NOVEL

One page each, 4to and 8vo, good condition.[1990?) I wouldn't mind talking to your students but I'm not at all sure I'd be any good as a Tutor [...] In fact I might have an adverse effect on [?] students if I had to set projects and then read what they had written. I don't think I'm an adequate judge of other people's work: I know when I'm satisfied with my own work but that's as far as my judgment goes. Still I'm all in favour of encouraging writing, which is what your course sets out to do"; (1991) "I am off to Scotland for a bit but my wife Nancy will forward my letters.

2pp., 12mo. On grey paper. In good condition, lightly creased. She begins by thanking him for his 'very kind letter': 'It is always such an encouragement to me to hear that someone has liked my books, especially someone far away in India.

4pp., 16mo. On bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper. He begins: 'No - I am not going to write the sequel to The City [his 1909 book 'The City of Beautiful Nonsense'] - but I am now hard at work on a book that is going to give me more pleasure to do than anything I have done yet. It is all laid in Ireland - which I have not written of for some years - & I believe will be as interesting to read as it is engrossing to me to write.' He asks him to 'go & see my play "Driven" when Johnson does it - some time this month in New York - & let me know - in

2pp., 16mo. Twenty-two lines of text, written in small, neat style. From the papers of the subject of the letter, Stephen John Aldrich. In an era when the making of such an appeal as Aldrich's father's was commonplace, this is a remarkably well-written response: a model of tact and consideration. It reads: 'My dear Sir, | I most sincerely wish that I could be of any use to you in finding some opening for your son, but I fear that it is out of my power to help you.

4pp., 4to. Fair, on lightly aged and creased paper, with a few closed tears. The letter begins: 'Dear Lynd: I have been very ill and after two months in bed and an introduction to what Marley called "the thick, sweet smell of chloroform" I have been sent down here to get better - with the word of specialist and doctor that when I am well again I shall be better than I have been for a long time. This I write because I have often thought of writing to tell you how much I relish your papers.

In good condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. Galsworthy writes: 'Dear Evans | Here is the MS. Price £300 [amended from 315] less half your Commission £30. = £285. nett. | Sincerely yours | John Galsworthy'. For such a short message, the manuscript shows signs of indecision: the latter part, from the word 'less', has clearly an addition, and the word 'half' has been inserted with a caret. While the manuscript referred to may well be the second collection of Forsyte Novels, 'A Modern Romance', published by Heinemann's in 1929, Galsworthy's price does seem rather cheap.

Card, address and text as normal, fold mar, sl. chipped, fair condition. "So sorry, but as you see I am far away, having my holiday. We seem always to miss each other. I hope we may have better luck." Note: "Mainly Victorian" by S. M. Ellis, mentions Machen, London, 1925," and Ellis reviewed Machen'swork.

One page, 17.5 x 12cm, 8 lines, heavy grey paper, corner smudged, good condition. Title "Thought". "Give me thought - glorious thought [...] | To the sight of a flower; | Though it trembles and shrinks | From the touch of its thorn." Note: She was not known for her verse.

One page, 8vo, good condition, commences [title] NOTICE | The Managers of the ..............School consider it necessary, in consequence of the existence of Scarlet Fever in the neighbourhood [...] People are warned not to send children to school if there is illness inthe house of any sort, giving the circumstances for penalties (usually £5 fine), and outlining symptoms. Any householder swith illness in the hosue shouldcontact William Bishop Harmer, the Sanitary Inspector of the District.

1p., 12mo. On thick deckled-edge paper. He apologises for the delay in sending a copy of his 'Iron Pirate', due to a delay in receiving it from the publishers.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Ainsworth begins: 'My dear Mr. Fullom, I am happy to tell you that you are under a great mistake. Your manner, on the occasion you refer to, produced the most favourable impression upon me.' Fullom 'exhibited great delicacy and modesty', and Ainsworth 'stated as much to Mr. Hurst'. The omission was in fact on Ainsworth's own part, in neglecting to thank Fullom for his 'flattering proposal to dedicate your romance to me'.

2pp., 4to. 53 lines. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of previous mounting at head, and a light and unobtrusive water stain. The letter is headed by Rose 'Y.M.C.A. B.A.P.O.2 B.E.F. France'. Regarding Sheppard's recently-published 'Quest of Ledgar Dunstan', Rose writes: 'You have a wonderfully keen mental eye which sees everything with extraordinary sharpness, & you have a literary hand which etches with just & delicate touch. The book is also one of singular intensity of feeling which carries the reader along fascinated & thrilled.

On piece of paper 19 x 12 cm. Addressed by Pech on one side, with franks and black wax seal: 'London February twenty eight 1830 | J Richardson Esq | Heydon | Aylsham | N W Peach Norfolk'. The reverse carries the conclusion of Lytton's letter, in his handwriting: '<...> remember. - | Begging again to thank you my dear Sir, for your attention & to assure you of my Consideration & Esteem | I am, very sincerely yours | [signed] E. Lytton Bulwer.'

On 12 x 21 cm rectangle, cut from the base of a 4to leaf. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with part of the card mount adhering to the reverse. A firm flowing signature which reads: 'Yours sincerely | Gilbert Frankau'.

1p., 16mo. 13 lines. In fair condition, lightly-faded on grey paper. 'You are quite welcome to my autograph - as long as you don't ask for it at the front of a cheque.' He apologises for not replying to the 'first letter': 'Let me make amends by sending this by return of post.' Signed 'Autographically Yours, | [signed] Coulson Kernahan'

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium, with leaf dimensions 18 x 11cm. The letter appears complete, in good condition on lightly-aged paper, but a rectangle of about 5.5 x 11cm. (perhaps carrying the recipient's name) has been torn from the bottom of the second leaf.

