BRITISH

[Mabel Constandurous, star and writer of BBC radio series ‘The Buggins Family’.] Two Autograph Letters Signed to her agent ‘Miss Booth', discussing the success of her radio work, a fan letter from Compton Mackenzie, future engagements.

Author: 
Mabel Constanduros [Mabel Tilling] (1880-1957), commedienne and playwright, who wrote and starred in the BBC radio series ‘The Buggins Family’
Publication details: 
Neither item dated (but both after 1928). The first without place, the second on letterhead of Belhaven, Cornwall Road, Sutton.
£180.00

According to Barry Took’s entry on Constanduros in the Oxford DNB, ‘The Buggins Family’ was ‘the first radio family’, and she played all six parts, writing and performing in more than 250 episodes between and 1928 and 1948: ‘The popularity of the family was such that the Ministry of Food used Mrs Buggins to broadcast recipes during the Second World War.’Constanduros is also credited with having written more than one hundred plays. The recipient of these two letters, 'Miss Booth', is clearly her agent. Two items, the first in good condition and the second fair, on lightly discoloured paper.

[Major-General Abraham D’Aubant, who played a leading role in the 1794 invasion of Corsica, frustrating Nelson with his caution.] Autograph Note in the third person to ‘Mr Brown’.

Author: 
Major-General Abraham D’Aubant (d.1805), Colonel of His Majesty's Corps of Royal Engineers, who played a leading role the 1794 invasion of Corsica [Horatio Nelson; Lord Nelson]
D'Aubant
Publication details: 
8 July [no year]; Devonshire Place [London].
£180.00
D'Aubant

An uncommon signature. During the 1794 invasion of Corsica, D’Aubant took over as Lord Hood’s second-in-command after Hood forced Major-General David Dundas to resign, but proved even more cautious, to the frustration of Nelson and others. 1p, landscape 8vo. Laid down on part of leaf from autograph album, captioned in Victorian hand, ‘General D’Aubant’. On discoloured paper, with deeper discoloration from glue from mount. Folded twice. Reads: ‘Genl D’Aubant presents his compliments to Mr Brown, and will call upon him at 12. next Thursday 8th July / Devonshe. place.’ See image.

[Lord Thomson of Fleet, Fleet Street press baron.] Producer Hugh Burnett's copy of typescript of Thomson’s interview with John Freeman in the BBC TV series 'Face to Face', marked up for publication.

Author: 
Lord Thomson of Fleet [Roy Herbert Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of Fleet] (1894-1976), Canadian-born British newspaper proprietor, one of the Fleet Street press barons [Hugh Burnett; BBC; John Freeman]
Publication details: 
Undated, but BBC interview broadcast on 4 February 1962, and this item prepared for publication in 1964.
£50.00

The present item is producer Hugh Burnett's own copy, from his papers, of the transcript of John Freeman's interview with Thomson, broadcast in the groundbreaking BBC series 'Face to Face' on 4 February 1962. This single-spaced typed transcript was produced for inclusion in Burnett's book 'Face to Face / Edited and introduced by Hugh Burnett' (London: Jonathan Cape, 1964), and is marked up with printing instructions in pencil and red ink, with a few proof corrections in green ink. 1p, foolscap 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Emphasizing Thomson’s unthreatening ordinariness.

[Lord Carnarvon [Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon], Conservative politician.] Autograph Letter Signed to E. Lovell, expressing a desire to attend an event, while explaining that this is unlikely.

Author: 
Lord Carnarvon [Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon] (1831-1890), Conservative politician, known as Lord Porchester from 1833 to 1849, who served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Publication details: 
4 April 1857; Torquay.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, aged and worn, with slight damage to one corner from removal from mount. Folded four times. Signed ‘Carnarvon’ and addressed to ‘E. Lovell Esr.’ If he possibly can he will ‘attend on the Wednesday’, but he doubts whether his ‘other business’ will allow this. ‘Wednesday is a less convenient day than Tuesday to me, but I sd. be very glad to attend if possible.’

[Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope, one of Wellington’s commanders in the Peninsular War.] Autograph Signature as Commander in Chief, Scotland: ‘John Hope / M. Genl. Commdg / in N. B.’

Author: 
Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope (1765-1836), Scottish soldier, British Army officer, one of Wellington’s commanders in the Peninsular War; Commander-in-Chief in Scotland, 1816-1819
Publication details: 
[Between 1816 and 1819; Scotland.]
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Between 1816 and 1819 Hope held the post of Major General Commanding in North Britain (i.e. Commander-in-Chief in Scotland). On 9.5 x 4 cm slip of wove paper, presumably the valediction cut from a letter. In good condition, lightly aged, with the reverse bearing a thin strip of grey paper from mount along thin strip at head. Reads: ‘John Hope / M. Genl. Commdg / in N. B.’ See image.

[Harry Roy, British dance band leader responsible for the 1931 classic 'My Girl's Pussy' ; Joe Daniels, Dixieland drummer.] Autograph Signatures of Roy and Daniels, the latter cut from letter describing himself as ‘One of the Drumming Fraternity.’

Author: 
Harry Roy [born Harris Litman] (1900-1971), British dance band leader and clarinettist; Joe Daniels (1909-1993), British Dixieland drummer, born in South Africa
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£32.00

See Roy’s entry in the Oxford DNB. He part-wrote and performed the perennially popular ‘My Girl’s Pussy’, with other songs with suggestive titles. The two men’s careers both began in the 1920s, and Daniels played in the band of Roy’s brother Sid Roy. The two signatures laid down on an 8.5 x 7 piece cut from the leaf from an autograph album. Somewhat discoloured, otherwise in good condition. ONE: Signature of ‘Harry Roy’. On 6 x 4.5 cm slip of paper. Large signature, with the downstrokes of the final letter y’s extending unusually far. TWO: Signature of ‘Joe Daniels’.

['Nearly made bankrupt' by this work: Henry Hugh Armstead, sculptor.] Autograph Letter Signed to James Dafforne of the Art Journal, describing his extensive work on the Colonial Office in Whitehall.

Author: 
Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905), British sculptor associated with George Gilbert Scott, Gothic Revival and Pre-Raphaelites [James Dafforne (1804-1880) of the Art Journal; Colonial Office, Whitehall]
Publication details: 
3 November 1874; Bridge Place, Eccleston Bridge.
£150.00

See both men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with slight spot from previous mount at one corner. Folded twice. Signed ‘H. H. Armstead’. In reply to a letter of Dafforne, he reports that ‘the Statues I have made for the “Colonial Office” Niches are not yet in situ - but are now being raised to the niches, and they will be in their places within the next few days.’ He gives the names and positions of the statues, adding: ‘The eight men are there as Secretaries of State for the Colonies’.

[Francis Schnadhorst, brilliant political organizer with the National Liberal Federation.] Two Autograph Letters Signed to A. G. L. Rogers, one claiming a room to his ‘exclusive use’, the other expressing regret at Rogers’ resignation.

Author: 
Francis Schnadhorst (1840-1900), English Liberal politician who revolutionized the organisation of British political parties through his work with the National Liberal Federation [A. G. L. Rogers]
Publication details: 
22 August 1892 and 15 January 1893; each on letterhead of the National Liberal Federation, 42 Parliament Street, London, S.W.
£80.00

See Schnadhorst’s entry in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son and editor of the economist Thorold Rogers [James Edwin Thorold Rogers] (1823-1890), for information regarding whom see his entry in the Oxford DNB. Both items in good condition, lightly aged, and each folded once. In November of 1891 Rogers had been appointed Secretary of the Publication Department of Schnadhorst’s NLF. The first letter indicates the mental instability that would result in Schnadhorst’s complete breakdown before the end of 1894. ONE: 22 August 1892. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium.

[Arnold Morley, Liberal politician.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to A. G. L. Rogers, one defending his comments on Conservative ‘tactics’ in the General Election, another formally appointing Rogers as Secretary to the Publication Department.

