Item 1968/1 - Two letters from Christopher Blunt to Ian Stewart and three letters from Ian Stewart to Christopher Blunt

5 items, paper

Two letters from Christopher Blunt to Ian Stewart and three letters from Ian Stewart to Christopher Blunt:
(a) letter from Ian Stewart to Christopher Blunt, manuscript,one folio (recto & verso), dated from St George's Rd, SE1, on 2 February 1968, reporting that he is "in the middle of M's Irish Edw. I", probably in reference to an unpublished paper presumably of Michael Dolley [?], expressing doubts about the "dating indices and the Irish output volume", and delineating his doubts at some length. In view of his doubts, IS suggests that an Irish specialist such as [David] Dykes would be more appropriate to referee the paper than, say, Peter Woodhead, but he will ask CSSL [i.e. Stewart Lyon whether he agrees]. IS says that he will do the Numismatic Literature summaries but asks whether HS [i.e. Herbert Schneider?] wants summaries of papers that appear in journals other than the BNJ and NC. A note in the upper right margin of the recto in CEB's hand suggests that he answered on 7 February, but there is no CEB letter of that date among the Stewartby papers.
(b) letter from Christopher Blunt to Ian Stewart, manuscript, two small folios (recto & verso), dated 24 April 1968, remarking on Ian Stewart's St Martin paper and stating that he finds the "arguments about the ordering of the types of the St Peter [coins] most satisfying". CEB nevertheless notes that IS has wrongly "avoided giving a deposit date to Morley St Peter", adding that he finds c. 925 difficult to accept, stating his reasons at some length and expressing his interest in learning IS's views on the matter. CEB also comments positively on the paper that IS read at the BNS and advises that he will be in Portugal so IS shouldn't expect a reply to any letter. In a postscript, he says that [Horace Herbert] King has spoken to him about giving up the editorship [of the BNJ] but he has so far persuaded him to stay on; he stresses that they must someone to work with him at first and then take over from him, and he suggests that IS may like to think about this.
(c) letter from Ian Stewart to Christopher Blunt, manuscript, one folio (recto & verso), dated from St George's Rd, SE1, on 27 April 1968, thanking CEB for the proof corrections to his St Martin paper and the interesting letter. He discusses a few editorial points and then comments on CEB's appealing thoughts about early Aethelstan, which he will be interested to follow as they develop. He says that he will think about candidates for the editorial work, remarks on the death of [Charles Wilson] Peck and wishes CEB "a good fortnight in Portugal". A note in the upper right margin of the recto in CEB's hand suggests that he answered on 5 May, but there is no CEB letter of that date among the Stewartby papers.
(d) letter from Christopher Blunt to Ian Stewart, manuscript, three pages on two short folios (recto & verso), dated 21 June 1968, stating that he has also received "a somewhat hysterical letter from Michael [Dolley?] alleging that an editorial meeting had been held without his knowledge and complaining bitterly", a day after CEB had written to him to suggest that a meeting is needed for the summer. He feels that Michael "is jumping to conclusions on evidence that is clearly inadequate". He otherwise thanks IS for his postcard and agrees to speak at the BNS if needed but offers to withdraw if the programme fills up substantially. He suggests two alternatives: (1) mint output in the long- and short-cross coinages, or (2) North/Southampton from Athelstan to Edward the Martyr.
(e) letter from Ian Stewart to Christopher Blunt, manuscript, one folio (recto & verso), dated from St George's Rd, SE1, on 30 June 1968, suggesting that later August or early September would be best for prospective weekend visit to which CEB has invited him. He thanks CEB for the list of papers, commenting briefly on some of them. He informs him that he is putting his "Closeburn" paper "into cold storage" but encloses a brief note for the next BNJ. He remarks on the Sylloge [committee] meeting with reference to CHVS [i.e. C. Humphrey V. Sutherland] and EJW [i.e. Edgar J. Winstanley] and notes that he is "recovering from the shock of recently discovered Brussels material at Baldwins". A note in the upper right margin of the recto in CEB's hand suggests that he answered on 3 July, but there is no CEB letter of that date among the Stewartby papers.