SITWELL

The three items totalling 11pp., 12mo. On three bifoliums. In good condition, lightly aged. ONE: 23 February 1860. 3pp., 12mo. She begins: 'I cannot receive yr. repeated welcome remembrance of old Remp[ston]e. days, without a line of thanks for the pleasurable thoughts they awaken - a boon, to a Recluse, who lives much on the past & on the far-off present, which a friendly telescope may bring before her'. She congratulates him in graceful terms on his 'success'.

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. In very good condition. Covering the whole of the front page is a beautiful coloured illustration of the Imperial State Crown, with no text. The following three pages are printed in black and purple, with the second page carrying the publication details; the third page a full-page note from the editor; and the last page an advertisement for Sir John Wilson's 'Royal Philatelic Collection'. No copies of this item traced on either COPAC or OCLC WorldCat.

Married to one of the richest men in England, Lady Wimborne was lover and patron of the young Sir William Walton (1902-1983). She was, according to Stephen Lloyd ('William Walton: Muse of Fire'), 'extremely musical and Wimborne House in London became home to many musical soirées, including the private subscription concerts of the Quartet Society and even a chamber orchestra conducted by Hyam Greenabum'. Both items in very good condition, with light signs of age. ONE: Marsh to Strutt. 2pp., 12mo.

Wood Engravings by Edward Carrick.8vo, [11]pp., printed privately for Terence Fytton Armstrong [John Gawsworth, ]Number 7 of 290 (305) copies printed on Charles I hand-made paper, engraved title-page and two other decorations, mottled pale green paper-covered boards, sl. speckled, with original glassine-type thin paper wraps, sl. chipped and speckled, yellow printed label with an additional engraving on the front, endpapers sl. browned, a little faded, generally good to very good.

40pp., 8vo, with four plates. Paginated 1-40 (the chapter appears with the same pagination at the beginning of the second of the two volumes of the book). Bound in green buckram, with 'TASTE | OSBERT SITWELL | AND | MARGARET BARTON' stamped in gilt on front board. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in lightly-worn binding.

Both letters in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Each in its envelope, addressed to Mrs Strutt at 12 Somers Place, Hyde Park. Letter One: 1p., 12mo. He apologies in florid style about a clash in dinner engagements. 'I made a desperate attempt to avoid a dinner-party tonight with the Wimbornes and was told that I should

12mo, 1 p. Nine lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Docketed in pencil on reverse 'R. A. Bennett re T. P. O'Connor'. He is enclosing 'the promised note to "T. P". I see that he is ailing and going to the Riviera at an early date, so you had better try and catch him at once.' Bennett had to get the recipient's address from his publishers, as O'Connor left without passing it on.

Sitwell and Renishaw collaborated on the play 'Gentle Caesar' (published in 1942), and the last two letters would appear to concern a possible film adaptation. All three items very good on lightly aged paper. Letter One ('Friday Renishaw'): 12mo, 2 pp. 18 lines of text. Apparently written around the time of the play's composition. Sitwell is 'delighted' that Minney is 'already immersed in Pares's book. I have just read the Czar and Empress Marie's Letters.' He has 'marked (in the preface mostly) what I thought helpful for atmosphere, or amusing'.

12mo, 2 pp. Very good. Attractive letterhead with engraved illustration of 'Renishaw Hall | Derbyshire' (last word crossed out by Sitwell). Written in purple ink. Asks if there is 'anything to be made of a curtain-raiser, or short film, which wd. show Napoleon catching the cold, which lost him the Battle of Waterloo? . . It is an amusing idea.' He considers that it is 'sure to have been some very silly person who sneezed at him . . . Or is the idea nonsense!'