Lot 34: KIPLING, JOHN LOCKWOOD

KIPLING, JOHN LOCKWOOD The Rhyme of Johnny Grundy and his grey mare. Illustrated for Mabel Bulkley by her friend J.L. Kipling. Bombay, January 1869 Manuscript, 8vo (7 1/8 x 4 1/2 in.; 180 x 115 mm). 7 leaves, half-page pen-and-ink illustrations with 4 lines of text beneath; some marginal soiling and spotting. Marbled wrappers. With: 3 autograph letters signed ("J. Lockwood Kipling" or "J.L. Kipling"), 9 pages written, various sizes of 8vo, Creich Manse, Scotland, 27 August 1899, and Tilsbury, Wiltshire, 20 February 1905 & 31 January 1908, to Edward Bok; the 1899 letter torn creased and frayed affecting a few letters, the others lightly soiled.

The father of Rudyard Kipling makes a book for a young friend, and explains the symbolism of the swastika.

The child's book, an illustrated poem about an old grey mare who leaves nothing to her master in her will, was made while Kipling was principal of the Jeejeebhoy School of Art in Bombay when Rudyard was about four years old. In the letters, written after his return to Britain, Kipling graciously agrees to inscribe a book for Bok and offers news of his travels: "This is a wonderful country [Scotland] pleasingly diversified by such personalities as Andrew Carnegie and Mr. Choate ... But moor, loch and mountain are after all the best features and the air is splendidly wholesome as the health and spirits of the children testify." The second letter covers the appearance of the swastika in heraldry, Tibet, India, China, Tennessee and Ohio, the Isle of Man and Scandinavia, and offers citations for further research and image sources. The last letter is a recommendation of his friends Mr. and Mrs. Ashbee.