RMS

[RMS Queen Mary, Cunard White Star ocean liner, maiden voyage.] Printed card for 'Kocktails and Kisses / With Harry Hayes', depicting one of the ship's 'mural carvings by John Skeaping'. With printed names of nine prominent guests.

Author: 
RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard White Star line, launched 1937, built in Glasgow, registered in Liverpool and now a tourist attraction at Long Beach, California
Queen Mary
Publication details: 
'Cunard / White Star'. 'MAIDEN VOYAGE / R.M.S. QUEEN MARY May 31 1936.' 'Printed in England. Q.P.D. 3.'
£120.00
Queen Mary

A scarce and interesting piece of Queen Mary ephemera. No other copy traced. 13 x 16 cm bifolium card. In fair condition, lighly aged and worn. Printed on the front cover in metallic grey and bronze is an image captioned on the back cover: 'One of the three large mural carvings by John Skeaping, Starboard Gallery, Promenade Deck, R.M.S. Queen Mary.' On reverse of cover: 'KOCKTAILS / AND / KISSES / With HARRY HAYES / To-day's great thought: / Are You happy in your work?' On recto of second leaf: 'Amongst the Guests: / Bill Bailey and Liverpool Staff / Dr.

[Sinking of RMS Titanic, April 1912.] Long unpublished contemporary manuscript poem, signed by 'William Hall', titled 'Titanic', written within weeks of the sinking.

Author: 
RMS Titanic sinking, April 1912 [William Hall]
Publication details: 
No place [English]. Dated at end 'May 1912'.
£220.00

4pp., 4to. On three leaves. In fair condition, aged and creased. The poem, headed 'Titanic', is 64 lines long, divided into 15 stanzas (the first ten numbered), and is signed and dated at the end, following 'R.I.P.', 'William Hall | May 1912'. The verse is heartfelt and devout, in style something of a cross between Walt Whitman and William McGonagall. Apparently unpublished. The author is unknown, but the poem reflects the popular response to the celebrated maritime disaster.

[ Sydney Ffoulkes, composer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Sydney ffoulkes'), a letter of condolence to the widow of fellow-composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
Sydney Ffoulkes, composer associated with the actor Sir Henry Irving and the BBC [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
4 Seaford Mansions, Jevington Gardens, Eastbourne. 21 April 1939.
£40.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He has learnt with 'the deepest regret' of his 'old friend's passing'., and sends his condolences. He will be unable to attend the funeral service, as he had 'a bad fall & fractured two ribs'. He concludes: 'Herman was a great fellow, & nobody will ever replace him -'. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last songs played as RMS Titanic went down.

[ Joseph Lewis, senior conductor of the BBC. ] Autograph Letter Signed, a warm letter of condolence to the widow of composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
Joseph Lewis (1878-1954), senior conductor of the BBC and composer [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer ]
Publication details: 
On his letterhead ('Conductor. | Adjudicator.'), 1 Central Parade, Horley, Surrey. 22 April 1939.
£35.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Although '[w]ords at these times seem rather empty things', he feels he must write to express his sympathy on her loss: 'To know dear Herman as I knew him, was to love him - & I am ,mindful of many happy times we had together & many kindnesses he has shown me'. He asks her to be consoled by the fact that Finck 'leaves behind him a fine reputation & a grand record of service'. According to a contemporary account: 'Joseph Lewis, senior conductor of the BBC, was born in Brierly Hill Staffs, in 1878.

[ Patrick Barrow, composer and conductor. ] Autograph Letter Signed, a letter of condolence to the widow of fellow-composer Herman Finck, praising Finck as a man and a musician.

Author: 
Patrick Barrow, composer and conductor [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
24 Tangier Road, Richmond, Surrey. 22 April 1939.
£40.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. He only met Finck on a few occasions, but offers his condolences 'as a Composer of Light Music, and as a former Director of Music at a West End Theatre (Daly's)'. In his view, Finck 'surely had no superior in the art of giving pleasure to others, not only by his personality, but also by his pen.

[ Herman Finck, composer and conductor. ] Material from his widow's papers relating to his death, including 73 signatures of individuals at his funeral service, including Tommy Handley and William Luff; obituaries; fumeral cards, order of service.

Author: 
Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer and conductor [ Tommy Handley; Bert Thomas; Charles Prentice; Rex Palmer; Percy Greenbank; William Luff ]
Publication details: 
London. 1939.
£320.00

On his death Finck was described by the Daily Mirror as 'one of the world's greatest writers of light music'. His 'In the Shadows' was one of the last songs played on RMS Titanic before it went down. The collection is in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Items One and Two are in an envelope addressed to Mrs Finck at 122 Finchley Road, with note by her: 'Funeral Cards & names of people at Service'. ONE: Collection of 73 signatures of people attending Finck's funeral service. 5pp., folio. Mostly in pencil. With calling card of 'Mr. Stanley F. Galpin'.