1p., 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'dear Ernest'. Marked by Gye 'Ansd.' He is sending Gye 'a word of congratulations on the august appointment to Tangier'. He apologises that he cannot be 'part of the celebration on March 23'. He concludes: 'I hope you are pleased and that everything will prosper. | No answer required of course'.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. She writes that she is enclosing a letter, which she would like sent on 'to the Manager of the Bournemouth Little Theatre Club if you will, as I do not know the address'.

1p., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. She thanks him for writing to her, and sending 'the two charming postcards'. She continues: 'I, also, often use the History of Christian Names - what a lot of research it must have meant for dear Miss Yonge!' Charlotte M. Yonge's 'History of Christian Names' was first published in 1863, with a revised version appearing in 1884.

2pp., 12mo. Fifteen lines. On bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. The male recipient is not named. She apologies that 'the crowd of Christmas engagements' has meant that his letter has gone unanswered until now. 'With regard to the question you ask, my feeling is that where an artist and an author can contrive to work well together illustrations are a decided improvement to novels. But it is most trying to an author to see his characters presented to the public in a way utterly unlike his own conception of them.' In her view it is 'clear gain' if a book can be 'well illustrated'.

4pp., 12mo. On bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The four sides of the bifolium having been filled, the valediction and signature are written upwards across the first page. She thanks the recipient for 'the interesting page of extracts', and for 'the flattering manner in which you allude to my father's mother, Flora McDonald'. Having previously seen the text in an articles she is forwarding, she considers that the lady author has 'taken an unwarrantable liberty by reflecting severely on Flora's descendants for neglecting to keep her grave in good order'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In stamped envelope, with Hawkhurst and Blackburn postmarks, addressed by Fenn to 'J T Baron Esq / 48, Griffin Street / Wittan / Blackburn'. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He informs Baron that to the best of his belief those of his works which he mentions 'are to be had from any of the large libraries'. He has 'only lately however decided upon issuing them in a cheap form and the first volume Poverty Corner price two shillings, has just been issued by Messrs Cassell, Petter, & Galpin. The others will follow.' He concludes by thanking Baron for his 'very kindly criticism'.

9pp., 12mo. Unbound pamphlet of five leaves. Fair, on aged paper, with rust to staple. Gives the two pieces played 'Before the Service', 'The Sentences', 'The Lesson', 'Hymn', 'The Nunc Dimittis' and 'The Blessing'. Scarce: the only copy on COPAC at the British Library, with a further four copies on WorldCat.

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Docketed in a neat hand at head of second page. Binyon writes that he cannot be with her on the Friday, as he has to 'go down to Winchester on business. And I am so driven I don't know where to turn.' He has 'had Huxley's Barren Leaves in the house for days', but hasn't 'had one moment to look at it'. He has 'managed to read [J. R.

[viii], 199pp., 8vo, green boards, gilt, with embossed green shamrock, gilt outline, some foxing, especially first few pages, mainly good condition, . Scarce.

One page, 12mo, good condition. Thanks you very much for writing to me about my boo. It is always nice to hear from oone's readers and I am delighted to learn that both you and your husband found an hour's excitement in this otherwise rather dreary world. | Your good wishes are appreciated. Norte: Apparently Raymond/Chase/Grant only published More Deadly than the Male under the pseudonym Ambrose Grant so letters signed so may well be scarce.

All texts clear and complete. Autograph item with some creasing, otherwise in good condition on lightly-aged paper. Ten items signed 'Compton Mackenzie', and two ''. Eight of the items each one page of landscape 8vo; one 8vo, 1 p; another 12mo, 1 p; the autograph note 4to, 1 p; and the card 16mo, 1 p. The first item (4to, 1 p, in autograph) is dated 22 September 1948. Having met Brett-James he thanks him for sending the proofs of his war memoir 'Report My Signals' (London: Hennel Locke Ltd, 1948): 'I was much impressed by it, and supported it strongly for a Book Society Recommendation.

Two pages, 12mo, remnants of album page to which attached formerly, good condition. I will write to you definitely about teh serial early next week. Do you think you could either get me a cheque for 'A Maker of Fortunes' [not traced], or get Mr Colles [literary agent] to discount the sale to me on the usual terms? I should be much obliged if you could, for I have to find a good deal of money on Saturday & this would help. ...

Apart from the card (12mo, 1 p), totalling 4to, 10 pp; 12mo, 2 pp. All items in good condition, with text clear and complete, on lightly-aged paper. All post-1960. Two of the eleven (20 January and 13 June 1974) are fully dated by Devas; another four have day and month. The card from 1960 is the earliest item; the three from Wetherby Gardens date from between this point and Devas's second marriage to Rupert Shephard in 1965, and the seven from Limerston Street from after the marriage. A good-natured correspondence, written in a chatty style.

12mo, 96 pp, followed by four-page SPCK catalogue (with first page listing works by the Rev. F. Bourdillon). Text clear and complete. In original olive cloth binding, gilt, stained with damp. Damp damage at rear leaving light staining to corners of last few leaves and catalogue, together with heavier damage to rear endpapers. Traces of Library label on front pastedown. Cloth faded, worn and stained. Bell explains in her preface that 'The poor are excellently well provided with all sorts of books of counsel and help.