LITERATURE

[Alaric Alexander Watts, poet and journalist.] Holograph poem ('Alaric A. Watts') titled 'To Octavia | The Eighth daughter of John Larking Esq late of Clare Hall Kent, on the completion of her sixth year.'

Author: 
Alaric A. Watts [Alaric Alexander Watts] (1797-1864), English poet and journalist [John Larking of Clare Hall, Kent]
Publication details: 
Place not stated. Dated October 1817.
£120.00

4pp., 4to. On a bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, with stub from mount still adhering. The poem consists of 84 lines, arranged in seven twelve-line stanzas. It begins: 'Full many a gloomy month had past, | On flagging wing, regardless by - | Unremarked by aught - save grief since last | I gazed upon thy bright blue eye, | And bade my Lyre pour forth for thee | Its strains of wildest minstrelsy!' The fourth line in the fourth stanza, 'For blessings on thy future years', has been deleted and replaced with 'To save thee from affliction's tears'.

[James Russell Endean, author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Russell Endean') to 'Mr. Latimer', regarding the changes since the 'byegone age', 'a tremendous fuss with "the Catte-in-the-Water" at Plymouth; and an 'amalgamation scheme' for Torquay.

Author: 
James Russell Endean (1826-1923), author [Cockington, Devon]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Casatrio, Cockington, Devon. 28 February 1898.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo; 1p., 8vo. On bifolium, with the 8vo page written lengthwise across the central two pages. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He discusses an article in the 'Mercury', which Latimer has sent him, which 'revived many incidents and persons and recalled a byegone age upon which neither you nor I can look back without mingled feelings of regret and thankfulness'.

[Walter Delafield Arnold ('Punjabee'), army officer and author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W D Arnold.') to an unnamed male recipient, apologising for his non-appearance at a dinner ('I got as far as Charing Cross') and inviting him to one.

Author: 
William Delafield Arnold (1828-1859), British army officer and novelist, best known for his novel 'Oakfield', published under the name 'Punjabee', fourth son of Thomas Arnold (1795-1842) of Rugby
Publication details: 
17 Queen's Terrace, Bayswater. 24 May 1854.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with remains of stub adhering to margin on reverse of leaf. The letter begins: 'Dear Sir | I got as far as Charing Cross last night on my way to you - when horrified by the lateness of the Hour, I did not venture to put in an Appearance & turned Homeward. -' He concludes by inviting him to a dinner at the East India Club, 14 St James's Square.

[Tighe Hopkins, novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr. Case', presenting a copy of his 'Iron Mask'.

Author: 
Tighe Hopkins (1856-1919), novelist, journalist and authority on prison life and penal reform
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Frayn, Herne Bay [Kent]. 7 August 1902.
£45.00

2pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He asks him to accept a copy of the Tauchnitz edition of his 'Iron Mask', 'the only one I happen to have by me'. He continues: 'As you are kind enough to express an interest in work of mine, I may say that I expect to be in the West of Ireland next month in the interests of the Daily Chronicle - if you ever happen to see that paper - for which I am to write a special series of letters describing the present condition of that district.' For more on Hopkins see his obituary in The Times, 17 February 1919.

[William Wight of Ednam, Scottish poet.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Wight') to his 'dear new Friend' 'Mr. Falconer' of Newcastle, containing his poem 'My Absent Friend'.

Author: 
William Wight (c.1781-1821) of Ednam, Scottish poet [Falconer of Newcastle]
Publication details: 
Ednam. 8 October 1817.
£180.00

3pp., 12mo. Originally a bifolium, but with the two leaves now separated. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper watermarked 'S S | 1817'. The reverse of the second leaf is addressed to 'Mr. Falconer, | Newcastle on Tyne.' He begins by thanking Falconer for the 'nice little collection of Poems [...] The "Wreath" will often amuse my solitary hours'. After some pieties he states: 'I gladly subjoin a few verses for your amusement, and that of Miss Falconer [...] How glad I should be to see you and her again at Ednam!

