Voyages

(The Pond Bureau). Pond, James B; Forbes, Rosita (1890-1967). Noted English explorer and travel writerBiblio.com

CORRESPONDENCE DOCUMENTING THE SECOND AMERICAN LECTURE TOUR OF ROSITA FORBES IN 1926 including 17 AUTOGRAPH LETTERS FROM FORBES TO HER AGENCY.

1925100676New York and London 1925-1926. 1925-1926. Very good. - 1 An autograph letter 1 & 1/4 pages signed "Rosita Forbes". Writing from 28 Wilton Place London on May 23 1924 Rosita Forbes is concerned with her tax liabilities in England as a result of her just completed first American lecture tour. She addresses a Miss Smith of the Pond Bureau asking that should "British Income Tax people" inquire about her tour and her contracts with the Pond Bureau "please give no information of any sort but refer the questioners to us. Next time I come to U.S.A. I shall have to have a financial secretary to keep accounts!". She suggests she could return in October "but I don't want to arrive in America more than one day before my first lecture. Your country is too expensive."2 A cablegram from Forbes dated May 9 1925: "AVAILABLE AMERICAN LECTURES FROM NOVEMBER FIRST OR EARLIER TILL MARCH CABLE CONFIRMATION."3 A 3-page autograph letter 7 inches high by 4-1/2 inches wide "Rosita Forbes". Writing from 28 Wilton Place London on May 9 1925 Forbes addresses Pond stating that she has "always been ready to come out to U.S.A. by Oct. 30th. I cabled you to this effect yesterday.I sent you a quantity of press cuttings & a good Abyssinian dress picture a week ago. Now I send you some snapshots & a map with our complete route on it.I don't see how Weigall & I can clash because our subjects are so different.I hope this time you will save on railway fares!!!! Please try & arrange lectures in groups if possible! Macaulay is going to publish my Abyssinian book 'From Red Sea to Blue Nile' & also a novel 'Wings Aflame' in the autumn. Best of luck to us both!!!!" The title "Wings Aflame" may be a reference to her novel "If the Gods Laugh" published in 1925.4 A retained carbon of Pond's cable dated May 13 1925: "NOVEMBER ONE TO MARCH SATISFACTORY CAN YOU REMAIN TO MARCH THIRTEEN HAVE ENGAGEMENT BOOK FOR NINTH"5 A return cable from Forbes dated May 14 1925: "YES FORBES"6 A retained carbon of Pond's letter dated June 11 1925 addressed to "My Dear Lady Rosita". In his letter Pond complains "I note that Macaulay has the books. I'm sorry one of the better publishers was not selected for they do publish rather sensational stuff". He goes on to comment about Abyssinian controversies. "Marian C. Cooper asks me to ask you not to judge his ideas of Abyssinia by his articles in ASIA which were edited without his consent nor the film The Golden Prince which was made up without his aid from some pictures he and Schoedsack made. .Powell in his book on Abyssinia criticized Cooper for things he had done and he does not wish you too to join in the hue and cry."7 Retained carbon of Pond's June 16 1925 cable: "CAN I USE ABYSSINIAN PHOTOS FOR NEWSPAPER PUBLICITY ARTICLES.".8 A cablegram from Forbes dated June 18 1925: "FORBES ANXIOUS SELL ARTICLES AND PHOTOGRAPHS ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION CONSULT KENNADAY 215 WEST 33RD STREET AND DO WHAT BOTH CONSIDER BEST.".9 Retained carbon of Pond's reply to Forbes cablegram now addressing her as "My dear Mrs. McGrath". "Paul Kennaday tells me that he has not been able to place your articles about Abyssinia. I am awfully sorry that this has not been done for we need publicity in this country to secure business and so far no one knows that you have been in Abyssinia or made a new journey.Things so far have not been going as good as I like but this does not mean that there will be no tour and a fairly good one. If you find that English bookings are going exceedingly well I suggest that you give Mr. Christy more time in November."10 A 2-page autograph letter 5-3/4 inches high by 4-3/4 inches wide on "28 Wilton Place" letterhead signed "Rosita Forbes". The letter dated September 15 1925 overlaps with Pond's later letter of September 18th. "I am so sorry you are having trouble over my American tour - what bad luck. I think under the circumstances it would probably be better if I arrived on January 1st & stayed till early April.Would you mind on receipt of this letter cabling me the date you consider most suitable for me to come over as I have to arrange the letting of my house which is a matter needing time. I don't mind what date I come but as living is very expensive in U.S.A. I don't want to come until there is contract business in view!!".11 A retained carbon of Pond's September 18 1925 letter to Forbes suggesting that the tour be moved forward to January "to commence your tour with your booking in Haverhill Massachusetts on January 5th."12 A retained carbon of Pond's letter responding to Forbes letter of September 15. Dated September 25 1925 Pond writes "I think we are both agreed that it is better for you to arrive in early January. I am not cabling you about this as I wrote you on September 18th and you know my point of view. Your first engagement at present is January 5th."13 A cablegram from Forbes dated September 29 1925: "DELIGHTED ARRIVE JANUARY FIRST / ROSITA".14 A retained carbon of a letter from Pond dated October 8 1925 concerning a booking. "The Chicago Geographic Society is very anxious to have you this year but they are unable to pay more than one hundred $100.00 dollars. Are you willing to allow me to book you with them I giving you the minimum rate of seventy-five $75.00 dollars which was in force last year and retaining twenty-five $25.00 dollars to cover my own expense"15 A 2-page autograph letter 7 inches high by 5-1/4 inches wide on "Broadlands Romsey Hampshire" letterhead signed "Rosita Forbes". Forbes sends the first sheet of her contract not here present and pictures for her lectures. "I shall probably have to come over on the 'Paris' of the Compagnie Transatlantique leaving Plymouth on the 16th Dec. as I can probably get better accommodation on her as I have done a good deal of writing for the Company.I am so sorry you are having so much trouble over my tour for I've always told everyone that of all the business men all over the world I've come in contact with you are the best to work with.".16 A retained carbon of a letter from Pond dated October 30 1925 encouraging Forbes to come later than the December date she suggested. "There will really be nothing doing here until your first lecture on January 5th."17 A 2-page autograph letter 5-3/4 inches high by 4-3/4 inches wide on "28 Wilton Place" letterhead signed "Rosita Forbes". The letter dated October 30 ok's the arrangements with the Chicago Geographical Society but questions "Won't the National or American Geographical Socs. have me this time" She confirms her early arrival in New York and makes a request "Please secure an inexpensive room with bath somewhere in N.Y. Consult Miss Smith because you are not very good my friend at cheap hotels!!!!"18 A 2-page autograph letter 5-3/4 inches high by 4-3/4 inches wide on "28 Wilton Place" letterhead signed "Rosita Forbes". Addressing "Mr. Pond or Miss Smith" Forbes reaffirms her December arrival in New York. "Don't you think you cd. induce some of the newspapers to interview me on 'Curious Xmases' or 'My most extraordinary Xmas'. It wd. make publicity. I spent one Xmas in camp in the African desert on my way to Kafara. Another in an Arabian harem one in Persia & in Abyssinia they have a special ceremonial."19 In a retained carbon of a Pond letter dated November 13 1925 he expresses his pleasure that Forbes has accepted the terms for the Chicago Geographical Society lecture. "The National Geographic which wanted you so eagerly before has now passed you by and so has the American. They are strange people."20 A 2-page autograph letter 7 inches high by 4-3/8 inches wide on "The Nook Sunningdale" letterhead signed "Rosita Forbes". In the letter dated November 21 Forbes reassures Pond that despite her early arrival he doesn't ".have to bother at all about me till you want me to lecture.Mr. Wingate of the Dorland Agency is going to communicate with you re publicity on arrival as I've just written the feature article for the February issue of the