Lot Essay
These very personal letters refer to Sassoon's divorce from Hester Gatty whom he married in 1933. Their son George was born in 1936 and they divorced in 1945.
Details
SIEGFRIED SASSOON (1886-1967)
i) One-page autograph letter, signed with monogram, from Heytesbury House, n.d., 8°, to 'V', regarding having his son George made a ward of court. 'This is the only way of stopping H's machinations'...'she is very much afraid of my having G. made a ward...And you would score heavily off H if...you are called to testify', hoping 'this persecution' will end soon.
ii) One-page autograph letter, signed with monogram, from Heytesbury House, 3 June [19]45, 8°, to 'V', making arrangements for a visit 'on a non-Hester day' and tells her to take no notice of Hester, 'her behaviour of that sort is part of the way she destroys her own happiness with George'.
iii) One-page autograph letter, signed with monogram, from Heytesbury House, 12 September [19]47, 8°, to 'V', responding to a letter describing a dream and remembering a friend killed in 1915, dreading H's return, 'No doubt she will give me no peace in her 'autumn offensive'', and expressing worries about George and the affect she is having on him.
iv) One-page autograph letter, signed with monogram, n.p., 26 November [19]60, 8°, to Vivien, 'I received the news of G's release (& mine!) this morning via the press cutting agency!'. He praises George for supporting his mother and is relieved that the last six months is over. With a photograph of Sassoon, signed with his monogram.
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i) One-page autograph letter, signed with monogram, from Heytesbury House, n.d., 8°, to 'V', regarding having his son George made a ward of court. 'This is the only way of stopping H's machinations'...'she is very much afraid of my having G. made a ward...And you would score heavily off H if...you are called to testify', hoping 'this persecution' will end soon.
ii) One-page autograph letter, signed with monogram, from Heytesbury House, 3 June [19]45, 8°, to 'V', making arrangements for a visit 'on a non-Hester day' and tells her to take no notice of Hester, 'her behaviour of that sort is part of the way she destroys her own happiness with George'.
iii) One-page autograph letter, signed with monogram, from Heytesbury House, 12 September [19]47, 8°, to 'V', responding to a letter describing a dream and remembering a friend killed in 1915, dreading H's return, 'No doubt she will give me no peace in her 'autumn offensive'', and expressing worries about George and the affect she is having on him.
iv) One-page autograph letter, signed with monogram, n.p., 26 November [19]60, 8°, to Vivien, 'I received the news of G's release (& mine!) this morning via the press cutting agency!'. He praises George for supporting his mother and is relieved that the last six months is over. With a photograph of Sassoon, signed with his monogram.
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