LITERATURE

[Sheila Shannon, poet, and wife of Patric Dickinson; personalised] Copy of her poetry collection 'The Lightning-Struck Tower, inscribed to her husband's mistress Sarah Hamilton, with two ALSs from her to Hamilton, and two printed keepsakes.

Author: 
Sheila Shannon [Sheila Dunbar Shannon] (1913-2002), poet, wife of Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster
Publication details: 
BOOK: London: Frederick Muller Ltd., 1947. AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED: 19 February 1965 and 16 June 1994.
£100.00

Sarah Shannon (married name Sarah Dickinson) was a fine poet in her own right (see the blurb quoted in Item One below), and it is unfortunate that she allowed herself to be eclipsed by her husband the self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Patric Dickinson. He occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud.

[‘Hesba Stretton’ (Sarah Smith), evangelical novelist and writer of children’s books.] Autograph Letter Signed [to the Secretary of the Religious Truth Society] regarding a manuscript she has titled ‘From Bethlehem to Olivet’.

Author: 
‘Hesba Stretton’, pseudonym of Sarah Smith (1832-1911), evangelical novelist and writer of children’s books [Religious Truth Society, London]
Publication details: 
‘70 Lansdowne Road. W. [London] / Jan 30. 1884’.
£45.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB, and Elaine Lomax’s 2016 book, ‘The Writings of Hesba Stretton: Reclaiming the Outcast’. 1p, 16mo. Cut down to 11.5 x 12 cm. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded once for postage. The recipient is not named, but is clearly the secretary of the Religious Truth Society (who appear to have published the MS referred to in the letter as ‘The Sweet Story of Old’ (see Lomax). Signed ‘Hesba Stretton’. ‘Dear Sir, / I forward by this post my promised M.

[Lawrence Sail, British poet.] Small archive of twenty-seven items, including seventeen printed poetry keepsakes, copies of three of his collections (two with signature of the poet Patric Dickinson), an Autograph Letter Signed, Autograph Cards Signed

Author: 
Lawrence Sail (b. 1942), contemporary British Poet [Patric Dickinson (1914-1994), poet, and his mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton]
Sail
Publication details: 
Between 1984 and 2018. Several from Devon (Tiverton and Exeter).
£1,500.00
Sail

From the papers of Sarah Emmeline Hamilton, whose extensive collection of letters from her lover the poet Patric Hamilton is offered separately. Sail is a widely-respected poet. He has presented the BBC Radio 3 programme 'Poetry Now' and 'Time for Verse' on BBC Radio 4.

[Henry Festing Jones, author and musical composer, literary executor of Samuel Butler.] Autograph Letter Signed to the Secretary of the Royal Literary Fund, asking that Lord Tennyson does not nominate him 'as Steward of the Royal Literary Fund'.

Author: 
Henry Festing Jones (1851-1928), author and musical composer, friend and literary executor of Samuel Butler (1835-1902)
Publication details: 
3 June 1921. On letterhead of 120 Maida Vale, W9, London.
£50.00

See the Oxford DNB entry for Samuel Butler, which describes his close friendship with Jones (‘It has been said that for twenty years they shared the favours (for a consideration) of the same woman, on different days of the week.’) and musical collaborations. Signed ‘Henry Festing Jones’. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly creased paper. As he is ‘intending to be out of England by 1 July’, he asks him to ‘ask Lord Tennyson not to nominate me as Steward of the Royal Literary Fund & assure him that at the same time I am sensible of the honour he proposed’.

[Alphonse de Lamartine, French poet and leading Second Republic politician.] Autograph Letter Signed, responding to a letter and petition from 'Messieurs Hubert' with the assurance that he will try to be of use to them.

Author: 
Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869), French poet and politician who played a leading role in the foundation of the Second Republic
Publication details: 
'Paris 9 mai 1838'.
£80.00

Lamartine is one of the greatest of French poets, and often counted as an early figure in that country's Romantic movement. His influence was extensive, from Verlaine and the Symbolists to Tolstoy. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, in faded ink, on aged and lightly worn paper. Previously folded into a packet, but now laid down on brown-paper backing. Addressed to ‘Messierus Hubert’, with signature ‘Lamartine’. He has read with great interest the letter they sent him, and the petition which accompanied it.

[Christabel Rose Coleridge, novelist and editor of girl’s magazines, granddaughter of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.] Autograph Letter in the third person regarding the dinner at the Royal Literary Fund.