Author: 
Arnold Morley (1849-1916), Liberal politician, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury under Gladstone, and then Postmaster General [A. G. L. Rogers]
Publication details: 
ONE: 5 November 1891; on letterhead of Liberal Central Association, London. TWO: 10 August 1892; on letterhead of 7 Stratton Street, Piccadilly. THREE: 27 May 1893; from Stratton Street, on cancelled letterhead of Her Majesty’s Post Master General.
£100.00

From the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son and editor of the economist Thorold Rogers [James Edwin Thorold Rogers] (1823-1890), for information regarding whom see his entry in the Oxford DNB. The three items in good condition, lightly aged. Each folded three times. All three signed ‘Arnold Morley’. ONE: 5 November 1891. 3pp, 12mo.

[‘English church music is in dire need of reform’: Sir Herbert Oakeley, Professor of Music at Edinburgh University.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘H. S. Oakeley’) to Sir Lovelace Stamer, attacking the ‘degraded’ standard of English hymn tunes.

Author: 
Sir Herbert Oakeley [Sir Herbert Stanley Oakeley; H. S. Oakeley] (1830-1903), English composer and organist, Professor of Music at University of Edinburgh [Sir Lovelace Tomlinson Stamer (1829-1908)]
Publication details: 
10 June 1875; Bristol Hotel, Brighton.
£100.00

A splendidly-forthright missive on a subject close to Oakeley's heart. See both men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. The two were near-contemporaries at Rugby School, and Stamer, at the time of writing a Prebendary at Lichfield, would go on to become the Bishop of Shrewsbury. 8pp, 12mo. On two bifoliums. In good condition, lightly aged, with the two bifoliums folded twice and unobtrusively attached with tape. From the context it appears that Oakeley has been invited through Stamer to give a paper on church music to the Church Congress.

[Sims Reeves, English operatic tenor.] Autograph Note Signed (‘J. Sims Reeves’) in response to a request for an autograph.

Author: 
Sims Reeves [John Sims Reeves] (1821-1900), English operatic tenor
Reeves
Publication details: 
June 1872. On letterhead with monogram of his initials, and address Grange Mount, Upper Norwood.
£56.00
Reeves

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Even towards the end of his life Bernard Shaw could remark that ‘he can still leave the next best tenor in England an immeasurable distance behind’. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of mount to inner margin. Folded once. Very nice embossed letterhead, printed in gold, brown, green and red, with bird perched on top of a treble clef, entwined with foliage and a twisted branch in the shape of the ‘R’ of ‘Reeves’. Reads: ‘Sir / This autograph with pleasure, according to your request / Yours faithfully / June 1872 / J. Sims Reeves’.

[Sir Charles Oman, military historian.] Three Autograph Letters Signed (all ‘C. W. C. Oman’), as Librarian of All Souls College, to ‘Mr Harlow’ of Rhodes House Library, regarding his proposal about ‘the long series of Cape Parliamentary proceedings’.

Author: 
Sir Charles Oman [Sir Charles William Chadwick Oman] (1860-1946), English military historian and Librarian of All Souls College, Oxford [Professor Vincent Todd Harlow, Keeper, Rhodes House Library]
Publication details: 
2, 7 and 21 June 1937. All three on the letterhead of the Library of All Souls College, Oxford.
£90.00

See Oman’s entry in the Oxford DNB. Each letter 1p, 12mo. Each folded once. All three in good condition, lightly aged. The correspondence concerns Harlow’s proposal, according to the letter of 2 June 1937, ‘that All Souls College should present to the Rhodes House Library the comparatively few yearly numbers of the Cape Parliamentary proceedings 1875-1910 which are not already in either the Bodleian or the Rhodes House shelves - keeping for the College the residuence, a broken set of about 200 volumes’.

[Louisa Starr, artist, the first woman to win a Royal Academy gold medal for painting.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Louisa Starr') to ‘Mr. Potter’ of the Associated Arts Institute, apologising for not being able to attend a letter.

