ATHENAEUM

[Ebenezer Prout, composer, musicologist, music critic of the Athenaeum.] Autograph Letter Signed explaining his inability to get the piece 'Christophorus' performed.

Author: 
Ebenezer Prout (1835-1909), composer, musicologist, music critic of the Athenaeum, London
Publication details: 
‘12 Greenwood Road, / Dalston. E. [London] / 4 Sept. 1885.’
£100.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo. Forty-nine lines. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper, with the reverse of the second leaf laid down on cut-down remains of leaf of autograph album, with a number of autographs on slips laid down on the reverse, including that of Charles Hallé, cut from a letter. Prout’s letter is signed ‘Ebenezer Prout’, but the recipient is not named.

[John Oxenford, playwright, translator and theatre critic of The Times.] Autograph Letter Signed [to the editor of the Athenaeum], expressing thanks for a ‘very handsome and prominent notice’ of the ‘German Tales’ he has written with C. A. Feiling.

Author: 
John Oxenford (1812-1877), playwright, translator and theatre critic of The Times, promoter of Schopenhauer and Richard Wagner [the Athenaeum, London; C. A. Feiling]
Publication details: 
10 December 1844. 12 Birchin Lane [London].
£65.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. On brittle, discoloured paper, cropped at foot. Signed (‘J. Oxenford’). The recipient is not named, but is clearly the editor of the Athenaeum. Reads: ‘Sir/- / In the name of Mr. C. A. Feiling and myself, I beg leave to thank you for the very handsome and prominent notice of our “German Tales” which appeared in the Athenaeum of the 30th. ult. - You will confer a further obligation by letting the gentleman who wrote the article [know] how much we feel indebted to his kindness.’

[Thomas Hughes, politician and judge, author of 'Tom Brown's School Days'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Tho. Hughes') to 'Bricknell', regarding the threat of resignation (from the Athenaeum?) by 'the good but peppery & impulsive D[octo]r.'

Author: 
Thomas Hughes (1822-1896), politician and judge, author of 'Tom Brown's School Days'
Publication details: 
7 June 1875. On letterhead of the Athenaeum Club [London].
£100.00

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Clearly and firmly written. The letter would appear to concern an individual who is threatening to resign his membership of the Athenaeum Club, and ends with reference to proxy voting for new members. Hughes begins by reporting that he has 'already written to the good but peppery & impulsive Dr. of whom I am as fond as you are'.

[ Philip Hermogenes Calderon), historical genre painter, ] Autograph Letter Signed and two Autograph Notes Signed (all 'Philip H Calderon') to Dr W. H. Allchin, one about a medical appointment and another Allchin's electinon as an Athenaeum member.

Author: 
Philip Hermogenes Calderon (1833-1898), English historical genre painter, of Spanish and French extraction
Publication details: 
One from Burlington House, and another on letterhead of the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, London. None dated with year.
£60.00

The three items in good condition, lightly aged. ONE: ALS. 'Saturday' [no date]. Burlington House. 1p., 12mo. On grey paper with mourning border. Addressed to 'Dear Doctor'. Allchin arranged to go to see him on the following Monday or Tuesday. 'I find I shall be receiving new students from 9.30 to 11 on Monday - Can you therefore keep your visit for Tuesday?' TWO: ANS. Addressed to 'Dear Dr Allchin'. Monday, 23 April [ no year ]. On Athenaeum letterhead, and clearly concerning Allchin's election as a member.

[ John Disney, archaeologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr. P. Duncan of New Coll:',

Author: 
John Disney (1779-1857), archaeologist [ Philip Bury Duncan (1772-1863) of New College, Oxford, Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum ]
Publication details: 
The Hyde. 27 March 1828.
£220.00

2pp., 4to. He begins by reminding Duncan that he recently wrote to him, 'in reply to your letter on the subject of your book respecting Portugal'. That letter was directed to Oxford, but as Disney has not heard from Duncan since, he wonders whether it might have miscarried. He is now writing to remind Duncan of his 'kind expressions in my behalf as a candidate on the list at the Athenaeum'.

[ Aubrey de Vere, Irish poet. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Aubrey de Vere') [ to Samuel Waddington ], giving permission to publish sonnets by him in an anthology, and commenting on Hartley Coleridge, William Wordsworth and Sir Aubrey de Vere.

Author: 
Aubrey de Vere [ Aubrey Thomas Hunt de Vere ] (1814-1902), Irish poet annd critic [ Samuel Waddington ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall [ London ]. 2 July 1880.
£110.00

3pp., 16mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of stub adhering to blank reverse of sevond leaf. He is 'very much flattered' at Waddington's 'wishing to include sonnets of mine in your proposed selection. You are quite welcome to those you have named, or any others of mine.' He hopes he will 'include some of Hartley Coleridge's beautiful sonnets', and asks him to accept 'a vol. of sonnets by my Father, the late Sir Aubrey de Vere. Wordsworth spoke of his sonnets (my Father's) as the best modern sonnets he was acquainted with'.