Monitor on 'Morocco'".21 In a retained carbon of a letter dated November 30 1925 Pond regrets that it is too late to place an article on various Christmases with any of the syndicates or magazine sections of newspapers. However he has an idea: "Iola Plaxton spent some time in Fleet Street as the special correspondent for the Daily and Sunday Express is now back in New York and keen to meet you. .she concocted a scheme provided you approved of your giving her an exclusive interview on this particular theme the minute you arrive. Meantime she is going to get an editor lined up to take it."22 Retained copy of a cablegram dated December 22 1925: "ROSITA FORBES STEAMER 'PARIS' NY. RESERVED ROOM AT WALDORF ASTORIA. POND."23 An undated promotional letter from The Pond Bureau signed in blue ink by James B. Pond and titled "Rosita Forbes Returns". In the letter he solicits future lecture possibilities. "Although Rosita Forbes has been announced before you are again reminded of her return tour. If you can still find a place for her do so for you will like her and she will please you. Send for open dates and terms."24 An autograph letter 9-3/8 inches high by 6 inches wide on "Hotel Webster New York" letterhead. Dated January 7 1926 Forbes writes to the Pond office manager "Miss Smith" after her first lectures in Haverhill Mass. "I enclose two endorsed cheques value 200 $ & 230 $ - a long bill for steamer fare 2 lectures & expenses.Please send me here - I've left the Shelton too noisy - the 2 photos I gave to Mr. Pond the first day I saw him & ask him to send me a cheque soon as I have 10 dollars 1 cent a French franc & a half crown left in the world." Signed "Yrs. R.F."25 On a "Hotel Webster New York" envelope Forbes notes her expenses: "They only gave me enclosed 150 dollars at Passaic last night instead of 200 as per contract". She then lists her expenses including a taxi fare totalling $2.52. Pond notes that he has paid the $2.50 and dates the envelope !/12/26 with the note "Remainder due tomorrow $50.00".26 An autograph letter 9-3/8 inches high by 6 inches wide on "Hotel Webster New York" letterhead. Dated Jan. 13 -1926 and addressed to "Miss Smith" Forbes sends further financial accounts regarding the Passaic NJ lecture. "If you get a cable for me tomorrow or Friday will you let me know at once as I'm expecting a very important business wire from England. Yrs. wearily - just how you feel too!" Signed "Rosita Forbes".27 A January 18 1926 carbon of a receipt addressed to George Byron Gordon of the Philadelphia Museum for payment of $150.00 for a lecture by Forbes. The receipt is marked "PAID".28 A January 19 1926 carbon of a receipt addressed to Forbes detailing payments totaling $213.30 paid to her for expenses and lectures in Passaic NJ and Philadelphia.29 A retained carbon of a letter from Pond dated January 19 1926: "When you arrive in Toledo on Thursday A Mrs. Rippon will meet you at th station and will take you to the Hotel Secour."30 An autograph letter on 8-3/8 inch high by 5-1/2 inch wide letterhead signed "Rosita Forbes". Writing from the "Fortnightly Club 120 Bellevue Rd Chicago" Forbes informes Pond "I shall not be in U.S.A. on April 7th. I sail on the 'France' on April 3rd. If the Philadelphia Geographical Society want me they'll have to change their lectures round a bit & let me have an earlier date. Yrs. dirtily - is it possible to keep clean in Chicago!" The letter is humorously dated "Jan. 24th. I have reason to believe".31 A lengthy 2-page autograph memo on 8 inch high by 6 inch wide notepaper signed "R. F." "Due to Rosita Forbes" Forbes outlines $489.28 in expenses and fees due her for Steamer fare and and Haverhill/Brockton lecture fees & expenses during the early part of January 1926. "Note A. You forgot to tell me that Mrs. Fuller wrote you about Dec. 1 offering me hospitality at Brockton. They were all very angry about it !!!! I cd. only say I had never been told of such an offer." The memo is accompanied by a calculator receipt from Pond's office confirming Forbes' math.32 An autograph letter 9-3/8 inches high by 6 inches wide on "Hotel Webster New