TITANIC

A tenuous Titanic item: at the time of writing Simon, as solicitor-general, was representing the Board of Trade at the British enquiry into the sinking, at the address on the letterhead. See his entry and Ilbert's in the Oxford DNB. Joyce Violet Ilbert (1890-1957) was the youngest of Sir Courtenay's five daughters. 3pp, 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice. Written in pencil. Signed ‘John Ilbert’.

Three pages, 12mo, bifolium, very good condition. Text: A line to acknowledge your stirring poem on the loss of the Titanic which I admire much. | I suppose & hope that the story of the band is true, but it requires some corroboration.

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 Apparently unpublished.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.

1p., 4to. On aged and worn paper, with chipping along one edge. He begins: 'Word of the loss of your dear husband reached us some time ago, but I was not able to write you until just now when I received your address from Ralph Hawkes.' He offers his condolences 'on behalf of our whole organisation'. According to Hawkes 'the funeral service was a most impressive one' and 'Mr. Finck was a great figure in the musical world and that he shall be missed a great deal.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Folio, 3 pp; 8vo, 1 p. Bifolium. With the title lengthwise on reverse of second leaf, which also carries a table of 'The Fleets of the Cunard Company and of its Allied Lines' (both of vessels 'in commission' and 'building'). In small type. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. Detailed prospectus quoting letter from 'the Chairman of the Cunard Company, Sir Alfred Booth, Bart'. Accompanying printed application form (8vo, 1 p). Both prospectus and application with the stamp of the Edinburgh stockbroker A. W. Banks.

Three striking unfamiliar photographs (the last two in particular excellent compositions) of a significant historical event. The three slides are bound in 8 cm glass squares, with none of the glass shattered, and the images themselves in good condition, clear and unfaded. Each mount carries the stamp of the photographers Gibson & Sons. With numbered labels carrying a shelfmark. Each mount titled in manuscript. ONE: ' Schiller" wreck. Lifeboat in which Survivors came ashore'.

12mo, 3 pp, on separate loose leaves. Forty lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on browned paper. Laid out for printing, and with the page numbering 21 to 23 (from 12 to 14). Loosely inserted in a folder with 'Original Manuscript of Elbert Hubbard' printed on the front, which also carries two accession marks.

64 pages, 16mo. In original printed wraps. In poor condition. Ownership inscription at head of front wrap. The two binding staples rusted, and the wraps in particular grubby, torn and worn. Photograph of 'Private JENKIN THOMAS' in what appears to be World War I uniform on front wrap. Illustration of the 'SINKING OF THE "TITANIC." ' on page 9; photograph of 'WILLIAM HERBERT HARRIS, A.L.C.M.' on page 47.

8vo: 16 pp. Stapled and unbound, in original blue printed wraps. Good, with light spotting, in stained, spotted wraps. Rust stains from staples. Ownership inscription of H. J. Young, dated November 1895, on front wrap. Advises his audience on 'the education proper for a budding Engineer', 'a lad who intends to tread the higher walks of theh profession'. Moves from apprenticeship to the positions of chief draughtsman and manager, before ending with observations on the 'combination of qualities' required by the 'successful business man'.