GILBERT FRANKAU – AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) TO A READER, c.1940s–50s A charming, note in which Frankau declines to sign “little slips” and offers this letter instead.

Offered here is a neat 1‑page autograph letter signed (ALS) from Gilbert Frankau (1884–1952), popular British novelist and poet of the interwar period. Addressed to Miss White, Frankau writes in his characteristic warm, conversational tone, explaining that he does not like signing autographs “on little slips,” especially when the requester has “nice things to say” about his books. He therefore provides this letter instead, thanking her for her appreciation.

The letter is written in blue ink, entirely in Frankau’s hand, and signed “Gilbert Frankau” with his distinctive long down‑stroke on the F. The sheet is written on the reused verso of an unrelated earlier letter (not in Frankau’s hand) — a common mid‑century practice and an interesting detail for collectors.

A delightful example of Frankau’s personable style, ideal for collectors of interwar literature, autograph habits, or British novelists.

Condition as photos. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.

Captain Gilbert Frankau (Apr 1884 – Nov 1952) was a popular British novelist. He was known also for verse (he was a war poet of World War I), including a number of verse novels, and short stories. He was born in London into a Jewish family but was baptised as an Anglican at the age of 13. After education at Eton College, he went into the family cigar business and became managing director on his twenty-first birthday, his father, Arthur Frankau, having died in November 1904. A few months before his death, at sixty-eight, from lung cancer, he converted to Roman Catholicism.

PROVENANCE:

One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil. 

Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.  

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