Lot 1376 , Edmund Blunden (1896-1974), English Poet, Author and Critic who, like his friend Siegfried Sassoon, wrote of his experiences during World War I in both verse and prose. A.L.S., E. Blunden, one page, 8vo

Edmund Blunden (1896-1974), English Poet, Author and Critic who, like his friend Siegfried Sassoon, wrote of his experiences during World War I in both verse and prose. A.L.S., E. Blunden, one page, 8vo, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk, 20th October 1965, to [A. P.] Ryan. Blunden states that he was pleased to have received a copy of Critics who have Influenced Taste and to discover that his correspondent and Elizabeth Bowen have increased the interest of the collection, remarking 'Indeed the book is an addition to the critical resources here, and the idea behind it was a happy one'. The poet further writes 'Some days ago there came a book, "The Battle of the Marne" by Henri Isselion. with a note that a letter from you would follow. If it was posted, I have not had it; so I still await instructions'. Together with John Sparrow (1906-1992) English Academic & Bibliophile, Warden of All Souls College, Oxford, 1952-77. T.L.S., John Sparrow, one page, 4to, All Souls College, Oxford, 23rd May 1961, to A. P. Ryan. Sparrow thanks his correspondent for their letter about Siegfried Sassoon and continues 'I do admire him and his work, and I hope he will be worthily obituarised in The Times - and that the obituary will not be needed for a long time', further remarking 'And it pleases me that you should turn to me for the text. But I wonder if I can persuade you to turn elsewhere? My reasons are (i) that I don't do these things well unless I do them spontaneously, and I should have to make an effort in this case; much though I admire him, I am not sure that I admire him quite enough, or in just the right way; (ii) I am snowed up, or even under, with things undone, which will fully occupy me for weeks or months to come; (iii) I know of someone who admires S.S. even more than I do, and who would (I know) be eager to undertake this particular "obit", and who would do it extremely well: Colin Fenton....', further providing Fenton's address and remarking 'He is a friend of Sassoon and an ardent collector of his works'. One staple to the upper left corner of Blunden's letter and a neat ink annotation at the head of Sparrow's letter, and both with light age wear. About VG, 2 Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967) English Poet, Writer and Soldier who was decorated for bravery on the Western Front during World War I. Sassoon
died at the age of 80 on 1st September 1967, some six years after Sparrow's letter. Colin Fenton (1929-1982) English Wine Merchant and friend of Sassoon. Fenton did indeed write the poet's obituary for The Times. Alfred Patrick Ryan (1900-1972) British Journalist, editor of the BBC News Service 1940-47, and Assistant Editor and Literary Editor of The Times 1947-68. Condition - fair to good.
£60-80

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