POET

[Alfred Austin, Poet Laureate.] Autograph Signature with Autograph Note disavowing poems. On printed acknowledgement of ‘Kind Congratulations’ (at his appointment).

Author: 
Alfred Austin (1835-1913), Poet Laureate
Publication details: 
9 January 1895. With printed letterhead ‘Swinford Old Manor, / Ashford, Kent.’
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Wilfred Scawen Blunt’s assessment was brutal: ‘It is strange his poetry should be such poor stuff, and stranger still that he should imagine it immortal.’ And it is ironic that Austin may not have even written the lines for which he is now principally remembered, on the illness of the Prince of Wales: ‘Flashed from his bed the electric message came | He is not better, he is much the same’. 1p, 12mo. On the first leaf of a bifolium of good watermarked wove paper.

[Gilbert Thomas [Gilbert Oliver Thomas], pacifist poet and critc.] Autograph Letter Signed, thanking ‘Calvert’ [William Robinson Calvert] for his review of ‘Calm Weather’ and discussing the critical response to the book.

Author: 
Gilbert Thomas [Gilbert Oliver Thomas] (1891-1978), pacifist poet and critic, imprisoned as a conscientious objector during the Great War [William Robinson Calvert (1882-1949), journalist]
Publication details: 
8 April 1930; on letterhead of Flatford, Meadway, Gidea Park, Essex.
£180.00

2pp, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Thirty-nine lines, closely written. Signed ‘Gilbert Thomas’. He begins by thanking him ‘most warmly for your letter and the most kind and generous review to hand this morning.

[Alfred Austin, Poet Laureate.] Autograph Signature with Autograph Note disavowing poems. On printed acknowledgement of ‘Kind Congratulations’ (at his appointment).

Author: 
Alfred Austin (1835-1913), Poet Laureate
Publication details: 
9 January 1895. With printed letterhead ‘Swinford Old Manor, / Ashford, Kent.’
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Wilfred Scawen Blunt’s assessment was brutal: ‘It is strange his poetry should be such poor stuff, and stranger still that he should imagine it immortal.’ And it is ironic that Austin may not have even written the lines for which he is now principally remembered, on the illness of the Prince of Wales: ‘Flashed from his bed the electric message came | He is not better, he is much the same’. 1p, 12mo. On the first leaf of a bifolium of good watermarked wove paper.

[Sir John Betjeman, Poet Laureate.] Autograph Signature on scrap of paper torn from typewritten letter.

Author: 
Sir John Betjeman (1906-1984), Poet Laureate and popular broadcaster and public figure
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£25.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged. Good firm attractive signature ‘John Betjeman.’On irregularly-shaped corner (approximately 9 x 7 cm) torn from a letter on cartridge paper. Reads ‘[...] pho[...] / [...]ed to se[...] / [...] author in this [...] / never be too hope[...] / [...]urs faithfully, / [...]HELL-MEX and B. P. LIMITED. / [signed] John Betjeman. / [...]urn of post unless otherwise stated’. Perhaps something to do with Shell Guides(?)See Image.

[Sir John Betjeman, Poet Laureate.] Autograph Signature on slip laid down beneath a printed version of his poem 'Henley-on-Thames'.

Author: 
Sir John Betjeman (1906-1984), Poet Laureate and popular broadcaster and public figure
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£25.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged. Good firm signature ‘John Betjeman’ on 9 x 3 cm slip of paper. Laid down at the foot of one side of a 12mo leaf (extracted from an edition of his poems), at the foot of the Betjeman poem ‘Henley-on-Thames’. On the reverse, paginated 24, is his poem ‘East Anglian Bathe’. See Imagew

[Sir John Betjeman, Poet Laureate.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Lady Jones' [the writer Enid Bagnold], regarding her housing of a 'prize' and Lady Billa Harrod.

Author: 
Sir John Betjeman (1906-1984), Poet Laureate and popular broadcaster and public figure [Enid Bagnold [Lady Jones] (1889-1981), writer and dramatist; Lady Billa Harrod]
Publication details: 
No date. On letterhead of 43 Cloth Fair, London EC1.
£150.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, but lightly discoloured, with a large rectangle of sunning covering most of the lower part, and a neat crease at bottom right (not affecting the signature, which is partially sunned). Annotated in pencil by a later hand on the reverse. Betjeman’s handwriting is bad, so the following reading is tentative. ‘Dear Lady Jones, / I meant to write to you long ere this to tell you how grateful I was to you & Sir Roderick [Jones, her husband] for letting us [house?] this prize in your capacious drawing room.

