In the spring 1999 Plum Lines we announced the ninetieth birthday of Richard Usborne, Wodehouse scholar, author of several books on PGW, and the grand old man of the Wodehouse world. Well, through what Jeeves would doubtless call a concatenation of circumstances, the announcement was exactly one year early, though Richard did enjoy all those birthday cards that resulted. His ninetieth was really and truly, cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die, on May 10 of this year [2000]. And he richly deserves our recognition again, not only for his age but for his many contributions to our enjoyment of the world of P. G. Wodehouse. His address is: The Charterhouse, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6AN, England. Let's give Richard the rare medical condition known as "letter-opener's thumb" with our cards and notes on this special occasion.
--OM