One letter submitting poems to Smith, who had recently become the new editor of the “P.[oetry] R.[eview]”, taking over from Thomas Moult: “it will mean a great deal of work, but I wish you luck.” With three typescript poems by Hesketh, “Prayer for Sun”, “Rescue” and “Fisherman Poet (for Herbert Palmer)” (6 pages 4to, with holograph annotations, one revised by hand).
Second letter (undated but possibly from 1960 as Hesketh refers to R.S.Thomas’s Poetry Book Society book (his Judgment Day was published by them in 1960)) on various bookish subjects including R.S. Thomas’s limitations: “You may think me retracting to give R.S.T. such a good review, but I was v. surprised to find it so much better than his last volume… My sister… read your verse and R.S.T.’s while here; she said what I felt - that you have a far bigger range and more power in more directions. (Though in the one vein he is splendid, yet I fear it is now worked out!)…”
Also mentioning [Charles] Causley’s poetry, the reviewer Alvarez [likely Al Alvarez, writer and critic], general comments on poetry criticism and mentioning that she’s been asked to do “a biography” (possibly referring to the one she wrote about her aunt, Edith Rigby, the suffragette (published 1966)): “I read poetry for its virtues before its vices. Only, I suppose, London reviewers - weary and lacking in enthusiasm, often enough - must fall back on the caustic. For one this it’s so much easier!”
Phoebe Hesketh wrote poetry particularly inspired by the natural beauty of her native Lancashire and was highly thought of in poetic circles: Siegfried Sassoon, Roy Campbell and Al Alvarez were all champions of her work. She lived to the age of 96 and published over 20 books.
Letters in near fine condition; typescript a trifle dusty and dog-eared, otherwise in very good condition.
