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Books and other Publications about Alabasters by Members of the Alabaster SocietyJust published:The Silver Doorby Anthony ('Tony') Springall
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For Elise
Ray Williamson writes: This is a story of a family who emigrated to Canada in 1882 to seek new opportunities, a story of resourcefulness and dedication in the face of hardship in times when a wife had no choice but to do as her husband said: Alice Criddle held out for some months to delay their departure. The man was Percy Criddle, an only child, who had been terribly spoiled by his widowed mother, the distinguished painter born Mary Ann Rebecca Alabaster (Mrs Harry Criddle). Oriole has drawn on a wealth of original diaries, letters, photographs and other documents to craft a story that is at once fantastic, but true-to-life. To use the well-worn phrase, "You couldn`t make it up!" It is the story told from the point of view of Elise Harrer, the until-now forgotten woman of the title, the author`s great great grandmother, and Percy Criddle`s first love, whom he had originally wanted to marry, but, as he was under age, consent was refused by his mother, Mary Ann, because he was not in a position to support a family. She asked him to get established in a profession first before he took on the responsibilities of a family. At least that is what she said in her letter to Percy when he announced his engagement. She didn't prevent him from going to visit Elise for the first four years before he went for six weeks in the autumn of 1887 and got her pregnant. But that is only part of the amazing picture. The story is so beautifully written that the characters virtually leap out of the page and speak to you! If you want a compelling holiday read, look no further: this is it!
Book cover (illustrated above right) is an original watercolour by Elise Harrer Vane, framed by the cover of her beloved Poesie book. A Quintet of Alabasters by Adrian Alabaster (1997) Able Publishing, Knebworth. 259 pp. ISBN 0-907616-70-4 (copies available from The Alabaster Society for postage & a donation) Adrian Alabaster, a meticulous, professional historian and founder member of the Society, gave the lead in writing about five interesting Alabasters. Two were from the Elizabethan period (Thomas Alabaster, a London Merchant and the poet and religious apostate, Dr. William Alabaster), two from Victorian times (Sir Chaloner Alabaster, Consul-General of China and his brother, Henry Alabaster, Advisor to the King of Siam) and one from the present day, Robert Clifford Alabaster, D.S.O, D.F.C.). Adrian’s wife, Angela contributed to the study, especially in compiling the chapter on William. A Closer Look at William Alabaster (1568-1640): Poet, Theologian, and Spy? by John. S. Alabaster (2003), Occasional Monograph No. 1. 159 pp. The Alabaster Society ISBN 0-9549831-0-6 (out of print; updated pdf files from author) Dr. John Alabaster, another founder member of the Alabaster Society, shared Adrian Alabaster’s interest in Dr. William Alabaster and has dealt in some depth with his poetry, his religious conversion to Catholicism, his spying activities and his rehabilitation as Rector of Therfield, Hertfordshire. A postscript and an Index were later published in The Alabaster Chronicle No. 22 (2004) pp.14-18 and a further note, William Alabaster’s Stolen Letter and the Earl of Essex was published in The Alabaster Chronicle No. 23 (2004) pp.19-22): both clarify his role as a spy. Sir Chaloner Alabaster: Correspondence (1840-1880) by John S. Alabaster (2005), Occasional Monograph No. 2. 46 pp. The Alabaster Society ISBN 0-9549831-1-4 (copies available from The Alabaster Society for postage & a donation) Documents, including three family portraits kindly made available by Nan Kenyon of Canada have provided insight into Chaloner’s view of, and career in China and, particularly, of his family relationships. The holographs of the letters and a synopsis are deposited at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London; Reference No. MS 380823. Henry Alabaster of Siam: Correspondence 1856-1884 and Career by John S. Alabaster (2009), Occasional Monograph No. 3. 63 pp. The Alabaster Society ISBN 978-0-9549831-2-3 (copies available from The Alabaster Society for postage & a donation) Letters kindly made available by Nan Kenyon of Canada are simply transcribed in chronological order to help to amplify the story of Henry Alabaster’s life. A note on Thailand’s independence and Henry’s supporting role put in perspective is appended. Originals or copies of the letters and the transcripts are deposited at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, Reference No. MS 380824. An Alabaster Quest by John S. Alabaster (2011), Occasional Monograph No. 4. 116 pp. (61 illustrations) The Alabaster Society ISBN 978-0-9549831-3-0 (copies available from The Alabaster Society for postage & a donation) The author has made extensive use of documents kindly made by Nan Kenyon of Canada concerning James Chaloner Alabaster, the father of Chaloner Alabaster of China and Henry Alabaster of Siam, to tell the story of his visit to North America in 1837 in pursuit of a claim to Indian land. The book provides insight into the general social, economic and political circumstances of the time and, in particular, James Chaloner’s family relations, business acumen and reactions to America and Canada. These documents are deposited at the City of Westminster Archives, Accession No. 2369. Henry Alabaster of Siam: Serving Two Masters by John S. Alabaster (2012), Occasional Monograph No. 5. 147 pp. (71 illustrations). The Alabaster Society ISBN 978-0-9549831-4-7 (copies available from The Alabaster Society for postage & a donation) Foreign Office records researched by Angela Alabaster and newly-found documents have been used to fill in gaps in Henry Alabaster’s biography, particularly about the situation leading to his transfer in mid-career, from employment at the British Consulate in Bangkok to direct service for the King of Siam. His development of an import business of goods into Bangkok, in collaboration with his cousin, Percy Criddle, is highlighted. Hitherto unpublished letters have been appended in full and also added, as holographs where available, to the archive at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London; Reference No. MS 380824. His account of the eclipse of the sun in 1868 and that part of his The Wheel of the Law describing his expedition into the hinterland of Thailand are included. There may still be some copies available of the six books mentioned above. Please enquire to the Hon. Sec., Laraine Hake. Contact information is on the Contact us page. |
Apparatvs in Revelationem Iesv ChristiWilliam Alabaster Book is now on CDLaraine Hake writes: I am sure you will remember the event of 2006 when we, The Alabaster Society, won at auction a first edition of William Alabaster's book Apparatus in Revelationem Jesu Christi published in 1607 --------yes, 1607 !!! This was only possible through the generosity of our members: thank you to all who contributed. Now that we have the book, we want to be able to share it. Accordingly, Tony Springall has produced a CD which contains a facsimile of the book -- that is every page has been photographed and can be seen clearly using Acrobat Reader. I have today posted a copy of this CD to every one of you who so kindly contributed towards the cost of the book over those exciting couple of days last January! Please let me know when they arrive and, most importantly, let me know if it does not arrive. It is likely that the CD will be of interest to scholars and others outside of the Alabaster family, so we are going to make it available for sale. However, in the meantime, if there is anybody who would like to buy his or her own copy, members of Alabaster Society can buy it for £5 + p&p. Having been to the post office today, I can stipulate that that will be £6 in UK and £7 out of UK (by air mail). We will put this offer in the next Chronicle too, of course, for those unable to read this. Alabaster Society members will have priority in receiving copies of the CD. Non-members should enquire of the Hon. Sec. through the Contact us page, or, of course, they could join! |
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The Alabaster Society 
This is a highly fictionalised account of the first half of the life of Thomas
Alabaster, the eldest son of Thomas Alabaster of Hadleigh. 
by Oriole Vale Veldhuis (2012) "Unveiling the forgotten woman on the Criddle
homestead".
