AUCTIONEERS

[‘Gray’s Desk on which he wrote the Elegy’: Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, London auctioneers.] Letters and accounts from Sotheby’s to Mrs Sarah Turpin, relating to the 1915 sale of ‘Letters and Relics’ by Thomas Gray, including priced catalogue entries

Author: 
Thomas Gray (1716-1771), poet, author of 'Elegy written in a Country Churchyard' [Mary Antrobus; Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, London auctioneers; Sarah Turpin, wife of organist Edmund Hart Turpin]
Publication details: 
Eleven items dating from 1914 and 1915. Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, Auctioneers, 13 Wellington Street, Strand, London, W.C.
£450.00

A nice collection of ephemera, relating not only to one of England’s best-loved poets, but also to Sotheby’s auction practice during the Great War. The provenance of the Gray letters put up for auction by Mrs Turpin is given in a New York Times article of 27 June 1915 (‘To sell relics of Thomas Gray; many letters by the poet will also be put up at auction at Sotheby's’), which stated in a report on the forthcoming sale that the letters ‘were transmitted to the present owner, Mrs.

[ Printed Catalogue. ] A Hand-List of a Selection of Bibliographical Works and Books of Reference in the Possession of Messrs. Hodgson & Co.

Author: 
[ Hodgson & Co. [ 'Hodgsons' ], book auctioneers, 115 Chancery Lane, London
Publication details: 
Dated on inside: 'HODGSON & CO. | 115, Chancery Lane. | August, 1908.'
£100.00

7 + [1]pp., 12mo. Stitched. On aged and grubby paper. Second page reads: 'NOTE. | Clients wishing to make use of the volumes in this list, are requested to apply to the Sale-Room Clerk, to whom all books should be returned when finished with. | HODGSON & CO. | 115, Chancery Lane. | August, 1908.' The works are all in English and date from the late nineteenth century onwards. They range from 'Abbott (T. K.) Catalogue of Fifteenth-Century Books in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin 1905' to 'Wright (C. T. Hagberg) Catalogue of the London Library, St. James's Square 1903'.

[ Printed item. ] One Hundred Years of Book Auctions 1807-1907 Being a Brief Record of the Firm of Hodgson and Co. (commonly known as "Hodgsons").

Author: 
[ Hodgson & Co. [ 'Hodgsons' ], London book auctioneers; Chiswick Press, Charles Whittingham, Chancery Lane ]
Publication details: 
London: Printed at the Chiswick Press for Private Circulation. [ Chiswick Press: Charles Whittingham and Co. Tooks Court, Chancery Lane, London. 1907.
£100.00

27pp., small 4to. In vellum-paper wraps with decorative cover printed in red and brown. With six plates: two collotypes (portraits of Edmund Hodgson and Henry Hill Hodgson) and four black and white photographs: 'Exterior of Premises, 115, Chancery Lane', 'The Auction Room', 'Compiling a Catalogue (First Floor Room)' and 'Unpacking a Library (Basement)'. Title-page in red and black. In fair condition, internally good, on aged and worn paper, lacking free endpapers. A characteristically-tasteful production by the Chiswick Press. Now scarce.

[ Auction catalogue, priced in pencil. ] "The Belt," Aylsham. Norfolk. Catalogue of the Superior Furniture for Entertaining & Sleeping Rooms, [...] Books, Engravings, 100 Dozens of Wine, [...] In and About the Late Residence of Mrs. Wickes, Dec.

Author: 
Messrs. Spelman, auctioneers, Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lowestoft [ Mrs. Wickes of 'The Belt', Aylsham, Norfolk; the 'Norwich Mercury' Steam Works ]
Publication details: 
Messrs. Spelman, Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lowestoft. [ The Belt, Aysham, Norfolk. ] 25 and 26 July 1894. [ Printed at the 'Norwich Mercury' Steam Works. ]
£65.00

32pp., 12mo. Stapled. In blue wraps with '"The Belt." | Aylsham.' printed on front cover. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with central vertical fold. In manuscript on front cover: 'Items marked X the property of Mrs. Wickes Exors'. Some ink emendations, and a large number of lots priced in pencil. Full title reads: 'Catalogue of the Superior Furniture for Entertaining & Sleeping Rooms, Pianoforte, Plate & Plated Ware, Old China, Books, Engravings, 100 Dozens of Wine, Table Services, Glass, Linen, Garden and other Effects, In and About the Late Residence of Mrs.

