MC 62
13 boxes (4.33 cu.ft.)
About Sceptre Press:
The Sceptre Press, owned by Martin Booth, began at Frensham, Surrey, England in 1969, and later moved to Rushden, Northamptonshire, but for the major part of its existence it was located in Knotting, Bedfordshire. Its first publication was a broadside of a poem by Alan Brownjohn entitled “Being a Garoon” (100 copies were printed). More broadsides followed, and in late 1970 the press published its first booklet, “A Crow Hymn,” by Ted Hughes. In 1979 an anthology appeared, Decadal: Ten Years of Sceptre Press Poetry. The press ceased operation in 1981, but in 1984 the rights to the name “Sceptre Press” were purchased by Nora Aldridge.
Martin Booth was born in Lancashire, England in 1944 and was educated at the King George V School in Hong Kong (1960-1964). After graduation, he tried his hand at many different pursuits. In addition to running Sceptre Press and writing poetry and literary criticism, Booth’s curriculum vita (taken from an interview he conducted in 1999 with the King George V School) includes being a legal clerk, a long-distance lorry driver, a wine waiter in a classy hotel, a student at the University of London reading Natural Sciences, a trainee teacher (at Trent Park College of Education, Barnet, Hertfordshire), a laborer digging the Victoria line underground tunnel system, a journalist in Vietnam (during the war), a school teacher (of English), an Oxford don teaching comparative literature as a fellow of St. Peter’s College, a head of faculty (English) and head of the VIth Form at an English high school, and a fellow at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He also, in his own words, “wrote two atrocious novels, children’s TV plays and, later, wildlife documentaries,” before resigning from teaching and devoting himself full-time to writing.
His books of poetry include The Crying Embers (1971), Coronis (1973), Brevities (1974), Snath (1975), The Knotting Sequence (1977), and Devils’ Wine (1980). After this last, Booth discontinued writing poetry, turning instead to prose. He produced a prodigious number of books – novels, children’s books, nonfiction works, and biography, as well as continuing to edit. His works include Bad Track (1980), Bismarck (1980), Killing the Moscs (1985), Hiroshima Joe (1985), Carpet Sahib: A Life of Jim Corbett (1987), The Jade Pavilion (1987), Chameleon (1988), Dreaming of Samarkand (1989), The Triads (1991), The Humble Disciple (1992), Book of Cats (1992)(co-edited with George Macbeth), Toys of Glass (1995), War Dog (1997), Opium: A History
(1998), The Industry of Souls(1999), The Dragon Syndicates (2000), The Doctor, the Detective and Arthur Conan Doyle: A Biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (2000), and Panther (2001).
Martin Booth died from cancer February 12, 2004.
About the Sceptre Press collection:
The Sceptre Press Collection was purchased between the mid-1970s and 1986. It consists of over 6000 letters, the vast majority of them to Martin Booth, proprietor, spanning the years 1965-1984. Correspondents include W.H. Auden, Robert Bly, Brigid Brophy, Alan Brownjohn, Robert Creeley, Cid Corman, Michael Hamburger, William Heyen, Ted Hughes, George MacBeth, Christopher Middleton, Peter Redgrove, Alan Sillitoe, and William Stafford. Also included with the collection are fifty representative publications of the Sceptre Press, mostly small poetry pamphlets.
Folder Listing:
I. CORRESPONDENCE
