THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking,

27th December, 1947.

Dear Mrs Beckett,

The records have safely arrived. Thank you very much.¹
Alas! They are 14” records and my gramophone will only take 12”.  I have been circling searching Dorking to see if there is another.
It was most kind of you to look after my guests so hospitably the other day.
Yours sincerely,

R Vaughan Williams²

Mrs Beckett,
c/o Sir Adrian Boult,
B.B.C.,
Broadcasting House,
London, W.1.

1.  Gwen Beckett, secretary to Adrian Boult,  had written on 17th December:  ‘We sent off to you yesterday afternoon the recording of the [sixth] Symphony. We also enclosed a couple of trailer needles which will be much more suitable for these records than the ordinary steel ones.  Unfortunately, they are very difficult indeed to get, and that is why we can only spare so few.  The recording engineers tell me that it is not impossible to use a steel needle on these records, but, if you do that the record will only play about fourteen times, whereas, with a trailer needle it will play indefinitely. I do hope you were pleased with the rehearsal.  It was a wonderful thrill to be allowed to hear it.’
2.  The following was added by Beckett to the bottom of the letter: ‘Do you think there is anything you or Mr Todd cld do?  It does seem such bad luck for the old man. G.M. Beckett 30.12.47.’