Author: 
Louisa Starr [laterly Louisa Canziani] (1845-1909), British painter, the first woman to win a Royal Academy gold medal for history painting [Associated Arts Institute, London]
Publication details: 
13 November [no year]; 14 Russell Square [London].
£80.00

In 1867 Starr was the first woman to win a gold medal for painting at the Royal Academy, having won a silver two years before. 2pp, 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of mount on blank reverse of second leaf. Folded twice. She has ‘just received the ticket for the lecture at the Associated Arts Institute’ which he sent, and is afraid she will not be able to use it herself: ‘as we are going to the Opera’. She wonders whether she ‘may be allowed’ to ‘give it to some friends who I think would like to come very much’.

[General Sir Andrew Francis Barnard, army officer and courtier.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘A F Barnard’) to ‘Augustus’, providing information regarding pictures [in the royal collection], and ‘the Clue to their History’.

Author: 
General Sir Andrew Francis Barnard (1773-1855), distinguished Anglo-Irish officer in the British Army, decorated for his services during the Napoleonic Wars, and Equerry to King George IV
Publication details: 
18 December 1842; Canford [i.e. Canford House, Dorsetshire].
£60.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. From 1821 to the end of his life Barnard served as a courtier, notably as Equerry to King George IV, and it would appear that the present item is written in response to an enquiry made to the recipient of the letter regarding paintings in the royal collection. He writes from Camford House, where Queen Adelaide, widow of William IV, had taken up residence. 4pp, 12mo. On bifolium with thin mourning border. In fair condition, on aged paper. Folded twice.

[André Deutsch, Hungarian-born British publisher, the original of John Le Carré’s ‘Toby Esterhase’.] Typed Letter Signed to Louis B. Frewer, Keeper of Rhodes House Library, Oxford, commenting on an ‘amusing’ postcard featuring Herr von Papen.

Author: 
André Deutsch (1917-2000), Hungarian-born British publisher, the original of John Le Carré’s ‘Toby Esterhase’
Publication details: 
3 July 1952; on letterhead of Andre [sic] Deutsch Limited Publishers, 12 Thayer Street, Manchester Square, London W1.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. Folded twice. Signed ‘André Deutsch’ (but note that there is no accent to the name on the letterhead). He thanks him for his letter, and hope that ‘the enclosed postcard [not present] will be of some help. It is rather an amusing one, as Herr von Papen gives a literal translation of the German expression for the appendix’. Here Deutsch adds in autograph: ‘(Physical).’ He ends by stating that he is enclosing ‘a copy of our list for your information’ (also not present).

[William Ewart Gladstone, Liberal Prime Minister and the ‘Grand Old Man’ of Victorian politics.] Autograph Signature franking front panel of envelope.

Author: 
William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), Liberal Prime Minister under Queen Victoria and the ‘Grand Old Man’ of Victorian politics
Gladstone
Publication details: 
Basingstoke postmark, 20 October 1864.
£28.00
Gladstone

Information regarding this major figure in British history is not far to seek. On 11.5 x 5.5 cm panel cut from front of envelope. In fair condition, with a few traces of glue at centre and short closed tear to right-hand edge; none of this anywhere near the signature. The letter is addressed in another hand: ‘The Solicitor General / Hackwood Park / Basingstoke’, with last word deleted. Signed in the customary manner at bottom left: ‘W E Gladstone’. Basingstoke postmark in blue, and cropped frank in red. See image.

[‘BY PERMISSION of the Ministry of Fuel and Power’.] Duplicated ‘typewritten bulletin, containing essential announcements, “Calls” and “Wanteds”, normally appearing in “The Stage”.’

