Search results

Author, Title, Summary Subject Price
Robert Harling [Robert Henry Harling] (1910-2008), typographer, designer, journalist and novelist, friend of Ian Fleming and possible model for James Bond [Percy Muir (1894-1979), bookseller]

[Robert Harling, typographer who may have served as model for James Bond.] Typed Letter Signed ('Luv Robert') to the bookseller Percy Muir, on his eightieth birthday, discussing their lives and criticising their old friend, Ian Fleming's wife Ann.

See Harling's entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice. The salutation ('My dear Percy'), valediction ('Luv Robert'), and one additional word in autograph; the rest typed. He begins by thanking Muir for a copy of 'PHM 80', the volume celebrating...

£450.00
Robert Rainy (1826-1906), Scottish Presbyterian divine after whom Rainy Hall in New College, Edinburgh (the Divinity faculty in Edinburgh University) is named

[Rev. Dr Robert Rainey of New College, Edinburgh, Presbyterian divine.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Robert Rainey') to 'Mr Willie', responding humourously to a request for an autograph, while exhorting him to be a good Christian.

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Given the contents of the letter, the recipient 'Mr Willie', whose father is a minister ('of the manse'), may well be 'Master Willie', i.e. a youth named William. He is 'much flattered' by the value Willie puts on his autograph, and...

£50.00
Sir George Thomas Napier (1784-1855), distinguished British army officer who served in the Peninsular War and commanded the army of the Cape Colony [Major-General William Craig Emilius Napie]

[Sir George Thomas Napier, distinguished soldier.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Napier') to 'Captn. Hamilton', regarding his request for a position, and quoting from a letter from Secretary at War Fox Maule.

The letter must have been written in 1855, as Fox Maule (later Earl of Dalhousie) was appointed Secretary of State for War on 8 February of that year, and Napier died on 16 September. 4pp, 16mo. Bifolium with black border. Loss to part of second leaf caused by removal from mount, resulting in...

£56.00
Everard Meynell (1882-1926), writer, journalist and book collector.

[ Everard Meynell ] Autograph Letter Signed Everard Meynell, Corpl., R.A.F. to W.Downing | Birmingham (bookseller) about a Mr Johnston's examples of handwriting, samples of the pen used by Downing, and Downing's latest (book) catalogues.

One page, 8vo, laid down on sl. larger piece of stiff paper, edges v. slightly frayed, faint ink line through (clear) text, name of Everard Meynell stylishly printed (or more likely written calligraphically) at base. Text: I have written for the Examples of Handwriting required by you, and will...

£180.00
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society [Alfred West of Beechen Cliff, Bath; policing in Scotland]

[George Combe, Scottish phrenologist and lawyer.] Autograph Document describing 'The Police Establishment of Edinburgh', including information on the 'Watching', 'cleaning' and 'Lighting' departments, written out by him for Arthur West of Bath.

1p, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of glue from mount at head of reverse of second leaf, which is addressed, with broken seal in red wax, to 'Arthur West Esq | Beeching [i.e. modern-day 'Beechen'] Cliff | Bath.' The page is headed: 'The Police Establishment of...

£650.00
James Johnson [James Johnstone] (1777-1845), Irish physician, surgeon and author, Physician Extraordinary to King William IV [George Fincham, London surgeon; Horatio Goodday]

[James Johnson, Physician Extraordinary to King William IV.] Autograph Testimonial Signed ('James Johnson, M. D | Physician Extry to the King.') for Horatio Goodday.

1p, 4to. In fair condition, aged and creased, on thin Whatman wove paper, with wear to edges. Reads: 'I was acquainted, for some years, with Mr. Horatio Goodday, while he was residing as a pupil, with my friend Mr. Fincham, of Spring-Gardens, [i.e. the surgeon George Fincham] and had many...

£280.00
B. R. Whiting (1923-1988), Australian Soldier Poet.

[B.R. Whiting; Australian Poet ] Large Archive of correspondence and poems in typescript (many unpublished.

A significant archive of material relating to the Australian poet B. R. Whiting (1923-1988), from the papers of his close friend and mentor the English playwright Christopher Fry (1907-2005). In addition to 171 typescripts of 136 different poems by BRW, many of them unpublished, the collection...

Literature £3,500.00
General William Schaw Cathcart, 1st Earl Cathcart (1755–1843), Scottish soldier and diplomatist.

[ Earl Cathcart; William Rae Wilson the "popular traveller" ] Autograph Letter Signed "Cathcart" to W.Rae Wilson, on various matters.

Five pages, 12mo, a little grubby, with selltape securing the bifolium, text clear. P.4 docketing with details of contents. Text: He thanks Wilson for his letter but says he can't "render you any efficient Service in facilitating your arduous and most interesting remarks. | I certainly used my...

£180.00
Mrs Robert Southey

[ Mrs Robert Southey] Autograph Letter in the third person, "Mrs Southey is [...]", to a Miss Robson ordering two "girls packs" (clothing).

One page, 12mo, bifolium, good condition. "Mrs Southey is so little satisfied with the pattern of linen sent her by Miss Robson - that she has decided on having the two girls packs made of [?] like that for the Infant - She wishes the packs to be made of a very good material - with a little...

Literature £180.00
John Landseer (1769-1852), landscape engraver, father of Sir Edwin Landseer [Joseph John Scoles (1798-1863), Gothic Revival architect]

[John Landseer, landscape engraver, father of Sir Edwin Landseer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Landseer') to 'J. Scoles Esqr', i.e. the architect Joseph John Scoles, asking for tickets of admission to his church.

1p, 12mo. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf, with small seal in black wax, to 'J Scoles Esqr | Argyll Place'. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with damage to second leaf from breaking of seal. Folded twice. Written in a tight, florid hand. Reads: 'Dear Sir | I hear there...

£45.00