Letter book

Letter book comprising 1000 numbered leaves of tissue paper, preceded by a section of pages with alphabetised index, for the entry of names (and addresses) of correspondents with blotting paper interleaving. The holograph letters are written in ink, and some have amendments in pencil, and annotations in blue pencil, some are typescript, with autograph signatures and amendments in ink. Letters in this volume are dated between 28 May 1898 and 17 May 1900. The spine title label "Letter Book" is augmented with "Private" above, "A H Turnbull" and "A H T 3" below.

There is a typescript letter dated 13 August 1898 to James Leigh-Woods of Natal, South Africa tipped in on page 1, and a newspaper clipping mounted to rear free endpaper ("Obituary: Mr. J. M. Deck", 'Evening Post', 18 February 1943, page 3), featuring a portrait of John Massy Deck (1869-1943).

The letter Turnbull has mounted at the front of the letterbook, dated 13 August 1898, relates to his sister Joanna Turnbull, later known as Lady Joanna Elizabeth Leigh-Wood, 1870-1955: "Dear Sir, Enclosed I beg to hand you copy of cablegram sent to you today at my sister's request and from it you will gather that she has finally decided to break off her engagement with you." The addressee was James Leigh-Wood, later Sir James, who married Turnbull's sister two year later in the year 1900.

Quantity: 1 volume(s) in slipcase.

Physical Description: Holograph and typescript in letter book of 1000 numbered leaves of tissue paper in leather half binding with maroon cloth boards and marbled endpapers, bookplate on front pastedown, 28.5 cm. Typescript letter mounted on first page and newspaper clipping tipped in on rear free endpaper. Black morocco slipcase with lettering stamped in gilt on spine.