Autograph Letters

American literary and dramatic critic. On page, 8vo, good condition, mounted with the envelope and a small printed biography on a piece of card. He says: Always give a good deed the credit of a good motive; - and always give an evil deed the benefit of the doubt."

Novelist and dramatist. One page, 8vo, good condition. "I was away yesterday - unwell, & today your Bombshell frightens me. Do spare me if possible [all from "Do" underlined] (& certainly if J.M. v. [John Murray V] is there, for he's the one to speak . ..); but Ican't refuse your request if you really want me. There is nothing new to say on the subject of Scott & Q.R."

Author son of Frederick Locker-Lampson (Rowfant). One page, 8vo, good condition. He is grateful for his kind letter about his book {"The Country Gentleman" was published in 1932]."

Art critic. Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He informs his correspondent of his belief that S.H. Sime, illustrator and artist, is still alive [in fact died 1941 re. George Locke]. H e runs obver the main events of Sime's life getting a small fortune, starting life as a coal miner, "fantastic imagination", "Pick-me-up", art editor of "The Idler", collaboration with Arthur Lawrence, Dunsany books, blossome as a painter, retirement from "life and publicity, rappeared at the St George's Gallery. Konody then lost sight of him.

Author and dramatist. One page, 8vo, good condition, some corrections in Hamilton's hand. "This story is so good & rings so true a note that the title jars a little. May I ask you to be so kind as to give it another one & to call your characters by more ordinary names?"

War correspondent and novelist. One page, 4to, one small stainn not affecting text, mainly good condition. A positive and pleasant response to a request for an autograph. He has given a more formal autograph in the bottom left hand corner.

Novelist. Piece of paper, c.5 x 3", prob. torn from larger page, attractive sentiment and signature dated: ""With best wishes - / Sheila Kaye-Smith. / Aug. 11. 1931."

Novelist. Piece of paper c.4 x 3" laid down on larger card with biographical detail written on it. Text clear, as follows: "93 Cadogan Gardens S.W. / With kind regards / from / Philip Gibbs."

Educational pioneer and poet. (Letter) one page, 8vo, good condition. "If you think my autograph worth possessing you are heartily welcome to a specimen of it. I have copied out and signed a sonnet which I wrote many years ago. Here it is. [PRESENT] / The lines which you quote in your letter come from a little poem which I wrote between 50 and 60 years ago when I was a school inspector in the West Riding (Halifax and Huddersfield region)". WITH: one page, 8vo, good condition, 14 lines of verse signed "Edmond Holmes" headed "From a Sound-Sequence called 'The Silence of Love'".

Writer. Piece of paper, c.6 x 4", good condition. He is presumably reponding to a request for an autograph: "Your flattering request / My prompt attention craves. / (signed) yours sincerely, with the best of wishes / C.L. Graves."

See DNB: novelist, poet, and essayist. One page, some marking, mainly good condition. "I and glad that you like my books, but you mustn't expect my handwriting to be good because what it does pleases you. Those [things?] ought to go together, and once they did; but they seldom do it now. The moment printing was invented people began to write badly."

Historical writer (see DNB). Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He says that he has read her "Wonderful Norse Tales" to his children with great pleasure. He is grateful for her remebering him and apologises for the effects of a paralysed right arm. "The work of writing, which was one of my greatest pleasures has now become a difficult & irksome {and] a painful task". He enjoys her success in their mutual "good cause".

Philosopher (see DNB). Two pages, 8vo, some spotting, mainly good condition. "I thank you for the profound & yet widely entertaining & [?] volume on "Moral Sensation" which you were so good as to send to me some weeks ago. I have read it with much asent to its main doctrine, & delight in the intellectual processes by which you unfold & [?] it. I do not not know where J.S. Mill found an antagonist more difficult to meet in any of his encounters . . ."

Total three pages, 8vo. He is sorry to have missed him, congratulates him on his baby and anticipates his contributions. Two items,

One page, 4to, arsing from his choice of items for his edition of Thackeray's works which Spielmann considers "indiscreet" because of their anti-Catholic posture, "but I believe not one in a hundred will read the minor items. The 'Jew' passages touch nearer home. But these are not in 'Punch' but embedded in stories."

Admiral. Three pages, 4to, a substantial letter, damage at point of seal, but mainly good condition, text cleara nd complete. "I am much astonished & disappointed that you have paid the attention I expected to my pressing letters respecting the valuation of the Personalty at Kedleston and that in consequence you have allowed the day to pass fixed for the Payment without yet having ever transmitted to me the terms of the agreement, or the sum to be paid. He considers the implications of this.

Novelist and dramatist (see DNB). One page, c.3 x 4", trimmed and laid down on stiffer paper, good condition. Text: I shall be passing your door today between 3 & 4 & propose calling to speak with you if you are likely to be at home then". He suggets he send a reply with the bearer.

