PUBLISHERS’ MUSEUM

Waipa Post, Volume 43, Issue 3329, 30 July 1931, Page 2

PUBLISHERS’ MUSEUM

COLLECTION OF FRIENDS’ HAIR.

Time, which has brought so many changes to the West End of London, has so far passed by No. 50a Albemarle Street, the home of the publishing house of John Murray. For five generations the staircase and rooms on the first floor have re-

mained in practically the same state, and Colonel John Murray, head of film to-day, receives his visitors in the same spacious room in which Sir Walter Scott and Lord Byron re-

solved their differences in the presence of his great-grandfather, the founder of the firm.

Colonel Murray has brought together in this room perhaps the finest collection of Byron relics in existence.

In one corner is a screen made by Byron and “ Gentleman Jackson,” a well-known boxer of that day. On one side of the screen is pasted portraits of the famous actresses of the time, and the other side is adorned with pictures of famous pugilists and accounts of their prowess.

Among the poet’s papers is a brewer’s bill for £46 16s, and an account for soda water which runs to £24 7s 6d.

There is a number of letters written by Byron to his mother when he was at school, a copy of the rules in the poet’s handwriting of the “ Couplet Club,” which he and his friend John Hobhouse founded, and the deed of separation between him and his wife.

Ip. a glass case are the waistcoast which Byron wore on his wedding day, a pair of white gloves showing the smallness of his hands, and souveniis picked up on the field of Waterloo at the time the poet was writing “ Childe Harold.”

Of particular interest is a top-boot made for. Byron’s slightly deformed foot.

Colonel Murray produced a box in which were little packets of hair collected by Byron from his friends. Byron must have collected hair from all his acquaintances,” he said. it There is a locket of hair here belonging to the famous Maid of Athens.” Byron presented Mr Murray with a portrait of himself. Lady Caroline Lamb, desiring -do obtain possession of the portrait, forged a letter to herself from Byron giving her permission to take possession of it. She took the letter to Mr Murray, who showed it to the poet. Colonel Murray has the letter in his collection, with Byron’s comment, “ This letter is a forgery of Caroline Lamb,” written on the margin. “ From 1812 to 1816, when we went to Greece,” said Colonel Murray, Byron practically made this room his headquarters. Sometimes when he and his friends came in from fencing they would go round the room sticking the books with their foils.”