A pleasant letter written to ‘cockney bookseller’ Fred Bason. Christie thanks Bason for his “most kind letter” and “for all you say about my books”, adding, “It is always nice to know that one’s work is appreciated”. Bason, an enthusiastic theatre-goer, had clearly asked when another play of Christie’s would be reaching the London stage (‘Alibi’, her first play, a success, had just closed), as Christie writes that she “hope[s] to have another play on sometime”, but indicates she does not know when, as “plays are very uncertain things”. Little did she know that a play of hers would one day become the longest running play in the West End (it has been running (almost) continuously since its opening in 1952). This letter originally accompanied a gift (sadly no longer present): “I have the pleasure in enclosing an autographed copy of The Murder on the Links which you say you like best of my novels.”
Fred “book barrow boy” Bason (so called by Arnold Bennett) was a bibliophile, autograph enthusiast, and ‘cockney’ bookseller based off the Walworth Road in Camberwell, called by one biographer “one of the great bookmen of the century” (see Paul Robinson’s Amazing Books, ‘Fred Bason Cockney Bookseller’). He was known for his broad capacity for friendship, both casual and deep, and befriended a number of famous authors in his time (not just for the perks of their friendship (in the shape of letters and signed volumes) although they were certainly bonuses). He was later known for his articles written for various publications, and for his diaries, which he kept throughout his life, and were published in four volumes in the 1950s; “a treasure house of good humour and anecdotes about some of the great writers of our time.” (ibid).
Of humble origins, a self-avowed Cockney and born within earshot of the Bow bells, Bason became a book enthusiast at a young age, and graduated (to the amusement of his parents) to bookseller and autograph collector/dealer after he managed to escape the drudgery of blue collar work. Having worked (very unhappily) as an apprentice lather boy in a barbershop, and also in a furniture making workshop, he decided to put his meagre savings into buying a packet of books, to see if he could turn a profit, which he did. Always living a slightly hand to mouth existence, he nevertheless had a long and varied career in bookselling and writing.
The ‘Alibi’ programme is an interesting piece of ephemera, and a piece of Hercule Poirot history. It was the first of Christie’s works to reach the stage. The cast list includes recognisable names including Lady Tree (as Mrs Ackroyd), Henry Daniell (as Parker), Henry Forbes-Robertson (as Geoffrey Raymond), and Charles Laughton (as Hercule Poirot). This was the first appearance of Poirot off the page, but was a far-cry from the more faithful portrayals that audiences would be treated to later. In his portrayal of the Belgian detective Laughton brought his own particular skill-set (and fame) to the role, rather than attempting to bring Poirot, as Christie had written him, to life. However, even if barnstorming Laughton was quite different to the neat, fastidious detective of the page, it was certainly preferable (to Christie, and history) to another mooted possibility; that Poirot be introduced as Beau Poirot, a young and attractive detective, liable to turn heads and break hearts. To prevent this, Christie permitted another favourite character Caroline Sheppard (an inspiration for Miss Marple) to be transmogrified into a young belle, Caryl Sheppard, who was played by Gillian Lind.
The play was a success, running from the 15 May to the 7 December 1928. It was revived for a Broadway production in 1932 with Laughton reprising his role, and a film in 1931, in which Austin Trevor played the part.
For more information about Fred Bason, see ‘Fred Bason Cockney Bookseller’, Paul Robinson’s Amazing Books, https://paulrobinsonbooks.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/fred-bason-cockney-bookseller/ (accessed 21 Feb 2024).
Letter with light folds, otherwise in excellent condition.
