TWENTIETH

[Sir Thomas Beecham and his second wife Betty [née Margaret Humby]. Autograph Signature ‘Thomas Beecham’ and ‘Betty Beecham’, on printed menu of Festival Luncheon for the Scottish Music Merchants’ Association.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961), conductor, and his second wife Betty [née Margaret Humby] (1908-1958) [Scottish Music Merchants’ Association Festival Luncheon, 1950]
Sir Thomas Beecham
Publication details: 
30 August 1950. Royal British Hotel, Edinburgh.
£50.00
Sir Thomas Beecham

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Menu printed in blue on one side of 4to leaf, folded into 16 x 15 cm bifolium-style card. Front cover with patches of discoloration, and back cover bearing evidence of previous mounting (layer of dried out glue), otherwise in good condition. Front cover reads: ‘Scottish Music Merchants’ Association / Festival Luncheon / Royal British Hotel, Edinburgh / Wednesday, 30th August 1950 / Chairman: / R. W. Cresswell’. In space between ‘1950’ and ‘Chaiman:’ is large clear signature ‘Betty Beecham.’ At foot of page is large signature ‘Thomas Beecham’.

[Julius Harrison, conductor and composer.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Boosey’ [of the music publishers Boosey & Hawkes], giving his opinion of a batch of music manuscripts sent to him.

Author: 
Julius Harrison [Julius Allan Greenway Harrison] (1885-1963), conductor and composer, Professor of Composition and Director of Opera, Royal Academy of Music [Boosey & Hawkes, London music publishers]
Publication details: 
11 December 1934; on letterhead of 5D Holmesdale Gardens, Hastings.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, with pinholes to one corner. Signed ‘Julius Harrison’. Begins ‘Dear Boosey, / From the recent batch sent, I return the enclosed which I fancy may all be useful in the English market. / I am struck with the “Flowers in the Valley” as a possible Alto lead number. Please see my remarks thereon.’ He explains that he is ‘trying to find an Alto lead piece for Cleethorpes Festival next July’, and could include the ‘Flowers’ if it were ‘published in C as soon as possible’.

[Julius Harrison, conductor and composer.] Two Autograph Letters Signed to 'Francis' regarding examinations he is supervising at Worcester.

Author: 
Julius Harrison [Julius Allan Greenway Harrison] (1885-1963), conductor and composer, Professor of Composition and Director of Opera, Royal Academy of Music
Publication details: 
ONE: 27 May 1935; 5D Holmesdale Gardens, Hastings, on his cancelled letterhead as Musical Director to the Corporation, County Borough of Hastings. TWO: 23 April 1941; Glencairn, Pickersleigh Road, Malvern, on cancelled Hastings letterhead.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Both items in good condition, lightly aged. The first on thinner paper and lightly creased. Both folded for postage. Each addressed to 'My dear Francis' and signed 'Julius Harrision' ONE (27 May 1935): 2pp, 4to. He is supervising examinations at Worcester, and discusses arrangements. 'My people left Stourport for Worcester many years ago, but I rather fancy that Worcester will be too far from Birmingham to stay there. I shall, I think, stay in Birmingham itself.' He will be 'away down the Mediterranean until the 14th.

[Charlie Chaplin [Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin], English comedian, star of the silent screen.] Autograph Signature to matt bromide print of portrait by Witzel of Los Angeles of Chaplin playing his violin.

Author: 
Charlie Chaplin [Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin] (1899-1977), English comedian, star of the silent screen; Albert Witzel (1879-1929), Los Angeles photographer
Chaplin
Publication details: 
Photograph by [Albert] Witzel of L[os] A[ngeles]. [Said to have been taken on 1 May 1928.]
£1,500.00
Chaplin

The present image is not in the National Portrait Gallery, but the licencing rights are held by Getty Images, by whom it is dated to 1 May 1928. 24 x 18.5 cm bromide print, on 25 x 18.5 cm matt.In fair condition, discoloured and with light creasing at extremities. Chaplin's genuine signature is at bottom right: 'Yours Truly / Charlie Chaplin'. Wittzel's monogram (featuring 'WITZEL' and 'L A') is printed at bottom left. An excellent and unusual artistic image of a figure of world renown.

[Clarence Raybould, English conductor, pianist and composer.] Typed Letter Signed to the music bookseller Leonard Hyman, discussing his own reitrement in the light of Hyman's.

