Autograph Letters

Australian Novelist, author of "Mystery of a Hansom Cab" (1886). One page, 8vo, suitable for framing, with bold signature, minor defects, text clear and complete as follows: Dear Sir, / Better late than never. Herewith the autograph you asked me for 14th February last / Yours faithfully, / Fergus Hume..

French adventurer (esp. in Madagascar). One page, 8vo, good condition. Text as follows: Je vais m'embarquer dans un moment. Je vous ecrirai longuement de Messina ou d'Alexandrie. Je ne passe pas par Malta - je vous [?] d'Aden ce que vous me demandez. / Mes hommages respetueux a les Dames . . . [postscript] J'ai laisse les choses dans la meme etat je n'ai pas fait faire de nouvelles procurations [Orobin?] . . .

Made out for £2, good condition. Countersigned on back "Jessie Conrad". Seven cheques were found by a fellow dealer in a book from Conrad's Library ("an 1830s book on Napoleon"), one of which he sold on eBay, the other six coming to me. I have consigned one to a colleague, and am offering out the others individually, including this the last in this series of cheques which, since he died on 3 August 1924, is arguably the last thing he wrote. WITH: two Postcard photopgraphs of Conrad's study, on the verso of which someone called A..W.

4pp., folio, tears and other damage marginally affecting text. She writes at length about the loss of a daughter, describing her last days and the family's grief. The daughter had been heavily involved in charitable works and involved with the activities of a "Benevolent Society. She gives some other family news, including the activities and state of health of Joseph Gales and news of the community, and talks of their friend "Judge Johnson" becoming Governor of Louisiana. A very substantial letter.

American diplomat and author (1817-1911), editor of Benjamin Franklin's works. All three items are very good on paper discoloured with age, though all with small punch holes for binding in upper corners, resulting to loss to six words of text. All three signed 'John Bigelow'. The second letter represents an important exposition of Bigelow's religious position at the very end of his life. LETTER ONE (14 March 1911, 21 Gramercy Park, two pages, octavo): In response to his correspondent's 'Syrenic appeal' he is sending a cheque for $25, 'at the rate of $5 for the next five years'.

Anglo-German engineer (1842-1927), who administered 'a portion of the conquered territory for the German Government' following the Franco-Prussian War, and who, following his naturalisation as a British citizen in 1876, 'invented practically the mono-rail, now known as the High Speed Mono-Rail System, and obtained two acts of Parliament for the construction of the Manchester and Liverpool Electric Express Railway in 1901 and 1902' ('Who was Who'). No items by this important figure are present in the British Library Department of Manuscripts.

Minister Plenipotentiary at Madrid (1850-58?)(DNB). Total 20 pages, 8vo (4) and 4to (1), good condition. Subjects and quotes: (1851) personal loss; "Pray do not hurry yourself about the Documents. God knows there is never any hurry in this Capital!"; health trip to the Sierras; news of the Ministry which "is supposed to have acquired considerable favour at Court for leaving the Queen alone. I have been able to compress the international tendeincies of Miraflores . . . [comment on Electoral Machinery in Portugal and Democrats] ..

Sometime Russian Head of Government. Bold abbreviated signature on page, 8vo

Liberator of Greece (see DNB). Three pages (one cross-written making essentially four pages), 4to, sl. damage with obscuring of a word or two, mainly good condition, apparently missing the first leaf.

Architect (1880-1939), son of Sir Aston Webb, designer of Admiralty Arch, the Victoria Memorial, etc. All ten items very good. Five docketed and six bearing R.S.A. stamp. All ten signed 'Maurice E. Webb'. An interesting and important correspondence, mainly concerning the renovation of the R.S.A.'s Adelphi building.

French archaeologist (1740-1818). In French. Total two pages, 8vo, one foxed, other stained but text clear and complete. (1815) "Je ne me suis appercu qu'hier soir en [?] moi de la mweprise que j'ai faite en vous [?] brouillons de la note [cy . . . ?] que je vous destinais. / Je vous prie de la substituer a celle que j'avais faire d'abord trop longue ou trop embarrassee de choses inutiles. / Je crois que celle cy [est?] trop longue et meme superflue, au reste ce n'est qu'avec vous que je crois . . . [can't read it] de communications ulterieuses. il me suffisait . . .".

