[G.S. Layard, biographical author] Autograph Letter Signed ('G. S. Layard') to Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. Gaskell.

Four pages, 12mo. Very good on lightly aged paper. Docketed by Gaskell at head of first page 'This letter is written to myself in reply to my offer of the loan of 91 Shirley Brooks' letters. | J. B. Gaskell'. Acknowledges the receipt of the letters which Gaskell has 'so generously' placed at his disposal, and assures him that they will be 'treated with the greatest care' and returned as soon as possible, together with the photograph of 'Epicurus Rotundus' (Brooks's pen name), 'which is new to me'. Asks for 'any reminiscences, hearsay or otherwise of S. B. and any names of persons which may occur to you as likely to have letters or be able to give information or recollections of any kind. I need not say I do not mean such obvious people as Burnand, Spielmann, a Beckett, Tenniel & Frith with all of whom I am of course in communication, but less prominent people who might be likely to have kept letters written by S. B. to their forebears.' Accompanying cutting, from the 'Author', 4 August 1906, of appeal by Layard for material for his book, which was published in 1907 as 'A great "Punch" editor, being the life, letters, and diaries of Shirley Brooks'.…