Details
WILLIAMSON, Henry (1895-1977). A collection of 19 autograph letters and postcards signed and 2 typed letters signed to Lionel Dakers, Ox's Cross, Georgeham, Braunton; Bellarena, Londonderry; Savage Club, London; Barnstaple and North Devon Club; 4 Capstone Place, Ilfracombe; Venice; 74 Queen Anne's Gate; 6 September 1960 - 15 August 1972 (two undated), including a picture postcard with an image of a barn owl, and one postcard with Williamson's printed owl logo, altogether 21 items: 12 postcards, 8vo, 10 pages, 8vo, and 4½ pages, 4to, with 6 envelopes.
A REVEALING SERIES OF LETTERS, offering detailed insights into Williamson's life and work, and friendship with Lionel Dakers. The constant theme of this correspondence, written over a period of twelve years, is Williamson's thoughts on his current work (A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight, the 15-volume masterpiece encompassing a portrait of life in the first half of the 20th century, 1951-1969) and the continual rush to correct proofs before publication ('a trusted friend told me I should have had the climax (mustard gas etc) at end of novel, not ¼ way through. Trouble was, no time to reflect -- rush it out').
In a letter of 1967, Williamson is trying to finish the final novel of the Chronicle sequence, 'a short, tragic gotterdämmerung of a novel, wherin all is resolved -- "fate is character"' ... 'I have a feeling no. 15 will surprise the critics ... and possibly bring the series to prominence'. Also evident is his exhaustion from prolonged overwork -- 'my engine seems to have damaged its crankshaft permanently and I simply have no energy left', 'I cannot wait to get rid of all material things including library and all mss and papers everything one hoped to hand on to some sort of relation ... to help perpetuate a piece of land ... as a memorial, for sake of readers possibly in future' (April 1964). Worry over personal failures is shown in a letter dated 1963, 'human nature cannot always live up to its intellectual standards' ... 'JM Murray said, after reading the Dark Lantern, "You are now a whole man". But it took 8 novels to dispel the fear of failure'.
Punctuating Williamson's preoccupation with his work are fond memories of listening to Dakers' choir at Exeter cathedral, quotations from and praise for literary figures, such as Arnold Bennett, Katherine Mansfield, Oscar Wilde, a postcard sent from a holiday in Venice (1963) ('I heard about James Morris from Ezra Pound in Venice while I was there'), together with thoughts on his son, his separation from his wife Christine Mary Duffield in 1962, and on how his work kept him going after her 'flight'. Letters from Williamson's later years are morbid and touching, written in failing health, 'Art is only an escape from 'living' -- & when it is gone, all else goes with it', but with hopes to regain a zest for living by reviving an ambition to 'do a good film of Phillip, Barley, [and] their otter' (characters from A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight).
A REVEALING SERIES OF LETTERS, offering detailed insights into Williamson's life and work, and friendship with Lionel Dakers. The constant theme of this correspondence, written over a period of twelve years, is Williamson's thoughts on his current work (A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight, the 15-volume masterpiece encompassing a portrait of life in the first half of the 20th century, 1951-1969) and the continual rush to correct proofs before publication ('a trusted friend told me I should have had the climax (mustard gas etc) at end of novel, not ¼ way through. Trouble was, no time to reflect -- rush it out').
In a letter of 1967, Williamson is trying to finish the final novel of the Chronicle sequence, 'a short, tragic gotterdämmerung of a novel, wherin all is resolved -- "fate is character"' ... 'I have a feeling no. 15 will surprise the critics ... and possibly bring the series to prominence'. Also evident is his exhaustion from prolonged overwork -- 'my engine seems to have damaged its crankshaft permanently and I simply have no energy left', 'I cannot wait to get rid of all material things including library and all mss and papers everything one hoped to hand on to some sort of relation ... to help perpetuate a piece of land ... as a memorial, for sake of readers possibly in future' (April 1964). Worry over personal failures is shown in a letter dated 1963, 'human nature cannot always live up to its intellectual standards' ... 'JM Murray said, after reading the Dark Lantern, "You are now a whole man". But it took 8 novels to dispel the fear of failure'.
Punctuating Williamson's preoccupation with his work are fond memories of listening to Dakers' choir at Exeter cathedral, quotations from and praise for literary figures, such as Arnold Bennett, Katherine Mansfield, Oscar Wilde, a postcard sent from a holiday in Venice (1963) ('I heard about James Morris from Ezra Pound in Venice while I was there'), together with thoughts on his son, his separation from his wife Christine Mary Duffield in 1962, and on how his work kept him going after her 'flight'. Letters from Williamson's later years are morbid and touching, written in failing health, 'Art is only an escape from 'living' -- & when it is gone, all else goes with it', but with hopes to regain a zest for living by reviving an ambition to 'do a good film of Phillip, Barley, [and] their otter' (characters from A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight).
Sale room notice
Please note that this is an additional lot: Henry WILLIAMSON. A collection of 19 autograph letters and postcards signed and 2 typed letters signed to Lionel Dakers, 6 September 1960-15 August 1972. A full description is available on request from the department.