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PAVLOVA ANNA: (1881-1931) Russian Ballet Dancer. A fine vintage signed sepia postcard photograph, the image depicting Pavlova standing en pointe in a full length profile pose. Photograph published by Ross of Berlin. Signed by Pavlova with her name alone in bold dark fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image. About EX £200 - 300
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FONTEYN MARGOT: (1919-1991) English Ballerina. Book signed, a hardback edition of her Autobiography, published by W. H. Allen, London, December 1975 (reprint). Signed ('Margot Fonteyn Arias') in ink with her name alone to the title page. Accompanied by the dust jacket (very slight, extremely minor age wear at the edges). Together with a printed 8vo programme for a performance by Fonteyn in a Gala evening of Ballet at Darlington Civic Theatre, 30th January 1976, signed ('Margot Fonteyn') in blue ink with her name alone to the blank inside front cover. Some light creasing and age wear, G to VG, 2 £80 - 100
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TURNER J. M. W.: (1775-1851) English Painter. A.L.S., J M W Turner, one page, 8vo, Athenaeum, n.d. ('Monday Evg', annotated 16th March 1835 in another hand in ink) to John Murray. Turner writes a brief letter, in full, 'I will do myself the pleasure of waiting upon you on Wednesday next at 6 o'clock'. Some light age wear and light, minor circular stains to each corner caused by the residue of former mounting to the verso. About VG £800 - 1200
John Murray (1778-1843) Scottish Publisher
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MILLAIS JOHN EVERETT: (1829-1896) English Painter, one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. A.L.S., J E Millais, one page, 8vo, n.p. (London), 27th July n.y., to Dolly (apparently Dorothy Tennant), on the printed stationery of the Garrick Club. Millais informs his correspondent that he cannot be sure of coming to see her tomorrow, explaining 'I am suffering terribly from Rheumatism. I can hardly use my arm & if this cruel matter continues I must keep at home'. With blank integral leaf. A letter of good association. VG £80 - 100
Dorothy Tennant (1855-1926) British Painter, the wife of explorer Henry Morton Stanley. Tennant was the model for Millais's famous painting No, depicting a girl writing a letter to reject her suitor.
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ARTISTS: Small selection of A.Ls.S. by various 19th century artists comprising Clarkson Frederick Stanfield (to [William] Etty confirming an appointment to dine with [Augustus] Pugin, 2nd January 1843, with a small series of ink sketches and lists to the verso), Benjamin Haydon (referring to his painting Meeting of the Anti-Slavery Society and explaining 'the Fore-ground & Background are my own - the middle ground by order of Committee', 13th March 1842, accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Haydon to Rev. H. Hutton), Charles Eastlake (to Thomas Thornycroft and confirming that he will lay his letter before the Commissioners on the Fine Arts and commenting on a resolution 'That each artist be required to furnish a small model or sketch eighteen inches high, to be approved before the large figure is begun', 5th April 1847), Francis Chantrey (to George Clint, organising an appointment) and James Northcote (autograph list signed of various items including a drawing board, pencils, brushes, palette and 'a piece of tortoise shell with colours on it' etc., which he would like delivered). Some light age wear, G to VG, 5 £100 - 150
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MONET CLAUDE: (1840-1926) French Impressionist Painter. A.L.S., Claude Monet, one page, 8vo, Giverny par Vernon, 18th February 1914, to a friend, on mourning stationery, in French. Monet writes a moving letter, in full, 'Thank you my dear friend for your affectionate sympathy, luckily I am feeling better because I must summon up the courage to withstand these successive deaths'. With blank integral leaf. VG £4000 - 6000
Monet's second wife, Alice, had died in 1911 and the painter's eldest son, Jean Monet (1867-1914), who had married his step-sister Blanche Hoschede (1865-1947), died on 10th February 1914, just eight days before the present letter was written. Jean Monet was the subject of several paintings by his father. Blanche Hoschede-Monet, herself a painter, moved to Giverny with Claude Monet in 1914 following her husband's death and cared for the artist until his death.
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DUFY RAOUL: (1877-1953) French Fauvist Painter. T.L.S., Raoul Dufy, one page, 4to, Perpignan, 1st March 1947, to Madame [Jean-Emile] Laboureur ('Cher amie'), in French. Dufy apologises to his correspondent for the delay in replying to her letter, stating that he is suffering from rheumatism, and further adding that he cannot respond favourably to her invitation, explaining 'I do not have any engravings of a religious nature and I will just say that I don't have any other engravings either, so I can not participate in the exhibition'. However the artist remarks that he is pleased her request has allowed him to reestablish contact with her, commenting 'I was thinking about you and my poor friend Laboureur and if I did not give you any sign of life, it is because of my illness and at the time when I learned of the death of your husband, I was having a terrible attack of rheumatism; in reality it wasn't an attack because my rheumatism is chronic. I'm taking care of myself with a great deal of conviction and hope'. In concluding Dufy states that he would be happy to hear from Laboureur again and adds that he will stay in Perpignan for a while longer, 'that is to say until I find it possible to walk normally'. Accompanied by the original envelope. Some light overall creasing and one small neat tear to the right edge of the central fold, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG £500 - 600
Jean-Emile Laboureur (1877-1943) French Painter, Graphic Artist, Engraver & Illustrator. Laboureur founded the group Les Peintres-Graveurs Independants in 1922, for which he organised the annual exhibition until 1938.
