NATURE

An interesting and sprightly correspondence, mainly concerned with the practicalities of the vocation of a minor provincial poet. See David Gaskin’s obituary of Vanson, Independent, 27 July 1993, and Fry’s entry in the Oxford DNB. A second slice of Vanson material from the Christopher Fry papers (the other collection is offered separately). The collection consists of twenty-one items: nineteen letters from Vanson to Fry, a one-page typescript of three of Vanson’s poems, and a draft of an introduction by Fry to a proposed collection of poems by Vanson.

One page, 12mo, fold mark, corner torn without loss of txt, minor staininggood condition. I beg you to thank the President and Vice President of the R Coll: of Surgeons for the honour they did me in asking me to dine with thenm on Feb./ 14, & to state that as I have only just returned from Egypt I was unable to accept the invitation [that?] awaited my arrival.

See David Gaskin’s obituary of Vanson, Independent, 27 July 1993, and Fry’s entry in the Oxford DNB. The material is in good condition, lightly aged, with one leaf of poetry typescript creased. Vanson’s eight Autograph Letters Signed date from between 29 December 1983 and 12 January 1993. total 11pp, 8vo, and 2pp, 12mo. One of the letters is lacking all but the last (signed) page; the others are complete. Vanson’s Typed Letter Signed is 1p, 8vo. It is undated, but dated by Fry to 14 August (no year, but from the context written in 1992). The nine letters are all signed ‘Frederic’.

Both in pencil. Letter One (17 Jan.): One page, 8vo, good condition. Text: Hope you are better. All was well at the RA - as you saw [T?] Wheeler going well. | Now - Her is a lovely estuary wide & tidal from Harwich to Manningtree 800 swans ---- Vast herds of them - close in to edge often & out of the wader - You can touch them. | Masses of stuff ---- come & stay at Dedham Sun[day] ----or Colchester ----- & have a look [underlined]. Letter Two (7 Dec. 1956), two pages, 8vo, good condition.

Two pages, 12mo, good condition. Text: I enclose [Muller's?] letter about [Mrs Greens?] paper. I saw him to-day & one or two other members of the Pub. Comm. All are interested, but the opinion seems to be that the paper is not quite 'severe' enough for us & also that it should receive wider notice than it would get if published in our pages. Dr Muller would be glad to [send?] it to Crookes or Lockyer if you & Mrs Green approve; you ought also to send a copy to the Lancet or Medical Times.

A very nice artefact of one of the best-loved books in the England language, Gilbert White's 'Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne', which at one point was claimed to be the fourth most-printed book after the Bible, Shakespeare, and Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress'. White's entry in the Oxford DNB concludes by describing the book as 'an expression of universal thanksgiving, treasured by all'.

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Addressed to 'Dear Mr Green-Armytage', corrected from 'Armitage'. The letter begins: 'You may have heard that a Committee, of which Walter De la Mare is chairman, is considering the question of putting up some sort of memorial to Edward Thomas. At the same time I am beginning work on a Life and Letters of Edward Thomas, which has Mrs Thomas' approval, and is intended to be something in the nature of a memorial edition.' He will 'shortly be issuing an appeal in the press for the loan of letters etc in the possession of E.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Begins: 'In January 1957 the British Astronomical Association formed a Radio-Electronics Section. [...] The great stimulus to the Section's activities was the launching of the first Soviet Earth satellite. Its members made both visual and radio observations of Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2 which have been reported elsewhere.

One page, 12mo,green paper, bifiolium (rest blank), 3 verses, 14 lines each (total 42 lines), preceded by the statement "Written for the Charity Bazaar") and 6 line quotation from Cowper ("Here stay thy foot; - how copious and how clear ... from an Eternal source"). Verses start "Welcome to Ikley! Lady fair ... That God hath bless'd the spring!". No other copy traced (none on COPAC etc). See scan on website inventory.

4to, 1 p. Twenty lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on aged paper, with slight traces of mount on reverse. Having read Humberstone's article on the London School of Hygiene, he is 'sending it to the printers to be set up'. He commends the article for dealing with the subject 'in an interesting and useful way'. He rejects the five plans Humberstone has sent, as they would not 'reproduce satisfactorily', and a photograph which is 'too large to go across a page', and would like 'a photograph of the elevation of the School' and 'either a photograph or an electro of the design of the Seal'.

34pp., 8vo, disbound, small closed tears on title (= first page), mainly good condition. P.[19] half-title "Two other dialogues touching the nature of man". Ownership inscription, illegible name, "University Coll". Preface signed "B.A." Ascribed to Charles Daman ihn COPAC entry for Bristol and BL copies. Scarce: COPAC also lists the Bodleian copy. WorldCat also lists Yael and Chicago copies. COPAC lists one other title under Daman's name, "Ten letters introductory to college residence" (1848)

Letter One (12mo, 2 pp; good, with glue from previous mounting to reverse of blank second leaf of bifolium): Jesse hears 'that there has been a violent attack made on my lectures to the Brighton Fishermen in "the Field" of last Saturday'. He 'published these lectures in the hopes that they might be useful to many people'. He 'gave the Copyright to Mr. Booth the publisher & never recovered one farthing profit for them'. 'They were written for an ignorant club of men without any pretension'.

Total 7pp., 8vo, some sunning, creasing, but texts clear and complete. (1945) Epps has alerted him to the "position of the S.E. Union in relation to teh proposal to make Pagham Harbour . . . a Nature Reserve". He explains his position and involvement (a reluctant "leader") and what was happening, including problems with current buildings and landowners. He needs to examine the "map". (1945) He thanks Epps for a pamphlet on Nature Conservation in GB and will arrange for the County Planning Officer to see it.

The letter of 2 pages, 4to. Discoloured, dusty and frayed. Dr Carl P. Russell has asked him to reply to Epps's letter regarding 'the preservation of outdoor Geological Sections'. Discusses this matter over two paragraphs. Says he is sending a copy of his 'Field Manual for Museums' and refers Epps to two illustrations. 'I am personally as well as professionally interested in all problems related to the preservation of natural and historical objects and will be pleased to learn of any methods you have found to be satisfactory.' The note of 1 page, 16mo.

Chief Naturalist of the National Park Service and Superintendent of Yosemite National Park. One page, 8vo, slightly stained but in good overall condition. Russell is replying to Epps's request for information about the National Park System, 'particularly those areas which are classed as "nature preserves"'. He says that he is sending a number of publications under separate cover, and that with this letter he encloses copies of the 'Antiquities Act' of Congress, 1906 and 'Dr. Kendeigh's article' (neither of which are present).