BOX 1 f.1 Michael Abbott [editor], 1981-1982 and undated (5). f.2 Sigmund Abeles [artist], 1979 (1), Dannie Abse [poet/critic], 1967-1969 (13), and Fleur Adcock [poet], 1969 (1); Ada Aharoni, 1975 (1). f.3 Nora Aldridge [proprietor of Hawthorn Books], 1981-1982 (22). f.4 Nora Aldridge, 1983 (27). f.5 Nora Aldridge, 1984 (21). f.6 Nora Aldridge, undated (18). f.7 Tony Aldridge [proprietor of Hawthorn Books], 1984 (2), Martin Amis [novelist & son of Kingsley Amis, literary editor of The New Statesman], 1978 (1), Patrick Anderson [poet/novelist/ critic], 1970-1975 (4), and Lyman Andrews [poet/critic, University of Leicester], 1972 (1). f.8 Michael Armstrong, 1970-1971 [poet/publisher] (18). f.9 Michael Armstrong, 1972 (16). f.10 Michael Armstrong, 1973 (33). f.11 Michael Armstrong, 1974 (13). f.12 Michael Armstrong, 1975-1978 (14). f.13 Neil Astley [poet/editor/publisher], 1979-1984 (20). f.14 W. H. Auden [poet], undated (2), and Leo Aylen [poet/broadcaster], 1967 (2). f.15 Trevor Bacon, undated (1); Jill Balcon [actress/widow of C. Day Lewis], 1973 (1), and Bananas magazine (various staff), 1979-1980 (8). f.16 Stan Barstow [novelist], 1984 (1); Taner Baybars [poet/critic], 1973 & undated (4), and Fred Beake [secretary, Bath Poetry Festival Committee], 1982 (2). f.17 J.D. (Doug) Beardsley [Canadian poet], 1970-1975 (24). f.18 Samuel Beckett [playwright/poet], 1980 (1); Patricia Beer, 1982 (2); Roy Bennett [poet], 1981 (1), and Asa Benveniste [poet/publisher/ printer/artist], 1970-1971 (3). f.19 Anne Beresford [poet/wife of Michael Hamburger], 1972-1979 and undated (9). f.20 Alison Bielski [poet], 1979 (1); Earle Birney [Canadian poet], undated (1), and Doug Blazek [American poet], 1973 (1). f.21 Edmund Blunden, Claire Blunden, and Margi Blunden, 1968-1978 (6); Wilfred Blunt [poet/brother to Sir Anthony], 1971 (1). f.22 David Bly [poet/nephew of Robert Bly], 1975 and undated (14). f.23 Robert Bly [poet], 1972 (9). f.24 Robert Bly, 1973 (8). f.25 Robert Bly, 1975-1981 (9). f.26 Robert Bly, 1982-1984 and undated (11). f.27 Dirk Bogarde [actor & author], 1978 (1), and Alan Bold [poet/ editor/critic], 1969-1983 (9). f.28 Keith Bosley, [poet/translator], 1974-1980 (7); Louis Bourne [editor], 1982-1984 (6). f.29 Marilyn Bowering [Canadian poet], 1977-1982 (22). f.30 D.G. Bridson [poet], 1972-1973 (3); William Bronk [poet], 1973-1977 (8), and one letter to Bronk from Booth, 1977. f.31 Brigid Brophy [novelist], 1973-1982 (18). f.32 Peter Brown [lyricist - Cream, Jack Bruce], 1982-1983 & undated (5). f.33 Stewart Brown [poet], 1979-1982 (19). f.34 Alan Brownjohn [poet/critic/novelist/editor), 1967-1968 (30). f.35 Alan Brownjohn, 1969 (33). f.36 Alan Brownjohn, 1970 (35). f.37 Alan Brownjohn, 1971-1972 (22).
BOX 2 f.1 Alan Brownjohn, 1973-1975 (29). f.2 Alan Brownjohn, 1976-1984 (39). f.3 Alan Brownjohn, undated (24). f.4 John and Marjorie Brunner [poet] (15); George Buchanan [poet] (5); Bill Buford [editor of Granta Magazine] (3). f.5 Michael Bullock [Canadian poet] (13); Edward Burman [teacher and writer], 1981-1982 (19). f.6 Edward Burman, 1983-1984 & undated (41). f.7 Jim Burns [poet/editor](10); Richard Burns [poet], 1972-1973 (35). f.8 Richard Burns, 1974-1983 (28). f.9 John Carder Bush [poet/novelist/brother of Kate Bush], 1969-1984 (24). f.10 John Carder Bush, undated (26). f.11 Kate Bush [popsinger/writer/musician] (20). f.12 Ric Caddel [proprietor of Pig Press] (1); Carmen Callil [Chatto and Windus] (2); Charles Causley [poet] (5); Glen Cavaliero [poet/ critic] (2); Ian Caws [poet] (23). f.13 Leonard Clark [poet/critic/editor] (24). f.14 Gillian Clarke [editor] (10); Alan Clodd [Enitharmon Press] (5); Anne Clysenaars [poet/critic], 1969 (1); Bob Cobbing [poet] (12). f.15 Neville Coghill [translator of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales] (1); Stewart Conn [poet] (1); Tony Connor [poet] (4); R. L. Cook [Lomond Press] (1); Seamus Cooney [critic/publisher, Black Sparrow Press] (54). f.16 Cid Corman [poet], 1973-1974 (38). f.17 Cid Corman, 1975-1982 (32). f.18 John Cotton [poet/editor/critic], 1972-1976 (33). f.19 John Cotton, 1979-1982 & 5 undated (24). f.20 Jeni Couzyn [poet] (3); Oliver Cox [poet] (1); Andrew Cozens [editor] (1); Robert Creeley [U.S. poet], 1973-1980 (34). f.21 Kevin Crossley-Holland [poet/editor at MacMillan and Victor Gollancz Ltd.], 1968-1970 (29). f.22 Kevin Crossley-Holland, 1971-1974 (29). f.23 Kevin Crossley-Holland, 1975-1976 and undated (23); M. Cumberlege, 1983 (1); Michael Curtis [physician, book collector], 1982-1983 (8).
