International Autograph Auctions Ltd.
Lot 163
DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. A.L.S., Daphne, four pages, 4to, 13 Rue Jessop, Mustapha, Alexandria, 7th November 1936, to Foy Quiller-Couch. A letter of diverse and interesting content. Du Maurier informs her correspondent 'I am still haunted by the passing of the night man, and cannot understand how your peaceable aunt and uncle consented to live in the wilds of Essex…I feel it is probably your doing…And I shall not employ you as a household remover… you cook a chop in the open… and you handle a restive pony in a jingle with consummate tact, but there, as far as I am concerned , your efficiency ends.' Continuing to discuss the climate in London, 'it makes me tremble to think what mother will say to my appearance after an Egyptian summer!' Continuing 'I am interested in a new fund. Do you remember me talking of a dear couple we knew in Frimley, he was a major in the D.C.L.I… He died of acute appendix, 3 weeks before their baby was born, and the poor little wife has been left almost penniless and alone…It is a most awful thing and they were so devoted. He used to stay at Jamaica Inn…' and her feelings for Egypt, 'Would you and mother and father eat Jaffa oranges if I sent you some for Xmas? I couldn't bear you to have anything Egyptian! But the Palestine oranges are rather good…' Further adding 'All the Cairo thorough fares are like Hammersmith Broadway. I was taken to the famous mouske (sic)… and found it an inferior Burlington Arcade… I feel rather sorry for Egypt. A dull and not particularly interesting country has been overwritten and described that it has lost any genuine feeling it once may have had.' Concluding 'You ought to read a book "In the Steps of The Master" by H.V. Morton about Palestine… No more now. It's a hot stewy day and I'm going to lie down and rest…' All pages have been professionally repaired to the top and left edges with a few words missing, not affecting the signature. GFoy Quiller-Couch - daughter of British writer Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), and a life-long friend of Du Maurier. Indeed, Du Maurier was accompanied by Foy Quiller-Couch when she became inspired with the storyline for her novel Jamaica Inn. In 1930 the two ladies were staying at Jamaica Inn and went riding on Bodmin Moor. They became lost in bad weather conditions and apparently sheltered for some time in a derelict cottage on the moor but were eventually led back to Jamaica Inn by their horses.The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (DCLI) was a light infantry regiment of the British Army in existence from 1881 to 1959.Henry Vollam Morton (1892-1979) British Journalist and Travel Writer. He first achieved fame in 1923 when, while working for the Daily Express, he scooped the official Times correspondent during the coverage of the opening of the Tomb of Tutankhamun by Howard Carter in Egypt.