Author: 
The Stage, London theatre magazine [The Ministry of Fuel and Power, Whitehall; post-war restrictions]
Publication details: 
‘Bulletin issued by Carson & Comerford Ltd.’ ‘Not for publication. From “The Stage” Office / 19/21 Tavistock St., W.C.2 / Thursday Feb. 27. 1947.’ [London.]
£120.00

A scarce piece of English theatrical ephemera, illustrative of the restrictions imposed following the Second World War. From the papers of W. Macqueen-Pope. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) The item is a duplicated bulletin of six closely-typed 8vo pages, on three loose leaves. The text is complete and clear, but the item is aged and with wear to edges. The first page is headed by the following, in capitals, above the address and phone number of ‘The Stage’: ‘According to latest directions from the Ministry of Fuel & Power this is for private circulation only and is distributed gratis.

[Lord Elphinstone [John Elphinstone, 13th Lord Elphinstone], Governor of Madras and Bombay.] Autograph Signature (‘Elphinstone’) and valediction to letter.

Author: 
Lord Elphinstone [John Elphinstone, 13th Lord Elphinstone] (1807-1860), Scottish soldier, Conservative politician and colonial administrator, successively Governor of Madras and Bombay
Elphinstone
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£25.00
Elphinstone

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged, with paper from mount on reverse. Folded once. On 6 x 10 cm piece of paper, cut from conclusion of letter. Good firm signature. Reads: ‘[...] European troops / [...] quartered them. / Yours sincerely / Elphinstone’. See image.

[Provincial Georgian Art Connoisseurs.] Two Autograph Memoranda, both signed by ‘W. Hayward’, recording an exchange of paintings (by Correggio, Hobbima, Du Jardin, et al) with ‘Dr. Maddy’ [Edwin Maddy, LLD, Mayor of Gloucester].

Author: 
[Provincial Georgian Art Connoisseurs: ‘Dr Maddy’, i.e. Edwin Maddy, LLD, Mayor of Gloucester, and W. Hayward]
Publication details: 
Both dated 'Gloster 20th. Octr. 1841'. [Gloucester.]
£56.00

Interesting artefacts of provincial Georgian connoisseurship and picture dealers. If genuine (unlikely, given the period) the paintings would be of considerable interest. Given the exchange of cash, ‘W. Hayward’ could well be a visiting picture dealer. Both memoranda in good condition, lightly aged. ONE: 1p, 8vo. Folded four times. Reads: ‘Gloster 20th. Octr. 1841 | Exchanged with Dr. Maddy the following pictures viz / Waterfall &c. - Berghem / Landscape - Hobbema / for / Landscape - K. Du Jardin / Perseus & Andromeda - S. Rosa / and / Cash - £100 / W. Hayward’. TWO: 1p, landscape 12mo.

[City of London Piscatorial Society.] Autograph Letter Signed from the Honorary Secretary of the CLPS, Walter Westley, with printed booklet of ‘C.L.P.S. / Programme 1935-36’ and application form.

Author: 
[Fishing.] City of London Piscatorial Society (CLPS), founded in 1902 and one of the oldest angling clubs in England; Walter Westley, Honorary Secretary
Publication details: 
Westley’s letter dated 17 June 1935; on his letterhead, ‘City of London Piscatorial Society. / Headquarters: “Crown & Cushion,” 73, London Wall, E.C.2.’ Printed programme for 1935-36; application form (same address as letterhead) from 1930s.
£150.00

A nice slice of London ephemera. The three items are in good condition, lightly aged. They were clearly all sent together. ONE: ALS from Westley (‘W. Westley | Hon. Sec.’) to unnamed recipient. 2pp, 12mo. In answer to an application he is sending ‘one New Programme showing Waters &c’, pointing out that not all are ‘Trout Waters’, and that ‘about 30% of the Members only take part in competitions’. He explains that they have had good (he mistakenly writes ‘few’) membership over the previous two years, ‘but at the present time there are a few members’. TWO: Printed ‘C.L.P.S.

[Olga Novikoff, White Russian writer and journalist in Britain.] Autograph Signature and valediction from letter.

Author: 
Olga Novikoff [Olga Alekseevna Novikoff] (c.1842-1925), White Russian writer and journalist in Britain, author of ‘The M.P. for Russia’
Novikoff
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£30.00
Novikoff

On 11 x 6 cm piece of paper cut from letter. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: ‘Yours faithfully / Olga Novikoff.’