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GIACOMETTI ALBERTO: (1901-1966) Swiss Sculptor. Bold blue ink signature ('Alberto Giacometti') and date, Stampa, 7th August 1963, in his hand to the verso of a vintage postcard, the image depicting the small church of San Giorgio in Switzerland with a large mountain range in the background. A couple of very light, extremely minor surface creases, otherwise EX £600 - 800
An interesting example of the sculptor's signature, with links to his birth and death; Giacometti was born in Borgonovo, Stampa, Graubunden in Switzerland, close to the Italian border, where he signed the present postcard, and his body is interred in the cemetery of the Church of San Giorgio, as illustrated on the postcard.
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DE CHIRICO GIORGIO: (1888-1978) Italian Artist, a strong influence on the Surrealist movement. Signed and inscribed 6 x 4 photograph, the image depicting De Chirico seated in a half length pose at a restaurant table accompanied by various other male and female diners. The artist holds a pen in one hand as he prepares to sign several photographs on the table before him. Signed ('G De Chirico') in ink to a clear area of the image. Dated 1968 in an unidentified hand to the verso and with traces of former mounting to the verso, otherwise VG £200 - 300
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MAN RAY: (1890-1976) American Photographer and Artist. T.L.S., Man Ray, one page, 4to, Paris, 31st January 1962, to Jean, evidently a business associate. Man Ray announces 'Excuse me for writing you in English in which language I can express myself more shortly' and continues 'My agreement with you in 59 led me to believe that I would be freed from all matters of keeping accounts and from endless discussions'. The artist further responds, in three numbered paragraphs, in order to rectify some points raised in his correspondent's two letters of the 26th January, '1. Our contract gives you control of world sales, and the exhibitions in New York were arranged with the approval of the Galerie Rive Droite….To date no accounts have been given me of transactions nor what has been left in the galleries of Iolas and Mayer. Among other activities in New York I was responsible for selling a watercolour for $400, as well as some drawings at a good price. Your letter implies that you are not responsible for Miss Marci's negligence. 2. In your second letter you say you haven't taken paintings to cover the contract. I have receipts for all the works you have taken which exceed what you have paid me. You admit you haven't paid me the four millions due in 1961. The contract stipulates three millions to be paid over the period….I cannot go into details here, since you promised to keep accounts for me. Anyhow, your small investment in me has paid off already, I'm sure. And will continue to pay. I have done much more than you in the way of publicity….as well as participating in non-commercial official exhibitions. 3. In 59, before our contract I consigned only the Orateur to Loeb, asking him only 300.00 francs for it. He did not sell it because he probably asked a couple of thousand dollars for it, and I took it back. I sold it to you for 200.00 frs.as an object, although I have always considered it as important as any painting. But I wasn't going to argue with you - I counted on the future'. Man Ray concludes his letter 'So, the contract is void as from today. Any other proposition you wish to make, I shall give due consideration'. A somewhat bitter letter of interesting content illustrating the business side of an artist's life. VG £600 - 800
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CHAGALL MARC: (1887-1985) Russian-French Artist. L.S., Marc Chagall, in Yiddish, to the verso of a colour postcard featuring an image of Chagall's work La vie, St. Paul, 22nd July 1967, to Henri Adam, in French. The text is in the hand of Chagall's wife, Vava, and thanks Adam for some press cuttings which he had been kind enough to send, further remarking 'I am very aware of your desire to honour my great age,, but what counts above all is the kindness and I believe in yours'. Chagall concludes by adding that he hopes to have the opportunity to meet his correspondent, which would be a great pleasure. Chagall has also dated the letter in his hand, in Yiddish, alongside his signature. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Vava Chagall. About EX £200 - 300
Henri Braun-Adam (1900-1977) Polish Photographer & Art Critic.
Valentina Chagall (c.1905-1993) Ukrainian second wife of artist Marc Chagall from 1952-85.
