Showing 3 results

A letter, 17 May [1840] (watermark 1840), signed Augusta Ada Lovelace, to a Mrs Tynte, discussing the educational future of a musical prodigy, presumed to be the harpist John Thomas [Pencerdd Gwalia], and asking Tynte to use her Welsh connections to advance his career. Lovelace refers to her communications with [John Fane], Lord Burge[r]sh, co-founder of the Royal Society of Music (f. 73).
Also included is a photocopy of a letter, 10 April 1961, to H. B. Ward, Great Baddow, from the bookseller Winifred Myers, London, offering the Ada Lovelace letter for sale and transcribing its contents (f. 74).

Letters, 1843-1901, to Pencerdd Gwalia mainly from friends and acquaintances. Covering the greater part of his career, they contain references to his concerts, compositions and travels, and to musical circles in London and Wales, and include one letter, 1901, granting permission to use the title 'Harpist to the King' (f. 132).
Correspondents include John Gibson (1) 1855, Augusta Hall, Lady Llanover (4) 1851-1853, John Jones (Talhaiarn) (1) 1863, Lewis William Lewis (Llew Llwyfo) (1) 1862, Augusta Ada King-Noel, Lady Lovelace (1) 1847, Lord Mostyn (1) 1893, Thomas Oliphant (1) 1861, John Owen (Owain Alaw) (3) 1861, Cipriani Potter (7) 1843-1861, Brinley Richards (1) 1862, and Maria Jane Williams (Llinos) (1) 1853. Also included are a circular letter, 1862, from John Thomas, inviting subscriptions to his Welsh Melodies (f. 109 verso), and two of his draft replies, 1893, 1901, to correspondents (ff. 130, 135).

Letters and cards, 1842-1910, to John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia) reflecting his long career and including references to his early efforts to establish himself as a musician, to his concert tours abroad, and to his compositions.
Among the correspondents are Augusta Ada King-Noel, Lady Lovelace (18) 1844-1847 and n.d., Dr Joseph Parry (1) 1874, Cipriani Potter (6) 1851-1867, Brinley Richards (4) 1862-1864 and n.d., Sir Arthur Sullivan (1) 1873 and Penry Williams (1) 1855. Also included are drafts and copies of letters, 1851-1910, from John Thomas.