Author: 
Clarence Raybould [Robert Clarence Raybould] (1886-1972), English conductor, pianist and composer [Leonard Hyman, music bookseller]
Publication details: 
14 January 1961. On his letterhead, R1p, 4to. On lightly aged and somewhat creased paper. Folded twice for postage. Addressed to ‘Leonard Hyman, Esq.’ and signed ‘Clarence Ranworth, 2 The Glen, Farnborough, Kent. [with 'Orpington' typed to the right]
£45.00

1p, 4to. On lightly aged and somewhat creased paper. Folded twice for postage. Addressed to ‘Leonard Hyman, Esq.’ and signed ‘Clarence Raybould’. He has received his Catalogue No. 87 and is sorry to learn of his ‘impending retirement from your business’. ‘The world is always the poor when someone of your integrity decides he has had enough of the intrigues of present-day life!’ He wishes him ‘a happy period of quieter days’: ‘I myself cease to bulk of my work in June of this present year, when I terminate a long association with the Senior Orchestra of the Royal Academy of Music.

[Sheila Shannon, poet, and wife of Patric Dickinson; personalised] Copy of her poetry collection 'The Lightning-Struck Tower, inscribed to her husband's mistress Sarah Hamilton, with two ALSs from her to Hamilton, and two printed keepsakes.

Author: 
Sheila Shannon [Sheila Dunbar Shannon] (1913-2002), poet, wife of Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster
Publication details: 
BOOK: London: Frederick Muller Ltd., 1947. AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED: 19 February 1965 and 16 June 1994.
£100.00

Sarah Shannon (married name Sarah Dickinson) was a fine poet in her own right (see the blurb quoted in Item One below), and it is unfortunate that she allowed herself to be eclipsed by her husband the self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Patric Dickinson. He occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud.

[Patric Dickinson, poet, translator and broadcaster.] Autograph Poem ('Forgiveness') Signed ('P'), with note, addressed to his mistress Sarah Hamilton, on reverse of mockup of dustwrapper design by her for his 1965 autobiography 'The Good Minute'.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster; Sarah Emmeline Hamilton
Dickinson
Publication details: 
The book was published in London by Gollancz in 1965. Printed on flap: 'Jacket by Sarah Hamilton & Partners / Printed by Direct Art Services'.
£100.00
Dickinson

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[Anthology by Patric Dickinson and his wife Sheila Shannon, inscribed by him to his mistress Sarah Hamilton.] 'Poets' Choice / An anthology of English Poetry from Spenser to the present day / Compiled by Patric Dickinson and Sheila Shannon'.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster; Sheila Shannon [Sheila Dunbar Shannon] (1913-2002), poet
Dickinson
Publication details: 
Evans Brothers Limited London. 1967.
£100.00
Dickinson

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[Posthumous collection of poems by Patric Dickinson, inscribed by his wife Sheila Shannon to his mistress Sarah Hamilton: 'ave atque vale' / Poems by Patric Dickinson'. With Autograph Card Signed to Hamilton from Shannon.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster; Sheila Shannon [Sheila Dunbar Shannon] (1913-2002), poet
Publication details: 
Book privately printed in edition of 85 copies: 'Hand-set and printed by John Bell at the Backwater Press for Sheila Dickinson in an edition of eighty-five copies and bound by the Athene Bindery / 1998'. ACS: 17 July 1998; 38 Church Square, Rye.
£100.00

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[Mandeville Press, Hitchin.] Poetry collection 'Mandeville's Travellers', featuring work by Seamus Heaney; Bernard Bergonzi; Charles Tomlinson; Patric Dickinson; George Szirtes and others.

Author: 
Seamus Heaney; Bernard Bergonzi; Charles Tomlinson; Patric Dickinson; George Szirtes; Mandeville Press, Hitchin
Publication details: 
1984. Edition of 300 copies, 'Printed and published by The Mandeville Press 2 Taylors Hill Hitchin Herts'.
£80.00

From the papers of Sarah Emmeline Hamilton, mistress of the poet Patric Dickinson. (His extraordinary correspondence with her, including 171 original and mostly-unpublished poems, 474 autograph letters and 349 post cards, is offered separately). See his obituary by John Mole’s in the Independent, 31 January 1994. The present item is 4to, and consists of 14 unpaginated pages over ten leaves. Stitched into brown wraps printed in black. Cover, title-page and colophon with illustrations from Sandys in brown, otherwise printed in black. Tastefully printed.

