The name of the letters

Ann Dinsdale - Collections Manager at the Brontë Parsonage Museum and author of books such as The Brontës at Haworth or The Brontë Connection - writes a post for the Brontë Parsonage Blog on recent acquisitions.

A letter written to the Trustees for the Church Lands of Haworth, dated 1 February 1834, written by Charlotte Brontë and signed by her father. The letter concerns the rotation of the Trustees and the division of labour in collecting the rents. It was formerly owned by a descendant of James Greenwood of Haworth.

The Society also purchased two letters which were auctioned at Christie’s on 3 July. They are Charlotte’s letter to W.S. Williams, written on 9 November 1849, and Patrick Brontë’s letter to George Taylor of Stanbury, dated 29 February 1844. Both letters were part of the huge collection of important historical letters amassed by Albin Schram, found in a filing cabinet in his laundry room. [...]

Details of the letter and a transcript will be published in the Society’s journal, Brontë Studies, and for those who are unable to visit the museum we are currently developing an online catalogue with virtual access to items in the Collection. It is our intention that this letter be appreciated by audiences beyond the locality of the Museum and access via the internet is one way in which this can be achieved.All three letters will be displayed at the Parsonage over the coming months.

The latter paragraph is very interesting news. We look forward to hearing more on this project.

Incidentally, Ann Dinsdale's The Brontës at Haworth can still be voted as Yorkshire Book of the Year.

Richard Wilcocks has also written a post in the Brontë Parsonage Blog concerning the letter he sent a few months ago to companies called Brontë (or variants of the name) as part of the so-called What's in a name campaign.

The aim of the letter sent to named managing directors of about forty companies in March (and subsequent phone calls) when I was still Chairman of the Brontë Society was not just to obtain donations and sponsorship but to put the Parsonage in the public eye just before Easter. A media release was sent out on 19 March 2007 which resulted in substantial articles in the local and national press, ten minutes on the Radio 4 programme You and Yours and two sessions of a similar length on the Radio Leeds Breakfast Show.

Do read the whole post to see what Richard Wilcocks has received from several companies in reply to this letter.
The Telegraph and Argus covers this topic as well and reports that three companies have already agreed to 'dig into their pockets' to support the Brontë Society.

Among the people who responded positively was Steven Leach who runs Brontë Engineering Technologies and Brontë Precision Engineering at Low Moor. Mr Leach said: "I live in the area and was aware of the Brontes and the name is advantageous."
Miriam Spollen, who runs Brontë Bridal in Dublin and was attracted by the "Bronte costumes", promised to send cash. Also pledging support was Sir James Aykroyd of Harrogate who owns Bronte Liqueur and related trademarks. He said in a letter: "Should Bronte Liqueur be introduced I would be happy to include in the sale price a small contribution to the society for each bottle sold." (Clive White)

The article finishes with something that should be borne in mind.

The Bronte Parsonage Museum gets no Government assistance and is reliant on supporters and visitors.
Companies can sponsor an artefact, special event and exhibition or children's workshop or contribute to the acquisitions fund. Companies will feature on Bronte publicity. (Clive White)

(Bold is ours)

Categories: Brontë Parsonage Museum, Brontë Society, Brontëana, In the News