Pioneer

Only two copies of any edition of this title on JISC: at the BL and Glasgow University. Cohen’s obituary in The Times describes him as ‘outstanding as a forthright, witty and courteous debater and lecturer’. This item is 30pp, 12mo. Stitched into wraps with title printed on the front and publicity material on the other three sides. Internally in good condition, lightly aged, in slightly spotted and worn wraps.

The subject of the present letter is, as Marshall’s entry in the Oxford DNB explains, her ‘translation of a play by the first female dramatist, Hrotsvit. ‘Paphnutius’ was given a world première by Craig for the Pioneer Players in January 1914.’ The recipient, Henry Mackinnon Walbrook (1865-1941), was the drama critic of the Pall Mall Gazette. 2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, on dusty discoloured paper, with slight rust spotting from paperclip.

One page, obl. 12mo.Dear Sir, | I am sorry not to comply with your request but I do not like blank [underlined] signatures. See Image.

Three pages, 12mo, bifolium, good condition. Text: I fear you are like myself, & [burning?] into a state of mental debility or you would never imagine that such an old friend as you are could in any way have displeased one. I have not yet been to Brighton again but the invitation is in abeyance ---- I went last week to Deal & enjoyed the change much - Every body is out of Town & I fear we shall be very much alone next Sunday - but if under these circumstances you could venture to come, with Miss Reid & [stayed?] with us we should be very much pleased.

For an overview of the post of King's Messenger, see 'The Cambridge History of British Foreign Policy', ed. Ward and Gooch, vol.3 (1923), which states that during the two men's time in the post (i.e. in 1822) 'the number of the corps was raised to thirty-eight. Eighteen of these were placed under the immediate orders of the Foreign Office for foreign service only. They were required to be British subjects, not over thirty-five years of age, good linguists and good horsemen; and the choosing of them rested in turn with each of the three Secretaries of State'.

Walsham's entry in Munk's Roll describes him as 'a pioneer of radiology of the chest, and his book, written in collaboration with Harrison Orton, 'Roentgen Rays in the Diagnosis of the Diseases of the Chest' (1906), was the first to deal with the subject in English. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged. Difficult to decipher, possibly because Walsham 'paid dearly for his work in the loss of several fingers'.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, with light signs of age. Addressed to 'My dear Percy' and headed 'Love's Strategy'. Regarding the play (which was based on Goldsmith's 'She Stoops to Conquer') Littler writes: 'I don't think the idea appeals to me very much, and I am not going to do any more productions in the West End until after Christmas.' He gives his phone number, writing that he would 'be very pleased to see you or have a word with you'. In the carbon of Nash's letter (dated 27 May 1948) he writes that he has 'not messed about with the Author.

An extremely interesting and moving if frail survival: items of various sizes, many discoloured, creased, frayed and stained. The first item, 'THE HISTORY OF THE PRESTATAIRES IN ALGERIA. | Dedicated by one of them to the Major, recruiter of Pioneers for the 337 Alien Coy. in Hussein Dey.' (two typewritten A4 leaves, both backed with grey card), dated 'Kenadza, 28 February 1943', explains how 'Before June 1940 there were more than 3,000 of us who did our duty in the fight against the onslaught of the Axis.