| Description | 'Sir Allen's Letters':
Correspondence between Allen Lane and Denys Kilham Roberts, 7 February 1941-10 December 1952. Concerning Penguin Parade, Donne to Dryden anthology, Straw in the Hair, a scheme for a Penguin Review (incorporating Penguin Parade and Penguin New Writing), publishing Rosamond Lehmann's works in America, a proposed book for the Forces, publishing Conan Doyle, The Centuries' Poetry, and Bridges to the Present Day.
Correspondence between Max Reinhardt (Managing Director, The Bodley Head) and Eunice Frost and Anthony Godwin (Penguin Books Ltd.), 16 December 1958-12 January 1961. Concerning The Bodley Head's plans to republish Ulysses, with promises to save it for Penguin's 50th anniversary, and Crosbie Garstin's Owl's House, High Noon and The West Wind.
Correspondence between Prof. James G. Nelson (University of Wisconsin) and Mrs Hans Schmoller (Penguin Books Ltd.), 9-17 May 1970. Nelson requests permission to quote from John Lane's letters in his forthcoming book, The Early Nineties: A View from the Bodley Head.
Correspondence between Sir Robert Aitken (Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham) and Allen Lane, 8-10 May 1963. Aitken asks Lane to accept the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Birmingham on 24 April 1964.
English translation of the address made at a ceremony held on 26 June 1963 at the University of Oxford when Sir Allen Lane was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, with covering letter and copy of the address in Latin.
Correspondence between Sir John Wolfenden (Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading) and Sir Allen Lane, 26 September-3 October 1963. Wolfenden asks Lane to accept the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Reading on 15 May 1964.
Correspondence between A.H. Reynolds (Management Consultant) and Sir Allen Lane (Windsor Hospital), 12-15 March 1960. Concerning Reynolds' proposal to add Geoffrey Crowther to Penguin's management committee in order to remedy the unhappy atmosphere at Penguin. Lane proposes adding two people to cover export and publicity, and adds that following his time in hospital he will not be returning to the office for two or three months.
Correspondence between Aidan Crawley (M.P.) and Sir Allen Lane, 20 October-23 November 1966. Crawley asks Lane to join a Syndicate to bid for a licence to run a commercial television station. Lane declines the offer.
Letter from Sir Allen Lane to Eunice Frost, 25 November 1953. Lane informs Frost that he is having a lovely time in Copenhagen. He mentions his plans to publish an atlas for Penguin's 21st anniversary, republishing A Pocket Library of Great Art, Ruth Moore's Man Time and Fossils, Ray Bradbury as an author of science fiction, Dr Spock's Baby and Child Care, Carson and Culler, Anthony Powell's Angels and Patience and Venusberg, and meeting John Lehmann in Copenhagen.
Letter and postcard to June Pipe (Penguin Books Ltd.) from Allen Lane in Australia, 4 March [1953?] and undated.
I.C. Dickson's recommendations for the future of Penguin Books Pty. Ltd. (Australia), 17 December 1964.
Correspondence between Allen Lane, Richard Lane and Leslie Paisner, 19 June 1961-14 August 1970. Concerning the flotation of shares in the company; Richard Lane's future role in the company; and a list of items that Richard Lane would like, following Allen Lane's death, from Priory Farm, Chapmansford, Silverbeck, and Whitehall Court.
Correspondence between Mrs Betty Harte (caretaker of Allen Lane's house, The Warren, Rosscarbery, Co. Cork), Tanya Schmoller and Oliver Davies, January 1971. Concerning Allen Lane's death and the possible sale of The Warren in Rosscarbery, County Cork.
Sale particulars for the sale (by order of the executors of Sir Allen Lane, deceased) of the freehold agricultural and sporting estate known as Chapmansford with Lower Wyke Farm, Whitchurch, Hampshire (comprising 974.804 acres). To be sold by John German & Son at the Star and Garter Hotel, Andover on 16 April 1971. The sale comprised: Chapmansford Farm, The Lodge, Chapmansford Cottage, Spratts Down Villa, and Spratts Down Cottage in Hurstbourne Priors; Lower Wyke Farm and Lower Wyke Cottages in St Mary Bourne; unused cottages and 700 yards of double-bank fishing along the River Bourne. With a note that Sir Allen Lane purchased Chapmansford Farm in 1965 and the adjoining Lower Wyke Farm three years later. Includes photographs and maps of the estate. |