JB Priestley was born on the 13th September 1894. The Charles Pick Archive is scattered with invitations, guest lists, speeches and menus for Priestley’s many birthday parties. It seems his friends and publisher went out of their way to celebrate with him. His 60th birthday party was held at the Dorchester, his 77th at the Albany, his 80th at the Savoy, his 83rd was a buffet supper at the home of publisher and literary agent Pick, his 85th party was held at the office of his publisher William Heinemann Ltd. Invitations were even printed for his 90th birthday party which was to be held at the Mallory Court Hotel in Leamington Spa but sadly this was not to be as Priestley died the previous month in August 1984.
In his draft speech for Priestley’s 80th birthday in 1974, Pick paid tribute to Priestley and 50 years of loyalty – “a remarkable collaboration as publisher and author”. Years later in a 1999 interview for the British Library, after a publishing career of more than 65 years, Pick cited Priestley as the author with whom he had had the strongest relationship. He was also thrilled that Priestley had dedicated his last book to him.
Aside from all the birthday celebrations, the Charles Pick Archive includes press-cuttings and correspondence from Priestley and his wife Jacquetta.
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