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Lot 72

FORESTER (C.S.)

22 November 2011, 10:30 GMT
London, New Bond Street

£300 - £400

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FORESTER (C.S.)

Autograph letter signed, to Mr Grubb of the Public Ledger Syndicate, relating his favourite joke and sending autobiographical information for publicity purposes ("...Chief distinction, being the laziest man north of Naples..."), one page, headed paper, lightly soiled, chip at head of sheet, 4to, 58 Underhill Road, London, 1 April 1929

Footnotes

In his catalogue, Michael Silverman quoted this letter with evident relish, the accident-prone Forester being in high spirits: "My favourite joke is about the Cardinal-Archbishop who found himself beside the Chief Rabbi at a City dinner. Said the Cardinal, absentmindedly – 'Can I help you to a little of this ham?' 'I shall wait for that until Your Eminence's wedding breakfast.' The other story I like is about the three girls who went for a tramp in the woods. He is now in hospital. For publicity I have not much to suggest. Published a novel eight years ago, nearly, at the age of 22, & have regretted it ever since. One of the very few people who have succeeded in getting a motor boat down 300 miles of the unnavigable river Loire – may be the only one. Was wrecked in the Thames once on Good Friday, kicked off my shoes while swimming ashore, could not, of course, buy new ones, & came back to London by train (& taxi) in stockinged feet in a crowded excursion train".

The Philadelphia Public Ledger Syndicate was formed in 1915 to sell and distribute features to the Saturday Evening Post and Ladies Home Journal; Forester being a frequent contributor to the Post, which was to serialize Commodore Hornblower in 1945.

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