F.R.

[Sir Arnold Wesker, British playwright, one of the 'Angry Young Men' of the 1950s.] Two Typed Letters Signed to Philip Dosse of 'Plays and Players', the second with reference to F. R. Leavis and 'standards', John Russell Taylor and John Tarter.

Author: 
Sir Arnold Wesker (1932-2016), British playwright whose early work drew on his experiences in the Jewish East End of London, one of the 'Angry Young Men' of the 1950s [Philip Dosse (1925-1980),]
Publication details: 
11 July and 26 September 1972; both from 27 Bishops Road, London N6.
£50.00

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. Both items 1p, 4to. ONE (11 July 1972): Signed 'A. Wesker'. In good condition, with short closed tear at one edge of central postage fold. He begins by explaining how to apply for permission to print his play 'The Old Ones', adding: 'But as for writing an introduction to it, I am afraid I would prefer not to. It is a very simple, straight-forward play and doesn't need a great deal said about it.

[Cuala Press, Dublin.] Printed item: number of ‘A Broadside’, limited to 300 copies, with poems by James Stephens and Michael Moran (‘Zozimus’), set to music by Arthur Duff, each with hand-coloured illustration by Victor Brown. From the Lynd archive.

Author: 
Cuala Press, Dublin; James Stephens; Michael Moran (‘Zozimus’); Victor Brown [‘A Broadside’: W. B. Yeats and F. R. Higgins, eds; Arthur Duff, musical ed.; Robert and Sylvia Lynd]
Publication details: 
No. 8 (New Series) August 1935. Cuala Press, Dublin.
£120.00

An attractive item on four unpaginated folio pages, in a bifolium. Uncommon. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, but not folded. Drophead title: ‘No. 8 (New Series) August 1935. / A Broadside / Editors: W. B. Yeats and F. R. Higgins; Musical Editor, Arthur Duff.

[Cuala Press, Dublin.] Printed publication: number of ‘A Broadside’, limited to 300 copies, with two poems, one by Padraic Colum, set to music by Arthur Duff, each with a hand-coloured illustration by Harry Kernoff. From the Lynd archive.

Author: 
Cuala Press, Dublin; Padraic Colum; Harry Kernoff [‘A Broadside’: W. B. Yeats and F. R. Higgins, eds; Arthur Duff, musical ed.; Robert and Sylvia Lynd]
Publication details: 
No. 7 (New Series) July 1935. Cuala Press, Dublin.
£120.00

An attractive item on four unpaginated folio pages, in a bifolium. Uncommon. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, but not folded, with small closed tear at head of first leaf. Drophead title: ‘No. 7 (New Series) July 1935. / A Broadside / Editors: W. B. Yeats and F. R. Higgins; Musical Editor, Arthur Duff.

[Frank Benson [Sir Francis Robert Benson; F. R. Benson], actor-manager who specialised in Shakespeare productions.] Autograph Note in third person, stating that 'his departure for South Africa' prevents him from attending a Literary Society banquet.

Author: 
Frank Benson [Sir Francis Robert Benson; F. R. Benson] (1858-1939), actor-manager who specialised in Shakespeare productions [Royal Literary Society, London]
Publication details: 
4 July 1921. No place.
£35.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged and creased paper, folded twice. Reads: 'Sir Frank Benson regrets that his departure for South Africa will prevent his having the pleasure of availing himself of the Literary Society's kind invitation to assist at the banquet, on Wednesday, July 16th. -'

Four Typed Letters Signed and two Autograph Cards Signed from the Hampstead poet Frederick Grubb (one in full, four 'Fredk G' and one 'Comrade G') to the critic Derek Stanford, including a virulent attack, and with two other items signed by Grubb.

Author: 
Fred Grubb [Frederick Grubb] (born 1930), English poet [Derek Stanford (1918-2008), English writer; 1960s Hampstead coterie]
Fred Grubb [Frederick Grubb] (born 1930), English poet
Publication details: 
1973 and 1974; most from 243 Haverstock Hill, Hampstead.
£320.00
Fred Grubb [Frederick Grubb] (born 1930), English poet

All items clear and complete, on aged paper. Letters totaling: 4to, 1 p; landscape 8vo, 5 pp. The two cards carry long messages, written in red ink in Grubb's close, neat hand; one is standard size, the other 27 x 13.5 cm. Five envelopes are stapled to their letters. Grubb ('one of the last survivors of the famous 1960s Hampstead coterie of writers, actors and critics') writes entertainingly in an emphatic, energetic manner marvellously evocative of the 1970s London literary scene.

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