[Oliver Zangwill, ‘the Father of British neuropsychology’.] Autograph Note Signed (‘Oliver.’) to ‘Bob’, describing steps he has taken and hoping that 'something is done'.

Author: 
Oliver Zangwill [Oliver Louis Zangwill] (1913-1987), ‘the Father of British neuropsychology’, Professor of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge
Oliver
Publication details: 
10 February 1969; on letterhead of ‘Professor O. L. Zangwill, The Psychological Laboratory, Downing Street, Cambridge.’
£50.00
Oliver

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, landscape 8vo. In good condition, folded once. Headed ‘Private & Confidential’. Reads: ‘Dear Bob, / I had a word with the V. C [presumably the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University] this morning and am writing a letter to Sartain, which he should receive before the meeting of the G. B. on Wednesday. I hope something is done. / Yours ever / Oliver.’

[Lord Charles Beresford, Royal Navy admiral and British Member of Parliament.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Charles Beresford’) to Sir Richard Temple, regarding the ‘grievance’ of General Sir Henry Ramsay over his pension.

Author: 
Lord Charles Beresford [Admiral Charles William de la Poer Beresford, 1st Baron Beresford] (1846-1919), British admiral [Sir Richard Temple (1826-1902); General Sir Henry Ramsay (1816-1893)]
Publication details: 
7 November 1888; on letterhead of 100 Eaton Square, S.W. [London]
£56.00

See the entries for Beresford and Temple in the Oxford DNB (in an unfortunate omission, Ramsay - ‘The King of Kumaon’ - is not represented in that work). 3pp, 12mo. Ruckled, with second leaf laid down on a piece of card, and damage along the gutter repaired with archival tape. Twenty-nine lines of text. Signed ‘Charles Beresford’. He has received ‘a long explanatory letter from General Sir Henry Ramsey [sic] containing the explanation of a grievance by which he has lost £300 a year since 1884.

[Anthony Asquith, British film director.] Signed Autograph Inscription to Louis Frewen, of rHodes Hose Library, autograph collector..

Author: 
Anthony Asquith ['Puffin'] (1902-1968), film director ('The Winslow Boy', 'The Browning Version', 'Pygmalion') and aesthete, son of Liberal Prime Minister H. H. Asquith and socialite Margot Asquith
Asquith
Publication details: 
December 1931. No place.
£45.00
Asquith

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, with light dabs of glue from mount on reverse. On 11.5 x 9 cm card with rounded edges. Clearly in response to a request for an autograph, he writes: 'For Louis Frewen / with all good wishes / from / Anthony Asquith / December 1931'.

[‘Ellis Peters’, pseudonym of Edith Pargeter, author of the ‘Brother Cadfael’ crime novels.] Autograph Signature, with pseudonym: ‘Edith Pargeter. / ‘Ellis Peters’.’

Author: 
‘Ellis Peters’, pseudonym of Edith Mary Pargeter (1913-1995), author of the ‘Brother Cadfael’ crime novels
Ellis Peters
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£85.00
Ellis Peters

On one side of a 12.5 x 8.5 cm piece of thin white card. Clearly given in response to a request for an autograph. Written in a large somewhat old-fashioned hand, with ‘Edith Pargeter.’ centred towards the head of the page, and ‘‘Ellis Peters’.’ at bottom right. See image.

[Oxford Etonian Club] Broadsheet headed 'RULES OF THE OXFORD ETONIAN CLUB.'

Author: 
The Oxford Etonian Club [Eton College; Old Etonians]
Publication details: 
Oxford. 1872. ['Revised October, 1857; November, 1858; February, 1863; May, 1864; and May, 1872.']
£220.00

Printed in two columns in black and red on one side of a piece of paper seventeen and a half inches by eleven and a quarter wide. Foxed and with a few very small closed tears at points along crease lines. Thirty-six rules, listed under sections headed 'THE EXECUTIVE', 'GENERAL MEETINGS', 'MOTIONS', 'ELECTION OF MEMBERS', 'PAYMENT OF SUBSCRIPTIONS, &C.', 'HONORARY MEMBERS', 'ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE', 'DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT', 'DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY', 'DUTIES OF THE AUDITOR', 'BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS, &C.', 'MISCELLANEOUS' and 'CLUB DINNER'.