[Nathaniel Thomas Haynes Bayly, poet.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thomas Haynes Bayly') to Alaric Watts, expressing a desire to have work in the Literary Souvenir, 'either as a Poet or a Proser'.

Author: 
Nathaniel Thomas Haynes Bayly (1797-1839), poet and playwright [Alaric Alexander Watts (1797-1864), poet and editor of the Literary Souvenir, 1825-1835]
Publication details: 
'5 Wyndham Place [London] | Tuesday -' [no date]
£90.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He would have called on him 'had weather permitted', as he wished to show him the item he is enclosing now (not present) before 'leaving Town next Monday week'. 'I wish to be sure of my footing in the Souvenir, either as a Poet or a Proser. [...] Do you like the enclosed? Shall you print my prose tale do you wish it altered? or do you reject it altogether, if the latter pray let me have it again as soon as convenient'. He concludes with 'best compliments to Mrs. Watts in which Mrs. Bayly unites'.

[Printed pamphlet.] Twelve Sonnets composed during a period of blindness by Thomas Bruce Dilks.

Author: 
Thomas Bruce Dilks (1866-1949), poet and local historian [East Gate Press, Bridgwater, Somerset]
Publication details: 
East Gate Press, Bridgwater. 1938.
£35.00

14pp., 12mo. Stitched into grey paper wraps, with white label printed in black and red on front cover. In fair condition, lightly worn and aged. The titles are: 'The Sea Bird at Dawn | January, 1937', 'Wonder', 'On my Father's Collection of Seaweeds', 'The Water Gate, Bridgwater Castle', '"Barchester"', '"We trusted that it had been he." (dated 'Good Friday, 1938'), 'The Third Day | Narrative of Cleopas' (dated 'Easter, 1938'), 'The Victorians', 'Robert Blake', 'Keats', 'John Richard Green' and 'To my Nurse | June, 1938'.

[Nineteenth-century agricultural poetry.] Fair copy manuscript of anonymous (American?) poem titled 'Elegy on the death of a Farm Laborer.' With emendations and additions in pencil.

Author: 
[Nineteenth-century English or American agricultural poetry; Victorian rural verse; provincial literature; working class writing]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [1840s?]
£100.00

10pp.,, 8vo. On five leaves torn from a notebook. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper. A creditable effort, showing the influence of Gray's 'Elegy' and Goldsmith's 'Deserted Village', describing the unnamed farm hand's funeral, and reflecting on the virtues and hardships of the poor. Begins: 'From yonder peaceful and secluded dell, | Snug in the bosom of th'encircling hills, | The perfumed Zephyr bears a passing knell, | And melancholy o'er the Soul distils.

[John Pascoe of Veryan, Cornish poet.] Two autograph volumes of transcriptions of original poems, made on the eve of his death for Mrs Ball of the City Hotel, Truro, with extensive biographical notes for her, and a letter of presentation.

Author: 
John Pascoe (1820-1889) of Veryan (and latterly Castle Rise, Claremont, Truro), Cornish poet and Wesleyan minister
Publication details: 
The poems in both volumes transcribed in 1889, those in the first volume having been composed between 1844 and 1884, and in the second between 1881 and 1889. Letter from Castle Rise, Claremont, Truro [Cornwall], 26 August 1889.
£1,600.00

The two volumes contain transcriptions of a total of 65 original autograph poems, most of them unpublished, with extensive explanatory and biographical notes (sometimes running to several pages) composed especially for the recipient of the volumes, Mrs Ball of the City Hotel, Truro. In two uniform 4to notebooks with waxed black cloth bindings. The first volume is in fair condition, on aged and worn paper, in worn binding with loss of spine. The second volume has damp affecting the first 60pp., causing slight loss to text, and damage to the binding. ONE: On front free endpaper: 'Vol I.