BOX 3 f.1 Mats Dahlberg [critic], 1973-1980 (27).
f.2 Mats Dahlberg, undated (19). f.3 John Daniel [poet], 1968-1970 and undated (9); Judy Daniel [poet], undated (2); Hilary Davies [poet/editor], 1980-1982 and undated (10); Richard Davies [Buckingham Palace], 1983 (1); Cecil Day Lewis [Poet Laureate], 1969 (1). f.4 Peter Dent [poet], 1974-1983 and undated (14); George Dowden [poet], 1972-1973 (11); Joan Downar, 1983 (1); Margaret Drabble [novelist], 1972 (2). f.5 Robert Druce [poet/novelist/critic/educationalist], 1968-1984 (14). f.6 Robert Druce, undated (27). f.7 Maureen Duffy [novelist/poet[, 1973-1980 and undated (13); Douglas Dunn [poet], 1971-1982 (2). f.8 Roger Elkin [poet/critic], 1978-1980 (28). f.9 Roger Elkin, 1981-1982 and undated (14). f.10 John Elliot [scriptwriter], 1984 and undated (10); William Elliott [poet/critic], 1972-1979 (26). f.11 Florence Elon [Zwerdling] [poet] (16); D.J. Enright [poet/editor] 1971 (1); Gavin Ewart [poet], 1970-1982 (14). f.12 Ruth Fainlight [poet/wife of Alan Sillitoe], 1970-1984 (21); John Fairfax [poet/editor], 1984 and undated (3); Peter Fallon [Gallery Press], 1983 (2). f.13 Michael Farley [editor], 1982-1984 (10); Seymour Faust [poet], 1974-1975 (12); Graham Fawcett [novelist], 1982 (1); Elaine Feinstein [novelist/poet], 1972-1981 (8); Tom Fenton [Salamander Press], 1982 (1). f.14 Paul Feroe [editor/critic], 1973-1981 (30). f.15 Peter Finch [Welsh Arts Council], 1981-1982 (4); Roy Fisher [poet], 1973-1980 (9); Michael Foot [Leader of the Labour Party], 1980 (1); Norman Franklin [Routledge & Kegan Paul], 1983-1984 (11); Antonia Fraser [biographer/editor], 1975 (1); George Fraser [critic], 1971 (2). f.16 Tony Frazer [poet], 1981-1982 (13); M. Freeman [Carcanet New Press], 1982 (1); Margaret Frishman [artist], undated (3); Yasuko Fujiwara [translator], 1981-1984 (13). f.17 Jean Overton Fuller [biographer of Shelley, Swinburne], 1967-1968 (23). f.18 Jean Overton Fuller, Jan.-June 1969 (33). f.19 Jean Overton Fuller, July-Sept. 1969 (21). f.20 Jean Overton Fuller, Oct.-Dec., 1969 (23). f.21 Jean Overton Fuller, 1970 (31). f.22 Jean Overton Fuller, 1971 (21). f.23 Jean Overton Fuller, 1972-1973 (32).
BOX 4 f.1 Jean Overton Fuller, 1974-1978 (19). f.2 Jean Overton Fuller, 1979-1981 (29). f.3 Jean Overton Fuller, 1982 (36). f.4 Jean Overton Fuller, 1983-1984 (15). f.5 Jean Overton Fuller, undated (22). f.6 John Fuller [poet/small press editor], 1969-1982 & undated (14); Roy Fuller [poet], 1970-1973 (3). f.7 Robin Fulton [poet/translator of Tranströmer), 1974-1982 & undated (29). f.8 Bernard Galtier, 1983 (1); Helen Gardner [critic/editor], 1973 (1); Roger Garfitt [poet/editor], 1970-1984 & undated (24). f.9 Karl Gay [poetry curator, State University of New York at Buffalo], 1969-1978 (23). f.10 Karen Gershon [poet], 1977-1980 (8); Terry Gifford [critic], 1979-1980 (9); Robert Gittings [critic/biographer of Hardy and Keats], 1974 (2). f.11 Denis Goacher [poet/editor for T.S. Eliot], 1975-1980 and undated (37). f.12 Giles Gordon [editor, Victor Gollancz; poet/novelist], 1970-1971 (23). f.13 Giles Gordon, 1972-1977 (25). f.14 Giles Gordon, 1978-1980 and undated (20). f.15 Yannis Goumas [poet/industrialist], 1974-1982 (25). f.16 Robert Graves [poet], 1970 (1); Robert Greachen [poet], 1975-1977 (14); James Green [publisher], 1981-1982 (12). f.17 Margaret Gregory, undated (1); David Grubb [poet], 1971-1981 & undated (34). f.18 Frederick Grubb [socialist], 1967-1969 [includes 2 letters from Booth to Grubb] (32). f.19 Frederick Grubb, 1970-1983 [includes 1 letter from Booth to Grubb] (23). f.20 Frederick Grubb, undated (26). f.21 Harry Guest [poet/translator/novelist], 1970-1982 and undated (31). f.22 Harry Guest, undated (34).