Author: 
Christabel Rose Coleridge (1843-1921), novelist, journalist and editor of girl’s magazines, granddaughter of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Publication details: 
1 June 1921. Cheyne [Torquay, Devon].
£56.00

See is noticed in her the entry for her father Derwent Coleridge in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, on grey paper. Folded once. In a vigorous and youthful hand, considering the fact that she would be dead in a few months. Reads: ‘Miss Christabel Coleridge presents her compliments to the Secretary of the Royal Literature [sic] Fund, but is compelled to decline the honor they have done her, as she is unable to travel to London. She will endeavour to send a small subscription later on’.

[Alphonse de Lamartine, French poet and leading Second Republic politician.] Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed recipient regarding his legal affairs in his home town of Mâcon.

Author: 
Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869), French poet and politician who played a leading role in the foundation of the Second Republic
Publication details: 
‘25 mars. (43 rue ville L’évèque)’.
£80.00

Lamartine is one of the greatest of French poets, and often counted as an early figure in that country's Romantic movement. His influence was extensive, from Verlaine and the Symbolists to Tolstoy. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Addressed to ‘Mon cher collegue’, with good firm signature ‘Lamartine.’ He suggests that the recipient send to his notary in his home town of Mâcon all the documents relating to the estate of ‘Mlle Martin’. He has need of his advice and suggests a time for meeting.

[Julian Hawthorne, American novelist (1846-1934).]Two Autograph Letters Signed Julian Hawthorne to George Bentley, of Bentley & Son, publisher

Author: 
Julian Hawthorne, American novelist (1846-1934).
Publication details: 
The Croft, Hastings (6 March 1879) and [Printed address] Hastings Lodge, Hastings (13 June 1879).
£350.00

Total 4pp., 8vo, bifolia, good condition. (LETTER ONE, March) detailed discussion of omissions and changes (presumably to Archibald Malmaison - mentioned in final paragrpah of the letter). He discusses the marking of the proofs, the omission of an obviuos passgage, keeping the footnotes (add strongly to the vraisemblance). He asks if the story ois to be published in [Temple Bar] but thinks the publication of the book would produce the most powerful effect. He estimates the number of pages for a book. He asks for an immediate cheque un-crossed. (LETTER 2, June).

[William Harrison Ainsworth, Victorian historical novelist and close friend of Charles Dickens.] Autograph Signature to valediction to letter.

Author: 
W. Harrison Ainsworth [William Harrison Ainsworth] (1805-1882), Victorian historical novelist and close friend of Charles Dickens
William Harrison Ainsworth
Publication details: 
'Kensal Manor House, / Harrow Road. / March Four. 1843.'
£30.00
William Harrison Ainsworth

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On one side of 9 x 6 cm piece section from a letter and laid down on slightly larger and thicker piece of paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: '[...] / to subscribe myself / Your faithful Servant / W. Harrison Ainsworth. / Kensal Manor House, / Harrow Road. / March Four. 1843.' See IMage

[William Harrison Ainsworth, Victorian historical novelist and close friend of Charles Dickens.] Autograph Letter Signed, as editor of the New Monthly Magazine [to Alexander William Kinglake], discussing a manuscript article on a 'Russian Tour'.

Author: 
W. Harrison Ainsworth [William Harrison Ainsworth] (1805-1882), Victorian historical novelist and close friend of Charles Dickens [Alexander William Kinglake (1809-1891), author of 'Eothen']
William Harrison Ainsworth
Publication details: 
'Kensal Manor House / Harrow Road. / May 19th. 1846.'
£180.00
William Harrison Ainsworth

The subject of this article is discussed by William M. Johnston, in his article ‘William Kinglake’s “A Summer in Russia”: A Neglected Memoir of Saint Petersburgh in 1845’ (TSLL, Spring 1967). The memoir was published anonymously by Ainsworth in the New Monthly Magazine, of which he was editor and proprietor, in three parts, but a German translation in the same year revealed Kinglake’s identity. See the entries for Ainsworth and Kinglake in the Oxford DNB. An interesting letter, casting light on Victorian journalistic practices. 4pp, 12mo. Forty lines of text. On a bifolium.

[Sir Robert Howard, Restoration playwright and Royalist politician, part-proprietor of the Theatre Royal; associate of John Dryden.] Autograph Signature, as Auditor of the Exchequer, to draft.