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VIEIRA DA SILVA MARIA
HELENA: (1908-1992) Portuguese-French Abstractionist Painter. A.N.S., Vieira da Silva, to the verso of a colour postcard featuring an illustration of her painting La Veranda (1948) to the recto, n.p., n.d., in French. In a somewhat shaky hand, in later years, Vieira da Silva sends her good thoughts and thanks for her correspondent's nice letter. EX £80 - 100
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AMERICAN ARTISTS: An American First Day Cover postmarked at Washington D.C., 4th November 1968, individually signed by five American Artists of the 20th century comprising Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), Jamie Wyeth (1946- ), Henriette Wyeth (1907-1997) and her husband Peter Hurd (1904-1984) and Jasper Johns
(1930- ). All have signed in bold blue or black inks with their names alone to clear areas. VG £80 - 100
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ARTISTS: Selection of signed cards and album pages by various artists and sculptors of the 20th century comprising Andre Lhote, Alexander Calder, Oskar Kokoschka (some light overall foxing), Jacob Epstein and Victor Vasarely. Generally VG to about EX, 5 £100 - 120
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SEARLE RONALD: (1920-2011) British Artist and Satirical Cartoonist. A good signed 8 x 10 photograph of Searle seated in a half length pose wearing a plain light coloured jacket and shirt. Signed in bold black fountain pen ink across a light area at the head of the image, 'All good wishes for bags of goals, Ronald Searle' and dated 1997 in his hand. To his jacket Searle has penned an emblem featuring the words Chester-le-Street Ladies FC. Together with Peter Blake (1932- ) English Pop Artist, co-created the sleeve design for The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of Blake seated in a full length pose. Signed by Blake in bold black ink across a light area at the head of the image, 'For Chester-le-Street Ladies F.C. with best wishes from Peter Blake'. VG to EX, 2 £80 - 120
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RUPERT BEAR: An original four panel drawing by artist John Harrold, being the original artwork for a Rupert Bear story entitled Rupert Bear and the Dragon Mystery which appeared in the Rupert Bear Annual of 1986, the black ink drawing on an acetate sheet mounted over the original watercolour drawings by Doris Campbell. Signed by Harrold in bold black ink to the upper border of the acetate. Various annotations to the verso of the 11.5 x 13.5 artboard indicate that this page was published on page 63 of the annual. G £80 - 100
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BLAKE QUENTIN: (1932- ) English Illustrator & Cartoonist. A good, original black pen and ink drawing signed by Blake, on an 8vo white card, n.p., 1998. The illustrator has drawn an amusing sketch of a young boy performing a cartwheel in mid-action, supporting himself with one hand on the ground. At his side appears a small duck wearing a top hat. Boldly signed and dated by Blake at the base. About EX £200 - 300
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SCHULZ CHARLES M.: (1922-2000) American Cartoonist, creator of the Peanuts comic strip. An excellent original signed 8.5 x 11 sketch by Schulz, the brown ink drawing depicting Snoopy standing in a full length pose with a thought bubble above his head in which appears the sentiment 'I hope you'll be very happy Melinda & Terry!'. Signed ('Schulz') by the cartoonist at the base. Neatly mounted and with a white matt affixed, 11 x 14 overall. Some extremely light, very minor age toning and wear, otherwise VG £300 - 400
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KANE BOB: (1915-1998) American Comic Book Artist, co-creator of the DC Comics superhero Batman. A black and gold foil oblong oval (8 x 4.5) sticker featuring the famous Bat symbol of Batman, signed by Kane in gold ink with his name alone. Still neatly affixed to the original backing sheet. EX £80 - 100
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MOONEY JIM: (1919-2008) American Comic Book Artist, famous for his work with DC Comics during the Silver Age of Comic Books. A good original signed pen and ink drawing of Batman and Robin by Mooney on a 12 x 17 sheet of white art paper. Signed by Mooney at the foot of the drawing. Some very slight, extremely minor corner creasing, VG £100 - 150
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BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN: An excellent original colour 18 x 12 pen and ink drawing of the American super heroes Batman and Superman, drawn by an unidentified artist (signed with their intitals TP and dated 2004 in their hand to the lower right corner) in the manner of Infantino & Anderson. The well executed drawing depicts Batman and Superman standing alongside each other in head and shoulders poses, with a host of seven other comic book heroes in the immediate background including Wonder Woman, The Flash. Green Lantern, Green Arrow etc. VG £200 - 300
Carmine Infantino (1925-2013) and Murphy Anderson (1926-2015) American Comic Book Artists, famous for their contributions to the characters of DC Comics in the Golden and Silver Age of Comic Books
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JOHNSON SAMUEL: (1709-1784) English Writer, Poet, Biographer and Lexicographer whose work A Dictionary of the English Language was published in 1755 and remained the pre-eminent English Dictionary until the Oxford English Dictionary was published 173 years later. Extremely rare Autograph Free Front panel, unsigned, addressed in Johnson's hand in bold ink 'To Mrs Thrale at Brighthelmstone, Sussex'. VG £400 - 600
Dr. Johnson's correspondent was Hester Thrale (1741-1821) British Diarist, Author and Patron of the Arts whose first husband was Henry Thrale (1724/1730?-1781) English Politician and close friend of Johnson. Hester Thrale's diaries and correspondence have proved an important source of information about Johnson and 18th century life.
