NINETEEN-THIRTIES

The Gilbert Miller production of ‘Pride and Prejudice’, designed by Rex Whistler, and starring Celia Johnson as Elizabeth Bennet and Hugh Williams as Mr Darcy, was a great success. It opened at the St James's Theatre, London, on 27 February 1936, and closed on 21 November 1936; with a Christmas revival between 26 December 1936 and 16 January 1937. There was a royal performance before Queen Mary on 15 February 1937, and the production went on tour for the rest of the year.

2pp, 4to. On two letterhead leaves with border in blue. The following endorsement printed at the foot of each leaf: 'ANNA PAVLOVA wrote after visiting the School: "It is with pleasure that I record the very good impression made on me both by the School and your method of training. I wish you the fullest success which I think your School deserves"'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium printed in black on light-blue paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Neat ownership signature at head of first page of Evelyn Parkes of 'Petronella'. Attractive illustration, with Gammon's facsimile signature at bottom right, of a 'wallpaper' of cyclists on front cover, with title. The reverse of the first leaf is headed 'There are Millions of Cyclists' Formed as the Bicycle Touring Club in 1878, it changed its name to the Cyclists' Touring Club in 1883, and was rebranded Cycling UK in 2016.

189 black and white photographs, ranging in size from 15 x 10.5 cm to 4.5 x 7 cm, loosely inserted (i.e. not mounted but removable) on the fifty leaves of a 20 x 30 cm album. While the photographs themselves are in good condition, the album is somewhat worn and aged. Painted in large Gothic letters at centre of front cover is 'Camp Snaps'; with the name of the compiler 'E. TAIT' at top right. Inscribed inside cover 'From “Porky” | September 4th, 1934'. The leaves of the album are made of thick black paper, and more than three-quarters of the photographs are neatly captioned in white ink.

ONE: Letter. 2pp., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged. He apologises for the delay in returning 'Purple Dust', explaining that he has only recently learnt 'definitely that the film will claim me until the end of October'. He asks Capur or his secretary 'to call in any time at the Theatrical bookshop in your court - I cannot remember the name of the shop - nor its proprietor except that his first name is Barry. [ i.e.

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.'

Several hundred images (most illustrations rather than photographs and most in colour), many carefully cut out, all laid down on 68pp. in an album made up from a ruled exercise book roughly 20 x 16 cm, including three fold-outs (the first, beneath a decorative flap that reads 'Birds Unfeathered | Worth A Bit Of Study', carrying eight 1930s illustrations women in underwear). The album has been attractively customised with printed illustrations of motor racing over board covers.