[WWII] ARCHIVE OF YVONNE PINKER HENDERSON

London, Bahamas, 1964. Ebba Yvonne (“Vonnie”) Watson Rowland Pinker Henderson (1898-1974) was the wife of James “Ralph” Seabrooke Pinker (1900-1959). She worked for her husband’s publishing firm, started by James Brand Pinker who represented several prominent British authors. After taking over the business, both of his sons, Eric & Ralph went to prison for embezzlement from the firm’s authors and Ralph went bankrupt in 1941. The Pinker firm was sold and Yvonne divorced Ralph while he was in prison. ~This archive covers the years c.1910-1964, with a focus on 1934-1942. Figures such as Archibald Wavell, Trevor Blakemore, and Charles Morgan discussed the hardships and destruction from the war, and several mention Ralph Pinker’s financial troubles. Included is an invitation from Aldous Huxley’s wife to have drinks, on the author’s letterhead.~Of particular interest are the 100+ letters from Harold Courtenay “Lupin” Armstrong, a fascinating figure. A WWI veteran and former prisoner of war in Turkey, he made a living writing popular novels. Lupin’s letters to Yvonne show a very close friendship in the wake of his well-catalogued unrequited love for her. His letters also discuss his regret in being unable to fight ‘the Hun’, food shortages, the blitz, and refugee children. ~The photograph albums and hundreds of loose photos cover this time period and chronicle her family’s journey relocating to America after the war. She, Siri, and her third husband Michael Chipchase Henderson (1915-1963) look radiant with happiness in the numerous post-war photos. ~1 box letters, photographs, and albums. Good+.