BOX 5 f.1 Thom Gunn [poet], 1972 (1); Donald Hall [poet/editor], 1979-1983 (2); Robert Haller [critic], 1977-1979 (7); Daniel Halpern [poet/editor], 1978 (2). f.2 Michael Hamburger [poet/critic/translator], 1969-1982 (52) f.3 Ian Hamilton [poet/critic], 1972 (1); Christopher Hampton [poet/ political writer], 1972-1984 and undated (19). f.4 Geoffrey Handley-Taylor [editor], 1968-1980 (37). f.5 Sir Rupert Hart-Davis [Siegfried Sassoon's literary executor], 1980 (1); Lee Harwood [poet and bookseller], 1971-1974 (6); Robert Hass [poet], 1977-1979 (3); Seamus Heaney [poet], 1970-1984 (8); Val Hennessy [critic], 1975-1984 and undated (4); Adrian Henri [poet], undated (3); Phoebe Hesketh [poet], 1971 (1). f.6 William Heyen [poet], 1973-1977 (21). f.7 William Heyen, 1978-1982 (39). f.8 William Heyen, 1983-1984 and undated (15). f.9 Norman Hidden [editor], 1982 (2). f.10 Douglas Hill [editor/novelist/critic], 1972-1976 (35). f.11 Douglas Hill, 1977-1982 (42). f.12 Douglas Hill, undated (74). f.13 Daryl Hine [editor], undated (1); Jack Hirschman [poet], 1971 (1); George Hitchcock [poet], undated (1); Hannah Hobsbaum [poet], 1970- 1984 (7); Philip Hobsbaum [poet/critic] 1968-1969 (8); Harold Hobson [theatre critic], 1977 (1); Daniel Hoffman, 1973 (1); Leigh Hofrey [Argo Publishing], 1982 (1); David Holbrook [poet/editor], 1969 (1); John Hollander [poet], undated (1), Michael Holroyd [biographer], 1969 (1). f.14 John Horder [poet], 1971-1981 (25). f.15 Frances Horovitz [poet], 1969-1980 (26). f.16 Michael Horovitz [poet/editor, New Departures/critic], 1966-1984 (18). f.17 Michael Horovitz, undated (20). f.18 Michael Horovitz, undated (14). f.19 Libby Houston [poet], 1982-1983 (4); Nicholas Hughes [Morrigu Press], 1984 (1); Olwyn Hughes [literary agent/sister of Ted Hughes], 1970- 1981 (30). f.20 Ted Hughes [poet], 1970-1984 and undated (26). f.21 Daniel Huws [poet], 1974-1975 (7); Paul Hyland [poet], 1983-1984 (12).
BOX 6 f.1 Nicki Jackowska [poet], 1971-1982 (27). f.2 Nicki Jackowska, undated (26). f.3 Nicki Jackowska, undated (42). f.4 Nicki Jackowska, undated (32). f.5 Fred Rue Jacobs [playwright], 1973-1980 (26). f.6 David Jaffin [poet], 1975 and undated (14). f.7 Peter Jay [editor, Anvil Press], 1969-1984 and undated (21). f.8 Elizabeth Jennings [poet], 1970 (1); Roland John [Hippopotamus Press], 1981-1984 (5); Bryan S. Johnson [poet/editor/critic], 1972 (2); Josephine Johnson [novelist, critic], 1981-9183 and undated (17). f.9 Peter Jones [Carcanet New Press], 1982 (1); P.J. Kavanagh [poet], 1983 (3); Judith Kazantzis [poet], undated (1); Peter Keen [photographer], 1983 (1); Jane Kenyon [poet], 1979 (1); Galway Kinnell [poet], 1970-1977 (7); James Kirkup [poet], 1971-1984 (13); Ted Kooser [poet], undated (1); Michael Korda [Simon & Schuster], 1918-1982 (2); Charles Kormos [poet], 1980-1981 (2). f.10 Norbert Krapf [poet], May 1972-June 1974 (25). f.11 Norbert Krapf, July 1974-March 1975 (18). f.12 Norbert Krapf, May 1975-Dec. 1976 (41). f.13 Norbert Krapf, 1977 (18). f.14 Norbert Krapf, 1978-1979 (26). f.15 Norbert Krapf, 1980 (16). f.16 Norbert Krapf, 1981-1982 (28). f.17 Norbert Krapf, 1983-1984 (15). f.18 Norbert Krapf, undated (12). f.19 Cosmo Landesman [Jay Landesman Ltd.], 1981 (1); Philip Larkin, 1971-1982 [poet] (2); f.20 Hugh Lauder [poet], 1969 (12). f.21 Hugh Lauder, Jan.-April 1970 (19). f.22 Hugh Lauder, May 1970-Dec.1971 (24). f.23 Hugh Lauder, 1972-1974 (20). f.24 Hugh Lauder, June 1976-June 1978 (24). f.25 Hugh Lauder, July 1978-Nov.1979 (23).
