Poetry and Plays and Music Scores

Original Regency Lady’s Commonplace Book [1822/23] featuring numerous poetic and artistic contributions.

A most unusual example and one that warrants further research … we are not entirely sure who the owner was – but she was posh – there are a few clues – and the contributors are also somewhat elusive – we have tracked down a couple of distinguished types.

Landscape format, approximately 70 or so leaves, marbled covered boards, leather bound as original, some pages loose but we have left it as original.

Commonplace books were, as the name goes, commonplace … they were kept as a repository of information of interest to the owner. What is much more unusual is that this one has been circulated among many contributors and must have taken a logistics exercise to keep it under control.

Overall, there are 12 artistic contributions including six watercolours. There are over 35 contributions of original poetry. Enough items are dated to give us our 1822/23 description.

Included, and now at the right page is a letter from Charles R Forrester apologising to “Honoured Madam” for “detaining your “Album” and to so little purpose as to have received a trifling addition as the lines which are offered for your approval- Their sole merit consists in their being Original and being written by “originals” and believe me Madam with the utmost respect” etc etc. the writer Charles Forester [1803-1850] was a well published poet and author – but just to make it hard often under a variety of pseudonyms. Likewise, his brother Alfred was a literary illustrator. Other poems include words from the Rev. John Marriot who was a chum of Sir Walter Scott – they used to discuss poetry together.

It’s a nice thing and a couple of the artistic contributions show some talent, standard of poetry likewise – the Zephyr and the Rose especially – and perfect handwriting even when dainty.

Please never submit this item to AI or SI for that matter.

Over 200 years old a veritable time-capsule awaiting further exploration and/or to be enjoyed.

SO SORRY SOLD

$290.00

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The Theatre of P.G. Wodehouse – David Jason

Published by Batsford, London in 1979 a first edition. Small quarto, 120 pages, many illustrations as required by the subject.

A very good copy in a very good dust jacket.

The author was a Wodehouse nut, lived next to him, authored his bibliography and other works.

Those that read Jeeves et al may not know that Wodehouse, particularly in his earlier years was equally famous in the Theatre word particularly Broadway …

If you are thinking of entering Mastermind with a P.G.W. subject matter then you need this ..

The other side of Wodehouse a theatre reference.

$30.00

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[Australian Poetry] The Lee Shore – John Couper

Published by Edwards and Shaw, Sydney in 1979, who did so much for Australian poetry and poets.

Soft cover but with a stiff paper jacket – upmarket presentation. Octavo, 90 pages – fours groups titles as to group … Versions of Horace; A Few Nice Letters to John Dunmore Lang; Elegies and Executions and Shade Across a Summer.

Witty and satiric with an intellectual shine … not only Horace but we have references to Villon [see our Villon] and Wordsworth – seemingly as savage as Swift … big shoe

The Lee Shore – a full course and fine meal.

$30.00

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Australian Poetry 1959 – Selected by Nancy Keesing

Published by Angus and Robertson, in 1959 – their annual celebration of Australian poetry selected by the well qualified Nancy Kessing.

Octavo, 96 pages and near as many poems by the likes of Douglas Stewart, Vincent Buckley, Mary Finnin, Mary Gilmore and Peter Hopegood.

Super selection, perhaps our favourite by Olive Pell – “I don’t give a damn’ …. But we do of course.

Australian Poetry 1959 a super year for it!

$25.00

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Australian Poetry – The Hooded Lamp – Roland Robinson

Published by poetry experts Edwards and Shaw, Sydney in 1976 a first and only edition.

Born Irish but came to Australia at the age of nine, Roland Robinson [192-1992] is recognised as one of Australis’s great poets.

This book of verse is the eighth published by Robinson since his first in 1944 when enlisted.

A lyrical writer in touch with the Australian landscape and its spiritual significance to aboriginals.

Winner of numerous literary awards.

Octavo, 56 pages, 42 poems in total

Roland Robinson maybe out there by himself in his era.

$30.00

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Australian Poetry – The Fabulous Dross – Thomas Naisby.

Published by poetry experts Edwards and Shaw, Sydney in 1979 a first and only edition.

Nice, neat production, octavo,70 pages with 70 poems written in an unusual, vigorous stimulating style. Titled the Fabulous Dross which is one group of poems – also a second group named Upper Allyn [with a Coda from Orange] … and a third named Beginnings. We like Fable; Four Creeks and Smokescreen respectively in each.

Thomas Naisby [1931-1989] was born in Sunderland England and came to Australia permanently in 1955.

Gift worthy Australian poetry by Naisby

$25.00

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Original Regency Lady’s Commonplace Book [1822/23] featuring numerous poetic and artistic contributions.

The Theatre of P.G. Wodehouse – David Jason

[Australian Poetry] The Lee Shore – John Couper

Australian Poetry 1959 – Selected by Nancy Keesing

Australian Poetry – The Hooded Lamp – Roland Robinson

Australian Poetry – The Fabulous Dross – Thomas Naisby.

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