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GRAY THOMAS: (1716-1771) English Poet & Classical Scholar. Book signed, being a small 8vo edition of Oeuvres Diverses de J. J. Rousseau, Tome Troisieme, ('Du Contract Social ou Principes du Droit Politique par J. J. Rousseau, Citoyen de Geneve'), published by Marc Michel Rey, Amsterdam, 1762, this being Gray's copy and signed ('T. Gray') by him in ink with his name alone to the engraved red and black printed title page. Additionally and contemporarily annotated and signed by two other individuals to the half title page, the first notation signed by John Dixon stating 'This book belonged to Mr. Gray' and the second, signed by Juliana Horatia Ewing ('daughter of the Rev. A. Gattey D.D. Vicar of Ecclesfield'), stating 'This book which belonged to the Poet Gray was given to me by Miss. Sarah Thompson, granddaughter of the above Rev. John Dixon, sometime Vicar of Ecclesfield, Yorks'. In the original paper wrappers (some damage) and contained in a folding box. Light overall age wear, G £1000 - 1500
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BYRON LORD: (1788-1824) British Poet, a leading figure in the Romantic Movement. Book signed, a hardback edition of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage - Canto III (1816) bound with Canto IV (1818), First Edition printed by Thomas Davison for John Murray, London, 1816/1818, being the first variant of the second issue with capital L of Lettre directly beneath lui of celui-la on title page and page 67 with the word Eagle (as opposed to Falcon in the second variant). Half title page present and bound with the notes and the poem A Very Mournful Ballad on the Siege and Conquest of Alhama. Signed ('Noel Byron') by Lord Byron in ink with his name alone to the head of the title page. Bound in calf with gilt stamped decoration to the edges, four raised bands to the spine. Some light staining to some pages, very slightly affecting the last two letters of Byron's signature, and with light overall age wear, G £2000 - 3000
Provenance: Accompanied by a loosely inserted letter signed by Dr. Peter Beal of Sotheby's, 13th December 1991, and relating to Lot 28 in the Sotheby's auction of 12th December 1991, and stating 'We are happy to confirm our definite opinion that two of the volumes in this lot were signed by Lord Byron, using the form of his name (“Noel Byron”) he adopted after the death of his mother-in-law in January 1822. Byron's signature was subject to variation, depending in part upon the speed with which he wrote, but close comparison with a number of facsimile examples leaves no doubt in our mind that his salient characteristics are present and that there is no indication of forgery'.
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SCOTT WALTER: (1771-1832) Scottish Novelist. D.S., Walter Scott, in the form of an endorsement, one page, slim oblong 8vo, n.p. (Edinburgh?), n.d. (November 1814). The manuscript document is a promissory note signed by John Ballantyne, issued at Edinburgh ('at our Counting house') on 18th November 1814 and states, in part, 'Four months after date we promise to pay to Walter Scott Esq. or order Two hundred & fifty pounds….'. Signed by Scott to the verso and also bearing a countersignature. With a blind embossed revenue stamp. Some very light, minor age wear, otherwise VG £100 - 150
John Ballantyne (1774-1821) Scottish Publisher, notable for his work with Walter Scott.
Anonymously, Scott wrote and published his first novel Waverley in 1814, the same year as signing the present document.
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DICKENS CHARLES: (1812-1870) English Novelist. Autograph envelope signed, addressed by Dickens to Henry Austin Esquire at 87 Hatton Gardens. With a red postal cancellation. Signed ('Charles Dickens') to the lower left corner. With the remnants of a red wax seal to the verso. Accompanied by a vintage unsigned sepia carte-de-visite photograph by Mason & Co of Old Bond Street, London, the albumen print depicting Dickens in a close-up portrait. With photographer's imprint to the lower mount and verso. Some light dust staining and age wear, otherwise VG, 2 £200 - 300
Henry Austin (d.1862) Artist & Architect, the brother-in-law of Dickens. Austin was married to the novelist's younger sister, Letitia Mary Dickens (1816-1893), from 1837.
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HARDY THOMAS: (1840-1928) English Novelist. A hardback edition of Moments of Love - Poems to Emma by Thomas Hardy, published by The Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1997, being an attractive manuscript facsimile and printed text of poems written by Hardy and inspired by his wife, Emma. With an original printed limitations page signed ('Thomas Hardy') by Hardy with his name alone in bold black ink lightly tipped in. Limited Edition number 153 of 157. Green leather quarter binding with green cloth covers and contained in a matching slipcase. Some extremely minor, very light age wear, VG £200 - 300
'The virulent attacks on General Franco in the Left Wing press are inexplicable'
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DOUGLAS ALFRED: (1870-1945) English Author & Poet, the intimate friend and lover of Oscar Wilde. An interesting A.L.S., Alfred Douglas, four pages, 8vo, Hove, Sussex, 19th November 1944, to [Collin Brooks] the Editor of Truth. Douglas announces 'The virulent attacks on General Franco in the Left Wing press are inexplicable except on the hypothesis that the “Left” is, as I have pointed out more than once, the Devil' and continues 'When the Spanish Civil War broke out there were accounts in all the papers of the activities of the “Reds” which took the form of raping nuns, digging up dead bodies from their graves, destroying churches & setting fire to priests after drenching them with petrol. The rage and fury of the Left wingers that because Franco in the face of great odds was able to smash the “Republicans” & put a stop to these infamies (though he did not prevent them from making off with most of the money in the National coffers) would be comic if it were not so diabolical. Considering the way Franco was treated in our gutter press (not excepting some soi-disant Conservative papers) it seems to me that Franco he has shown the most astonishing forbearance.' Douglas further writes 'If the “Left” fraternity had refrained from abusing & vilifying him & printing the most grotesque & obvious lies about the course of the Civil War we would undoubtedly have had Franco's active support in our own war instead of mere neutrality which was, all the same, very valuable to us' and also reflects 'The whole of Europe is now on the verge of anarchy & the triumph of Russia over Germany, satisfactory as it is, leaves us in a very anxious position in view of her attitude towards Poland and the Baltic states. A world made safe for Bolshevism is not exactly what we envisaged as the result of this war “for freedom”'. A letter of interesting content. Some slight paperclip rust stains to the head of the first and final pages, only very slightly affecting one word of text (the heading 'From Lord Alfred Douglas'). VG £200 - 300
Collin Brooks (1893-1959) British Journalist, Writer and Broadcaster. Editor of the British periodical publication Truth from 1941-53.