Author: 
Sir Robert Howard (1626-1698), Restoration playwright, part-proprietor of the Theatre Royal; friend and associate of John Dryden, Royalist politician and Auditor of the Exchequer
Sir Robert Howard
Publication details: 
Dated in Latin 30 April 1685. [Exchequer, Westminster Hall, London.]
£56.00
Sir Robert Howard

On one side of an irregular piece of paper, roughly 18 x 9 cm, torn from the foot of a document. Heavily discoloured, but neatly laid down on a 19 x 13.5 cm piece of grey paper, with the typed caption: ‘Signture [sic] of: / Sir Robert HOWARD (1626-1698) P.C. / Auditor of the Excheq: and Dramatist / (part-author, with Dryden, of ‘The Indian Queen’ etc.)’. At the head: ‘pray pay this Order out of Customes’; and beneath this the Latin draft, with date and sum (but not the name of the payee). Howard’s signature, written large and bold, is at bottom left: ‘Exam[inatus] P[er]. Howard’.

[Sir John Betjeman, Poet Laureate, broadcaster and public figure.] Autograph Note begun in type to the proprietor of Books and Bookmen Philip Dosse.

Author: 
Sir John Betjeman (1906-1984), Poet Laureate and popular broadcaster and public figure [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of arts magazines including Books and Bookmen]
Sir John Betjeman
Publication details: 
No date or place [1970s]. On his compliments slip.
£56.00
Sir John Betjeman

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Philip Dosse, proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018; and Michael Barber, 'What was Books and Bookmen?', Literary Review blog, 18 August 2023. On one side of a 14 x 10 cm compliments slip in red ink, which has 'Sir JOHN BETJEMAN' at top left, and 'With Compliments' centred.

['We might have paid a visit to the Pyramids': Samuel Rogers, 'The Banker Poet', member of Holland House circle, and acquaintance of Byron, Wordsworth, Sir Walter Scott.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs Lister' [Lady Theresa Lewis], a flight of fancy

Author: 
Samuel Rogers (1763-1855), 'The Banker Poet', art connoisseur, member of the Holland House circle, and acquaintance of Wordsworth, Byron, Sir Walter Scott [Lady Theresa Lewis]
Publication details: 
'Friday' [no date or place, but before 1844].
£60.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient is Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), whose first husband was the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842). The present letter is written before her marriage to her second husband the Liberal politician Sir George Cornewall Lewis (1806-1863). 2pp, 32mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with traces of stub from mount adhering to one edge. Folded once for postage. A charming missive. Reads: ‘My dear Mrs Lister / I shall be delighted to come to you, if I can make my escape from where I shall be, in any decent time.

[John Masefield, Poet Laureate and children's writer.] Autograph Signature on inscription to 'Grace', on the back of part of a Book Token.

Author: 
John Masefield (1878-1967), Poet Laureate and children's writer
John Masefield
Publication details: 
31 August 1956. No date.
£90.00
John Masefield

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On one side of a 9 x 12.5 cm piece of paper: formerly the first leaf of a bifolium card, the second leaf, which carried the actual book token, having been detached by perforation. In good condition, lightly aged, but with traces of mount at the corners of the reverse, which carries a colour reproduction of a painting by Leonard Richmond. The page with the inscription is a printed form, and Masefield has written 'For Grace.' and 'John Masefield. / August the 31st. 1956.' See Image.

[Henry Luttrell [born Henry King], wit and poet.] Autograph Note Signed to Lady Theresa Lewis, accepting a dinner invitation.

Author: 
Henry Luttrell [born Henry King] (1768-1851), wit and poet [Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), author]
Publication details: 
'B[rompton]. Square [London] / Monday March 20 [no year, but on paper watermarked 1847]'.
£50.00

See his entry and hers in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged, folded once for postage. Written in the shaky hand of an old man, and reads: 'My dear Lady Teresa, [sic] / I accept, with very great pleasure your kind invitation to dinner on Saturday April 1st / ever faithfully Yours / H. Luttrell'.

['one of the Two Best Read Men in England': Abraham Hayward, author and translator.] Autograph Letter Signed to Lady Theresa Lewis, sending a gift of a ‘rarity’: a book limited to fifty copies.