[Lord Macaulay [Thomas Babington Macaulay] (1800-1859), great Victorian historian, poet, Whig Member of Parliament.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Miss Richardson', declining a dinner engagement.

Author: 
Lord Macaulay [Thomas Babington Macaulay] (1800-1859), great Victorian historian, proponent of the ‘Whig interpretation of history’, poet, Member of Parliament, a great influence on Winston Churchill
Publication details: 
'Albany [London] June 17. 1851'.
£45.00

With Thomas Carlyle recognised by the Victorians as one of their two greatest historians. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. On grey wove watermarked paper. In good condition, lightly creased and aged. Folded twice. Reads ‘Dear Miss Richardson, / I am extremely sorry that I have an engagement which will make it impossible for me to have the pleasure of dining with you on Wednesday fortnight / Very truly yours, / T B Macaulay’.

[Algernon Charles Swinburne, prominent English poet of the Victorian period.] Envelope Addressed by Swinburne to John H. Ingram, with Signed Note by Ingram confirming that the handwriting is Swinburne's.

Author: 
Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909), prominent English poet of the Victorian period [John Henry Ingram (1842-1916), English biographer of Edgar Allen Poe]
Publication details: 
No place and date, but with two Malvern postmarks of 9 January 1875.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Ingram's biography of Poe was responsible for his reabilitation, and his extensive collection of material relating to the writer is now in the University of Virginia. Entire small envelope (roughly 12 x 7 cm), self-printed with stamp. In good condition, lightly aged, with flap at back torn in opening of letter. With postmarks at front and back of the envelope, both dated 9 January 1875; front postmark from Malvern and back one from West Malvern. Addressed by Swinburne to ‘John H. Ingram Esq.

[Robert Graves [Robert von Ranke Graves], poet and author of ‘I Claudius’ and ‘Goodbye to All That’.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr Scarr’, declining to give any further talks, ‘not being an extemporizer’.

Author: 
Robert Graves [Robert von Ranke Graves], poet and author, noted for his war memoir ‘Goodbye to All That’ and his historical novel ‘I Claudius’
Publication details: 
25 July 1962; on letterhead of Canellun, Deya, Mallorca, Spain.
£380.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage. Reads: ‘Dear Mr Scarr: / I’m sorry but I have already engaged myself for three talks besides my offical three and, not being an extemporizer, can’t undertake any more. / Yours sincerely / Robert Graves’. See Image.

[John Masefield, Poet Laureate and children's writer.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Miss McConnell’ and Signed inscription to ‘Jeannie McConnell’.

Author: 
John Masefield (1878-1967), Poet Laureate and children's writer
Publication details: 
Neither item with date or place.
£80.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Both items are somewhat sunned, but in good overall condition. ONE: ALS. 1p, 4to. Folded three times for postage. Signed ‘John Masefield’.

[Cecil Day-Lewis, poet laureate; Nicholas Blake.] Autograph Card Signed to D. Kilham Roberts, casting his vote for Osbert Sitwell as the next chairman of the Society of Authors.

Author: 
Cecil Day-Lewis [C. Day-Lewis] (1904-1972), Anglo-Irish poet and British Poet Laureate who wrote crime fiction under the pseudonym of Nicholas Blake [D. Kilham Roberts, Society of Authors, London]
Publication details: 
9 August 1944. Letterhead of ORION, 26 Manchester Square, London, W.1. (with address cancelled)
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. An unillustrated post card, apart from the letterhead. Addressed, with stamp and Paddington postmark, to ‘Dr William Roberts / Briarlea / Mortimer / Berks.’ The message reads: ‘I vote for Osbert S. [i.e. Osbert Sitwell] as next chairman Soc. Authors [etc?] / Yrs / C. Day Lewis’. Image on request.

[Cecil Day-Lewis, Poet Laureate.] Autograph Card Signed to Geoffrey Parsons, regarding the publication of his poetry book 'Peter's Progress' and a 'H[odder] & S[toughton]' 'ordeal'.

