43 Mowbray Road

Brondesbury

London.N.W.6

29th Oct. 1951

Dear Mr Clausetti,

I am enclosing a prospectus of my two books for your perusal. “The Voice of the Mind” was published last April, and I have every reason to believe is selling very well indeed. Most shops here stock copies of both works, but particularly the new book. I have two pupils teaching in New York and they are anxious to order copies for their own pupils; and furthermore I receive requests from Americans in U.S.A. to have copies sent them by the publishers. A few days ago I received a letter from the Head of the Music Department of Smith College, Northampton, Mass. U.S.A. requesting the despatch of copies of both books and enclosing the cost in dollars. I have asked Ricordi of London to send on the books as they stock them both. Now all this preamble is to ask whether it is possible for you to get Ricordi & C. of New York to stock a few copies of both books? I know there would be a sale for them, all the more as I correspond with contributions of articles on singing to the American musical paper ETUDE and readers write to me asking particulars of my books (as I quote them in the articles). Furthermore, could Ricordi of New York stock some copies of my 50 Vocalises (E.R.945) as my pupils teaching in New York are always enquiring copies, and have to send abroad for them with all the attendant difficulties?

Will you be kind enough to give this matter your kind attention and let me know so that I can advise my American correspondents accordingly.

Last July-August we were all in Italy touring by car. Did some 3000 miles in all. I visited Via Berchet but was told Ricordi were “closed for the holidays” and that you were away “in campagna”. I was sorry to miss you. It seems quite a century since we last met. And what a lot of things have happened since that time”! (Do you remember your Auburn car, and then the famous Ford 10, and how I checked up the tyre pressures one evening you came over? They were approximately 10, 12, 17, 20 lbs. and you mentioned that “the steering was not too good”!

Hope this finds you and your family in good health, and hoping to see you when you next visit London. Cordial greetings from us all (all grown up now).

E. Herbert-Caesari