[Booklets] Seven items published by the Dublin Tract Repository

Author: 
[Dublin Tract Repository]
Publication details: 
[Dublin Tract Repository, 10 D'Ollier Street, Dublin, and 9 Paternoster Row, London], Dublin Steam Printing Company, 94 Middle Abbey-st, n.d.
£220.00

Seven items, printed paper wraps, all 48mo or close, mainly anon., as follows: 1. [J.D.S.], "Why did God love Man", [24]pp., list of "Small books" on final page (back wrap); 2. "To-Day! To-Day! A True Story", [16]pp., list of "Small books" on final page (back wrap); 3. "Don't Wait", wraps grubby, 16pp.; 4. Rev. J. Denham Smith, "Good News in a Far Country", [24]pp., green paper, wraps grubby; 5. [J.D.S.], "A Present Salvation", [40]pp., covers grubby and sl.

[William Pett Ridge, author.] Autograph Card Signed ('W. P. Ridge') to 'Miss Paget'.

Author: 
William Pett Ridge (1859-1930), English writer
Publication details: 
Letterhead of 24 Ampthill Square, London, NW. 'Thursday' [postmark 28 June 1906].
£25.00

In good condition, lightly-aged. Addressed to 'Miss Paget, | 28, Campden Hill Square | W.' Reads: 'I will look in this morning at the hour of coffee.'

[Ralph Straus.] Typed Letter Signed to the theatrical historian and bookseller Ifan Kyrle Fletcher, discussing, with biographical information, playbills associated with George Augustus Sala he requires. With Typed Note Signed and Typed Card Signed.

Author: 
Ralph Straus (1882-1950), author and literary biographer [George Augustus Sala (1828-1895), journalist; Ifan Kyrle Fletcher (d.1964), theatrical historian and bookseller]
Publication details: 
The letter and note both on letterheads of Ralph Straus, The Tanyard, Shorne, Nr. Gravesend; 6 January 1939 and 8 January 1945. The card from the Tanyard; 7 January 1945.
£56.00

All three items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. All signed 'Ralph Straus'. ONE: TLS. 6 January 1939. 1p., 8vo. After expressing his willingness to have 'the programme of Wat Tyler and the Bil of Madame Sala for 1827', he expresses his desire to acquire playbills 'of Sala's grandfather, in a King's Theatre ballet 1776 onwards - particularly if it gives his Christian name of Claudio. I know of one in Jan. 1788.

[John Reade, 'the grand old man of Canadian letters'.] Autograph Letter Signed to Frederick M. Hopkins of New York, regarding his book of poems ['The Prophecy of Merlin and other Poems'].

Author: 
John Reade (1837-1919), Irish-born Canadian journalist, essayist and poet, 'the grand old man of Canadian letters', literary editor of the Montreal Gazette
Publication details: 
270 Laval Avenue, Montreal [Canada]. 9 and 18 October 1897.
£120.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper, with a couple of short closed tears along creases. The body of the letter, written on 9 October 1897, reads: 'Dear Sir, | I have published only one small volume of verse which has long been out of print ['The Prophecy of Merlin and other Poems', published in 1870]. I will see if from some friend I can borrow a copy to send you. | I have written some occasional and other verse besides that of the little book, but for some years have done little expect writing for the press.' In a postscript of 18 October 1897, signed 'J.

[E. Cecil Mornington Roberts.] Holograph Poem (signed 'Cecil Roberts'), a sonnet titled 'Liberty Challenged' ('Not without cause just and unshakeable').

Author: 
E. Cecil Mornington Roberts [Cecil Edric Mornington Roberts] (1892-1976), writer and editor
Publication details: 
On his 'E. CECIL MORNINGTON ROBERTS' letterhead, 'c/o Clarke & Co. | 13 & 14 Fleet St. EC.'
£100.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged, creased and worn paper. The poem features under the title 'Liberty Imperilled' in Roberts's collection 'Charing Cross and Other Poems of the Period' (1919), and the context suggests that the poem was composed at the commencement of the First World War. The sonnet begins: 'Not without cause just and unshakeable | Will we surrender up the cherished prize | Of individual liberty, so well | and nobly held'.

[Printed book.] Lavender Harvest.

