RUBENS

[Dr Innocenz Grafe [Dr I. Grafe], Viennese art historian; Rembrandt.] Typed Letter Signed, asking art historian Giles Robertson, on behalf of Prof. Otto Benesch and his publishers Phaidon, if he will assist with ‘stylistic revision’

Author: 
Dr Innocenz Grafe [Dr I. Grafe], Viennese art historian, translator and book editor, primarily with the London firm Phaidon [Giles Henry Robertson (1913-1987), Italian Renaissance expert]
Publication details: 
11 May 1954. On letterhead of Phaidon Press Ltd, Publishers, 3 Cromwell Place, London SW7.
£80.00

Grafe’s putative intelligence work during the war is referenced in Helen Fry’s ‘The Walls Have Ears | The Greatest Intelligence Operation of World War II’ (2019). He worked as translator and editor from as early as 1950 (for Phaidon) and 1986 (for Thames and Hudson). Nigel Spivey, in his ‘Phaidon 1923-98’ (1999), describes how, during the ‘Harvey Miller period’ at the firm, ‘Steady editorial continuity within the workforce at Cromwell Place was provided by an ex-Viennese scholar called Innocenz Grafe (who for a perhaps obvious reason preferred to be known as simply ‘Dr G.’ ’.

[Clara Montalba, British artist and suffragist, noted for her watercolours of Venice.] Autograph Signature [given in response to a request for an autograph].

Author: 
Clara Montalba [Clara Federica Montalba] (1840-1929), British artist and suffragist of Swedish and English extraction, noted for her watercolours of Venice, daughter of Anthony Rubens Montalba
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£30.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, on discoloured paper with slight discoloration at corner as a result of removal from mount. Neatly centred on the page is 'Yours Sincerely | Clara Montalba'. No other text. The signature is florid and curliculous.

[ Nigel Playfair and Philip Carr. ] Typescript of ' "Shock-headed Peter" A Children's Farce with Songs, Adapted by Philip Carr and Nigel Playfair from The well-known Pictures and Verses of "Struwwelpeter" Music by Walter Rubens'.

Author: 
Nigel Playfair; Philip Carr; Walter Rubens [ Struwwelpeter; Shock-headed Peter; Edith Craig ]
Publication details: 
[ London, circa 1900. ] With label and stamp of Samuel French, Ltd, 26, Southampton Street, Strand, London, W.C.2.
£450.00

106pp., 4to. In good condition internally, on lightly-aged paper, in worn grey-cloth binding, with large and wordy French label on front cover. Rubens's score is not present. The text is preceded by twelve pages carrying: a 'List of Scenery and Properties', 'a 'Scene Plot', 'Light Plots', 'Property Plot', 'Hand Properties', 'Prompter's Cues' and 'Costumes and Wigs'. Possibly a prompt copy, with a number of passages deleted, and a few minor emendations made, in pencil, as well as call notes typed on the versos of some leaves, opposite the relevant text.

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