Autograph Letter Signed

Important figure in the "English Musical Renaissance" of the late 19th/early 20th century, educator and director of the Royal College of Music (1895-1918) and prolific composer remembered for the choral song "Jerusalem" and the coronation anthem "I was glad." ALS, 4pp (lettersheet), Rustington, West Sussex, 1884 April 29. Addressed to "Watson" (likely George Watson, registrar and administrator of the Royal College of Music from 1883 to 1896 who helped establish their Associated Board). Very good. Mildly worn and age toned. Parry had been appointed professor of composition and music history upon the RCM's founding in 1883, and in this good content letter explains his inability to attend an RCM board meeting: "I'm sorry to say I cannot be up to the Board meeting on Thursday. Your notice came too late for me to rearrange matters so as to manage it. I was just starting for town, & in my present miserably lamed condition could not wait there by myself till Thursday; & I am not well enough to stand another journey this week. Knocking about with my leg bad at those examinations did so much harm and not yet there but little signs of substantial improvement, & I have now to sit on the sofa, which is a poor way of getting freshened up in ones holiday. I suppose from that note of today saying my lessons begin on Tuesday that I shall not be wanted for examinations on Monday. If I shall be so wanted please let me have a line. I saw Mr. Franklin Taylor this morning so my views will be well represented at the Board." Boldly, fairly legibly penned and signed in full at the close. (Frankin Taylor, 1843-1919, was a noted pianist and fellow faculty member at the RCM.) A great example.…