ENGLISH

[Sir Charles Travis Clay, Librarian of the House of Lords, antiquary and genealogist.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Charles Clay’) to the mediaevalist Austin Lane Poole, regarding his work on the entry on the Percy family in the Complete Peerage.

Author: 
Sir Charles Clay [Sir Charles Travis Clay] (1885-1978), antiquary and Librarian of the House of Lords [Austin Lane Poole (1889-1963), British mediaevalist, son of historian Reginald Lane Poole]
Publication details: 
26 February 1942; on House of Lords Library letterhead.
£56.00

2pp, 4to. 34 lines of closely-written text. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Addressed to ‘Mr. Poole’. After expressing a hope that they will be meeting Poole now that they are both on the council of the Royal Historical Society, he explains that he is writing in relation to his redrafting of ‘the early part of Percy for the Complete Peerage’, noting that ‘the present draft is certainly alarming’. He is taking it ‘down to 1245’ and finds it ‘full of snags’. He has ‘just finished a draft of Jocelin, Agnes de Percy’s husband’, and L. C.

[Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, R.A., sculptor and medallist.] Autograph Note Signed (‘J. E. Boehm’), thanking Lord Wolseley for a 'Norfolk jaquet'

Author: 
Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834-1890), R.A., sculptor and medallist, born in Austria but settled in England, who depicted Queen Victoria on coins and designed a number of London statues [Lord Wolseley]
Publication details: 
19 September 1885; on letterhead of The Avenue, 76, Fulham Road, S.W.
£45.00

Boehm had executed a bronze bust of Wolseley two years before. It may be that the present letter is in response to congratulations from Boehm on his forthcoming elevation to the viscountcy, with occurred 28 September 1885. 1p, 12mo. Folded once. In good condition, with unobtrusive folds to two corners. Reads: ‘Dear Lord Wolseley | Many thanks for your kind note & the Norfolk jaquet which arrived safely this morning | Yours sincerely & obliged | J. E. Boehm’.

[Lord Esher [Lionel Brett, 4th Viscount Esher], architect and town-planner.] Typed Letter Signed and Autograph Note Signed to the lutenist Desmond Dupré, discussing costs and options for new house.

Author: 
Lord Esher [Lionel Brett; Lionel Gordon Baliol Brett, 4th Viscount Esher (1913-2004), British architect and town-planner [Desmond Dupré (1916-1974), English lutenist]
Publication details: 
Both items on his letterhead, Wellington Park, Oxon, and New Town House, Hatfield, Herts. ANS: 22 October 1952. TLS: 28 October 1952.
£90.00

Dupré is thinking of retaining Brett as architect in the rebuilding of a house on an attractive site, and the two items deal with the practicalities. Both signed 'Lionel Brett', and both in fair condition, lightly aged. ONE: TLS. 2pp, 4to, Folded three times. Forty-two lines of text. Addressed to Dupré at The Lodge, Windlesham, Withyham, Sussex. Deals firstly with ‘the estimate for demolition’, with comments ‘On the technical side’, before moving on to the question of ‘salvage materials’.

[Gertrude Ward, Matron at Eton College, who trained under Florence Nightingale.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Miss Wright’, discussing their forthcoming meeting at Eton.

Author: 
Gertrude Ward (c.1862-1950), Matron at Eton College, who trained under Florence Nightingale at St Thomas’s Hospital, London
Publication details: 
3 October 1903; on letterhead of ‘Eton College, Windsor.’
£75.00

Gertrude Ward trained under Florence Nightingale at St Thomas’s Hospital in London (see below), after which she became a district nurse, and then sister at the Medical Mission, Zanzibar. She was appointed to the position of Matron at Eton in 1901. 2pp, 12mo. Bifolium, folded twice. In good condition. Nineteen lines of text. Signed ‘Gertrude Ward.’ She confirms the day of an appointment, but wishes to change the hour, as ‘unfortunately another UMCA Candidate has arranged to come at 3.30 on that day’.

[Harriet Parr, Victorian novelist encouraged by Charles Dickens.] Autograph Note Signed to ‘Miss Cameron’, regarding the return of ‘Fanny’ and the recipient’s forthcoming garden party, ‘one of my chief pleasures of the Season’.

