Literature

Scottish poet and editor (1777-1844).

Novelist, essayist and dramatist, both in French, signed "Montherlant. ALS, in original envelope, 2pp., 4to. In the letter, he is sorry to have missed him and includes him among the few people he does want to see again. "Je pense rester en Afrique jusque vers mai". A "Mr Bradley left for New York. "Il devait, pendant son sejour las-bas, s'occuper du lancement des Bullfighters et m'ecrire pour me servir au courant. . .". He thanks him for his article ("intelligent et sympathique") asking if he knows anything of the author.

Private pressman and monk. 2pp., 4to. She is still in time to get a copy of his and Cecil Woolf's "Corvo", he thinks, but will check with Woolf. They have been awaiitng an introduction from Pamela Hansford Johnson. Their press cannot help her with her bit of printing ("our press here is closing this week and the staff --one laybrother and one employee transferring to our'commercial' press at Faversham"). He discusses a portrasit of George Anne Bellamy and the "Memoir of Montague Summers ("going round the publishers"), anticipating criticism and a later limited edition.

"Frank Fairleigh". Novelist (1818-1864). Three pages, 8vo, bifoliate, sl. dusted, mainly good. "Mr. Austen seems to have written word for word what you wished said abt. Tobacco, but if there is to be much attraction abt. the article, your clever pencil must put it in, for, as it stands it is dull as . . . I was going to add ditch-water ("water" underlined] but I beg to apologise for the inadvertence - as [page 2] the worst kind of fermented liquors! -/ I send by todays post a Prospectus to Mr.

Widow of Frank Harris. One page, 8vo, good condition. She reminds him that she signed a contarct for the publication of an abridged version of her "husband's "Book". "Life & Loves". She has yet to receive proofss for her approval, arguing that the book is not yet published. She asks when he will do so.

Full lea., rebacked, raised bands, gt.dec., corners and edges bumped and worn, some foxing of mainly endpapers, contents g-vg. INSCRIBED by the author to Hans Sloane , physician and collector (collections formed basis of British Museum).

Four pages, 8vo. She declines to translate "White Fang" because the similarity of its "most important scenes" to those in "The Call of the Wild" ("leading" Paris editors agree with her) would jeopardise sales, suggesting that compression into one third of the original length would be necessary. She remits eight guineas to be forwarded to Jack London, and makes a play for the rights to translate a new Robert Hichens novel. WITH: typed note signed, 8vo, in German, from the publishers, Ferdinand Schoningh, to A.P. Watt, 20 Nov.

Wife (1799-1888) of the English poet Bryan Waller Procter ('Barry Cornwall', 1787-1874), and stepdaughter of the noted jurist Basil Montagu. One page, 12mo. Very good on slightly paper, and with closed tear to blank second leaf of bifoliate. Written on behalf of her husband during his final illness. 'Mr Procter desires me to say that you have his ready permission to print The Old Arm Chair | I regret to say that my husband is now too feeble to write to you.' Signed 'Anne B. Procter'.

Novelist and miscellaneous writer (1822-98). Dimensions roughly five inches by three. Grubby and with minor fraying, loss and closed tears to edges (not affecting text). Printed halfpenny stamp and two postmarks in black ink. Addressed to 'Mrs. Black | 5 Hazlitt Road | W. Kensington | W.' 'I have not received ye Ladies Pictorial, but fine - all very well done with great sympathy & tenderness & so well written - I have begun by informal LSaturdays - & shall be very glad to see you if you could come'. Signed 'E: Lynn Linton'.

French authority on English literature, and in particular on the poet Algernon Charles Swinburne. The recipient (1878-1959) was editor of the 'London Mercury' at the time of writing. One page, quarto. In poor condition, with fraying and closed tears to edges. 'I herewith return revised proofs of my French Novelists. | May I remind you that I should be glad to have some galley proofs if it can be easily arranged?' Signed 'Georges Lafourcade'.

English author (1838-1902). The recipient was later Baroness Rockley. Both items are very good. They can be dated from the reference to the Noel's mother (nee Susan trotter, died 1885) and the mourning border. ITEM ONE (three pages, 12mo): 'I send you a very rough little story, for the Children's Hospital book. I do not know whether it will suit your purpose, but I must just let it go as it is.