York" letterhead. Dated "Sunday Jan. 31". Addressing Miss Smith of the Pond Bureau Forbes writes: "I arrived here this morning by the 'Big Four' which only takes 1 night & 1 day instead of yr. nice -sweet - train which takes 2 nights & 1 day!! No letters!!! Please send me .the copy of Raisuli book i.e. "The Sultan of the Mountains: The Life Story of Raisuli" as I must look up some stories in it for an article.Please also let me know how many of Mr. Crane's lectures Vassar Smith Providence Bryn Maur. are arranged & what date" Signed in full "Rosita Forbes".33 A 2-page financial memo dated Feb. 1st 1926 handwritten by Rosita Forbes on a folded 7 inch high by 5-1/2 inch wide sheet of "The Fortnightly / Chicago" letterhead. On the first page Forbes notes the amounts due to the Pond Bureau for lectures in Toledo Chicago and St. Louis. On the 2nd page she lists her expenses. The memo is unsigned.34 In an autograph letter on 3 sides of a folded sheet of 5 inch high by 4-1/2 inch wide notepaper Forbes complains to Miss Smith of the Pond Bureau "When I asked the Buffalo Athletic Club for cheque they said by contract it was to be mailed to you but they presented me with 25 dollars as they hadn't time to look up the one way fare." She then outlines her expanses and asks that "Mr. Pond .send me a cheque for this before I go to Cambridge on Weds. & wd. you send a p.c. to Toledo & the March lectures asking them to pay me cheques at the end of lecture - otherwise I shall be in a recurrent state of bankruptcy!!" The letter is signed in full "Rosita Forbes" and is stamped "Ans'd Feb 16 1926".35 A retained carbon of a letter from Pond to Forbes dated February 16 1926 in which Pond indicates his irritation with her. "I shall greatly appreciate it if when you have a contract calling for payment with me you do not request that a committee make payment with you.Apparently you asked Dr. Gordon in Philadelphia for your fee for he wrote me a rather long letter asking me why I had financial troubles with my lecturers. This give a very bad impression.I have not yet had any word from Brooklyn. The new chairman is apparently disgruntled.It certainly was most unfortunate that you missed Brooklyn and I do hope you will examine your contracts carefully in advance."36 A February 13 1926 carbon of a receipt addressed to F. A. Coupal of the Buffalo Athletic Club for payment of $250.00 and $19.57 expenses for a lecture by Forbes. The receipt is marked "PAID".37 A February 18 1926 carbon of a receipt addressed to Charles R. Crane of the Radcliffe College for payment of $200.00 for a lecture by Forbes. The receipt is marked "PAID".38 A February 25 1926 carbon of a receipt addressed to Isaiah Bowman of the American Geographical Society for payment of $75.00 for a lecture by Forbes. The receipt is marked by Pond "Paid Mrs Forbes". Together with: a Typed Letter Signed dated February 5 1924 from Isaiah Bowman Director of the American Geographical Society praising Forbes lecture given during her first American tour. "She has a most entertaining story to tell and it could hardly be told with greater art."39 A February 25 1926 carbon of a receipt addressed to Marion Miller of the Toledo Club Toledo Ohio for payment of $200.00 for a lecture by Forbes. The receipt is marked by Pond "did not fill date".40 An autograph letter 9-3/8 inches high by 6 inches wide on "Hotel Webster New York" letterhead dated Sat. Feb. 27. "Dear Lady / Here is my bill.I think perhaps you'd better send it me on Monday or I might be penniless!! but most of all I want that poster about my films - 'Red Sea to Blue Nile' which I gave Mr. Pond at the Waldorf.So awfully sorry to bother you." Signed in full on the verso "Rosita Forbes". The bottom edge of the letter has some damage resulting in the loss of a very few letters.41 A March 1 1926 carbon of a memo addressed to Rosita Forbes for payments due her of $100.00 and $16.51 expenses for a lecture by Forbes in Cambridge Mass.42 A March 3 1926 carbon of a receipt addressed to Charles R. Crane of the Mary Wheeler School for payment of $200.00 for a lecture by Forbes. The receipt is marked "PAID".43 A 