Showing 39 results

Title on spine: 'Fitzgerald's Translations | Original Letters and Proof Sheets | Vol. II' [Vol. I is O.10a.42, a volume of letters from Fitzgerald to Quaritch'. 'Extremely interesting & valuable' written in pencil on the first leaf; note below, identifies the hand as Quaritch's. All following items tipped in onto trimmed paper stubs.

Letter from William Aldis Wright to Bernard Quaritch writing as FitzGerald's executor, 22 Jun 1883.

Nine letters from Edward FitzGerald to Bernard Quaritch, 24 Mar. 1879-4 Jun. 1879; the last letter in the book, [Apr. 1979], has a strip of printed proof pasted to it, with corrections by FitzGerald in ink. Letter to FitzGerald, 17 Apr. 1879, incomplete and without signature but from Edward Byles Cowell [see preceding letter, and pencil note at bottom of FitzGerald's letter of 20 Apr.]

Printed proofs of title page, with annotations by FitzGerald, and sub-title page of Jami's Salámán and Absál; proof from the 'Notes' to Omar Khayyám, paginated 35-36, with MS sheet in FitzGerald's hand pasted to it; two versions of revised proofs of pp. 97-112 of Salámán and Absál, with corrections and comments by FitzGerald, including a sheet of paper pasted on at the verso of the second p. 112; printed leaves from the first edition of the Life of Jami, 4 ff., with numerous revisions by FitzGerald, including an MS slip pasted to the recto of the fourth sheet; printed copy of the first edition of Salámán and Absál [1856]., 23 ff., paginated 1-45, with extensive corrections by FitzGerald including slips pasted in at various places.

References to 'the Critic' in the correspondence and notes are to Michael Kerney, Quaritch's chief assistant, cataloguer, and literary adviser.

Most letters in the run Nos. 1-96 are letters from FitzGerald to Quaritch, 21. Apr. 1953-23 Feb. 1883. Letters from others have been described in dependent entries. Several letters annotated by Quaritch. Notes by Charlotte Quaritch Wrentmore at several places indicating that a letter from FitzGerald to Quaritch belonging to this point in the chronological sequence is to be found in the book bound up by her father, now O.10a.41.

A loose card with a typewritten record of provenance was found loose within the covers; this has been cut down from a printed ticket to provide admittance to Trinity College Library 'before 11 A. M.', with space for 'Name' 'Recommended by' 'during the... Quarter, 189...' to be filled in.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W.; addressed to Robert at Roundhurst, Haslemere. - They have bought Botticelli's Dante plates for 1200 sesterces, which Quaritch will bind; had not realised that Botticelli was a contemporary of Dante and Michelangelo rather than of Doré.

14 Netley Street, Hampstead Road, N. W. - Has 'engraved the signature' and returns 'Mr FitzGerald's note'; is waiting for the printer to take another proof.

Cambridge. - Is much obliged to Quaritch for the portrait of Edward FitzGerald.

Herbarium [on embossed notepaper for Royal Gardens, Kew). - Gives updates on the growth of the rose tree from the seeds gathered from Omar Khayyam's tomb. Invites Quaritch to come and see it.

19 Church Road, Willesden, N. W. - Thanks Quaritch for the copy of FitzGerald's Works, which he calls 'a worthy monument to the man'. A sketch by Simpson of 'Turbat-i-Shaik Jam' [Torbat-e Jam], the site of Jami's tomb, could be included if there is a second edition.

30 Blenheim Terrace, Scarboro'. - Sure Quaritch would not do anything 'discreditable' to FitzGerald's memory, but his friendship for Aldis Wright will prevent him writing a notice of this edition and memoir. Note on FitzGerald's translations.

Beverley Farm, Mass[achusetts]. - Thanks Quaritch for the new edition of FitzGerald's works. Will soon send Quaritch a copy of his own Our Hundred Days in Europe; calls him 'the great Bibliophile, as well as Bibliopole of the central mart of civilisation'.

It was FitzGerald's wish that Omar Khayyam should never be published separately again, and he made this a condition with Quaritch when agreeing it should be published with Salámán and Absál. Cannot therefore 'violate his direct orders'.

Written on sheet of headed notepaper for 'Bernard Quaritch, Bookseller, Central Agency for the procuring of Rare Books'.

3 Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, W. - Quaritch will remember his father, having purchased his library; sends on a catalogue [for the library of Robert Hindes Groome]. Archdeacon Groome was a good friend of Donne's father and of Edward FitzGerald.

3 Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, W. - Has never seen the original of the letter from which an extract appears in the Blackwood article on FitzGerald, nor the extract until it appeared there. Is surprised his father, 'usually so accurate', made such a mistake. Sends F. H. Groome's address, and has sent on Quaritch's letter to Groome as he himself knows nothing of the matter.

36 Warrender Park Terrace, Edinburgh. - Encloses the photograph of Little Grange promised in his first letter; since he wrote that, he has seen Blackwood and heard from Mowbray Donne, 'both of whom express much regret'. Points out a mistake in the preface of the 1887 edition of FitzGerald relating to E. B. Cowell's Cambridge connections. Clodd tells him there is a rose tree at Kew brought back from the grave of Omar Khayyám; thinks a scion should be planted over FitzGerald's grave in Boulge churchyard.

The photograph originally enclosed with the letter is pasted to a leaf following the letter.