Francisco Franco (1892-1975) Spanish General whose partially successful coup led to the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Caudillo of Spain 1936-75.
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HUXLEY ALDOUS: (1894-1963) English Writer. A.L.S., Aldous Huxley, two pages, 8vo, Sanary-sur-Mer, 24th December 1930, to Mr. [G. H.] Grubb. Huxley thanks his correspondent for their letter and remarks 'Your association copy of St. John Adcock's book should be extremely interesting, and I wish you all success in your undertaking'. Some extremely light, very minor creases to the corners and edges. Together with Augustus John (1878-1961) Welsh Painter. Brief A.L.S., Augustus E John, one page, 4to, Mallord Street, Chelsea, 5th April 1922, to Grey. John sends his correspondent a cheque (no longer present) in payment for two years subscription to a club. Some light overall creasing, G to VG, 2 £100 - 150
G. H. Grubb - London Agent of the American Publishers G. P. Putnam's Sons.
Arthur St. John Adcock (1864-1930) English Novelist & Poet, editor of The Bookman.
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ORTON JOE: (1933-1967) English Playwright. Brief T.L.S., Joe, one page, 4to, London, 30th August 1966, to Mark. Orton writes, in full, 'Here is the letter (no longer present) I told you of. Would you take any details and let me have it back?'. Autographs of Orton are rare in any form following his tragic murder at the age of 34 when he was bludgeoned to death by his partner Kenneth Halliwell, who subsequently committed suicide. Some light creasing to the lower edge and corners, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG £200 - 300
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WORDSWORTH WILLIAM: (1770-1850) English Poet Laureate 1843-50. A good A.Q.S., William Wordsworth, one page, 4to, Rydal Mount, 2nd February 1850. In bold ink Wordsworth has penned a two line quotation, in full, 'For Me the humblest Flower that blows can give/ Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears'. Signed and dated immediately beneath the quotation and further inscribed by Wordsworth 'Written for his dear Friend Hannah Cookson' at the base. With blank integral leaf. Some light uniform age toning to the centre of the page, evidently the result of previous framing, and two small traces of former mounting to the upper two corners, and one very minor, neat split to the right edge of the central fold, otherwise VG £800 - 1200
The quotation chosen by Wordsworth is the final two lines from his Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood (1807) and differs from the published version (which features the word 'meanest' instead of 'humblest'). The work was first published simply as Ode in Poems in Two Volumes in 1807 and was later renamed by Wordsworth in 1815. Considered a masterpiece by critics, the poem alternates between passion and reflection, the heights of joy and the depths of gloom, and lays out Wordsworth's vision of early childhood as a sacred, dreamlike state closely connected to the eternity we came from and to which we will return.
