Literature

Five of the items are 8vo, with the other on a 12mo slip. All texts clear and complete. Fair, on slightly-aged and worn paper. A total of five typed 8vo pages, and two autograph 8vo and two autograph 12mo pages. Four of the lettters have 'The Fol-de-Rols' printed on the letterhead. Dealing with practical everyday theatre matters, with Newman writing, for example, on 19 November 1955: 'I have bought a few costume from the Punch Revue which died an early death at the Duke of York's theatre last Saturday.

Both letters 8vo, 1 p; the first on pink paper. Both texts clear and complete. Both fair, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Letter One: She was surprised to learn that Lawrence had 'Miss Babbington with you because I did not even know that she was on the stage. I thought she was with a publishing house.' After the 'long and wonderful run' she is sorry that Lawrence's leading lady is leaving. 'Although I never intend to go back to the stage again, I shall always have the same keen interest in matters theatrical [...] the variety profession is my first love'.

12mo: unpaginated. Pamphlet of eight leaves, on good laid paper, stitched with lilac ribbon. A total of 14 pp, with the body of the text on 12 pp, plus title on front cover and woodcut vignette ('S. JULIANI') on back. Creased and with light staining to front cover, otherwise fair. Eight poems, preceded by a quotation from 'We and the World', and followed by three pages of notes, containing background information about the writing of the poems. Scarce: issued with a programme (not present) for 'Entertainment to be given in New Big School' at Rugby.

Each of the four items has text clear and complete. The four are in fair condition, on aged paper, with minor staining from the paperclip used to attach them, and a small closed tear at the foot of the first letter. Letter One to 'Dear Mrs Chapman'; the other three to 'Dear Ronnie'. Letter One (4to, 2 pp): 19 November 1938. Chapman (referred to throughout as 'Ronnie') has not been well, and Fisher makes a suggestion to his mother regarding his 'future': 'Cecil Rhodes spent seven years on this process and never regretted it.

Note written on two sides of a card of postcard size, good condition, initialled and addressed envelope chipped and grubby. Text: "No, it is purely a coincidence about the names in Love Eternal [underlined; a fantasy/historical novel published in 1918]. I know Major C. Danen[end indecipherable] very well - often see him when I am at St Leonards. He was rather ill a while ago but was much better when I saw him. . . ."

Gatty's annotations are of interest, considering his legal standing in Gibraltar, and his position as one of the Library's committee members. One: 'Report'. Two pages on the versos of a 4to bifolium. Very good on lightly-aged paper. Concerning the proposed 'establishment of a Club' within the Library, and concluding 'Generally we are of opinion that the above scheme is the best that can be suggested for upholding both institutions - the Library and the Club.

Four pages, 12mo (letter), all items in good condition. He will fulfil his promise of some autograph letters, le plus notable et vivid, which had been relegated to the country but retrieved the day before. He describes a Michelet manuscript, notes taken après la lecture d'un ouvrage de M. Dupanloup before he became bishop. He discusses Dupanloup's character and achievements at length. He continues J'ajoute une lettre . . . Saul Meyer [NOT present] et une carte de visite . . .

One page, 12mo, good condition. "I return the proof, mutilated as desired. I have struck out 7 lines: and more can be saved by omitting the signature at end (my name appears at the top) & by sacrificing Law's Christian name. | I should like to receive a copy of the issue in which it is pub[lishe]d if you would be so kind as to send me one: - I am constantly away from home & may miss it."." Note:

Three pages, 4to, small closed tears on folds, text clear and complete. Two lists of Swinburne's works, titles and prices columnised: The first, two pages, 36 titles, in the hand of George H. May perhaps but with a few additions in another hand, from Queen Mother & Rosamund ([£]8) to Cleopatra (added note Camden 1866; [£]5.5) to August Vacquerie (at 15s) to Grace Darling(at 5gns). An unnumbered title The Children of the Chapel is added in pencil in the alternative hand. Total £49.12.6.

One page, 12mo, good condition.He has received an unwelcome letter which prevents him dining with the Drapers, for which he apologises prufusely.

Autograph Letter: 4to, 1 p. 10 lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Inviting him and his family to dine with him and Lord and Lady Glasgow. Secretarial Letter: 12mo, 3 pp. Bifolium. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Sending the 'narrative of my son's singular adventure', which he has 'been induced to draw up [...] for the purpose of supplying The Author of "Waverley," with "new materials," for his intended History of that extraordinary character'.

One page, 4to, good condition. She doesn't disapprove of any kind of collecting and is ahppy to send her signature. She adds I collect all sorts of odds & {?] from which she gets much satisfaction. She describes a bangle made up of about 60 sixpences given to her by a celebrity.each with the name of the celebrity on it. She stopped adding to it because it became too heavy/ Her eldest girl collects stamps her second autographs and youngest tea spoons.

He refers to a letter he is forwarding (not present) from one of our active members ... [forwarding it] as duty bound to the Editor. It seems a proper contribution on one of our open questions. | I wish a larger proportion of our leading names appeared among the contributors to the 'Reformer'. | Ther are many men who never write unless they are asked ... and some who will only write if they are told that a contribution on some particular subject will be acceptable from them. ... if I might suggest your applying a gentle editorial pressure upon them.

One page, 12mo, edge trimmed with minor loss of text. She is working too hard to find time for "social duties or politenesses" She will be at a certain place the following day. She has a cold "who has not?") abnd asks whether he will be in his "place" the following day.

One page, 4to, fold marks, spotted, mainly good. She confirms a meeting with him and Mrs Morel, adding: "Yes. I have read the 'Dance of Death' - I would have jumped at it. It's exquisite & strong [underlined] too- As I said you're a genius - There'll be a notice in next week's W.W." She concludes with New Year's greetings.