Author: 
Cecil Day-Lewis [C. Day-Lewis] (1904-1972), Anglo-Irish poet and British Poet Laureate who also wrote crime fiction under the pseudonym of Nicholas Blake [Geoffrey Parsons (1910-1987), poet]
Publication details: 
30 September 1953; 'from Mrs. [last word deleted] C. Day-Lewis, 96 Campden Hill Road, W.8. [London]'
£80.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient is presumably the lyricist Peter Claremont Parsons. Plain postcard, apart from letterhead. In good condition, lightly aged. Image on request.Postmarked (from Paddington), stamped and addressed to ‘Geoffrey Parsons esq. / 22 Westbourne Park Road / W.2’. Small signature: ‘C. D. L.’ Reads: ‘Many thanks for Peter’s Progress. [Parson’s poetry book, published that year by Hand & Flower] I’ve read it with great pleasure & amusement, & fallen foul of little except ‘legacies’ rhyming with exegesis. My memory of those H. & S.

[Patrick Pearse [Pádraic Pearse], Irish national hero, shot by the British after the Easter Rising of 1916.] Review slip by his Dublin publishers Maunsel & Co., for his posthumous ‘The Story of a Success’.

Author: 
Patrick Pearse [Patrick Henry Pearse; Pádraig Pearse; Pádraic Pearse; Pádraig Anraí Mac Piarais] (1879–1916), Irish national hero, poet, nationalist shot by the British after the Easter Rising of 1916
Publication details: 
Dated 15 November 1917 (for book to be published 19 November 1917). Maunsel & Co., Limited, 50 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin.
£50.00

From the papers of Sylvia and Robert Lynd. A scarce piece of Pearse ephemera: no other copy traced. 1p, 12mo. On a piece of discoloured laid paper, worn, with crease to one corner. The full title of the book, which was edited by Desmond Ryan, was ‘The story of a success, being a record of St. Enda's College, September 1908 to Easter 1916’.

[Sir Henry Newbolt, poet and writer, author of the anthology-piece 'Drake's Drum'.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs. Lord' describing how he deals with correspondence.

Author: 
Sir Henry Newbolt [ Sir Henry John Newbolt ] (1862-1938), poet, novelist and historian, author of the patriotic anthology-piece 'Drake's Drum'
Publication details: 
27 September 1912. On letterhead of Netherhampton House, Salisbury.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Lightly aged and worn. With central horizontal and vertical crease for postage, each quarter with double pinholes at the centre (from attachment of an enclosure?). Signature unaffected (it starts close to vertical crease). Reads: 'Dear Mrs. Lord / With the greatest pleasure - and with ten thousand apologies. I thought I had answered long ago. But letters lie in heaps in my tray & on my table - everywhere! and I carry them about in bags labelled carefully Unanswered until I dare no longer look inside.

[Sir Henry Newbolt, poet and writer, author of the anthology-piece 'Drake's Drum'.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs. Lord' describing how he deals with correspondence.

Author: 
Sir Henry Newbolt [ Sir Henry John Newbolt ] (1862-1938), poet, novelist and historian, author of the patriotic anthology-piece 'Drake's Drum'
Publication details: 
27 September 1912. On letterhead of Netherhampton House, Salisbury.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Lightly aged and worn. With central horizontal and vertical crease for postage, each quarter with double pinholes at the centre (from attachment of an enclosure?). Signature unaffected (it starts close to vertical crease). Reads: 'Dear Mrs. Lord / With the greatest pleasure - and with ten thousand apologies. I thought I had answered long ago. But letters lie in heaps in my tray & on my table - everywhere! and I carry them about in bags labelled carefully Unanswered until I dare no longer look inside.

[Alaric Watts [Alaric Alexander Watts], poet and journalist, editor of the ‘Literary Souvenir’.] Autograph Letter Signed, requesting the Hon. Spencer Ponsonby to place a letter to Lord Clarendon, applying for a post at the London Library.

Author: 
Alaric Watts [Alaric Alexander Watts] (1797-1864), poet and journalist, editor of the ‘Literary Souvenir’
Publication details: 
'12 Bridge Road | St. John's Wood / March 11th. 1857'.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, with slight wear at top left-hand corner of second leaf (not affecting text). Biographical details added in small type at head of first page. Addressed to ‘The Honbl Spencer Ponsonby’ and signed ‘Alaric A. Watts.’ Begins: ‘Dear Sir / May I trespass so far upon your kindness as to ask you to place the enclosed letter [not present] to Lord Clarendon. It is on the subject of the London Library of which his Lordship is the President’.

Tennyson forgery: manuscript document presenting itself as a letter from Alfred Lord Tennyson to the wife of William Ewart Gladstone, agreeing to a visit as long as he can smoke his pipe.