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POET LAUREATES: Alfred Austin (1835-1913) English Poet Laureate 1892-1913. A.L.S., Alfred Austin, two pages, 8vo, Ashford, Kent, 24th January 1900, to
Mrs. LeSage. Austin sends a sincere acknowledgment to his correspondent for the interest they have shown in the publication of To Arms!, remarking 'I did not fail to see, & to be gratified, by the generous paragraph that appeared yesterday in The Daily Telegraph'. With blank integral leaf (slight traces of former mounting to the verso); John Masefield (1878-1967) English Poet Laureate 1930-67. A.L.S., John Masefield, two pages, oblong 8vo, Burcote Brook, Abingdon, n.d. (8th September 1964), to Mrs. Harris. Masefield thanks his correspondent for their kind note and remarks 'Writing must always be to some extent a matter of practice, based on a study of all good practice', adding that he will bring her some books which might help, showing some examples, and also remarking 'The main difficulty is to say just enough of the right thing'. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Masefield; Cecil Day-Lewis (1904-1972) English Poet Laureate 1967-72. A.L.S., C Day Lewis, two pages, 8vo, Greenwich, 1st December 1961, to Mr. Gielgud. Day-Lewis states, in part, 'I hope you won't think me churlish in refusing your invitation: but I'm just coming up for air after reading thousands of poems for the Guinness Awards, & very shortly I shall be involved in judging for the Hawthornden Prize. And that's all the judging I can manage without going out of my mind'. Some light creasing and very minor age wear, G to VG, 3 £100 - 120
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BETJEMAN JOHN: (1906-1984) British Poet Laureate 1972-84. T.L.S., Iain MacBetjeman, one page, 8vo, Cloth Fair, London, 5th November 1958, to John Rodgers. Betjeman writes, in full, 'Ta ever so for your letter. I will do what I can with The Daily Telegraph. But it is not much. I only go there about once a month.' Some light overall staining and minor creasing. Together with Rebecca West (1892-1983) British Author. A.L.S., Rebecca West, one page, 8vo, Ibstone, Buckinghamshire, 6th January 1959, to Mr. [John] Rodgers, stating how nice it was of him to write and inviting him to come and see them again. Some heavy overall creasing. Also including a T.L.S., Rebecca, one page, 8vo, New York, 30th June 1965, to 'My dear John', on the printed stationery of The Stanhope. West thanks her correspondent for his letter ('which makes me preen my whiskers') and remarks 'the audience in front of the podium were graduates in their violet-blue gowns, on each side their parents, who, when it rained, put up multi-coloured umbrellas', in a postscript adding 'You remember the French charmer, Madame Champetier de Ribes, of whom we talked? Did you know that she killed herself, six months before Beaverbrook died, and - most astonishing - that she was one of the most considerable heiresses in France, as her father and mother owned stacks of Credit Lyonnais shares?' FR to G, 3 £80 - 100
Sir John Rodgers (1906-1993) British Politician.
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BETJEMAN JOHN: (1906-1984) British Poet Laureate 1972-84. T.L.S., John Betjeman, one page, 4to, Cloth Fair, London, 5th January 1973, to 'Dear Vicar'. Betjeman announces 'Oh how lucky you are to be where you are, and how I wish I could be with you but I cannot', explaining that he has to be away in October ('it is one of the few times of the year I can be free to rest after the hard work of the summer months') and commenting on his recent ill health, causing him to cancel all his engagements before filming in the summer, and concluding 'My Doctor tells me that unless I do this, I could become quite ill, so I must heed his advice'. Together with a printed small 8vo menu for a luncheon offered by the Sunday Times to Cyril Connolly to mark his 70th Birthday, signed by Betjeman in bold black ink to the front cover, also adding his address at Radnor Walk and telephone number in his hand beneath his signature. VG to EX, 2 £80 - 100
Cyril Connolly (1903-1974) English Literary Critic & Writer.
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KIPLING RUDYARD: (1865-1936) English Author, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1907. A.L.S., Rudyard Kipling, one page, 8vo, Bateman's, Burwash, Sussex, 16th October 1906, to W. J. Skeffington, marked Private. Kipling thanks his correspondent for their letter and continues 'I felt that as an author I could not do less than make a strike at a system fundamentally bad', further adding that he trusts that all publishers and booksellers will renew and emphasize the message 'till the public are made to see the rights of the argument'. Some extremely light, very minor age wear, VG £100 - 150
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SHAW GEORGE BERNARD: (1856-1950) Irish Playwright, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1925. A.L.S., G. Bernard Shaw, on one side of a printed postcard from the Shakespeare Hotel, Stratford-on-Avon, 20th April 1920, to Mrs. Dawn. Shaw writes, in full, 'Under these circumstances I think you had better call the lecture Modern Political Economy. It is not an appetising title; but it is an educational one'. Some foxing and light overall creasing, G £150 - 200
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BUCK PEARL S.: (1892-1973) American Writer and Novelist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1938. T.L.S., Pearl S. Buck, one page, 4to, Perkasie, Pennsylvania, 6th March 1962, to Paul C. Sherbert, Executive Director of The Asia Society. Buck thanks her correspondent for a copy of Steps in Darkness by Krishna Baldev Vaid and continues to comment 'As it happens, I am leaving for India this week and I shall be happy to read this novel on the way, if I cannot read it before. Perhaps it will serve as a good introduction to India, after all these years'. VG £80 - 100
Krishna Baldev Vaid (1927- ) Hindi Fiction Writer and Playwright.
