[Rarebooks] FS: Outstanding G.B. Shaw Letter from 1909 on the Design of his Automobile and on Driving

[Charles Agvent]

 From our new list of GEORGE BERNARD SHAW items, 130 pieces including 
manuscripts , letters, ephemera, and inscribed books.  See the entire list at: 
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SHAW,  George  Bernard. AUTOGRAPH LETTER  SIGNED  (ALS):  Detailed
Report  on  His  Automobile  and  Filing an  Insurance  Claim  for  an
Accident  in 1909. Shropshire: 4 January 1909. A superb five-page Shaw
letter  on  two sheets to O'Gorman SIGNED "G. Bernard Shaw" tipped  to
quarto-sized  pages  and  bound  with a typed  transcript  in  marbled
boards  with  a  blue  morocco spine. In part: "I  have  now  formed a
strong  opinion  that Todd and Wright never made a motor body  before,
and  are  under the impression that the function of the  machinery  is
purely  ornamental."  He gives a detailed list of five defects of  the
car.  Regarding filling the car with petrol: "Without luggage one  man
can  fill  if he is a professional conjuror like Cinquevalli." On  the
headlights:  "the  placing of the acetylenes is beyond  profanity  ...
though  ...  they are admirable for detecting policemen  concealed  in
trees,  and  for showing the mountains in the moon.... As there is  no
precedent  for  this,  it makes me doubt whether Todd can be  sane  or
Wright  sober."  Shaw concludes discussing an insurance claim:  "there
have  been  about six accidents, several of them my fault....  By  the
way,  the  Co has just informed me that if I make any claim they  will
charge  me 10% more next year. This they offer as a special  favour. I
find  that  my own considerate driving obtains no public  recognition,
whereas  my  driver's rush through crowded slums at 35 miles  an  hour
with  his  Gabriel  horn shrieking madly is enormously  popular.  They
just  love it; and he knows it." Shaw purchased a motorcar soon  after
they  were  generally available. He crashed his new toy  often,  never
learning  how to drive responsibly. This item came from the collection
of  Harold  Ackert.  Near  Fine in an attractive  Very  Good  binding.
                                                               $4500.00

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CHARLES AGVENT
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