Alphabet Necklace Correspondence
The folder contains sketches, correspondence and photographs regarding the commissioning of the Alphabet Necklace and the ensuing stunt.
Related materials: The commissioned necklace is now part of the National Trust Collection (NT76043) and is on display at Batemans, the Kiplings' former home (https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/760463).
Administrative / biographical background
"How the Alphabet was made" is one of the Just So Stories, written by Rudyard Kipling in 1902, which mentions a magic necklace. Sir Percy E. Bates commissioned the jewellers Spink & Son Ltd to create a necklace based on Kipling's original illustration, which Bates gave to Kipling in 1928. Bates and Kipling then hatched a plot to pretend the necklace had been stolen, as a publicity stunt, with the cooperation of Captain Spink of Spink & Son Ltd and H.A. Gwynne, editor of the Morning Post. Gwynne (1865-1950) was editor of the London Morning Post (1911-1937). An acquaintance of Rudyard Kipling in Kipling's later life, Gwynne was a pallbearer at Kipling's funeral.
Related materials: The commissioned necklace is now part of the National Trust Collection (NT76043) and is on display at Batemans, the Kiplings' former home (https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/760463).
Administrative / biographical background
"How the Alphabet was made" is one of the Just So Stories, written by Rudyard Kipling in 1902, which mentions a magic necklace. Sir Percy E. Bates commissioned the jewellers Spink & Son Ltd to create a necklace based on Kipling's original illustration, which Bates gave to Kipling in 1928. Bates and Kipling then hatched a plot to pretend the necklace had been stolen, as a publicity stunt, with the cooperation of Captain Spink of Spink & Son Ltd and H.A. Gwynne, editor of the Morning Post. Gwynne (1865-1950) was editor of the London Morning Post (1911-1937). An acquaintance of Rudyard Kipling in Kipling's later life, Gwynne was a pallbearer at Kipling's funeral.
Record Details
| Item reference: | BAT/11/14/1; MS1982/158 |
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| Catalogue Section: | Records of semi-governmental and non-governmental organisations |
| Level: | FILE |
| Extent: | 1 folder (25 items) |
| Date made: | 1924-1932 |
| Creator: | Bates, Percy |
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- Alphabet Necklace Correspondence (Manuscript) (BAT/11/14/1)
- Correspondence to Sir Percy E. Bates from Carrie Kipling 1932-1939 (Manuscript) (BAT/11/14/2)
- Correspondence to Sir Percy E. Bates from Rudyard Kipling 1925-1936 (Manuscript) (BAT/11/14/3)
- Large blue empty envelope addressed to Mrs Bambridge, Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire (Manuscript) (BAT/11/14/5)
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