Blitz: Letters from London, Written by Evelyn Lister to her sister Mildred, September & October 1940

ALLIX, Susan

Limited signed edition; small folio, black goatskin and textured binding by Susan Allix, the upper cover with paper and metallic embellishments, housed in a grey folding box. No 6 of an edition of 15, signed by the artist on the limitation page. Aquatints printed in black and brown with hand-coloring (from drawings made at demolition sites and in the underground), two linocuts and four facsimile extracts of the letters. "In the summer of 2013 I was given a small collection of letters. The owner Mildred or 'Billie' as she was known, had recently died... they were written to her by her sister Evelyn, a young woman in her twenties working in Central London... [Evelyn] tells of the devastation to the city, the personal fear and the spirit of the people in difficulties around her as she survives in the centre of the nightly raids... As it will never be possible to have this same experience, designing the book seemed sometimes similar to creating an historical novel... Certain pages are smoked and burnt. This was done after the printing and owing to the unpredictable nature of the process each copy is different. The smoke trails were made over a candle and the edge burning done with a Dunhill lighter (brought back into use because it doesn't over-heat) setting alight a small line at a time then extinguishing the flame". Fine, a few marks to the box.

Letter in secretarial hand to Revd. Hamilton of Knocktopher, Ireland, signed by Wilberforce

WILBERFORCE, William

Two page letter; 8vo. Wilberforce writes "I lose no time after my return from London, where it was really impossible for me to attend to my correspondents, in thanking you for your friendly letter of the 13th I have followed from my retiring from public life, and my health is in a comfortable state , though I am not robust. I have so many unanswered letters that I must not allow myself to go onto any of the topics touched on in your communication. If you should at any time come into this country I hope you will do me the favour to enquire whether I am at home or not, which you may commonly hear at Mr Htchard the Booksellers and if I am it will give me please to see you under my roof, and to assure you personally, that I am I am With Esteem and Regards, My dear Sir, Yours sincerely, W. Wilberforce. PS. As compaint in my eyes obliges me to write to you by another hand." Dr. Hans Hamilton was the instigator of the Carrickshock incident an important event in the Irish nationalist historical narrative. Hamilton was rector of the Church of Ireland parish of Knocktopher, in January 1831 he refused the request of a delegation of Catholic tenants to reduce their tithe rate. In March, Hamilton began legal proceedings to enforce collection, and in November the Dublin administration issued summons to the defaulters. Hamilton's land agent, employed a local butcher called Butler, to serve these summons and the local magistrate, Joseph Green, authorised a Constabulary escort. On 14 December, Butler's party was confronted by bands of locals. In the ensuing affray 13 men of the Constabulary including Butler were killed and three of the locals. With the original folded envelope some wear, creasing and tears where the original seal was broken.

Autograph postcard signed.

SUTHERLAND, Graham

Autograph postcard signed Graham to Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook from Venice. Post card illustrated with a detail of Sutherland's Great Tapestry from Coventry Cathedral. Sutherland addresses Beaverbrook "Max" - which was only used by his closest friends. The card references his new paintings and their inclusion in a new exhibition. Fine with original hand addressed envelope.

Stones.

MERCHANT, Paul: Illustrated by Barbara Hepworth

Introduction by Ted Hughes. Limited signed edition; 4to; original cloth in glassline dust jacket. Edition of 150, this being one of 75 copies signed by the author and artist. Two colour lithographs. A fine copy.

Evacuee Labels

WORLD WAR TWO

Four World War Two Evacuee Labels for Matilda Binstock and Doreen Fellows aged 13 and 14 of Elmwood School, Croydon and Edward & John Faulkner of Hollydale Road School, Nunhead, Peckham, London, which would have been attached to their clothing while in transit during evacuation. On the reverse of each label is a stamp reading 'FC Page, 10 Park Lane, Southwick, Sussex'. A letter dated 1/6/1939 re the Govt Evacuation Scheme from Southwick UDC, another from the Min of Health dated April 1939. A slip of paper in hand written pencil '10 Park Lane, Matilda Binstock. Doreen Fellows' and stamped 'Southwick Urban District Council, Sussex', the original allocation paper at the railway station. A printed certificate to Mrs. C. Page in appreciation of taking in evacuees, from Queen Elizabeth enclosed in a remittance envelope from Buckingham Palace addressed to Mrs C. Page, 10 Park Lane, Southwick, Brighton, Sussex. A w complete collection telling of the time when British children were sent into the unknown to avoid the bombing of London.

Het Achterhuis. Diary of a Young Girl.

FRANK, Anne

Designed by Barry Moser and illustrated by Joseph Goldyne. Limited edition; small folio original full leather, with blind stamped design to the front panel housed in slipcase with an additional set of etchings signed by the artists. One of an edition of 350 signed by the artist and designer to the limitation page. A fine set.