ALS to Professor MYNORS (Reynolds, 1909-1979, Designer & Engraver)

(Sir Roger Aubrey Baskerville, 1903-1989, Classicist and Medievalist who held senior chairs of Latin at Oxford and Cambridge) thanking him for his letter "It was very good of you to take this trouble. I have sent it to Batey, which I hope you won't mind, and I do hope now he will feel he can use my block without qualms. I think the present division of the words stems from Michael Burghess who supplied the press with such splendid copper plate engravings in the 17th century. They are large and the shield is not the only thing in the designs. The shield as used now, by itself and small, needs careful attention paid to the lettering (Burghess was not particularly a letterer). That was my reason for this slight re-arrangement It was not just a quibble. The Press I think knowing there have been variants in the past... This in itself I feel is a pity. There is no particular virtue in standardisation. But if it must be standardised then surely the most satisfactory design should be standardised. The Press incidentally are doing a splendid catalogue of their arms. It has been particularly interesting because for me I think it proves that Bewick's technique of end-engraved wood blocks was in vogue at least 100 years before his day. I was able to pay a visit the Press the other day and look at their wonderful collection of 17th century material. I was very shocked to read of Giles Alington's death yesterday. I remember him as a cherubic little boy. He must have become a wonderful person...", with a long postscript agreeing that "felicitas is wanted, and not only at Oxford. We are very unhappy about a proposed new atom research station swallowing 700 acres of Hardy's heath just east of Dorchester. On one of the few unspoilt bits of course..." and he mentions an exhibition he has put together, 4 sides oblong 8vo., The Old Rectory, Litton Cheney, Dorchester, 26th February Giles ALINGTON (1914-1956) was a Fellow of University College, Oxford. He was only 41 at the time of his death. His sister Lavinia was married to Roger Mynors and another sister Elizabeth was married to the Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home.