BOX 7 f.1 Hugh Lauder, 1980 and 1983-1984 (25). f.2 Hugh Lauder, undated (30). f.3 Hugh Lauder, undated (16). f.4 Hugh Lauder, undated (16). f.5 A.W. Lawrence [brother of Lawrence of Arabia], 1970 (2); B. C. Leale [poet], 1978-1981 (10); Bruce Leary [poet], undated (2); Laurence Lerner, [poet/critic] 1970 and undated (10). f.6 Roy Lewis [Keepsake Press/Times editor], 1971-1972 (40). f.7 Roy Lewis, 1972-1984 (33) f.8 Roy Lewis, undated (31). f.9 Eddie Linden [Aquarius Magazine], undated (1); Grevel Lindop [poet/critic] 1980 (2); Susan Lipper [photographer], 1984 (1); Edward Lowbury [poet/novelist], 1982 and undated (2); Edward Lucie-Smith [poet/art critic], 1970-1972 and undated (5); Alexis Lykiard [poet/novelist], 1975-1984 (11). f.10 George MacBeth [poet/novelist/editor], 1967-1969 (26). f.11 George MacBeth, 1970 (38). f.12 George MacBeth, 1971-1972 (40). f.13 George MacBeth, 1973-1974 (28). f.14 George MacBeth, 1975-1980 (35). f.15 George MacBeth, 1981-1984 and undated (44). f.16 George MacBeth, undated (60). f.17 Michael McCrum [master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge], 1981-1982 (2); Roger McGough [poet/performer], undated (1); P. McSorley [editor], undated (1). f.18 Wes Magee [poet], 1969-1978 (29). f.19 Wes Magee, 1979-1984 and undated (21). f.20 Hugo Manning [poet], 1972-1977 and undated (24); E.A. Markham [poet], 1973-1980 (11). f.21 Tom Marshall [Canadian poet/critic], 1967-1969 (28). f.22 Tom Marshall, 1970-1974 and unddated (17). f.23 Alan Marshfield [poet], 1967-1982 (24); John Matthias [poet], 1976-1980 (28). f.24 Christopher Middleton [poet], 1974-1983 (25). Brian Miller [B.B.C. radio drama producer], 1984 (2); Ewart Milne [poet] 1969 (3).
BOX 8 f.1 John Moat [poet], 1971-1975 and undated (9); John Mole [poet], 1970-1971 and undated (5); Nicholas Moore [poet], 1971 and undated (3); Pete Morgan [poet], 1980-1984 and unated (9); Blake Morrison [writer/editor], 1980 and undated (5). f.2 Philip Mosley [translator], 1980-1982 and undated (19). f.3 Howard Moss (editor, New Yorker), 1980 (1); Andrew Motion [poet, editor, British poet laureate], 1981 (6); Eric Mottram [critic], 1971-1974 (5); Paul Muldoon [poet], 1971 (4); Iris Murdoch [novelist], undated (1). f.4 Susan Musgrave [Canadian poet/novelist], 1970-1973 (29). f.5 Susan Musgrave, 1974-1976 (28). f.6 Susan Musgrave, 1977-1981 (26). f.7 Susan Musgrave, undated (25). f.8 Susan Musgrave, undated (38). f.9 Edward Mycue [poet], 1970-1975 (22). f.10 Edward Mycue, 1976-1982 and undated (14). f.11 Julian Nangle [poet/bookdealer], 1969-1976 (48). f.12 Julian Nangle, 1977-198 (32). f.13 Julian Nangle, undated (38). f.14 Leslie Norris [poet], 1971-1982 (39). f.15 Robert Nye [novelist/playwright/poet], 1973-1982 (37). f.16 George Oppen [poet], undated (1); William Oxley [poet], 1982 (1); Philip Pacey [poet], 1971-1981 (5); Derek Parker [editor], 1969-1970 (12); Brian Patten [poet], 1970- 1976 and undated (21). f.17 Maeve Peake [artist and widow of Mervyn Peake], 1972-1976 (4); John Perlman [poet], 1977 (1); A. D. Peters [agent], 1967 (1); Robert Peters [poet], 1969-1972 (4); Ryan Petty [poet], 1974 & undated (3); Robert Phillips [poet], 1981-1984 (18). f.18 Christopher Pilling [poet], 1971-1972 (2); William Plomer [poet] 1971 (8); Peter Porter [poet], 1967-1977 (5); Al Poulin, Jr. [poet, critic, publisher], 1981 (4); Omar S. Pound [poet and son of Ezra Pound], 1973 (2). f.19 Neil Powell [critic/poet], 1969-1980 (34). f.20 Hugh Probyn [critic], 1975-1980 (5); Kathleen Raine [poet], undated (3); Antoinette Raliez [translator], 1981 (3); James Ramholtz [editor], 1978 (1); Elaine Randell [publisher], undated (1).
