Lot Essay
Mary Ansell was an actress who played Nannie O'Brien in Barrie's first play Walker, London (1893). They married in 1894.
Details
JAMES MATTHEW BARRIE (1860-1937)
1. Autograph letter signed ("J. M. Barrie"), to Sir Wemyss Reid c/o Cassell & Co, in draft form, 6 pages, 8vo, 133 Gloucester Road, S.W., 19th July 1896. Discussing the publication of a novel Sentimental Tommy, and expressing disagreement with the contract and royalties being offered.
"Over three years ago you approached me with regard to the publication of my next novel, & I told you that I had occasional offers for it. Ultimately I promised you not to accept any offer without first telling you of it, and giving you an opportunity of making the same offer if you cared to do so. This arrangement I agreed to because of our friendship and also because of the pleasant relations existing between me & Messrs Cassell over the publication of 'The Little Minister' ... everything went smoothly until July 4, 1896, when I received a letter from Messrs Cassell, in which they mentioned casually that the book was to be published on the nett system. This amazed me ... which would mean my getting worse terms than I have for any of my books."
2. Autograph letter signed ("J. M. Barrie"), to Reid, 2 pages, 8vo, 133 Gloucester Road, S.W., July 20th 1896. Revealing that Barrie and Reid came to an agreement with regards to the publication of Sentimental Tommy.
"Yes, I should agree with pleasure to publish my next novel thro' you if this other matter is satisfactorily arranged."
3. Seven autograph letters from Mary Ansell, Barrie's future wife, March to May 1894, to "My beloved Mat", one signed "My very dear love goodbye and come safely to morrow to your Girl", 4 pages, 8vo, no address, post-marked April 13, 1894.
"It has been such a joy to see your two letters, & if you could only guess half what is in my heart about your coming tomorrow ... all the birds are singing 'he is coming tomorrow!'"
4. Seven autograph letters signed from publishing companies, including Sir Wemyss Reid, Charles Scribner's Sons (3) and Bernhard Freiherrn Von Tauchnitz.
5. Four contracts from publishing companies including Charles Scribner's Sons, Bernhard Freiherrn Von Tauchnitz, Cassell & Co. and Hodder & Stoughton.
6. A manuscript Will and Testament signed ("J. M. Barrie"), one page with integral blank, folio, 5th December 1895, countersigned by witnesses, leaving everything to his wife Mary. (a lot)
1. Autograph letter signed ("J. M. Barrie"), to Sir Wemyss Reid c/o Cassell & Co, in draft form, 6 pages, 8vo, 133 Gloucester Road, S.W., 19th July 1896. Discussing the publication of a novel Sentimental Tommy, and expressing disagreement with the contract and royalties being offered.
"Over three years ago you approached me with regard to the publication of my next novel, & I told you that I had occasional offers for it. Ultimately I promised you not to accept any offer without first telling you of it, and giving you an opportunity of making the same offer if you cared to do so. This arrangement I agreed to because of our friendship and also because of the pleasant relations existing between me & Messrs Cassell over the publication of 'The Little Minister' ... everything went smoothly until July 4, 1896, when I received a letter from Messrs Cassell, in which they mentioned casually that the book was to be published on the nett system. This amazed me ... which would mean my getting worse terms than I have for any of my books."
2. Autograph letter signed ("J. M. Barrie"), to Reid, 2 pages, 8vo, 133 Gloucester Road, S.W., July 20th 1896. Revealing that Barrie and Reid came to an agreement with regards to the publication of Sentimental Tommy.
"Yes, I should agree with pleasure to publish my next novel thro' you if this other matter is satisfactorily arranged."
3. Seven autograph letters from Mary Ansell, Barrie's future wife, March to May 1894, to "My beloved Mat", one signed "My very dear love goodbye and come safely to morrow to your Girl", 4 pages, 8vo, no address, post-marked April 13, 1894.
"It has been such a joy to see your two letters, & if you could only guess half what is in my heart about your coming tomorrow ... all the birds are singing 'he is coming tomorrow!'"
4. Seven autograph letters signed from publishing companies, including Sir Wemyss Reid, Charles Scribner's Sons (3) and Bernhard Freiherrn Von Tauchnitz.
5. Four contracts from publishing companies including Charles Scribner's Sons, Bernhard Freiherrn Von Tauchnitz, Cassell & Co. and Hodder & Stoughton.
6. A manuscript Will and Testament signed ("J. M. Barrie"), one page with integral blank, folio, 5th December 1895, countersigned by witnesses, leaving everything to his wife Mary. (a lot)