LITERATURE

Octavo: 8 pp. Unbound, stapled pamphlet of six leaves. Dogeared, with rusted staples and with horizontal band of discoloration and two vertical closed tears (2 cm and 1 cm) at head.

Association founded in England in 1921 to promote the interests of writers worldwide. First item, two pages, 12mo; next four, one page, 12mo; last item, one page, octavo. All good, though lightly creased and on discoloured paper. All have two punch holes. Item one with staple marks in top left-hand corner. The collection consists of instructions to the printer of the association's journal 'P.E.N. News'.

Two pages, quarto. On aged paper, with several closed tears and loss at foot and remains of stub in margin, but with text clear and entire.

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.

Three pages, 12mo. Very good. The blank verso of the second leaf of the bifolium laid down on remains of leaf detached from autograph album. Begins 'At length by certain Proofs 'tis plain (to quote a hymn familiar to my childhood but forgotten now all but that first line) that the readers of Macmillan will know all that is to be known about the mistletoe, thanks to your labours, before Christmas.' He hopes she has received the proofs, and says that 'Grove, the Editor, writes to me that they are in type & he is forwarding them to Ickleton'.

Two pages, quarto. Very good, on lightly aged and creased paper. He is sorry that he has not been able to 'become personally acquainted with' Watts since coming to town, but will 'very soon make another attempt', hoping to find him at home.

One page, 16mo. Good. Six lines. He may be 'giving some lectures in London shortly'. 'If I could make it worth my while to deliver them at some of the leading provincial towns, I might possibly arrange to do so. Therefore any information you could give me on the subject, I should be only too happy to have'.

Two pages, 16mo. Very good. Twenty-two lines, attractively written in purple ink beneath a letterhead printed in bright red. With postmarked envelope, addressed in autograph and carrying a penny stamp. He thanks her for sending him a copy of her book 'The Luck of John Seaton'. 'It reached me down in the country where, strange to say, I was already half way through it. I bought it at the railway station & had not arrived at the name of the author, when I received your letter. They ought to always put the name on the cover.' He enjoyed the story 'from beginning to end'.

12mo: 1 page. On lightly stained paper with remains of mounts adhering to the four corners. Although honoured, he cannot accept the invitation to address the University Literature Society, 'this term at any rate'. 'I have at present a course of lectures twice a week at the Temple; & in February I have to being and carry on until Easter a course of lectures which will require much research & care'. He also has 'an unfinished volume in hand'.

On one side of the card. Dimensions, 8.5 x 11 cms. Very good. Neat inscription reading 'For Charles Wilson | with Alec Waugh's best wishes | July. 31. 1948 /.'

One page, 12mo. Good, on lightly aged paper with some traces of previous mount adhering to blank reverse. He sends 'a thousand thanks' (for her invitation), but will 'then be over the seas & far away. I wish you the very pleasantest afternoon.' Sends his regards to her husband.

One page, 12mo. On grey paper. Very good, with two small labels from previous mounting adhering to edges. Beale's most notable work is perhaps 'Traits and Stories of the Welsh Peasantry' (1849). Reads '<...> Trusting you will forgive and forget my lack of Memory, believe me | Affectionately Yours | [signed] Anne Beale. | 68 Belsize Road. N.W. | January 22. 1896'. Beale died at this address in 1900.

Irregularly-cut piece of paper, roughly 2 x 9 cms. Good, strong signature on very good, lightly aged paper. In purple ink. Reads 'Every sympathe | =tically V. Ouida'. Minor traces of previous brown-paper mount on reverse.

Eighteen pages, octavo, with four plates on art paper. In original grey printed wraps. Some light staining, creasing and wear. One of 600 copies. Lists seventy-seven items, with addenda of a further eleven. This milestone catalogue was published, according to Sims (A Life in Catalogues, 1994), in May 1949. At foot of title-page: 'N.B. This collection, with the exception of the Addenda of Books, has been sold.'

Three pages, octavo. Very good on lightly aged paper. Interesting communication from one of the nineteenth-century's leading historians to another, with an evaluation of Froude's work by Motley. He is disappointed that Froude's visit to London precedes his own. He has been in Brussels since January, 'occupied with an important <?> correspondence', and is on his way to join his family in Nice. Gives plans for the summer (Switzerland, Germany and London). Thanks the Warrens for their kind remembrance.

Dimensions roughly four and a quarter inches by eight wide. Good on lightly aged paper, and with traces of previous grey-paper mount adhering to reverse, which is docketed, in a nineteenth-century hand, 'Handwriting of the Author of Lorenzo de Medici'. Also docketed in left-hand margin of recto. Begins 'One of the most fatal enemies to the tranquility & happiness of human life is that jealous & timid apprehension which foresees evils at too great a distance, & often imagines them when they do not exist'. Initialled in top left-hand corner.

One page, quarto. Good, on piece of watermarked laid paper, with small closed tear at foot of right-hand margin. He is 'once more' returning the play, 'having made the further omissions which you propose. | With many thanks for your kindness, in the ready attention you give to a matter of infinite moment to me'.