Author: 
Constance Farmar [The Cayme Press, Kensington, owned by Humphrey Toulmin (1893-1971)]
Publication details: 
Printed at the Cayme Press, Kensington. 1926.
£120.00

50pp., 12mo. In light-blue boards, with white label on front board carrying title and illustration of sickle with sheaves of lavender. Internally good, on lightly-aged paper, in worn and aged boards. Uncommon: only three copies on COPAC (British Library, Oxford and National Library of Scotland), with a further four in American institutions on WorldCat. Farmar's only other book appears to have been 'Castles in Spain' (1907). She also produced the lyrics to a song titled 'Bluebell-time', with music by Ruby Holland.

[Sir Edwin Arnold.] Holograph Poem, signed 'Edwin Arnold', titled 'The Heavenly Secret', exhibiting a few differences from the printed version, presented to Mrs A. G. Henriques.

Author: 
Sir Edwin Arnold (1892-1904), poet and journalist, best-known for his 'Light of Asia' (1879) [Mrs A. G. Henriques]
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 6 March 1887.
£75.00

1p., 8vo. Laid down on a piece of card. Aged and discoloured, with chipping to extremities and some loss of text. The poem is sixteen lines long, arranged in two eight-line stanzas. The first stanza reads: '"Sometimes" - Althaea sighed - "in hours of sadness, | A sudden pleasure shines upon the soul; | The heart beats quick to half-heard notes of gladness, | And from the dark mind all its clouds unroll: | How comes this, Poet! You, who know things hidden, | Whence sounds that undersong of soft Content? | What brings such peace, unlooked-for & unbidden! | Answer me!

[Marianne Moore, American modernist poet.] Printed invitation to 'A Poetry Reading and Commentary' by 'Marianne Craig Moore | Distinguished Alumna of Bryn Mawr College'.

Author: 
Marianne Moore [Marianne Craig Moore] (1887-1972), American Modernist poet and editor of 'The Dial'
Publication details: 
At Cooper Union, 7th Street and 4th Avenue, New York. 20 January 1958.
£56.00

Printed on one side of a 9.5 x 15 cm piece of green paper. In good condition, lightly-aged and sunned, with one corner slightly-dogeared. The text reads: 'Marianne Craig Moore | Distinguished Alumna of Bryn Mawr College | will present | A Poetry Reading and Commentary | on Monday, January 20, 1958 | at 8:30 o'clock | at Cooper Union | 7th Street and 4th Avenue, New York | Admission free'.

[Margaret Oliphant ('Mrs Oliphant'), Scottish author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('M. O. W. Oliphant') to 'Mrs. Laing', gently urging her to visit 'at a time of grief'.

Author: 
Margaret Oliphant [Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant; 'Mrs Oliphant'] (1828-1897), Scottish novelist and biographer
Publication details: 
'7 Ulster Place [London] | Saturday' [no year].
£45.00

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Written with the essence of Victorian tact. 'We shall be extremely glad if you can give us the evening of the 7th. instead of the 5th. and I trust you will permit us to consider you engaged to us for that night - 8 oClock - | I am grieved to think that my note should have reached you at a time of grief. Thank you for kindly consenting to come.'

[George Gilfillan, Scottish critic and 'spasmodic' poet.] Autograph Note Signed to an unnamed autograph hunter.

Author: 
George Gilfillan (1813-1878), Scottish Presbyterian minister, critic and 'spasmodic' poet
Publication details: 
Dundee; 18 January 1855.
£56.00

1p., 16mo (12.5 x 11.5cm). In good condition, on lightly aged and ruckled paper, with traces of mount on reverse and minor loss to one edge. Reads: 'Dundee | 18th. Jany. | 1855 | My Dear Sir | I have much pleasure in transmitting you my Autograph | I am | Yours very truly | George Gilfillan'.

[Shirley Brooks, editor of Punch.] Autograph Letter Signed to William Glen, commending his 'friend's verses', which have 'an echo of Keats in them'.

