ABERDEEN

[Geoffrey Langdale Bickersteth, Italianist and Professor of English at Aberdeen University.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to his old headmaster at Charterhouse 'Dr. Rendall’, with reference to Dante, Marlborough College, Josef Schick, E. A. Wilson.

Author: 
Geoffrey Langdale Bickersteth (1884-1974), translator of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’, Professor of English, Aberdeen University [Gerald Henry Rendall (1851-1945), Shakespearian scholar]
Publication details: 
ONE: 11 July 1913; on letterhead of The College, Marlborough. TWO: 27 January 1914; Amalienstrasse 44A/II, Munich. THREE: 7 February 1933; on letterhead of 4 St John’s Terrace, Glasgow, W2.
£180.00

Three excellent letters, written to his old headmaster at Charterhouse. Bickersteth’s papers are at Aberdeen, and with those of his family at the Bodleian. See the Oxford DNB entry for his brother Julian Bickersteth (1885-1962). Three long letters, every page fully filled with text neatly written in a close hand. The three items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE (11 July 1913): 4pp, 12mo, with additional cross writing on the first three. Bifolium. Begins by thanking him for his book, clearly Rendall’s ‘A Hero of the Antarctic’, about the ornithologist and explorer E. A.

[Duc de Vincence [General Armand-Augustin Louis, 5th Marquis de Caulaincourt.] Autograph Letter Signed, in French, following the Congress of Châtillon and Treaty of Fontainebleau, asking Lord Aberdeen to deliver a letter to Viscount Castlereagh.

Author: 
Duc de Vincence [General Armand-Augustin Louis, 5th Marquis de Caulaincourt] (1773-1827), Napoleon’s head diplomat, Ambassador to Russia [Lord Aberdeen; Viscount Castlereagh; Treaty of Fontainebleau]
Vincennes
Publication details: 
‘Chatillon sur Seine / le 7. Mai 1814.’
£450.00
Vincennes

Something of an historic document. In February and March of 1814 Vincence had led the French delegation at the Congress of Châtillon peace conference, at which his counterpart was Lord Aberdeen, with the British Home Secretary Lord Castlereagh arriving partway through. On behalf of Napoleon, Vincence had led, with little success the subsequent negotiations with Russia, Prussia and Austria which resulted in Napoleon’s abdication and exile to Elba, by the signing of the Treaty of Fontainbleau, a month before the present letter, on 11 April 1814, which was ratified by Vincence.

[The Earl of Shaftesbury to Lord John Russell.] Autograph Letter Signed to Russell, regarding a memorial to Rev. Sir William Dunbar, ‘a very deserving man’ whom he considers was ‘grossly treated’ by Bishop Skinner of Aberdeen.

Author: 
The Earl of Shaftesbury [Anthony Ashley Cooper, Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury] (1801-1885), politician and philanthropist [Lord John Russell; William Skinner, Bishop of Aberdeen; Sir William Dunbar]
Publication details: 
14 November 1851. No place.
£60.00

An interesting letter, indicating the piety underlining Shaftesbury’s philanthropy. See his long entry in the Oxford DNB, which sums up his achievements as ‘very substantial’ and ‘a source of enduring inspiration to others’, together with those of Russell and Skinner, the last of which contains, regarding the part of the ‘Drummondite controversy’ relating to the Rev.

[Aberdeen Shoemaker's Stock and Equipment, 1838] [MANUSCRIPT] Roup [Auction] Account of the Stock in Trade which belonged to Mr. Andrew Affleck Shoemaker sold in his Shop Union Street Aberdeen | 19th and 20th March 1838.

Author: 
[Aberdeen Shoemaker's Stock and Equipment, 1838]
Shoemaker
Shoemaker2
Publication details: 
[Aberdeen, 1838]
£250.00
Shoemaker
Shoemaker2

Eight Pages, sm. fol., two bifoliums, fold marks, good condition. Stock and Cobblers' Equipment listed with quantities and sums achieved. Headings: Pair Prunella Shoes; Prunella Boots, Cloth Boots [...] Leather Shoes, Boots, Gents Boots, Wellington Boots, Blucher Boots, Slippers [...], Grindstone (x 9), Cutting Board (x18), Logs, Lasts, Boothooks, etc. etc. See Images

[ Manuscript; auction ] Roup Roll of the Farm Stocking Household Furniture etc. sold at Findon 13 Nov. 1820.