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BECKETT SAMUEL: (1906-1989) Irish Dramatist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1969. Brief A.L.S., Samuel Beckett, on one side of his personal printed correspondence card, n.p., 3rd April 1981, to a gentleman, in French. Beckett thanks his correspondent for their letter and for a review. EX £200 - 300
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GOLDING WILLIAM: (1911-1993) British Novelist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1983. Signed 5 x 8 photograph of Golding in a semi-profile head and shoulders pose. With a printed caption to the lower white border promoting Golding's novel The Paper Men (1984). Signed by Golding in blue ink with his name alone to a clear area of the image. EX £80 - 100
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NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS: Selection of signed pieces and cards by various Nobel Prize winners for Literature comprising John Galsworthy (1932), Eugene O'Neill (1936), Pearl S. Buck (1938), Halldor Laxness (1955), Heinrich Boll (1972), Czeslaw Milosz (1980), William Golding (1983), Wole Soyinka (1986), Seamus Heaney (1995) and Harold Pinter (2005). A few have typed or ink annotations in the hand of a collector. VG to EX, 10 £100 - 150
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VOLTAIRE: (1694-1778) nom de plume of Francois-Marie Arouet. French Enlightenment Writer, Historian and Philosopher. L.S., with his initial V, featuring seven lines of holograph text at the conclusion, two pages, 4to, Colmar, 2nd October n.y. (1754), to [Francois-Louis Defresnay], in French. Voltaire sends his correspondent a package (no longer present) which is of great importance and remarks 'If our friend Toinar goes to Paris to the Comedie from time to time, I would ask you to ask him to go and see a librarian named Lambert who sells good and bad books by the Comedie Francaise who would give him a package for me. If you could get Toinar to do this small errand, I would be greatly in your debt'. The writer also sends the compliments of Madame Denis ('she loves you with all her heart, and abuses your kindness tremendously. She uses your name with such liberty that it is starting to get embarrassing') and informs Defresnay that some boxes will be arriving soon which he hopes he will be able to fetch at Strasbourg in the future. Voltaire concludes the letter in his own hand, writing, in full, 'I should talk to you only about Colin and Nicette, and not at all about Toinard. People say that Colin and Nicette are charming. Strasbourg then is just like Ancient Greece where Orpheus put their verses to music. I'm sure you know I love you one hundred times more'. With blank integral leaf. A letter of charming content. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £2000 - 3000
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[HUGO VICTOR]: (1802-1885) French Poet & Novelist of the Romantic Movement. A 19th century manuscript copy of the Birth Certificate of Victor Hugo, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d., in French. The manuscript copy is an extract of the Civil Records of the municipality of Besancon, submitted to the Court Registry, the original of which was signed by Charles Antoine Seguin, Deputy Mayor of the commune, on the 8th day of the month of Ventose, tenth year of the Republic, confirming that Victor-Marie Hugo was born the previous day at half past ten in the evening and is the son of Joseph Leopol Sigisbert Hugo and Sophie-Francoise Trebuchet and that the gender of the child was acknowledged as being male, and further naming two witnesses as Jacques Delelee and Marie-Anne Dessirier. Elegantly penned in dark fountain pen ink and with some further manuscript notes in a different hand in red ink at the foot of the document, confirming that Hugo was born on the 26th February 1802 at 10.30pm and that the birth was registered and a certificate issued on 27th February 1802. With blank integral leaf. VG £200 - 300
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WALLACE LEW: (1827-1905) American Author of the historical adventure story Ben-Hur (1880) and a Union General in the American Civil War. Dark fountain pen ink signature ('Lew Wallace') on a 12mo card. One very slight ink blot to the final letter of the signature and some slight traces of former mounting to the verso, VG £80 - 100
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AMERICAN LITERATURE: A good selection of signed pieces and cards by various American poets, writers and novelists of the 19th century comprising Washington Irving, Henry Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry Ward Beecher, Frances Hodgson Burnett, John Greenleaf Whittier, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., William Cullen Bryant, Edward Everett Hale and Thomas Bailey Aldrich. G to VG, 10 £150 - 200
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HERLIHY JAMES LEO: (1927-1993) American Novelist & Playwright whose works include Midnight Cowboy. T.L.S., James Leo Herlihy, one page, 8vo, n.p. (New York), 5th April 1967, to Jean Bonnel. Herlihy announces 'The sentiments expressed in your letter are a wonderful and unexpected reward for having written Midnight Cowboy' and continues to add that he wishes he could write the letter in French in order to express his appreciation of Bonnel's generosity, further remarking 'If ever you come to New York I hope you will get in touch with me. It would be a pleasure to greet you'. Together with a signed and inscribed 8vo paperback edition of Un cow-boy de charme ('Midnight Cowboy'), French text edition published by Editions Stock, Paris, 1966. Signed and inscribed by Herlihy to the half title page, 'J'ai un ami a Foix, Il s'appelle Jean Bonnel - James Leo Herlihy' and dated New York, 4th April 1967 in his hand. To the inside front cover two portions of the original envelope in which the book was transmitted are neatly laid down, one with Bonnel's address in Herlihy's hand and the other with Herlihy's surname and return address in his hand. To the left edge of the front cover a partially printed thin strip of paper is affixed, the printed text featuring the novelist's New York address, signed ('James Leo Herlihy') with his name alone in black ink. Scarce. Some light age wear, generally VG, 2 £200 - 300
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FLEMING IAN: (1908-1964) British Author, creator of the secret agent James Bond. A.N.S., Ian F., one page, oblong 8vo, Kemsley House, London, n.d. (22nd/23rd December 1953), to Tony. Fleming writes, in full, 'Hear & Hear! & Happy Christmas to you both'. The author's note appears at the foot of a partially printed Memorandum form, completed in typescript, from G. Grafton Green to Fleming, dated 22nd December 1953, and stating, in full, 'We are accustomed to getting good service from [Antony] Terry in Berlin but I think he has really surpassed himself in his handling for us of the Kelly story at Hanover. It involved a good deal of very delicate manoeuvring and Terry brought his wife to help him, with the most satisfactory results. I am sure the presence of Mrs. Terry did a great deal towards establishing the sort of atmosphere in which negotiations could go on smoothly'. Signed by Grafton Green with his initials at the conclusion. Two file holes to the left edge, only very slightly affecting one word of printed text and not the signatures, otherwise VG £400 - 600
G. Grafton Green – Editor of the Empire News from 1949-57. The newspaper was part of the Kemsley Newspapers group until 1959, and it was merged into The News of the World in 1960.
