Autograph Letters

Autograph Letter Signed to the Revd Thomas Helmore.

Author: 
Francis Edward Paget
Publication details: 
Elford Rectory | Septermber 8.' [1841?].
£65.00

Divine and author (1806-82). The recipient (1811-90) was a musical writer and composer, and the priest-ordinary of the Chapel Royal, St James's. Three pages. Poor: creased, dogeared, frayed, and with traces of previous mount adhering to blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. He received the note and inclosure the day before. 'We have copied the beautiful Kyrie Eleeson, and I now return it with many thanks for the trouble you have so goodnaturedly taken in my behalf.' He wishes he could have been at Leeds for what 'must have been a truly gratifying sight.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Aunt Emily'.

Author: 
John Byrne Leicester Warren, 3rd Baron de Tabley
Publication details: 
67 Onslow Square; 27 June 1874.
£75.00

English aristocrat (1835-95), poet, numismatist, archaeologist, writer on natural history, etc. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate adhering to docketed remains of leaf from autograph album. Had he not been 'so busy that I hardly knew where to turn' he would have answered the letter 'on the subject of the seal' sooner.

Autograph Letter Signed to [Sir Francis Graham?] Moon.

Author: 
William Chevalier
Publication details: 
Thursday Morn' [no date, but on paper watermarked 1825]; '3. Edwards Place | Hackney Road.'
£95.00

English engraver (1804-66). One page, octavo. Good, on slightly discoloured paper with spike hole at centre. Addressed to 'Mr. Moon' on verso of second leaf of bifoliate, which has a hole from the breaking of a wafer which still adheres. Reads 'I've taken the liberty of leaving for your inspection a few specimens of my stile of engraving - your brother Mr.

Autograph Note Signed to 'Mr. Wilson' [the bookseller John Gideon Wilson of Bumpus?].

Author: 
Edmond Xavier Kapp
Publication details: 
1 April 1930; on letterhead '2 Steele's Studios | Haverstock Hill N W. 3'.
£75.00

English artist (1890-1978). His wife, Yvonne Kapp, published four novels under the pseudonym Yvonne Cloud. One page, octavo. Very good, though a little creased and with dogeared corners. Reads 'Dear Mr. Wilson, | It is good of you to have taken so much trouble - I am greatly obliged to you. The lists have gone off to Berlin to-day. | All my thanks - & good wishes for a restful holiday'. Signed 'Edmond X. Kapp'.

Autograph Letter to Paul Colnaghi.

Author: 
George James Welbore Agar-Ellis, 1st Baron Dover
Publication details: 
Heythorpe | March 14th 1820'.
£45.00

English author and politician (1797-1833), whose efforts resulted in the formation of the National Gallery. Colnaghi (1751-1833) was the leading printseller of the period. One page, quarto. Good, on slightly discoloured paper with traces of previous mount adhering to reverse. A formal letter in the third person. 'Mr Agar Ellis would be much obliged to Mr Colnaghi if he would procure for him the German prints in outline for "Ondine", published at Nuremberg - Also the Prints in the same style for the German play of "Faust".

Autograph Letter to the printseller [Dominic Paul] Colnaghi.

Author: 
Lady Charlotte Susan Maria Bury
Publication details: 
Tuesday 29th April. [no year] | No 3. Park Square | Regent Park'.
£45.00

English novelist (1775-1861). One page, 12mo. A frail item in poor condition: on discoloured, frayed paper, with several closed tears and some loss to edges. A formal letter in the third person. 'Lady Charlotte Bury presents Her Comp[limen]ts. to Mr: Colnaghi and would be obliged to Him if He could make it convenient to call upon Her any time this Day, as she wishes to speak to Him respecting Some Drawings which she intends to publish'.

Autograph Letter Signed to J[oseph] Swain.

Author: 
Thomas Robert Macquoid
Publication details: 
25 July 1873; Stanley Place, Chelsea.
£95.00

English artist and illustrator (1820-1912). Swain (1820-1909) was a noted wood-engraver, and the letter concerns his possible employment by Macquoid. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but on discoloured paper, heavily sunned along one edge and browning in one corner, with small closed tear at top of fold. Swain's price 'for Blocks will do - £8. 8. 0 for full page & £6. 6. 0 for front page -'. He has seen Williams 'who was very polite & promised me some work'. Williams is 'going to be married soon - wh: he said wd. "come in the way" of drawings at present'. Signed Thos. R. Macquoid'.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male publishers.

Author: 
Harry Furniss [Punch, or the London Charivari]
Publication details: 
Thursday' [docketed 7 May 1885]; on Garrick Club letterhead.
£45.00

Anglo-Irish journalist and caricaturist (1854-1925), best known for his work for Punch. Three pages, 12mo. Very good, but with slight wear and discoloration to recto of first leaf of bifoliate. Asks to 'know the fate of Miss Lyster's M.S.' 'You will recollect I called & saw you about it some months ago. She is anxious you should understand you can have the M.S. without the drawings as you did not seem <?> for the latter | An answer will much oblige | Yours very truly | [signed] Harry Furniss'.