Author: 
Tennyson forgery: Alfred Lord Tennyson, one of the greatest of English poets, Poet Laureate to Queen Victoria
Tennyson forgery
Publication details: 
Stated to have been sent from 'Aldworth / Oct 25 - 76'. [25 October 1876]
£180.00
Tennyson forgery

An apparent forgery of a letter the text of which is quoted in Hallam Tennyson’s 1897 memoir of his father. 1p, 12mo. On discoloured wove paper. Aged, and with repair with archival tape at extremities on reverse. Folded twice for postage. Reads: ‘Aldworth / Oct 25 - 76 / My dear Mrs Gladstone / On Monday then - if all be well. As you are good enough to say that you will manage everything rather than lose my visit - you must manage that I may have my pipe in my own room whenever I like? / Yours ever / A Tennyson/’.

[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Three Autograph Letters Signed: to A. M. M. Stedman of Methuen, ruling out writing his reminiscences; to Rev. Canon Moor of St Clements, on a misquotation; to E. J. Broadfield, on his wife’s letters.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author, husband of actress Helena Faucit [Sir A. M. M. Stedman of publishers Methuen; Rev. Canon Moor of St Clements, Cornwall; E. J. Broadfield]
Publication details: 
ONE: To Broadfield. 26 May 1885. 1 Cavendish Place, Brighton. TWO: To Moor. 22 April 1889. On letterhead of 31 Onslow Square, S.W. [London] THREE: To Stedman. 15 June 1897. On Onslow Square letterhead.
£90.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Both items are in good condition, and each folded once. The second carries the merest trace of grey paper from a mount at one corner. ONE: To E. B. Nicholson, 3 November 1881. 2pp, 12mo. On first leaf of bifolium. Nicholson’s letter has been forwarded to him ‘here in my country house, where I am for a few days’. It is out of his power ‘to promise any assistance to your proposed Magazine.

[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mrs. Thomas’, discussing the Duke of Wellington’s mode of pronunciation, elementary education, King Lear and Shakespeare scholar H. H. Furness.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author, husband of actress Helena Faucit [Duke of Wellington; Horace Howard Furness; William Shakespeare]
Publication details: 
18 November 1893. The Hotel, Sidmouth.
£180.00

A good letter, not the least of whose interest lies in the fact that it provides first-hand information about the Duke of Wellington. See Martin’s entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Begins: ‘Dear Mrs. Thomas, / Your variant of the King Lear story will, I am sure, delight Mr. Furness. Unfortunately King Lear has already been dealt with by him. It forms one volume of his magnificent Edition. But he loves every thing that concerns old England.

[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Two Autograph Letters Signed: one declining to contribute to E. B. Nicholson’s ‘proposed magazine’; the other to ‘Mr Lowe’, regarding a ‘vulgar’ response to Princess Mary’s bereavement.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author, husband of actress Helena Faucit [E. B. Nicholson; Lowe; Princess Mary of Teck, later Queen Mary]
Publication details: 
ONE: To E. B. Nicholson. 3 November 1881. On letterhead of Brintysilio, near Llangollen. TWO: To ‘Mr. Lowe’. 24 January 1892. On letterhead of 31 Onslow Square, S.W. [London]
£75.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Both items are in good condition, and each folded once. The second carries the merest trace of grey paper from a mount at one corner. ONE: To E. B. Nicholson, 3 November 1881. 2pp, 12mo. On first leaf of bifolium. Nicholson’s letter has been forwarded to him ‘here in my country house, where I am for a few days’. It is out of his power ‘to promise any assistance to your proposed Magazine.

[Philip James Bailey, Victorian ‘spasmodic’ poet.] Autograph Document Signed, giving a ten-line extract from his celebrated poem, ‘Festus’.

Author: 
Philip James Bailey (1816-1902), Victorian poet, author of ‘Festus’ and considered the father of the ‘spasmodic’ school of verse
FESTUS
Publication details: 
‘Blackheath / May 14th. 1888.’
£220.00
FESTUS

Bailey’s entry in the Oxford DNB describes the ‘remarkable popularity’ of the second edition of Festus in America: ‘seventeen ‘editions’ of a version pirated in Boston were called for in the first nine years, and it was also reprinted numerous times in Philadelphia, Louisville, and New York. Bailey became something of a 'lion' for visiting Americans of the transcendental stamp’, with Hawthorne visiting in the 1850s. 1p, 8vo. On brittle woodpulp paper, now discoloured with chipping to edges (resulting in loss to the word ‘Festus’ at the head) and with closed tears to the two folds.

