Autograph Letters

Antiquary, Principal Librarian at the British Museum (1777-1869). (To Graham) One page, 12mo, good. He assures his correspondent that the Account will be paid in the promised two instalments, adding that Graham's "conduct in respect to [his] sons account has been throughout just & honourable." (To Almack) One page, 8vo, good. He is returning the manuscript concerning corn and its scarcity in Elizabeth's reign and looks forward to further "Communications". Two letters,

Antiquary (1805-1874). 2pp. ea., 8vo, damp-staining and other marksbut text still legible. He is returning some “cuts” lent by the Sussex Society and enclosing “eight blocks for the Catalogue of the Chichester Museum”. He wants his correspondent to follow up on a “cut”. In another letter, he makes suggestions for the improvement of a “proof of the Ark” and requests a book. In the other letter, he says that he is sending “the continuation ofChichester Catalogue” and someone else will send “the greater part of thewoodcut blocks”. He asks for a “cut” to be sent to the printer. 3 items,

2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Fairholt / I could not get down to you last evening, tho' I tried very much - / I will correct any circulars you may be good enough to write for Hone and get it printed and sent out can you furnish a list of archaeological assns. members & institute & the address of the F.S.A.'s - I am without the present lists of either [...] Hone is dreadfully hard up and every day is of much value to him in this affair - / Faithfully yours / Josh Durham" A strip has been torn along one of the margins very close to the text, causing negligible loss to it.

Writer on Mary, Queen of Scots, etc. In French. Two pages, 8vo, laid down, sl. stained but mainly good condition. He regrets not being able to visit Sharp but gives him a preview of some of his work on Mary, Queen of Scots which was about to be published [not traced]. Attached: an autograph note (in French) signed by Labanoff also in which he listsa book and manuscript he has left with Sharp which he hopes will be useful. He asks for the address of Sir Thomas Phillips[sic] ("ou loge") because he is to visit him at midday (!).

Irish philosopher and political economist. 3pp., 8vo. He addresses Hamilton as "President" and refers to the "Society" in Belfast. He explains that J.A. Froude is more selective about engagaments as he gets older and is unlikely to accept an invitation from the "Society". He recommends a direct approach. He expresses pleasure at the performance of the "Belfast students" and adds a postscript about candidates for the "English Chair in the college".

Politician (1722-1788). He died "leaving half a million of public money" (quoted in DNB). The signatures appear by the superscription, one is initialled. (1760) He has heard that there are "letters in Town from Ireland which say, That Volumes are writing there against transmitting a money Bill". He wonders if Wilmot has heard anything. (1761) He would "be glad our Letters & Bills and all our business was despatched in due time" since he wishes to make up a party with some Ladies to play at Loo. 2 items,

Viscount, soldier, G.-G. of India. (Croker) asks for assistance for lady whose sons died on naval duty. (Hull) he has passed on his note about forgery to Peel. (Attorney-General) asks him to look at a Bill he wants to go before the House. (Singleton) he discusses the circumstances of the death of Huskisson (run over by a train) and other business including "O.G. Mahon", Lord Westmeath's speech ("coarse invective agt the D of W and so grossly indecent"), Shiel's speech, O'Connell ("influence greatly declined"), General O'Neill and other matters. Four items,

Statesman, friend of Byron (1786-1869). One page, 8vo, staining, but text clear and complete: Alas my dear Lord I have not got such a thing as an Assistant Surgeoncy in my gift."

Signed "Frederick of Prussia". One page, slighly creased but suitable for framing. He discusses Dandy's offer of "yet another Motor Cycle, this time a 1914 Triumph two Stroke". He says that his younger son would be "very happy if he could have such a rare Motor Cycle". He doesn't think his older son, Nicholas, is yet old emough to ride the bike already given by Dandy.

Smart, Sir George Thomas 1776-1867, musician and orchestral conductor. Envelope fornt with address as above, c.4 x 2.5", signed by Smart, text clear despite some soiling.

Earl of Cranbrook. [On 2 July, Hardy was appointed to the Poor Law Board.] Statesman. One page, 8vo, laid down with envelope (stamped and addressed and counter-signed by Hardy, good condition. He thanks her for her "pamphlet on Cholera and its cure. I will submit it ot some more competent judge of the matter than I am." [Pamphlet not traced but a BLC search incovers over 100 titles involving cholera for the year 1866 alone.]

British Women's Golf Champion c.1922, one page, 8vo, partly laid down, good condition, saying "Many thanks for your letter and congratulations. I much regret the unavoidable delay in replying and have great pleasure in giving you herewith my signature." With a newspaper photograph (clipping from newspaper)) of her admiring her trophy.

