Books and Manuscripts

Browning, Robert
Autograph Letter, signed
Villers-sur-mer, Calvados, (France), October 9, 1875. One sheet folded to make four pages; 5 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. (133 x 108 mm). Warm autograph letter, signed by Browning, to English man-of-letters and bibliophile, Frederick Locker-Lampson (1821-95), commenting on the state of European criticism of English literature, "I only read, perhaps, a quarter of the criticism, soon discovering that, as usual, the Foreign critic was making up his article out of the odds and ends of English work of the same kind...", and recounting his stay with his sister, Sarianna Browning, and their close friend, Annie Egerton Smith in Villers-sur-mer, "the doll-houses, and toy-box style of adornment have spoiled an originally charming site..." Residue from a previous mount along right edge of last page; creasing from original folds.

Together with:

Kipling, Rudyard
Autograph Letter, signed
Bateman's, Burwash, Sussex, November 28, 1915. One sheet folded to make four pages; 6 x 3 7/8 in. (152 x 98 mm). Autograph letter on Bateman's House stationery, signed by Kipling to British political, naval officer, and son of the above Frederick, Oliver Locker-Lampson (1880-1954), wishing him luck on his departure for Arkhangelsk (Archangel), Russia during World War I, "...All I can think of at the minute is the old Pope's word slightly altered:- non angli sed arkangeli" which I suggest as the temporary motto for your corps. Or 'non angeli sed arkangeli.' One sees and hears of men going off to adventures over all the world from the arctic to the deserts and one's heart goes with them and it is just because of this that one can do no more than to send one's love and wish them good luck..." Creasing from original folds. Kipling's only son, John (August 17, 1897-September 27, 1915) was killed in the Battle of Loos only a few weeks before penning this letter.