recalling a visit to Lamb House as a young man ("...H.J. very kind. Laid his hand on my shoulder and said 'Your name's Moore' ... I do not think I ever got disentangled from G.E. Moore in the Master's mind..."), scattered revisions throughout, in black ink, editorial corrections in blue ball-point, 4 pages, 4to, text on rectos only, signed and dated at the end, Reform Club, 12 July 1959, housed in a blue chemise and folding box, creases, pin holes with slight rust marks

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate,
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Although Forster describes Henry James as "the first great man I've ever seen", he had already published two novels and had nearly completed A Room With A View when he visited James with Sydney Waterlow on 24 January 1908. His affection but ironic account of the meeting, in which James was blandly courteous and polite (even if he did confuse Morgan Forster with his fellow Cambridge Apostle G.E. Moore), was published in The Listener on 16 July 1959. It was prompted by a reminiscence by Leonard Woolf published in the same periodical the previous week.