AUTOGRAPH

One page, 16mo, bifolium, sl.spotted, mainly goodcondition. "Dear Sir, | II return your memorandum filled in. | Yours faithfully | George Taubman Goldie \ Stephen Wheeler Esq, | Oriental Club."

Three pages, 12mo, bifolium, fold marks, good condition. He reveals that he nearly died of pleurisy and pneumonai recently "and am still a cripple from the after effects thereof but mending. | shall be very glad to tell you anything I can about Indian affairs - but what do you want to know about in particular? If you will send me a set of questions I will answer to the best of my ability. | I expect to be down here until the Spring [...]" Wheeler has added some faint notes on the otherwise blank fourth page.

Letter, one, page, 12mo; notes on verso one page. Letter by Yule: "The young officer to whom I referred in Lieut. Younghusband of (I think) the Ist dragoon guards, the son of an officer formerly well known in the Punjab. | He is I believe now on his way home through Russia, after a remarkable journey in Mongolia & Chinese Turkestan."; Notes by Wheeler (?), Foreighn Office, orientalist (starting mid-sentence, crossings out in square brackets: "traveller must encounter are formidable enough to rank Mr Careys expedition - described the other [day] even[in]g to the Royal Geographical Society.

Two pages, 12mo, bifolium, fold mark, good condion, large handwriting. "Your song has come to hand. I am sory to say that it does not suit me. The words are beautiful but there is no story in it and that is almost necessary for a Ballad. [..."

43 letters in 8vo and 12mo, making a total of 44 pp. Signed 'Rolando Pieraccini' and (latterly) 'Rolando'. Thirteen of the letters (1984-1986; all 8vo) on 'Eurographica' letterhead, the others (1986-1996; 27 in 12mo and 3 in 8vo) on Pieraccini's personal letterhead. Also present is a carbon copy of a two-page letter from Pieraccini to Penny Eckley of Oxford University Press, regarding copyright matters. The collection in good condition, lightly-aged.

The item would appear to relate to William Gaskill's 1984 Chichester Festival production of Congreve's 'Way of the World', in which Joan Plowright played Lady Wishford, and John Moffatt played Witwoud, although it is not clear why Fry should have been making directorial suggestions in this case. 2pp, 8vo. Written in pencil. In fair condition, aged and worn. Folded twice. From the Fry papers, and so possibly either a draft or not sent. The identity of the recipient is not clear.

One page, 12mo, bifolium. "At the instance of Mr. A.R. Knapp, I.C.S. Officer in charge of the Madras Provincial Camp at Delhi, I beg to forward per separate parcel post a copy of the portrait of His Highness Sir Rama Vurmah. G.C.S.I., the Rjah of Cochoin for the purpose of the volume which you are compiling in connection with the Delhi Durbar. Kindly acknowledge it's receipt ..." Note in pencil in Wheeler's hand, the beginning of a polite response. Note: Presumably for Wheeler's History Of The Delhi Coronation Durbar (1904).

Photostat pages of the first part of Christopher Fry's screenplay of the lavish 1966 American-Italian 20th Century Fox religious epic film 'The Bible: In the Beginning...', produced by Dino De Laurentiis and directed by John Huston. [2] + 7pp, 4to. Photostats of a typescript, on seven leaves.

Two pages, obl.12mo, fold mark, good condition. "Previous to leaving the Baltic, Sir James Saumarez was presented with a magnificent Sword [sett?] in Diamonds by His Majesty The King of Sweden for the Services he rendered to thjat country and upon the arrival of the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia in England he was honored with their Majesties persoanl thanks for the benefit derived to the Common Cause of Europe, which were also communicated to him from the Emperor of Austria by his Excellency Prince Metternich.

Guttman was, as one of his wife's letters in this collection states, Fry's 'prophet' in Holland, supporting his work from the earliest days. In 1961 Guttman directed the world premiere of Fry's 'Curtmantle' at Tilburg, and in 1981 he directed a production of 'The Lady's not for Burning' in Vienna. The collection is in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. The letters are all in English, long and intimate, addressed to 'Kit' and sometimes to 'Phyl', i.e. Fry's wife Phyllis.

