Allden, Eric.

i) His autograph diaries in 33 volumes, containing long daily entries and covering, for example, his travels in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Finland, Russia (e.g. Vladivostock, where he was accused of espionage and imprisoned for 6 weeks), Austria, France, Poland, China, America (New York), Chile, Peru and Argentina; also his work as Private Secretary to Sir Laming Worthington-Evans (War Secretary, 1921-22 and delegate to the International Economic Conference in Genoa in 1922) and his numerous friendships and meetings with public figures, actors (including Ernest Thesiger and John Gielgud) and artists (including Francis Bacon, of whom he was an early supporter), chiefly July 1905 to December 1947 (with only a few gaps)



ii) 16 albums containing photographs chiefly taken during his travels, sketches, theatre and concert programmes, presscuttings, menus, visiting cards, postcards, letters and signatures; together with several folders of correspondence, chiefly 1917 to 1941, some photographs removed from two albums



An almost daily record of the life of an insider in the world of art, theatre and politics during the 1920s and 30s.



Allden's "autograph collection", comprising 3 albums of letters, is offered as lot 66.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

i) The diaries cover August to September 1897; July 1905 to March 1906 (Cambridge); July to December 1908 (Freiburg in Baden – Rome – Pisa – Glion); August 1911 to October 1912 (London – St Albans – Copenhagen – Vyborg – St Petersburg – Moscow -- Vladivostock); August 1913 to February 1914; May to June 1914 (London – Mistelbach – Vienna); August to September 1914 (Paris); January 1915 to January 1916 (London); October 1916; April to September 1917 (Paris – Montreux – Zurich); June 1918 to March 1920 (Territet – Geneva – London – Paris – Nice – Monte Carlo); September 1920 to June 1923 (London – Nice – Genoa -- Malacca Straits – Shanghai – Peking); August 1923 to January 1925 (Peking – Shanghai – Hong Kong – Manila – London – New York); July to February 1927 (Arequipa – La Paz – Santiago – Buenos Aires – Rio de Janeiro -- London – Paris – Berlin – Warsaw – Paris – Avignon); July 1928 to February 1929 (Dresden – London); May to November 1929 (Rome – Paris – London – Brussels – Dublin); September 1933 to May 1940 (London – Paris); January to December 1940 (London); January 1942 to December 1944 (London); January 1946 to December 1947 (London)

ii) The albums complement the diaries while providing a visual record of many of Allden's trips abroad. The correspondence comprises over 500 letters and postcards by artists, art collectors, politicians, actors and writers; discusses chiefly exhibitions, the sale and purchase of paintings, concerts, social invitations and Allden's autograph collection; and includes letters by Noel Coward (11), Harold Nicolson (7), Shane Leslie (7), Duncan Grant, Gregorio Prieto, John Lavery, Cedric Morris, Eddie Marsh, Edith Sitwell, Philip Sassoon, Nigel Playfair, William Dieterle, and W.S. Maugham; chiefly 1920s to 40s