[Simon Nowell-Smith, bibliographer, book collector and Librarian of the London Library.] Autograph Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, publisher of ‘Books and Bookmen’, expressing an unwillingness to review all but expensive books he wishes to possess.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse was 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. The present item is 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Signed ‘Simon Nowell Smith’. He has found Dosse’s letter on his return from holiday that day, and states that he is sorry that he ‘cannot review Tim Barnes’s book on Anglo-American copyright for you as I am already committed to the Book Collector’. He is ‘not at all keen to review books nowadays’, but will bear in mind Dosse’s suggestion and let him know if he hears of ‘some forthcoming book in my field which is too expensive for me to buy!’ He ends by stating that he is ‘more interested in acquiring the book than in a fee’.