CENTURY

Autograph Letter Signed ('I Begrez') to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Pierre Ignace Begrez (1787-1863), French singer, violinist and composer
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£56.00

One page, 12mo. Very good. 'I shall sing il "Soave e bel contento" [aria by Pacini] and will be happy to take a part in the quintetto[,] you must procure the parts of my song'. May possibly refer to the J. N. Hummel Benefit Concert in London on 29 April 1830, where Pacini's aria was played.

Autograph Signature ('Edward Lugard') on fragment of document.

Author: 
General the Rt Hon Sir Edward Lugard, GCB (1810-98)
Lugard
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00
Lugard

Dimensions of paper roughly one centimetre by six wide. Close-cropped but clear and entire. On aged paper with traces of glue from previous mount on reverse.

Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Frank Clowes (1848-1923), Principal, University College Nottingham, and Professor of Chemistry and Metallurgy
Publication details: 
6 January 1915; on letterhead 'THE GRANGE, | COLLEGE ROAD, | DULWICH.'
£23.00

One page, 12mo. Good. Docketed and bearing the Society's stamp. Concerns 'Sir Alexander Redler's being brought up by Crookes for election to the Athenaeum by the Committee under Rule II [...] you [...] intimated that you knew Redler & that I need not descant on his virtues: he is a most clubbable man & I trust you may be able to support him'.

A List of the Wardens Assistants and Livery of The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London.

Author: 
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London.
Publication details: 
London; 1859 [carried on in manuscript to 1862].
£180.00

12mo. In original worn red morocco binding, gilt, with loose front free endpaper. Good, with EXTENSIVE MANUSCRIPT CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS. Eight blank leaves bound in front and back, on which are laid down forty-nine illustrations of arms of London livery companies, each approximately one and a half inches square, and apparently dating from the mid-eighteenth century.

Catalogue of Books for sale at the annexed prices', numbers 49 (Jan. 1873) to 72 (Dec. 1874); with 'The American Bibliopolist', vols. 5 and 6 (New York, Jan. 1873 to Dec. 1874); and incomplete 'Catalogue of Standard English Books' (undated).

Author: 
J. Sabin & Sons [Joseph Sabin (1821-81), Anglo-American bookseller]; Robert Clarke & Co., Cincinnati
Publication details: 
J. Sabin & Sons, Publishers, 84 Nassau Street, New York. 14 York Street, Covent Garden, London. 1873.
£250.00

All items octavo. All in good condition, on aged paper, bound together in heavily-worn contemporary half-calf. Ownership inscription of the art dealer Faris C. Pitt on front free endpaper. The various issues of the 'Catalogue of Books' vary in length from eight pages to twenty-eight.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Miss Lees'.

Author: 
Alice Law (born 1886), English poet
Publication details: 
No date (circa 1925?); on letterhead of the Lyceum Club, 128 Piccadilly, London.
£25.00

Two pages, 12mo. Very good on aged paper, with small closed tear at head not affecting text. Appears to concern an exhibition of women painters. Wants to 'personally thank' her for 'the privilege of having seen the International & in particular, your charming pictures. 'Early Morning' has quite carried away my heart! But the others are very fine. it must be so difficult, & so interesting to paint grey darkness. [...] Nothing of Miss Lister's there having in my opinion come up to her 'Builth Bridge' which we have. [...] Next to it I like 'A lonely Tree'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Florence Warden') to the actor and dramatist Wybert Reeve.

Author: 
Florence Warden (pseudonym of Florence Alice Price James, 1857-1929), English novelist
Publication details: 
17 May 1904; Beach House, Islandgate.
£36.00

Four pages, 12mo. Very good, with unobtrusive remains of stub along one edge. In interesting letter discussing the state of the English stage. Her tardy response is due to 'pressure of work". 'What you say about the present condition of the stage is only too true.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Adelaide Phillpotts') to 'Miss Hall'.

Author: 
Mary Adelaide Eden Phillpotts (1896-1996), English author (daughter of Eden Phillpotts)
Publication details: 
21 March 1927; Eltham, Torquay, South Devon.
£28.00

Two pages, quarto. Very good, with a little wear and light creasing. 'I often think of those days, & how timid & shy & stupid I was! Yet I enjoyed myself too, & shall never forget your great kindness, & the help you gave me. Since then I've had many adventures & experiences. I am not the thing I was!' She has been in London for the winter, and hopes they will be able to meet. 'We're so glad you like "Yellow Sands" - & I'm very pleased you like "Tomek". She has 'just finished another novel & play'. Asks what has become of a number of common acquaintances.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Lena Ashwell
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

Classical actress and theatre manager (1872-1957), later Lady Simson. The signature is 2½ inches long, on a piece of grey paper, with one crease but otherwise in good condition. The paper is mounted on a piece of card which is neatly docketed, 'Lena Ashwell | now | Lady Simson 1925 | Actress | famous in | [...] | Appointed Office of the Order of the British Empire for valuable work in providing concerts at the front and at Home during the Great War'.