[ William Scoresby junior, Arctic explorer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Scoresby') to Edward Magrath, Secretary of the Athenaeum, correcting his address.

Author: 
William Scoresby junior (1789-1857), Arctic explorer, scientist and clergyman
Publication details: 
Torquay. 11 February 1852.
£220.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with small tape stain at head. Reads: 'Dear Sir, | Will you be so good as to have my address registered in the Athenaeum books as above, which is my place of residence & not Whitby - from whence I have just recd. a circular about the payment of a subscription, which I had ordered to be made some days ago.'

[ Charles Kemble, actor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C. Kemble.') to C. R. Smith, correcting a mistake regarding the British Archaeological Association.

Author: 
Charles Kemble (1775-1854), English actor [ C. R. Smith [ Charles Roach Smith ] (1807-1890), antiquary and archaeologist; British Archaeological Association ]
Publication details: 
Athenaeum Club [ London ]. 27 August 1847.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight rust spotting around date at head. He explains that it is 'under a mistake' that he has been 'proposed as an Associate of the Central Committee of the British Archaeological Association', and he declines the 'honor intended' with 'sincere thanks'.

[ Sir Henry Ellis, Principal Librarian of the British Museum. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Ellis') to Edward Magrath, thanking him for his good offices.

Author: 
Sir Henry Ellis (1777-1869), Principal Librarian of the British Museum [ Edward Magrath, founder member and secretary of the Athenaeum club, London ]
Publication details: 
No place. [ 3 December 1834. ]
£38.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for 'the promptness with which you placed my request on behalf of Mr. Tennent before the Library Committee'. Tennent will himself thank Magrath 'for the obliging offer of the use of your private Room'. In another hand at bottom right: 'Librarian British Museum'.

[ William Black, Scottish novelist. ] Autograph Note Signed, asking Scottish painter Thomas Faed to second his application for membership of the Athenaeum.

Author: 
William Black (1841-1898), Scottish journalist and novelist [ Thomas Faed (1826-1900), RA, Scottish artist ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Reform Club, Pall Mall, S.W. [ London ] 26 July [no year].
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly-aged, and laid down on a piece of card. Reads: 'July 26 | My dear Faed, | Would you mind seconding me at the Athenaeum? I believe Tom Hughes has put down my name. | Yours faithfully | William Black.' According to Black's entry in the Oxford DNB, he 'studied landscape painting for a short time in the Glasgow School of Art, but, becoming connected with the Glasgow Citizen, gradually exchanged art for journalism'.

[ Edward William Cooke, artist and geologist. ] Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Miss Macirone' [for 'Macerone'], accepting an invitation to one of her concerts.

Author: 
Edward William Cooke (1811-1880), artist and geologist, member of the Royal Academy and fellow of the Royal Society [ Miss Macerone, pianist and composer ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Athenaeum, London. 29 April 1862.
£25.00

1p., 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He thanks her 'for the opportunity she has afforded him of attending her concert, which he trusts to do accompanied by his mother'. He also 'acknowledges Miss Macirone's graceful compliments to the Art which he professes'. Little is known of Miss Macerone, but on 26 October 1846 the Boston 'Musical Gazette' reported: 'A young lady, Miss Macerone, who excels as a pianist and composer ! recently gave her first concert in London. She performed Mendelssohn's trio in D, ( in which Messrs.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Mackenzie Bell') from the poet Henry Thomas Mackenzie Bell to 'Prof. Candy', regarding 'the most pressing difficulty we have'

Author: 
Mackenzie Bell [Henry Thomas Mackenzie Bell] (1856-1930), English poet, writer and literary critic
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 11 Buckingham Gate, S.W. [London]. 23 May 1911.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on aged and worn paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Prof. Candy, | I think you would wish to see enclosed which please return after perusal. | If you hear of anything kindly let me know. It is the most pressing difficulty we have and we see no present way of surmounting it. | With renewed thanks, | always sincerely yours, | Mackenzie Bell'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('A Hayward') from the essayist and translator Abraham Hayward to the editor of the Athenaeum Charles Wentworth Dilke, regarding a delayed communication, a 'd[amne]d foreigner', and payment for a female contributor.

