DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. T.L.S., Daphne, four pages, 8vo, Menabilly, Par, Cornwall, 9th October n.y. (1966), to 'My dear' (Foy Quiller-Couch). Du Maurier informs her correspondent that her publisher's proof reader will be going carefully through her manuscript 'and ringing me up most days for cuts, alterations, and corrections' and continues 'Do you think you will be ready with any comments by then, so that if you think anything should come out, I can tell her on the telephone. I would like you to read the Ports and Pilchards chapter carefully, for what I say about fishing, you are so much more of an expert than I am…..I would also like you to scan carefully the chapter called The Eccentrics (because of the various parsons in it!) and the last chapter, The Where and When. I do not think that the other chapters are likely to have anything doubtful or inaccurate'. She further remarks 'I have been asked by the publishers to write a prologue of a personal nature (embarrassing, I thought) but I have done it, and it has turned out quite well. Kits has done some 80 or more photographs….We are quite prepared for the publishers to say they are only going to print a dozen! The American publisher has only one idea in his head (Kits met him in London) and that is to have a picture of Tintagel! Why are they so foolish about the place? I have said in the book that the castle was built by the Normans, and that will set him back. However, we religiously went (horrified by the cheap tourist appeal) and took photographs, but it was a dead still day, and did not look much. In fact, we have been too lucky with the weather. Cloudless days and mill-pond seas day after day when Kits was down in March and again September, and as I have harped on the bad weather throughout the book (hoping to stem invasion) it will make me look a bit foolish! One last thing. It seems the publishers, or rather their booksellers, the book trade, are worried about my title "Vanishing Cornwall". They say it sounds as if the county had had its day and was on the way out. I see what they mean, yet "Vanishing Cornwall" has such a fine ring to it. They suggested something more in the nature of "Enduring Cornwall" - But enduring is a dull word, and would not do. Though again, I see what they mean. Immortal is too histrionic, Romantic is woman-novelist-ish, Eternal has a religious ring to it. I am completely stumped.' A couple of light, small tape stains to the heads of the pages, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG €125-190

Foy Quiller-Couch - daughter of British writer Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), and a life-long friend of Du Maurier. Indeed, Du Maurier was accompanied by Foy Quiller-Couch when she became inspired with the storyline for her novel Jamaica Inn. Some years previously the two ladies were staying at Jamaica Inn and went riding on Bodmin Moor. They became lost in bad weather conditions and apparently sheltered for some time in a derelict cottage on the moor but were eventually led back to Jamaica Inn by their horses.

Du Maurier's non fiction work Vanishing Cornwall was published in 1967.