47 Autograph Letters Signed, 3 Typed Letters Signed and 3 Autograph Cards Signed, from the author 'Charles Inge' [Captain Charles Inge Gardiner] to his literary agent

An interesting correspondence by an author about whom little is known. The 54 items (including one TLS to Gardiner from Methuen & Co Ltd) are in fair condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper. Four letters are signed 'Chas. Inge' and the others 'Chas. I . Gardiner'. The earliest items (1904-1911) are on the letterhead of 'CHAS. I. GARDINER', Blenheim Mansions, Queen Anne's Gate, London; thereafter he moves to 9 Irving Mansions, Queen's Club Gardens, West Kensington, and thence, while serving in the First World War, to York. In the course of the ten years of correspondence Gardiner's hand becomes so stylised as to be almost illegible. The correspondence reflects the frustration of a failed author: with Gardiner more often than not submitting manuscripts, and then complaining when Pinker can't place them. On 19 October 1915 he writes, following the rejection by Methuen & Co of his 'Flashes of London': 'But don't let it be a case of not giving up hope. Push it through. You can do it - and there's profit in it. Make a special effort between now and the time it will be too late for a Christmas book.' The first letter (an ALS dated 2 December 1904) enquires of Pinker whether 'it is at all likely" that he can 'do anything' with Gardiner's book 'The Hunting of the Barque'. The last letter (a TLS dated 6 April 1920 from Clovelly, Crowborough) severs his connection with Pinker. The first paragraph reads: 'I have come to the conclusion that I had better paddle my own canoe. I daresay this decision will not come as a surprise to you; nor do I imagine that you will be at a loss for some of the reasons. But I am burying all "bones" and only wish to record my thanks for what you did for me - once upon a time.' In the third paragraph he complains that Pinker has not been 'much help' in retrieving the 'copies or sheets' of two of his books from the bankrupt publishers Eveleigh Nash. The fourth paragraph reads: 'I terminate so long a relationship with some reluctance. But our ideas of an Agent's services seem to differ. And I must decide what sort of services are of value to me; while you decide what sort of services you are prepared to give. That is about all there is to it.' From around 1916 much of the correspondence concerns Gardiner's suspicion that Pinker is not adequately promoting his manuscript 'Flashes of London'. On 19 January 1916 he asks Pinker to send him 'a list of the publishers who have seen "Flashes" and also those you propose sending it to in the future. I want to know the position.' The Methuen letter to 'Captain C. Gardiner, 39, Bootham, York' is dated 27 July 1916, and states that 'in our opinion the present time is not auspicious for the publication of "Flashes of London" and we can only issue the book if you are willing to bear practically the whole expense of its production.' Of his best-known book, 'The Pagan' he writes in September 1918: 'I think it may make a little noise. It deals with a schoolmaster obsessed by German success initiating a school of "Efficiency" and extending the methods to his own small son. The consequence disillusionment which includes "2 years" for the manslaughter of his remaining partner gives hope for his reformation.'