[Patric Dickinson, poet, and John Stanton Ward, artist.] Limited edition, signed by artist and poet: copy of 'Two Into One', 'Poems by Patric Dickinson / Drawings by John Ward'. With photographic print of study of Dickinson by Ward.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster; John Stanton Ward (1917-2007), artist
Publication details: 
'Printed and Published by Geerings of Ashford Limited. A limited edition of 750 copies. No 31'.
£100.00

John Stanton Ward was a noted portrait painter, who resigned his membership of the Royal Academy in protest at the ‘Sensation’ show of 1997. See his obituaries in the Telegraph, Times, Guardian and Indpendent. Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain.

[Patric Dickinson, poet, translator and broadcaster.] Copy of his poetry collection 'The World I See', inscribed to his mistress Sarah Hamilton, and with autograph explanatory annotation throughout.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster
Publication details: 
London: Chatto and Windus / The Hogarth Press ('The Phoenix Living Poets'), 1960.
£150.00

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[Patric Dickinson, poet, translator and broadcaster.] Copy of printed order of service for memorial service of Patric Dickinson, including printed text of his last poem '80th'.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster
Publication details: 
'February 4th, 1994 Charing, Kent.'
£50.00

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[Patric Dickinson, poet, translator and broadcaster.] Copy of his Mandeville Press poetry collection 'A Sun Dog'.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster [The Mandeville Press, Hitchin]
Publication details: 
1988. 'Printed & published by The Mandeville Press 2 Taylors Hill Hitchin'.
£45.00

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See his 1965 autobiography 'The Good Minute' and John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[Patric Dickinson, poet, translator and broadcaster.] Copy of 'Aristophanes Against War / The Acharnians / The Peace - Lysistrata / Translated by Patric Dickinson', inscribed to his mistress Sarah Hamilton, with Autograph Card Signed to her.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster
Publication details: 
London: Oxford University Press, 1957.
£100.00

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[Patric Dickinson, poet, translator and broadcaster.] Copy of his 'The Good Minute / An Autobiographical Study' ('Autobiography of a poet-golfer'), with printed keepsake poem 'The Unseen Kings' inscribed by him to his mistress Sarah Hamilton.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster
Publication details: 
Second impression August 1965. London: Victor Gollancz Ltd. Second impression August 1965.
£80.00

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[Patric Dickinson, poet, translator and broadcaster.] Copy of his poetry collection 'The Cold Universe', inscribed to his mistress Sarah Hamilton, with a few explanatory annotations and an Autograph Card Signed from him to her.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster
Publication details: 
London: Chatto and Windus / The Hogarth Press ('The Phoenix Living Poets'), 1964.
£100.00

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See his 1965 autobiography 'The Good Minute' and John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[Patric Dickinson, poet, translator and broadcaster.] Copy of his poetry collection 'The Sailing Race and other Poems', inscribed to his mistress Sarah Hamilton, and with autograph explanatory annotation throughout.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster
Publication details: 
London: Chatto and Windus, 1952.
£150.00

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[Patric Dickinson, poet, translator and broadcaster.] Copy of his poetry collection 'The Scale of Things', filled with explanatory annotations by him for his mistress Sarah Hamilton.

Author: 
Patric Dickinson [Patric Thomas Dickinson] (1914-1994), poet, translator, BBC radio broadcaster
Publication details: 
London: Chatto and Windus, 1955.
£150.00

Patric Dickinson has not received his due. A self-styled ‘poet and impresario of poetry’, Dickinson occupied a central position in the cultural landscape of post-war Britain. As an editor and broadcaster he worked with poets such as Dylan Thomas, Cecil Day Lewis and Roy Campbell, actresses Flora Robson, Peggy Ashcroft and Jill Balcon, and actors Robert Donat, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud. See his 1965 autobiography 'The Good Minute' and John Mole’s obituary in the Independent, 31 January 1994. From the papers of Dickinson’s mistress Sarah Emmeline Hamilton.

[USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear submarine.] Typed Letter Signed written from the vessel by its commander Captain W. R. Anderson, to J. G. Gillman, following its transit of the North Pole.

