AUTOGRAPH

[ William Ewart Gladstone, British Prime Minister. ] Autograph Signature ('W E Gladstone') from franked letter.

Author: 
William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), British Liberal Party politician, four-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Gladstone
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated. [ 1859? ]
£25.00
Gladstone

On 2.5 x 11.5 cm. piece of paper, cut from front panel of envelope. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Lower part of address present, reading 'Gt Grimsby | Grantham'. Circular frank in red ink over this, reading 'FREE | 8 JY 8 | 18<5?>9'. Good firm signature underlined at bottom left: 'W E Gladstone'.

[ Joseph Barber Lightfoot, Bishop of Durham. ] Autograph Signature ('J B Lightfoot') on part of letter.

Author: 
J. B. Lightfoot [ Joseph Barber Lightfoot ] (1828-1889), Bishop of Durham and Professor of Divinity at Cambridge
Publication details: 
'Trin: Coll. | Nov. 18th'. [ Cambridge, year not stated. ]
£35.00

On 11 cm square piece of light-blue paper cut from the end of a letter. Good firm signature, preceded by five lines of text in a difficult hand, appearing to read: '

to every one but the Academic Deanery should have failed to a man of Academic & literary distinction | I am, dear Dr.

, | Very truly yrs | J B Lightfoot | Trin; Coll. | Nov. 18th'.

[ College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. ] 'Secret' typed thesis, with 71 diagrams, on the interception of atomic bombers, titled 'Turning Performance and Manoeuvrability of Aircraft at Supersonic Speeds by Lieutenant (E) R. A. Langley, Royal Navy'.

Author: 
Lieut-Commander R. A. Langley, Royal Navy [ College of Aeronautics, Cranfield; Nuclear War; Atomic Weapons ]
Publication details: 
The College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. May 1952.
£1,250.00

The problem with which the thesis deals is summed up at the start: 'If war broke out in the near future, attack by atomic bombers would become an immediate possibility, and one of the biggest problems would be the defence of this Island, which, with its areas of dense population, particularly around its essential industries, would present many ideal targets to the enemy. It would, therefore, be essential to destroy, or attempt to destroy, each enemy bomber before it reached the coast.

[ R. E. B. Crompton, inventor and electrical engineer. ] Autograph Card in the third person, paying his subscription to the Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
R. E. B. Crompton [ Rookes Evelyn Bell Crompton ] (1845-1940), British inventor, electrical engineer and industrialist [ Crompton & Co. ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Thriplands, Kensington Court, W. [ London ] 31 January 1901.
£38.00

On both sides of a 9 x 11 cm. grey card with embossed letterhead. In good condition, lightly aged. Docketted and with Royal Academy of Arts stamp. 'Lt. Colonel Crompton begs to enclose a cheque in payment of his subscription and will be greatly obliged to the Secretary if he will send him a form to enable his Bankers - Messrs. Barclay & Co. to pay the subscription in future.' Crompton's firm Crompton & Co. was one of the world's first large-scale manufacturers of electrical equipment.

[ Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (later King of Hanover) and the Royal Naval Asylum, Greenwich. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Ernest Augustus') to Rev. William Morgan, giving instructions regarding the appointment of matrons to the institution.

Author: 
Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland 1799-1851, and King of Hanover 1837-1851, son of King George III and uncle of Queen Victoria [ Rev. William Morgan, Chaplain of the Royal Naval Asylum, Greenwich ]
Publication details: 
St James's Palace [ London ]. 1 January 1808.
£320.00

The Duke was the head of the Committee in charge of the Royal Naval Asylum, which had been founded as the British National Endeavour in 1798, for the orphans of military and naval personnel killed in action. It had moved from Paddington to the Queen's House, Greenwich, in October 1807, having received a large amount of public support (including that of Lord Nelson), and was responsible for upwards of 1000 boys and girls. 3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged paper, with damp damage resulting in some loss (including a little text). Repaired with archival tape.

[ Charles Lucien Bonaparte, ornithologist and nephew of Napoleon. ] Autograph Signature (' C L. Bonaparte').

Author: 
Charles Lucien Bonaparte [ Charles Lucien Jules Laurent Bonaparte, 2nd Prince of Canino and Musignano ] (1803-1857), biologist and ornithologist, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£56.00

On 5.5 x 14 cm. strip of paper. Apparently written in response to a request for an autograph. Reads: 'I am much flattered by the demand | C L. Bonaparte' ('demand' being a mistake for 'request').

[ Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, physician and suffragette. ] Autograph Signature ('E G Anderson') on part of letter containing references to her daughter and sister.

Author: 
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1836-1917), physician and suffragette
Publication details: 
Place not stated. [ 1874 ]
£35.00

On 4.5 x 11 cm. slip of paper, cut from the end of a letter. In fair condition, lightly aged and ruckled. Good firm signature. Reads: 'Ever yours lovingly | E G Anderson'. At bottom right in another hand: '1874'. Fragment of letter on reverse: '[...] much better for his holyday [sic] & he sees Louie immensely improved. We are urging Alice to stand [...]'. The 'Alice' of the letter is her sister Alice (b.1842), and the 'Louie' her daughter Louisa (1873-1943), who would also become a doctor.

[ Catherine Marsh, Victorian philanthropist and author. ] Autograph Signature on part of letter.

Author: 
Catherine Marsh (1818-1912), Christian missionary amongst 'navvies' and author
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 7 x 11 cm. piece of paper cut from end of letter. In fair condition, on aged paper. Good firm signature. Reads 'Yours most | sincerely | Catherine Marsh'. Writing on reverse, in large hand, reads: 'hear of Mrs Walter Fry's sad accident -'.

[ Inscribed copy of printed work. ] Three Letters on the Policy of England towards the Porte and Mohammed Ali.

Author: 
[ Sir John Gardner Wilkinson (1797-1879); Muhammad[a] Ali Pasha al-Mas'ud ibn Agha (1769-1849), Khedive of Egypt and the Sudan ]
Publication details: 
London: John Murray, Albermarle [ sic, for 'Albemarle' ] Street. 1840. [ London: Printed by Stewart and Murray, Old Bailey. ]
£130.00

63 + [1]pp., 8vo. Erratum slip after title-leaf. Disbound. In fair condition, on aged and lightly worn paper. Withdrawal stamp of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society at foot of title-page, with shelf-marks at top-right of same page. Cropped inscription at head of page: 'With Sir Gardner Wiklkinson's | Compliments, to Gordon Gyle Esqr.' Beneath the title, in another hand: 'by Sir Gardiner [sic] Wilkinson Knt'. Scarce.

[ Sir George Biddell Airy, Astronomer Royal. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('G B Airy') to Robert C. Ransome, of the Ipswich manufacturers of agricultural machinery, regarding a planned visit.

Author: 
Sir George Biddell Airy (1801-1892), mathematician and astronomer, Astronomer Royal
Publication details: 
Playford [ Suffolk ]. 6 January 1874.
£45.00

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and stained paper. In the light of an invitation from Ransome's wife, he proposes to 'drive to Stoke' in the early afternoon of the following day with his daughter Annet ('who has now relieved Hilda'), hoping that it 'will suit Mrs. Ransome's and your convenience'.

[ The Duke of Kent as Governor of Gibraltar, in the build up to the Garrison Mutiny of 1802. ] Letter in a Secretarial Hand, signed in Autograph ('Edward'), to Lieut-Col. Lethbridge, one of his 'oldest military friends', regarding the '.

Author: 
The Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820), son of King George III and father of Queen Victoria [ Lieut-Col. Robert Lethbridge, 60th Regiment of Foot; Gibraltar Garrison Mutiny, 1802 ]
Publication details: 
Gibraltar. 31 October 1802.
£500.00

A strict disciplinarian, the Duke was appointed Governor of Gibraltar in March 1802 and, as this letter describes, immediately set about dealing with what he considered the various abuses of the Garrison. His harsh discipline would precipitate a mutiny by soldiers in his own and the 25th Regiment on Christmas Eve 1802. The Duke of York, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, would recall him in May 1803 after receiving reports of the mutiny, but despite this direct order he would refuse to return to England until his successor arrived.

[ Robert Stephenson, railway engineer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Rob Stephenson') to '- Moberley Esq', regarding the purchase of a 'Machine'.

Author: 
Robert Stephenson (1803-1859), pioneering railway engineer, constructor of 'Stephenson's Rocket'.
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 24 Great George Street, Westminster [ London ]. 1 June 1852.
£450.00

2pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, with the text of the letter on the first leaf, and the second laid down on a leaf removed from an album. Stephenson's letter in good condition, on lightly aged paper. He writes that he is sending the recipient the reply he has received from 'Mr Harrison'. He feels that it would be better for Moberley to 'purchase the old Machine of the Contractors Messrs Rush & Lawton'. He does not know their address, but if they send him 'any drawing, it will be forwarded'. Rush and Lawton were Newcastle railway contractors. The recipient is probably W. H.