Typed Letter Signed to Betty Ross.

Author: 
Edward Verrall Lucas
Publication details: 
12 February 1936; on letterhead of the publishers Methuen & Co Ltd.
£38.00

English essayist and biographer of Charles Lamb (1868-1938). One page, quarto. Good only, on discoloured and creased paper. Lucas finds Ross's 'Heads and tales, etc.' (London: Rich & Cowan, 1934), a collection of interviews with the famous, 'incorrigibly lively'. 'I do not share all your sympathies but you have made a very entertaining thing out of question and answer. While I was reading, it occurred to me that a new kind of interview might be based on the "Questions I should not put to So-and-so". To G[eorge]. B[ernard].

Typed Letter Signed to R[ainforth]. A[rmitage]. Walker of the Print Collector's Quarterly.

Author: 
Edward Verrall Lucas
Publication details: 
28 February 1935; on letterhead of the publishers Methuen & Co.
£56.00

One page, quarto. Poor, on creased, discoloured paper, with two punch holes in left-hand margin and short closed tears along the central fold. 'It is as well that you underlined your name in print, for I cannot detect the faintest resemblance between it and your signature. Is this the fault of my imperfect eyes or your powerful hand? | As to your humorist - I think the Forceps Saga is funny, but Punch has a number of people who do things rather like it. Still, he should certainly let the Editor see this specimen together with something new.

Autograph Letter Signed to [Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co, publishers].

Author: 
James Grant
Publication details: 
20 December 1850; on letterhead of the 'Morning Advertiser Office, 127, Fleet Street, London.'
£28.00

Journalist (1802-79). Three pages, 12mo. Good, but on slightly discoloured grey paper, with some staining from previous mounting to one edge. 'Dear Sirs, | You will see some of your publications noticed in the Morning Advertiser of to-day. As we mean to make literary notices a feature in our paper, any publications you may send us will meet with every attention. Mrs Hall's "Pilgrimages" [published by Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co] has not reached me, otherwise, being a Christmas book it would have met with an immediate notice.' Asks to be sent 'all the advertisements you can.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs Valentine'.

Author: 
Victor Sawdon Pritchett
Publication details: 
16 December 1985; on letterhead '12 REGENTS PARK TERRACE | LONDON N.W.I'.
£28.00

English novelist (1900-96). One page, octavo. Good, but with slight marking from staple in top left-hand corner. He is glad his correspondent is 'having therapy for your bad back for, hard work though it is, and must be in your case, I'm sure you will find it helpful. | About author's proofs, they of course usually go back to publishers; but what I am glad to be able to send you is the jacket of my latest book which at least has a picture and my signature, and I hope it will, at least, be decorative in your study.' Signed 'Victor S Pritchett'.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Frederic Harrison
Publication details: 
14 October 1879; on letterhead '38, Westbourne Terrace, W.'
£45.00

English positivist philosopher (1831-1923). Two pages, 12mo. In poor condition: on discoloured paper with remains of stub still adhering along one edge, and with slight damage to blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. He is obliged for the 'invitation to contribute to the pages of the International Review; & I only wish that it was in my power to accept it.' He has 'a limited amount of time for literary work' and cannot at present make 'any further engagement', but may do so in the future. Signed 'Frederic Harrison'.

Autograph Letter Signed to [Sir William Henry] Maule.

Author: 
Charles Bathurst [Lidney; Lydney Park, Gloucestershire]
Publication details: 
Lidney | 7 April 1847'.
£23.00

Bathurst (1790-1863), an alumnus of Christ Church, Oxford, was Lord of the Manor of Lidney. One page, 12mo. Good, on creased, grubby and discoloured paper, with traces of mount adhering to reverse. Begins 'I send you a Pamphlet, which I dare say began in my brain in the cotyledonous or radicle state as early as when we bothered at Usk Sessions, one day or other you will perhaps read it'. Ends 'I am glad to find you are better than at the beginning of the Circuit'. There is no record of Bathurst's pamphlet in the BL.

Two Autograph Letters Signed to Sir William Charles Ross.

Author: 
Thomas Carrick
Publication details: 
August 9 and 30; both from 43 Upper Seymour St, Portman Square, London.
£65.00

Miniature painter and chemist (1802-75) with Carlisle and Newcastle connections. The recipient (1794-1860) was a miniature-painter and member of the Royal Academy. Both letters in poor condition, on discoloured, worn and stained paper, but with no loss to text. In LETTER ONE (two pages, 12mo) he states his willingness to meet Ross 'to talk over the matter to whicy your letter of yesterday refers', undertaking to 'enage with Mr. Thorburn to meet us'.

