Beschreibung:

JAMES, HENRY. Nine autograph letters signed to Douglas Ainslie, 34 De Vere Gardens and Reform Club, Pall Mall [London] and Grand Hotel de Vésuve, Naples, most undated (one dated 9 June 1917). Together 27 pages, 8vo, most on printed stationery. There is no indication, from James's published correspondence, of when James met the younger man. Ainslie (1865-1948) was a poet, translator of Benedetto Croce and later a diplomat. The bulk of this group of letters concern theater visits. [undated:] "I am engaged to go down early on Sunday & dine...with George [?] Meredith. I am very sorry to be deprived of your company--though I am fighting a fierce battle against dining out..." [undated:] "Do you care to go with me to the... private representation (dress rehearsal) of Ibsen's Little Egolf ....I shall be in the vestibule--with many others, & shall have tickets for you. An extra one has been given me (they are all invitations)...." [undated:] James promises to "do my best for you at the St. James's" [Theatre], but he has "only a few seats at my disposal & only a pleading voice with regard to the others. They tell me the demand for seats is in great excess of the supply....I'm bound to say I can't answer for the good effect. In these things the manager is supreme, the poor author hobbled far behind...." He is sorry to have missed Ainslie's visit the other day: "I have been constantly out, thro' being immersed in rehearsals..." Apparently unpublished, not in Letters , ed. Edel. [ With :] [JAMES, H.]. Portrait photograph of Henry James taken in the 1890s by the photographers Elliott and Fry, half-length from the side showing a pensive view of the Master, 148 by 105mm. (5 3/4 x 4 3/16in.), neatly pasted to an early mount , inscribed in ink on lower edge of the photograph: "To Douglas Ainslie--in very friendly remembrance: Henry James " Provenance : James Gilvarry (sale, Christie's New York, 7 February 1986, lot 166). (10)