Page 7 of The Missing Pages

Dear Dr. Rosenbach,

Christmas was quite a success! What a wonderful surprise to find the Tennysons wrapped beneath the tree.

They’re even more beautiful than I imagined, and you and Mother certainly outdid yourselves in keeping the secret from me.

And as you probably have already heard from her, she loved Redouté’s botanical illustrations.

He really is a master of precision, isn’t he?

She said she could almost feel the flowers lifting off the page.

Your note yesterday was much appreciated, and I’m indebted to you for helping me refine my list for Quaritch. I can’t thank you enough for discussing which books would benefit my collection. And you know how much I value your opinion.

Despite having stacked the house with mountains of presents over the holidays, Mother is quite coyly using our trip as an excuse to make several shopping excursions to New York and Philadelphia before we go.

It seems as if she needs two months to prepare herself for English society, and of course, only the best gowns and jewels will suffice.

But I want to keep my valises completely empty so I’ll have more room to bring home as many books as possible!

I anxiously wait for Mr. Quaritch’s response.

Kind regards,

Harry E. Widener

December 29, 1911

Dear Mr. Widener,

I am delighted to hear you were pleased with the Tennyson volumes. Your mother knew you coveted them and she was elated when I told her I’d made the winning bid for them.

Her excitement reminded me of how giddy she was when I told her I’d won the first Shakespeare Folio at the William Van Antwerp auction for you and I was grateful for Quaritch’s help that time in securing it.

I’m glad you’ll be able to see each other when you’re in London, and I can’t wait to hear what other editions you’re able to add to your flourishing library.

On a side note, some fine new volumes have come into my possession this week, including a wonderful selection of illustrated works by George Cruikshank that I think will be of great interest to you. Let us find a time to meet and discuss.

Kindly,

A.S.W.

January 2, 1912

Dear Dr. Rosenbach,

Good news has arrived! Today, I received another letter from Quaritch.

He is on the hunt for several of the books I listed in my last letter.

The letter indicates that I am to write directly to Miss Ada Lippoldt, his new assistant, with any further requests, as she’ll be able to get to them more quickly.

Have you dealt with her at all? It appears his schedule has become quite hectic after the Robert Hoe sale.

Still, I’m over the moon with excitement!

My very warmest regards,

Harry E. Widener