Autograph Journal, by Amy Mary Irving Driberg, mother of the Labour Party politician Tom Driberg [Baron Bradwell], titled 'Tom - School' and containing entries on his schooldays.

14pp., 12mo. In ruled notebook bound in black cloth. Titled 'Tom - School' at head of first page, with small section cut away from the front cover to make this visible. In fair condition on lightly-aged paper, with one slightly dogeared corner and light staining to blank leaves at the rear. Written while Driberg was between the ages of five and thirteen, and with the handwriting more untidy towards the end. Of interest not only for the information it gives regarding Driberg's childhood, but also for the light it casts on the education of middle-class English boys in the period immediately preceding the Great War. The first three entries read: '1910. | Sept. 27th. Tom has been going daily to Lady Osborn's from 16 July for some simple lessons with Dorothy Osborn under Miss Wright the Governess. The Osborns leave Crowborough tomorrow so Tom went for the last time today | Sept 27 Wrote to Miss Hooker that Tom wd go to their Kindergarten school from Monday 3 Oct | Oct 3. Baly went for first time today to Miss Hookers. I left him - they brought him back.' The fifth page is headed '1913 | Tom goes to the Grange on the 22nd. April. To-day sent the following admission paper - [...]'. The eleventh page begins: '1917 | After missing last term on acct of appendicitis Tom returned to School on Saturday 27th Jany'. The last entry (30 July 1918) concludes: 'Recd acct today from Mr Frank with report &c & sent him cheque for £10. 3. 2'. Accompanying the journal is a map, in an unknown hand, drawn in pencil and ink, of towns between Portsmouth and Shoreham on the English south coast .