Mitford - Gollancz files: Hons and Rebels.
Jessica Mitford – Gollancz
Archive
Approximately 200 items; 1950s-1990s (bulking 1980s-90s).
Files from British publisher Victor Gollancz Limited relating to author Jessica Mitford (1917-1996) and the 1960 publication and 1989 re-issue of her first book, the memoir Hons and Rebels, which told the story of the six celebrated Mitford sisters – Jessica, Diana, Unity, Nancy, Deborah, and Pamela – from their conservative aristocratic upbringing to the controversial paths on which they embarked (Jessica was known for her Communist politics and muckraking journalism).
Material includes a handful of incoming letters from Mitford, with the bulk comprised of outgoing carbons and interoffice correspondence generated by Victor Gollancz, editorial director Liz Knights, and others at Victor Gollancz Limited, and related correspondence between Gollancz and other publishers in England and abroad dealing with foreign editions, re-issues, rights, permissions, licensing, etc., as well as with Hilary Rubinstein at Rubinstein, Nash & Co. Solicitors, who routinely reviewed manuscripts for potentially libelous material. Together with three publishing agreements and occasional printed matter.
The correspondence leading up to the publication of Hons and Rebels includes much discussion over its title – Mitford’s agreement with Gollancz is for an autobiography titled My Life and Red Times; it then became Red Sheep, which the people at Gollancz hated; and Mitford finally settled on Hons and Rebels, which her mother, Sydney Redesdale, hated. As a result, there are a handful of dramatic letters from Lady Redesdale, who writes to Victor Gollancz on December 4, 1959, “I think you will agree with me that ‘Hon’ has been quite over done, and everyone is sick of it, also it is too reminiscent of my other daughter’s books. I think the mere sight of it revived by another author would prevent many people from buying the book…” As a result, Mitford contacts Gollancz, asking him to pacify her mother with a “nice letter.” Hilary Rubinstein’s libel queries “on this most interesting book” run two pages – among his concerns: “Page 53. In case the headmistress of Oakdale Private Girls School should be still alive, the reference to her as a ‘Beastly old Lesbian’ had better be modified. […] Page 124 et seq. Mr. Stevenson (if that is his correct name) might object to the account of his ‘lack of charm’ and discourtesy. […] Page 176 (and 182). Is Miss Warren the correct name of this ‘self-seeking hog’? If so, it had better be changed…” Additionally, Mitford’s descriptions of her sister Deborah’s pastime of “duke hunting” are called into question. She assures Gollancz not to worry, but sure enough Debbo, as she was known – and by then a Duchess – requests that she alter the passages.
Later letters include mentions by Mitford of progress on new books as well as potential reprints. Publisher correspondence throughout the 1970s-1990s addresses remaindering surplus stock of Hons and Rebels, open market rights in Canada, use of Mitford’s work in anthologies, reprints, and related topics.
Breakdown of material
• Seven typed letters signed and one typed letter carbon, Mitford (as “Decca”) to Victor Gollancz, David Harris at Houghton Mifflin, and later to Liz Knights at Gollancz, 1959-1994;
• Typed postcard signed, Mitford to Knights, November 6, 1989;
• Outgoing carbons from Victor Gollancz, Ltd., as well as incoming letters from other publishers and agents in reference to Mitford’s work (including rights, permissions, etc.);
• Original contract, between Mitford and Gollancz, May 12, 1959, signed by Mitford (as Jessica Lucy Treuhaft); as well as original contracts for the 1977 Quartet books reprint and a 1990 large print edition, signed by the publishers;
• Two typed letters signed from Mitford’s mother, Lady Redesdale, urging Gollancz to revert to the original title;
• Dust-jacket proof for Hons and Rebels re-issue;
• Penelope Mortimer’s three-page review, “Life under the Upper Crust,” and Gollancz’s two-page response.
Inventory of Mitford letters
Typed letter signed, “Decca Treuhaft,” to “Mr. Gollancz,” May 18, 1959; 8vo.; one and a quarter page. Conveying great pleasure after meeting Gollancz for lunch and reporting that she has “now completed all but the last chapter.” Mitford also relays travel plans and encloses a sketch by a friend for the dust-jacket – she explains that she thought it “unlikely” that Gollancz would use it but she was submitting anyway. (The sketch was, in fact, ultimately used for the first edition).
Typed letter carbon, “Jessica Treuhaft,” to “Mr. David Harris” of Houghton Mifflin; December 4, 1959; 4to.; one page. Responding to a handful of suggested alterations to the text (mainly to names of characters that could be potentially libelous) – she notes, “I think it is too late for them to make any changes, as the book is already being printed.”
Typed letter signed, “Decca,” to “Mr. Gollancz,” December 9, 1959; 4to.; one page. Regarding the title of the book – by this time, Hons and Rebels – and her mother’s strong feelings against it. Mitford closes, “I would so appreciate it if you would write her a nice letter, sort of to set her mind at rest, perhaps giving some positive reactions to the present title. Forgive me for bothering you with all this...”
Typed letter signed, “Decca,” to “Mr. Gollancz,” March 21, 1960; small 4to; one page. Thanking Gollancz for his “wonderfully encouraging letter” and commenting that “I can see you are doing tremendous things to publicize the book.” She adds, “On the strength of what you said about earning almost double the advance, I am rushing out to buy some Spring clothes.”
Typed letter signed, “Decca,” to “John,” July 7, 1977; 4to; one page. Regarding writer Philip Toynbee (who she reports has been “suffering from the most ghastly depression”) and the possibility of reprinting his 1954 book Friends Apart.
Typed letter signed, “Decca,” to “Liz,” May 11, 1989; 4to; one page. Commenting favorably on the new edition of Hons and Rebels; she also remarks that she will not make it to London for the “glorious 8 June publication.”
Typed letter signed, “Decca,” to “Liz,” May 6, 1990; 4to; one page. Writing in response to “the perfectly beastly” news of Knights’ illness (cancer) and the “v. encouraging news of Hons/Rebs sales.” She comments in a post-script, “My new book: VERY SLOW, but an inch a day. MS not due until June 1991; I am dying to finish before then, but who knows.”
Typed letter signed, “Decca,” to “Liz,” April 9, 1994; 4to; one page. Thanking Knights for sending books and commenting that the Snow children had been very kind to her. In part, she comments, “I tried to think back to being their age; if a creepy old cripple had come to stay, would I have helped her with her stick, offered to fetch things? Not bloody likely, I’d have kept strictly out of her way, praying for her speedy departure…”
(#4657021)
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