[Title continued] . . . Divided into Centuries and Millennial Periods, from the Creation to the Present Time., Broadsheet, 32 x 41cms, some marking, nicks tears at folds, text complete and clear comprising approximate dates and events during six millennia, during three "Dispensations" - the "Patriarchal", Mosaic", and Christian. An aid the a child's learning of history. BBTI records Wilson and Douglas but expresses doubt whther he was a publisher and restricts his activity ot 1827 (now by this item, [1832]. No copy found on COPAC or BLC.

Dimensions roughly three-quarters of an inch by five inches wide. Good, with glues staining from previous mounting to edges of reverse. Reads '<...> | for the right of translation - I remain, my dear Sir, your most | obedient faithful Servant | [signature] C F R de Montalembert | I shall be happy to look through the rest of the Introduction, if you think it useful.' On reverse '<...> | to be very unpalateable to those who <...>'.

16mo. 194 pages. In original stamped binding. Grubby and spotted, with wear to binding and fraying at foot of spine. Lithographic frontispiece and title by W. Monkhouse of York. Translation of 'La mare au diable', preceded by 27-page memoir. Possibly a piracy of Francis George Shaw's 1850 edition (London: George Slater). No copy in British Library.

LETTER (9 December 1954; 71 Carter Avenue, Exmouth, Devon; one page, 12mo, good in stamped, addressed envelope): Discusses accompanying eight-line errata slip correcting 'a stupid mistake' in 'The Ostrakon': 'I was so wrapped up in the related problem that I failed to see the point you were making [...] Luckily The Ostrakon has not yet been generally distributed, so the correction is in time.' Signed 'L. A. S. Jermyn'. PAMPHLET: fifteen pages, small octavo. Unbound, in original printed wraps. Good, though slightly aged and creased. Unobtrusive ink marks at foot of front wrap.

Two pages, 12mo. Very good on aged paper, with small closed tear at head not affecting text. Appears to concern an exhibition of women painters. Wants to 'personally thank' her for 'the privilege of having seen the International & in particular, your charming pictures. 'Early Morning' has quite carried away my heart! But the others are very fine. it must be so difficult, & so interesting to paint grey darkness. [...] Nothing of Miss Lister's there having in my opinion come up to her 'Builth Bridge' which we have. [...] Next to it I like 'A lonely Tree'.

Two pages, quarto. Very good, with a little wear and light creasing. 'I often think of those days, & how timid & shy & stupid I was! Yet I enjoyed myself too, & shall never forget your great kindness, & the help you gave me. Since then I've had many adventures & experiences. I am not the thing I was!' She has been in London for the winter, and hopes they will be able to meet. 'We're so glad you like "Yellow Sands" - & I'm very pleased you like "Tomek". She has 'just finished another novel & play'. Asks what has become of a number of common acquaintances.

One page, 12mo. Very good, if a tad grubby. Thanks Draper for his 'amiable but unconvincing' note. 'Do you not know that I was irritated into bad language by being accused of "d - d impertinence? This, too, before I said a discourteous word. - Goodman [the writer Edward John Goodman], of course, rules the Committee [of the Savage Club] and even you have listened to the voice of that Israelitish charmer.' Concludes 'Mais n'importe. Either this evening or tomorrow I send in my resignation. I will neither apologize, nor renew the matter in cold blood.' Signed 'Henry S. Leigh'.

Three pages, 12mo. Very good. The letterhead, in red, carries Mayhew's crest, with his initials 'HM' and motto 'LABOR VINCIT'. An insight into doings within the Mayhew family. As her correspondent has 'not been here', she is concerned that she 'must have offended you in some way or another'.

One page, 12mo. Good, though aged and foxed. 'My best thanks & gratitude for your noble notice | Were you ever in low spirits If so sympathise with me I feel as if I would never wish to be acted again . . Chastelard the first night my god almighty ! ! ! - | Your sincere friend | W G Wills'. Chastelard is a character in Wills's play 'Marie Stuart' (1874).

Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with some light glue stains on reverse, to which a small printed strip giving a printed list of Mrs Charles's works is attached. 'I was hoping to hear your boy was better - & I am very glad he is - thanks - but I am engaged on Thursday, & for some little time to come - so many people from all quarters coming just now & I hope you may be able to come & see me before very long'. Signed 'Bettie Charles'.

Illustrated by [George] Cruikshank, pp.[xviii].556, 8vo, hf.lea., apparently rebacked (inc. corners), front board detached, contemporary marbled boards and endpapers, covers bumped, contents sound and clean.

In very good condition, on a greetings card containing a reproduction of an illustration of a black cat by Barry Moser, from Godden's translation of Carmen Bernos de Gasztold's 'Prayers from the Ark'. The prayer, in Godden's hand (and probably one of her translations from the book) reads 'Lord, I am the Cat. It is not exactly that I hahve something to ask of you! No - I ask nothing of anyone - but, if you have by some chance, in some celestial barn. a little white mouse, or a saucer of milk. I know someone who would relish them.

One page, small octavo. Very good, though with a little offsetting of ink from folding of letter, and a small closed tear at head. A reply to a request for an autograph - in a close, neat, hand - reading 'Dear Sir | With much pleasure as I assure you that I am | Sincerely yours | Alfred Sutro'.