An interesting correspondence on theatre matters, from one of Canada's most influential critics and designers to 'a favourite poet', the English verse dramatist Christopher Fry. Whittaker discusses, among other matters, mutual acquaintances including Sir John Gielgud and Leonard White, past productions of Fry's plays, a 1998 meeting with the playwright at his West Dean home, and a reading he organises of Fry's 'A Ringing of Bells' at the Toronto Arts and Letters Club. The eight letters are in good condition, lightly aged.

Nine items, all in good condition. All of the letters are signed 'Anthony', and four of them (two autograph and two typed) are each 1p, 8vo. The other letter, in autograph, is 1p, 16mo. With four items of material relating to Hostage Action Worldwide. The first letter (11 May 1989) accompanies 'our first reply to our first 350 donors – we're hoping to build rapidly now'. He reports that 'The Archbishop of Canterbury has this week responded positively to us and appointed a man, John Lyttle to our Advisory Council.

1p, 8vo. In good condition. Folded twice. With secretarial note in blue pencil, recording response by 'C.F.' The letter concerns Fry's screenplay for the 1966 film 'The Bible: In the Beginning...', produced by Dino De Laurentiis and directed by John Huston, which recounts the first 22 chapters of the Book of Genesis. Stallworthy wonders whether Fry remembers 'that, “in the dark backward and abyss of time”, the OUP wanted to publish your screen-play for the film of Genesis, but the film company's lawyers wouldn't allow it.

Five items in good condition, all lightly aged. ONE: ACS. Signed 'Kathy'. 1 March 1990. Clearly a covering note on sending the other material. Simply reads: 'Good to speak – | love | Kathy'. TWO: Duplicated copy of typescript of speech by 'Fr. John Gilling'. Headed: 'REQUIEM MASS: St. Mary the Virgin, Bourne Street. 7th February 1990. | JONATHAN GRIFFIN'. 2pp, 8vo.

1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly-aged. Folded three times. Sixteen-line poem, neatly typed (with one error overtyped an autograph proof mark separating two words) titled 'For Andrew Young. 1885-1971.' Signed at bottom 'Richard Church.' A charming poem, which was published in the Cornhill Magazine in 1971.

One page, 12mo, bifolium (second leaf blank and cut), sl. grubby, text clear and complete: "My lecture will appear in the Educational Times the 1st of August, and I shall give myself the pleasure of sending you a copy. | Please remember me kindly to Mr Woolner and believe me [...]"

Three items (letter, photographic card, and pamphlet), all in good condition. ONE: ALS. 31 December 1954. 1p, 8vo. Signed '(Mrs.) Rita Spurr.' and addressed to 'Dear Mr. Christopher Fry'. She begins by thanking him 'for the very great pleasure & stimulus' which she derived 'during the year that is passed' from his play 'The Dark is Light Enough'.

Both items in good condition, but the postcard (of a Viennese street scene) with stamp torn off. ONE: ALS. Signed 'Walter (Rilla)'. Vienna; 7 November 1966. 1p, 8vo. Twenty-six lines of text, in a neat close hand.

Both items in good condition, lightly aged, as is an enclosure to the second letter, a photocopy of Lowbury's pamphlet 'A Letter from Hampstead'. ONE: 24 September 1969. 2pp, 12mo. In envelope addressed to Fry at his East Dean home The Toft. He is grateful for Fry's letter praising his collection of poems 'Figures of Light'.

All three items in good condition, with both letters lightly-creased at the foot. ONE: TLS. Signed 'John Mortimer'. 11 November 1995. 1p, 8vo. He was delighted to receive Fry's letter and would 'like to visit a writing group with which you're connected. If I'm free on May 10th I'll come. I'm just waiting to hear about a trip to Florida – so do let the committee write to me. I'll know by then more clearly what I'm doing.' TWO: TLS. Signed 'John', with Mortimer deleting the typed word 'sincerely'. 1 March 1997. 1p, 8vo. He found it 'a delight' to hear Fry's 'lecture at the RSL'.