Author: 
Harriet Parr [pseudonym, ‘Holme Lee’] (1828-1900), prolific British nineteenth-century author, admired and encouraged by Charles Dickens
Publication details: 
2 July [year not stated]; Whittle Mead [Shanklin, Isle of Wight].
£35.00

1p, 12mo. On laid paper, folded once. Informing her that ‘Fanny’ will be returning in a few days, and that ‘we shall be very happy to come to your Garden Party on Thursday 10th. which is one of my chief pleasures of the Season’.

[Henry Westmacott, sculptor, brother of Sir Richard Westmacott.] Signature to Autograph Receipt for payment for ‘Monument to the Memory of Col[one]l. Campbell - including cases - Inscriptions - &c’.

Author: 
Henry Westmacott (1784-1861), sculptor who worked on Nelson’s tomb in St Paul’s Cathedral, brother of Sir Richard Westmacott (1775-1856), and member of British sculpting dynasty
Publication details: 
Dated 18 February 1814. No place.
£35.00

On one side of slip of laid paper, with watermark date ‘1811’. Dimensions: 18.5 x 7.5 cm. In good condition, folded three times. Good firm signature. Reads: ‘Received Feby: 18th: 1814. of Mrs. Campbell One Hundred & fifty Pounds for a Monument to the Memory of Coll. Campbell - including cases - Inscriptions - &c | £150 | Henry Westmacott.’ For Westmacott's work on Nelson's tomb, see the Archaeological Journal, 1894, vol. 51 (2nd series no. 1), p.161..

[‘Lucas Malet’ (pseudonym of Mary St Leger Kingsley), Victorian novelist admired by her friend Henry James.] Autograph Letter Signed (“Mary St Leger Harrison | ‘Lucas Malet’ ”) to ‘Mr. Combe’, sending him her autograph in charming style.

Author: 
‘Lucas Malet’, pseudonym of Mary St Leger Kingsley (1852-1931), Victorian novelist admired by her friend Henry James, daughter of Charles Kingsley
Publication details: 
10 October 1892. On embossed letterhead of Clovelly Rectory, Bideford.
£35.00

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border (her mother had died the previous December). In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of paper to which the item was glued still adhering to reverse of second leaf. Having been informed by her sister ‘Miss Kingsley’ (her elder sister Rose) that Combe is ‘kind enough to wish for my autograph’, she has ‘much pleasure in sending it you - but I wish my pen was a better one, more befitting this serious occasion!’

[George Colwell Oke, legal author, Chief Clerk to the Lord Mayor of London.] Four Autograph Letters Signed to George Edward Frere, alleging editorial prejudice, and discussing statute on weights and measures, killing of horses.

Author: 
George Colwell Oke (1821-1874), Chief Clerk to the Lord Mayor of London, author of legal works including ‘Oke’s Magisterial Formulist’ [George Edward Frere (1807--1887) of Roydon Hall, Norfolk]
Publication details: 
All four from 1861: 26 and 31 January; and 17 and 20 June. All four letters on letterhead of Mansion House Justice Room, London, EC.
£160.00

All signed ‘George C: Oke’. At the time of writing Oke was Assistant Clerk to the Lord Mayor, a position he had held since 1855; in 1864 he would assume the Chief Clerkship. For details of the recipient, barrister and F.R.S, elder brother of Sir Bartle Frere and nephew of Canning’s friend the satirist John Hookham Frere, see the Law Times, 31 December 1887. The four letters total 10pp, 12mo, all on letterheads with engraved arms of the City of London. All in good condition; very lightly aged; with folds. Closely and neatly written.

[Queensland immigration] Printed advertisement, with long descriptive text, issued by the 'Agent-General for Queensland, 409 & 410, Strand, London, W.C.', for emigration from England to 'Queensland Crown Lands'.

Author: 
The Agent-General for Queensland [emigration to Australia; Australian immigration]
Publication details: 
[Edwardian] The Agent-General for Queensland, 409 and 410, Strand, London, W.C.
£28.00

4to, 4 pp. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. First page carries the decorative title beneath the Queensland crest.The central two pages carry a long text, in small type, under the headings 'AGRICULTURE SELECTIONS', 'GRAZING SELECTIONS', 'GROUP SETTLEMENT' and 'OTHER MODES', and the subheadings 'AGRICULTURAL FARMS', 'AGRICULTURAL HOMESTEADS', 'GRAZING FARMS' and 'GRAZING HOMESTEADS'. The final page advertises 'FREE PASSAGES [...] TO Female Domestic Servants of Good Health and Character, between 17 and 35 years of age. Plenty of Work!