[‘Now do you understand why authors leave the country?’: Beverley Nichols, novelist and poet.] Typed Letter Signed to ‘Mr. Bryon’, regarding an interview, and conclusion of Typed Letter Signed joking about heavy correspondence.

Author: 
Beverley Nichols (1898-1983), novelist and poet, author of more than sixty books, writer on gardens and gardening
Publication details: 
ONE (TLS to 'Mr. Bryon'): 6 June 1934; on letterhead of Six New Street, Westminster, S.W.1. TWO (conclusion of TLS): without date or place.
£56.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The first letter, and probably the second, were written around the time when his ‘Down the Garden Path’ (1932) and its two sequels had made Nichols wildly popular, eliciting several parodies. ONE (TLS to ‘Mr. Bryon’): 1p, 12mo. Discoloration along top part of outer edge, otherwise in good condition. Folded once. Good clear signature ‘Beverley Nichols’. He thanks him for sending the interview. ‘I think it is admirably written, and expresses my views very clearly.’ TWO (conclusion of TLS): 1p, 12mo. Twenty-nine lines of text. In good condition, lightly aged.

[Sir John Betjeman, poet laureate.] Typed Letter Signed from Elizabeth Moore (‘Dorinda’), ‘Secretary to Sir John’, telling Paul Furness that he cannot help in his 'researches into pubs with connections with the Socialist movement’ due to ill health.

Author: 
[Sir John Betjeman (1906-1984), poet laureate] Elizabeth Moore (‘Dorinda’), ‘Secretary to Sir John’
Publication details: 
15 February 1982. 29 Radnor Walk, London, SW3.
£25.00

Betjeman’s daughter Candida Lycett Green, in her edition of her father’s later letters, refers to Moore as the his ‘gentle secretary’, ‘whom he always called “Dorinda,” and who lived on the other side of the street’. She also states that after his stroke in 1981, the poet could no longer sign his name, and dictated letters to Moore. 1p, foolscap 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded once for postage. On his letterhead (‘Sir John Betjeman’ at top left, and address at top right) printed in brown ink on cream paper. Addressed to ‘Mr. Furness’.

[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Autograph Letter Signed to Sylvain Van de Weyer, Belgian Ambassador, regarding a 'charming appeal' of ' M. Derôme to the Times', and his latest paper in the Quarterly Review.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author, husband of actress Helena Faucit [Sylvain Van de Weyer (1802-1874), Prime Minister of Belgium, Belgian Minister at the Court of St. James’s
Publication details: 
'31 Onslow Square [London] / 31st Decemr 1871'. With letterhead of his family crest.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Fifty-eight lines of text. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage. Begins: Dear M. Van de Weyer / Altho' I had been prudent enough to preserve the appeal of M. Derôme to the Times in its original form, not the less welcome was the glorified text which I found on my table yesterday on our return from a short visit to Brighton. That charming appeal acted as a mental Conserve alimentaire to me, when it first appeared, and it shall be placed with certain other valued opuscules, where I can offen turn it to the like account.

[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Autograph Letter Signed to Shirley Brooks, future editor of Punch, discussing his autograph and that of his wife the actress Helena Faucit, and portait photographs by Disderi and others.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author, husband of actress Helena Faucit [Shirley Brooks [Charles William Shirley Brooks], editor of Punch; Disdéri, Paris photographer]
Publication details: 
'31 Onslow Square [London] / 21 February 1864', embossed with his family crest.
£45.00

See the two men's entries, with that of Helena Faucit, in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. Addressed to 'Shirley Brooks Esq' and signed 'Theodore Martin'. Brooks has evidently asked for autographs and photographs of Martin and his wife, the celebrated actres Helena Faucit (1817-1898). The letter begins: 'My dear Brooks / Here are the autographs you wish. There is not in all The Lady of Lyons one line to which any reasonable being could wish to attach his name. It is only the situations which are good for anything.

Thomas Crofton Croker, Irish antiquary.] The long first part of an Autograph Letter to ‘Mr. Croker’ [unidentified], regarding the life of the poet Thomas Moore, whom he claims exhibits a ‘love for falsification upon all matters’.