[ Charlotte Yonge, novelist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C M Yonge') to a 'Mr Moberley', regarding a catalogue (of farming machinery?) he has sent her.

Author: 
Charlotte Yonge [ Charlotte Mary Yonge ] (1823-1902), Victorian novelist
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Elderfield, Otterbourne, Winchester. 17 June [ no year ].
£50.00

1p., 12mo. On grey paper with mourning border. In fair condition, lightly aged and ruckled. She is 'much obliged for the Catalogue', and hopes 'to make good use of it, when I have had a consultation with my brother and a neighbour or two who may like to combine in a parcel'.

[ Eileen Chandler, artist. ] Personal album relating to her portrait work, mainly in Hollywood, and including photographs of her portraits, and original photographs of children of celebrities.

Author: 
Eileen Chandler [ born Eileen Harris ] (1904-1993), English artist who worked in Los Angeles on portraits of Hollywood children [ Liza Minnelli; Mia Farrow; Deborah Kerr; Maureen O'Sullivan ]
Publication details: 
Undated [ 1950s and 1960s ]. Mainly relating to her time in Los Angeles, California.
£800.00

For more information about Chandler, see the appreciative obituary by Vy Reiners in the Independent, 5 February 1993, which describes how 'An article in the Illustrated London News launched her on a successful career that took her to Hollywood, painting sensitive, charming watercolour portraits of the children of the stars, and many of the stars themselves.' The present item contains 70 photographs in a 24 x 33 cm album. The photographs, ranging in size from 19 x 23 cm. downwards, are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear.

[ George Tomline, Liberal MP, known as 'Colonel Tomline'. ] Autograph Letter Signed to R. C. Ransome, Ipswich manufacturer of agricultural machinery.

Author: 
George Tomline [ 'Colonel Tomline' ] (1813-1889), Liberal MP and amateur astronomer
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 1 Carlton House Terrace, S.W. [ London ] 13 June 1874.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and ruckled paper. He invites him to pay him a four-day visit at Brock Park, 'to meet many of your Liberal friends'. Note: Tomline had his observatory at Orwell Park, hence a neighbour of Ransome's (Orwell House).

[ Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Shaftesbury') to '<?> W. Williams', regarding accounts and a missed engagement.

Author: 
Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (1801-1885), Liberal politician, philanthropist and social reformer
Publication details: 
No place. <3?> January 1854.
£50.00

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and ruckled paper. His return to London having been delayed, he regrets that he 'lost the tea-party'. He would be 'glad to know what is due on the account'.

[ Samuel Carter Hall, editor of the Art Journal. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('S. C. Hall'), explaining why he failed to give a lecture to a 'society'.

Author: 
Samuel Carter Hall (1800-1889), Irish journalist, editor of the Art Journal
Publication details: 
The Rosery [sic], Old Brompton [ London ]. 22 December [ no year ].
£45.00

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Writing in dramatic terms, he apologises for 'the disappointment to which I subjected your society', and explains that he had 'fully calculated on receiving some notice from you, a day or two previous to the day fixed'.

[ The Argyle Theatre, Birkenhead, Victorian music hall. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Tom') from licensee and manager T. D. Clarke to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, discussing productions for children.

Author: 
T. D. Clarke [ Tom Clarke ], Licensee and Manager, The Argyle Theatre, Birkenhead [ the Wirral; Merseyside; music hall; W. Macqueen-Pope [ Walter James Macqueen-Pope ] (1888-1960), theatre historian ]
Publication details: 
On illustrated letterhead of the Argyle Theatre, Birkenhead. 28 July 1945.
£45.00

The Clarke family ran the Argyle for fifty years from 1890 to 1940, during which period it was one of the best-known provincial theatres. It opened as the Argyle Music Hall in 1868, and between 1876 and 1890 was named the Prince Of Wales Theatre, being used mainly to stage plays. In 1890 the focus returned to music hall and variety and it was renamed the Argyle Theatre. Its archives are in the University of Sheffield. 2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, somehwhat grubby and creased at foot of leaf.

[ Printed item, inscribed by the author ('G Vapereau'). ] L'Année Littéraire et Dramatique.

