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WAUGH, Evelyn.

Evelyn Waugh Autograph Letter Signed.

"Only someone fanatically devoted to public speaking could reasonably be expected to accept": Rare autograph letter signed by Evelyn Waugh
$700.00
In Stock Item Number: RRB-148505
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Autograph letter signed by Evelyn Waugh declining a speaking engagement. Octavo, one page on Easton Court Hotel letterhead. The letter reads in full, "Oct. 15th Dear Sir, My thanks for your letter of yesterday. I notice that the promise given to any writer's books in your exhibition depends on his publisher's arrangements of their stall,...of whether he makes a speech or not; also that the special publicity devoted to the speakers has to be divided among thirty four. It seems to me that in the circumstances only someone fanatically devoted to public speaking could reasonably be expected to accept. I dislike it very much and only attempt it for charity or clear personal gain. I hope the exhibition is a great success & that your thirty four orators have their audience spell bound - but please excuse me from competing with them. Yours thankfully, Evelyn Waugh." In fine condition.
Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966) was a British novelist, journalist, and satirist known for his sharp wit, incisive social commentary, and masterful prose. Emerging as a leading literary figure in the interwar period, Waugh gained recognition with Decline and Fall (1928) and Vile Bodies (1930), which satirized the decadence of England’s upper class. His later works, including Brideshead Revisited (1945) and the Sword of Honour trilogy (1952–1961), reflect deeper themes of faith, tradition, and the decline of aristocratic society. A devout Catholic convert, Waugh infused his writing with religious and moral concerns, particularly in his exploration of grace and redemption. His stylistic precision, dark humor, and critique of modernity cement his place as one of the most significant English novelists of the 20th century.
$700.00
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