THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

Sunday Jan. 19: 1930

Dear Miss Sharp

I feel it is fair that composer and author should share equally.  But it is not usual I believe and I don’t see why Mr. Garnett¹ should mulct you of a proportion of more than your “usual” share.  Would it be too sharp practice for us to draw up a contract giving you the normal proportion & then a “secret treaty” by which I paid you over the rest of your half. 
Do you think you could discuss this with Mr Thring of the Authors² or with his successor?
I do not think that our “secret treaty” need be a signed & sealed affair, but just an informal understanding unless you prefer it otherwise.
By the way I have no idea what the usual proportion between composer and librettist is – perhaps Mr Thring could tell you.
And, finally I think the whole discussion is academic because I do not suppose that either of us will make any money out of it!
Yours sincerely

R Vaughan Williams

1. Robert Garnett, who was literary executor of the estate of Richard Garnett, author of the book on which VW’s The Poisoned Kiss, with a libretto by Sharp, was based.
2.  i.e. the Society of Authors. See further on this subject in VWL617 and VWL621.