Typed Letter Signed ('P. Morley Horder') to W. Perry, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Percy Richard Morley Horder (1870-1944), English architect
Publication details: 
3 March 1931; on letterhead 5 Arlington Street, St. James's.
£23.00

One page, 12mo. Very good; lightly creased with staple holes to one corner. 'I beg you to publish the letter which I have addressed to the Journal. There is no point in withholding it.' Horder, who designed Lloyd George's house, as well as Mallory Court and Greys, is, according to one authority, 'one of a group of early twentieth century architects who were highly influential in re-introducing the romantic vernacular styles of the Elizabethan period. Many of his homes were in the style of Edwin Lutyens, having gables, stone dressings, mullioned windows and inglenooks.'

Certificate in favor of R. Battley | Elected a Fellow 9 Nov 1827', signed by Frost, Yarrell and William Newman

Author: 
Richard Battley (1770-1856), English chemist; William Yarrell (1784-1856), English zoologist; John Frost (1803-40), founder of the Medico-Botanical Society.
Publication details: 
London; 12 October 1827.
£85.00

One page, roughly eleven inches by eight. On aged paper, with fraying to extremites affecting one word of text. 'Richard Battley Esqre. of Fore Street Cripplegate a Gentleman very conversant in several branches of science particularly Vegetable Chemistry and Pharmacy being desirous of becoming a Fellow of the Medico Botanical Society of London | We whose names are hereunto subscribed do recommend him as highly deserving of that honor & likely to pr an useful and valuable member.' Signed 'J Frost', 'Wm. Yarrell' and 'Wm. Newman'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Mark Batten') to J. Samson, Registrar, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Mark Wilfrid Batten (1905-1993), English sculptor and stone carver
Publication details: 
6 May 1960; on letterhead 'CHRISTIAN'S RIVER DALLINGTON HEATHFIELD SUSSEX'.
£28.00

One page, quarto. Very good, with staple holes in one corner. He thanks Samson for his letter 'about the enquiry from the Esso Petroleum Company concerning a sculptured commemorative tablet. I should be pleased to take part in any limited competition for this project and could carry out the work this year if I were commissioned to do so within the scheme of my existing commitments.' The context is explained by an accompanying photocopy of a carbon of a typed letter (one page, quarto) of 5 May 1960 from Samson to the sculptor Professor R. Y.

Autograph Letter Signed to Fanny [Brough].

Author: 
Amy Mayhew [daughter of the journalist Henry Mayhew (1812-87)]
Publication details: 
Undated; on letterhead '22, Berners Street. | W.'
£28.00

Three pages, 12mo. Very good. The letterhead, in red, carries Mayhew's crest, with his initials 'HM' and motto 'LABOR VINCIT'. An insight into doings within the Mayhew family. As her correspondent has 'not been here', she is concerned that she 'must have offended you in some way or another'.

Autograph Letter Signed to [Edward] Draper.

Author: 
Henry Sambrooke Leigh (1837-83), English dramatist [THE SAVAGE CLUB]
Publication details: 
16 July 1879; on letterhead of the Savage Club, Adelphi Terrace, W.C.
£38.00

One page, 12mo. Very good, if a tad grubby. Thanks Draper for his 'amiable but unconvincing' note. 'Do you not know that I was irritated into bad language by being accused of "d - d impertinence? This, too, before I said a discourteous word. - Goodman [the writer Edward John Goodman], of course, rules the Committee [of the Savage Club] and even you have listened to the voice of that Israelitish charmer.' Concludes 'Mais n'importe. Either this evening or tomorrow I send in my resignation. I will neither apologize, nor renew the matter in cold blood.' Signed 'Henry S. Leigh'.

Signed Printed Exchequer Receipt, with Manuscript insertions.

Author: 
Jane, Countess Dowager of Bridgewater [nee Lady Jane Paulet], widow of John Egerton, 3rd Earl of Bridgewater (1646–1701)
Publication details: 
16/04/05
£68.00

One page. Paper dimensions roughly fourteen inches by nine and a half inches. Good, with cream paper backing. 'Received then by me [Jane Countess Dowager of Bridgewater ass[ign] of Charles Bertie Esqr] [...] Of [James Vernon Esqr] One of the Four Tellers of the Receipt of His Majesty's Exchequer, the Sum of [Threescore pounds] being for [Twenty ffour] Months Interest of [ffive Hundred Pounds] [...]'. Signed 'J Bridgewater'. Witnessed by 'J Peirce'.

Printed Exchequer Receipt, with Manuscript insertions, and Autograph Signature, for three months' annuity.