Author: 
Abraham Hayward (1801-1884), English essayist and translator [Charles Wentworth Dilke (1789-1864), editor of the Athenaeum]
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 'Monday' [no date].
£80.00

1p., 4to. Addressed on reverse, with red wax seal, to 'C. W. Dilke Esq:'. Hayward writes that he is enclosing a note (not present), which was sent to him 'in one to me received only today though apparently written on Wednesday last. A d - d foreigner kept it in his pocket in the interim.' Clearly referring to a fee for an article, he continues: 'The lady will be quite satisfied with what you name, but I suppose it may stand over till she does something else'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('S. Prout') from the painter Samuel Prout to the Secretary of the Athenaeum, Edward Magrath, an abject letter, describing his 'woeful plight' and complaining that he is 'out of mind'.

Author: 
Samuel Prout (1783-1852), English watercolour artist [Edward Magrath (1799-1856), Secretary, Athenaeum, Pall Mall; Dominic Charles Colnaghi (1790-1879), London printseller]
Publication details: 
Bedford Terrace, Clapham Rise. Postmarked 29 April 1836.
£220.00

2pp., 4to. 29 lines of text. Bifolium. In very good condition, on lightly-aged mourning paper, with broken black wax seal. Reverse of second leaf addressed to 'E Magrath Esq | Athenaeum | Pall Mall'. The letter begins: 'Yes, Truth, (as you say) is better than a thousand apologies. | From the Evng I was last in town (when I met your respected & kind friend Mr. J.

Autograph Letter Signed ('John Conroy') from Sir John Conroy, Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford, to 'Mr. Sclater', regarding the election of Sclater's son to the Athenaeum, London.

Author: 
Sir John Conroy (1845-1900), 3rd Bart, chemist, Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford [Athenaeum, London; Sclater]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Balliol College, Oxford. 7 June 1899.
£32.00

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Docketed at head of first page: 'Sir John Conroy Bt | Fellow Balliol Coll.' He regrets that he cannot 'do London either on the 12: or before that day', and so will not be able to 'help in any way about your Son's election at the Athenaeum'. He concludes: 'I trust it will go all right.'

Autograph Letter Signed from the publisher of 'The Athenaeum' John Francis, declining to buy back issues of the magazine from Miss Emily Cole of Teignmouth.

Author: 
John Francis (1811-1882), publisher of 'The Athenaeum', 1831-1882 [Miss Emily Cole (c.1819-1894) of Teignmouth, daughter of the lawyer and autograph collector Robert Cole, FSA]
John Francis (1811-1882), publisher of 'The Athenaeum'
Publication details: 
5 February 1875; on letterhead of the Athenaeum Office, 26 Wellington Street, Strand, London.
£45.00
John Francis (1811-1882), publisher of 'The Athenaeum'

12mo, 1 p. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He is 'unable to make an offer for the back Vols of The Athenaeum - our stock in house being sufficient to meet demands'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Charles W. Dilke') from Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke to Hyde Clarke.

Author: 
Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke (1843-1911), 2nd Baronet, editor of 'The Athenaeum' [Hyde Clarke (1815-1895), civil engineer, banker, polyglot]
Autograph Letter Signed ('Charles W. Dilke')
Publication details: 
26 October 1869; on letterhead of 76 Sloane Street, S.W. [London]
£45.00
Autograph Letter Signed ('Charles W. Dilke')

12mo, 1 p. Mourning border. Nine lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on worn and lightly-aged paper. Asks if Clarke knows 'Dutch, or Danish or both enough - to give us in the Christmas number of the Athenaeum a column upon each or one or either of those countries under a general group of "Literature of Foreign Countries in 1869"?' Requests an answer by return.

Autograph Signature ('P. Francis:'), cut from letter, of Sir Philip Francis, the leading candidate for the authorship of the Letters of Junius.

Author: 
Sir Philip Francis (1740-1818), English politician and writer, the leading candidate for the authorship of the Letters of Junius
Autograph Signature ('P. Francis:'), cut from letter, of Sir Philip Francis
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£125.00
Autograph Signature ('P. Francis:'), cut from letter, of Sir Philip Francis

On piece of laid paper, 5.5 x 8 cm. Clear signature on lightly-aged and spotted paper. From the collection of James C. Webster, Secretary, Athenaeum Club, London, who has written, above the signature, 'Royal Society of L<...>', and beneath it, 'Sir Philip Francis | author of "Junius"'.

Autograph Letter Poss. in secretarial hand but signed "H. Blackett" to William Hepworth Dixon, editor of "The Athenaeum".

Author: 
H[enry?] Blackett
Publication details: 
13 Great Marlborough Street, London, 10 June 1867.
£95.00

Publisher ("Hurst & Blackett"). Two pages, 8vo, conjoint blank leaf, verso with remnants of laying down process, mourning black edge, text clear and complete, saying that he'll call on Dixon the following morning at the Athenaeum Office "to settle the acc[oun]t for the last issue of New America and also to consult y[ou]r wishes as to the new volume wh[ich] is to be prepared for the Autumn" [ "Spiritual Wives (pubd 1868]) which led to him being accused of indecency.]