Author: 
[ Findon, Aberdeenshire ]
Roup Roll
Publication details: 
[ Findon, Aberdeenshire, 13 November 1820
£80.00
Roup Roll

Five-page list of items, fold marks, some dusting, fair condition. Lots, Buyers and Prices (see image). From Scythe and rake to horses and potatoes.

[Sir William Molesworth, Radical politician and journalist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Molesworth') to 'Merivale' [i.e. Herman Merivale] of the Colonial Office, about a report on 'exploring Central Africa' and other matters.

Author: 
Sir William Molesworth (1810-1855), Radical politician associated with John Stuart Mill, co-founder of London Review, editor of Westminster Review [Herman Merivale (1806-1874), civil servant, etc
Publication details: 
Office of Works [London]. 8 December 1853.
£150.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded once. Endorsed on reverse of second leaf. At the time of writing Molesworth was serving as First Commissioner of Works in Lord Aberdeen's coalition government. (In the year of his death Aberdeen would appoint him Colonial Secretary.) The letter begins: 'My dear Merivale | Last November I moved for the enclosed return and since then I have spoken to ]Pal?] [i.e. Viscount Palmerston?] about it who promised that it should be made.

[ E. V. Lucas and Methuen & Co Ltd, publishers. ] Typed Letter Signed ('E V Lucas') from E. V. Lucas to 'Mr. Wilber', regarding portrait tablets of Sir Algernon Methuen, with copy of the printed booklet 'Sir Algernon Methuen Baronet. A Memoir.'

Author: 
E. V. Lucas [ Edward Verrall Lucas (1868-1938), author ] [ Sir Algernon Methuen, publisher; Methuen & Co Ltd, publishers ]
Publication details: 
Booklet: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 36 Essex Street, W.C., London. Printed at the University Press, Aberdeen. 1925. Lucas's letter dated 21 September 1925, on Methuen & Co letterhead.
£80.00

Lucas's letter is 1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly spotted. He informs Wilber that when he arrives at the office the following morning, he will find that 'the two portrait tablets of the late Sir Algernon Methuen, the founder of our firm, have been unveiled'. He explains that the tablets are 'a gift to the firm from Lady Methuen, whose wish is that each member of the staff should possess a copy of the accompanying Memoir'. The booklet is 13pp., 4to. With three plates including collotype frontispiece portrait of tablet of author.

[ Pamphlet. ] Public Control of the Liquor Traffic. The Aberdeen Scheme. Memorandum by the Aberdeen Association for Promoting the Public Control of the Liquor Traffic.

Author: 
Professor J. Dove Wilson, LL.D., Chairman, and T. Owen Snow, Honorary Secretary, Aberdeen Association for Promoting the Public Control of the Liquor Traffic
Publication details: 
[ Aberdeen Association for Promoting the Public Control of the Liquor Traffic. ] 1895.
£65.00

4pp., 12mo. Disbound bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper. Subtitles: 'Heads of Scheme' and 'Expalantory Notes'. At end of last page are 'Some Opinions of Public Control' (by 'Mr. Gladstone', 'Mr. Chamberlain' and 'The Times'). Scarce: no copies on COPAC.

[ Pamphlet. ] My Pilgrimage from Calvinism to Utilitarianism: An Account of Spiritual Experience.

Author: 
Alexander Webster, Minister of Clerk's Lane Free Christian Church, Kilmarnock
Publication details: 
Sixth Edition. Kilmarnock: Dunlop & Drennan, "Standard" Office. Glasgow: W. & R. Holmes, Dunlop Street. Aberdeen: A. Martin, George Street. Undated.
£56.00

31 + [1] pp., 12mo. Disbound without covers. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Scarce: no copy of this 'sixth edition' on COPAC.

[ Pamphlet. ] Wrongs that require Remedies, Being the first of four Lectures delivered in the West End of London during June, 1887, by H. H. Champion.