Author: 
G. Vapereau, Auteur du Dictionnaire universel des Contemporains [ Louis Gustave Vapereau (1819-1906), French critic and lexicographer ]
Publication details: 
Première Année (1858). Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie, Rue Pierre-Sarrazin, No 14. 1859.
£180.00

viii + 491 + [1]pp., 8vo. Aged and slightly damp-stained along the fore-edge. In worn calf quarter-binding, marbled endpapers. Inscribed on half-title 'A M. J de Vasconcellos | Hommage de l'auteur | G Vapereau'.

[ The British Army in the Peninsular War. ] Autograph Letter Signed (twice 'J. Barker') from Deputy Storekeeper General John Barker to British Minister at Lisbon [ Charles Stuart ], giving details of 'Stores shipped by this Department' to Portugal.

Author: 
John Barker, Deputy Storekeeper General, Storekeeper General's Office, London [ Charles Stuart (1779-1845), 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay; Peninsular War ]
Publication details: 
Storekeeper General's Office [ 23 Great George Street ], London. 28 January 1812.
£180.00

2pp., folio. In fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. On first leaf of bifolium, the second leaf docketted in pencil. In fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. Detailed letter, filling two whole folio pages, beginning: 'Sir. | In the absence of the Storekeeper General I have the honour to refer you to his letters of the 12th. Novr. 19th. & 31st. Decr.

[ Cyril Maude, actor-manager, and his wife the actress Winifred Emery. ] Five Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed by him, and two Autograph Letters Signed by her, all to the journalist 'Mrs. Whitley'

Author: 
Cyril Maude [ Cyril Francis Maude ] (1862-1951), English actor-manager; his wife 'Winifred Emery' [ stage name of actress Maud Isabel Emery; later Maud Isabel Maude ] (1861-1924)
Publication details: 
On following letterheads: four from 26 Cleveland Gardens, Lancaster Gate, W. [ London ]; two from 33 Egerton Crescent, S.W. [ London ]; one from the Playhouse, Northumberland Avenue, Charing Cross (from 1907); one from the Haymarket Theatre, London.
£150.00

The eight items are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Maude's six letters (all signed 'Cyril Maude') total 8pp., and his wife's two (both signed 'Winifred Emery') total 3pp. In the typed letter the recipient is named as 'Mrs. Whitley, | 78 Alexandra Rd., | St. John's Wood, | N.W.' All eight items deal with interviews conducted by her with the couple. On 20 December Maude writes, 'as I told you I fear there will be nothing in particular for me to tell you, as it is very necessary for me to avoid telling anyone anything just yet awhile.

[ Cyril Maude, actor-manager. ] Typed Letter Signed naming 'the finest part I ever played', with copy of his printed Funeral Servivce.

Author: 
Cyril Maude [ Cyril Francis Maude ] (1862-1951), English actor-manager of the London theatres the Haymarket and Playhouse
Publication details: 
Letter on letterhead of 60 South Audley Street, W. [ London ]. 19 October [ no year ]. Funeral Service [ by Vacher & Sons, Westminster ] for 28 February 1951, at.St Margarets, Westminster.
£56.00

Letter: 1p., 8vo. With mourning border. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with small pin-hole to one corner. Reads: 'Dear Sir | I suppose the finest part I ever played and one I am always hoping to play again someday [sic] was Sir Peter Teazle. Grumpy was a fine part too though. | Yours truly | Cyril Maude'. Funeral Service: 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and with one vertical fold. Slug: 'Vacher - 32959'. Cover reads: 'St.

[ William Pett Ridge, novelist and humorist. ] Autograph Card Signed ('W. Pett Ridge'), apologising for being unable to attend a meeting.

Author: 
W. Pett Ridge [ William Pett Ridge ] (1859-1930), English novelist and humorous journalist with the St James Gazette
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Garrick Club, London. 'Wednesday' [no date].
£25.00

On both sides of a card. In good condition, with light aging. He hopes she will have 'a very succcessful meeting', but cannot give 'a promise to attend', as other matters are 'engaging, just now, all the attention I have to spare'.

[ Sir Philip Grey Egerton, soldier. ] Autograph Card Signed ('Philip') to 'Colonel Barker', inviting him to 'a table at the Sudan dinner' he is trying to organise.