Author: 
Abraham Hayward (1801-1884), Victorian man of letters and lawyer, whose translation of Goethe’s Faust was praised by Carlyle [Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), author]
Publication details: 
‘Temple May 26’ [no year].
£56.00

See Antony Chessell’s 2009 biography of Hayward (subtitled ‘one of the Two Best Read Men in England’ - the other was Macaulay), along with his entry and Lady Theresa Lewis's in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage. Addressed to ‘Dear Lady Theresa’ and signed ‘A Hayward’. He begins by confirming a visit. ‘I sent you a little book to-day which has at least the merit of rarity as only fifty copies have been printed.’

[Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd, author, judge and Radical politician.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘T Davis Esq’ regarding the acting of Henry Thomas Betty, son of 'the young Roscius'.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd (1795-1854), author, judge and Radical politician, friend of Charles Dickens and framer of modern British copyright law
Talfourd
Publication details: 
‘Serjeants’ Inn [London], 20 May, 1841’.
£180.00
Talfourd

Talfourd’s entry in the Oxford DNB notes that he was ‘particularly loved’ by Dickens, and that he ‘provided the archetype of the idealistic Tommy Traddles in David Copperfield; his children Frank and Kate gave their names to two youngsters in Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby.’ The subject of the letter is the actor Henry Thomas Betty (1819-1897), son of ‘the young Roscius’ Henry Betty (1791-1874), whose entry in the ODNB also see. 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, and with slight traces of mount on reverse. Folded for postage. Begins: ‘My dear Sir, / Mr.

[Samuel Rogers, 'The Banker Poet', member of Holland House circle, and acquaintance of Byron, Wordsworth, Sir Walter Scott.]

Author: 
Samuel Rogers (1763-1855), 'The Banker Poet', art connoisseur, member of the Holland House circle, and acquaintance of Wordsworth, Byron, Sir Walter Scott [Lady Theresa Lewis]
Samuel Rogers
Publication details: 
No place or date [on paper with 1837 Whatman watermark].
£150.00
Samuel Rogers

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient is not named, but the item is from the papers of the author Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), successively wife of the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842) and the Liberal politician Sir George Cornewall Lewis (1806-1863), all with entries in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage. Reads: ‘Many, many thanks for thinking of me! When I came to myself in the morning, I remembered something of a kind proposition you had made to me & resolved to call & learn more about it. / Monday the 9th.

[Lord Macaulay [Thomas Babington Macaulay], great British historian.] Autograph Signature ('Macaulay') to address on envelope to Lady Theresa Lewis

Author: 
Lord Macaulay [Thomas Babington Macaulay] (1800-1859), great British historian, a leading proponent of the ‘Whig interpretation of history’, essayist and poet, Liberal politician [Lady Theresa Lewis]
Thomas Babington Macaula
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£45.00
Thomas Babington Macaula

See his long and appreciative entry in the Oxford DNB, with that of the recipient Lady [Maria] Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), who lived in Kent House in Knightsbridge with her second husband Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Bart, her first husband having been the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842). On front of 10.5 x 6.5 cm envelope. In fair condition, lightly aged, with the back flap torn at the tip. Reads: 'The / Lady Theresa Lewis / Kent House / Knightsbridge', with 'Macaulay' written below this at bottom left. See Image.

[Lord Macaulay [Thomas Babington Macaulay], great British historian.] Two Autograph Letters Signed and Autograph Note in third person to Lady Theresa Lewis, with Autograph envelope, including one letter written within sixteen days of his death.

Author: 
Lord Macaulay [Thomas Babington Macaulay] (1800-1859), great British historian, a leading proponent of the ‘Whig interpretation of history’, essayist and poet, Liberal politician [Lady Theresa Lewis]
Thomas Babington Macaula
Publication details: 
ONE: ALS, ‘Albany [London] July 6. 1853’. TWO: AL, ‘Holly Lodge / December 8. 1859’. THREE: ALS, ‘Holly Lodge December 12. 1859’.
£450.00
Thomas Babington Macaula

See his long and appreciative entry in the Oxford DNB, with that of the recipient Lady [Maria] Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), who lived in Kent House in Knightsbridge with her second husband Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Bart, her first husband having been the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842). All items in good condition, lightly aged, with the letters folded for postage. ONE (6 July 1853): 1p, 12mo. ‘Dear Lady Theresa, / I will breakfast with you on Monday, and, in order to do so, will postpone my departure from town till the afternoon of that day. / Most truly yours, / T B Macaulay’.