Author: 
Lady Ann Sylvius [nee Howard] [Anne Sylvius] [wife of the English diplomat Sir Gabriell Silvius] [Gabriel de Silvius]
Publication details: 
22/01/17
£56.00

One page. Dimensions of paper roughly eight inches by six and three-quarters. Trimmed but with no loss to text. Very good on aged paper. 'Received by me [Lady Anne Silvius] Of the Honourable Richard Hampden Esq; One of the Four Tellers of His Majesty's Receipt of Exchequer, the Sum of [Fifty pounds] in full of all former Directions, and for Three Months Annuity, due at [Xmas] last past, of [200] Pounds per Annum'. Signed 'Ann: Sylvius', and with the signature [slightly trimmed] of 'Eliz Jones'.

Printed Receipt, with Manuscript Insertions, Signed by the 2nd Marquess, for rent on two Mayfair properties.

Author: 
Richard Grosvenor (1795-1869), 2nd Marquess of Westminster [Grosvenor Estate Office; Mayfair; Richard Jones]
Grosvenor
Publication details: 
Grosvenor Estate Office, 9 Davies Street, Grosvenor Square; 30 March 1849.
£45.00
Grosvenor

One page. Roughly nine inches by four. Aged and creased, with one small closed tear and one spike hole (neither affecting text, which is clear and complete). An attractive document, embossed with a government one shilling stamp, and bearing the Westminster coat of arms, supported by two dogs, engraved by Warrington, 27 Strand, in top left-hand corner. Reads (MS additions in square brackets): '[Imp: Hopkinson] | Grosvenor Estate Office, | 9, Davies Street, Grosvenor Square | Received the [March 30th] 184[9] of [Richard Jones Esqr.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr. Woodward'.

Author: 
Eliot O'Hara (1890-1969), American watercolour artist
Publication details: 
March 12? 1936' [deleted] 'Thursday'; 10 East Taylor St, Savannah Gardens.
£125.00

Three pages, small octavo. Good, though a little aged. He is having an exhibition of his 'new Mexican things [...] and teaching a small class' in Savannah. He is pleased that Woodward is going to Chapel Hill ('They need a breath of fresh air.'). The rest of the letter consists of an interesting assessment of the artistic situation in the area, beginning, 'In N.

Autograph Letter Signed, in French, to Monsieur Van Santen.

Author: 
William Roberts (1767-1849), editor of the 'British Review'
Publication details: 
Without date or place [but before 1811?].
£38.00

One page, 12mo. Very good. He presents his correspondent with 'deux petits ouvrages sortis de ma plume'. The first was mentioned by 'Mr. Burgess' and the second is 'un petit traite qui a eu le bonheur il y a quelques ans de remporter le prix annuel dans l'Universite d'Oxford'. Signed 'Willm. Roberts'. In a postscript asks to be recommended to any acquaintances Van Santen may have 'a Rotterdam Anvers ou Bruxelles'. Address, with broken wafer, on second leaf of bifolium. Roberts is perhaps best remembered for the controversy brought on by a passage in Byron's 'Don Juan'.

Printed Exchequer Receipt for fifty pounds, 'for Six Months Annuity, due 5 July last past, of One Hundred Pounds' on the life of 'Margarett Mary Reeves'.

Author: 
Henry Digby (d.1793), 1st Earl Digby, 7th Baron Digby
Publication details: 
12 July 1762; [London].
£56.00

One page, folio. Aged and with fraying to extremities and some repair to blank verso. Text clear and complete, except for a couple of letters shaved in right-hand margin. With signatures of witnesses William Digby and Daniel Cummine. Signed 'Digby'.

Autograph Signature on fragment of document.

Author: 
Sir John Pratt (1657-1725), Lord Chief Justice of England
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£33.00

Dimensions of paper roughly five inches by three-quarters of an inch. Signed 'John Pratt' between writing in a seventeenth-century chancery hand. Docketed with biographical details in a minute nineteenth-century hand, and enclosed in a piece of paper with further biographical details in another nineteenth-century hand.

Printed Exchequer Receipt, with Manuscript Additions, and Autograph Signature, for 'the Sum of twelve pounds ten Shillings [...] 3 Months Annuity, due at Midsumer last past, of 50 Pounds per Annum'.

Author: 
Lewis Watson (1655-1724), 1st Earl of Rockingham
Publication details: 
2 July 1717; [London].
£105.00

One page, quarto. Aged, trimmed at head and with fraying at foot. 'Received by me the Right Honble. Lewis Lord Rockingham Assignee of Thomas Wentworth'. Witnessed by and with the signatures of George Cradock and Edward Vincent. Signed 'Rockingham'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Locker.

