A Very Rare Collection of Letters between Arthur Ransome and Morley Kennerly of Faber in Relation to a New Series of Fishing Books. Includes a group of 5 Autograph Letters Signed and handwritten by Arthur Ransome, 9 Typed Letters Signed, 'Arthur Ransome', in various places, a total of 15 pages, 4 sheets of proof notes in Ransome hand and a collection of 30 related carbon copies of correspondence from Kennerley to Ransome on the same subjects. Dated between 11 February 1953 to 4 September 1955, all to Morley Kennerley [of Faber & Faber], concerning fishing books and related including Ransome's idea to reprint a series of old fishing books, 'Here's the anthology back. Thanks for letting me see it. I have been through it and noted several possible candidates. Now then: those diaries: - I should like to look at them, though I dread adding to the pile of the last year's arrears due to my having been so often and for so long out of action' (11 February 1953); 'I have made several deep dives into that vast bag and found a great deal of interest. I think the owner knowing all the people mentioned, should make a selection from all the diaries, from start to finish, thus making it the record of a whole fishing life... ' (3 June 1953); 'Here is a copy I made of the letter written by James Leisenring to G. E. M. Sques. I wish you would read it and see if you think as highly of it as I do. I go to the Itchen tomorrow (to catch cold and no grayling)' (28 November 1954); 'Smythe. I have been wasting a lot of time doing a job for the National Book League, producing their new "Reader's Guide" to Fishing books. In it, I have taprovost’shance of calling attention to the Smythe diary, quoting a sentence from it and saying that it "has been edited by his son and is shortly to be published"...' (19 February 1955); 'Of course Smythe must have his Fishing Gazette stuff if he wants it, even though it is poor beside the Provost's genuine diary' (25 May 1955); ‘Here is H. A. Morritt’s farewell book … Anyhow, I shall be most grateful to you if you will consider adding this to your growing list of really good fishing books. You might follow it up with other very short but very good books, such as a reprint of John Beever (1849), or The Northern Angler (1800), etc.’ (13 August 1955); ‘I think your idea of a series of reprints of all the smaller fishing classics is a very good one. All the best fishing books were written in the days when no one thought it necessary to inflate them. Such a series would allow the inclusion of such books as Morritt’s, and all the books would help each other. In the end the series would offer safe bets to mothers and wives wanting to give presents to sons and husbands. You might lead off with Beever for the fly-fishers and balance him with Nobbes (1682) on the pike. Two days ago, by pure accident I came across the only copy I’ve ever seen of John Beever’s first edition of 1849… a small paper-bound of 64 pages… Blurb for Smythe. Do send me the proofs. I could send the blurb by return of post if only I had the proofs. If you have no proofs, let me know and I will, with greater difficulty, write an inferior blurb’ (19 August 1955), a few marks and filing pin holes, etc., Generally in good condition with odd creasing to edges and folding creases. Occasional paper clip rust marking to some pages.