The letters are mostly to John Murray III and to John Murray IV and mainly concern Courtney’s role as editor of “Murray’s Magazine”. They are arranged chronologically.

Folios 1-21. Letters concerning the appointment of William Courtney as the editor of “Murray’s Magazine”.

Letter, 9 February 1890, of Courtney to Edward Arnold confirming his interest in taking over the editorship of “Murray’s Magazine”.

Folios 1-2.

Draft of a letter, 13 February 1890, of John Murray III to Courtney suggesting that the proposal that Courtney take over the editorship of “Murray’s Magazine” should be allowed to “drop”, with Courtney`s reply to Murray, same date, expressing disappointment at Murray`s decision. Folios 3-6.

Letter, 15 February 1890, of Edward Arnold to John Murray III suggesting that Murray should talk to Courtney directly to clear the confusion over the editorship of “Murray’s Magazine”. Enclosed with Arnold’s letter is a letter, 14 February [1890], of Courtney to Arnold informing him of Murray’s loss of interest in making Courtney the editor of the magazine. Folios 7-10.

Letter, 25 February 1890, of Courtney to John Murray III accepting the role of the editor of “Murray’s Magazine”. Folios 11-12.

Letter, 4 March 1890, of Courtney to John Murray IV. Folio 13.

Telegram, 5 March 1890, of Courtney to John Murray IV. Folios 14-15.

Letter, 5 March [1890], of Courtney to John Murray IV explaining the reason for having sent the telegram of the same date. Folios 16-17.

Letter, 6 March 1890, of Norman MacColl to John Murray III concerning Courtney. Enclosed with MacColl’s letter is a letter, 5 March [1890], of Courtney to MacColl, as editor of “The Athenaeum”. Folios 18-21.

Folios 22-132. Letters of William Courtney to John Murray III and to John Murray IV. Some of the letters have draft replies written on them.

1890, April to October: folios 22-33;

1891: folios 34-105 [Notes 1-5];

1892-1898: folios 106-131.

Partially dated letter, “May 2nd”: folio 132.

Folios 133-139. Press cuttings, March-April 1891, supplied by Durrant’s Press Cuttings, commenting on the contents of the current issue of “Murray’s Magazine”.

[Note 1] Folio 65 is the draft of a reply of John Murray IV to Courtney’s letter of 25 June 1891.

[Note 2] Folios 71-77. Letter, 30 July 1891, of Courtney to John Murray IV enclosing (folio 73) a letter, 29 July 1891, of Morley Roberts to Courtney enclosing, in turn: (folios 74-75) a letter, 22 July 1891, of William Churchward to Courtney; and, (folios 76-77) a copy, in Morley Roberts’ hand, of a letter, 27 July 1891, of Cecil Roberts to his brother, Morley.

[Note 3] Folios 86-87. Letter, 6 October [1891], of John Murray III to Courtney.

[Note 4] Folio 94. Draft of a letter, 11 October 1891, of John Murray IV to Courtney.

[Note 5] Folios 98-101. Letter, 12 December 1891, of John Murray IV to “Mr. Markby”.