mount. Good bold signature ‘Fanny Brough.’ Addressed to ‘Revd. J. C. [Westly?]’. She has ‘much pleasure’ in sending him ‘the autograph’, and will do her best to get him ‘a few others which may be interesting to send out to you’.

[Charles Lever, popular Victorian novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mlle. de [Schmidt?]’, with regard to an invitation, her daughter, ‘Sydney’, and other matters.

Author: 
Charles Lever [Charles James Lever] (1806-1872), popular Victorian novelist of Irish extraction
Publication details: 
9 May 1869. 33 Brook Street, Bond Street, London.
£150.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with strip of tape from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf and small pin holes to one corner. With two folds. Thirty-nine lines of text. The handwriting is a paradox; neat but difficult to decipher. Addressed to ‘My dear Mlle de [Schmidt?]’ and signed ‘Charles Lever’. He begins by claiming that the speed with which he accepted her ‘most kind & cordial invitation’ for her daughter is the best proof he can give of the value he attaches to it ‘& the sincere satisfaction it affords me’.

[Catherine Hayes [Mrs W. Avery Bushnell], soprano.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘C Hayes Bushnell’), recommending to ‘Mrs. Hicks’ the selection of patterns to be had at furniture-makers Jackson & Graham. With her calling card.

Author: 
Catherine Hayes [Mrs W. Avery Bushnell] (1825-1861), soprano [Jackson & Graham, London furniture makers]
Publication details: 
‘13 Westbourne Park West / Saturday’. [no date]
£50.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. LETTER: 3pp, 12mo. Thirty-one lines. Bifolium. In fair condition, with slight staining at foot of first leaf, and traces of glue from mount on blank reverse of second leaf. In an elongated and somewhat opaque hand. Begins: ‘My dear Mrs. Hicks / I was exceedingly sorry to hear that Mr. Hicks had met with an accident on the day you left.’ What follows is hard to decipher, until she writes ‘I have much pleasure in forwarding to you the address of Jackson & Graham. It is No. 35-36 Oxford St.’ She praises ‘the selection he has of patterns’.

[Alfred Austin, Poet Laureate.] Autograph Signature with Autograph Note disavowing poems. On printed acknowledgement of ‘Kind Congratulations’ (at his appointment).

Author: 
Alfred Austin (1835-1913), Poet Laureate
Publication details: 
9 January 1895. With printed letterhead ‘Swinford Old Manor, / Ashford, Kent.’
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Wilfred Scawen Blunt’s assessment was brutal: ‘It is strange his poetry should be such poor stuff, and stranger still that he should imagine it immortal.’ And it is ironic that Austin may not have even written the lines for which he is now principally remembered, on the illness of the Prince of Wales: ‘Flashed from his bed the electric message came | He is not better, he is much the same’. 1p, 12mo. On the first leaf of a bifolium of good watermarked wove paper.

[Sybil Thorndike [Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike], distinguished English actress.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr. Bagnall’, and Autograph Card Signed to Victor Jones, both expressing thanks.

Author: 
Sybil Thorndike [Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike] (1882-1976), distinguished English actress whose career spanned six decades
Publication details: 
ONE: ALS to Bagnall, 2 September [no year]; on letterhead of the Midland Hotel, Manchester. TWO: ACS to Jones, ‘New Theatre W.C.2. [London] Feb. 8.’, with London postmark dated 9 February 1945.
£45.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. ONE: ALS to Bagnall. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Reads: ‘Dear Mr. Bagnall. / How very kind of you to write me such a charming letter. I did appreciate all you said – thank you very much / Sincerely yrs / Sybil Thorndike’. TWO: ACS addressed to ‘Victor Jones Esq. / 83. Ravenhurst Road. / Harborne. / Birmingham.’ Signed ‘Sybil Thorndike.’ Aged and discoloured, with address side lightly stained. She is not sure whether she thanked him for his ‘sweet letter & card for Xmas -it was such a very kind thought & I must seem ungracious!

[Sir Ernest Gowers, author of the guide to correct English usage ‘Plain Words’.] Three Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed to fellow-grammarian V. H. Collins, discussing a crux and the perils of being an authority in the field.

Author: 
Sir Ernest Gowers [Sir Ernest Arthur Gowers] (1880-1966), author of the guide to correct English usage ‘Plain Words’, and the revision of Fowler’s ‘Modern English Usage’ [V. H. Collins, grammarian]
Publication details: 
Autograph Letters: 27 June 1952, 27 March 1954 and 16 March 1955. Typed Letter Signed: 29 July 1953. All four items on letterhead of Rondle Wood, Liphook, Hants.
£120.00

See the entry what was wrote about him in the Oxford DNB. The archives of the recipient, Vere Henry Collins (1872-1966), are now housed in the library at Yale. All four items signed ‘Ernest Gowers’ ONE: ALS, 27 June 1952. 2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, worn and spotted, with pin holes to one corner and short closed tear at edge of one of the two folds. Begins: ‘By all means. The more I look into your book the more I realise how true what I said was.

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