Warner (Sylvia Townsend, 1893-1978). Autograph letter signed, Maiden Newton, Dorset, 13 October 1969, written to Norman Lawton of Lytham St Anne's on behalf of Warner's partner Valentine Ackland (1906-1969), 'to tell you, with deep regret, that there is no hope of that Lancashire holiday this year' on account of Ackland's failing health, and enclosing keepsakes of an eclipse glass and an essay by Ackland (Dorset Worthies No. II, Solomon Caesar Malan, 4 pp., inscribed 'from V. A. 1969'), both present with the lot, the letter a single sheet written in blue ink on both sides (182 x 135 mm), together with a copy of Johannes Kepler, The Six-Cornered Snowflake, Oxford, 1966, inscribed 'Sylvia from Valentine, with love, Spring 1966' on front free endpaper, and with Sylvia Townsend Warner's bookplate to front pastedown, and a miscellaneous collection of books from the collection of the recipient Norman Lawton (but not Warner-related) including: Henry Williamson, Goodbye West Country, London: Putman, 1937, 8vo, probably later quarter vellum by Sangorski and Sutcliffe preserving original cloth sides, (spine lettered 'Extra illustrated edition'), all edges gilt, extra-illustrated with colour snapshot photographs of relevant locations (mainly on mounts); John Mair, Book-Keeping Modernised, 5th edition, 1789 (contemporary calf, worn, marginal worming towards rear, not collated); Adams, Nests and Eggs of Familiar Birds, c.1870 (contemporary blue calf, colour lithographic plates, not collated); and similar (qty: 13) The letter and associated gifts are a touching insight into the final months of Warner's near-lifelong relationship with Mary 'Valentine' Ackland, 'essentially a thirty-eight year marriage' (ODNB); Ackland died of breast cancer on 9 November the same year.