PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPY: ORIGINAL MATERIAL RESTRICTED

59 St. John's Road,
Tunbridge Wells, Eng.

July 9, 1928

Gentlemen:

I have to thank you for your enquiry of June 27th, and append as complete a list as I can compile of the books I have illustrated.

I must, however, point out that a good many of my pre-war books have not been fairly dealt with as regards colour reproduction, and I cannot honestly recommend such publications to a fastidious collector. Some notable exceptions are THE BOOK OF PSALMS, THE INDIAN and the RUSSIAN STORY BOOK, which are excellently reproduced in colour as well as black and white. They are much in demand by collectors and none too easy to procure.

The PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, one of my earliest works - and since reprinted by Dent's - suffered badly as regards colour plates, owing to some fatal experiment; and my post war LAMB'S TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE suffered grievously in exactly the same way. Such failures on part of the blockmakers and the colour process persuaded me to avoid colour work whenever possible, hence my post-war books are practically all in black and white.

Such early juvenile books as GATEWAY TO SPENSER, THE STORY WITHOUT AN END, and perhaps CHILDREN OF THE DAWN (my first-born), and AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND, enjoyed a good popularity. Besides those mentioned in the list, I have done quite a number of smaller books (some of which I have not seen:) but I am not able to recall their titles, publishers, or dates.

I might mention that Cabell's THE SILVER STALLION will appear this fall, and that the publisher's Lane & McBride, have planned to make a really sumptuous volume of it. Apart from the fact that it will contain a far larger number of my drawings than any previous book, I myself regard it as my best work so far, and it should prove a great success.

It might also interest you to hear that I have six uncut RABELAIS (12 vols.) with my illustrations. One set is an artist copy, and the others number 137-140. It was, of course, a limited edition, and, as some of my other books, it may become scarce. I was told the American edition (Boni & Livright) is sold out and the English one is very nearly exhausted, too. In any case, should you at any time have reason to obtain copies of this book, I shall be pleased to consider offers.

I am now arranging an exhibition of my original illustrations for my post war books, from JURGEN onwards, to be held in London during end of May or beginning of June, 1929. All my forthcoming books will contain a book marker giving notice of this show. Any collectors wishing to purchase original drawings can apply to me or their bookseller for a catalogue with prices, and can thus obtain them before the exhibition. I expect to fix definitely on the galleries within the next few days, and due notice shall be sent you.

Yours faithfully,

Oct.10 * 1928

Mr. Frank C. Pape,
c/o The Bodley Head,
Vigo St., W.1,
London, England.

Dear Sir:

As our letterhead indicates, we are publishers of books, and in the course of our business have engaged various artists to do illustrating for these publications.

We have in preparation at this time a new edition of Seutonius's LIVES OF THE TWELVE CAESARS, based largely on the Holland translation, but rendered into modern English and preserving as much as possible of the grace and flavour of the original. It will be complete, fully annotated, and in every respect a scholarly, as well as entertaining, work. According to our present plan, it will be issued in two volumes.

We should like to have twenty full page illustrations in black and white for this edition, and our purpose in writing you is to ascertain if you will do these drawings for us, and at what price. You will be permitted all the latitude you desire in the selection of scenes for representation, and our only stipulation is that we shall receive the finished drawings in time for publication in the Fall of 1929.

We look forward to hearing from you with respect to this proposal, and meanwhile, we stay

Your obedient servants,
ARGUS BOOKS

BA:B