[Sir St Clair Thomson, surgeon and Professor of Laryngology at King’s College, London.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘St Clair Thomson’), declining to visit the Mansion House, but offering two guineas towards a subscription.

Author: 
Sir St Clair Thomson (1859-1943), surgeon and Professor of Laryngology at King’s College, London, and throat physician to King Edward VII
Publication details: 
25 January 1915; on letterhead of 64 Wimpole Street, W. [London] (‘TELEGRAMS “GLOTTIS, LONDON.”’)
£38.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. The recipient’s name is uncertain (‘Knight Sladen’?) He is sorry that he is prevented from ‘coming to the Mansion House on Wedy’ by ‘the demands of practice’. The subject has his sympathy, ‘and, else, 2 Guineas if there is a subscription list & if small amounts be accepted’. He wonders whether his ticket might be used ‘by a patriotic sister & a friend!’ He asks him to simply send a post card ‘to say I may substitute their names for mine’.

[Sir Hubert von Herkomer, painter, film director and composer.] Autograph Note Signed (‘Hubert Herkomer’), asking for details of ‘your Ramblers’ before a visit from them.

Author: 
Sir Hubert von Herkomer [originally Hubert Herkomer] (1849-1914) German-born British painter, pioneering film director and composer
Publication details: 
28 February 1891; on letterhead of Dyreham, Bushy, Herts.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, but a little brittle and discoloured (unobtrusive repair to one corner with archival tape). The recipient is not named. Reads: ‘Dear Sirs / I shall be pleased to see your Ramblers June the 6th. Let me know details of them & numbers a week before. / Yours truly / Hubert Herkomer’.

[Richard Ingrams, journalist, founder of ‘Private Eye’ and the ‘Oldie’.] Autograph Card Signed to ‘Mr Kinnane’ (manuscript dealer John A. Kinnane), regarding ‘the interesting Cobbett item’, an Elgar postcard, and his interest in G. K. Chesterton.

Author: 
Richard Ingrams [Richard Reid Ingrams] (born 1937), journalist and author, co-founder and second editor of the satirical magazine Private Eye, and founder and editor of The Oldie [John A. Kinnane]
Publication details: 
24 February 1984; on his letterhead, Forge House, Aldworth, near Reading.
£25.00

On both sides of a 14.5 x 10.5 cm plain postcard. In good condition, with large firm signature ‘Richard Ingrams’. He thanks him for ‘the interesting Cobbett item’ and would like ‘your Elgar postcard’ if available. Ends: ‘Enclose cheque. Cobbett always welcome. Also G. K. Chesterton.’ Ingram had published an anthology of Cobbett in 1974, and would publish a biography of him in 2005, and a book on Chesterton in 2021.

[Lord Roberts of Kandahar, Boer War commander.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Fred Roberts’) to Sir Richard Temple, explaining how he proposes to obtain preferment for Temple’s son.

Author: 
Lord Roberts [Frederick Sleigh Roberts; Field Marshal Earl Roberts of Kandahar, V.C.] (1832-1914), Boer War commander [Sir Richard Temple (1826-1902); his son Sir Richard Carnac Temple (1850-1931)]
Publication details: 
14 June 1889; Simla. On letterhead of the ‘Commander in Chief in India’.
£56.00

See the entries for the two men in the Oxford DNB, as well as that of the subject of the letter, Sir Richard Temple’s eldest son Captain Richard Carnac Temple (1850-1931), the future second baronet. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Aged, with the gutter repaired with archival tape, and the reverse of the second leaf adhering to part of its mount. Headed ‘Private’ and addressed to ‘Dear Sir Richard’.

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