BLOND

1p., narrow 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He explains that he has 'not written since my Vol in 1920 any Book on Le Blond except the one just published of which I enclose the Prospectus & do not contemplate any other'. He points out the differences between the two volumes and ends with an offer of help.

The collection is in very good condition, though items are lightly creased and a tad grubby. ITEM ONE: Memorandum of Agreement, 26 February 1963, between Anthony Blond Limited and Benedictus (of 'Winter Lodge, Cookham Dean, Berkshire'), for 'You're a Big Boy now' (published by Blond in 1963). Signed; initialed 'D. H. B.' [David Henry Benedictus] twice. Three pages, folio. Staple attached at head of first leaf of bifolium. Advance of £250 and discussion of royalties and percentages.

All three items good, on lightly aged paper. The first two items were formerly attached to one another by a pin. ITEM ONE (one page, folio): Blond to Ali, 6 December 1967, on letterhead of Anthony Blond Ltd, Publishers. Characteristically punchy letter of clarification, headed 'WHO Really Is WHO', and beginning 'This is just to clarify the situation between us'. A list of eight points, the first of which reads 'You are wholly employed compiling this book at a salary of £1,500 per annum for one year.

The Memorandum is a four-page folio (leaf size roughly fourteen inches by nine and a half) bifolium. In very good condition, lightly creased and folded. It details Mrs Wright's royalties (as 'proprietor'), advance and percentages. The paperback rights agreement consists of four typewritten pages, on four leaves, each roughly thirteen inches by eight, stapled together at the head beneath green tape. Very good, though lightly creased and with some fraying to tape. It is signed by the Hamilton & Co. chairman Joseph and witnessed by his secretary E. M. Holloway.

One page, A4. In poor condition: creased and dogeared with several closed tears and a staple in the top left-hand corner. With 'not valid' in ms in top right-hand corner. The contribution, to be delivered by 1 August 1965, was to have been five thousand words in length, 'at the rate of 10 guineas for each thousand words of the contribution'. In the event it was replaced by Maureen Duffy's piece on 'Lesbianism in London'. Signed by 'Cressida Lindsay' and by 'Desmond Brian' on behalf of Blond.

One page, A4. Creased, dogeared and with a few small closed tears. The contribution was to be five thousand words in length, 'at the rate of 10 guineas for each thousand words'. Signed by 'Gillian Freeman', and by 'Desmond Brian' on behalf of Blond. Docketed record of two payments of fifty guineas in red ink manuscript in top right-hand corner.

4 pages, folio. Somewhat grubby and creased, but in good condition overall. A standard Blond printed contract with manuscript additions and deletions. Signed 'Nelson W Aldrich /' and Anthony Blond'. The work does not appear to have been published.

Poet and critic (born 1929), friend of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, now best known as a poker player. In good condition. On one side each of 3 4to pages, neatly stapled to a piece of card. '[...] concerning a work at present entitled: | THE IRON CURTAIN SPY | Edited and compiled | by | Al Alvarez | [...]'. The authors name corrected by him in manuscript from 'Al' to 'A.' The first two pages initialled by Alvarez and the last page signed by him.

English novelist, born 1938. The memorandum is 4 pages on a 4to bifoliate. Several printed clauses deleted, and with the terms inserted in typescript. Two signatures: Newman's and another illegible (Blond's?), as well as that Newman's agent Robin Dalton, whose appointment is confirmed in a typewritten clause. Newman's book 'The Cage' was published by Blond in 1966. The agreement, on one side each of four 4to pages, is between Blond and Panther Books Limited. Signed by secretary and managing director of Panther Books. It is in good condition, but creased and with some fraying at foot.

4 pages on 4to bifoliate. Several printed clauses deleted, and with the terms inserted in typescript. Two signatures: one is Adler's and the other, illegible, is probably Blond's. A typewritten additional clause appoints Scott Meredith Inc. of New York as his literary agents. According to the British Library catalogue 'Love Letters to the Beatles. Selected by B. Adler. Illustrated by Osborn.' was published by Blond in 1964.

English playwright, screenwriter and director, born 1946. 4 pages, folio bifoliate. On yellow paper. Stain at head of first page and somewhat creased, but in good condition overall. The contract is printed for Anthony Blond Limited by Frank Rook Ltd. The relevant passages are filled in in manuscript, including a description of the work to be published as a 'selection of poetry written by the author for inclusion in a volume provisionally entitled Blondbooks Poetry 2'. There does not appear to be any record of this book in the British Library catalogue.