| Description | Eight letters and one postcard from the composer Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) to the Scottish composer Sir Alexander Mackenzie (1847-1935).
LAdd/6248: dated 4th March 1929 written from Tiddington House, near Stratford-upon-Avon wishing Sir Alexander and Mrs. Mackenzie well in their new home. He states that he has heard from their friends at the Garrick '...I took my name off the club at the end of last year, but got it replaced in the hope that we may meet there again & have lunch as of old'.
LAdd/6249: dated 15th July 1929 written from Tiddington House, near Stratford-upon-Avon expressing his delight to hear that Sir Alexander Mackenzie is now better. He adds that he had a nice evening 'but I should have had a better one had you been there'.
LAdd/6250: dated 4th August 1932 written from Marl Bank, Worcester thanking Sir Alexander Mackenzie for his card and stating 'I am sending a few more flowers but I beg you will not trouble to write' and refers to his gift of flowers as 'my little offerings'.
LAdd/6251: dated 13th September 1932 written from Marl Bank, Worcester. This note accompanied some flowers sent by Elgar from his garden to Sir Alexander Mackenzie '...but you know that gardens are showing signs of autumn and the crop of roses is getting theirs'.
LAdd/6252: dated 29th September 1932 written from Marl Bank, Worcester commenting on the 'autumnal' weather and that 'the roses are really over now but they may make a final effort'. He hopes that he may see Sir Alexander Mackenzie as he has to travel soon to London and closes by sending his best wishes to him and his wife.
LAdd/6253: dated 4th March 1933 written from Marl Bank, Worcester noting 'I heard from Somerville Tattersall [Edmund Somerville Tattersall (1863-1942)] that he had been with you and that you are well after this very trying weather: this delights me to hear'. He goes on to say that he would have called on Sir Alexander Mackenzie while in London if he hadn't caught a 'cold in the head' which has a 'persistance which I should admire if it was exerted in some other direction'. He then goes on to discuss the weather and the flowers and that 'things are springing up...the birds are singing...the sun is warm and nature reviving...'
LAdd/6254: dated 6th June 1933 written from Marl Bank, Worcester commenting on the summer weather and the affect it is having on his roses '...they don't last a day; however the sun and heat are divine...'
LAdd/6255: dated 26th August 1933 written from Marl Bank, Worcester thanking Sir Alexander Mackenzie for writing and stating 'I don't like surprises (even pleasant ones as I trust the silver tray was)' and going on to wish Sir Alexander well.
LAdd/6256: postcard dated 22nd December 1933 dictated to his daughter Carice from 'Nursing Home', Worcester thanking Sir Alexander Mackenzie and his wife for their good wishes and stating 'the announcement that I had returned home is unfortunately premature. I hope you are well. The time for flowers is over, but I look forward to sending you more in the spring'. Elgar died February 1934. |