Author: 
Mrs Elizabeth Charles [nee Rundle] (1828-1896), English author
Publication details: 
Thursday | Combe Edge | Hampstead Heath'.
£28.00

Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with some light glue stains on reverse, to which a small printed strip giving a printed list of Mrs Charles's works is attached. 'I was hoping to hear your boy was better - & I am very glad he is - thanks - but I am engaged on Thursday, & for some little time to come - so many people from all quarters coming just now & I hope you may be able to come & see me before very long'. Signed 'Bettie Charles'.

[Gladstone] Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
William Ewart Gladstone (1809-98), British Liberal Prime Minister
Gladstone
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00
Gladstone

Dimensions of paper roughly four and a half inches by one and a quarter. Good, on ruckled and slightly discoloured paper, with traces of glue adhering to reverse. Reads 'Very sincerely yours | W E Gladstone'.

[W.G. Wills] Autograph Letter Signed to 'My dear Scott'.

Author: 
William Gorman Wills (1828-91), Irish dramatist
Publication details: 
No date; on embossed letterhead of the Garrick Club.
£50.00

One page, 12mo. Good, though aged and foxed. 'My best thanks & gratitude for your noble notice | Were you ever in low spirits If so sympathise with me I feel as if I would never wish to be acted again . . Chastelard the first night my god almighty ! ! ! - | Your sincere friend | W G Wills'. Chastelard is a character in Wills's play 'Marie Stuart' (1874).

Part of manuscript list of ships, headed '<...> at this present yeare 1676'.

Author: 
French Navy, 1676 [SAMUEL PEPYS, SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY]
Publication details: 
Without place or watermark.
£1,000.00

On a piece of foxed and discoloured laid paper, dimensions roughly 12 inches by 8 inches. Edges fraying, and with loss to two corners affecting a text and a total of six entries. Cluster of small holes towards one corner, not affecting text. Bearing a circular red stamp, roughly half an inch in diameter, with a central shield surrounded by the words 'FORTE SCUTUM SALUS DUCUM'. Presumably the second of two leaves, with a total of ninety-two ships, numbered 74 to 165, arranged in three columns.

Two Typed Letters Signed, the first to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, the second to S. Digby, R.S.A.

Author: 
Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti
Publication details: 
12 January 1918, on letterhead 'HOLLINWOOD, | LANCASHIRE'; 23 August 1918, on letterhead 'FERRANTI LIMITED, | ELECTRICAL & GENERAL ENGINEERS, | HOLLINWOOD, | LANCASHIRE.'
£95.00

British scientist (1864-1930); patented the Ferranti alternator, 1882; chief electrician to the London Electric Supply Corporation. Both items one page, quarto. Both very good, though dusty; one with small pinholes in one corner. Both bearing the R.S.A. stamp, and one docketed. ITEM ONE: He has received Menzies letter of 11 January, 'from which I note that you are sending me one dozen copies of Mr.

Two Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mr. Perry'[, Secretary?, Royal Society of Arts].

Author: 
Maxwell Ashby Armfield
Publication details: 
22 March and 2 April 1931; the first on letterhead '8 Roland Gardens, London, S.W.7', the second on letterhead of the Greenleaf Theatre
£150.00

British stage designer (died 1971), painter, writer and lecturer. Both items one page, octavo, and very good, though lightly creased. Both signed 'Maxwell Armfield'. LETTER ONE (docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp): He has read the lecture by 'Mr. Davis', 'with great interest [...] our opinions on the subject seem to be identical! I should like to meet him some time if he is an accessible sort of person. [...] a series of such lectures issued as pamphlets with attractive titles would do a great deal towards a better understanding of the problem'.

The Leadenhall Press Sixteenpenny Series. Illustrated Gleanings from the Classics. Numbers 1 to 4.

Author: 
The Leadenhall Press - Field and Tuer
Publication details: 
London: no date[, but 1886-8].
£200.00

4 volumes, 4to, each with a preface by John Oldcastle. Number one: Sir Charles Grandison, 36 pages, 6 illustrations; number two: Solomon Gessner ("The Swiss Theocritus"), 28 pages, 6 illustrations and extra portrait; number three: Thomson's Seasons, 32 pages, 4 illustrations and extra portrait; number four: Tristram Shandy, 28 pages, 6 illustrations. All four numbers replete with attractive vignettes. Only these four numbers were published (vide number four, page 4). Each of the four numbers has an eight-page publishers' catalogue at the end.

Typed Letter Signed ('For the President') to 'A. Francis Stenart [sic], 79, Great King Street, Edinburgh'.

Author: 
The State Office of Statistics, Czechoslovakia
Publication details: 
10 October 1922; Prague. On the Office's letterhead.
£36.00

Two pages, folio. Good, but on discoloured and lightly creased paper, with remains of stub adhering to one edge of verso. In English, with illegible signature. Begins 'The State Office of Statistics appreciating fully the great importance of an exact information of the British publicity of the conditions in the Czechoslovakia has the honour to send you simultaneously her following publications.' Five items listed.

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