About this Item
Small collection of four items of manuscript correspondence, all addressed to Professor Herbert Wright, professor of Scandinavian languages at University College of North Wales in Bangor, regarding Swedish and British relations during the war; postcard toned, previous folds to letters, else very good. Although a native of Canada, Niven was educated in Scotland and worked for the Ministry of Information in London during World War I. He returned to Canada in 1920 and would go on to author more than 40 works of fiction, poetry, and history (see Oxford Companion to Canadian History and Literature, p. 575). 1. Autograph letter, bifolium; dated May 4th, 1918 and addressed to "My dear Wright" from The Turret, Amersham, Bucks (letterhead). Regarding Niven's wartime task work: "You will probaby wonder why I am writing to you? It is Pro Patria. I am in the Department of Information in London and one of my tasks is to aid in dispatch of a daily telegraph to Sweden. This telegram deals with the war and with business, is at the service of Swedish business houses. Also we try to use this means of communication for return of amenities as there are many Swedes in this country with a warm side for the British.I wonder if you could--and would care to--give me your view of why Sweden is becoming more friendly toward us." 2. Autograph postcard signed, undated, addressed "Dear Wright," from Hayes, Kent. Missive begins with a brief note regarding an unnamed person of interest (although a "Davies" is referred to in letters 3 and 4), to whom Wright had probably been hoping to obtain an introduction from Niven. The contents swiftly move on to what was probably Wright's response to the above letter: "All you tell me of Scandinavia greatly interests me. I have an added interest because my agent has just written to tell me that some Scandinavian publishers are interested in my work. Did you ever write that Forum article? Congratulations and all good wishes. Yours sincerely, Frederick Niven." 3. Autograph letter, bifolium; dated ?May 10, 1918 and addressed again to "My Dear Wright" on the same letterhead as the letter 1. Thanking Wright for his response to the first letter: "I am obliged indeed for your letter with its note for the Ministry of Information--which I expect will be included in a London Letter kind of wire we send to Stockholm for the Swedish Press. Your name will not be mentioned. Something like--'Student of Scandinavian languages' will be said." 4. Autograph letter, bifolium; dated August 29, 1918 and addressed to "Dear Wright" on the same letterhead with address redacted and replaced in manuscript, "77 Albert Palace Mansion, Battersea Park, London S.W. 11". "I envy you your present address. London lacks oxygen these day--is more crowded than I have ever known it. I seem to be taking my war-work very seriously, for I see no opportunity of a holiday." Whether Niven ever got his holiday is anyone's guess.
Seller Inventory # 44735
Contact seller
Report this item