Author: 
Shirley Brooks [Charles William Shirley Brooks] (1816-1874), journalist and novelist, editor of Punch, 1870-1874 [William Glen; the Literary Gazette]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Literary Gazette Office, 4 Bouverie Street, EC [London]. 5 October [circa 1858].
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Brooks (who conducted the Literary Gazette between 1858 and 1859) writes that he has read Glen's 'friend's verses carefully, and with much pleasure. There is an echo of Keats in them, but no mere invitation.

[Joseph Paul Christopher Hatton, novelist and journalist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Joseph Hatton') to the autograph hunter J. T. Baron, discussing two of his works and enclosing a printed publicity flier for Hatton's publications.

Author: 
Joseph Hatton [Joseph Paul Christopher Hatton] (1837-1907), novelist and journalist, editor of the Gentleman's Magazine and Sunday Times [John T. Baron of Blackburn, autograph hunter]
Publication details: 
Letter: on letterhead of the Garrick Club, London. 7 December 1881. Flier: London: Frederick Warne & Co. [1878.]
£80.00

Letter: 1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He begins by suggesting that Baron write to 'Mr Payn' (the novelist and editor James Payn) via the Reform Club, Pall Mall. (Baron's method involved asking one celebrity how to contact another.) He next discusses two of his works: '"The Memorial Windows" appeared in the Gentleman's & was published in Pippins & Cheese (Bradbury & Evans) - "The Valley" you will see in enclosed list'. He concludes by thanking Baron for his 'complimentary note'. With envelope addressed to 'J. T.

[Dinah Maria Craik, Victorian novelist, author of 'John Halifax, Gentleman'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('D M Craik') to 'Mrs Western', regarding the taking-in of 'Isabel' and an outbreak of scarlet fever.

Author: 
Dinah Maria Craik [née Mulock] (1826-1887), novelist, best-known for 'John Halifax, Gentleman' (1856)
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Corner House, Shortlands, Kent. 12 September 1882.
£90.00

4pp., 16mo. Bifolium. 57 lines of closely-written text. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. She begins by exclaiming 'I have been so very sorry for you!', before urging her correspondent to 'keep quarantine'. 'But about Isabel? [...] I would gladly take her to stay here as I have done beforetime - but there are some impediments - we must have complete separation between our house & yours - Mr Harris's dread is indescribable - he lost his wife & (I think) two sisters with scarlet fever. I think they wd.

[Jessica Brett Young, widow of novelist Francis Brett Young.] Four Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mr Jackson', 'Manager, Heinemann & Cassell', discussing her husband's copyrights in an energetic style, with notes on the writing of 'My Brother Jonathan'

Author: 
Jessica Brett Young [née Hankinson], (1883-1970), wife of the English novelist Francis Brett Young (1884-1954)
Publication details: 
All four on letterheads of the Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town. Written in October and November 1967.
£200.00

The first three letters each 1p., 4to; and the fourth 2pp., 4to. In good condition, on aged and creased paper, with three of the four letters stapled together. Letter One: 13 October 1967. She writes 'for information about my position concerning my late husband's books, and my Biography of him which Heinemann's published in London in 1962'. The closing of the firm's Cape Town office has been a shock to her. Letter Two: 4 November 1967.

[John Russell Lowell, American poet.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. R. Lowell'), while American ambassador in London, to Lady Elphinstone, declining an invitation and attempting to arrange a meeting to renew their acquaintance.

Author: 
J. R. Lowell [John Russell Lowell] (1819-1891), American poet, author and diplomat [Lady Elphinstone]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 40 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, W. [London] 2 July 1886.
£60.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, and with the margins cut down. The letter reads: 'Dear Lady Elphinstone, | I am very sorry that an engagement here will prevent my having the pleasure of coming to you this afternoon. But I hope to be able to go out to Richmond next Friday & if so shall do myself the honour of renewing so agreeable an acquaintance.'

[Handbill] The Cowper & Newton Museum Series. No. 4. The Kissing Candidate Letter from William Cowper to the Rev. John Newton March 29th, 1784

Author: 
[William Cowper, poet]
Publication details: 
A.H. Stanley, printer, Olney, [no year].
£56.00

Four pages, 16mo, grubby, small chip from first page, text clear and complete. Scarce. One copy only found on COPAC/WorldCat at Pittsburgh.