Editor and journalist (1785-1870). The recipient (1784?-1874) was a writer on military matters, and editor of the United Services Journal. Two pages, 12mo. Good, though grubby, and with docketing, rust from paperclip and biographical details typed in line at head. A formal letter, unsigned and in the third person. 'Mr Redding presents his Compts. to Sir J. Phillepart with but scanty recollections for it is many years since they met and wishes to remind him of an article sent to the U[nited]. S[ervices]. J[ournal]. thro' Mr Hunt.

Upper middle-class English writer (1916-74), editor of the 'Spectator' magazine 1947-9, biographer of Queen Mary, beaten to death by gay lover. The recipient (1912-82) was a writer under the pseudonym Alice Acland. Born Anne Acland-Troyte. Her first husband was Robert Egerton Grosvenor, 5th Baron Ebury, and her fourth Anthony Freire Marreco, the last survivor of the seven-strong British prosecuting team at Nuremberg, with whom she lived in Ireland. A series of camp, gossippy and revealing letters to a close friend.

Octavo. 224 pages. Very good, with light spotting to top edge, front endpapers and prelims. In worn, torn dustwrapper with some loss. INSCRIBED COPY 'To Alan | 'at his own request' | with friendly greetings from | Henry Gifford | 7th November 1950'.

English novelist and politician (1765-1846). The recipient (c1778-1863) was an influential Brighton solicitor, owner of Queen's Park. One page, octavo. On discoloured and lightly creased paper, with fraying and several small closed tears, but with no loss to text. An affectionate letter inviting Attree to Harlow. 'Fred.

Belgian writer (1878-1953), author of the fairy-tale 'The two hunchbacks', set to music by Frank Bridge. One page, quarto. Poor, on discoloured, creased paper with several closed tears. He thanks her for her letter and has 'written to Miss Sands to ask her if she could not possibly alter the date as I have another lecture on the same day, at night. But if impossible, I will come all the same.' Signed 'Em Cammaerts'. Docked in pencil, by 'HSJ', 'Dec: 4. 1915. I heard M.

English novelist and politician (1765-1846). The recipient (1763-1853) was a diplomat, and joint-editor of the 'Anti-Jacobin'. Three pages, 12mo. On discoloured, lightly-stained paper, with one corner of second leaf of bifoliate (with two words of text) broken off in breaking open letter, and still adhering to wafer. Had Hammond given 'a days notice' of his 'intention to come up', he might have been spared 'some hours of unnecessary Solitude'.

English essayist and biographer of Charles Lamb (1868-1938). One page, quarto. Good only, on discoloured and creased paper. Lucas finds Ross's 'Heads and tales, etc.' (London: Rich & Cowan, 1934), a collection of interviews with the famous, 'incorrigibly lively'. 'I do not share all your sympathies but you have made a very entertaining thing out of question and answer. While I was reading, it occurred to me that a new kind of interview might be based on the "Questions I should not put to So-and-so". To G[eorge]. B[ernard].

English art critic and dramatist (1849-1916). One page, octavo. Very good. On grey Truslove, Hanson & Comba paper. Entitled 'Sailor's Chorus', the piece consists of two stanzas of eight lines each. It begins 'Above the mast one single star, | Still loiters in the dawn!' and ends 'Ere the swallows keel shall touch the shore | Yeo Ho! Hearts Ho! Yeo Ho! Haul away!' Signed 'J. Comyns Carr' in bottom left-hand corner.

One page, quarto. Poor, on creased, discoloured paper, with two punch holes in left-hand margin and short closed tears along the central fold. 'It is as well that you underlined your name in print, for I cannot detect the faintest resemblance between it and your signature. Is this the fault of my imperfect eyes or your powerful hand? | As to your humorist - I think the Forceps Saga is funny, but Punch has a number of people who do things rather like it. Still, he should certainly let the Editor see this specimen together with something new.