[Henry Hart Milman, historian, Dean of St Paul’s and Professor of Poetry at Oxford.] Autograph Letter Signed to the novelist Thomas Henry Lister.

Author: 
Henry Hart Milman (1791-1868), historian, Dean of St Paul’s and Professor of Poetry at Oxford [Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842), novelist]
Publication details: 
‘Cloisters [Westminster Abbey] / Decr 31st. 1841 -’.
£45.00

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage. 2pp, 16mo. Signed ‘H H Milman’ and addressed to ‘My dear Mr Lister’ (the item is from the papers of Lister’s wife Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865; ODNB). He begins by congratulating Lister on the birth of his daughter ‘and the safety of Lady Theresa’.

[Henry Francis Cary, translator of Dante, poet, author and Assistant Librarian at the British Museum.] Autograph Letter Signed [to the novelist Thomas Henry Lister], expressing thanks for the placing of one of his sons in a good situation.

Author: 
Henry Francis Cary (1772-1844), translator of Dante, poet, author and Assistant Librarian at the British Museum [Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842), novelist]
Publication details: 
‘Brit. Museum. [London] / Decr 11th. 1837’.
£45.00

See Cary's entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. On the first leaf of a bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage. The recipient is not named, but the item is from the papers of Lady Maria Theresa Lewis, and the letter is written to her first husband, the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842), whose father Thomas Lister of Armitage Park was a childhood friend of Cary's (see his 1847 biography by his son).

[George Ticknor, Professor of French and Spanish at Harvard.] Autograph Letter Signed [to the novelist Thomas Henry Lister?], presenting a copy of Prescott’s ‘Ferdinand and Isabella’, ‘written by a friend in America’ and liked by Hallam and Southey.

Author: 
George Ticknor (1791-1871), Professor of French and Spanish at Harvard [William Hickling Prescott (1796-1859), American historian; Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842), English novelist]
Publication details: 
‘Brunswick Hotel [Jermyn Street, London] / May 26. 1838.’
£380.00

Signed ‘Geo. Ticknor’. The male recipient is not named, but the item is from the papers of the author Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), successively wife of the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842) and the Liberal politician Sir George Cornewall Lewis (1806-1863), all of whom have entries in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. On first leaf of a bifolium, with a trace of glue from mount to the second leaf. In good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage.

[Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey, Scottish judge and literary critic, editor of the Edinburgh Review.] Autograph Letter Signed to Lady Theresa Lewis, making arrangement's for a visit, and reporting on the health of his wife 'Charly'.

Author: 
Francis Jeffrey (1773-1850), Lord Jeffrey, Scottish judge and literary critic, editor of the Edinburgh Review [Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), author]
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, with that of the recipient Lady [Maria] Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), who lived in Kent House in Knightsbridge with her second husband Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Bart, her first husband having been the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842). 32mo, 2pp. On the two sides of a piece of gilt-edged paper. In good condition, folded once for postage. Signed ‘F Jeffrey’. A difficult hand.

[George Ticknor, Professor of French and Spanish at Harvard.] Autograph Signature and address of letter to Lady Theresa Villiers from cover of envelope.

Author: 
George Ticknor (1791-1871), Professor of French and Spanish at Harvard [Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), author]
George Ticknor
Publication details: 
With partial Boston postmark. No year [but between 1844 and ]
£80.00
George Ticknor

The recipient Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865) was successively wife of the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842) and the Liberal politician Sir George Cornewall Lewis (1806-1863), all of whom have entries in the Oxford DNB. The present item is an 11.5 x 8 cm panel of light-brown paper from the front cover of an envelope. Part of a large Boston postmark is at the left, with a manuscript ‘2’ written over a few letters of the address. All in Ticknor’s hand, it reads: ‘Lady Teresa Lewis / South Place, / Knightsbridge / London, SW.’, with the signature ‘Geo: Ticknor’ at bottom left.

[‘you are much too young & handsome to be convenient’: Edward Jerningham, high-society poet and playwright, protégé of Horace Walpole.] Unsigned Autograph Letter, flirting with unnamed male recipient, and giving details of his relation Lady Stafford.

