An appeal has been issued to find the relatives of an Ulster woman who received a letter from CS Lewis in 1944. The letter was found in a Belfast auction several years ago, but a Co Tyrone-based Lewis biographer believes it might be an entry point into a much bigger story, much like one of Lewis’ magic wardrobes.
Dr Ronnie Bresland, author of The Backward Glance: CS Lewis and Ireland, said: “Although this letter is not very significant it is every collector’s dream to find a collectable letter in an old book. “It would be interesting to find the relatives of the addressee today as you never know what further stories would be unearthed.” The letter was found in an old copy of the CS Lewis book The Screwtape Letters and was signed by a Jean Walker on May 22, 1944. CS Lewis addressed the letter to Miss Walker and, as the book was found in a Belfast auction, the owner thinks she probably lived in greater Belfast.
Oxford-based Mr Walter Hooper is editing Volume III of the Collected Letters of CS Lewis and promised to include it in the supplement. He said: “I can verify that the letter is genuine, it was typed by the author’s brother, WH Lewis, and signed by CS Lewis.”
London book collectors Maggs Brothers estimated it could fetch between £750 and £800 at auction. A spokeswoman said: “The fact that the letter is typed makes it less valuable than if it had been entirely in his hand, however, he does mention his work, which is of interest to collectors.” Anyone who thinks they may know a CS Lewis fan called Miss Jean Walker who lived in greater Belfast in 1944 is asked to contact the News Letter on 90 680 189 or email p.bradfield@newsletter.co.uk