Three pages, 12mo, good condition. "By all means let the subject be [Insi?] the Gipsy. On after-consideration, I was afraid the other subject would be too crowded. I long to see your study from nature; rememebring your beautiful design of 'Mein Vogel'." She goes on to discuss his son's illness and her brother concern.

Broadsheet bifolium, 4 pp. Text clear and complete. On lightly-aged paper, worn along fold lines. Poetry collection, containing twenty-eight poems by writers including 'Mazizi Kunene (In Exile, London, 1960)' and Hugh MacDiarmid, whose two poems have the footnote 'We are especially pleased to print these two new poems by Hugh McDiarmid, contributed despite the painful after effects of his recent car smash. We wish him a speedy and complete recovery.' Masthead endorsement by Sean O'Casey: 'I am with you in all efforts to create perfect race equality the world over.

8vo, 16 pp Disbound. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper, with the final page a little discoloured. Ownership inscriptions of 'Charles Hall Hemphill' and 'James | May 1837'. A significant work: a milestone in the history of copyright law. According to the eleventh edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, this speech introducing Talfourd's Copyright Bill 'was considered the most telling made in the House during that session'. No copy listed on COPAC, and WorldCat lists three copies (all foreign).

12mo, 1 p. Twelve lines of text. Clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged and creased paper. 'No cheque from the Bystander, [...] my new novel will be out in two months or so. I intend to shock you with that.' Perhaps referring to George's 'Blind Alley', or 'Eddies of the Day', both published in 1919.

Offprint, "Transactions of the American Philosophical Society", vol.iv, New Series, brown paper wraps, 48pp., 4to, two one-word corrections in Hodgson's hand, some foxing, marginal chipping of page edges, fair. INSCRIBED "To President Adams | With the hommage | of W B Hodgson". Note: Hodgson served in the State Department through the influence of Henry Clay who, when secretary of state in Adams's administration, "assigned Hodgson to the Barbary States . . ."

Three pages, 4to, one inch close tears along fold (marks), some marking but text clear and complete, except loss of letters through a hole where the seal was taken off. . . . [It] gives me pleasure that my books have passed into your hands - Though I have not used your references to Publishers here I feel confidence in your arrangements & above all in the sympathy of taste which your letter evinces.

Dimensions c.7.5 x 2, with small hinges (as with stamps) on both sides (from appearance in album), signature clear on dingy background, "Yours very truly | R. M. Ballantyne [underlined]".

One page, 4to, dingy paper, fold marks, text clear and complete. Mr Phillips sent a few days since an enrgaving [sic] to Mr Bentley relative to 'Man as he is Vol 4 [Robert Bage, Man As He Is (1792)- he now wants Mr Bentley's reply, as he wishes to [?] out what is become of the Volume. Bentley adds WB never Saw Man as he is, nor Woman as She Should be.---. The note added in a different hand, Note from Richard Phillips afterwards Sir Richard to Mr. W. Bentley & Mr. Bentley's reply written by himself.

12mo, 2 pp.Twenty-six lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper, with strip of paper mount still adhering at head of second page (not affecting text). Presumably addressed to one of the contributors to 'Cambridge Essays on Education' (1917), which Benson edited, although none of the contributors corresponds to 'Sir John'. Benson is grateful for the essay, which will make 'a most useful & interesting contribution to our book'.

With printed pamphlet. Letter is one page, 12mo, tipped on to page extracted from personal album of Arthur Poyser, trimmed to fit a plastci envelope, with a small nick not affecting text, illustrating his career with the City of London Boy Scouts and the Boy Players (album offered separately). Buchan is only free for luncheon on the Wednesday but would be happy to discuss "the book" [the first "Scouts' Song Book" published in 1912) with him then.

4to, 2 pp. Bifolium. Twenty-eight lines of text. Clear and complete. On aged and stained paper. Docketed by the recipient on the reverse of the second leaf. The recipient drew up her will in 1819, but 'the many changes from Deaths &c which have since taken place' mean that it 'no longer expresses my wishes in several particulars'. Asks a number of questions. States that she is 'aware that as a married woman I have no right to make a Will but as in the former distribution of my property Sir George Scott authorized my doing so (as you many remember) so he will now any alteration'.

16mo, 1 p. Bifolium. Eight lines. Text clear and complete. On stained, aged paper. An uncommon autograph, written in a distinctive stylised hand in purple ink. Reluctantly announcing his inability to go on 'the Barge trip', which he had looked upon 'as the pleasantest excursion of the year, & alas & alas (not that a lass has any thing to do with my engagement) I shall be unable to be with you'.

4to, 1 p. Ten lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with some creasing at head. The delay in replying is due to 'a rather severe attack of influenza'. She has no photograph to send ('I have been meaning to have some new ones taken, but never seem to get time'), but is 'so glad that my books give you pleasure, & I hope that I shall be able to continue to entertain you with them'.

4to, 3pp. Bifolium. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper, with slight loss to second leaf caused by opening of red wax seal (part of which still adheres), and minor nicking to edges. Begins: 'The task you set me was a task indeed [...] my first attempt at translation'. He comments on some of the difficulties involved ('The Cara so often repeated in the original is beautiful in repetition while it's angliciz'd Dear is so degraded by vulgar use').

Ist Edition. No dustjacket except surviving front flap of dj enclosed, covers sl. sunned, corners bumped manily g+. INSCRIBED by AUTHOR on title; "Robertson Davies / with love to Elsa / Christmas 1967 // [The drawings in this book are by me but the publisher forgot to say so.]