RUTH

74pp., 8vo. Stapled duplicated typescript, with pages on rectos only. In fair condition, with moderate signs of age and wear. Light staining at head, and discoloured title-leaf detaching. A few minor manuscript emendations, and '-Debel' added in manuscript to the translator's name. 'La Princesse Americaine' was first performed in 1963, and like Aloni's other early work was influenced by the European Theatre of the Absurd. An English translation of the play appeared in 1980, but OCLC WorldCat has no record of the publication of a French translation.

King's letters total 135pp., 12mo; 10pp., 4to. The earlier letters (mainly from East Molesey) all addressed to 'Mr Dossé'; 37 of the later letters (all from Dublin) addressed to 'Dear Philip'. The collection also contains the holograph of King's review of Graham Cleverley's 1976 book 'The Fleet Street Disaster' (6pp, foolscap 8vo), and 11 Autograph Letters Signed and three Autograph Cards Signed to Dossé from King's wife Ruth (neé Railton), dating from between 1971 and 1979. These are written in a chatty style, the letters totalling 25pp., 12mo; 2pp., 4to.

Issue 2: 50pp., 4to. 'Mimeographed Issue' in purple and black wraps. In good condition, lightly-aged, with slight pitting to wraps and rusting to staples. Contributions by Ezekiel Mphehlele, S. Jasven, H. K. Girling, Barney Simon, Ben Jasven, Herman Charles Bosman, David Hendricks, Gerard Viljoen, Bernard Sachs, Michael Picardie, 'Libra', Riva Lador, Joshua Messan. Issue 4: 93pp., 4to, with two-page cartoon inserted between pp.49 and 50. In dark and light blue, purple and black wraps. In good condition, lightly-aged, with slight staining along spine and rusting to staples.

A stylish and amusing 12mo card, with the cartoon printed in dark red and black on the front and the slug on the back. All printed. Tipped in inside the card is a bifolium, with 'BOOMPS-A-DAISY!' on the verso of the first leaf, and 'What is a BOOMP between friends?' and a short musical phrase at the head of the recto of the second leaf', with 'Peaceful New Year, | 1940 | from Gerald Hamilton | 91, Kinnerton Street | Belgrave Square, S.W 1.' beneath it.

An interesting collection of material relating to an extraordinary woman whose exploits deserve recognition. According to one obituary Mitchell (sister of American General 'Billy' Mitchell) was 'he only foreign woman to serve with the Chetniks', for whom she acted as a dispatch rider. Captured by the Gestapo while swimming at Dubrovnik, 'still in her bathing suit, and with papers on her that would have caused her to be executed without trial, she turned to the agents and asked: "Gentlemen, you will permit me to change my trousers?" They agreed.