ELEANOR

The tale told anonymously by Charlotte Anne Moberly (1846-1937) and Eleanor Jourdain (1863-1924) in their 'An Adventure' (1911) is probably the most famous true-life ghost story of the twentieth century, and has been the subject of an enormous amount of analysis. For more information see the couple's entries in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. The present material is in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. It was assembled by Holroyd - a Sherlock Holmes expert - with the intention of writing a book on the subject. ONE.

4pp., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with short closed tears at heads of both leaves. The recipient is not named, but the letter is from the Lynd family papers. Robert Lynd was in St Ives at the time of writing, and the letter begins: 'I'm so glad you are in such a nice place & that the children can join you there. They will love it. London gets so odious by the 15th of July. I came her e last week as I was very tired, & sick of the stuffy feeling of everything.

Printed on one side of 9 x 13 cm card, with rounded corners, edged in silver. A tasteful example of Victorian printing, by a printer whose calling card boasted of his 'Specialities in the best class of work.' Very good, lightly-aged. The word 'Sonnet.' is printed at the head in gothic type, the rest being in roman. The poem begins: 'O GREATEST Poet of the living age! | For many a year to come thy fame will ring | Throughout the land. Grateful to thee, I bring | A simple tribute, writ on simpler page.' Beneath the sonnet, to the left, is the date 'June, 1892.', with 'E.

Seal on stone oval just over 1cm wide; in brass mount just over 3cm high, with handle in shape of a pillar topped with a ring (presumably for attaching to a chain or necklace). Wrapped in a 5.5 x 11 cm packet, made from folding a piece of 17 x 21.5 cm paper (with watermark of R. Turner of Kent), with the following written on it in a Victorian hand (presumably that of Eleanor Avena Blackburne, to whom the item was presented): 'Part of the Ocean Monarch burnt off the coast of Wales | August 1848 | Presented by Mr John Neilson'.

1p., landscape 12mo. On aged and lightly-creased laid paper ('PRO PATRIA' watermark), with chipping to extremities. On reverse, in another hand: 'At Northampton a Monument at the Inn'.

5pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The letter begins: 'Dear Freda | I think you may like to hear about your doll & the Princess Mary. The doll had a beautifully written card tied to it, saying it was the work of the youngest member of the Freeland Institute. Then it was put on a table with the basket of flowers for the Queen.

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He writes that he has brought Miss Smith Dampier's play 'A Great Gentleman' up to London with him, and that it will be at Melrose's office in the afternoon. 'I have read it - but I do not like it as well as The Queen's Minister, from my own point of view, I mean. | The writing, of course, is what one would expect after reading Miss Smith Dampier's former play - but I had got a long way into the story before it gripped me'. He names the only two scenes which he sees 'vividly'.

One page, 12mo, good condition, saying that illness and the consequences of an accident have prevented him responding courteously to the "notice of my Xmas story in Liverpool Mercury".

12mo, 16 pp. Stapled. In original pink printed wraps, with engraving of the two women, on a country path, on cover. Good, on lightly aged and dusty paper. Cutting of photograph of marble memorial to the couple loosely inserted. Scarce: the only copy on COPAC at Oxford, by whom it is dated to the 1920s. Main title on front wrap, with the title given at the head of the text being 'Lady Eleanor Butler and the Hon. Miss Ponsonby.'

16mo, 1 p. In a bifolium. Seven lines. Clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. In stamped, addressed envelope. Asks if Chittenden will 'come to luncheon' on one of the two following days, as Sidgwick 'hardly saw' her on the previous day.

Total 4pp., 4to, with two surviving envelopes addressed in his hand, some corrections and additions, good condition. They are corresponding about Eleanor Farjeon and (Jan. 1965) Ardizzone sends him a letter from her to him "which should enable you to find the poem I mentioned. If I had a copy of 'Silver sand & Snow' I would be able to spot it at once. Alas I haven't got one. | It would certainly pay Eleanor's Estate & me included, if I am to illustrate it on a royalty basis, to offer it at once to Walek [agent?] & cut out Oxford.

Three issues, 12-8-1928, 13-8-1928 and 4-9-1928 (incomplete), 12 pp., 4to, not bound, loose pages as issued (with paper clip), marked by paper-clip rust, mainly good. The first two are also headed "Final Edition", and are vil. 1, nos.1,2. The third has only a title. Much of it is spoof with the rest light-hearted, making copy out of events and people that occur during a holiday. J. Jefferson Farjeon features frequeently with a sprained ankle, breaking the golf-course record (a 6 hole course), and there is news of other members of the family and friends who visit inc.

Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by two and a half inches. Very good. Folded once (not affecting signature). From an autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of blue paper. Reads '[...] | It was a real pleasure | to see you again the other | day. | Yours afftely | E C Price -'. Docketed in pencil at foot.