Autograph Note Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Henry De Vere Stacpoole
Publication details: 
24 April 1930; on letterhead of the Royal Marine Hotel, Ventnor.
£25.00

Irish novelist (1863-1951). One page, 12mo. Good, but with some rust stains from staple. Reads 'Dear Sir | I enclose autograph with much pleasure | Believe me | yours truly | H De Vere Stacpoole.'

Autograph Letter Signed to Major General Rooke.

Author: 
John Douglas, Bishop of Salisbury
Publication details: 
Windsor Castle June 18th. 1792.'
£56.00

Learned ecclesiastic (1721-1807), who opposed Hume and edited Clarendon. One page, quarto. Good, though on discoloured paper and heavily creased with a few small holes (not affecting text) caused by wear. Second leaf of bifoliate, damaged, discoloured and with some loss through breaking of wafer; bears address ('To / Major General Rooke | Member of Parliament | Woodstock | Oxfordshire') and postmark 'WINDSOR'. As Douglas was travelling to Salisbury, Rooke's covering letter did not arrive with 'Dr.

Autograph Letter to the Duchess of Beaufort.

Author: 
Frederick William Hervey, 5th Earl and 1st Marquis of Bristol
Publication details: 
St. James's Square | June 23rd. 1853'
£35.00

English aristocrat (1769-1859). Apparently cropped, but with no loss to text. Dimensions of paper roughly four inches square. Grubby and lightly stained. Docketed in pencil. A formal letter in the third person. Reads 'Lord Bristol presents his Compliments to the Duchess of Beaufort, & sends her Grace the enclosed Paper which came directed by mistake to him this Morning -'.

Autograph letter signed "Perrot", to "Monsieur le Conseille d'Etat Prefet du Department de la Seine"

Author: 
Aristide Michel Perrot
Publication details: 
Paris, le 23 Juillet 1827
£150.00

Map-maker, geographe, geographer. (One page, folio,some creasing and soiling, mainly good, clear and complete. This is a formal document in his best hand, in which he requests the opportunity to exhibit at "l'exposition" his latest work, "une carte de la France industrielle indiquent la position de tous les lieux qui ont fournis quelques produits aux 5 expositions, la designation de ces produits . . . ." He says how far he is advanced. An important letter.

Autograph Letter Signed to Major General Sir John Murray.

Author: 
Charles Arbuthnot
Publication details: 
Docketed '25th Septr 1811'.
£95.00

Arbuthnot (1767-1850) was a diplomat and statesman; Murray (c.1768-1827) was a soldier. Three pages, quarto. Good, but creased and grubby on discoloured paper. Rust stain from paperclip and traces of previous mount on blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. He has received Murray's letter.

Autograph Note Signed to unnamed correspondent, an autograph-hunter.

Author: 
Walter Lewis Emanuel [PUNCH]
Publication details: 
17 April 1910; on letterhead '17, Holland Park Avenue, W.'
£26.00

English humorist (1869-1915), a long-time contributor to 'Punch' magazine. One page, 12mo. Good on somewhat discoloured paper. Reads 'Dear Miss Manook. | No, of course I was not annoyed. I am sorry I have not a copy of any book of mine by me, and I have not time today to write one for you.' Signed 'Walter Emanuel'.

Letter <in secretarial hand?>, signed in autograph, to 'Mr <Dubarry?>.

Author: 
Sir Walter Besant
Publication details: 
27 April 1889; on letterhead '12, GAYTON CRESCENT, | HAMPSTEAD'.
£36.00

English novelist (1836-1901). Two pages, octavo. Some discoloration in margin from previous mounting. His silence is due to the fact that he has been 'out of town for Easter'. He is grateful to his correspondent for thinking of him 'in connection with the Garrick. But I am afraid I must not consider it. You see by the address that I live out of the way of clubs - This is for the sake of certain small children <?> to be considered'. He is already a member of three clubs: the Athenaeum, the Old University and the Savile ('wh: I do frequent').

Autograph Note Signed "Y. Guyot" to [John Bellows?]. En francais.