[Daisy Ashford] Signature Only (Daisy Ashford)

Author: 
Daisy Ashford, author of The Young Visiters [Margaret Mary Julia Devlin (née Ashford; 1881 – 1972)]
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£100.00

Small piece of paper, 6.5 x 1.5cm, good condition, clipped from something (perhaps the end of a letter) with a clear signature.

[W.H. Auden, Stephen Spender and other members of The Mermaid Club; printed] Menu The Mermaid Club Oxford [insignia with image of a mermaid] | Trinity Term Dinner | At the Elizabeth Restaurant [Oxford] | Tuesday, 12 June, 1956

Author: 
W.H. Auden, Stephen Spender and other members of The Mermaid Club
Publication details: 
Oxford, 12 June 1956.
£220.00

[8]pp. including card covers, 12mo, some damp- staining not interfering with text, faint foxing. Verso of front cover signed: Stephen Spender and Wystan Auden, with the signatures of seven others (presumably the undergraduate members whose guests Auden and Spender were).

[C.R.Leslie, painter] Autograph Letter Signed CR Leslie to [Mr Gardiner? Collector?] inviting Gardiner's wife presumably to visit to learn about models, etc.

Author: 
C.R. Leslie [Charles Robert Leslie RA (1794 – 1859), genre painter]
Publication details: 
2 Abercorn Place, St John's Wood, 16 Feb. 1852.
£85.00

Three pages, 12mo, bifolium, good condition, docketed on p.[4] 1852 | C R Leslie RA. He extends an invitiation for Mrs Gardiner to visit before two oclock when he will with pleasure give her such information and assistance as I can respecting models. He continues with insights into his own works: My faces & figures are sometimes painted from firends, sometimes from members of my own family but [some?] often from hired models, who do not, however, supply [dresses?]. These I make up as I can, & sometimes borrow them from Nathan in [?] Street [theatrical costumier?].

[ Ramsay Muir, historian, thinker] A very substantial Autograph Letter Signed Ramsay Muir to Davis, responding at length to criticisms of his recent publication [perhaps British History a survey of the history of all the British peoples (1929)]

Author: 
Ramsay Muir [John Ramsay Bryce Muir (1872–1941), historian, Liberal Party politician and thinker ].
Publication details: 
Park Lodge, Buxton, 13 Dec. [no year given]
£450.00

Four pages, 4to, fold marks, good condition, closely written, pages joined at top. He thanks Davis for writing at such length. But as you still attribute to me ideas wh[ich] I repudiate, you must put up with a rejoinder.

[Sir Robert Long, Royalist politician and exchequer official, associate of Samuel Pepys and rival of the Earl of Clarendon.] Autograph Signature ('Rob Long') on exchequer document..

Author: 
Sir Robert Long (c.1602-1673) of Worcester Park, Royalist MP, Auditor of the Lower Exchequer and Receiver-General of the Queen's Revenues, associate of Samuel Pepys and rival of the Earl of Clarendon
Publication details: 
July 1667. Place not stated.
£30.00

See Long's entry in the Oxford DNB. On 7 x 17 cm piece of paper, laid down on slightly larger piece of thick paper cut from an album. In good condition, lightly aged. Three lines of text by Long in clerk's hand, reading 'Registred accordinge to Ex Art within [mentioned?] ye [?] day of July 1667[.] And to be paid in coarse [?] after 397338 16 1'. A good example of Long's neat signature, larger and underlined with a tight flourish, beneath the text and towards the right.

[Sir William Grant, Scottish lawyer and English judge.] Autograph Note in the third person, regarding 'the Old Fish Dinner party'.

Author: 
Sir William Grant (1752-1832), Scottish lawyer and English judge, Attorney General for Quebec, Member of Parliament, Master of the Rolls
Publication details: 
23 June 1829. Lincoln's Inn Fields [London].
£30.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On one side of a 12 x 11 cm piece of paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Reads: 'Lincoln's Inn Fields | 23d. June 1829 | Sir Wm. Grant will have the honor of joining the Old Fish Dinner party on Saty. the 27th. of June.'

[Meredith Frampton, 'the forgotten genius of British art'.] Autograph Letter Signed , thanking portraitist Maurice Codner for 'a most enjoyable evening'.

