Letters from John Masefield to Greta Stevens, 1952-1966, with associated material

This material is held atUniversity of Leeds Special Collections

  • Reference
    • GB 206 Brotherton Collection MS 20c Masefield
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1925-1967
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English
  • Physical Description
    • 58 letters with 51 envelopes; 26 photographs; 5 printed books.

Scope and Content

Comprises: (1) Autograph letters from John Masefield to Greta Stevens, March 1952 - ca.1965, many discussing the work of W. B. Yeats and a Yeats commemorative event in 1964. (2) Four signed photographs of Masefield; photograph of a painting 'Pilot come ashore' by Jack B. Yeats; photographs of various ships; (3) Christmas cards; postcards; poetry cards by Masefield, including 'A Merry Christmas'; (4) A watercolour sketch of a ship by Masefield, inscribed 'The Greta'; (5) Four printed books by Masefield: With the living voice, 1925; The Conway, 1933; In the mill, 1941; New chum, 1944, all inscribed 'For Greta from John'; printed book by Masefield, Dauber and Reynard the Fox, 1962, inscribed 'For Jonathan Lee from John'; (6) Newspaper cuttings of Masefield's obituaries, 1967.

Administrative / Biographical History

John Masefield (1878-1967) was Poet Laureate in succession to Robert Bridges from 1930. For a full account of his life and work see the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2004).

Arrangement

The envelopes have been numbered 1-51 and the printed books, 52-56. The letters and associated material have been numbered accordingly, depending on their context when received. Items numbered 52-55 were found inserted in the corresponding printed books.

Access Information

Access is unrestricted.

Acquisition Information

Purchased at Sotheby's sale, 10 July 2003 (Lot 247).

Note

In English.