Showing 8 results

Tan-y-Bryn, Shoot-Up Hill, N.W.—Discusses McKerrow’s forthcoming edition of The Gull’s Horn-book.

—————

Transcript

Tan-Y-Bryn: Shoot-Up-Hill. N.W.
7/1/03

I find your packet awaiting me on coming to town from the Country. I have been resting for a few days, as I have not been very well of late. I think Mr Moring will go to press with this vol-ume in two or three weeks time. The question of Introduction might, I think, be left for the pre-sent, but why not get on to the Glossary at once; the page references could be put in afterwards. Is there not a 2nd Edition of “the Horn Book” with additional matter in the Chapter relating to the Theatre? {1}—With all good wishes,
I. G.

[Directed to:] R. B. McKerrow. Esq. | 22. Friars Stile Road | Richmond | Surrey.

—————

Postmarked at Kilburn Sorting Office, N.W., at 3.30 p.m. on 7 January 1903.

{1} The reference is to The Gull’s Hornbook by Thomas Dekker, McKerrow’s edition of which was published by the De La More Press in March 1904 (according to the colophon; the English Catalogue of Books gives the month of publication as April) and reprinted by the same publisher in a slightly different format the following year. Only one early edition of the Hornbook is known, published in 1609 (STC (2nd ed.) 6500), but the book was re-issued in 1674 by Sam. Vincent—‘apparently’, as McKerrow notes, ‘as an original work’—under the title The Young Gallant’s Academy. Vincent made certain alterations intended to bring the work up to date, and in particular rewrote much of the chapter on the theatre. This revised version of the chapter is printed as an appendix in McKerrow’s edition.

Melrose, 15 Shoot-U-Hill, N.W.2. [on mourning paper] - Is sorry to hear about Sir James' eyesight, sympathises as her husband also had troubles with his sight; would like to add her name, asks if she would like to list it as in memory of Israel Gollancz, gives Lord Melchett's address, suggests the British Academy have not answered as members are away.

Melrose, Shoot-Up-Hill, N.W.2. - Offers congratulations on the award of the Légion d'honneur; his brother Sir Hermann Gollancz is recovering from a serious illness; accepts an invitation to luncheon on 26 May; invites them to tea on 12 May.

King’s College, Strand, London, W.C.2.—Describes a fragment of an Elizabethan play in manuscript owned by Sir Israel Gollancz.

—————

Transcript

King’s College, Strand, London, W.C.2
22d November 1931.

Dear Dr Greg,

I have just been reading Elizabethan Dramatic Documents with great interest. Did you know that Sir Israel Gollancz, some four weeks before his death {1}, secured a fragment of an Elizabethan play in manuscript? It consisted of a single sheet of paper, about 10" x 6", folded into two leaves. The writing was on both sides, in an Italian script (I believe), & was part of a Dialogue between some Oriental personages in the Tamburlaine style. It was not, apparently, part of any known play, but in style seemed to date about 1588–1594. The lines seemed to me to have been prepared as a literary text, except that instead of being written in the usual way, the book had been made to open sideways. If it had been prepared as an actor’s part this would have been a convenient arrangement enabling him to hold the book & turn over with the left hand, leaving the right free for sawing the air. There were, I believe, no cues; nor was the page thumbed in the middle as would be natural in a book much handled. These details are not wholly reliable: I only saw the ms. for a few minutes & a long time ago.

Sir Israel may have shown it to you; but he seemed to be keeping it secret at the time. Anyhow, it is worth noting as one more of the collection of Eliz. dramatic documents.

Yours very sincerely
G. B. Harrison

—————

Letter-head of the Shakespeare Association.

{1} Gollancz died on 23 June 1930.

(Undated. This list was compiled in response to a letter from G. E. Durham dated 23 Sept. 1927 (Add. MS a. 457/2/1) and a version of it was received by Durham on or before the 26th (Add. MS a. 457/2/3). The persons, etc., listed are A. W. Pollard, W. W. Greg, Miss H. C. Bartlett, Miss E. M. Albright, Prof. Max Förster, Miss Field, Frank Sidgwick, Louvain Library, Sir Israel Gollancz, G. C. Moore Smith, and J. M. Manly. A note has been made of those who were also written to, and those from whom acknowledgements were received.)

The Wellcome Historical Medical Museum - The Museum can not take on the publication of Frazer's notes, despite their interest in them; spoke with Sir Israel Gollancz about the library and the Museum would be prepared to provide a dwelling for Sir James and his library with the understanding that the library is donated to the institution at his death, and under their control.

Melrose, Shoot-Up-Hill, N.W.2. - Writes to propose a time to meet with Lord Balfour to discuss the proposed expedition [of Roscoe to Central Africa].