"MY BOAT IS THE LUSITANIA"
SETON
(Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946, Author, Wildlife Artist and Founder of the Woodcraft Indians and founding Pioneer of the Boy Scouts of America)
Small collection of two Typed and two Autograph Letters signed with his added bear claw pawprint, to Lord TANKERVILLE
(George Montagu Bennet, 7th Earl, 1852-1931, Peer, Cowpuncher, Circus Clown and Revival Meeting Singer), the first a very long letter saying he is "most happy indeed to hear that the clouds are breaking in the black firmament of trouble that hung over your estate ... Had it not been for the history of the world at present your difficulties would have been much less. Our days are surely fallen in stormy times, nevertheless we believe that a clear dawn is not so very far ahead. This country, excepting the German-American element, is, I believe, solid for the Allies. Our President feels called on to take a neutral pose, but I don't believe he feels at all neutral. Last night I was at a dinner at which the Guest of Honor was the Premier of Canada. He took a very reasonable view. He says this war was inevitable, sooner or later the German and English ideals would clash. The winner would control the world afterward. If Germany could not win on the first dash, at the moment of her selection, with all her preparations complete and her adversaries unready what chance has she of winning now with Austria practically out of it and the Allies stronger every week. Nevertheless no one underestimates the power of the German army. We find, however, consolation in the thought that Germany has yet to face three enemies that are invincible. These enemies are hunger, finance and revolution at home. She cannot possibly feed herself for more than a year longer. We know now that the great war loan was financed by an Imperial mandate compelling every man with a savings-bank account to subscribe that amount for the war loan ... my German friends who have just returned from Germany said there were utterly staggered when anybody told them Germany had been defeated, repulsed or even halted in her forward march. Even the battle of the Marn has been explained as part of a very clever stratagem, not yet completed. When the truth is known and the wolf of hunger is at the door, the beast of Pottsdam will have an awful reckoning to face ... it is absolutely known that Von Kluck was killed in action about six weeks ago and the Crown Prince about two months ago. Also that the Kaiser is very ill ...", he continues that he is coming over to England "Leaving New York on the 30th of January. My boat is the Lusitania, due in Liverpool on the 6th of February ... I note that Charlie is in Patterson, N.J. I gave a public lecture there about six weeks ago. I am sorry he didn't turn up as I had a great group of Boy Scouts and school boys ...", 4 sides 8vo., 15th January, the next autograph letter says he has returned to London from Scotland "I looked out at Bedford & though of you all with hearty good wishes - but I was as usual on the rush. I never expected to come over this year - am amazed to realise the Sang froid of all England. America pretends she is neutral. She is not. She is wholly with the Allies. I saw Charlie and was delighted to see him looking so well ...", 3 sides 8vo., Savoy Hotel headed paper, 27th February, the next autograph letter is to Lady Tankerville telling her that he "went to Broadstairs as planned to lecture but when I came to enquire for 'Bobs' I found that he was away at Margate & inaccessible partly from distance but chiefly on account of school rules so I did not see the dear boy ...", 2 sides 4to., Savoy Hotel headed paper, 29th March, the final Typed Letter is to Lord Tankerville thanks him for the "perfectly splendid essay by Bobs. It has been admired by all of us, including his 'intelligent friend'. I am working away on my Fur Farm. That is, I see it every day, but of course must leave much in the hands of the hireling. I prevent my skunks nesting under ground by laying a carpet wire ... all over the bottom of the pen ... I note what you say about Dr Lindlater's 'Nature cure'. We are using many such things in America today. One of these, the Sun Cure, you will have some trouble in applying in England unless the climate has changed since I lived in England ...", 2 sides A4, The Fincherie, Greenwich, CT, 19th July all
Item Date:
1915
Stock No:
39316
£750
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"WE ARE THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE GOT THROUGH THE GREAT WAR ALIVE AND WITH SOME PROPERTY LEFT"
SETON
(Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946, Author, Wildlife Artist and Founder of the Woodcraft Indians and founding Pioneer of the Boy Scouts of America)
