FICTION

The Crime Writers' Association (CWA). Founded 5 November 1953An Archive accumulated during his periods in office by T.C.H. Jacobs, aka Jacques Pendower, author, sometime Hon. Treas., Vice-Chairman, and Chairman of the CWAIt was unanimously agreed that those present should found forthwith an association of crime writers, the specific purpose of which should be to raise the prestige and fortunes of mystery, detective story and crime writing and writers generally.Aim of the CWA recorded in the Minutes of the inaugural meeting.1. (Periodical) The Crime Writer, nos.

ONE: Letter. 1 November 1901. On letterhead of 56 Wimpole Street, London. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition. With blank reverse of second leaf laid down onto a flyleaf of the book. Benson is not named, but is without doubt the recipient.

The card is 1p., 12mo., sending the 'Third book of proposed Series'. He hopes to 'call to collect agreed £1 on the date arranged', but if this is not possible asks for it to be sent to John Farquharson. The printed volume is 64pp., 12mo. Bound by Townsend in patterned brown cloth, with the title 'One-Punch Chris?' in gilt on front cover. In good condition, on browned newspaper stock, in lightly-worn binding. The story, by 'Eric W. Townsend', in thirty-four chapters, is printed in small print, in double column, with a drophead title and illustration of boxing scene above text on front page.

2pp., 12mo. The last two pages of a letter, numbered 3 and 4. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with short closed tears at edges of central fold. The item begins with part of a sentence regarding 'dramatization in Paris', before turning to Spielmann's desire to have her novel 'The Sterndales of Sterndale House' (1919) filmed. She praises the recipient's 'critical faculty', adding 'The points taken are seldom just the points.' She will let the recipient's 'good opinion' of her be known 'in one or two quarters'.

103pp., 8vo. In brown cloth boards, with title in gilt on cover. In good condition internally, on lightly-aged paper, in worn cloth binding. Inscribed by the author on front free endpaper: 'Presentation copy with Author's compliments | Cumberland Clark'. Four copies only on COPAC, at the British Library, Oxford, Guildhall and Bishopsgate Institute. Now uncommon. Laid down on the front pastedown is a copy of an article 'From the Kensington News, Nov. 16, 1923', titled 'A Gifted Publicist and a Versatile Patriot'.

1p., 8vo. Lightly aged, and with creasing and closed tear at head. He will be pleased to autograph any copies of his book which Pettitt would like to send, and concludes: 'Are there any Rankin's in Rochford now? They are related to me'.

1p., 12mo. On grey paper with mourning border. In fair condition, lightly aged and ruckled. She is 'much obliged for the Catalogue', and hopes 'to make good use of it, when I have had a consultation with my brother and a neighbour or two who may like to combine in a parcel'.

[2] + 29pp., 4to. On rectos only. Heavily-aged and worn, with some damp staining, stapled, with remains of grey front cover and last leaf loose. With numerous emendations to almost every page. Ends abruptly on p.29. A fast-paced comedy, with a seance connecting past and present. Two exchanges: 'Bobbie. I suppose you're going to wear tights again? | Maud. Well, I've a ripping good reason for doing so - two, in fact.' and (during the seance): 'Nerea. Dance for me, I pray you, Oh embodiment of lissom grace. | Bobbie.

31 + [1]pp., 12mo. Disbound without covers. In fair condition, on aged paper, with some leaves separating. The fourth and last chapter is a piece of futurology, titled 'The Battle of London; Or, The Last Great Struggle Between the Classes and the Masses.' It begins: 'It was in the year 2000 that the masses took possession of London. For twenty years before they had been preparing.

1p. 8vo. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. With envelope addressed by Ambler to Pitt at Kennister in Somerset. Also present are copies of two letters to Ambler from Pitt, dated 2 January and 20 February 1980. In the first Pitt congratulates Ambler on the receipt of an OBE, reminds him of their previous correspondence through Peter Janson-Smith, and sends 'Part I of my trilogy on the North African campaign' ('If it gives you one tenth of the enjoyment I get from every one of your books, it will have been worth writing.').

