ARCHITECTURE

Autograph Letter Signed to Robert Rising.

Author: 
John Preston Neale
Publication details: 
Bennett Street Blackfriars | Sept. 19th. 1828.'
£200.00

Architectural draughtsman (1780-1847). Three pages, quarto. Good, but heavily folded and with some loss to second leaf of bifoliate from breaking of red wax seal, the remains of which still adhere. Addressed, with postmarks, on verso of second leaf of bifoliate 'Robt. Rising Esq | Horsey. | To the Care of Robert Cory Junr Esq | Yarmouth'. Rising, of Horsey Hall, was a Norfolk landowner, and Cory (1776-1840) an antiquary. A long and interesting letter. He regrets that he has been unable to spend 'a few happy hours with you and of doing justice to the Chief Magistrate of that Gt.

Autograph Letter Signed to J. Cotterell.

Author: 
Sir William Tite
Publication details: 
No date [but between 1855 and 1868]: 'House of Commons | Wednesday' on embossed House of Commons letterhead.
£36.00

British architect and politician (1798-1873), Member of Parliament for Bath, 1855-73. Three pages, 12mo. Very good, but with two stubs from previous mounting adhering to inner margin of verso of second leaf of bifoliate.

Autograph Signature on fragment of document.

Author: 
Charles Robert Cockerell [Henry Landseer]
Publication details: 
10 September 1833; 89 Eaton Square.
£28.00

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. - | <...>'

Autograph Signatures on fragment of document.

Author: 
John Charles Denham, Sir Jeffry Wyatville
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£28.00

Denham was an artist (exhibited 1796-1858) and Wyatville (1766-1840) the architect best known for his transformation of Windsor Castle. Paper dimensions roughly four and a quarter inches by two and a half. Good. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Reads '- J. C. Denham | 73 Pall Mall | J Wyatville', and on reverse, '<...> is, that I am now much <...> of my apartment, and of whic <...> help, from your <?> <...> most distressing kind - <...> every power, to obtain <...>, which, I am now down <...>'.

Autograph Note Signed to M[arion]. H[arry]. Spielman[n].

Author: 
Sir Aston Webb
Publication details: 
9 December 1903; on letterhead 19 Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, London, S.W.
£45.00

English architect (1849-1930), responsible for many notable London buildings, including the Victoria and Albert Museum. The recipient Spielmann (1858-1948) was an art historian. One page, 12mo. Grubby, and with pin holes in top left-hand corner, as well as small closed tear at foot of leaf (not affecting text). Reads 'I regret that having to be in Manchester on Friday next I shall be unable to attend the art Committee of the St. Louis Exhibition'. Signed 'Aston Webb'.

Two typed Letters Signed, successively to G[eorge]. K[enneth]. Menzies and W. Perry, Secretaries, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir Alfred Charles Bossom, 1st Baronet [British Art in Industry Exhibition, 1935; Royal Society of Arts; Royal Academy]
Publication details: 
22 June and 1 October 1935; both on House of Commons embossed letterheads, and from 5, Carlton Gardens, S.W.1.
£100.00

English politician (1881-1965) and architect, much of whose work was done in the United States. Both letters two pages, quarto. Both letters docketed (the first heavily so), bearing the Society's stamp, and with pin and staple holes in top left-hand corner. Second letter good, first lightly creased and grubby. Revealing documents relating to the Royal Society's 'British Art in Industry' exhibition, held at the Royal Academy in 1935. The Society's website describes this as a 'resounding success', but as these letters show, the matter was not so clear cut.

Autograph Card Signed to the Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Francis Bond
Publication details: 
1 May 1901; on embossed letterhead 'FERRIBY, | WOODSIDE GREEN, | SOUTH NORWOOD. S.E.'
£45.00

English author (died 1918), and authority on church architecture. Three pages, on two 16mo cards (both embossed). Docketed and bearing the Society's stamp. 'May I offer a lecture of architectural character for next session? I have lectured to the R.I.B.A. on "Cathedral Chronology" and on "Continental Romanesque" and to the Architectural Association the London Institution &c If you will refer to the Secretary of the last or of the other institutions, you would obtain information as to the reception of my lectures.