[ Bangs & Co., New York auctioneers. ] The three parts of the 'Catalogue of the Large and Valuable Library of the late Henry F. Sewall of this City'. [ Including the first four Shakespeare folios. Each of the lots priced in manuscript. ]

Author: 
Henry F. Sewall (1816-1896), New York merchant and print and book collector [ Bangs & Co., New York auctioneers; William Shakespear, First Folio, 1623 ]
Publication details: 
New York: Bangs & Co., 91 & 93 Fifth Avenue. Dates of sale: 9-13 November 1896 (Part I), 30 November and 1 and 2 December 1896 (Part II), and 18 to 22 January 1897.
£180.00

376pp., 8vo. Uniformly printed and continuously paginated. Part I: [3] + 1-124. Part II; [2] + 125-251. Part II: 253-376. All three parts in fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with rusted staples. in remains of printed wraps. A total of 4240 lots, priced throughout in the margins. The full title gives a good indication of the nature of the collection: 'Catalogue of the Large and Valuable Library of the late Henry F.

[J. & R. Edmiston,Glasgow Auctioneers and Valuators.] Manuscript results slip and Typed Letter Signed ('J. & R. Edmiston') to the Rev. W. C. Mitchell of East Mans, Larbert, regarding sales of his 'Tokens'.

Author: 
J. & R. Edmiston, Auctioneers and Valuators, 7 West Nile Street, Glasgow [Rev. W. C. Mitchell, East Manse, Larbert]
Publication details: 
Both items on letterheads of J. & R. Edmiston, Auctioneers and Valuators, 7 West Nile Street, Glasgow. Results slip dated 16 March 1914; letter dated 5 October 1916.
£120.00

ONE: Manuscript results slip, on the firm's letterhead, headed 'BRANCH AUCTION ROOMS - 16 DRURY STREET'. 1p., 12mo. On aged paper, with chipping to extremities and part torn away at foot (not affecting text). Recording that £22 13s 1d has been realised 'By Tokens as per priced Catalogue' and 'To Commission, Selling &c'. Against this are seven itemised 'Outlays' (including 'Advertising in Herald' and 'Likely buyers'), leaving a sum due of £18 4s 5d. TWO: Typed Letter Signed ('J. & R. Edmiston'). 1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper.

[Langridge & Freeman, auctioneers.] Interleaved Catalogue of the books in the Trottescliffe Rectory Sale, with Typed Letter from the auctioneers to Mrs Shepherd, explaining points relating to the coming sale.

Author: 
[Langridge & Freeman, land agents, surveyors & auctioneers, Tunbridge Wells; Trottescliffe Rectory Sale, Kent, 1920; Mrs Shepherd; Rev. Key; Mr Fremlin]
Publication details: 
Letter on letterhead of Langridge & Freeman, Tunbridge Wells and 28 Great Queen St, Cheapside, London. 25 November 1920. Auction at Trottescliffe Rectory, Kent, on 30 November and 1 December 1920.
£220.00

Both letter and catalogue have suffered damp damage, resulting in some loss of text. Letter: Addressed to Mrs Freeman at Trottescliffe Rectory. 1p., 4to.

[Priced auctioneers' copy of catalogue.] By direction of the Executors of Mrs. Eliza Jane Moore. Lawneswood House, near Stourbridge. Catalogue of the Valuable and Extensive Library Formed by the late Colonel Fletcher, M.A., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S.

Author: 
[Colonel Thomas William Fletcher (1808-1893), FRS, FSA, of Lawneswood House, near Stourbridge; Edwards, Son & Bigwood, auctioneers]
Publication details: 
Edwards, Son & Bigwood, F.A.I. At the residence [Lawneswood House, near Stourbridge] on 9 October 1923. [Hudson & Son, Printers, Birmingham.]
£180.00

18pp., 8vo. Stapled and unbound. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, with rusted staples. According to the title-page the library comprises 'Topographical and Genealogical Books, County Histories, including Nash's Worcestershire. Plot's Staffordshire. Dugdale's Warwickshire. Hutchins's Dorset. Whitelaw's Dublin. Berry's Genealogies. Publications of learned societies, etc.' In manuscript at head of title: 'MARKED CATALOGUE - PRICES REALISED'.

