DE LA MARE (Walter John, 1873-1956, Poet and Novelist)

Collection of Three Autograph Letters Signed, two to Sir Michael SADLER (1861-1943, Historian, Educationalist and University Administrator) and one to his wife Mary, Lady Sadler, the first says that he thinks "perhaps John Keats would be the best title for the lecture: it would give the most freedom, & I could centralise on any particular aspect of the subject, if this course suggested itself. May I say what a pleasure it is to me to hear the praises that are greeting your son's novel. I have not read it yet but am anxious to do so and wish it every possible success ...", 2 sides 8vo., 10th March, the next says that it is "exceedingly kind of Lady Sadler & yourself to invite me to say a second night. But is a rather important that I shall be in London on Saturday ... if there is a night train on Friday I think I had better go by that. But I am most grateful. I will enquire nearer the day about the morning train to Leeds & send you word, but with your clear directions any one with even less sense of direction than myself could find their way so please let me make my way to the University & do not trouble about the taxi or to meet me. I wish a little less stupid self had been preparing this lecture ... It is good to hear that you approve of the English Asscn lecture ...", 4 sides 8vo., 29th April and the third letter is to Lady Sadler saying that he "reached home about 8 o'clock yesterday morning after a fairly comfortable journey thanks chiefly to those delicious buns. It had been such a very pleasant visit; & I am more grateful than I can say, to you & to Sir Michael for all your kindness. Indeed 'The Return' ... if you should find the time & patience to read it, it will be giving real pleasure to its author. I am wondering from what dreadful raw & overweaning ... the interviewer has put into the Yorkshire Post a craving for the lecturer! Now I can boast that my life's sum of happiness has suddenly been increased by about thirty honors - and I have not yet begun to console myself with the Bottle! I am sending 'China' ... and also an ancient copy of an ancient novel, who hasn't yet recovereed from his astonishment at that immense audience. If Keats could have caught a glimpse of it a hundred years ago, he would, perhaps, have thought a little better of the the Public ..." with a postscript that he has left behind his "old leather toilet case for razors etc, would the maid, if she finds it, very kindly send this on ...", 4 sides 8vo., 8th May, all from 14 Thornsett Road, Anerley, London, March to May

Their house at Anerley in south London was the scene of many parties, notable for imaginative games of charades.
Sadler worked at the universities of Manchester and was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds. He was also a champion of the English public school system.
The Sadler's son was Michael SADLEIR (1888-1957) was a Publisher, Novelist and Book Collector.
The Return by de la Mare is a novel of psychic possession. The story begins when Arthur Lawford wakes from sleeping on the tomb of an eighteenth-century pirate, Nicholas Sabathier, to find that his face has become entirely different.

Item Date:  1921

Stock No:  40546      £975

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