2110-6-9-28

[R. Fieldhouse 1934?]

53, Ella Street Hull.

To Mr. John Buchan.

Dear Mr. Buchan

I received your kind letter this morning. "Murray" was a first attempt at such work. When I was in college I made a small book of one of Mr. Kipling's poems, but it was not until I visited an exhibition of work by William Morris that I hit upon a scheme of Treatment. This style seems to me particularly well suited to the ballad. I have since made the "Dowie Houms of Yarrow" and am now engaged on the "Batele of

[right hand column:] Otterbourne - a somewhat fatiguing subject. The work is entirely done with the pen, no reproductive process of any kind being used. All I use are two nibs, one a square-end and the other a fine point. It appears more difficult than it really is. Old-fashioned.

I learn that B.I.P. are making a film version of the "Thirty-Nine Steps." I hope you will see to it that Mr. Hitchcock makes a faithful transcription in the matter of period presentation. The motor-car, for instance, must be a 1914 model. These little matters are very important in the reproduction of the strained pre-war atmosphere which plays so great a part [left-hand column:] in the novel, which will doubtless be described as "The classic spy Thriller."

The Christmas "Bookman" contains an alleged portrait of yourself. Why not let a real artist - Sir William Rothenstein - draw you? Again thanking you for your graciousness, and wishing you all kinds of success in The New Year, I am

your obedient servant

Raymond Fieldhouse.