Good firm signature, written diagonally across a 9 x 12 cm piece of grey card, the reverse of a printed advertisement for the American & Colonial Exchange, 8, The Haymarket, London, S.W. In good condition, lightly-aged, with minor traces of glue from mount on the printed side of the card.

343pp., 8vo, with sixteen-page publishers' catalogue at rear. Frontispiece and six full-page illustrations (one for each story). In blue cloth, with decorations in gilt on boards, and gilt titles on spine, all edges gilt, and attractive patterned endpapers. In fair condition, on aged paper, rebacked. Inscription on reverse of frontispiece reads: 'To Mary Charnock, | from the Author, | Mrs Rhoda E. White, | with every kindest wish.

2pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. On two leaves stapled together. The letterhead, printed in red, is a cartoon portrait of the artist with palette and brush, pointing to the address on a blackboard. A long chatty letter, listing the titles and prices of an order Malcolm has made, describing his activities at a time when he is 'pushed like mad', arranging an 'interview for ERG', discribing the contents of the four albums of his stamp collecting ('I wouldn't call myself a philatelist . . . .

ONE (12 January 1975): 1p., 4to. In good condition. First page of letter only, and lacking signature. A generally positive review ('When I write, I suffer from excess, a disease which you and your contemporaries, Aldis, Brunner, Bulmer, etc long since cured yourselves of. [...] The story was, as I am sure you know, good.'), but with some caveats ('I also don't think that a female covered with body hairs would also have hair reaching down to her waist.'). TWO: 1p., 8vo. Signed in green ink. In fair condition, on aged paper with wear at head.

34 lines of typed text on air mail letter on blue paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Addressed to Malcom at Paisley, Renfrewshire.

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The letter is 2pp., 4to, and is written in a playful tone. Escaping the accompanying spoof Steward writes: 'Your remark that Glasgow was as alien to you as Mars got me thinking along the lines of the attached headline . . . . . It would be a good idea for a story if it hadnt been done about three thousand times already (See Robert Bloch (Report on Sol III) and others).

MICHAEL GILBERT, Detective Story Writer, Founder Member, sometime Membership Secretary, 21 TLSs and TNSs, total 23pp., 8vo and 4to, some with ms. additions, 1955-1960, mainly concerning the financial affairs of the Crime Writers' Association (CWA), the financial consequences of publishing the Anthologies, details of income tax, the Accounts (Income/Expenditure), request for information for tax purposes, the ultimate tax position, sales of the Anthology Choice of Weapons.

ROY VICKERS, Detective Story Writer, 5TLSs, total 6pp., 4to, all 1961, jokey, gossipy letters concerning CWA affairs - Rosemary Robinson being co-opted to the general committee, German rights to an Anthology sold, an enquiry from Japan about Anthologies (leading to a discussion), subject for debate in A.O.B., analysis of membership ("talented amateur mixed with pro"), a new detective publishing house in the U.S.A., guests for the Dinner. Attached to letter of 3 March 1961: copy TL and typescript, total 5pp., including the letter to Gielgud on CWA Anthologies [= source of income for the Asso

Julian Symons, Detective Story Writer and Historian of the Genre, Founder Member, sometime Chairman of CWA (1958/9), 12 TLSs, one page each, 8vo and 4to, some with ms. additions, concerning CWA affairs - news of the Anthology, financial dealings, expenses, the funeral of a member, the Exhibition, Jacobs election as Vice-Chairman, "Margery Allingham has joined!" (3 April 1959, having declined to do so in 1953), personal, the Awards ceremony, appreciation of congratulations on an award, an "abridged novel venture", a criminal case re-enacted (potential BBC tie-up).

