BAYSWATER

[Sir Walter Gibbons, theatre impressario who built the London Palladium.] Auction catalogue of his effects, with a bookseller’s bids in pencil: ‘A Catalogue of the Contents of Kensington House, Bayswater, W.2’

Author: 
Sir Walter Gibbons (1871-1933), theatre impressario, founder of the London Palladium and owner of around forty music halls [Kensington House, Bayswater; Knight, Frank & Rutley; auction catalogue]
Publication details: 
10 to 13 March 1931. Knight, Frank & Rutley, 20 Hanover Square, London, W.1. Printed by J. Davy & Sos, Ltd., 8-9 Frith Street, London.
£180.00

As the Great Depression hit Gibbons found himself over-extended, and was forced into bankruptcy. The present item is scarce. The only copy on JISC is at the Paul Mellon Centre Library. 68pp, 8vo. In grey printed wraps, and with purchase slip tipped in. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. At head of title-page: ‘By Direction of Lieut.-Col. SIR WALTER GIBBONS, K.B.E., D.L. Following the Sale of the Freehold, and the proposed conversion of the Property into high-class Residential Flats.’ ‘Conditions of Sale’ on reverse of title. 974 lots.

[ T. H. Watkins of Kensington, Victorian art collector. ] Manuscript 'Inventory' of the contents of Watkins' three-story Victorian house, compiled by E. Sainsbury, including a section describing his 44 'Pictures' and 'Contents of Laboratory'.

Author: 
Thomas Henry Watkins (b.1831, fl.1895), of Kensington, Victorian art collector, educated at Christ's College, Cambridge [ E. Sainsbury of Bayswater, cataloguer ]
Publication details: 
Inventory of the contents of 90 Kensington Park Road, London, compiled by E. Sainsbury of 95 Westbourne Park Road, Bayswater. Undated, but late Victorian.
£500.00

The proprietor, T. H. Watkins, was a private tutor in Kensington, west London, who over a number of years placed a series of advertisements in The Times, the last of which, 9 September 1895, boasted that his 'pupils during 25 years have taken the highest places for I.C.S., F.O., Interpreterships, Woolwich Staff Coll., Sandhurst, Coopers-hill, Woods and Forests, Militia, &c.' Watkins was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, and his entry in Peile's 'Biographical Register' of the college (1913) states that he was 'son of Thomas: born in London. Educated at Bonn University.

[Lieutenant-General Sir George Thomas Napier.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Napier') to Daniel Flexney, concerning the loss of some bonds, written with his left hand following the loss of his right arm during the Peninsular War.

Author: 
Lieutenant-General Sir George Thomas Napier (1784-1855), British army officer who served in the Peninsular War, and was Commander-In-Chief of the army in the Cape Colony, 1839-1843
Publication details: 
Upminster [Middlesex]. 30 July [1818].
£65.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr. Danl. Flexney | Westborne Place | Bayswater | near London', with two postmarks in red ink, one round and the other oval (the second in two parts), both giving year 1818. Docketed and with the following note above the text of the letter: 'From Lieut Col George Napier | To Mr. Danl.

Envelope, with stamp and postmark, addressed in autograph by Stanley to George Moore.

Author: 
Arthur Penrhyn Stanley [1815-1881), Dean of Westminster [Dean Stanley.]
Publication details: 
Postmarked 16 April 1877, London.
£18.00

Envelope (dimensions 6.5 x 12 cm) with mourning border. Lacking flap, but good. Penny red stamp with two circular postmarks in black ink. Docketed 'Dean Stanley' in neat contemporary hand above address, which reads 'George Moore Esq. | 15a. Court | Bayswater W.' Moore was a lace manufacturer and philanthropist.

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