Two Typed Letters signed with his added bear claw pawprint, to Lord TANKERVILLE
(George Montagu Bennet, 7th Earl, 1852-1931, Peer, Cowpuncher, Circus Clown and Revival Meeting Singer), the first a long letter saying he "has just seen by the papers that Charley has had a bad motor accident. I do hope there is nothing serious about it and that long ere now he is up and about again. I suspect that his life at the Front developed the streak of recklessness that ran though the family ... Not long ago I shipped to Col. Chute all the skunks I had left in my collection - seventeen fine big breeders, and all have reached him in good shape ... I had intended to go over this last Fall, but was frightened from it chiefly by the shortage of coal, for I do not like cold houses ... We are all thankful that we have got through the Great War alive and with some property left; but I for one certainly hope that they will get that miserable beast out of Holland and put him through some trial to set a new precedent that will have its effect on future generations of rulers ...", 2 sides 8vo., 28th January, the second says "Certainly Charlie has had a tough time, but the fact that he came through shows that he is going to live a long and useful life. Things over here are really worse than they were during the war, that is, food is higher and everything turns on these necessaries of life .... we have more mouths to feed and production has been greatly reduced. That, however, is a condition that will right itself if only our misguided Government would let things alone ... I suppose the same remark applies to thing in England, though of course you have greater problems to meet. Babs evidently is getting along - nothing seems to upset him very much ..." and he mentions his own daughter, Ann (Anya SETON, 1904-1990, Best selling Author) "You would not know her now. She is a tall young lady, come out ...", 1 side A4, both De Winton, Lake Avenue, Greenwich, 12th March, both
the second letter has slits caused by worming affecting some of the text, easily supplied
Item Date:
1920
Stock No:
39317
£450
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SEWELL
(Elizabeth Missing, 1815-1906, Novelist and Children's Writer)
Autograph Letter Signed to Isabel,
saying she has not written sooner as she has been too busy, but has "just sent off one little dispatch and as I am not likely to have another such space vacant ... I have taken advantage of the sheet of notepaper lying before me ..." to write to them for Christmas, she says she had considered visiting but has been ill "& shall not even venture to Oxford ..." and she inquires after the Admiral and Lady Jane, 3 sides 8vo., Ashcliff, 17th December
traces of former mounting on blank back page
Item Date:
1875
Stock No:
3053
£40
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SEWELL
(Elizabeth Missing, 1815-1906, Novelist)
Group of 5 Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Bramston or to Miss Anna Bramston,
asking if she knows "what it is to be doubtful whether you have written a letter which you fully intended to write?" and thanking her "in the name of the Managers ... for your great kindness to Miss Seymour" at St. Boniface ( c. 1870), hoping to accept "your tempting invitation ... I think we shall go to the afternoon service at the Cathedral & then ... if you would receive us go to the Deanery" (c.1880), explaining with figures how her servants use the Government Annuities scheme, paying in or drawing while still on full wages, Miss Bramston's book on Winchester "is most interesting" (Easter Eve,1883), "I arrived quite safely ... bearing ... the remembrance of your great kindness", her nephew "has only lately taken this Preparatory School for the Weymouth College ... a most pleasant change from Leamington", and trusting "Dr Bramston had a good night" (18th August 1888), and sending "a small sum ... for the ... school and in honor of Miss Yonge", since Mrs Bramston died "life must seem ... quite altered. I am glad though that you have Miss Leroy with you ... I grow very old myself though I keep well", and thanking her for the pamphlets and "such a record of your Mother" (14th January 1898), 14 sides 8vo., Ashcliff, Bonchurch, Isle of Wight, and Cleveland House, Weymouth, c.1870 -
Item Date:
1898
Stock No:
19955
£275
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SEWELL
(Elizabeth Missing, 1815-1906, Novelist and Children's Writer)
Autograph Letter Signed to 'Dear Madam',
sending her autograph, 1 side small 8vo. black edged, Ashcliff, Bonchurch, Isle of Wight, 10th January
Item Date:
1891
Stock No:
13269
£25
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