Author: 
Meredith Frampton [George Vernon Meredith Frampton], English artist, 'the forgotten genius of British art' [Maurice Frederick Codner (1888-1958), portraitist]
Publication details: 
16 May 1938. On his letterhead, 92 Carlton Hill, NW8 [London].
£30.00

Alistair Sooke, on the BBC website, makes the case that 'Meredith Frampton is the forgotten genius of British art'. See Frampton's entry in the Oxford DNB, and also those of Codner and of Frampton's father Sir George Frampton, who executed the celebrated statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (not modelled on his son, who was eighteen when it was made). 1p, 4to, in fair condition, aged and worn. Folded once. Writing to 'My dear Codner', he apologises for 'keeping you up till such a late hour last night'.

[Dame Anna Neagle [Dame Florence Marjorie Wilcox], star of stage and screen.] Typed Note Signed ('Anna') to 'Popey' [theatre historian W. J. MacQueen-Pope], regarding the first night [of 'The Glorious Days'].

Author: 
Dame Anna Neagle [Dame Florence Marjorie Wilcox] (1904-1986), star of stage and screen [W. J. MacQueen-Pope [Walter James MacQueen-Pope] (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
On her letterhead, from 128 Mount Street, London, W.1. 6 March 1953.
£35.00

1p, 8vo. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. Folded once. Salutation ('My dear Popey -') and valediction ('My love to you both - | Anna.') in her autograph; the rest typed. Good bold signature. Reads: 'It was so very kind of you to think of me on Saturday.

[E. V. Knox, editor of Punch.] Untitled Autograph Essay criticising parenting in 'the age of the child', and 'old men' behaving like 'toddlers'.

Author: 
E. V. Knox [Edmund George Valpy Knox; pen-name 'Evoe'] (1881-1971), editor of Punch, 1932-1949, essayist, poet and humorist
Publication details: 
Without place and date. [London, 1930s or 1940s?]
£120.00

See Knox's entry in the Oxford DNB, along with those of his father and three brothers. 8pp, 4to. Paginated and complete; on eight leaves held together with a rusting paperclip. In fair condition, aged and creased. A fair copy, with occasional emendations. There is no indication that this essay was published. A polished piece of writing by an accomplished essayist, lightly humorous but with serious intent, Knox's aim being to put forward the view that modern childhood is more self-indulgent than that of previous generations, and results is the self-deceit of adults who have never grown up.

[Printed work of sensational popular fiction.] The Mysterious Avenger; or, The Trials of Love. [Followed by a reprinting of De Quincey's translation of 'Der Freischütz', under the title 'William, the Fatal Marksman; or, The Seven Charmed Bullets'.]

Author: 
[Thomas De Quincey; William Walker, printer, Otley, Yorkshire]
Publication details: 
London: Published by the Booksellers. William Walker, Otley. 1847. [Slug: 'WILLIAM WALKER, PRINTER, OTLEY.']
£250.00

256pp., 12mo. With frontispiece engraving and vignette on title. In original brown cloth binding, with blind-stamped decorative pattern on the boards, and title and design on the spine. Ownership inscription of 'Arthur Baxter | Runcorn | 1861' on piece of paper laid down on front pastedown. A tight copy, on stained paper (particularly the last few leaves) and aged paper, in worn binding with gilt almost dulled. An interesting production, reminiscent of previous Minerva Press publications, and looking ahead to the yellow-back.

[Arthur Henry Fox Strangeways, English musicologist.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'A. H. Fox Strangeways') to an unnamed recipient, declining to print an article in 'Music and Letters', and providing information about the composer Rauzzini.

Author: 
A. H. Fox Strangeways [Arthur Henry Fox Strangeways] (1859-1948), English musicologist, music critic of the 'Observer' and founder of the magazine 'Music and Letters'
Publication details: 
Both on letterheads of 'Music and Letters', 38 Lansdowne Cresent, W11 [London]. 13 January and 3 February 1934.
£56.00

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE (13 January 1934): 1p., landscape 12mo. The 'proposed article sounds the sort of thing', but Strangeways cannot accept it until he sees it. TWO (3 February 1934): 2pp., landscape 12mo. He thanks him for sending the article, regarding which he writes: 'if the musicians mentioned in it had been more important or there had been more about them, it wd. have been worth printing; but as it is I am afraid it is not of sufficient interest.' The writer's reference to 'Ranzini' is, Strangeways points out, 'almost certainly' a mistake for 'V.