Autograph Letter Signed to [Osbert Guy Stanhope] Crawford.

Author: 
John Reginald Homer Weaver [DICTIONARY OF NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY]
Publication details: 
7 September 1955; on letterhead of the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall.
£35.00

One of the editors of the Dictionary of National Biography (born 1882). The recipient (1886-1957) was a noted archaeologist. Two pages, 12mo. In poor condition: creased, grubby, worn, stained and repaired. Weaver has just been reading Crawford's 'extremely interesting autobiography with its most original title' ('Said and done.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
[ATHENAEUM] Charles Wentworth Dilke
Publication details: 
Sloane St - Sunday'; on paper with embossed crest.
£56.00

One page, 12mo. Very good. Neatly mounted on piece of orange paper. In Dilke's difficult hand. Concerns a 'Report': 'The only specific fact is that the misprints <?> cost to each of one shilling. [...] The enormous cost of about £12 per draft is to the Fund. How much the <?> cost to the <?> is not stated - <?> as 'almost too small to be noticed' - which is <?>. Why do they not publish the <?> expenditure. Then we should know what is the amount of an 'almost too small'. If you ever get an Acct with that fact set forth I should be glad to look at it.' Signed 'C W Dilke'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Martin Cawood.

Author: 
Charles Wentworth Dilke
Publication details: 
76 Sloane Street | May 26 1854'.
£45.00

Antiquary and critic (1789-1864), editor of the 'Athenaeum'. Cawood was a musician and composer. Two pages, 12mo. Black bordered. Verso of second leaf of bifoliate laid down onto larger piece of docketed grey paper. In good condition apart from some glue damage to right-hand margin of recto of first leaf (not affecting text). Difficult handwriting. 'I am much obliged to you for the "Notes on the Woollen Hair" which I have just found.

Autograph Note Signed to Dr [Edwin] Lankester.

Author: 
Charles Wentworth Dilke
Publication details: 
10 June 1860; on letterhead '76, Sloane Street SW.'
£35.00

Antiquary and critic (1789-1864), editor of the 'Athenaeum'. For Lankester (1814-74) see the Dictionary of National Biography. One page, 12mo. In good condition, mounted on a larger piece of docketed pink card. Difficult handwriting, presumably making payment for magazine contributions. 'On looking over your account I find that you have run off & that there is a balance due to you I therefore present a cheque for Ten Pounds by way of winding up the old year.' Signed 'C Wentworth Dilke'.

Victorian studio photograph.

Author: 
William John Thoms
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00

Antiquary (1803-85), first editor of Notes and Queries. Sepia. Dimensions roughly 2 1/4 inches by 3 1/2 inches. Faded image of a bespectacled Thoms knees upward, seated in profile at a table examining a small book on top of another book and leaning against a pile of six others. The oval is in a frame beneath which, in copper-plate letters (in the photograph and not manuscript), 'William J Thoms'. Stuck to a piece of card on the reverse of which is a grubby, foxed, nineteenth-century plate of William Cowper the poet.

ALS, 2pp, 16mo, to unnamed correspondent

Author: 
Laurence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse (DNB), astronomer
Publication details: 
12 June 1890, on House of Lords paper, with blind stamp scored through and address given as 23 Hans Place, S.W.
£25.00

Gives details of where he is to be found in the coming week ("from 4 to 5 on each of those days at the Athenaeum club, I think at any rate by appointment, or I could call on you at the Temple at 4-15 on one of those days"). With marks and remains of gummed paper on reverse of otherwise-blank second leaf.

Autograph Letter Signed to A. E. Lidgett.

Author: 
Harry {Henry] Snell, Baron Snell
Publication details: 
9 September 1942; on letterhead of the Athenaeum, Pall Mall, S.W.1.
£30.00

British Labour politician (1865-1944), leader of the Labour Party in the House of Lords, 1935-40. 1 page, 16mo. In good condition, although creased and a little worn at head. 'I am sorry that you found it difficult to reach me. I leave here fairly early on the days that the House is in session & I must be there practically all the time.

autograph note signed to <M S Shren Esq?>

Author: 
Douglas Jerrold
Publication details: 
1p, 16mo, 26 May [no date], Putney
£20.00

Victorian writer and humorist. Difficult handwriting. 'My dear Sir/ | Will Monday be equally convenient to you? If no I shall be happy to see you either here or in town, as shall best suit your leisure.' Docketed with large underlined '2' in blue pencil, creased and discoloured. Blank second leaf damaged by removal from album, and with glue stains and remains of blue paper.

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