[Messrs Henry Southgate and Co., London auctioneers.] Attractive notice, on parchment paper, illuminated in colours, announcing the completion of 'the alterations of their extensive premises', now able to display a library of 20,000 books in one room

Author: 
Messrs Henry Southgate and Co., Auction Rooms, 22 Fleet Street, London [Vizetelly and Co. Printers and Engravers, 135 Fleet Street]
Publication details: 
Messrs Henry Southgate and Co., Auction Rooms, 22 Fleet Street, London. Vizetelly and Co. Printers and Engravers, 135 Fleet Street. [1843.]
£80.00

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper. An attractive production, printed on a leaf of parchment paper, with illuminations and decorative designs in red, blue, green and gold, in the Gothic style of the period. At the end of the second page, above the printer's slug, and illuminated: 'Auction Rooms 22 Fleet Street London | Established 1823'.

[Auction catalogue.] Library of Books which Jolly & Son, Ltd., Incorporated Auctioneers will sell by Auction on Friday, 5th May, 1939, commencing at two o'clock. [By direction of Mrs. Haynes-Smith, of Turleigh Mill House, Nr. Bath, and other Owners.]

Author: 
Jolly & Son, Ltd., Incorporated Auctioneers, The Auction Rooms, Charlotte Street, Bath
Publication details: 
Jolly & Son, Ltd., The Auction Rooms, Charlotte Street, Bath. [Harding & Curtis, Ltd., Bath.] 1939.
£120.00

7pp., 8vo. Stapled. In poor condition, on aged and worn paper. The prices, and in most cases the names of the purchasers, are untidily given in pencil, the buyers seeming to be mainly members of the West Country trade, and including George [of Bristol], Grey, Lowe, Colbeck, Cox Towes, Brown, Williams. A collection strongly biased towards the English novel, with Henry James particularly well represented. A small collection of 'Dutch Books' features at the end of the sale. A scarce item, with no copy traced either on COPAC or on WorldCat.

Autograph Letter Signed ('C H A B') from Rev. Charles Harris Alured Barling of Brook Lodge, Norfolk, to 'My Dear Beevor', expressing dismay at the result of a visit by the auctioneers Christie's to view the pictures of Clarke Stoughton of Bawdeswell.

Author: 
Rev. Charles Harris Alured Barling (1807-1880) of Brook Lodge, Norfolk [Clarke Stoughton of Bawdeswell; Christie's auctioneers, King Street, London, founded by James Christie (1730-1803)]
Publication details: 
Letter: Brooke, Norfolk. 8 April [no year]. List of pictures with reference to a letter of 25 April 1868.
£180.00

Letter: 6pp., 12mo, on bifolium and single leaf. An vivid and entertaining letter, shedding light on Victorian valuation and auctioneering practices. Barling wastes no time in passing on the bad news. 'I am very glad you have written to me about the B[awdeswe]ll. pictures & I can tell you [last world underlined] plainly what the 2 Christie's opinion was which I cd. not do to poor old C[larke]. S[toughto]n. The inspection in issue was a grievous disappointment. So far worse than I cd. have possibly believed, and then coming the question cd. two such Men as the Christies be wrong?

Typed insurance valuation by auctioneers Christie, Manson & Woods of the art collection and library of the Labour Party politician Tom Driberg [Baron Bradwell]. With typed and manuscript material relating to bequests to a number of celebrated friends

Author: 
Tom Driberg [Thomas Edward Neil Driberg, Baron Bradwell] (1905-1976), journalist and Labour Party politician [Sir John Betjeman; Michael Foot; Joan Littlewood; Stanley Orme; Lord Paget of Northampton]
Publication details: 
Valuation: Christie, Manson & Woods, 8 King Street, St James's, London. 1973.
£350.00

Valuation: 29pp., 4to, in a brown folder bound with green ribbon. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. With a few manuscript additions. The title reads: 'T. DRIBERG, ESQ., 601 MOUNTJOY HOUSE, BARBICAN, LONDON, E.C.2. | VALUATIONS FOR INSURANCE | CHRISTIE, MANSON & WOODS.