2-page autograph letter 9-3/8 inches high by 6 inches wide on "Hotel Webster New York" letterhead dated March 4. "Dear Miss Smith / I had a letter from the man at Toledo insisting that Mr. Pond had agreed to let him know whether I was coming or not & that the Pond Bureau having failed to write he was justified in believing I was not coming. I think therefore that it is only fair to call Brooklyn & this quits as far as finance is concerned. I lost 100 dollars over Toledo owing to some slight forgetfulness!!!! & you lost 50 dollars over Brooklyn owing to some large forgetfulness!!!! .It was rather awful about Toledo because as i told you I was to be the guest at a big newspaper lunch. So much for this sad business!!".She goes on to outline her plans for lectures up until March 14. Chicago Minneapolis and Decatur Illinois. Signed "Yrs. R. F."44 A March 25 1926 carbon of a receipt addressed to R.V. Nevins of the Algonquin Club Bridgeport Conn. e for payment of $200.00 plus $5.52 expenses for a lecture by Forbes. The receipt is marked "PAID".45 A March 26 1926 retained carbon of a Pond letter. He expresses his disappointment as to the result of Forbes' tour. "I find that you only delivered nineteen professional talks receiving a gross amount for them of $1992.50. Considering your heavy expenses here in the way of living and moving about I am afraid you must have had a considerable loss."46 A 2-page autograph memo 9-3/8 inches high by 6 inches wide on "Hotel Webster New York" letterhead dated March 27 1926. The memo outlines Forbes' expenses for her Bridgeport and Montclair lectures and the amounts owed her from the Pond Bureau. The memo is signed "R. Forbes".47 An April 14 1926 retained carbon of a Pond letter. He hopes that she had "a pleasant and peaceful" journey home to England. He goes on to mention that she has a brief mention in Gilbert Frankau's newest book "Masterson".48 A 2-page autograph letter signed "Rosita Forbes". The letter dated July 2 1931 on 9 inch high by 7 inch wide "Harefield House Harefield Middlesex" letterhead is a response to Pond concerning the lecture possibilities of the English explorer Bertram Thomas. ".before I got your letter I had warmly recommended you to him. I spent most of our lunch with him telling him to go to you but remember he'll be a serious speaker! I've told him he must make his book a bit light & he promised to try". She goes on to recommend the Turkish-Albanian soldier and statesman Izzet Pasha. "Use my name for all its worth with Bertram.49 A July 10 1931 retained carbon of Pond's response to Forbes' letter of July 2. "I finally met Bertram Thomas. I found him a very disagreeable individual. I wrote him a letter telling him what I thought of him and he came and apologized to me. From what I know my call down was needed."Though Rosita Forbes started travelling at an early age following her marriage to Major Ronald Forbes it wasn't until after a nervous breakdown following her husbands death in World War I that her travels started in earnest. At first she served as an ambulance driver in France during the war and subsequently traveled around the world "by way of American Hawaii Papua Sumatra Java Cochin China Siam." and again back to China where she was taken prisoner during the revolution and ended up doing Red Cross work for the Chinese army. In 1919 she resumed her travels through Africa and the middle-east and was in Jerusalem for the riots of 1920. "From here her journeys are chronicled in her lectures.After her return from Kufra she met and married Col. Arthur McGrath of the British War Office." Astonishingly all this had been accomplished by the time she was thirty years old.Rosita Forbes described her journey around the world in her first book "Unconducted Wanderers" 1919. Disguised as a Moslem she travelled across the Libyan desert to the oasis of Kufara from 1920-21. This journey is described by her in "The Secrets of the Sahara: Kufara" 1924. New York and London, 1925-1926.

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd. · États-Unis2 500,00 $US≈ 2 115,25 €

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