Author: 
Yves Guyot
Publication details: 
[Headed Notepaper] Le Siecle, etc., Paris 29. [9?] 1902.
£75.00

Editor of "Le Siecle", economist and politician (see Wikiberal). One page, 4to, some foxing, one edge badly trimmed, text clear and complete. "Je vous remercie de las marque de sympathie que vous avez donnes a la [France?] en envoyant votre sousscription pour les vistimes de la Martinique. Je l'ai deposee au [?] qui a ouvert une sousscription que nous n'avons pas un [?] ouvrier, en ayany trop ouvert du temps de l'affaire Dreyfus. . . "

Typed Letter Signed to Sir Henry Truman Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
George Titus Barham
Publication details: 
20 December 1916; on letterhead of the Express Dairy Co. Limited.
£23.00

Founder of Express Dairies (1860-1937), and antiquarian with a private museum in Sudbury. One page, quarto. Very good on slightly discoloured paper. He thanks him for sending Professor Petrie's letter. 'It is a subject which we have had before us for some time past, and are still keeping well in view as we are specially anxious to do something more on the lines the Professor pints [sic - and how appropriate!] out.' He has dropped Petrie a line. Signed 'G. Titus Barham'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Lady Dorothy Nevill, society hostess, horticulturist

Author: 
Sir Charles Lawson
Publication details: 
20 Palmeria Avenue, Hove, 2 March 1910.
£85.00

Etcher. Four pages, 8vo, good condition, sending his warm appreciation of her ‘Reminiscences’,mentioning Kate Greenaway ("artistic merit and sweet disposition") whose Christmas cards Lady Dorothy has kept, and also mentioning that he had sent a Card [copy enclosed] to the King which the King had admired greatly. Enclosed: a print of the original etching by Lawson after the cartoon by Tenniel which had featured in the Punch Almanack of 1874 and was commended by the King, INSCRIBED "Lady Dorothy Nevill, / a token of / the Etcher's great appreciation / of her 'Reminiscences'.

Autograph Note Signed to

Author: 
John Oxenford.
Publication details: 
16 St John St, Bedford Row, Monday, no date.
£30.00

Dramatic author, critic, and translator (see DNB). On epage, 8vo, vestiges of the laying down process, mainly good condition. "My "Virginie" [underlined] is from the Virginie [underlined] of M. Latour de St Ybais - and is the peice in which Rachel played during her first engagement at the St James' - Are you sure there is a Virginie by Ronsard. - He wrote a lucrece [underlined]."

Typed Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Albert Bruce-Joy
Publication details: 
26 November 1894; on embossed letterhead 'The Studio Beaumont Road, | West Kensington. S.W.'
£56.00

Anglo-Irish sculptor (1842-1924). One page, quarto. Good, on slightly discoloured paper. The embossment has been gone over in light blue pencil to bring it up. A couple of manuscript marks by Bruce-Joy for emphasis. Begins Offers to show his correspondent the 'colossal Statue of Mr. Oliver Heywood, which I have lately completed in the marble' (leaving for Manchester 'in a few days'), as well as 'the finished marble Statue of Mr. Whitley, M.P., for St.

Autograph Letter Signed to Charles Hogan; with printed prospectus of one of de Chatelain's works.

Author: 
Jean-Baptiste Francois Ernest de Chatelain, 'Le Chevalier de Chatelain'
Publication details: 
18 December 1862; on letterhead of Castelnau Lodge, Warwick Crescent, Westbourne Terrace Road, London.
£56.00

Anglo-French journalist (1801-81) and friend of Mallarme. Letter: two pages, octavo. Good, though on creased, discoloured and spotted paper. The verso of the second leaf of the bifoliate is ruckled and with glue stains showing through from the verso, which is attached to a piece of ruled paper. Reads 'Mon cher voisin | I enclose an order for the Westminster Play for to night, which may perhaps interest you or your son. If either of you are able to go, you should be there early.

Autograph Letter Signed to "Miss Baker".

Author: 
Shirley Brooks [ Charles William Shirley Brooks ]
Publication details: 
6 Kent Terrace Regents Park, 11 Nov. 1866.
£36.00

Author and editor (see DNB). One page, 8vo, sl. discoloured, laid down on another piece of paper, text clear as follows: Before leaving town I requested a friend who is very intimate with publishers to take charge of your M.S. and as a favour to me, to do anything in his power towards procuring its publication." He made enquiries about progress but found that his friend was out of the country for a spell. He is usng black-margined paper because of the death of Mrs Brooks's mother.

Autograph Letter Signed to Henry Robertson, Secretary, Covent Garden Theatre, together with draft of Robertson's reply.

Author: 
Alfred Bunn [THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE]
Publication details: 
T[heatre]. R[oyal]. D[rury] Lane | August 4th 1835'. With red wax Theatre Royal seal.
£180.00

Theatrical manager (1796?-1860) and poet, manager of Drury Lane and Covent Garden theatres, 1833-48. One page, quarto. Good, but somewhat grubby on lightly-creased, discoloured paper. Reads 'My dear Sir | I do not remember at this moment any point, beyond those we discussed yesterday, that requires adjustment, except the return of £63-4-8 overpaid on the rent account up to July 5th. and the four weeks salaries to your watchmen & firemen from that day up to last Saturday, amounting to £27 - | The balance of the "Warwick Box" is still unpaid.' Signed 'A Bunn'.

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