Three Typed Letters Signed ('Geoffrey Taylor' and 'G. T.') from the poet Geoffrey Taylor of the Poulk Press to Peter and Felicity [Rhodes], on printing and pricing. With signed copy of his Poulk Press chapbook, 'four poems for christmas 1939. g. t.'

The three letters are in fair condition, on aged paper. On a total of four letterheads, each with the names 'Nancy Nicholson | Geoffrey Taylor' printed in red ink in the top left-hand corner. Letter One: From 'Geoffrey Taylor' to Peter [Rhodes]. 18 August [1938?]. 1p., landscape 12mo. He is enclosing paper, and reports that the 'envelopes will come to two shillings a hundred, which is more than I said. It occurs to me that this paper about matches the stamped envelopes supplied by P.M.G., and they are cheap - not really, of course, because one pays for them twice; once by taxation and once over the P.O. counter - what about using them?' Letter Two: 'G. T.' to Peter [Rhodes]. 26 September [1938?]. 1p., landscape 12mo. He is not at fault 'for not sending proofs' and is sending more paper. He hopes to see them 'both again some time'. 'Mary goes to London tomorrow to have her baby. After that, if there isn't a war - which at the moment seems both inevitable and impossible - we must arrange it.'. Letter Three: From 'Geoffrey' to Felicity [Rhodes]. 5 November 1938. 2pp., landscape 12mo. He apologises for the blocks being 'too big to go into my press. Pitty, [sic] because it's a nice design and nice symbolism.' If he had 'infinite time' he might be 'able to cope with them on my big century-old press, but from my point of view, with a baby to contend with, time is practically at an end; and it would in any case be a tricky job.' He advises her to 'give the lassie the blocks and let her make her own arrangements for printing. There's nothing more irritating than having a commission cheerfully accepted as a gift; but it's always better to give than to accept too little - I should say at least £5 - 5 for that design - allowing that you've still got your reputation to make.' He suggests that she 'let the girl know that you would ordinarily charge five guineas. One is valued entirely on one's own valuation.' He reports that Nancy Nicholson charged three guineas 'for the little designs that were reproduced with our letterheadings in "Home & Gardens" last month - that is for the designs on paper.' He considers that, 'Within limits, the more an artist charges, the better thought of her/his work is.' The birth of his child has surrounded 'our new-born ray of light' with 'Chaos, confusion, and egyptian darkness'. In a postscript he apologises again for not being 'able to do the blocks'. Chapbook: printed on one side of a 28 x 21 cm leaf, folded twice to make four pages. In poor condition, with wear to cover and closed tear along outer fold. Cover, signed in pencil 'Geoffrey Taylor', with decorative border printed in black and title in green. The chapbook contains the poems 'War', 'In the City', 'Rare Calling' and '1919-1939', the last of which reads: 'No use crying over years | Of milk spilt in one reckless flood: | But, if they must dilute it, tears | Were surely preferable to blood.' The chapbook is excessively scarce, with no copy listed on COPAC or OCLC WorldCat.