[Walter W. Robinson, English composer] Collection of thirteen Autograph Letters Signed, addressed to Robinson by various individuals, mostly relating to the publication of Robinson's song 'Gently Down the Stream'.

The collection is in good condition, with each letter entirely legible. Two items particularly aged, and one with a couple of closed tears unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. Each item bears evidence of the fact that the collection was previously held together with a pin. An interesting sidelight into the musical culture of Victorian London. COPAC only locates one copy (at Cambridge) of Robinson's piece, published by W. Sprague of Westminster in [1874], copied by F. C. Wood, 'words by permission of Messrs. Hopwood & Crew'. All items 12mo. ITEM ONE (one page, with slight loss at head): 'Willm Haslam' of 41 Middleton Road, Dalston, to 'Master Robinson', 21 March 1871. He will not require 'the services of yourself & Friend - on Thursday at Hounslow'. ITEM TWO (one page): Theodore Distin ('Theo Distin') to Robinson, 28 March 1872. 'I shall be happy to sing for you for whatever you can afford to give - & be pleased to help you in any way'. He will also 'look over' Robinson's 'Hymn': 'I have not yet had time'. Distin, member of a family of musical entertainers, is notable as the man who brought the first of Adolphe Sax's Sax Horns to Britain. ITEM THREE (one page): 'Chas. F. Combe' of 17 Westbourne Terrace North, Bayswater, to Robinson. Offers to engage Robinson in employment and gives details in four parts. ITEM FOUR (one page): Combe to Robinson. 'I find I shall be obliged to make an attendance at S. Olaves at the end of the present quarter There appears to be a feeling which we cannot quite overcome - [.] I write therefore to tell you that I shall be obliged to terminate your engagement at the expiration of your next month [.] I am sorry I have been unable to offer you a better position [.]'. ITEM FIVE (one page): Letter of Robinson ('W. W. Robinson Jnr.'), 64 Murray Street, New North Road, Hoxton, to [firm of music publishers], asking whether you may 'use the words of one of your songs entitled "Gently down the Stream" for new music, seeing no Writers name to [sic] the words. [.] I am anxious to get it Published'. Undated reply from individual with indecipherable signature, one page, on reverse, stating 'If you have any desire to be implicated in a suit at law by all means make use of the words of the song published by Messrs Hopwood & Crew they have nothing to do with us'. ITEM SIX (two pages): Letter to Robinson from 'F. C. WOOD, | Lithographical Music Copyist, | 32, VINCENT SQUARE, | WESTMINSTER, S.W.', 27 October 1873, on Wood's letterhead, giving an estimate 'for 2 pages of music & title'. 'My former estimate was for 12 stave pages & I see by putting the song on 1 page 15 staves will be required [.] Work done by this system is always cleaned off the stones as soon as finished, so that the entire number of copies is likely to be required are always ordered at once. This makes it so much cheaper than engraving. Proofs also cannot be given, but accuracy is insured by my having a correct copy & thoroughly examining the work before printing a single copy. If your copy is correct you need have no fear.' Discusses details of legal deposit and asks to be informed on some matters relating to the song. 'What will you do? [.] You may depend on the work being thoroughly well done.' ITEM SEVEN (two pages): Wood to Robinson, 30 October 1873. 'I always enquire whether copies sent me are correct because proofs not being given it is not at all likely I can take responsibility of mistakes in copies sent me. When I have a good copy to work from parties need not fear for my work, because I take good care to do it right. But as you seem rather fearful of the result I have taken the trouble to copy the whole out and send it herewith for your approval. [NOT PRESENT] Please see if it is correct & the music arranged as you desire to the two verses and if you return it at once I shall at once proceed. You will thus see that I have done all that can be expected to insure correctness & if I can turn out 70 pages of Band music with only the omis. …