CHILDHOOD

[Juvenile ephemera: Punch and Judy, Conjuring, Ventriloquism, Shadow Pictures.] Attractive illustrated handbill advertisement for ‘One Hour of Laughter’, ‘Entertainments for Children arranged by James Portland, The Childrens’ Entertainment Expert’.

Author: 
Juvenile ephemera: Punch and Judy, Conjuring, Ventriloquism, Shadow Pictures; James Portland (fl. 1919), The Childrens' [sic] Entertainment Expert, London
children
Publication details: 
No date, but from around the time of the First World War. James Portland, The Childrens' [sic] Entertainment Expert, 39, Sinclair Road, Kensington, W 14. [London]
£220.00
children

An attractive piece of juvenile ephemera, printed in black on one side of a piece of 23.5 x 36.5 cm wove paper. In good condition, folded twice. The document is excessively scarce, no other copy having been traced, and little has been learnt about the advertiser. In 1919 Punch carried an advertisement for ‘Punch and Judy, Conjuring, Ventriloquism, &c.’ from ‘James Portland, the Conjuror and Children’s Entertainer’. Four years later the ‘Model Engineer’ carried several advertisements from Portland as a supplier of ebonite.

[E. V. Knox, editor of Punch.] Untitled Autograph Essay criticising parenting in 'the age of the child', and 'old men' behaving like 'toddlers'.

Author: 
E. V. Knox [Edmund George Valpy Knox; pen-name 'Evoe'] (1881-1971), editor of Punch, 1932-1949, essayist, poet and humorist
Publication details: 
Without place and date. [London, 1930s or 1940s?]
£120.00

See Knox's entry in the Oxford DNB, along with those of his father and three brothers. 8pp, 4to. Paginated and complete; on eight leaves held together with a rusting paperclip. In fair condition, aged and creased. A fair copy, with occasional emendations. There is no indication that this essay was published. A polished piece of writing by an accomplished essayist, lightly humorous but with serious intent, Knox's aim being to put forward the view that modern childhood is more self-indulgent than that of previous generations, and results is the self-deceit of adults who have never grown up.

[Christopher Fry edits and contributes to] Seven numbers of 'Springboard | The Barnardo Magazine for Schools'

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright [Dr. Barnardo's Homes [National Incorporated Association for the Reclamation of Destitute Waif Children], British charity founded in 1866]
Publication details: 
Dr. Barnardo's Homes, Stepney Causeway, E1 [London]. Seven numbers: Vol.1 No.2 (Winter 1935); Vol.1 No.3 (Spring 1936); Vol.1 No.4 (Summer 1936); Vol.1 No.5 (Winter 1936); Vol.1 No.6 (Spring 1937); Vol.3 No.1 (Summer 1939); Vol.3 No.3 (Spring 1940).
£320.00

Seven volumes, the first three in 4to, the last four small 4to, ranging in length from 32pp to 44pp. Each stapled into coloured printed wraps, the first six carrying a stylised drawing of a boy doing a jump (from a springboard). In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, with rusted staples. Each volume is filled with prose, poetry, illustration and photographs by a number of different contributors, including pieces taken from public school magazines. The only unattributed items are the book reviews, which are clearly the work of Fry himself.

[James Sant, RA, portrait painter.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Jas: Sant') to 'Miss Nolan', requesting to see the daughter of 'Mrs Horsfall', whom he has arranged to paint.

Author: 
James Sant (1820-1916), RA, portrait painter noted for his images of women and children, and studies of childhood
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 43 Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, W. [London] 10 May [no year].
£50.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Presumably written to the governess of a child he had arranged to paint. Reads: 'Madam | I have Mrs. Horsfall's permission to ask if you could make it convenient that I should see her little daughter tomorrow at ¼ past 2 oC – for the purposes of arranging sittings for her portrait.'

[ The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, London. ] Printed handbill advertisement for a ball, listing the Patronesses, Lady Stewards and Stewards.

Author: 
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, founded in London in 1875 [ Eric Forbes-Robertson (1865-1935), artist and actor, brother of Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson (1853-1937) ]
Publication details: 
The ball to be 'held in St. Martin's Town Hall, Trafalgar Square, in aid of The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, on Friday, the 1st day of February, 1895.'
£28.00

2pp., small 4to. Printed in black and red ink on the rectos of the two leaves of a bifolium. The heading and the words 'Tickets 15s. each' at the foot of the page in gothic type, the rest in roman. The names of 23 'Patronesses' given in two columns on the first page, beginning with 'The Countess of Ancaster' and ending with 'Mrs. Alfred Scott-Gatty'. The names of 24 'Steward' in a column on the second page, beginning with 'Harold Bompas, Esq.' and ending with 'Roland Vaughan Williams, Esq.' At foot of second page: 'Tickets can be procured from the Hon. Mrs.

