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Lot 458
DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. T.L.S., Daphne, five pages, 8vo, Menabilly, Par, Cornwall, 20th May 1969, to 'My dear' (Foy Quiller-Couch). Du Maurier announces 'I am going to need those biscuits' and explains 'I have just had a cup of tea in the Long Room without any furniture except the piano, which won't fit into the Long Room at Kilmarth - and although a resplendent new carpet is down in the room the other end, and the rest of the stuff for that room awaits me, and beds are even in the bedrooms, with curtains hanging, the kitchen equipment has not yet come for the Kilmarth kitchen, so that when the final move takes place I shall be sitting in grandeur there but unable to eat or even boil a kettle. I may telephone you to send me up a couple of pasties by passenger train', further writing 'Life is chaotic, and dear Miss Tod has just departed by train, having packed a lot of china ornaments and been very useful, but the monastic peace is soothing after her non-stop prattle, though it is mean of me to say so. I have just told my mincy builder….that I intend turning Kilmarth into a Retreat for the Dumb, and people who come to stay with me will take a vow of silence. He looked rather distressed and asked if it meant I would henceforth communicate with him and his henchmen in sign language, because it might make things rather difficult. I said that it would and watched him hurry off with bowed shoulders to whisper to the carpenter and the decorator in the unfinished or rather un-started kitchen, the three of them gesticulating to one another like monks…..Meanwhile, here at Menabilly, with rooms almost stripped, I keep forgetting that a year ago I told various people they could come and see the grounds when the rhodies were in bloom. I was drinking a cup of coffee after a meagre lunch a few weeks ago when three ambulences (sic) and six cars filled with spastics from Redruth came up the drive - I had promised to show the poor spastics the inside of the house as well - and a few evenings ago I was boiling an egg for supper when 50 ladies from St. Blazey Women's Institute came to the front door and were immediately attacked by my furious barking dogs. The Guardsman (her husband, Frederick Browning) always said I ought to keep a Dairy (sic) for engagements a year ahead…' Du Maurier further sympathises with her friend's own residential problems, 'If you….like, I will instruct the underground of Mebyon Kernow (of which I am a leading light) to come with bombs and blow all the camping sites to smithereens, and to put smoke bombs under the beds of the airmen and their wives from Culdrose…..Truly, I am very distressed for you….' She concludes her letter with an amusing anecdote, 'I must tell you a lovely remark that Mr. Burt made to Kits (who came down for my birthday) after he had been shown round Kilmarth for the first time. He waited until the mincy builder was out of earshot, and then he said - he is now 87 - “Well, t'is all very nice I'm sure, and I only hope I live to see the day when Lady Browning is settled in, but when I think of the money she has spent on Menabilly and on this place, its my firm opinion she could have built a blinkin' cathederal.“ '. A letter of amusing content. EX Foy 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, apparently around the time of the present letter, 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. Mebyon Kernow - The Party for Cornwall is a Cornish nationalist, centre left political party, founded in 1951. It primarily campaigns for devolution to Cornwall in the form of a Cornish Assembly. Du Maurier was perhaps the best known supporter of the party.
Lot 430
The Yester Saloon Carpet Chinese carpet, the oatmeal ground with blue key pattern border and multi-coloured spandrels and central motif, approximately 36ft x 26½ft. Prov: Marquess of Tweeddale, Yester. Condition Report In extremely poor condition. Full of holes, tears and stains. Viewing highly recommended.
Lot 434
Feraghan carpet of Gulli Henna design, the dark blue field with all over design of stylised flowerheads and tendrils (worn), 520cm x 750cm. Condition Report One corner missing, 14 in section. All fringes and side cords are frayed. The carpet overall has very little pile and is worn, particularly the borders, and discoloured. In poor condition.
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