[Sir Charles Oman, military historian, and the English archers at Agincourt.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'C. Oman') to George Townsend Warner, summing up the battle and giving a detailed description of the set up of the English archers.

Author: 
Sir Charles Oman [Sir Charles William Chadwick Oman] (1860-1946), military historian [George Townsend Warner (1865-1916), historian; Battle of Agincourt; archery; toxophily]
Publication details: 
One: 17 October 1902. On letterhead of 39 St Giles', Oxford. Two: 12 March [no year]. 39 St Giles, Oxford, on letterhead of New College, Oxford.
£100.00

Both letters annotated in pencil in contemporary hand 'To Townsend Warner Historian'. (Warner was a history master and head of the ‘modern side’ at Harrow School, and co-editor of one of the most popular British history textbooks of the period. His only child was the novelist Sylvia Townsend Warner.) Both letters in good condition, each with pin hole from former attachment.

[Marie Belloc Lowndes, novelist, sister of Hilaire Belloc.] Autograph Letter in the third person, declining a dinner invitation on account of ill health.

Author: 
Marie Belloc Lowndes [Marie Adelaide Elizabeth Rayner Lowndes; Mrs Belloc Lowndes] (1868-1947), novelist, sister of Hilaire Belloc, author of Jack the Ripper novel 'The Lodger', filmed by Hitchcock
Publication details: 
30 May [no year]. On letterhead of 9 Barton Street, Westminster, S.W.
£30.00

1p, landscape 12mo In good condition, with glue stain to one corner. Folded once. 'Mrs Belloc Lowndes regrets, on the score of ill health, that she cannot have the pleasure of accepting Lord [Treghre?]'s kind invitation.'

[L. A. G. Strong, novelist and critic.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Leonard.') to 'Terence' [BBC Producer Terence Dudley?], discussing a proposed broadcast lecture.

Author: 
L. A. G. Strong [Leonard Alfred George Strong] (1896-1958), novelist, critic, and poet, a director of the publishers Methuen Ltd [Terence Dudley, BBC producer]
Publication details: 
10 May 1958. On letterhead of Dromore, Old Frensham Road, Farnham, Surrey.
£50.00

2pp, 12mo. On aged and creased paper, with two torn spike holes resulting in loss of a few letters of text. Date stamp on reverse. The recipient is not named, but is presumably the BBC producer Terence Dudley (1919-1988). Writing three months before his death, Strong begins the letter: 'My dear Terence, | How very kind of you! I [d]on't have any dignity in such matters! and I'd love to have a go, whether live or recorded.

[Eric Coates, composer of 'The Dam Busters March'.] Autograph Signed Inscription to May Hirst, on reverse of a 'Photograph of Original Full Score of The Three Bears.

Author: 
Eric Coates [Eric Francis Harrison Coates] (1886-1957), English composer of light music, best-known for 'The Dam Busters March'
Publication details: 
No date (but 1926 or after) or place.
£80.00

On reverse of 11.25 x 8.25 cm card carrying a black and white print of the autograph score of Coates's second 'phantasy', 'The Three Bears' (1926). In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'To May Hirst | with best wishes | from | Eric Coates | Photograph of | Original Full Score of | The Three Bears'.

[Card games: 'Whist for two' and 'the game of Mrs. Allport'.] Autograph instructions by 'Miss Stanton' on 'How to play the game of Mrs. Allport' and 'Whist for two'.

Author: 
[Card games; pastimes; Miss Stanton; Mrs Allport; whist; Chelsea, London]
Publication details: 
No date (1920s?). On letterhead of 72 Elm Park Mansions, Park Walk, Chelsea, London, S.W.
£120.00

9pp, 12mo. On twi bifoliums and a single leaf, only the first of the bifoliums carrying the letterhead. In good condition, on aged paper. Folded once and in an envelope with 'Whist for 2. | Rules by Miss Stanton.' on cover. The letterhead has the feel of the 1920s, but the handwriting is Victorian, and presumably that of an old spinster. The first bifolium carries a separate set of instructions over four pages, headed 'Whist for two', and concluding: 'Hope you can read it excuse blots for I cant see what I have written'.

[Christopher Fry's ownership inscription to his copy of a first edition by W. H. Auden.] Nones.