2pp, landscape 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Begins: 'Dear Christopher Fry, | I am sorry to contradict you, but I showed my co-editor, the poet Rodney Pybus, your poem “For Edmund Blunden”, and we both [last word underlined] feel it should be published, and that we would like to publish it. Please.' In the hope that Fry will agree, he asks him to 'sign and return an acceptance form and send us the biog. note you would like to print alongside the poem'. He continues: 'I do hope you'll agree.

1p, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. A charming and discursive letter of thanks, following time spent with Fry, addressed to 'Dear Christopher (or may I call you Kit?)'. He is 'seizing the opportunity' whilst in the presence of his secretary 'Angela', who 'has been putting my life in order for the past eight years!' He continues: 'I have looked forward to spending a little time with you for so long and, even thought it has taken months and months for us to get together, how worthwhile was the wait.

All three in good condition, and written in a hurried, untidy hand. The first two on letterheads, the third on the back of a card. ONE: To 'Christopher!' 1p, landscape 12mo. Unsigned. With crude humorous drawing of Fry's house 'THE TOFT' (in East Dene, Sussex) on the crest of a hill, with a line of 'Fry Pilgrims' (depicted as dots) wending their way to it. He thanks him for his 'lovely birthday poem A great honour & pleasure to receive'. Conclusion of letter illegible. TWO: Signed 'Hugh Casson'. 1p, landscape 12mo. Begins: 'So sorry to hear from C. C.

1p, 4to. On grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. With 'C. B.' date stamp at head. Addressed to 'Dear Mr. Fry'. He thanks him for his letter and 'very kind enquiry'. He is much better, 'but still not yet really well again'. His indisposition would not prevent him from sending Fry 'a poem for “Springboard” if anything conceivably suitable for it were available. But alas, this is not so; and I am sorry indeed not to be able to do what you so kindly suggest.' Valediction in autograph: 'With all good wishes to the Magazine | Yours sincerely | Walter de la Mare'.

One page, 4to, small closed tears on folds, sl. chipped and worn, text in bold hand clear and complete. "I am interested to know why you wish to have my handwriting, however, you will find it does not compare with your own."

One page, 4to, fold marks sl. turned corners, mainly good condition. "I should have much pleasure in complying with the wish of the lecture committee but now having given a public lecture I am totally unprovided with diagrams of a large size, without which it would be impossible to convey instruction on any branch of the fine Arts - perhaps at some other time my attention may be turned to this subject when it wiull be a gratification to comply with this request."

Both 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Written in Whistler's calligraphic hand. ONE: 13 December 1961. He will be 'so pleased' if Fry will accept a copy of his poems, 'which I like to send you because of my admiration for your work, and sense of sympathy with what you express, or create'. TWO: 21 August 1963. 33 lines of text, written following the death of his friend Christopher Hassall.

A total of twenty-eight items of correspondence, comprising: nineteen Autograph Letters Signed (two on the backs of cards), two Typed Letters Signed, and seven Autograph Cards Signed. In good condition. All signed 'Mary', and the large part addressed to 'Christopher', with a few to 'Kit' and one to 'Dear Phyl [i.e. Fry's wife Phyllis], dear Christopher'. The correspondence indicates a deep affection and long-standing intimacy.

1p, landscape 12mo. In good condition, folded twice. With envelope addressed to Fry at his East Dean address. Fry has written at the head of the cover of the envelope: 'From Norman Nicholson'. After thanking Fry for his 'good wishes at Christmas', Nicholson continues: 'I, too, am sorry that we have not met, which – unless you are ever in Cumberland – seems less likely than ever, as I am much less mobile since the death of my wife.' He presumes Fry has learnt of his bereavement from Edward Lowbury, 'for I know that you were a friend of his father-in-law's'.

2pp, landscape 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. With envelope addressed by Dickinson to Fry at his East Dean address. Thirty-eight lines of closely-written text. An affectionate letter, which begins with Dickinson exclaiming, following a seasonal phone call from Fry, 'There's no-one anywhere could have given me more pleasure, yes truly so. Bless you!' He describes the illness which made the 'making of the prog […] a bit fraught'. He reports that 'The recording was strange, Lawrence had never done an unscripted interview (nor had I) nor had the producer!