Author: 
Edward Jerningham (1737-1812), high-society poet and playwright, protégé of Horace Walpole on whom Sheridan is said to have based the character of Sir Benjamin Backbite in ‘The School for Scandal’
Publication details: 
1798. No other details.
£280.00

Jerningham’s entry in the Oxford DNB, states that he died unmarried, ‘despite habitual flirtations with young actresses’; the present letter indicates that the members of the other sex were not exempted from his attentions. 2pp, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, on a leaf of laid watermarked paper, folded for postage. Twenty-six lines of text. Dated ‘1798’ at top right, with ‘From Edward Jerningham the Poet’ above it. Unsigned, but in Jerningham's distinctive hand.

[John Wilson, Scottish author, the 'Christopher North' of Blackwood's Magazine.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to the novelist Thomas Henry Lister, conveying Edinburgh dinner invitations.

Author: 
‘Christopher North’ [John Wilson (1785-1854)], Scottish literary critic and essayist with Blackwood’s magazine, Professor of Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh
Publication details: 
‘Tuesday Evening’, ‘Thursday’ and ‘Saturday’ [no dates, but all after 1825]. All three from 6 Gloucester Place [Edinburgh].
£90.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, which states that he lived in Gloucester Place from 1825. The recipient is the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842), and the item is from the papers of his wife, Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865): both also have ODNB entries. The three letters are in good condition; each 2pp, 12mo, and on the first leaf of a bifolium, and all lightly aged and folded for postage, with slight damage from mount to the second leaves of each (all carrying the address in Wilson’s hand). All three with Wilson’s sprawling signature ‘John Wilson’.

['I write it as rapidly as I can, with my head full of Marcel': Pamela Hansford Johnson, writer and playwright.] Autograph Letter Signed to V. H. Collins, discussing her Proust-inspired BBC radio play 'Madame de Charlus'.

Author: 
Pamela Hansford Johnson [married name Pamela Helen Hansford Snow, Lady Snow] (1912-1981), writer and playwright, wife of the novelist C. P. Snow [Vere Henry Collins, author]
Publication details: 
31 December 1954. On letterhead of Nethergate House, Clare, Suffolk.
£56.00

An interesting letter, in which Johnson discusses her writing practice. See her entry and that of her husband in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Vere Henry Collins (1872-1966), was an author and grammatical stickler. 2pp, 12mo. 27 lines of text. In good condition, lightly aged, with slight rust spotting from a paperclip. Folded twice for postage. On the topic of ‘Madame de Charlus’, one of the ‘Six Proust Reconstructions’ - plays by Johnson inspired by the work of Marcel Proust - just broadcast on the BBC Third Programme, she thanks him for his ‘most kind & pleasing letter’.

[‘I take a great interest in the small points of style’: Lord David Cecil, author and scholar.] Typed Letter Signed, responding to linguistic ‘strictures’ by V. H. Collins, who annotates the letter.

Author: 
Lord David Cecil [Lord Edward Christian David Gascoyne-Cecil] (1902-1986), author, biographer and scholar [Vere Henry Collins, author]
Publication details: 
24 May 1954. On letterhead of 7 Linton Road, Oxford.
£90.00

An interesting letter, revealing some of Cecil's views on the art of writing. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Vere Henry Collins (1872-1966), was an author and grammatical stickler, and Cecil has clearly been on the receiving end of a ticking off. 2pp, 4to. On grey paper. In fair condition, lightly aged, with creasing and a short closed cut at the foot. He begins by stating that he found Collins’s letter ‘very interesting’: ‘I take a great interest in the small points of style.’ He agrees with some of Collins’s ‘strictures’, ‘in particular that about the exclamation mark.

[A ‘happy and hap-hazard hedonist of etymologist’: Ivor Brown.] Autograph Letter Signed and Autograph Card Signed to V. H. Collins, the former defending his position as an ‘amateur’ rather than a ‘verbal authority’.

Author: 
Ivor Brown [Ivor John Carnegie Brown] (1891-1974), popular and prolific author, noted for his entertaining books on language [Vere Henry Collins, author]
Publication details: 
LETTER: 24 July 1953, on letterhead of the Observer, 22 Tudor Street, London EC4. CARD: 30 March [1954]. 20 Christchurch Hill NW3 [London].
£80.00

One could not find a better assessment by Brown of his qualities as a writer on language than the letter offered here. As his entry in the Oxford DNB notes: ‘As well as using the English language expertly, he was one of those logophiles, such as F. G. Fowler, H. W. Fowler, and Eric Partridge, who are fascinated by language itself. He became famous for his books about words, agreeable rambles around correct usage and philology, enlivened by literary allusion, quotation, wit, and personal anecdote.

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