[ John Henry Roberts, stage and screen actor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. H. Roberts'), a letter of condolence to the widow of the composer Herman Finck, containing a personal anecdote.

Author: 
J. H. Roberts [ John Henry Roberts ] (1884-1961), stage and screen actor [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 66 The Ridgeway, N.W.11. 23 April 1939.
£30.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and worn, with a short closed tear along a fold line and small rust stain. He begins in conventional fashion, with a reference to 'Herman's countless friends', before continuing: 'As I write this there is in front of me part of a small collection of books I have each containing some personal inscription from its famous author. Among them is one from Herman. He had thought of me one evening, &, with his usual kindliness, he took a book from his collection, wrote in it, & brought it to me there & then. He spent most of that evening in my dressing room.

[ George Denholm Armour, English artist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('G Denholm Armour'), a letter of condolemce to the widow of composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
George Denholm Armour (1864-1949), English artist associated with Phil May and Joseph Crawhall, and horse breeder [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Old Court House, Tetminster, Dorset. 22 April 1939.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition. He is writing 'as an old brother savage' (i.e. a member like Finck of the Savage Club), and asks her to accept his 'most sincere sympathy in the loss' of her husband, and his regret that he cannot be present at his funeral. Headed by Mrs Finck 'Answered'. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last songs played as RMS Titanic went down.

[ Sir Ronald Russell, Principal of the Guildhall School of Music. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Ronald Russell') to composer Herman Finck, offering him an honorary 'Diploma of Fellowship'.

Author: 
Sir Landon Ronald [ born Landon Ronald Russell ] (1873-1938), composer, Principal of Guildhall School of Music [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Guildhall School of Music, London. 16 May 1924.
£56.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Offering him, following the unanimous decision of a committee meeting and on his recommendation, an honorary 'Diploma of Fellowship [...] limited to 100 members, of past-students and Professors'. Finck's song 'In the Shadows' was one of the last to be played as RMS Titanic went down.

[ Sir Gerald du Maurier, actor-manage. ] Typed Letter Signed to composer Herman Finck, regarding his 'very delightful well-favoured' daughter.

Author: 
Sir Gerald du Maurier [ Sir Gerald Hubert Edward Busson du Maurier ] English actor-manager [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Wyndham's Theatre, London. 5 September 1921.
£40.00

1p., 8vo. On aged and worn paper. Reads: 'One of the extraordinary things in this world is heredity. I occasionally met on the golf links at Thurlestone, a very delightful well-favoured young lady, of whom I saw too little. She told me she was your daughter. Is it possible? and such charming manners too. Well! its a wonderful world.' Finck's song 'In the Shadows' was one of the last to be played as RMS Titanic went down.

[ Herman Finck, composer. ] Nine black and white photographs of Herman Finck, from his papers, ranging from a carte-de-visite of him as a child in Amsterdam (by Hisgen Brothers), to images of him in theatrical settings (one by Langfier Ltd).

Author: 
Herman Finck [ Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch conductor [ Hisgen Brothers, Amsterdam photographers; Langfier Ltd, London photographers ]
Publication details: 
[ Amsterdam (Hisgen Brothers, 128 P. C. Hoofstraat) and London (Langfier Ltd; Central News; Weekly Illustrated) and Nottingham (Nottingham Journal). ] From circa 1878 to the 1930s.
£220.00

Although Finck was an extremely popular and well-connected figure in British musical and theatre circles, the National Portrait Gallery holds no image of him. The nine black and white photographs range in size from 18.5 x 24.5 cm down to the carte-de-visite, which is 10.5 x 6.5 cm. The collection is in fair overall condition, with some creasing and wear, and the corner of the largest photograph repaired on the reverse with archival tape.

[ Hilda Anthony [ Hilda Antonietti ], English stage and screen actress. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Hilda'), a letter of condolence to 'Mabel', the widow of the composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
Hilda Anthony [ Hilda Antonietti ] (1886-1962), English actress, heroine of bushranger play 'Stingaree' by E. W. Hornung [ Herman Finck [ Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch conductor ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 5 Rosemont Mansions, Lithos Road, N.W.3. [ London ] 22 April 1939.
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads 'Dear Mabel. | I cant tell you how deeply I sympathize with you in your great loss - words are so inadequate. Herman was a grand friend, & I shall always remember his many kindnesses, & the fun we all used to have together. I know you will miss him dreadfully, & so will all his many friends. | All my love & sympathy to you & Marjorie.' Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last songs played as RMS Titanic went down.