Autograph Signatures on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Philip Hardwick, William Behnes, Thomas Bellamy and Samuel Angell
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£30.00

Hardwick (1792-1870), English architect; Behnes (1791-1864), English sculptor; Angell (1800-66), English artist. On piece of paper roughly four inches square. In good condition. Reads '<...> | Philip Hardwick | Russell Square | William Behnes | Thos: Bellamy | Saml Angell'.

Typed Letter Signed to G. K. Menzies, [Secretary,] Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Arthur Joseph Davis [ARCHITECTURE]
Publication details: 
15 July 1925; on letterhead of Mewes & Davis, Architects, 22 Conduit Street, W.1.
£56.00

English architect (1878-1951) whose firm's commissions include the Ritz Hotel in London, the country houses Luton Hoo, Coombe Court and Polesden Lacey, and the ocean liners Aquitania and Queen Mary. One page, folio. Very good. Docketed and carrying the Society's stamp. He has 'called on Sir Charles Allom with regard to the judgment of the designs which you showed me yesterday', and they agree that 'only two of the selected schemes should be rewarded.

Typed Letter Signed to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, School for the Art of Theatre, 7, John Street, Adelphi, London.

Author: 
Sir Alfred Fernandez Yarrow
Publication details: 
12 January 1916; on letterhead 'HOMESTEAD, | HINDHEAD, | SURREY.'
£30.00

English engineer and naval architect (1842-1932). One page, 4to. Good, but lightly creased and slightly discoloured at foot. Bears the stamp of the Royal Society of Arts, of which Wood was the Secretary. Thanks Wood for his 'kind telegram of congratulation' (presumably on his knighthood).

Typed Letter Signed to K. W. Luckhurst, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
John Laurent Giles [ROYAL INSTITUTION OF NAVAL ARCHITECTS]
Publication details: 
2 November 1957; on letterhead '4, Quay Hill, | Lymington, | Hampshire.'
£38.00

British naval architect (died 1969). One page, quarto. Folded three times. Very good, but lightly creased. Docketed in ink. Probably relating to the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, of which Giles was a leading member. 'Your views rather coincide with mine, reinforced by a more careful read through of the literature over the weekend. In particular one noticed a falling off in quality of those elected in the last year as compared to the previous.

Typed Letter Signed to G. K. Menzies[, Secretary], Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Robert Atkinson
Publication details: 
24 November 1932; on letterhead '126 WIGMORE STREET | W.I'.
£38.00

British architect (1883-1952) who worked on 'the Bath Improvement Scheme, Saint Catherine's Church, Hammersmith, W., The Regent Theatre, Brighton, The Picture House, Edinburgh, Gresham Hotel, Dublin, and many private and other works' (Who's Who). One page, quarto. Very good. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. Headed 're Architectural Decoration Committee'. He assumes that 'the Agenda of a meeting of your Committee on the 30th November at 4 p.m.' has been sent to him in error, as he has written a letter declining the invitation to serve on it.

Autograph Letter Signed [to the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts].

Author: 
Engineer-Captain William Richard Apps
Publication details: 
18 April 1914; 'The Hawthorns, | Bishop's Waltham, | Hants.'
£28.00

British military and naval architect (1862-1947). One page, quarto. Very good. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. He has not answered sooner as he 'has been away from home'. 'I thank you for the matter supplied & I regret that at present I am unable to put myself forward for election but trust that should circumstances permit me to do so at some future time I may then receive the kindly consideration of the Council.' Signed 'W. R. Apps'.

Typed Note Signed to the Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Guy Morgan
Publication details: 
10 May 1966; on letterhead '12A, EATON SQUARE, | LONDON, S.W.1'.
£25.00

Architect, town planner and foxhunter (born 1902). One page, quarto. Very good, with staple holes to top left-hand corner. Docketed in pencil. He has 'just returned from a trip in Egypt, conducted by Leonard Cotterell'. 'It occurred to me that it would be a good idea for him to give a lecture at the Royal Society'.

