OBSERVER

[Nora Beloff, political correspondent of the Observer.] Autograph Letter Signed to Philip Dosse of 'Books and Bookmen', regarding the writing of a review.

Author: 
Nora Beloff [Leah Nora Beloff] (1919-1997), journalist with the Observer, the first female political correspondent of a British newspaper [Philip Dosse (1925-1980)]
Publication details: 
Undated. On letterhead of the Observer, London.
£45.00

See her entry 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. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. She thanks him for his note, adding 'Would this do?', and stating 'I will write my piece definitely by March 15th.' Signed 'Nora Beloff / NORA BELOFF'.

[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.

[A. H. Bullen [Arthur Henry Bullen], Elizabethan scholar, proprietor of the Shakespeare Head Press.] Autograph Letter Signed ('A. H. Bullen'), making arrangements for a meeting with F. A. H. Eyles of the Observer.

Author: 
A. H. Bullen [Arthur Henry Bullen] (1857-1920), Elizabethan scholar, editor and publisher, proprietor of the Shakespeare Head Press [F. A. H. Eyles of the Observer]
Publication details: 
26 November 1915; The Old George Inn, 77 Borough High Street, London, on letterhead of the Shakespeare Head Press, Stratford-upon-Avon.
£35.00

1p, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. He thanks him for his letter of the previous day, and looks forward to seeing him on the Monday 'at the “Shakespeare Head Press” about 11.20 (and afterwards to the pleasure of your company at lunch)'. With the envelope, addressed to 'F. A. H. Eyles, Esq. | “The Observer” Office, | Newton Street, | High Holborn, W.C'.

[ Printed pamphlet. ] Record of the Speeches and List of Guests at the Luncheon given by The Spectator in Honour of Mr. J. L. Garvinn to commemorate his completion of 21 years as Editor of The Observer. Mr. Evelyn Wrench in the Chair.

Author: 
J. L. Garvin [ James Louis Garvin ] (1868-1947), editor of the Observer [ Arthur Henderson; David Lloyd George; the Marquis of Londonderry; Evelyn Wrench ]
Publication details: 
At Stationers' Hall [ London ]. 14 November 1929. [ Roffey & Clark, Ltd. Printers, 12, High St., Croydon. ]
£90.00

43 + [1]pp., 8vo. Strapled ino printed card wraps. Internally in good condition, lightly aged, in aged and worn wraps with rusted staples. Over 24 pages the speeches by Henderson, Lloyd George and the Marquis of Londonderry are reported in full, as is that of the chairman, quoting letters he has received from Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, Viscount Rothermere, General Smuts and several others. This is followed by a five-page list of guests, and a final seven-page 'Extract from "The Observer" of Sunday, Nov. 17, 1929', titled 'The Soul of a Newspaper'.

[Viola Garvin, journalist.] Typed Letter, written on her behalf by 'G. F.', to 'Sylvia Dear' (i.e. the Anglo-Irish poet Sylvia Lynd), thanking her for 'one of the nicest novel articles we have had', and asking her to review Somerset Maugham.

Author: 
'G. F.' [Viola Garvin (1898-1969), journalist; Sylvia Lynd (1888-1952), Anglo-Irish poet, wife of the essayist Robert Lynd (1879-1949); Gerald Gould (1885-1936), reviewer with the Observer, London]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Observer, 22 Tudor Street, London. 14 August 1934.
£40.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. She thanks Lynd for 'one of the nicest novel articles we have had in Gerald's absence', and asks her to 'be an angel, and do something else for Viola, who is vanishing tomorrow for four or five weeks', in reviewing 'the Somerset Maugham book you wanted [...] I really think he is worth a long article to himself - 1500 words, and, if you care to, you can put in a word for Heinemann's edition of the Collected Works, which we send alongside. Mr.

[Dilys Powell, journalist and film critic.] Typed Letter Signed to Robert Swan, declining his 'interesting offer' of 'original portrait drawings' by Swan himself.

Author: 
Dilys Powell [Elizabeth Dilys Powell] (1901-1995), British journalist, author and film critic [Robert Swan]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Sunday Times, 135 Fleet Street, London. 14 Octobeer 1936.
£38.00

1p., 4to. On creased and lightly-aged paper, with wear and chipping to edges. She thanks him for his letter 'and for your offer of original potrait drawings by yourself', in which she was 'greatly interested'. She explains that there is a limitation of space, 'and as a general rule we are exhibiting portraits only when we can associate with them some other relic or possession of the writer concerned'. In response to 'our appeal' she has received 'souvenirs of past writers, and I am concentrating on these. This being so, I feel I must very reluctantly decline your interesting offer'.

Typed Note Signed by Carl Van Vechten to 'Miss Lucha', thanking her for a copy of the Gertrude Stein number of the Academic Observer.

Author: 
Carl Van Vechten (1880-1964), American author and literary executor of Gertrude Stein [Margaret Lucha; the Academic Observer]
Typed Note Signed by Carl Van Vechten
Publication details: 
15 April 1937; on Van Vechten's 101 Central Park West, New York, letterhead.
£150.00
Typed Note Signed by Carl Van Vechten

8vo, 1 p. Typed and signed in light-blue, beneath green letterhead, and with 'CARL VAN VECHTEN' 'watermark' at centre of page. Text clear and complete. On lightly aged paper, worn and dogeared at extremities. He thanks her for the copy of 'the Academic Observer (Gertrude Stein number) which intererested me so much that I am writing to ask if I may have another copy for a friend of mine, Please.' Autograph note explains that the 'friend' is one 'who also collects Steiniana'. Docketed in pencil on reverse: 'Miss Mallory | Keep this until I call - someday I will. | [signed] M. Lucha'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Mortimer Wheeler') to Fred Behrens, editor of the Bradford Observer.

Author: 
Robert Mortimer Wheeler (d.1936), journalist, father of Sir Mortimer Wheeler (1890-1976), English archaeologist [Sir Jacob Behrens; Fred Behrens; Bradford Observer; Yorkshire Observer]
Publication details: 
7 June 1900; on letterhead of the Bradford Observer.
£23.00

12mo: 1 p. Twenty-one lines. Clear and complete. Fair: on lightly-aged and ruckled paper. He 'turned up at the Executive this afternoon rather in the hope of seeing you than in the expectation of being useful'. He had 'intended amongst other things supporting a meeting of the Committee sometime next week'. He is 'only just emerging from the influenza you gave me last time, which proved of a rather virulent order!' He has 'a visitor in the house & must consult the home arrangements'. 'The absence of Fred Byles (on holiday) ties me somwhat more closely than usual.

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