Detective Story Writer, sometime Chairman of the Crime Writers Association (1959/60). 14 ALSs, TLSs and TNSs, total 17pp., 8vo and 4to, 1958-1960, about CWA affairs - finances, the Dinner (with some incoming correspondence), the Japanese CWA, news from members, meetings, royalties on CWA Anthologies, an agent's malfeasance, a newspaper serial, Lorna Graeme's illness and death (see Bruce Graeme below), Sir Alan Herbert's Literary Project (Public Lending Rights), and the Society of Authors.

Detective Story Writing Team. Manfred B. Lee, typed, 16 Sept. 1957,with minor ms. additions and Frederic Dannay, handwritten, 12 Sept. 1957, both adding a note concerning co-authorship, typed and handwritten respectively. The additions and changes include excising the membership fee in sterling and adding $3 [?], and both asterisk their names and add at the foot of the page (typed and handwritten respectively) "co-author with . . . under pseudonym of "Ellery Queen". The Crime Writers Association printed form includes a brief history of the Association and terms of membership.

On 3 x 12.5 slip of paper cut from foot of letter. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The reverse reads '[...] think of me! I fear [...] I was threatened your [...]'.

On 5 x 11 cm slip of paper cut from foot of letter. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The reverse reads '[...] in these dark days [...] interest! It is so [...] of you to sent it, [...]'.

[179]pp., 8vo, paginated 167-189 (and magazine frontispiece); 329-350; 567-[587]; 721-741; 825-[847] [the last five from vol.88]; 67-87; 261-284; 351-374 [the last three from vol.89]. In a contemporary binding, with ticket of Goulden & Curry, The Royal Library, Tunbridge Wells. Very good, lightly aged and worn, in black leather half-binding with black cloth boards and gilt tooling. Ownership inscription on front free endpaper: 'Weldon | Didmarton | Janry. 1900 -'.

56pp., 4to. On wove paper watermarked 'E & S | 1840'. In ruled notebook, in contemporary brown calf half-binding, with marbled boards. In very good condition, lightly-aged and worn. Neatly written out, with a few emendations in pencil. Signed at the end 'H. E. H.' (either the initials of the author or of the narrator 'Emma').

2pp., 12mo. 36 lines. She begins by accepting an invitation to give a talk to Wiener's 'Society', about which she has 'hears so much'. She is 'honoured to add my name to such a distinguished roll of speakers'. She next explains why she believes radio to be 'infinitely superior to TV'. She next turns to 'Mr. Sieveking's adaptation', which she considers 'very clever, as he had to leave out the descriptions which formed such an important part of the book. He allowed me to see and criticise all his scripts, too. I'm so glad you are liking the result. Isn't the signature-tune pleasing?

Postcards, c.11 x 9cm, some smudging but mainly good condition, text clear and complete. Postcard One: "Dear Mr Wynne, | Very best thanks for your valued gift: a fine & distinguished poem."; Postcard 2: "[...] | The books can be got separately & there are cheap editions of those two books any bookseller can secure for you for 2/- & 2/6 each. | I'm afraid London has had enough of my plays. My daughter's paly is not about [?] folk." Two items,

4to, 1 p. Ten lines, edges a little damaged but text clear and complete, on flimsy paper. "You are welcome to the quotation from my school-boy story - if it is worth while. I could have wished, however, that in an anthology of serious prose you had given me credit as a serious writer & chosen something more interesting. With compliments [...]"

Both items in poor condition, with burn marks and damp damage [fire damaged much of the Society's archive]. Some of the text of the autograph letter has faded, and it may be that the signature to the typed note has washed away. Autograph Letter Signed: 2pp., 4to. He begins by offering to 'oppose anybody' in a debate that Mrs Roscoe is organising (at the Society of Women Journalists).

On piece of paper 19 x 12 cm. Addressed by Pech on one side, with franks and black wax seal: 'London February twenty eight 1830 | J Richardson Esq | Heydon | Aylsham | N W Peach Norfolk'. The reverse carries the conclusion of Lytton's letter, in his handwriting: '<...> remember. - | Begging again to thank you my dear Sir, for your attention & to assure you of my Consideration & Esteem | I am, very sincerely yours | [signed] E. Lytton Bulwer.'