Two Typed Letters Signed to [G. K.] Menzies[, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts].

Author: 
Clyde Young
Publication details: 
21 November 1934 and 21 June 1935, both on letterhead '6, NEW SQUARE, | LINCOLN'S INN, W.C.2.'
£56.00

British architect (born circa 1872), the son of Sir William Young (1843-1900), whose most important commission, the War Office, Whitehall (1900-1906) he completed. Both items one page, octavo, and very good, though on slightly discoloured and creased paper, one piece bearing pin holes and the other paperclip marks. Both items docketed and one bearing the Society's stamp. ITEM ONE: 'You will be interested to see the enclosed copy of Lord Iveagh's reply.

Four Typed Letters Signed to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
John Hudson Elder-Duncan
Publication details: 
5 Feb 1927; 4 and 28 Feb and 8 March 1930; all four on letterhead of 'THE ARCHITECTURE CLUB | "THE LONDON MERCURY" OFFICE, | 229, STRAND, LONDON, | W.C.2.'
£105.00

English politician (1877-1938), MInister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Secretary of the Architecture Club. All four items one page, quarto, and in very good condition. Last item with one inch closed horizontal tear (not affecting text). Three items stamped and two bearing the Society's stamp. All four signed 'J. H. Elder-Duncan'. ITEM ONE: At a recent meeting of the Architecture Club committee Arthur J. Davis 'raised the question of our helping in some way to give wider publicity to your prizes for design'.

Typed Letter Signed to the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir James Weir French
Publication details: 
27 July 1919; on letterhead 'ARDOCH HOUSE, | BEARSDEN, | DUMBARTONSHIRE.'
£28.00

British engineer (died 1953). One page, quarto. Very good. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. Signed 'James Weir French'. 'I should be very pleased to have the opportunity of supporting the Society and I would be glad if you would make the necessary arrangements as you have so kindly offered to do'.

Two Typed Letters Signed to G. E. Mercer, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, concerning his award of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travel Fellowship; with seven associated items (draft replies, memo, programme, etc).

Author: 
Edward David Mills
Publication details: 
1969
£156.00

Architect (1915-98), designer of the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. All items very good. ITEM ONE (one page, folio): typed copy of Mills' 'programme' ('The object of the proposed research is to study at first hand the effect of these new techniques on building types in the United States [...]'.). ITEM TWO (one page, quarto, typed): letter by Mills dated 3 March 1969. Congratulates the Society on 'the new appearance of the R.S.A. Journal which is an enormous improvement on the past'. Explains that he has been awarded the Fellowship and encloses copy of programme.

The Touchstone of Architecture.

Author: 
Sir Reginald Blomfield
Publication details: 
Oxford: At the Clarendon Press, 1925.
£35.00

Pages: viii + 245. No jacket. Spine somewhat grubby, but good tight copy of attractively printed book. One inch closed tear to half-title. Collection of eleven essays 'approached from the point of view of architecture', including 'State-aided Training in Art in England', 'Atavism in Art', 'The Artist and the Community', 'Christopher Wren' and 'The Bridges of London (1815-1920).

Typed Letter Signed to 'Bayly Scott Esq.'

Author: 
William Hillier Onslow, 4th Earl of Onslow
Publication details: 
7 August 1905; on crested letterhead: '7, RICHMOND TERRACE, | WHITEHALL, | S.W.'
£75.00

Governor of New Zealand (1853-1911). Two pages, 4to. Grubby, foxed and discoloured, and with traces of archival tape adhering to second leaf. 'I am entirely at one with you in thinking that there is no reason in cottage building why one should sacrifice appearance and picturesqueness to mere cheapness. I went very carefully over your cottage, and [...] I thought it the most practical of all those that were exhibited, and it was for that reason that I wrote for what I thought was a treatise upon the subject.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Sir Ernest George
Publication details: 
January 1881; on letterhead 'CROWN HILL, | NORWOOD. S.E.'
£40.00

Architect and engraver (1839-1922). One page, 12mo. With mourning border. In good condition, but with evidence of previous mounting on brown paper on reverse. Addressed to 'Dear Doctor'. He thanks him for his 'kind care of us' ('your crippled patient gave you much trouble') and asks him to accept a copy of his 'Belgium' ('Etchings in Belgium. With descriptive letterpress', 1878), which he is sending through the '' and 'will probably arrive someday'. Signed 'Ernest George'. Docketed in ink on reverse.

Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Thomas Hughes

Author: 
Arthur Stratton
Publication details: 
On letterhead '88, GOWER STREET, | LONDON, W.C.1.'; 6 December 1928.
£40.00

Architect, teacher and antiquary (1872-1955). One page, 4to, folded twice, in very good condition. He thanks him for sending 'the drawing of your commercial buildings'. He is working from it, and will return it shortly. Those at the school appear 'satisfied with the new gymnasium'. 'Good progress is being made with the main building.'

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Sir Reginald Theodore Blomfield, R.A.
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

English architect (1856-1942). Slip cut from letter, dimensions approximately 1 1/4 inches by 4 1/4. In good condition. Reads 'Yrs sincy | Reginald Blomfield'. Docketed in pencil '1935' and with tidy strip with 'SIR REGINALD BLOMFIELD, M.A., R.A.', neatly stuck down beneath signature.

[TRAVELLER'S SAMPLE] An essay on the history of English church architecture prior to the separation of England from the Roman obedience.

Author: 
George Gilbert Scott
Publication details: 
London: Simpkin, Marshall and Co. 1881.
£100.00

4to. In good condition, in original stamped patterned cloth and with attractive red leather label (somewhat worn) stamped with gilt on front board. Boards with bevelled edges worn and frayed at corners. Marbled endpapers, with front hinge cracked. Contains ten leaves comprising: frontispiece ('PLATE II. | TINTERN ABBEY. | EXTERIOR VIEW OF THE EAST END.'); title-leaf (title-page in red and black, with vignette and ruled with red lines); leaf with 'TABLE OF CONTENTS'; first two leaves of 'PREFACE' (pp.i-iv); and five leaves of text (pp.103-112).

indenture between Lapidge and John Graham, solicitor of Moorgate Street

Author: 
Edward Lapidge
Publication details: 
on both sides of large piece of vellum, 1 May 1844
£65.00

English architect who built a bridge over the Thames at Richmond. Relates to the lease by him to Graham of property in Queen Street, Mayfair. Signed and sealed by both parties. On the reverse is an assignment of 7 December 1847 from Graham to Elizabeth Anne Howard of 12 Thurloe Square, Brompton. With various seals and stamps. Written in black ink and ruled with red lines.

autograph signature

Author: 
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott
Publication details: 
fragment of letter, [1935]
£20.00

Ecclesiastical architect. Signed 'Giles Gilbert Scott' beneath typewritten 'Yours sincerely,'. Neatly stuck beneath this is 'Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, R.A.' printed in copperplate (from the letterhead?). The fragment is about one inch by two and a half inches. Docketed in pencil 1935.

autograph letter signed to W. D. Cooke

Author: 
Lord Cleveland on Battle Abbey, Sussex
Publication details: 
4pp, 8vo, Battle Abbey, 11 November 1869
£100.00

Is not sure whether he can find a ground plan of the Abbey before his alterations, but provides a detailed description of them, e.g. 'I took down some parts which were not old but added by Sir Godfrey Webster, built very badly of brick & cemented over to look like stone, and have rebuilt it of stone with a slight alteration so as to render it more in character'. He refers in detail to the rebuilding of the library 'which is 76 feet long is substantially the same building as the former one erected by Sir Anthony Brown after the dissolution of the monastery and its cession to him'.

Autograph Letters Signed (x2) to Robert C. Murray.

Author: 
Ewan Christian
Publication details: 
10 and 18 June 1892.
£80.00

Architect (1814-1895). 1 and 2pp., 8vo, good, discussing Murray’s specifications for the St Bride’s Foundation which, initially, he has to study. He eventually decides that, subject to minor changes, he will be able to recommend them. Christian was the architect for the National Portrait Gallery and architectto the Ecclesiastical Commission.2 items,

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