SWIFT

A multi-talented figure, Denis Johnston was a protégé of W. B. Yeats and Bernard Shaw, and had a stormy friendship with Seán O'Casey. Jonathan Swift was a preoccupation of Johnston's (see his 1959 book 'In Search of Swift'), and his play about him, 'The Dreaming Dust', was first produced at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, in 1940. It was published in collections of Johnston's plays in 1954, 1960, 1977 and 1983. This 1988 version remains unpublished. Both typescript and letter in fair condition, lightly aged.

Heavily influenced by its author's own journalistic career, 'The Pen and the Sword' is not only of great significance in the development of Michael Foot's thinking, but is also an important work in the study of Jonathan Swift. The book was a firm success, going through four printings between 1957 and 2008. It was first published in London by Macgibbon and Kee, with the subtitle 'A Year in the Life of Jonathan Swift' (the year in question being 1710).

45 + [1]pp., 12mo. Stapled pamphlet. On aged and worn War Economy paper. Two-page preface by Hayward, preceded by the following note: 'The Exhibition has been arranged under the auspices of the Syndics of the University Library and the Catalogue made by MR JOHN HAYWARD who, in collaboration with MR HAROLD WILLIAMS, F.B.A., also made the selection of the Books and Manuscripts for the Exhibition.' Uncommon (apart from the Folcroft reprint): the only copy on OCLC WorldCat at the British Library.

4to: 3 pp. Bifolium. On neatly-repaired aged paper, with archival paper covering the two inner pages. Fifty-four lines of text, all clear and entire. Remains of black wax seal, with crest, on verso of second leaf, which carries the address and is docketed 'Maragna Mohammed'. A long letter in two parts, the second part beginning on the verso of the first leaf, which is headed 'now Febry: 13'.

Manuscript, 32pp., folio, vellum covers detached, poor condition but complete. Front endpaper is inscribed "Jos Trapp" perhaps indicating that it was held by Trapp, one of the lecturer/beneficiaries of donations. [Joseph Trapp, 1679-1747, poet and pamphleteer - see substantial article in DNB which reveals Jonathan Swift's role in his life].

Manuscript, 34pp., folio, bound in vellum, poor condition but complete. A Book of all ye names of the Severall Inhabitants & others residing in Strand Ward in the parish of St Martin in the Fields in the County of Middx for one year free Collection from Christmas 1729 by Quarterly payments or otherwise for the gratifying and paying the Reverend Mr.