[ Arthur Wood, composer of 'The Archers' theme. ] Autograph Note Signed, sending condolences to the widow of composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
Arthur Wood (1875-1953), English composer best-known for 'Barwick Green', the theme to the BBC radio series 'The Archers' [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer ]
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, 20 Arlington Gardens, Chiswick, London. 22 April 1939.
£90.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Reads: 'Dear Mrs. Finck, | Mrs. Wood and I deeply regret to hear of the Passing of Herman. | Please accept our deepest Sympathy.' The word 'Ans'[wered]' is written at the head. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last tunes played as RMS Titanic went down.

[ Audrey Lucas, author and Evelyn Waugh's mistress. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Audrey Lucas') to the widow of Herman Finck

Author: 
Audrey Lucas [ Audrey Scott; Audrey Clarke-Smith ] (1898-1975), author, daughter of E. V. Lucas and mistress of Evelyn Waugh [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 34 Pembroke Square, W.8. [ London ] 24 April [1939].
£90.00

Anthony Powell describes Audrey Lucas in his journals as 'Evelyn Waugh's on and off mistress for some years'. 2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and lightly creased, with pinholes to one corner. One catches a hint of the clipped and brittle tones of the age: 'I have been away in the country and ignoring newspapers as a rest. It was only today that I heard of Herman's death. So, will you forgive me for not having written before to say how very much I grieve for you. I am so terribly sorry.

[ Austin Melford, actor, screenwriter and film director. ] Autograph Letter Signed, a letter of condolence to the widow of composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
Austin Melford [ born Alfred Austyn Melford Smith ] (1884-1971), British actor, screenwriter and film director [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer ]
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, 3 The Close, St John's Wood, N.W.8. [ London ]. 24 April 1939.
£35.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. He and his wife send their 'sincerest sympathy' on her 'irreparable loss': 'Herman will be missed sadly by his many, many friends and his passing will leave a void which can never be filled.' The word 'Ans:' is written at the head. Finck's song 'In the Shadows' was one of the last to be played as RMS Titanic went down.

[ Charles Hayden Coffin, actor and singer. ] Autgograph Letter Signed ('C. Hayden Coffin') to composer Herman Finck, regarding a forthcoming dinner.

Author: 
Charles Hayden Coffin (1862-1935), English actor and singer, associated with actor, George Edwardes.
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Savage Club, Adelphi, W.C.2. [ London ] 20 November [ no year ].
£35.00

2pp., 16mo. In fair condition, lightly-aged. Headed 'Re. Dec 2': 'I have put my name down & hope nothing prevents my being present - tho' a "young" Savage I trust that you can fix me near you & Sir Edward - | Do what you can - what an evening it will be!!' Finck's song 'In the Shadows' was one of the last to be played as RMS Titanic went down.

[ 'In the Shadows', one of the last songs played on the Titanic. ] Three printed scores of music by Herman Finck, from his papers and with autograph emendations by him: 'Two Little Dances', 'Dance'. and a proof of 'In the Shadows'.

Author: 
[ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor ] [ RMS Titanic ]
Publication details: 
All three items by Hawkes & Son, London. 'In the Shadows', 'Copyright, 1910, in U.S.A.'; 'Dance', 'Copyright, MDCCCCX, in U.S.A.'; 'Two Little Dances', 'Copyright 1914 in U.S.A.'
£280.00

Constant Lambert referred to 'In the Shadows' as 'that rightly renowned piece'.For the playing of the song as the Titanic sank, see Ian Whitcomb, 'The Titanic Songbook' (2011) and Steve Turner, 'The Band Played On' (2011). The three items of sheet music are from Finck's papers, and their condition bears testimony to their having been working copies. ONE: 'In the Shadows'. 8pp., 12mo. In poor condition, with outer leaves detached from one another. At head of first page: 'In the Shadows. | Dance. | Piano-Conductor. HERMAN FINCK.' Rest of page blank. Two sections deleted in blue pencil.

[ Herman Finck, composer. ] Signed Autograph musical score of 'Duet | "Optimist & Pessimist" | Herman Finck', with two notes by the author in blue pencil.

Author: 
[Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£90.00

[1] + 6pp., folio.Two bifoliums with printed staves, stitched together. A working score, worn and aged, and with the outer leaves detached from one another. Ink blot on front page which only bears the title 'Duet | "Optimist & Pessimist" | Herman Finck'. The score is six pages long, signed at the head by Finck. Neatly written out, with a couple of notes by Finck in blue pencil. On the first page: '"You is a Pessimist" | 3 verses', and on the last: 'Encore Sym & Chorus only'. A new edition of the piece, with words by Adrian Ross, was published in London by Cavendish Music Co.