Man of letters (see DNB) One page, 8vo, good condition. Text as follows: "You may use my translation of 'The Last String' for your book of recitations. / Messrs W. Blackwood & Sons of Edinburgh & London are the publishers of 'The Bon Gaultier Ballads.' The copyright is mine."

Poet and critic, author of the poem "Australia" (1824). One page, c. 6 x 5", probably trimmed at top (removing place, date, etc.), the rest black-edged, laid down on similar sized stiffer paper. Text clear as follows: "I have not, yet, received any communication from you on the subject of my note and enclosure; although you would see from the note that I am anxious to do so. Let me hear from you as early as convenient." Letters by Hervey are scarce (none on NRA, one on BL MSS).

Admiral (see DNB). Two pages, 8vo, black-bordered, small tear, mainly good condition. He refers to an earlier meeting and a "severe affliction in [his] family" which affected his movements. He will soon "endeavour to find the history you desire; your proposed naval history was to trace back to early periods it is possible that I might assist you with some manuscript copies that would interest the curious in naval history, and when you are again in Hertfordshire, I should willingly urge this as an excuse for soliciting the pleasure of your Company at Aldenham Abbey . .

Author and journalist (see DNB). Three pages, 8vo, some damage not affecting text. He acknowledges receipt of some proofs and asking him to hold on to the ones he has "until I can make sure of a publisher". He finds the times "bad" and the work would not necessarily be published immediately. They should wait to make their "mark". "I write this in order that you may not let the blocks which you have engaged to [?] for us interfere such pressing & I hope more immediately useful work."

Novelist and historian (see DNB). One page, 8vo, minor defects, brief annotation by another hand ("author of Tremaine"). He is discussing his progress with "An historical essay on the real character and amount of precedent of the revolution of 1688 / in which the opinions of Mackintosh, Price, Hallam, Mr. Fox, Lord John Russell, Blackstone, Burke, and Locke, the trial of Lord Russell, and the merits of Sidney, are critically considered" (Lodnon, 1838). He says "I avail myself of Mr.

English sculptor (1799-1872). Paper dimensions roughly seven and a half inches by one and a quarter. Good. Reads '| <...> | To be | Gentn | Your obt Sert | Richd Westmacott | S. Audley St | 1st. Decr 1837.' Fragment of docketting on reverse. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund.

British sculptor (died 1864). Paper dimensions roughly five inches by two inches. Good, but on slightly discoloured paper. Reads 'I have the Honor to be | Gentlemen | Your Obedient Humble Servant | [signed] William Behnes'. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Behnes ended his days in considerable distress.

British artist (1787-1849). Dimensions of paper roughly four and a half inches by two. Folded three times. Good, but on slightly discoloured paper. Reads 'I have the honor to be | Gentlemen | Yours faithfully | [signed] Wm.. Etty.' From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund.

English architect (1788-1863). Paper dimensions roughly seven inches by one and a quarter. Good, though somewhat grubby. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Reads '<...> a necessity | C. R. Cockerell. | 10 Sepr. 1833. | 89 Eaton Square.' and on reverse '<...> | and relief, from the Benevolent Society of Artists | I am the Widow of the late Henry Landseer who died [^ on the 25 of July] after an Illness of only a few Hours. leaving myself and Two Infant Children totally destitute. - | <...>'

Behnes (died 1864) and Westmacott (1799-1872) were both sculptors. Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by three inches. Folded three times. Good, though a shade grubby. Reads 'I believe the above statement to be quite correct | [signed] Richd Westmacott | William Behnes | Feb. 27/40.' Docketed on reverse. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund.

Stanfield was a marine and landscape painter (1793-1867); Meredith was employed by the auctioneers Machin and Debenham of King Street. Paper dimensions roughly five and a half inches by four inches. Folded twice. Grubby and lightly creased, with dog-eared corners. Reads '[signed] Michael Meredith | No 6 Blomfield St | Finsbury Circus | [signed] C Stanfield R A | Mornington Place | Novr. 20th. 1825. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund.

The sculptor Behnes (died 1864) and six painters: Cooper (1787-1868), Ross (1794-1860), Pickersgill (1782-1875), Newton (1785-1869), Etty (1787-1849). Paper dimensions roughly five and a half inches by three. Good, though a touch grubby. Reads 'William Behnes | Ab Cooper. R.A. | W. C. Ross RA. | H W. Pickersgill | Wm. J. Newton | Wm.. Etty'. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund, and docketed by the Fund's secretary, next to Cooper's name, 'not eligible | W J Roper'.

Probably the most famous of the Fleet Street cartoonists (1916-95). One page, quarto. Folded twice. Good, but lightly creased. He thanks him for the 'very nice letter and compliments', but feels he 'must administer a small but friendly reprimand. The Jean Rook [a noted Daily Express columnist] originals you refer to were ones concerning her article of the day and were a personal presentation.' Discusses charity commitments, before remarking 'It may surprise you that I spend more time in the studio working for charities than I do earning my living!