Journalist (1802-79). Three pages, 12mo. Good, but on slightly discoloured grey paper, with some staining from previous mounting to one edge. 'Dear Sirs, | You will see some of your publications noticed in the Morning Advertiser of to-day. As we mean to make literary notices a feature in our paper, any publications you may send us will meet with every attention. Mrs Hall's "Pilgrimages" [published by Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co] has not reached me, otherwise, being a Christmas book it would have met with an immediate notice.' Asks to be sent 'all the advertisements you can.

English novelist (1900-96). One page, octavo. Good, but with slight marking from staple in top left-hand corner. He is glad his correspondent is 'having therapy for your bad back for, hard work though it is, and must be in your case, I'm sure you will find it helpful. | About author's proofs, they of course usually go back to publishers; but what I am glad to be able to send you is the jacket of my latest book which at least has a picture and my signature, and I hope it will, at least, be decorative in your study.' Signed 'Victor S Pritchett'.

Learned ecclesiastic (1721-1807), who opposed Hume and edited Clarendon. One page, quarto. Good, though on discoloured paper and heavily creased with a few small holes (not affecting text) caused by wear. Second leaf of bifoliate, damaged, discoloured and with some loss through breaking of wafer; bears address ('To / Major General Rooke | Member of Parliament | Woodstock | Oxfordshire') and postmark 'WINDSOR'. As Douglas was travelling to Salisbury, Rooke's covering letter did not arrive with 'Dr.

Irish novelist (1863-1951). One page, 12mo. Good, but with some rust stains from staple. Reads 'Dear Sir | I enclose autograph with much pleasure | Believe me | yours truly | H De Vere Stacpoole.'

English novelist (1836-1901). Two pages, octavo. Some discoloration in margin from previous mounting. His silence is due to the fact that he has been 'out of town for Easter'. He is grateful to his correspondent for thinking of him 'in connection with the Garrick. But I am afraid I must not consider it. You see by the address that I live out of the way of clubs - This is for the sake of certain small children <?> to be considered'. He is already a member of three clubs: the Athenaeum, the Old University and the Savile ('wh: I do frequent').

Eight pages, 12mo. Unbound and unstitched. Unfolds into a single leaf. Paper watermarked 'OAKWOOD | FINE VELLUM'. Five different illustrations (one of which is duplicated). Grubby, spotted and with small closed tears and fraying along one edge (not affecting text or illustrations). 'PRICE FOURPENCE PLAIN; SIXPENCE COLOURED.' This copy is uncoloured.

Author and editor (see DNB). One page, 8vo, sl. discoloured, laid down on another piece of paper, text clear as follows: Before leaving town I requested a friend who is very intimate with publishers to take charge of your M.S. and as a favour to me, to do anything in his power towards procuring its publication." He made enquiries about progress but found that his friend was out of the country for a spell. He is usng black-margined paper because of the death of Mrs Brooks's mother.

Eight pages, 12mo. Unbound and unstitched. Unfolds into a single leaf. Paper watermarked 'OAKWOOD | FINE VELLUM'. Three illustrations. Good, but paper slightly discoloured and with some spotting. 'PRICE 2 PENCE PLAIN, 4 PENCE COLOURED.' This copy is uncoloured.

Etcher. Four pages, 8vo, good condition, sending his warm appreciation of her ‘Reminiscences’,mentioning Kate Greenaway ("artistic merit and sweet disposition") whose Christmas cards Lady Dorothy has kept, and also mentioning that he had sent a Card [copy enclosed] to the King which the King had admired greatly. Enclosed: a print of the original etching by Lawson after the cartoon by Tenniel which had featured in the Punch Almanack of 1874 and was commended by the King, INSCRIBED "Lady Dorothy Nevill, / a token of / the Etcher's great appreciation / of her 'Reminiscences'.

Dramatic author, critic, and translator (see DNB). On epage, 8vo, vestiges of the laying down process, mainly good condition. "My "Virginie" [underlined] is from the Virginie [underlined] of M. Latour de St Ybais - and is the peice in which Rachel played during her first engagement at the St James' - Are you sure there is a Virginie by Ronsard. - He wrote a lucrece [underlined]."