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Auction: 323 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1439

Waugh, Evelyn (1903-1966). Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh was a British novelist who used his service experience in World War II to provide the themes of some of his later novels including "Brideshead Revisited", "The Loved One", and "Officers and Gentlemen". Choice Autograph Letter Signed "E. Waugh," 1 page, 8vo, on stationery imprinted "Combe Florey House, Combe Florey, Nr. Tauton. September 11, no year. Writing Hugh Heckstall-Smith, Waugh begins: "Yes Spencer was my informant ... His suicide,I now remember, was autumn 1941 at Hayling Island. I knew him only as a Marine but saw quite a lot of him. He was a keen officer but full of frustrated ambitions (I thought). As far as I know he was in no disciplinary trouble & his death came as a surprise to all in the Corps. I suspected him of Communist sympathies, perhaps quite wrongly ...." Continuing, Waugh refers to J.F. Roxburgh, adding: "Did J.F. not appoint his own Masters? At Lancing they were chosen from the most suitable of the assistant Masters. J.F. never had any sexual or romantic interest in me ... Looking back I see J.F. as a show-man in the best sense. Great style, but a dangerous model for the young. I hear his trusty tones in many voices." Minor rust stains and staple holes at top left corner, otherwise in very good condition. Waugh drew on Heckstall-Smith's autobiography "Doubtful Schoolmaster" for his biography "Roxburgh of Stowe". Content letters of the author of "Brideshead Revisited" are quite scarce.

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$1,500