BOX 9 f.1 Peter Redgrove [poet/novelist], 1970-1972 (32). f.2 Peter Redgrove, 1973 (24). f.3 Peter Redgrove, 1974-1976 (17). f.4 Peter Redgrove, 1977-1979 (33). f.5 Peter Redgrove, 1980-1984 (35). f.6 Peter Redgrove, undated (26). f.7 John Rice [South East Arts], 1981 (2); Alan Riddell [poet], undated (2); Cecil Roberts, 1969 (1); Jane Robinett [poet], 1976-1977 (3); Ian Robinson [publisher, Oasis Books], 1981- 1982 (3); Caroline Root [publisher, Anvil Press Poetry], 1981 (2); Alan Ross [editor, London Magazine/poet], undated (2); Royal Society of Literature, 1982 (2). f.8 Anthony Rudolf [poet/critic/publisher/translator], 1970-1976 (31). f.9 Anthony Rudolf, 1977-1980 (27). f.10 Anthony Rudolf, 1981-1982 and undated (45). f.11 Anthony Rudolf, undated (35). f.12 Anthony Rudolf, undated (22). f.13 Anthony Rudolf, undated (27). f.14 Peter Russell [poet], 1972-1973 (2); John Ryle [editor, Quarto], undated (2); Keith Sagar [critic], 1978-1984 (13); Laurence Sail [writer, teacher], 1981-1984 (10). f.15 Andrew Sant [editor], 1981-1982 (6); Toni Savage [poet], 1981 (4); Teo Savory [editor], 1976 (1); Vernon Scannell [poet], 1970-1980 (8); Susan Fromberg Schaeffer [poet/novelist], 1973-1980 (17). f.16 Michael Schmidt [publisher, Carcanet Press/poet], 1970-1980 (30). f.17 Michael Schmidt, 1981-9182 and undated (15). f.18 Rainer Schulte [poet/editor], 1967 (1); Peter Scupham [poet/ publisher], 1970-1984 (33); Eric Sellin [poet], 1973-1983 (3). f.19 Howard Sergeant [editor/poet], 1977-1983 (33); Brocard Sewell [priest (SJ)/editor], 1969-1972 (3); William Kean Seymour [poet/critic/editor of Yeats], 1969-1972 (23). f.20 William Shepherd [avant-garde writer], 1970-1980 (33); John Shrapnel [critic], 1977 (1).
BOX 10 f.1 Penelope Shuttle [poet/novelist/wife & collaborator to Peter Redgrove], 1971-1973 (32). f.2 Penelope Shuttle, 1974-1980 (23). f.3 Jon Silkin [poet/editor, Stand], 1969-1984 & undated (62). f.4 Alan Sillitoe [novelist/poet], 1977-1984 & undated (20). f.5 Norman Simms [editor], 1978-1981 (40). f.6 Valerie Sinason [editor], undated (1); Robin Skelton [Canadian poet/critic/editor, The Malahat Review], 1972-1979 (17); William Slaughter [poet], 1983-1984 (8). f.7 Ken Smith [poet], 1974-1980 & undated (11); Timothy d'Arch Smith [book dealer], 1982 & undated (6); Colin Smythe [publisher], 1982 & undated (9); Stephen Sossaman [poet/editor], 1972-1974 (5); John Sparrow [critic], 1977 (2). f.8 Lisa St. Aubin de Terán [novelist, memoirist, wife of George MacBeth], 1980 (2; William Stafford [poet], 1978-1984 (16); Jon Stallworthy [poet/editor, Oxford University Press/ critic], 1967-1974 (11). f.9 Derek Stanford [novelist], 1971-1980 (14); John Stathatos (?) [photographer], 1981 (1); Ralph Steadman [cartoonist], undated (1); Anne Stevenson [poet], 1976-1983 & undated (10); Bernard Stone, 1983 (1); Glenn Storhaug [Five Seasons Press], 1981-1983 (8). f.10 Steven Stretch [student], 1984 (2); Lucien Stryk [poet], 1976 (21). f.11 Lucien Stryk, 1977 (32). f.12 Lucien Stryk, 1978 and undated (23). f.13 Matthew Sweeney [poet], 1981 (1); John Symonds, 1969 (2); George Szirtes [poet/artist, Star Wheel Press], 1979-1980 (16); Tambimuttu [editor, The Lyrebird Press], 1972- 1973 (6); Alan Tarling [set-maker/publisher of avant-garde work], 1969-1981 (24). f.14 I.P. Taylor [poet], 1978-1979 (4); Jon Teicher [novelist], 1973- 1984 (26). f.15 D.M. Thomas [novelist/poet], 1970-1981 (25); Elizabeth Thomas [editor/political writer], 1980 (1); Myfanwy Thomas [daughter of Edward Thomas], 1969 (1); Anthony Thwaite [editor/poet], 1970-1977 (5). f.16 David Tipton [publisher], 19981-1984 & undated (19); Allan Titmuss [photographer], 1981-1984 (10); Nick Toczek [writer], 1982 (2); Charles Tomlinson [poet/artist], 1972-1983 (4). f.17 Shirley Toulson [poet/editor], 1969-1970 (34). f.18 Shirley Toulson, 1971-1982 & undated (28). f.19 Tomas Tranströmer [poet], 1973-1975 (3); David Tribe [poet], 1968-1972 (17) Sean Vergo [poet/novelist], 1971- 1972 (4).