Antony Terry (1913-1992) British Journalist, a former European Editor of The Sunday Times who was first hired in 1949 by Fleming (at the time the Foreign manager for the newspaper). Terry's obituary in The Independent stated that he was 'one of the paper's most valuable assets, a one-man listening post, a fastidious checker of facts, a burrower into dark corners and a traveller who never complained of fatigue'.
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FLEMING IAN: (1908-1964) British Author, creator of the secret agent James Bond. T.L.S., Ian Fleming, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 4to, London, 2nd May 1950, to Antony Terry in Berlin, on the printed stationery of Kemsley House and headed Restricted Circular Letter. Fleming states 'Influenced by the good grace with which correspondents accepted their token loss on devaluation over the past six months, the Chairman has decided that as from 1st April last payments to you will be at the hard currency rate ruling before devaluation' and adds that Mr. Smith, the Chief Accountant, will be in touch shortly in order to explain 'what this means in terms of actual income'. Two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature, VG £600 - 800
Antony Terry (1913-1992) British Journalist, a former European Editor of The Sunday Times who was first hired in 1949 by Fleming (at the time the Foreign manager for the newspaper). Terry's obituary in The Independent stated that he was 'one of the paper's most valuable assets, a one-man listening post, a fastidious checker of facts, a burrower into dark corners and a traveller who never complained of fatigue'.
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FLEMING IAN: (1908-1964) British Author, creator of the secret agent James Bond. D.S., I L Fleming, one page, 4to, London, 14th November 1951, marked 'Confidential'. The mimeographed document is the Mercury Circular Letter No. 123 and is headed A Reorientation of the Foreign Service. The document states, in part, 'The Foreign Service as operated for our small-sized newspapers is at present wasteful. Too much energy and expense is devoted to chasing spot news stories which in general are adequately covered by agency. Accordingly, during the next two or three weeks the cabled coverage will be progressively reduced and finally confined: A) to exclusive cables of local interest which would not be received from other sources, and B) to despatches specifically requested by individual editors….Thus the duties of our correspondents throughout the world will be confined to providing a supplementary service, exclusive to Kemsley Newspapers and designed to meet the individual requirements of our editors…..From the date of receipt of this memorandum string correspondents will be free to undertake assignments for opposition groups of British newspapers, but are requested to inform me when doing so, so that by-lines can be adjusted. The above does not apply to the cabled service provided for “The Sunday Times” which will continue to expect the full Mercury service at the weekend….' . Boldly signed by Fleming in blue ink at the conclusion with a more unusual form of his signature. Two file holes to the left edge and very slightly neatly trimmed to the upper and lower edges, not affecting the text or signature, VG £400 - 500
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LE CARRE JOHN: (1931- ) British Author of espionage novels, a former officer with the Secret Intelligence Service. A.L.S., David Cornwell, (his real name), two pages, 4to, Penzance, Cornwall, 27th May 2006, to Stacey. Le Carre announces 'Yes, tell your Dad I knew Bill Golding, went to his 80th b'day in Truro, & liked him very much on slight acquaintance' and continues to add that he wishes to put his correspondent in touch with an individual at his publishers 'who can tell you more about book-making and book-selling', adding 'Maybe it's something that cd. really interest you'. The author also states that they can send some photographs 'but I'm 75, have eleven grandchildren, and do not compare with Elvis in any way!' . A letter of interesting (and at times a little intriguing) content. VG £80 - 100
William Golding (1911-1993) British Novelist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1983.
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LE CARRE JOHN: (1931- ) British Author of espionage novels, a former officer with the Secret Intelligence Service. Souvenir T.Q.S., John le Carre, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. The quotation is taken from the opening passage of the spy novel The Russia House (1989) and commences, 'In a broad Moscow street not two hundred yards from the Leningrad station, on the upper floor of an ornate and hideous hotel built by Stalin in the style known to Muscovites as Empire During the Plague, the British Council's first ever audio fair for the teaching of the English language and the spread of British culture was grinding to its excruciating end….' Signed by the author in blue ink at the conclusion, further making a holograph correction to his printed name at the head, and offering an apology, 'le Carre (forgive!)'. EX £80 - 100
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