Author: 
[Thomas Crofton Croker (1798-1854), Irish antiquary] [Thomas Moore (1779-1852), Irish poet and friend of Lord Byron]
Croker
Publication details: 
‘3 Gloucester road / Old Brompton / Thursday’. Pencil note states ‘2 June’ [1853].
£280.00
Croker

An interesting letter regarding the man who was regarded as Ireland's national poet before the appearance of William Butler Yeats. See Croker’s entry, and that of Thomas Moore, in the Oxford DNB. The former contains a paragraph discussing the association between the two men, the conclusion of which explains the context of the present item: ‘At the end of his life Croker (by his own account) was working on a biography of Moore, whom he termed 'an actor—a hypocrite—a swindler—a sensualist and a habitual liar' (Irish Book Lover, 50).

[Alfred Perceval Graves, Anglo-Irish poet, father of Robert Graves.] Autograph Letter Signed to Tom Taylor, with news of parliament, an Irish humorous story, a 'treble anagram' and in hopes of meeting with Shirley Brooks, editor of Punch.

Author: 
Alfred Perceval Graves (1846-1931), Anglo-Irish poet, songwriter and folklorist, father of poet and critic Robert Graves [Tom Taylor (1817-1880), playwright, editor of Punch; Shirley Brooks]
Graves
Publication details: 
10 July [1872?]. Home Office, Whitehall. On letterhead of the Secretary of State, Home Department.
£180.00
Graves

See his entry, those of his sons Philip and Robert, and that of Taylor, in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on discoloured and lightly-worn paper. Addressed to ‘My Dear Mr Taylor’ and signed ‘Alfred P. Graves’. He begins by enquiring after the state of the recipient’s health, before giving details of when Parliament ‘will probably be up’: ‘Otherwise I have no political news to interest you.

[Dannie Abse, Welsh Jewish poet.] Autograph Letter Signed to Paul Furness, recalling poets like Paul Potts and George Barker in the Soho pub the French House, and John Conway and Alun Owen in pubs in Cardiff, and Jews and pubs.

Author: 
Dannie Abse [Daniel Abse] (1923-2014), Welsh Jewish poet, brother of politician Leo Abse and psychologist Wilfrid Abse [Gaston Berlemont (1914-1999), landlord of the French House, Soho, London]
Publication details: 
November 1982; 85 Hodford Road, London NW11. On embossed government letterhead.
£120.00

A good informative letter. See Abse's entry in the Oxford DNB, along with that of Gaston Berlemont, proprietor of the French House (the nickname of the York Minster), Soho. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded one for postage. On a leaf of light-grey paper, in matching stamped envelope with postmark, addressed to Furness in Battersea. One of a number of letters from British poets in response to enquiries from Furness with regard to their pub memories.

[Walter H. Pollock, poet and author.] Autograph Letter Signed to ?Thomas?, regarding ?Dr Waldstein? and the ?Ajax business?.

Author: 
Walter H. Pollock [Walter Herries Pollock] (1850-1926), poet, author and editor of the London ?Saturday Review?, son of Sir William Frederick Pollock (1815-1888), 2nd Baronet
Publication details: 
18 November 1882. On letterhead of the Savile Club, 107 Piccadilly, W. [London]
£45.00

See his father?s entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 16mo. On first leaf of bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. The recipient?s full name is not give. Signed ?Walter H Pollock?. The ?Ajax business? referred to in the letter is the performance of the first of the Cambridge Greek plays, organised by the archaeologist Sir Charles Walston [formerly Waldstein] (1856-1927).

[Sir A. C. Lyall, Governor of the North-Western Provinces in India.] Four Autograph Letters Signed, the last addressed to 'Fisher', mainly concerned with preparations for lectures, the last declining to send a reference.

Author: 
Sir A. C. Lyall [Sir Alfred Comyn Lyall] (1835-1911), leading civil servant in British India, Governor of the North-Western Provinces
Publication details: 
ONE: 9 October 1888; The Precincts, Canterbury. TWO: 17 December 1888; embossed letterhead of the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall [London]. THREE: 17 November 1895; 18 Queen?s Gate, S.W. [London] FOUR: 23 April 1907; as three.
£80.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The four items in good condition, lightly aged and worn, and all folded for postage. The last item with pin hole to one corner. The first three addressed to 'Dear Sir' and the last to 'Dear Fisher'. All four signed 'A C Lyall', both with and without periods after the initials. ONE (9 October 1888): 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium.

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