FLOWER

In good condition, on aged card. Addressed to 'Erich Alport Esqe. | 195 Woodstock Rd. | Oxford'. The card reads: 'By dint of putting them up to their necks in water every night, all the peonies came out & are only just scattering their petals. I have been flower viewing all the week - two magnificent gardens & the Chelsea show. It was very nice to see you. I hope you will propose yourself again - after I get back from abroad.'

All three items in very good condition, in superior bindings. ONE (Voltaire catalogue): Written out by Flower in his neat, calligraphic hand, on the rectos only of 102 leaves, 8vo, with some blanks. In very good condition, in a lightly-wrn red morocco quarter binding, with grey boards and gilt title on spine. Entries are short and businesslike, as the following two examples indicate: 'Commentaire sur le livre des Délits et des Peines, s.l., 1766. Bengesco 1724. pp. viii + 120. A pretty copy in contemporary scarlet morocco. Ex libris Mortimer L. Schiff. | Ditto, s.l., 1766. pp. 104 + iii.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with part of stub from mounting adhering to the reverse. The letter reads: 'Dear Flower, | Can you direct one of your subordinates to send me the documents relating to a young man entering your department? I have been asked to find out all about it & so venture to trouble you. Yours truly | Chrisr. Heath'. Docketted by Flower in the top left-hand corner: 'Schedules relating to Assistants - Attendants & Boy-Attendants sent | 8/vii/95.'

Both issues 32pp., small 4to. Both printed on art paper, and profusely illustrated with black and white photographs. The first issue with lilac cover, and the second with orange cover. Both in good condition, with slight spotting to the cover of the first. No. 1 has an editorial titled 'What It's All About', followed by articles on subjects including the 'Festival Of The Flower Children at Woburn Abbey'; the Flamingo Club in Wardour St; 'John Peel Gives His Views . .

4pp., 12mo. Very good, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of stub adhering to margin. He has received Flower's 'catalogue'. 'I was sure you wd. be delighted with Egypt. It has so much to tell us about man & nature. The early stages of mans progress, & the variety of nature.' Zincke would like 'time to look into things & to think about them': he was in Egypt 'only as many weeks as you were months'.

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Letter One (27 April 1865): 12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium. Seventeen lines. He is sorry not to have been able to accept Flower's hospitality: 'Let us hope to meet about Whitsuntide for the pilgrimage to Firle'. He is eager for information for his 'Sussex Worthies'. 'My eldest dau[ghte]r's marriage & the starting of my eldest son on his professional career cost money, & every 30s. [subscription) will help.' Letter Two (9 November 1865): 12mo, 1 p. 13 lines. He has received the 30s.

The collection is in very good condition. Fletcher's letter (12mo, 2 pp) contains several autograph corrections, and its presence with Flower's reply suggests that, although signed, it may be a draft. Fletcher was pleased to see Flower at the Bib. Soc. meeting. 'Since then I have been turning over in my mind a project which may interest you.' His paper is 'based on material I have gathered for a bibliography of English splendid occasions', which is 'nearly ready and I hope to issue it, by private subscription, later this year'.

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.