Author: 
Captain William Robert Anderson (1921-2007), United States Navy, commander of the world’s first nuclear submarine USS Nautilus, which he took under the arctic icecap, and a Democratic congressman
Nautilus
Publication details: 
20 August 1958. On letterhead of ‘U.S.S. NAUTILUS (SSN-571) / Fleet Post Office / New York, New York’.
£120.00
Nautilus

1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. Addressed to ‘Mr. J. G. Gillman / 50 High Street / Chislehurst, Kent / England’. Good firm signature, ‘W R Anderson’, with ‘Commander, U.S. Navy / Written following the Nautilus’s arctic transit, 3 August 1958: ‘Thank you for your letter and kind appreciation. The people of England have given us a truly wonderful welcome and we are all deeply appreciative.’ He asks him to accept the signature that he is attaching, for his autograph collection. See Image.

[Frederick Spencer Gore] Anonymous pencil drawing of him painting at an easel.

Author: 
Frederick Spencer Gore [(26 May 1878 – 27 March 1914) was a British painter of landscapes, music-hall scenes and interiors, usually with single figures.]
Frederick Spencer Gore
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£250.00
Frederick Spencer Gore

English Camden Town Group Painter (1878-1914). Dimensions seven inches by ten inches. Grubby, but in good condition. From the Mark Bonham Carter collection. Captioned 'Spencer Gore | Freddy', with an arrow pointing to impressionistic representation of figure, nine inches high, of the artist in a suit, with high-collared shirt, holding a palette in his left hand and with his right hand outstretched and painting onto a canvas. Around the figure dabs of watercolour and a representation of a foot. Crude drawing of seascape on reverse. Together with scrap of paper reading 'MR.

[John Masefield, Poet Laureate and children's writer.] Autograph Signature on inscription to 'Grace', on the back of part of a Book Token.

Author: 
John Masefield (1878-1967), Poet Laureate and children's writer
John Masefield
Publication details: 
31 August 1956. No date.
£90.00
John Masefield

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On one side of a 9 x 12.5 cm piece of paper: formerly the first leaf of a bifolium card, the second leaf, which carried the actual book token, having been detached by perforation. In good condition, lightly aged, but with traces of mount at the corners of the reverse, which carries a colour reproduction of a painting by Leonard Richmond. The page with the inscription is a printed form, and Masefield has written 'For Grace.' and 'John Masefield. / August the 31st. 1956.' See Image.

[‘I used it because I meant it’: Nicolas Bentley, writer, illustrator and cartoonist.] Typed Letter Signed to V. H. Collins, defending his use of the phrase ‘I am afraid’.

Author: 
Nicolas Bentley [born Nicholas Clerihew Bentley] (1907-1978), writer, illustrator and cartoonist [Vere Henry Collins]
Publication details: 
10 October 1955. On letterhead of Andre Deutsch Limited, Publishers, 12-14 Carlisle Street, Soho Square, London W1.
£50.00

See his entry by Ruari Maclean in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Vere Henry Collins (1872-1966), was an author and grammatical stickler. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. With Bentley’s distinctive stylized signature ‘Nicolas Bentley’. After thanking him for his letter he writes (apparently with reference to a newspaper article): ‘I am sorry if in using the phrase “I am afraid” I ruffled your grammatical sensibilities. I used it because I meant it.

[A ‘happy and hap-hazard hedonist of etymologist’: Ivor Brown.] Autograph Letter Signed and Autograph Card Signed to V. H. Collins, the former defending his position as an ‘amateur’ rather than a ‘verbal authority’.

Author: 
Ivor Brown [Ivor John Carnegie Brown] (1891-1974), popular and prolific author, noted for his entertaining books on language [Vere Henry Collins, author]
Publication details: 
LETTER: 24 July 1953, on letterhead of the Observer, 22 Tudor Street, London EC4. CARD: 30 March [1954]. 20 Christchurch Hill NW3 [London].
£80.00

One could not find a better assessment by Brown of his qualities as a writer on language than the letter offered here. As his entry in the Oxford DNB notes: ‘As well as using the English language expertly, he was one of those logophiles, such as F. G. Fowler, H. W. Fowler, and Eric Partridge, who are fascinated by language itself. He became famous for his books about words, agreeable rambles around correct usage and philology, enlivened by literary allusion, quotation, wit, and personal anecdote.