36 Warrender Park Terrace, Edinburgh. - Remembers now that the name of the artist [who sent back the seeds from the rose on the grave of Omar Khayyám] was Simpson, but did not know it was Quaritch to whom the seeds were sent. Asks if Quaritch can have a scion of the rose-tree planted at FitzGerald's grave in Boulge; knows FitzGerald's nephew and executor Colonel Kerrich would gladly have it done, having mentioned the idea to him a few months ago when he heard about the rose from Mr Clodd. Could also photograph Bredfield Hall and Farlinghay if Quaritch requires it. Groome's father knew Aldis Wright, but he himself does not.

Adds postscript: Fanny Kemble's reminiscences, as they first appeared in the Atlantic, had many references to FitzGerald. Groome knows an old lady at Ipswich who has a fine engraving of FitzGerald's mother.

Woodbridge. - Asks Quaritch to send him Coues' Birds of the Northwest... Does not know anything about Aldis Wright's being the owner of FitzGerald's copyright, other than 'the letter addressed to him, and leaving him the box of MSS. as asserted in the preface by A. W.' Asks if Quaritch has had much demand for the book. FitzGerald left him a self-portrait by Raphael Mengs, 'a d-d ugly fellow - but as good as Rembrandt, only in a different way of course'.

Remembers coming now and again to 'worry' Quaritch forty-four years ago when a Collector at Simpkins.

19 Carleton Road, Tufnell Park, N. - Was introduced to Quaritch by William Simpson at the last Omar Khayyám Club dinner. Has had reports from Thiselton Dyer about the condition of the rose-tree at Kew, grown from the hip sent by Simpson [from the one at Omar Khayyám's tomb]. It is a 'weakling in this climate, but by skilful grafting' a plant has been secured which Clodd 'long ago suggested should be placed on FitzGerald's grave at Boulge'.

Asks if Quaritch could come to see this done on Sunday 7th October; offers to host him until Monday morning at Aldeburgh.

19 Carleton Road, Tufnell Park, N. - Thanks Quaritch for leaving FitzGerald's letters, which he now returns; has 'made two copies of the two letters to stick in my copy of "Rubáiyát, published by you'. Egerton Castle

Royal Gardens, Kew. - Afraid he cannot accept Quaritch's invitation to the Omar Khayyám club dinner at Henley in July. The editor of the Illustrated London News has written asking for a photograph of the rose [grown from seeds taken from the rose at the tomb of Omar Khayyám]; he has instead sent a sketch by his wife which he thinks 'will do it better justice'. Postscript: next year, the rose will be propagated and planted out in the public part of the Garden.

Pasted to headed notepaper 'With the Compliments of the Director, Royal Gardens, Kew'. Date and source added by hand below the printed notice.

Savile Club, 107 Piccadilly, W. - Has been through the letters which Quaritch handed him at Aldeburgh, as well as the additional ones sent by Miss Quaritch; unfortunately there is little there of bibliographical interest, certainly 'not enough material for annotating the proposed Extracts from the published "Letters"'.

'FitzGerald's reiterated request not to publish 'Omar' separately makes Aldis Wright's action the more indefensible & that action is more remarkable with his remark to you that he sought no profit - if not, why did he let Macmillan's do it? However, you cannot interfere; only I will make Extracts so as to publish the facts of the case one day.' [This section is not printed in Charlotte Quaritch Wrentmore's 1926 edition of FitzGerald letters to her father and other FitzGeraldiana].

Suggests the printing of 'some more complete story of [FitzGerald's] life, into which there should be interwoven his criticisms on men & books... there is precious little about Omar & 'Saláman' in Wright's volumes'.

Postscript: Thiselton Dyer has sent him a cutting from the [Omar Khayyam] rose, which he has at once planted in his front garden.

19 Carleton Road, Tufnell Park, N. - Has made some extracts from FitzGerald's letters, especially relating to the separate publication of the Rubáiyát 'in reference to which Mr Aldis Wright broke his instructions two years after he had written to you declaring he could "not violate" Mr FitzGerald's "distinct orders" Either his memory is very bad, or his conscience is very elastic' [This section is not printed in Charlotte Quaritch Wrentmore's 1926 edition of FitzGerald letters to her father and other FitzGeraldiana].

Now returns the letters; thanks Quaritch for entrusting to them. Will fetch the book with FitzGerald's bookplate which he lent

On headed notepaper for the Omar Khayyám Club, St Margaret's House, Ironmonger Lane, E. C. - At one of Quaritch's dinners a letter from FitzGerald was read out which used the word 'Omarian'; this word was 'at once adopted by the Club''. Last weekend's 'Writers and Readers' column in the Daily Chronicle stated that the word was 'of recent introduction and of questionable taste'; asks if Quaritch could write to the Chronicle 'giving the authority for the term'. Hudson could do so, if Quaritch were to lend him the letter, or send a copy.

W. Irving Way and Co., Publishers, The Monadnock, Chicago (headed notepaper). - Asks how much Quaritch would charge to send 'a fine impression, or proof' of Costello's etching of Edward FitzGerald, for prices for a list of books, and 'any books you may have once belonged to E. F. G. or that may have been presented by him to friends' or any FitzGerald letters.

185 Regent St., W. - re an article about Omar Khayyam Wilson is about to publish; does not want to mention FitzGerald's name without his permission.

United University Club, Pall Mall East, S. W. - Finds fault with FitzGerald's translation of Omar Khayyam.

Newtonville, Mass[achuse]tts. - Thanks Quaritch for sending the new edition of FitzGerald's Agamemnon.

On headed notepaper for the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall. - Thanks Quaritch for sending the new edition of FitzGerald's Agamemnon.