[ Violet Loraine, music hall artiste who duetted with George Robey on 'If I were the only Girl in the World'. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Violet Loraine Joicey'), a letter of condolence to the widow of composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
Violet Loraine [ Violet Loraine Joicey, born Violet Mary Tipton ] (1886-1956), English music hall artist [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Blenkinsopp Castle, Greenhead, Carlisle. 22 April [ 1939 ].
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. She expresses 'heartfelt sympathy' at 'the loss of our darling old Herman. How we all loved him & what a dear & true friend he always was to me. I am terribly sorry at his going'. The word 'Answered' is written at the head. Violet Loraine's signature song was her duet with George Robey, 'If I were the only Girl in the World'. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last pieces played by the orchestra on the Titanic.

[ Francis Collinson, musicologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Francis M. Collinson'), a letter of condolence to the widow of composer Herman Finck, conveying the 'tributes' to his memory made at a meeting of the Musical Conductors' Association.

Author: 
Francis M. Collinson [ Francis James Montgomery Collinson ] (1898-1984), musical director and musicologist [ Herman Finck [born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Musical Conductors' Association [ London ]. 5 May 1939.
£90.00

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Collinson is named as Honorary Secretary of the Association on the letterhead. He begins by explaining that he has waited until after the previous day's meeting of the Association to write to her, so that he can convey 'the tributes to your late husband's memory which I felt sure would be shown at this gathering of his friends and colleagues'. 'Mr Frederick Austin as chairman referred to the great loss which we all felt in the passing of Herman Finck, and spoke of his great qualities both as a friend and as a musician.

[ George Graves, comic actor. ] Autograph Letter Signed, a warm letter of condolence to the widow of the composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
George Graves [ George Windsor Graves ] (1876-1949), English comic actor [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 96 New Cavendish Street, W.1. [ London ]. 22 [ April 1939 ].
£50.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The letter is addressed to 'My poor dear', and he writes 'with deepest sympathy' with 'your terrible loss of dear Herman. I little thought that my last visit would be the last.' It is 'perhaps poor consolation' to her, but Finck's passing 'hits all his pals very hard indeed. For he was dearly loved by everybody.' He urges her to 'Be brave, my dear, & be sure we are all thinking of you in this awful time.' 'Ans:' (i.e. 'Answered') is written at the head. See Graves's entry in the Oxford DNB.

[ 'Rose's Patent Lifeboats, Ltd.' and 'G. Fitzhardinge Rose's Patent Submarine Lifeboats'. ] Printed share prospectus (with reference to Titanic disaster), and separate 'Short Explanation', with diagrams, one of them printed on its own sheet.

Author: 
G. Fitzhardinge Rose's Patent Submarine Lifeboats; Rose's Patent Lifeboats, Ltd. [ George Fitzhardinge Rose (1862-1933), London china dealer and inventor; Commander James Harrison; RMS Titanic ]
Publication details: 
All items circa 1913. The main prospectus without printing details. The 'Short Explanation': 'Printed by Hazell & Viney, Ltd., London and Aylesbury.'
£220.00

ONE: Prospectus headed: 'Rose's Patent Lifeboats, Ltd. | Share Capital £125,000 in 125,000 Shares of £1 each. | Boats for all for passenger steamers :: The Difficulty Solved | Prospectus.' Printed on one side of a piece of 62.5 x 46.5 cm paper. In fair condition, aged and creased, with some wear to extremities. With four diagrams: 'For Passenger Steamers. - Steel seamless lifeboat. Completely covered in, and a life raft combined. Design No. 8.' and 'Submarine showing position of lifeboat fixed' and 'Submarine lifeboat.

[ 'Rose's Patent Lifeboats, Ltd.' ] Printed prospectus (with reference to RMS Titanic): 'Rose's Patent Lifeboats, Ltd. Share Capital £125,000 in 125,000 Shares of £1 each. Boats for all for passenger steamers :: The Difficulty Solved'. With diagrams.

Author: 
G. Fitzhardinge Rose's Patent Submarine Lifeboats; Rose's Patent Lifeboats, Ltd. [ George Fitzhardinge Rose (1862-1933), London china dealer and inventor; Commander James Harrison; RMS Titanic ]
Publication details: 
[London: George Fitzhardinge Rose. 1913.]
£120.00

Printed on one side of a piece of 62.5 x 46.5 cm paper. Headed: 'Rose's Patent Lifeboats, Ltd. | Share Capital £125,000 in 125,000 Shares of £1 each. | Boats for all for passenger steamers :: The Difficulty Solved | Prospectus.' In fair condition, aged and creased, with some wear to extremities. With four diagrams: 'For Passenger Steamers. - Steel seamless lifeboat. Completely covered in, and a life raft combined. Design No. 8.' and 'Submarine showing position of lifeboat fixed' and 'Submarine lifeboat.

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