[Mary Shepard, illustrator of Mary Poppins, wife of E. V. Knox and stepmother of Penelope Fitzgerald.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to brother-in-law Canon Wilfred Knox, regarding a holiday cottage, and a catalogue for an exhibition of her drawings

Author: 
Mary Shepard [Mary Eleanor Jessie Knox] (1909-2000), children?s book illustrator best-known for the Mary Poppins books, wife of Punch editor E. V. Knox and stepmother of novelist Penelope Fitzgerald
Publication details: 
18 March, and 18 and 27 April 1945. The first on letterhead of 63 Eyre Court, N.W.8 [London]. The second from 1 Suffolk House, Circus Road, NW8. The third from 1 Suffolk House, on cancelled Eyre Court letterhead. Catalogue undated; Hampstead.
£220.00

See her entry, with those of the recipient, her husband, stepdaughter and the other members of the Knox family, in the Oxford DNB. The material is in good condition, lightly aged. All three items addressed to 'My dear Wilfred' and signed 'Mary'. ONE (18 March [1945]): 2pp, 12mo. Begins: 'I am afraid we are allowing Mrs. W. to stay on at the Cottage during the School Easter Vacation, because it seems rather difficult to turn her out at this time of year in view of the weather & the fact that she obviously has Mrs. Moses on her side'.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Hollywood star.] Publicity Photograph with Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. [Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr.] (1909-2000), Hollywood star and film producer
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Publication details: 
No date or place, but during the latter part of his life.
£65.00
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

A 7.5 x 10 cm photograph on 8.5 x 13 cm piece of shiny Kodac paper. Black and white head and shoulders shot of an old Fairbanks, nattily attired in jacket and tie, smiling at the camera towards his right shoulder. Signed ‘Douglas Fairbanks’ beneath the photograph in blue felt-tip pen. In very good condition. See Image.

[Barbara Cartland, ‘The Queen of Romance’, best-selling author of romantic fiction.] Typed Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, proprietor of ‘Books and Bookmen’, responding to his praise of a speech she has given.

Author: 
Barbara Cartland [Dame Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland] (1901-2000), ‘The Queen of Romance’, best-selling author of more than 700 works of romantic fiction [Philip Dosse (1925-80); 'Books and Bookmen']
Publication details: 
‘From: Miss Barbara Cartland, D.ST.J.’ 1 October 1979; on letterhead of Camfield Place, Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
£56.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse (often addressed, as in this letter, as ‘Dossé’) 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. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Large and ebullient signature in red felt-tip pen.

[August Courtauld, Arctic explorer and yachtsman.] Autograph Signature from the end of a letter.

Author: 
August Courtauld [Augustine Courtauld] (1904-1959), British Arctic explorer and yachtsman, solo meteorologist of Icecap Station, Greenland
August Courtauld
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£65.00
August Courtauld

On 5 x 13.5 cm piece of paper, cut from the end of a letter and laid down on one side of part of a leaf from an album, the mount carrying a cropped cartoon on the other side. In good condition, lightly aged, with the mount a little ruckled. Simply reads: ‘Your sincerely / August Courtauld’. Captioned on mount: ‘August Courtauld - explorer’. The cartoon is intriguing.

[Frederic Vanson, Essex poet, journalist and lecturer.] 19 letters (12 in autograph and 7 typed), to the playwright Christopher Fry, with draft introduction by Fry to a proposed poetry collection by Vanson, and typescript of three of Vanson's poems.

Author: 
Frederic Vanson (1919-1993), Essex poet, journalist and lecturer, wife of the painter Olive Bentley [Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright]
Publication details: 
Between May 1971 and November 1986 (two undated). All from 24 Morley Grove, Harlow, Essex.
£400.00

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.

[Sir Cliff Richard, popular British singer and film actor.] Autograph Signature to black and white print of publicity photograph of him in swimming trunks, seated on a beach between two girls in bikinis.

Author: 
Sir Cliff Richard (born 1940 as Harry Rodger Webb), popular British singer and film actor, the top-selling artist in the English singles chart, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley
Cliff Richard
Publication details: 
No date or place. [Early 1960s.]
£90.00
Cliff Richard

Lightly-written signature (?Cliff Richard?) in blue ink at bottom left of 21 x 16 cm photographic print on glossy paper of black and white publicity photograph of a tanned Richard sitting in swimming trunks with his hands on his knees, looking at the viewer between two rather plain brunettes in bikinis. The print is somewhat creased and worn, with minor discoloration to white border at the top edge. See Image.

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