A small group of autograph and typed letters signed by or relating to Walter de la Mare, all but 2 addressed to Miss Vivien Barton some time with James P. Pinker, London Literary Agents. All with usual folds; in good condition.

The first, a T.L.S. "W.J. de la Mare" , Hill House, Taplow, Buckinghamshire 4th. Oct. 1939. He writes that he is "indeed sorry you have felt compelled to give up your work with Mr. Pinker.....you have always been so kind to me, and I shall hate to think of your not being there. I should of course be interested to hear what the actual difficulties were, but that, no doubt, is a personal thing.....". The second letter is dated Oct. 31 1939, also signed "W.J. de la Mare", typed with autograph correction and addition. He writes that he hopes her application to work at the Admiralty will be successful and adds "I am glad you have given me such scope in that 'wholly imciompetent'...". The third T.L.S. , dated May the 17th & signed "W.J.dlm" , he writes regarding a cheque he has received from Albert Bonnier "in respect to the English Continental Zephyr of Miss M." and with autograph postscript "I hope you havn't been 'Casting any Clouts' - these Winds!". Together with 3 A.L's S from his son Richard to Miss Barton, In all 4-sides 8vo. Much Haddam Hall, Hertfordshire 20th July 1956, 4 Sept. 1957, & 10 April 1959. He sending cheques for "your commission & expenses" and other matters, e.g. "....as to Mr. Lockley - in the circumstances I think we had better agree to his using the poems he asked for, for a reduced fee of ten guineas", etc. Also an A.L.S. from his daughter Florence [Thompson], 2-sides 8vo, Dykes, Henfield, Sussex, June 17th n.y. "....at the moment we are trying to compile a list of people who have letters from my father & are willing to lend them....I know how much my father appreciated all you did for him & we too know how much this work involved....".WHISTLER, THERESA (1927-2007). Biographer of Walter de la Mare. A.L.S. 3-sides 8vo to "Dear Miss Barton", dated Little Place, Lyme Regis, Dorset, Dec. 3rd 1959 -"I am returning your de la Mare letters under separate cover.......I have copied passages.....which I may wish to quote in the biography........I should be very grateful if you could tell me the facts of the firm's collapse - & what happened to Eric & Ralph Pinker....Eric at any rate went to prison & also that Mr. de la Mare suffered some financial losses himself in the affair...." continuing regarding the Pinkers and her forthcoming biography. DUFF, LADY JULIET (1881-1865). A.L.S. 3-sides 8vo, Bulsbridge House, Wilton, March 11th n.y. Thanking Miss Barton for her letter and "How very kind of Mr. De La Mare to say that I may have the last 4 lines of 'Trees;' & please forgive my indiotic slip of the pen. I am gradually becoming more & more imbecile.....". Together with a T.L.S. and a typed postcard, both dated 1950, requesting permission to use some of Walter de la Mare's verse in an anthology; addressed to Faber & Faber and Constable & Co. WALKER, JEREMY. A.L.S. 2-sides, 86 Cardington Sq. Hounslw, 5th March n.y, to Miss Barton - "I am compiling an anthology of modern poetry for children and would like to include certain poems by Walter de la Mare. Faber & Faber have told me that you hold the rights of his works.......the actual poems are.....".