Beschreibung:

Sassoon, Siegfried. A series of 36 ALsS to his childhood friend, Marjorie Forster, (from 1949, Mrs. Shaw), 1915–66. Many signed with monogram. Approx. 57pp. November 9th [1915] The Huts, Litherland, Liverpool. Refers to the death of his brother Hamo (at Gallipoli in October), “It was a most awful blow”. “Litherland is not a cheerful place at present…I take a riding class of Sandhurst subs. You would be amused at some of the positions they adopt when riding”. 1 1/2pp. 4to. With envelope. July l [1916] 25th Battn. RWF France. Condolences on the death of her mother , without mentioning the war, though July 1st marked the beginning of the battle of the Somme. 1/2p. 4to. June 18 [1918] Weirleigh, Paddock Wood, Kent (his old home). Refers to the reception of “Counter Attack”. “The only review which has explained the book properly is in “The Nation” for June 16th. I should like you to read it, as I feel very strongly about the complacent attitude so many people adopt toward the war”. 1 1/2pp., 8vo. August 21st [1918]. Lennel, Coldstream, Berwickshire. (a convalescent home for officers run by Lady Clem Waring). “I have done two or three short poems lately which you will like better than most of Counter-attack, which was not written for people like you, who understand what a wicked show war is”. 1p. 4to. (these last three letters in one envelope) 25th October [1928]. Hotel Foyot Paris [with Stephen Tennant]. Referring to Memoirs of a Fox Hunting Man, “My goodness it was a difficult book to write. There were many delightful things I longed to put in, such as the old days at Finchcocks which I remember so clearly, but I had to condense and simplify the narrative drastically...” 2pp., 8vo. with envelope November 7th [1928]. Trianon Palace Versailles. “The woods round here are so beautiful that I am unwilling to leave…The success of “Memoirs” seems to continue & I expect the inhabitants of Brenchly & Matfield will be claiming a percentage of the profits!” 1 1/4pp, 8vo. March 2nd 1929. n.p. “In 30 years, I trust, we shall be exchanging reminiscent remarks from our immense store of memories. Considering your outward appearance I find it difficult to believe that I danced with you 30 years ago!”1p., 8vo. 22nd March 1929. 23 Campden Hill Square. His mother’s illness; “I have been drudging, night after night…but I am only just hanging on [referring to the writing of Memoirs of an Infantry Officer]; “I have been reading an advance copy of a German book, well translated, “All Clear on the Western Front” by Remarque. It is a courageous but horrible book…” 2pp., 8vo. 24th July, [? 1929]. Breitenau, Garmisch. [a small pension in the Bavarian Alps run by Walther and Johanna Hirth] He is pleased that Marjorie was at the presentation of the Hawthornden Prize (for memoirs of a Foxhunting Man), “I think you ought to have been on the platform as the earliest reader of my works present”. He feels well and rested. 2pp., 8vo. 21st November 1929. Hotel Plaza Paris [with Stephen Tennant]. “If you want an exasperating but not uninteresting experience read R. Graves’s “Goodbye to all that” – I figure prominently & have been much enraged by the inaccuracies about me, & the general tone of self assertive tactless vulgarity”. 2pp., 8vo, with earlier envelope. 26th June, 1930. Wilsford Manor, Salisbury. He is busy keeping Stephen Tennant amused, who is ill with lung trouble, “…every evening I take a little horse exercise on the downs…it is a queer life, but quite pleasant, as this place is absolutely perfect.” 2pp., 8vo. 5th July, 1930. Wilsford Manor. He has written “a short introduction to a new edition of ‘Handley Cross’…at the urgent request of J.C. Squire”, but refuses to sign 200 copies demanded by the publishers, “This was the first I’d heard of it” and “ Why am I sitting here at Ld. Grey’s writing table – to all intents & purposes, the guardian of S. Tennant?” 2pp., 8vo. September 1930. 23 Campden Hill Square. “Your letter about my book is the sort of thing