BOX 11 f.1 Jim Vollmar [poet/publisher], 1972-1979 (37). f.2 Jim Vollmar, 1980-1984 (27). f.3 Charles Wadsworth [publisher, The Tidal Press], 1978-1980 (8); David Wagoner [poet], 1971 (1); Ted Walker [poet], 1972-1984 (17); Elizabeth Walter [editor, Collins], 1981 (1). f.4 Donald Ward [poet], 1968-1971 (4); Philip Ward [publisher, The Oleander Press], 1982 (2); Francis Warner [poet/editor/playwright] 1972-1977 (25). f.5 Francis Warner, 1978-1984 (14); Michael Waters [poet], 1982 (1); Colin Webb [editor], 1981 (3). f.6 James L. Weil [poet/publisher/editor, The Elizabeth Press], 1973- 1974 (42). f.7 James L. Weil, 1975-1976 (43). f.8 James L. Weil, 1977 (34). f.9 James L. Weil, 1978-1979 (33). f.10 James L. Weil, 1980-1982 (54). f.11 James L. Weil, 1983-1984 and undated (24). f.12 Bernice Weiss [book dealer], 1981 (5); Lambersy Werner, 1981 (1); Sir Huw Wheldon [broadcaster/writer], 1977 (1); Eric W. White [poet/translator of Brecht/Arts Council of Great Britain], 1970- 1980 (30); Helen White [poet], 1981-1983 (5). f.13 George Wightman [poet], 1967 (19). f.14 George Wightman, 1968 (28). f.15 George Wightman, 1969 (19). f.16 George Wightman, 1970-1976 & undated (23). f.17 Jonathan Williams [Executive Director, The Jargon Society, Inc.], 1980 (1); Kemble Williams [poet/editor, Samphire], 1970-1972 (28). f.18 Kemble Williams (40). f.19 Henry Williamson [novelist], 1970 (1); Clive Wilmer [poet], 1980 (1); Mary-Kay Wilmers [editor, London Review of Books] (1); G. Wilson- Knight [critic], 1969 (1); Gerald Yorke [occultist/writer/ trustee for Aleister Crowley], 1959-1974 & undated (34); Grahaeme Barrasford Young, [editor], undated (5). f.20 Unidentified correspondents: Belinda, undated (1). Celeste P., Exeter, 1983-1984 (2). David, Cambridge U., 1981 (1). Duncan, S. Glamorgan, 1983 (1). Frank, n.p., undated (1). Gerald, British Columbia, undated (1). Glyn P., Swansea, 1983-1984 (3). Jenny, Knotting, Beds., undated (2). John, Bowling Green, Ohio, 1977 (3). Jon, Washington, D.C., 1983 (2). Kate, Exeter, 1984 (1). Lawrence C., Streatham, London, 1973 (1). Lorna, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, undated (1). Lynne (Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford University), undated (3). f.21 Unidentified correspondents: Mary, Surrey Square, London, 1967-1981 & undated (7). Melissa, Petersfield, Hampshire, 1982 & undated (3). Michael, Bromley, 1984 (1). Michael, Poetry Society, undated (1). Peter, 1975 & undated (3). Priscilla [artist], Ashington, Northunberland, 1983 (1). Richard, Gisele, and Frédérique, 1984 (2) Rosalind and Willam, Bruges, 1969 (1). Susannah, undated (1). Walin, 1970 (1). f.22 Correspondence between Booth and The New Statesman regarding Eric Homberger's article "The Uncollected Plath" (The New Statesman, September 22, 1972) in which he accuses the Sceptre Press of "profiteering" on the fame of Sylvia Plath. f.23 Miscellaneous fragments and one unidentified black and white photograph (3.5 x 3.5).
