AWDRY REV. W.: (1911-1997) English Anglican Cleric, Railway Enthusiast and Children's Author, creator of Thomas the ...

AWDRY REV. W.: (1911-1997) English Anglican Cleric, Railway Enthusiast and Children's Author, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine. An intriguing A.L.S., Wilbert, one page, 4to, Stroud, Gloucestershire, 26th January 1989, to Mary. Awdry thanks his correspondent, evidently a close friend or relative, for sending a delightful letter from Mrs. Sewell and remarks 'I am so pleased that the books were a success with the boys in spite of their natural but frustrated desire for weaponry!', further writing 'We are both delighted to hear that things are moving about Shepherd (so that is what his name is) even if only the evidence available is about his defrauding another poor old lady. We hope very much that Counsel's opinion is favourable and that he can be arrested and tried and convicted, if not for Eleanor's defrauding & death, at least for his defrauding of someone else'. In concluding Awdry expresses his anxious desire to assist his correspondent with the legal costs involved. Together with a small series of three A.Ls.S., W. F. Awdry, by a solicitor and presumably a relative of the author (although not his father), six pages (total), 8vo, Cherry Street, Birmingham, 2nd - 5th May 1890, each to Miss. Evett. Awdry discusses his correspondent's will, offers his advice on the legacy to each of her cousins and other matters, and also refers to the costs involved, 'Now as to the most unpleasant subject of costs. If you are still going to be so unkind as not to let me do this little service for you without payment my charge is 10/6. This is drawn from me by your threat of going to another solicitor and I know you have a very bad habit of sticking to your word. It is not often one loses clients from not charging but I cannot afford to be proud so if you still insist I will eat humble pie although I have a very poor digestion & pastry always disagrees with me'. Some light age wear and creasing and a few minor splits at the edges of the folds of Rev. Awdry's letter, not affecting the text or signature. G to about VG, 4 £80-100