Author: 
H. H. Champion [ Henry Hyde Champion (1859-1928), socialist and journalist ] [ The Aberdeen Standard ]
Publication details: 
Aberdeen: Published at the Aberdeen Standard Office. 1893.
£45.00

15pp., 12mo. Disbound without covers. In good condition, on aged paper. The second page (reverse of title) carries a list of 'Pamphlets by the same Writer, on Labour Questions. Now Ready (Sept., 1893.)' and is headed: 'NOTE - This Pamphlet contains the substance of an address to an audience of wealthy people in St. James's Hall, Piccadilly, in the middle of the London Season in the Jubilee year.' Scarce. For more on Champion, see his entry in the Oxford DNB.

[ Pamphlet. ] An Eight-Hour Law.

Author: 
H. H. Champion [ Henry Hyde Champion (1859-1928), socialist and journalist ] [ The Aberdeen Standard ]
Publication details: 
Aberdeen: Published at the Aberdeen Standard Office. 1893. [ 'Printer: JAMES BLAIR, 15 St. Nicholas St., Aberdeen. ]
£45.00

[16]pp., 12mo. Disbound without covers. In good condition, on aged paper. Scarce. For more on Champion, see his entry in the Oxford DNB.

[ Pamphlet. ] The Heresy Hunters and the Heresy Hunters' Song. Respectfully Inscribed to the Baffled Inquisitors.

Author: 
[ William Robertson Smith (1846-1894), Scottish theologian, Professor of Hebrew at Aberdeen Free Church College
Publication details: 
'No. 2. Bon-Accord Rhymes and Ballads. ] Aberdeen: George Middleton, Skene Square. 1878.
£80.00

Smith's entry in the Oxford DNB explains the background to this pamphlet, explaining that he was 'commissioned to write some articles on biblical subjects for the ninth edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and the first two of these appeared in 1875—‘Angel’ in volume 2 and ‘Bible’ in volume 3. These articles marked a turning point in his career. The Bible was regarded by the Free Church of Scotland as ‘the supreme rule of faith and life’, and so anything that might seem to undermine its authority was bound to arouse opposition.

[ Pamphlet. ] The Municipalisation of the Drink Traffic. An Address delivered to the Aberdeen Independent Labour Party. By A. T. Gordon Beveridge, M.A., M.B., C.M., Chairman, Aberdeen Independent Labour Party, and member of the Aberdeen Town Council.

Author: 
A. T. Gordon Beveridge [ Alexander Thomas Gordon Beveridge, M.D. ] Aberdeen Independent Labour Party ]
Publication details: 
Second Edition. Aberdeen: Printed and Published by G. & W. Fraser, "Belmont" Works. Manchester: Labour Press Society Ld., Tib Street. 1894.
£56.00

16pp., 12mo. Disbound without covers. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. A few marginal marks in blue pencil. Stamp of Aberdeen bookseller A. Martin at foot of title-page. Covering the last page is an 'Appendix | Scheme of Municipalisation as approved by the Special Committee of the Aberdeen Town Council.' Scarce: no copy of the first edition traced, and the only two copies of the second at Aberdeen University and the LSE.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Julian Pauncefote') from Sir Julian Pauncefote, Ambassador to the United States, to Lord Aberdeen, Governor General of Canada, regarding tours of Canada by Justice Harlan and French Ambassador Jules-Martin Cambon.

Author: 
Julian Pauncefote (1828-1902), 1st Baron Pauncefote, the first British Ambassador to the United States, 1893-1902 [John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon (1847-1934), 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair]
Publication details: 
Both on letterheads of the British Embassy, Washington, but with the location changed in manuscript in second letter to 'New London' [Prince Edward Island, Canada]. 21 June 1897 and 27 August 1898.
£150.00

Both items 4pp., 12mo, and bifoliums. Both in fair condition, on aged paper; the first with slight wear to one corner. In the first letter Pauncefote informs Aberdeen that Justice John Marshall Harlan (1833-1911), who has just visited him, is planning a summer holiday 'at Murray Bay in your Dominion'.

Dorothy Sweete. A Novel.

