Autograph Letters

Poet (1880-1958). One and 4pp., 4to and 8vo. The typed letter has a hole not affecting text. It concerns a book Noyes has sent under separate cover, hoping to arrange a meeting. In the letter to Mrs Jerrold, he is commiserating with her on the death of Walter Jerrold ("one of the most lovable men I have ever known", etc.). Two items,

English actress (1854-1945). 2 pp, 12mo. "All my recitations are favorites just when I am reciting them - so the question you ask me is rather difficult to answer. - I love my work, so each bit of it has its special place in my heart. Sometimes - it may be a sad one or a merry one that I feel most devoted to. - The audiences help you at these moments & make special favorites for a few hours."

Journalist and police magistrate ((1818-1891). One page, 8vo. He invites him to dinner. "The Grimstones and Toole are coming - and others whom I dare say you know". He asks for the response to be sent to the Police Court at Marlborough Street.

Boys' story writer. 2pp., 8vo. He is pleased that she and her brother enjoyed "The King's Scout" (the "nicest women" enjoy their brother's books), and that she would like his autograph. He is sending her another book with autograph letters from himself and the illustrator, "Mr Masefield". "Mr. Masefield's is not a very good specimen but it is the only one I can find at present."

English theatre manager (1881-1971). One page, 4to. He thanks him for his note about "A Woman of No Importance". In an apparent reference to a letter written by him to The Sunday Times about that newspaper's drama critic James Agate (1877-1947) he writes: "My letter was somewhat emasculated, as not only was a sentence left out in the middle, but the concluding sentence ran as follows: - / "Mr. Agate will never cease being provocative but his influence will necessarily diminish in proportion to the contempt he feels for his job.

One page, 12mo, written in purple ink on grey paper. "My dear Sir / Could you lunch with me at 2. on Tuesday at my rooms in Midland Hotel St. Pancras? / Yrs always / E. A. Sothern". With traces of previous mounting to the reverse.

Actor. The first, 14 December 1924, Chicago, 2 pp, 8vo. He was delighted to receive her letter, and returns its Christmas greetings. "I know you will be having a splendid and happy time, with all your charming Kids around you, and dear old Jack playing Santa Claus. I have been out here for the last four weeks - the finish of our tour in "The Outsider" - for we return to New York next Sunday and disband.

Scottish lawyer and politician, friend of Walter Scott (1751-1839). Damp-staining and some damage not affecting legibility and completeness. He discusses in some detail the lease on the Cock Close Estate at Eton, and the attitude of the family concerned (Slatter).

Actor-manager (1803-78) at the Adelphi and Covent Garden Theatres.The first two, dinner invitations addressed to "My dear Pal", dated 22 January 1874 and 2 May 1875, both with letterhead 59 Belgrave Road, South Belgravia. The first, one page, cropped, 16mo., the second, one page, 12mo. The third, to "My dear Lane", one page, 12mo. " "One hour" is played for you all next week. What would you have more?" All three show traces of mounts. Three items,

Bishop of Winchester (1741-1820). Secretarial hand followed by the signature "B. Winchester". The Government has asked him (and other bishops presumably) to ask the vicars in his diocese to obtain information about the "high price of provisions", the Clergy being thought "above the suspicion of being actuated by selfish & interested motives". He has passed on some questions (not present) to which he would like answers derived from enquiries in their parishes and neighbourhood.

English actor (died 1914). "Dear Sir / My height is five feet three & a half inches in my half hose". Negligible traces of previous mounting to the blank reverse.

Baron Home of the Hirsel. Conservative prime minister (1903-95). Both letters one page, 12mo. In the first he says he will accept Barling's invitation to the Autumn Dinner as long as "nothing prevents me from being with you that evening". In the second he thanks Barling for further details of the dinner, and reiterates his hope "that nothing will crop up in the House of Commons that evening which might prevent me from attending". Both letters have two punch holes from previous keeping in a ring binder. Two items,

Historian. She suggests that her talk to the Society could include "some funny stories about the very early journalism in the infancy of newspapers", and, in the later note, she accepts an invitation to a Society function. Two items,

English dramatist and actor-manager (1871-1949), knighted in 1935. One page, 8vo. "Just to say au revoir I hope it will not be long before we meet again & until then - the best of good luck / Yours / Seymour Hicks / Ever so many thanks for your jolly wire - / Bless you". Piece of adhesive tape stuck along head of recto.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. One page, 8vo. "Dear Mr / Thanks for enclosure & letter. / Yrs sincly / Charles Wyndham". Grubby, ruckled, and with traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

English actor-manager (1811-68), the son of Edmund Kean. A piece of paper, 2½ by 4½ inches, mounted on a torn piece of grey paper. The note, written in pencil, gives directions: "Charles Kean / Key-Dell / Horndean / Hants / 9 miles from the Fareham Station on the Gosport line". Docketed in pencil "Kean's hand".

Journalist and playwright (1831-94). One page, 12mo. "Very many thanks for your kindness in sending me the records. I knew Bolland well, and many of the others who have 'gone over'. So the book is very interesting to me. "

Sculptor (1799-1872). Clipped signature from an appeal to the Artists' Benevolent Fund. Thomas Phillips, portrait painter (1770-1845), signature is on the same piece of paper

Pianist. 2 sides. He accepts an invitation to play a solo for the "Sick Childre (sic) Hospital" adding his choice of music for the programme.

c. 1.5" x 3", in a minute but distinct hand, 16 lines commmencing "They will by no means give the title of Saint to one of the Apostles or Evangelists of the LOrd . . . ", concluding with the apparent source of the lines "A Friendly Conference 48".

French playwright. One page, 12mo. In French. He declares in inflated terms his inability to dine with him on a certain day.

Dramatist, historian and poet (1626-1698). Signature cut from a document (Howard was an auditor of the Exchequer) with above date and a few words from the text, laid down.

Genealogist. One page, 8vo. He presents his compliments and says he will answer Buick's enquiry on his return to Dublin Castle.

Surgeon (1805-1873). He discusses the book, "Bell on Expressions" which he is sending, discussing the illustrations tongue-in-cheek.

Soldier (1783-1868). Stained and worn but contents intact and legible, responding to condolences on his wife's death. what it means to him, and what her last days were like.

Miscellaneous writer, journalist, Republican (1767-1840). 8vo. He complains that he forgot to leave his name for Phillips and his friends so that they could not enter the theatre. He asks that he make sure he does "this evening" with underlinings and emphatic statements.

Diplomat. One page, 8vo. He asks for a pair of Chinese slippers to be added to her brother's account and warns her against a "maddish charlatan" with whom he has crossed swords.

Sculptor (1775-1856). Work takes precedence over "gaieties" so he cannot accept an invitation.

Canadian lawyer and English Master of the Rolls (1752-1832). Part of ALS signed, referring to "Sir Alexr Cochrane's propositions as to prizes that may be taken in conjunct expeditions on the coast of America" on which he does not feel able to give directions.

Irish civil servant ((1861-1915). He hopes for a meeting in London. "I want very much to see you for a few minutes".