A private collection of 83 previously unrecorded handwritten letters from the famous English composer, Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) and 11 postcards and greetings cards sent to a personal friend of Elgar, Dr Charles Buck of Settle, between 1883 – 1932 is coming up for sale at Tennants, Leyburn, North Yorkshire on Wednesday, 21st June 2006.

The auctioning of the letters will form part of Tennants Summer Book Sale and they are estimated to bring between £8,000 to £12,000 but could make far more.  Some of them include musical scores and the subjects they cover include Elgar’s professional and social life and also his state of mind at the time of writing. 

In January 1884 Elgar writes “I was sorely disappointed at not going to town – but it’s no use going there to sit in the house all day – I have no money – not a cent – and I am sorry to say have no prospects of any” .  He goes on to say “It seems to me that the only person who is an utter failure in this miserable world is myself”.

In July 1886 he writes “Went to a large pic-nic last week; high jinks, a sequestered spot by the river 9 miles out.  I helped to boil the kettle, etc, etc, flirting (out of practice), dancing (stiff in the joints) etc, etc”.

The letters etc were posted from various addresses including places to which Elgar travelled and they are all housed in a tin trunk.

For the sale catalogue please contact Tennants at enquiry@tennants-ltd.co.uk or call on 01969 623780.

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