Statesman (DNB), at this time under-secretary. Secretarial hand, signatureof Maule. One page, folio, fold marks, good, saying "I have laid befroe the Marquess of Normanby your Letter of the 22nd instant, and its Enclosures, relative to the conviction of James Stayner as a Rogue and Vagabond; - and I am to inform you, that your explanation is quite satisfactory to Lord Normanby . . . ."

Part of letter, c.4 x 4", laid down, good condition, last few lines in which he says "Princess Frederica has promised to dine with me. Could I induce you & Bradford to come & meet her here. I remain, / Yours most sincerely / George."

Headmaster of Rugby. c.4.5" x 2", soiled from vestiges of laying down process but text mainly clear as follows: Likes India, and that he is doing well there. Believe me to be, my dear [Torkell?], / Ever very truly yours, / T. Arnold.

Glass manufacturer (1814-1854). 2pp., 8vo, good, admitting that he isinvolved with the Crystal Palace Company, but is not the secretary. He says that he has the interests of “Mr Woodfall” [the printer?] at heart, and his family is well. Phillips became literary diretor of the Crystal Palace Co. in 1853. He wrote Guide to the Crystal Palace and Park (1854).

Baron Stanley of Alderley, statesman (1802-1869). 22 ALSs and ANSs (“S” or “Stanley”)and 1 AL, third person, 1-4pp., all 8vo except one (4to), to (S. Lucas), political journalist and author, mainly 1853, some undated or n.y., some not mentioning Lucas but almost certainly to him. Stanley is a contributor and more to a journal of which Lucas ispresumably the editor. Their brief, since Stanley was a Whig politician,was presumably to support the Whig cause. (See, however, the ALS toDisraeli described below.) He discusses the articles he is preparing or hasprepared (subjects including: J.W.

Short story writer and essayist (1900-1996). 8vo, to “Mrs Biggs”, appreciating her enjoyment of “the Russian books”, mentioning an error in his review of them, and recommending that she read Leskov about whom he hopes to write.

Actor (1830-1906). One page, 8vo, .good. With enclosure. He encloses his autograph (present - a tag from “Paul Pry” signed by Toole) and says he will be in Belfast in October.2 items,

Artist (1770-1844). 2pp., 8vo, good. “Clifford Holroyd” has asked him to put his case “before the Directors of The Artists G.B.[General Benevolent] Fund” at Cooper’s instigation. He requests information about Holroyd, and concludes by saying how useful this example proves the Fund.

Scottish poet and legal writer (-c.1805). 3pp., 4to, some damage and staining partially obscuring text. He writes initially of being elected to the “Kelso folly”, not wishing to be re-elected. He moves on to a matter which will involve the court of session, explaining that “the patrons as well as all the parties interested are by a ...(?) barred from appearing to prosecute”. He then discusses the signing of the “definitive treaty” on which he and his correspondent disagree, leaving posterity to judge its usefulness.

Ist Baron Glenesk, newspaper proprietor (1830-1908), 4pp., 8vo, stained but not obscuring text, giving his reason for not seeing Yates’s “representation”, and planning a pre-luncheon conversation about Napoleon, Palmerston and the like. He is pleased to be given a place in Yates’s “Gallery”.

Novelist, dramatist and journalist (1831-1894). One page each, 8vo, good. In the first, he is sorry that “Fred” has been bothered in a particular“matter”. In the second, he says simply “Here is the Valentine you askfor”.

Politician (1786-1863). One page, 4to, good, , damp-staining but text clearsaying that he will “defer the Borough meeting” and hope to meet hiscorrespondent at the Budge Hotel.

Russian emigre (1914- ?). ANS, 8vo, to “Miss Bentley”, envelope present, postmarked 24 April 1958. He asks her to cash a cheque for him to save him time.

Governor-General of India. 5 & 2pp., 8vo. Some illegible. (1830) he asks himself whether the "Board" should reply to "the Statements and Assumptions of the . . . Secret Committee in the subject of the Secret Letters relating to the Treaty with . . .(?)". He continues on the theme, concluding that ther documents in question had been perused by Lord Clare, the intended successor of Sir John Malcolm" (Governor of Bombay). (1841) he is trying to arrange a meeting.

Poet and journalist (1797-1864). 2pp., 8vo, good. Watts accepts an invitation and gives his excuse for not responding earlier in rather more words than appear necessary.

French composer. 2pp., 8vo, , referring to a list he has added to the letter of 8 pieces he would like to publish if his correspondent can cooperate. He has the proofs of To the Hills “a votre disposition”, and describes in a postscript a “fantaisie” he has justfinished.

Politician (1821-1899). 2pp., 8vo, reporting that Gladstonehas given their “resolution” a positive response and that expressions of“strong feeling” from the north create a good effect in Parliament.

Lawyer (1841-1931). One page, 8vo, good, anticipating exclusion from the House of Commons, but determined to serve his country nevertheless.