CONTEMPORARY ANGLO-AMERICAN LITERATURE - Agatha Christie (Torquay, 1890 - Winterbrook, 1976) - A

Agatha Christie (Torquay, 1890 - Winterbrook, 1976)21 autograph letters signed (10 by secretary Charlotte Fisher); 12 typed letters signed (2 by Charlotte Fisher); 3 autograph letters signed To the author; 1 photograph of the author; 21 photographs with autograph signatures of actors performing in movie adaptations of Agatha Christie’s novels.Christie was a prolific English writer, her detective novels and witty characters such as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple earned her the accolade of “Queen of Mystery”. Her mystery play The Mousetrap is still the longest-running show in London’s West End having opened in 1952. In 1955 she was the first recipient of the Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award.Three autograph letters signed "Agatha Christie"Aug 18th [1948], to Wes Balena: "I am glad to feel my books helped to alleviate the strain of war". 1 p. Envelope included.Sept 24th, to Helmut Milkereit, thanking her addressee and sending this letter instead of a photograph. 1 p. not dated. The author sends a letter on a large sheet to thank André Journiaux, French songwriter. 1 p.Nine autograph letters signed "Agatha Mallowan"Nimrud, Friday [1931?], to Josephine [Thomson]. The author writes a letter to her friend talking of personal matters and about her day in Nimrud. 2 pp.Oct. 4th [1939], to Mrs. Glasspool, collaborator with Miss. Fischer for the restauration and selling of the Cresswell Place cottage in London, Christie’s residence until 1938, when she bought the 33 acre Greenway House in Devonshire. 2 pp.May 16th [1939?], to Mrs. Glasspool: "I am writing to ask you if you would care to give up the lease of 22 Cresswell Place altogether?". 3pp. ½.Jan 6. 1940, to Mrs. Glasspool. The author asks for information on an insurance policy. 2 pp.Jan 20th [1956], to Ross Thomson, looking forward to the meeting with her friends in March. 1 p.May 11th [1959], to Bernard Pitt, asking for information on one of his books of short stories which was out of print. 1 p. Envelope included.March 23rd [68], to Josephine [Thomson]. Mrs. Christie writes to her friend recalling the old days in the Middle East: "One feels rather sad about Baghdad and Mosul and all the happy times one remembers (...) Right, everybody we live in Africa, in S.E. Asia, in Israel and the Arab nations of Egypt – And here we suffer from a Governorate who just spend money they haven’t...". 3 pp. Envelope included.March 18th [1968?], to Josephine [Thomson], writing a kind letter to her friend, mentioning Christmas and other friends gifts. 4 pp.Oct. 17th [68?]. to Mr. Lisborne, apologizing for having lost the photograph she wanted to send him. 2pp.Ten typed letters signed to readers and friends. Dame Agatha replies to readers, collectors and friends with thankful brief letters or with more elaborated answers.Nov 9th [1953], to Bett Schofield. 1 p. Envelope included.31 December 1958. to James E. Geale, refusing to send a picture of herself. 1 p.5 March 1964, to J. H. Tierney, sending him an autograph. 1 p.9th January 1967, to Otto Walther, refusing to send a picture of herself. 1 p.3rd October 1969, to Jean L. Hasselberg, mentioning Hilaire Belloc’s quotation in her novel The Hollow (1946). 1 p. Envelope included.29th June 1970, To Mr. Briddon, thanking him for enjoying her books. 1 p.Nov 9th [1953], To Bett Schofield. Discussing the play Witness for theProsecution (London 1954). 1 p.September 1970, To Josephine and Ross, thanking her friends for sending wishes for her 80th birthday. 1 p.25th September 1970, To Mrs. St. Dalmuth, thanking him for sending wishes for her 80th birthday. 1 p.8th June 1974, To Mr. Verost, with thanks and a list of her favourite books. 1 p.10 autograph letters signed by Charlotte N. T. Fisher.Mrs. Fisher keeps track of the needs of Mrs. Christie’s tenants. From these exchanges of letters about the Glasspool family, last tenants of the Cresswell Place house, we are able to construe some stages of Christie’s well-known cottage in London, including part of the sale process and the moment of the purchase of the Devonshire cottage. All letters are dated between 1936 and 1940.- April 20th 1936 – 1 p.[7 May 1938] – 1 p. on cardboard.- July 6h 1938 – 2 pp.- July 8th 1938 – 3 pp.- July 20th 1938 – 2 pp.- Sept 8th 1938 – 2 pp.- Sept 20th 1938 – 1 p. ½.- Dec 5th 1938 – 2 pp.- July 7th 1939 – 1 p. ½.May 18 1940 – 1 p. Part of a letter To Ms. Mallowan from Mrs. Glasspool.Two typed letters signed by C. W. T Fisher.Agatha Christie owned many properties and her secretary Charlotte Fisher was authorised to manage some of them, as we can see in these letters concerning the rent of her house in Cresswell Place in London.March 24th 1938, To Mrs. Glasspool. 1 p.November 17th 1938. To Mrs. Glasspool. 1 p.Autograph letters signed To Agatha Christie 10/3/64, by J. H. Tierney. Collector’s letter. 1p.29-2-40, by Patricia R. On practical personal matters. 1 p. ½.29-3-40. Not signed. On practical personal matters 1 p.Photographic portrait marked Universal Pictorial Press, photo dated Dec 1970 (10 x 13 cm).Twenty-one photographs with autograph signature of actors starring in Agatha Christie’s movies. The list includes: David Suchet, Joan Hickson, Margaret Rutherford, Peter Ustinov, Anthony Perkins, Martin Balsam, Albert Finney, Rachel Roberts, Sean Connery, Angela Lansbury. Six photographs are official numbered shots from the set of Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. (16.5 x 22.5 cm); x7 (8.5 x 14.5 cm); (10 x 12.5 cm); (9 x 13.5 cm); (13 x 17.5 cm); x9 (25.5 x 20.5 cm).Autograph letter of Margaret Rutherford signed and dated April 14th/50. The actress pens a sweet letter to her husband and colleague, mentioning also a message from "the General Manager".IV. Autograph excerpt dated 14 December 1982 from the novel A Dry White Season (1979).