Author: 
W. H. Auden [Christopher Fry]
Publication details: 
London: Faber and Faber, 1952.
£25.00

72pp, 8vo. Tight copy on lightly-aged paper, in original blue cloth binding with dulled gilt on spine, panels of sunning to front board, and slight wear at head of spine. Ownership inscription on front free endpaper: 'Christopher Fry'. Auden, along with Eliot, was an inspiration to Fry, one of the foremost twentieth-century English practitioners of verse drama.

[Christopher Fry annotates a book about his work, inscribed to him by the author.] Christopher Fry | By Glenda Leeming.

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright, with Auden and Eliot a leading exponent of twentieth-century English verse drama; Glenda Leeming
Publication details: 
Twayne Publishers, A Division of G. K. Hall & Co., Boston. 1990.
£450.00

xv + 179pp, 8vo. Good tight copy in brown cloth, in worn printed dustwrapper. Frontispiece portrait of Fry. Inscribed on front free endpaper: 'To Christopher Fry | from | Glenda Leeming | with love'. In her preface Leeming notes Fry's 'patience and tolerance, as well as his helpful explanations of his plays, his intentions, and their realization'. The volume contains pencil annotations between pp.43 and 73, mostly relating to 'The Lady's not for Burning'. All are marginal indications of passages with vertical lines, apart from two annotations suggesting a degree of impatience with the text.

[Christopher Fry makes autograph corrections to a book about him.] Christopher Fry and his Verse Drama. [Insribed to the subject by the author, and with a Typed Letter Signed ('S. n. Ray').]

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright, with Auden and Eliot a leading exponent of twentieth-century English verse drama; Professor Sambhu Nath Roy, Principal of Raiganj University College
Publication details: 
Biswas Book Stall, 88, M. G. Road, Calcutta-9; Ghosh & Company, 12, Ramanath Majumder Street, Calcutta-9 [Calcutta, India]. 1996.
£200.00

[6] + viii + 266pp, 8vo. With four-page 'Select Bibliography' and three two-page lists of errata tipped-in at the rear. In plain brown cloth, with green printed dustwrapper glued-down (by publisher) onto the endpapers by the flaps. In good condition, lightly-aged, in lightly-worn dustrapper with closed tear at rear. Inscribed on the front free endpaper: 'To | Mr. Christopher Fry, | With best compliments | from the Author, | S. n. Ray | 7.4.98'. Fry makes around fifty autograph corrections to the text, giving a list of them over the rear endpapers.

[Charles Williams inscribes a book to his wife Michal.] Divorce. [With copy of Autograph Letter from Neil Tyler to playwright Christopher Fry, regarding the circumstances of his acquisition of the book.]

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright, with Auden and Eliot a leading exponent of twentieth-century English verse drama; Sambhu Nath Roy
Publication details: 
Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, London, 1920. [Letter from Sycamore Farm, Alphamstone, Bures, Suffolk, 1982.]
£150.00

120pp, 12mo. No dustwrapper. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, tight in lightly-worn green cloth with dulled gilt. Inscribed by Williams in pencil on front free endpaper: 'For Michal'. A collection of around fifty poems, including five addressed to the author's wife: 'To Michal: After a Vigil'. 'To Michal: On Forgiveness', 'To Michal: On Brushing her Hair', 'To Michal meditating a new Costume', 'To Michal: On Disputing outside Church'. Accompanying the volume is an Autograph Letter Signed from 'Neil' to 'Dear Christopher and Dear Phyl', i.e. Christopher Fry and his wife Phyllis.

[Christopher Fry, playwright, a leading exponent of verse drama.] Typescript of the text of his children's book 'The Boat that mooed'. Signed 'Christopher Fry'.

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), distinguished playwright, with Auden and Eliot a leading exponent of twentieth-century verse drama
Publication details: 
No place or date. [Book published in New York by Macmillan in 1965.]
£200.00

9pp, 8vo. Complete carbon typescript. On nine leaves, stapled together. Title at head of first page: 'THE BOAT THAT MOOED.' Fry's signature in blue ink at top left of first page: 'Christopher Fry:'. Fry has cut down the story by deleting and removing a passage. The lower part of the leaf carrying the sixth page of the story has been cut away, and the original seventh page has been removed, hence the typescript pagination 1-6, 8-10 has been amended in manuscript to 1-9. A lighthearted faux-naive story, replete with symbolism. Begins: 'Tom Crunch lived on a boat. All round the boat was water.

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