Manuscript 'Inventory of The Household Furniture and Effects at Stodham Park Liss Hants belonging to Capt B J. Marden December 16th 1920. Made for the Purpose of Fire Insurance.' [by G. Knight & Son, Auctioneers, Midhurst, Sussex]

Author: 
G. Knight & Son, auctioneers, Midhurst, Sussex [Captain Basil Jock Newton Marden (1893-1928) of Stodham Park, Liss, Hampshire]
Inventory of The Household Furniture and Effects at Stodham Park Liss Hants
Publication details: 
16 December 1920.
£350.00
Inventory of The Household Furniture and Effects at Stodham Park Liss Hants

236 pp, 8vo. In sturdily-bound landscape account book by Drake, Driver & Leaver of London, with black leather half-binding, green cloth boards, and marbled endpapers. Stamped in gilt on front board: 'INVENTORY. | G. KNIGHT & SON. | AUCTIONEER & VALUERS | HOUSE & ESTATE AGENTS | MIDHURST.' Good, on aged paper, in lightly-worn binding. Lined lengthwise across each two pages (like an oversized reporter's or policeman's notebook), each opening carrying a stamped number, and with the text on openings 1 to 119 of the 251 in the account book.

[Printed pamphlet.] The Incorporated Society of Auctioneers and Landed Property Agents. Report of the First General Meeting [...] 20th February, 1925, [...] and of the Inaugural Banquet [...] at The Savoy Hotel. [With mimeographed circular.]

Author: 
The Incorporated Society of Auctioneers and Landed Property Agents, London [Methuen A. Fluder, Secretary; Savoy Hotel]
he Incorporated Society of Auctioneers
Publication details: 
20 February 1925. Newnham, Cowell & Gripper, Ltd., 75, Chiswell St., E.C.1. [The Incorporated Society of Auctioneers and Landed Property Agents, London.]
£125.00
he Incorporated Society of Auctioneers

4to, 14 pp. In original brown printed wraps. Clear and complete. Good, on aged paper, with one central vertical fold, and horizontal mark to blank rear wrap. The description of the 'First General Meeting' covers the first three pages, with the report of the 'Inaugural Banquet' on the next four. On the last seven pages are the 'Report of Council (Presented by Mr. E. K. House.)' No copy at the British Library or on COPAC. The mimeographed circular (4to, 1 p), dated 9 March 1925, is a covering letter with a facsimile of Fluder's signature.

A Catalogue of a Collection of Old and Modern Pictures and Drawings, Engravings, Prints and Books. [...] the late Sir Robert W. Dibdin, [...] the late James Duncan Campbell (Craignish) Esq.. C.M.G., [...] the late S. Morell, Esq. [...].

Author: 
Robinson, Fisher & Harding, London auctioneers [Sir Robert W. Dibdin; James Duncan Campbell; S. Morell]
Publication details: 
22 March 1934. Robinson, Fisher & Harding. L. C. Robinson, R. H. Hurlbatt. At their great galleries, Willis's Rooms, King Street, St. James's Square, S.W.1. [Barnard & Crannis, Ltd., Printers, 11, Baldwin's Place, Holborn, E.C.1.]
£75.00

8vo, 12 pp. Stapled pamphlet. Text clear and complete. On aged, worn and spotted paper. A total of 204 lots. Pencil notes to lots 4, 9 and 11, with slip indicating their purchase prices, totalling £10 12s 0d. Lot 179 ('Another Property') is given prominence: 'FRANCIS COTES, R.A. A PORTRAIT OF A LADY in White Dress with Green Sash and Pink Cloak, her hair dressed high and adorned with pearls, 3.4 length | 50in. x 40in. | Signed and dated 1788.' No copy in the British Library, on COPAC or WorldCat.

Catalogue of a Valuable Collection of Book-Plates, (Ex-Libris.)

Author: 
Puttick and Simpson, London auctioneers [auction catalogues; bookplates; ex-libris]
Publication details: 
London, 1897. Sale the 28th, January, at two o'clock precisely, At the Rooms of PUTTICK & SIMPSON, 47, Leicester Square. [Printed by S. and J. Brawn, 13, Gate Street, High Holborn, W.C.]
£125.00

8vo: 21 pp. Stitched and unbound. Tastefully printed on good watermarked laid paper. Aged, and with the covers grubby. Priced and named to lot 113, and with a few of the other lots priced in pencil. A slip, dimensions 2.5 x 15.5 cm, has been cut away from the beginning of the sale (pp.3-4), resulting in the loss of the entries for three lots (12, 13 and 14). Scarce, with no copy listed on COPAC or WorldCat.

Three printed plans (numbered 1, 2 and 3) each entitled "Plan of Property in the Isle of Ely belonging to the Master, Fellows and Scholars of Clare College, Cambridge. To be sold by auction by Messrs. Bidwell & Sons. June, 1912."