Author: 
Sir Philip Grey Egerton [ Sir Philip Reginald le Belward Grey Egerton, 14th Baronet ] (1885-1962), British Army officer
Publication details: 
On his letterheada, Oulton Park, Tarporley. 21 June 1949.
£25.00

Stamped and postmarked, and addressed to 'Colonel Barker | Bourchins Lodge | Tolleshunt D'Arcy | Essex'. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'I am trying to get some of the old firm together for a table at the Sudan dinner. I have got Kennedy Cook & wife, Griselda Maurice & myself. Would you & your wife join us | Yrs ever | Philip'. Egerton was with the Sudan Civil Service; and with the 3rd battalion of Shropshire Light Infantry won a 4th clasp of the Order of the Nile.

[ Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and translator. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Theodore Martin') to 'Mrs. Green', an autograph hunter.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and translator, best-known for his 'Bon Gaultier Ballads'
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 31 Onslow Square, S.W. [ London ] 10 March 1877.
£25.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, with small printed slip from catalogue pasted above letterhead. The recipient is named as 'Mr. Green | Claremont House | Clapton'. Reads: 'Madam | My autograph can be of little value to any one, but in compliance with your wish so courteously expressed I enclose it & am | Madam | Faithfully yours | Theodore Martin'.

[ Vera Dart, social worker and Labour Party politician. ] Duplicated Typescript of unpublished autobiography titled 'My Six Lives in a Changing World'.

Author: 
Vera Dart (1892-1984), social worker and Labour Party politician, born in Liverpool [ Women's Voluntary Service for Civil Defence; London County Council ]
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated. [ London, c. 1977. ]
£400.00

[3] + ii + 152pp., 4to. Perfect bound, with each page on a separate leaf. In fair condition, aged and a little dogeared. Title-page reinforced at fore-edge. Missing the last page or so of the 'Conclusion'.

[ Edward Knatchbull, 9th Baronet, MP for Kent. ] Autograph Note, both Signed and Franked 'E Knatchbull', with his seal, apologising to the Lord Mayor of London [ John Crowder ] for declining an invitation.`

Author: 
Sir Edward Knatchbull, 9th Baronet (1781-1849), Member of Parliament for Kent, Tory politician [ John Crowder, Lord Mayor of London ]
Publication details: 
'<?> Hotel'. 11 July 1829.
£25.00

1p., 12mo. On aged and worn grey paper, with a corner torn away, affecting a couple of lines of text. Franked on reverse: 'Ashford July eleven 1829 | The Right Honble | The Lord Mayor | &c &c &c | Mansion House | London | E Knatchbull'. Knatchbull's small seal, depicting a dog, is present entire in black wax. He writes that he would have had 'much pleasure' in meeting him at Rochester, but that his 'House will be full of Company on the 24th'.

[ Sir Herbert Chermside, Governor of Queensland. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Herbert Chermside') to Sir Donald Currie

Author: 
Sir Herbert Chermside [ Lieutenant General Sir Herbert Charles Chermside ] (1850-1929), British soldier, Governor of Queensland, 1902-1904 [ Sir Donald Currie (1825-1909), Scottish shipping magnate ]
Publication details: 
Sonakin. 11 March 1885.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'Sir Donald Currie K.C. M.G. | S.S. | Sonakin'. He apologises to Currie for finding him away from home when he called: 'I only wish I had asked you to make an appointment'. He concludes with thanks for his 'kindness about the mail', and in wishes of a pleasant voyage for Currie's party.

[ John Gould, ornithologist. ] Autograph Note Signed to London bookseller J. E. Cornish, acknowledging a payment.

Author: 
John Gould (1804-1881), ornithologist [ J. E. Cornish, London bookseller ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 'London, 26, Charlotte Street, | Bedford Square. W. E.' 19 August 1870.
£150.00

1p., 12mo. In very good condition. Large bold signature. 'Dear Sir | Thanks for your prompt remittance: I return the a/c duly accepted and remain | Dear Sir | Yours very truly | John Gould | Mr. J. E. Cornish'. Docketted at top left.

[ Lord Charles Clinton, Conservative politician. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Clinton') to the Provost of Eton, regarding the hanging of his portrait on 'the pannels [sic] of the College Hall'.

Author: 
Lord Charles Clinton [ Lord Charles Pelham Pelham-Clinton ] (1813-1894), son of Henry Pelham-Clinton, 4th Duke of Newcastle
Publication details: 
Farnham Castle. 18 December 1857.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. He 'unfeignedly' feels his 'unworthiness to be placed among those sons of Eton whose portraits are intended to grace the pannels [sic] of the College Hall'. He will comply with the Provost's wish, 'as soon as opportunity permits, & after I have learnt from you the most suitable mode of carrying your design into execution'.

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