CENTURY

Naval officer and Conservative politician (1846-1919), nicknamed 'the member for the navy'. Dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 9 inches. In poor condition: browning and with several closed tears. Reads: 'From the older Charlie to the younger Charlie may all good luck attend you fighting for tariff reform national defence and relief of the unemployed Beresford'.

English equestrian artist (1753-1812). 1 page, 8vo. In poor condition: creased, frayed and torn. He has that morning received from his correspondent's servant 'the sum of sixteen Pounds nine shillings payment for your Pictures'. He will send them 'by the first conveyance' and hopes they will please. 'If any alteration should be necessary should be glad to make it at any time'. Signed 'J. Boultbee'. A postscript states that he has returned 'by your servant the Ballance from the Bill of twenty Pounds'. Docketed on reverse with date of receipt, sum paid to 'J.

Stanhope (1805-1875) was styled Lord Mahon until his father's death in 1855. Signed 'Mahon' on fragment of document (dimensions 3 inches by 4 inches). Ruckled and discoloured as a result of previous mounting. Until 1846 Mahon was Secretary of the Board of Control for India, and the document would appear to be a fragment of a receipt for his salary.

Sydney (1805-1890) became 1st Earl Sydney in 1874. The front part of an envelope, dimensions roughly 3 inches by 8 inches. In good condition, but with traces of previous mounting on otherwise-blank reverse. Circular crested seal in red wax, roughly 1/2 inch in diameter. Reads 'H M S. | The Secretary to the Board of Ordnance | Pall Mall | London | Sydney'.

English sculptor (1788-1867)(DNB), responsible for the Nelson on Nelson's Column. Both letters are discoloured by age, but otherwise in good condition. The first letter is 1 page, 16mo, cropped and mounted on a larger piece of paper. 'My Dear Sir Martin | Absence from Town will I hope be a sufficient apology for my not sooner acknowledging the receipt of your card of invitation for Wednesday next - and to state that I shall have great pleasure dining with you that day.' The second letter is 2 pages, 16mo, heavily discoloured and with remains of four wax mounts in corners and elsewhere.

English politician and wit (1691-1762). Some minor staining but in very good condition overall. Dimensions approximately 2 1/2 inches by 7 1/2. Signed 'Geo: Dodington' beneath, in another hand, 'Recd.

English whig politician (1802-69). 1 page, 12mo. Not in good condition: ruckled, discoloured, with one closed tear and with the remains of brown card mount adhering to the reverse. Magnificently curt. 'Sir | I beg to return your letter and remain | Yr Obednt. Servt | E J Stanley | To prevent any mistake however I may inform you that I have changed my name and am now | Yr Obt Sert | Eddisbury'.

A newspaper cutting attached to the white paper folder in which these items are placed carries a short obituary of Newton, who died 30 April [1854]. The first letter is 1 page, 4to, addressed on reverse, and the second 1 page, 12mo, with address on reverse of second leaf of bifolium. Both grubby but in good condition. Letter 1: 'I am sorry the very stormy morning will not allow me to join my Brother Magistrates in answering the enclosed Queries.

Actor and lessee of the Surrey Theatre (1774-1831; DNB). The recipient is the songwriter and dramatist Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841; DNB). 2¼ inches by 4¼. Creased, grubby and with a closed tear not affecting signature. Reads 'meeting. - | Yrs | Dr Sir | very truly | R W Elliston | To | Thos Dibdin | &c &c &c'.

Captain Charles Dickson Inglis, R.N. (born c.1835; fl. 1898), is best known for his offer in 1887 to buy South Georgia in the Falkland Islands for the purposes of sheep-farming. This collection of his correspondence is neatly bound in a crude octavo volume, and is preceded by a manuscript index by him. Items in good condition overall, with minor discoloration and spotting, mainly caused by the glue used in mounting the photographs. All the letters are 8vo and smaller, several of them being cropped at the head, but with the cropped strips loosely inserted.

Evocative picture with docks to the right viewed through tree branches, and a number of boats and ships clearly visible, with three three-masted ones in the foreground, one sideways on and the two beside it viewed from the bows. Dimensions: 2¼ inches by 3¾ inches. Mounted on a piece of pink board which is docketed on reverse in nineteenth century hand: 'Hudson River. N.Y. from Hoboken Docks.' The picture is a little creased in the bottom left-hand corner and there is minor discolouration due to ink stains and grime.

Medical journalist and reformer (1835-98), editor of the British Medical Journal. 2 pages, 8vo, in good condition, docketed in pencil. The recipient is not the celebrated collector of autographs but a physician of 13 Salisbury Street, Strand. 'I am staying at Weybridge & shall expect to be in town only for an hour on Thursday & shall hardly be able to have the pleasure of seeing your friend, but if you or he should write to me I shall be very glad if I can in anyway be of service to you.'