II. SCEPTRE PRESS PUBLICATIONS, 1969-1980
BOX 12 f.1 Hobsbaum, Philip. Some Lovely Glorious Nothing. 1969. Copy H of 26 lettered copies. Signed by the poet. f.2 Bush, John Carder. The Creation Edda. 1970. Copy Q of 26 lettered copies, handbound in card, and signed by the poet. Bush, John Carder. The Creation Edda. 1970. Copy 43 of 74 numbered copies. f.3 Bridson, D. G., trans. Ballade des dames du Temps Jadis after Francois Villon. 1971. Copy 105 of 150 numbered copies. f.4 Hum-Wills, Iago. Poems. 1971. Printed and published by David Barron at the Black Turd Press. f.5 Kirkup, James. Broad Daylight. 1971. Copy 91 of 150 numbered copies. f.6 Patten, Brian. At Four O'Clock in the Morning. 1971. Copy 80 of 100 numbered copies. f.7 Armstrong, Michael. Revelation. 1972. Copy 45 of 100 numbered copies. f.8 Didsbury, Pete. Runnung. 1973. Copy 20 of 150 numbered copies. Nos. l-50 are signed by the poet. f.9 Dowden, George. Poem For Jayne. 1973. Copy 20 of 150 numbered copies. Nos. 1-50 are signed by the poet. f.10 Hamburger, Michael. Conversations With Charwoman. 1973. Copy 146 of 150 numbered copies. f.11 Redgrove, Peter. In the Country of the Skin. 1973. A radio script. Edition is limited to 500 copies. f.12 Sellin, Eric. As-Shamsu. 1973. Copy 15 of 150 numbered copies. Signed by the poet. f.13 Tranströmer, Thomas. Elegy and Some October Notes. Translated by Robert Bly, 1973. Copy 114 of 150 numbered copies. f.14 Brownjohn, Alan. She Made of It. 1974. Copy 94 of 150 numbered copies. f.15 Huws, Daniel. Buzzards. 1974. Copy 13 of 150 numbered copies. Signed by the poet. Huws, Daniel. Buzzards. 1974. Copy 74 of 150 numbered copies. f.16 Huws, Daniel. From An Old Book of Riddles. 1974. Copy 145 of 150 numbered copies. f.17 Leary, Bruce. Green Apples. 1974. Copy 20 of 150 copies. Signed by the poet. Leary, Bruce. Green Apples. 1974. Copy 89 of 150 numbered copies. f.18 Scannell, Vernon. Meeting in Manchester. 1974. One of 200 copies printed as a tribute to Edmund Blunden. f.19 Crossley-Holland, Kevin. Petal & Stone. 1975. Copy 70 of 150 numbered copies. f.20 Guest, Harry. The Enchanted Acres. 1975. Copy 147 of 150 numbered copies. f.21 Levy, John. The Imperial Tomb. 1975. Copy 109 of 150 numbered copies. f.22 Musgrave, Susan. Two Poems. 1975. Copy 27 of 150 numbered copies. Signed by the poet. f.23 Silkin, Jon. A 'Jarapiri' Poem. 1975. Copy 148 of 150 numbered copies. f.24 Goacher, Denis. Three Songs From The Romany King of Wembworthy. 1976. Copy 143 of 150 numbered copies. f.25 Shuttle, Penelope. Four American Sketches. 1976. Copy 99 of 150 numbered copies. f.26 Booth, Joyce. Branches of Bamboo. 1977. Edition limited to 300 copies. f.27 Rilke, Rainer Maria. The Voices. Translated by Robert Bly. 1977. f.28 Booth, Martin. The Dying. 1978. Copy 63 of 150 numbered copies. f.29 Bowering, Marilyn. Third Child and Zian. 1978. Copy 54 of 150 numbered copies. f.30 Burns, Richard. Earthquake. 1978. Copy 100 of 150 numbered copies. Burns, Richard. Earthquake. 1978. Proof. f.31 Creeley, Robert. Desultory Days. 1978. Copy 91 of 250 numbered copies. f.32 Goumas, Yannis. Athenians Go To Work. 1978. f.33 Leale, B. C. Fouquet's. 1978. Proof. f.34 Crick, Philip. To The Third Trajectory. 1979. Copy 98 of 150 numbered copies. f.35 Heyen, William. The Children. 1979. Copy 41 of 150 numbered copies. Signed by the poet. f.36 Hughes, Ted. Four Tales Told By An Idiot. 1979. Copy 160 of 450 numbered copies. f.37 Stafford, William. Around You, Your House and A Catechism. Copy 105 of 150 numbered copies. f.38 Vollmar, Jim. Hoy: The Seven Postcards. 1979. Copy 133 of 150 numbered copies. f.39 Vollmar, Jim. Orkney Poems. 1979. Copy 65 of 150 numbered copies. f.40 Fainlight, Ruth. Two Wind Poems. 1980. Edition of 125 numbered copies. Out of series copy. f.41 Gurney, John. The R101. 1980. Copy 48 of 150 numbered copies. f.42 Hamburger, Michael. Variations on Suffolk IV. 1980. Copy 132 of 150 numbered copies. Hamburger, Michael. Variations on Suffolk IV. 1980. Proof. f.43 MacBeth, George. Typing A Novel About the War. 1980. Copy 66 of 125 numbered copies. f.44 Plath, Sylvia. Two Poems. 1980. Copy 46 of 300 numbered copies, the first 75 of which are especial. f.45 Tranströmer, Thomas. How The Late Autumn Night Novel Begins. Translated by Robin Fulton. 1980. Copy 135 of 150 numbered copies. Tranströmer, Thomas. How The Late Autumn Night Novel Begins. Translated by Robin Fulton. Proof. f.46 Buzan, Tony. Obsession. n.d. postcard. f.47 Horder, John. Cecil and Baba. n.d. Published in an edition of 100 copies. f.48 Typescript of introduction by Martin Booth to Decadel: Ten Years of Sceptre Press Poetry. With holograph corrections and note by Booth. 2pp.