[Pamphlet, lacking covers] Darton's Instructive Stories. Old Times

Author: 
[Darton and Co., London]
Publication details: 
[18402. 1850s?]
£120.00

16pp., 8vo (publisher says "foolscap Quarto"), coloured illustrations, missing paper wraps (scans of Oxford copy covers enclosed). Listed on the wraps, back a list of sister works, front full title "Darton's Instructive Stories. Old Times" (titlepage just has "Old Times". Titlepage grubby, marked, wear and tear at edges, contents complete and attractive. Only one copy recorded on COPAC/WorldCat, at Oxford.

[Inscribed copy.] Trial of a Judge. A tragedy in five acts.

Author: 
Stephen Spender
Publication details: 
London: Faber and Faber Limited. 1938.
£80.00

115pp., 8vo. In red cloth binding. No dustwrapper. Aged, with back hinge sprung and one bumped corner at the back. Excellent inscription by Spender on the front free endpaper, in which he describes the history of the composition of the play: 'To And | with love from | Stephen. | March 16 1938. | This play begun January 1933, at Barcelona, partly written in January 1937 in Madrid & Albacete, and finished January 1938 in London, is almost a record of our friendships through five years.'

[Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott, headmaster of Eton.] Autograph Letter Signed ('C A Elliott') to J. J. S. Driberg, discussing his son J. H. Driberg's 'Poems', inserted in a copy of the book, inscribed by the author to his mother.

Author: 
Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott (1888-1973), headmaster of Eton; Jack Herbert Driberg (1888-1946), Lecturer in Anthropology, Cambridge University, 1934-42 and brother of Labour MP Tom Driberg (1905-1976)
Publication details: 
Elliott's letter on letterhead of Fernwood, Wimbledon Park, London SW; 17 September [no year]. Driberg's book: London: Frank H. Morland, 16 Park Mansions, Fulham, S.W. 1908.
£220.00

ONE (Elliott's letter): 3pp., 12mo. 34 lines. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper, loosely attached to the title-leaf of the book by a small piece of gummed paper. The letter begins: 'My dear Driberg | I ought to have acknowledged your letter sooner, but I only received it on my return from abroad, and since then I have been busy struggling with the arears which always accrue during absence.' He thanks him for sending his 'son's little volume', which he has read 'with much interest & congratulate him on the neat & modest appearance he has made in print'.

[In illustrated wraps.] Medley! By Cuthbert Bede, B.A. Author of "Motley;" "Verdant Green;" &c &c.

Author: 
Edward Bradley (1827-1889), humorist under the pseudonym 'Cuthbert Bede'
Publication details: 
London: James Blackwood, Paternoster Row. 1856.
£280.00

114pp., 12mo. In wraps printed in green and red, with striking illustration of jester bursting through the front cover, and advertisements on the rear. In fair condition, on aged paper, in worn wraps. Frontispiece, engraved title, and numerous illustrations in text. A collection of nineteen pieces in prose and verse, with such titles as 'A Chat concerning a Couple of Chairs' and 'Mephistophiles at Malvern'. Scarce: the only copies on COPAC at the British Library and Durham.

[Printed nineteenth-century handbill.] Copy of a curious Love Letter | From a young Gentleman in this Neighbourhood, to his Sweetheart, Miss W - , of this Town, which was found near this place yesterday morning.

Author: 
'T. B - l.' [nineteenth century handbill]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [1830s?]
£56.00

1p., 12mo. Text enclosed within a decorative border. In fair condition, on heavily aged and worn wove paper, with a couple of small holes. Printed on cheap paper, with rough untrimmed edges. Beneath the title is a poem in two columns, itself titled 'Directions for Reading it.': 'Hast thou no pity on my woes? | Dost thou at me turn up thy nose? | I'll make my declaration first, | So read straight forward and be curst. | But if thy heart to me incline, | O!

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