Editor (1857-1921) of the manuscript newspaper 'Congo Mirror', who 'drew attention to irregularities in Congo Free State, 1886; [...] and accused Congo officials of murders and atrocities; with help he carried on the agitation until the Congo Reform Association was formed; in a series of letters to the African Mail entitled the Lower Congo he pointed out the injustice of the French rule and the concessionnaire system in Congo Francais' (Who's Who). Three pages, 12mo. On grey paper. Very good. Docketed in pen and green pencil.

French Hellenist. In French. Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He returnsd a letter his correspondent had sent to their colleague, Viennet "pour l'Academie" to which he adds something of Labitte "pur la Collectio Pizarrensis [Pisaurensis?]. He benefits from the offer of ""votre nouveau substitut" Jacqumets [?]. He has seen Beuchot. He has corrected the first proof of "The Odyssey" ("j'ai corrige la premiere epreuve de L'Odyssee"). He has hopes of finishing "le grand oeuvre des poesies homeriques". He wonders what he will devote himself to afterwrds.

American educator and philosopher (1921-2002), one of the key figures during the reorganization of the University of Chicago’s undergraduate college in the 1960s and 70s. All ten items quarto: five items one page in length and five two pages in length. Text legible throughout, but all items creased and some on paper discoloured with age. With occasional fraying to edges and a few closed tears. Several with pencil notes by Bonham-Carter on reverse.

1851-1940, scientist and first principal of Birmingham University (DNB). Three pages, 8vo, one page stiffened by remains of card (for laying down), good condition.He wishes to thank the officers and members of the Guild of Undrgraduates "for their valuable assiistance as Stewards at the Degree Celebration on Wednesday last." Honorary graduates wanted hm to pass on their appreciation, the ceremony being, "in the judgment of many of large experience (Mr. Balfour among others), the best that they have attended at any University.

Bookseller and publisher (1862-1933). One page, 12mo. Very good, docketed with the Society's stamp. 'In reply to your circular letter, I beg to apply for admission as a Fellow of your Society and herewith forward my application together with my cheque value 2 guineas, which in the event of not being elected, please return to | Yours faithfully | George H. Whitaker'.

Of the Bibliotheque Imperiale (Bibliotheque du roi). In French. Total 6 pages, text from verso shows through on recto, but both letters clear and complete. ITEM ONE (1813) He is looking forward to seeing Smith in Paris. General Macaulay has givcen "l'agreable asssurance". Progress made in beautifying Paris. He mentions a female author (Indecipherable to me), "celebre en France" to whom he recommends him particularly, eulogising her. Regards to wife and daughters. ITEM TWO (1814) Thanks for a letter. Smith's "sejour a Paris", happy memories and a wish for a future visit.

Museum Curator and Authority on Ceramics (see DNS). Total, two pages, good condition. (5 May 1925) "I have handed on your enquiry to Mr. A.J. Koop, my colleague who deals with cloisonne enamels. My own concern with enamelling is limited to painted enamels." (20 May) He expresses pleasure at being invited to judge "the designs for pottery and glass at the forthcoming competition of the Society of Arts. . ." Two items,

Note trimmed with the loss of a few letters, c.7" x 6", some staining but text clear, as follows: "These are to Certify the Principa[l] officers & Commissioners of His Majestys Navy that Mr Thomas Muir served as Lieutenant onboard His Majesty's Ship Juste under my command from the 15th day of June 1801 to the date hereof during which time he complied with the General Printed Instructions & was not absent Six Weeks at any one time./ Given under my hand onboar[d] the Juste this 10th day of [in another hand] April 1802." Note added in another hand - information about Nagle.