Author: 
Bidwell & Sons, Surveyors & Auctioneers [Clare College, Cambridge; Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire]
Publication details: 
All three plans by Bidwell & Sons, Surveyors & Auctioneers, Ely; & 11, Benet Street, Cambridge. 1912.
£120.00

Each plan printed in black on one side of a piece of paper, with areas picked off in blue, green, orange, pink and yellow. Plan No. 1: 72 x 86 cm. Plan No. 2: 88 x 68 cm. Plan No. 3: 76 x 89 cm. The first two very good on lightly aged and creased paper; the third as the first two apart from some wear along a crease resulting in two areas of loss each roughly 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 cm. The various properties (over seventy lots) are numbered, with names of the proprietors of neighbouring estates given.

Catalogue of an Interesting Collection of Autograph Letters, selected from the Portfolios of Several Distinguished Amateurs [...] Family of George the Third [...] Some curious Shaksperian Papers [...] Oxford, Cambridge, Eton, and Winchester Scholars.

Author: 
Puttick and Simpson, London auctioneers [autographs; sale catalogues; Shakespeare; George Washington]
Publication details: 
Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, Auctioneers of Literary Property and Works of Art, At their House, No. 47, Leicester Square, W.C.; 23 March 1864.
£80.00

Octavo: ii + 51 + [1] pp. Stitched and unbound. Grubby, and with loss to final leaf, affecting a couple of lots and an advertisement, from removal of label. 521 lots. Postmarked penny red postage stamp. Letters of Burns, Byron, Coleridge, Frederick the Great, Haydn, Rousseau, Voltaire. The high point of the sale undoubtedly three letters from George Washington to Sir Edward Newenham.

At Private Sale, November, 1859. Catalogue of the Entire Private Collection of Autograph Letters, &c. gathered during several years, with much care and expense, by Mr. T. H. Morrell. [..] nearly every Prominent Character in the Revolutionary War [..]

Author: 
T. H. Morrell [Bangs, Merwin & Co, auctioneers; autograph collecting; auction catalogues; Declaration of Independence; American Presidents]
Publication details: 
New York: Bangs, Merwin & Co., At the Trade Sale Rooms, 13 Park Row. 1 November 1859.
£150.00

Octavo: 28 pp. Stabbed. In original blue printed wraps. Advertisements on back. On browning high-acidity paper, in chipped and worn wraps with damp staining to edges at rear. 298 items. Items 95-141: 'Signers of the Declaration of Independence and Presidents of the United States.' Scarce: no copy on COPAC, which does record one copy of a catalogue of a sale of Morrell's books by the same firm in 1866, and two copies of a catalogue of a further sale in 1869.

Catalogue of Fourteen Thousand Portraits of Authors, Actors, Legislators, Ministers and Celebrated Men and Women of All Countries. The Largest Sale that has ever taken place in the United States. [...] by Edelinck, Lemperour, Bause, Schidt, Doo [...]

Author: 
Banks, Merwin & Co., Auctioneers, Broadway, New York [Auction Catalogue]
Publication details: 
New York: To be Sold at Auction [...] 8th, 9th and 10th of March, 1864, By Banks, Merwin & Co., At the Irving Buildings, Nos. 594 and 596 Broadway].
£150.00

Octavo: 18 pp. Unbound: stabbed and unstitched. First leaf and leaves with pp. 15/16 and 17/18 loose. Leaves with pp.3/4 and 15/16 half-separated. Paper discoloured and chipping at edges. Extends to 918 lots. The odd number of leaves implies the loss of a final leaf, possibly bearing text. Stamp of the Public Library Ford Collection. Docketing in pencil notes a duplicate at the New York Public Library. No other copy traced.

Autograph Signatures on fragment of a document.

Author: 
Clarkson Stanfield, Michael Meredith
Publication details: 
1825; London.
£26.00

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.

Autograph Letter Signed [to his bankers].

Author: 
Herbert G. Sotheby
Publication details: 
18 October 1901; blindstamped letterhead '26, Green Street, Park Lane, W.'
£20.00

Son of Admiral Sir Edward Southwell Sotheby (for whom see DNB). 1 page, 16mo. In good condition. 'Gentlemen | I beg to inform you that for the future I shall draw my own cheques instead of my brother Mr. Alfred Sotheby.' Docketed in red ink along both long edges.

Syndicate content