Author: 
W. I.' [W. Ingram]
Publication details: 
Edinburgh: J. Gardner Hitt, 37 George Street. 1901.
£95.00

12mo, iv + 203 pp. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Rebound in worn green paper wraps, with 'W. I. INGRAM' in manuscript along spine. Unobtrusive 'Sale Duplicate' stamp of the 'BIBLIOTHECA | <?> | EDINENSIS'. The dedication provides a clue to the author: 'To the memory of Jeannie E. D. S. Ingram, once a student in the University of Aberdeen.' Scarce: COPAC only lists copies at the British Library, National Library of Scotland, and Aberdeen.

List of the Partners of the Banking Company in Aberdeen, Instituted 1797. Alexander Bannerman, Esq. M.P. Governor.

Author: 
The Aberdeen Banking Company (1767-1849) [Sir Alexander Bannerman (1788-1864)]
Publication details: 
Aberdeen, 30th March, 1838.' 'D. CHALMERS AND CO. PRINTERS, ABERDEEN.'
£195.00

Finely printed on one side of a piece of good wove paper, 52.5 x 41.5 cm. Very good. Around two hundred names arranged in two columns, beginning with 'Dr. John Abercrombie, First Physician to the Queen for Scotland, in Edinburgh', and ending with 'John Young, Merchant in Aberdeen - His Representatives'. Directors and Extraordinary Directors are distinguished by marks prefixed to their names. According to one authority the Bank's demise was occasioned by the 'Large advances [which] were being made to firms in which the directors of the bank also had an interest.

Typed Letter Signed ('Aberdeen') to 'Peter Cavanagh, Esq., At/ The Empire Theatre, Edinburgh.'

Author: 
George Gordon, 2nd Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair (1879-1965) [Peter Cavanagh (1914-1981), impressionist billed as 'The voice of them all']
Publication details: 
22 February 1952; on deleted letterhead of 16 Westbourne Street, London W.2, with embossed address Braehead, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.
£35.00

4to, 1 p, 17 lines. He 'deeply appreciate[s] the spirit undlying the contents' of Cavangh's letter, which he found waiting for him on his return the day before 'after attending our beloved late King's Funeral'. 'As you say, the sword and scabbard must have belonged to my great Grandfather, the 4th Earl of Aberdeen, who was Prime Minister during theh Crimea War by the express command of Queen Victoria. He accepted the Premiership on the condition that he should be allowed to resign at the conclusion of the war.' Suggests a meeting in Aberdeen.

Autograph Letter Signed ['J. Arthur Thomson'] to an unnamed firm of publishers.

Author: 
Sir John Arthur Thomson (1861-1933), Professor of Natural History at the University of Aberdeen, 1899-1930
Publication details: 
10 August 1914; his letterhead from the Natural History Department, Marischal College, The University, Aberdeen.
£100.00

One page, octavo. On aged paper, with slight chipping to corners, but text clear and entire. He is afraid that he 'did not answer your second letter in regard to a book on Sex.' 'After careful consideration', Thomas and 'Prof. Geddes' [Sir Patrick Geddes, 1854-1932] have come to the conclusion that 'if we wrote another book on that subject it should be published either by "Walter Scott" (who has 'The Evolution of Sex') or by Williams and Norgate (who have 'Sex')' [both books, 1889 and 1914 respectively, also by Geddes and Thomson].

Printed Circular ('To Her Majestys Consul') Signed 'Aberdeen'.

Author: 
George Hamilton Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860), Scottish Tory politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1852-55
Publication details: 
Foreign Office, [London]; 30 April 1846.
£60.00

One page, large octavo. Aged and with light staining. Docketed on second leaf of bifolium: 'Requesting Consuls not to receive Copies of books as presents to Her Majesty'.

autograph letter signed to Rev. James Gray of Brechin

Author: 
Thomas McCrie the younger
Publication details: 
2 pp, 8vo, London, 29 April 1834
£180.00

Scottish divine and author (DNB). Returns thanks for two letters. Reached London via Glasgow and Liverpool on Saturday. 'Friends in the Committee rather in better spirits. Dr Cook was expected last night & is to be examined to-morrow. My day is Friday'. 'Your Suggestions are quite to the point. The field is perplexingly wide, & has been so crossed & re-crossed, that it is not easy to draw a distinct line of evidence' 'Dr Walsh & Mr Cunningham, & even Dr MacGill have, I understand, given very good evidence.' Says he will call on Mrs Martin if he can.

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