British scientist (1864-1930); patented the Ferranti alternator, 1882; chief electrician to the London Electric Supply Corporation. Both items one page, quarto. Both very good, though dusty; one with small pinholes in one corner. Both bearing the R.S.A. stamp, and one docketed. ITEM ONE: He has received Menzies letter of 11 January, 'from which I note that you are sending me one dozen copies of Mr.

Noé, Amédée-Charles-Henry de (1818-1879). French cartoonist.. - caricaturist. One page, 8vo, laid down, sl. damaged but text clear and complete. He says that Madame de Noe [avec accent] is fully recovered from illness and wonders if his correspondent can dine next sunday. "Un mot de reponse s.v.p." He concludes with formal best wishes. The conjoint blank leaf is laid down - on the recto of this blank is a draft acceptance signed [Paggi?].

Printer and antiquary. The item, 2pp., 4to, trimmed, some staining, chipped corner, hole in middle losing day from the date, comprises a note in the third person from Wakeling and some unrelated antiquarian notes in J.B. Nichols' hand. Wakeling, perhaps a funeral director as well as an upholsterer (although Wakelings appear in the British Book Trades Index) , formally informs Nichols that "a funeral Carriage will be provided for his conveyance".

French architect (1845-1938), brother of the painter Jules Bastien-Lepage. One page, 12mo. Very good, on discoloured paper. Rodin (the sculptor) has informed him that the sketch requested by the committee will be ready the next Saturday. Points out that it will be difficult to convene a meeting during the Easter holidays. Signed 'Emile Bastien-Lepage'.

British stage designer (died 1971), painter, writer and lecturer. Both items one page, octavo, and very good, though lightly creased. Both signed 'Maxwell Armfield'. LETTER ONE (docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp): He has read the lecture by 'Mr. Davis', 'with great interest [...] our opinions on the subject seem to be identical! I should like to meet him some time if he is an accessible sort of person. [...] a series of such lectures issued as pamphlets with attractive titles would do a great deal towards a better understanding of the problem'.

English scientist (1889-1977), who worked with Rutherford in Manchester. All eight items quarto and very good. Most carrying the Society's stamp and some docketed. All signed 'Margaret Fishenden'. Mostly concerning the delivery and publication of a lecture on 'Domestic Heating'. Letter of 11 January 1926 suggests a number of people who should be invited.

British naval historian (1856-1905), author of a standard history of the Royal Navy (7 vols, 1897-1903). One page, on piece of stiff paper, roughly four and a half inches by three and a half. In poor condition, discoloured and stained, and with one small hole and some fraying to extremities. Reads 'Thanks for yours of the 8th. | I am afraid that I can only express the hope that you will, in this case, keep the price as low as possible, - as I do not know the business aspects of the question.

Wood-engraver. Two pages, 8vo, good condition. "I have just received yr last two drawings. / I will have these drawn I think, for photography gives a coat to the wood and when you think your tints are too light - you find them too dark. / With regard to the Beach cut I am persuaded that in printing it will now come very near the original, the colours of which I think you must have forgotten, and I have written to Mr Smiles (who seems to wish to get on without the subject) to try it at press - now it has been more finished - which I trust you will also approve. . . . PS.

Miscellaneous author. Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He asks politely for two pieces of information. Firstly, they have a book with engravings about Liberia "fondee par les Americains". He wonders if Liberia has a charge d'affaires in Paris or London. Secondly, he'd like to publish an article on "votre Bibliotheque americaine" and hopes they'll provide documentation.

Directeur de "La Bibliotheque Universelle et Revue suisse". Two pages, 8vo, good condition. Most of the letter consists of information about and praise of a hotel in the Alps.

Artist and etcher. See new DNB for substantial entry. Twelve autograph letters and notes signed, all 8vo, total 35+ pages, good condition. Contents: (undated letter) asking Lane to get a "Miss Hester Frow" work as illustrator with a weekly or monthly periodical (19 May 1903) He tells Lane to expect a letter from a Miss White concerning "an interesting matter" which she had already put before another London publisher, but Cameron thought Lane "the real man for the subject". He thinks the projected book would have a large circulation and she is "well known" as is her father, J.