Manuscript volume titled 'The Life and Adventures of Walter Venning Southgate, by his Father [the London auctioneer Henry Southgate].' Containing original manuscript letters, drawings, engravings and other material.

Author: 
Henry Southgate (1818-1888), London auctioneer with premises in the Strand, and anthologist; his son Walter Venning Southgate (b. 1844, fl. 1884)
Publication details: 
Manuscript title date 'London. MDCCCXLIV [1844]', but containing material from between 1844 and 1883.
£450.00

Folio, 110 pp, comprising [i] + 68 + [ii] + 39 pp. Handsome volume in slipcase, tight and internally in very good condition, on lightly-aged thick Whatman paper. Well bound in black leather morocco, all edges gilt. Binding blind-tooled and with 'Early Days' and 'W. V. S.' in gilt on spine and motto on front board: 'Nourish the sentiments thy principles approve and put thy trust and confidence in God.' Binding worn and rebacked, in worn black cloth slipcase.

[ Thomas Keyworth, Congregational minister and author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos Keyworth') to George Offor, describing a circumstance relating to the use of tablets by children in 'our school'.

Author: 
Thomas Keyworth (1782-1852), author, Congregational minister, and philanthropist [ George Offor (1787-1864), literary editor and book collector
Publication details: 
[ Sleaford, Lincolnshire. ] No date [ 1840s? ].
£125.00

3pp., 4to. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr Offor | NB Please to pay the Twopenny Postage of the Letter to 169 Fleet St & charge it in my account.' Docketted 'Mr Keyworth. | Sleaford'.

[ Thomas Hughes, author of 'Tom Brown's Schooldays'. ] Autograph Signature on part of letter.

Author: 
Thomas Hughes (1822-1896), English lawyer and judge, author of 'Tom Brown's Schooldays'
Publication details: 
Place not stated. [ 1873. ]
£25.00

On 3.5 x 16.5 cm piece of paper, cut from the end of a letter. Ruckled and lightly stained, with small closed tear (not affecting signature). Good firm signature. Reads: 'Kindest regards to your wife | Ever most truly yours | Thos Hughes'. At bottom left: '1873'. Same year printed on reverse, which carries more autograph text by Hughes, written at right angles to the text on the other side.

[Printed pamphlet by the Children's Branch, Home Office, Whitehall.] Retarded and Mentally Defective Children.

Author: 
S. W. Harris [Children's Branch, Home Office, Whitehall, London]
Publication details: 
Children's Branch, Home Office, Whitehall, S.W.1. [London] 27 January 1926.
£30.00

6pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, with two slight rust stains from staple. Shelfmarks, stamp and label of the Board of Education Reference Library. Divided into five sections: Causes of Incapacity; Importance of early recognition of Mental Defect; Definition of Mental Defect, under the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913; Methods of dealing with mentally defective children; Procedure. No copy found on COPAC or OCLC WorldCat.

[Printed leaflet.] Helps and Hindrances of Deaf Children in Acquiring Speech and Language at the Natural Age.

Author: 
Mary S. Garrett, Principal, Co-Founder and a Trustee of the Home for the Training in Speech of Deaf Children before they are of school age, Belmont and Monument Aves., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Publication details: 
Read before First International Congress in America on the Welfare of the Child. Washington, D.C., March 10 to 17, 1908.
£30.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition on aged and lightly-worn paper. With shelfmark, stamp and label of the Board of Education Library, London.

[Printed report in 'The Social Survey'.] Children Out of School. An inquiry into the leisure interests and activities of children out of school hours carried out for the Central Advisory Council for Education (England) in November-December 1947.

Author: 
Joy C. Ward [The Social Survey, Central Office of Information, London; Central Advisory Council for Education (England)]
Publication details: 
N.S.110. Central Office of Information [London]. ('Crown Copyright Reserved'.) June 1948.
£120.00

76pp., foolscap 8vo. Includes one fold-out leaf. Internally in good condition, on aged paper. In worn and chipped orange card wraps. With shelfmarks, stamp and label of the Board of Education Reference Library, London. Divided into the main headings: The Problem of Children's Play; How Much Spare Time?; Clubs and Organisations; Games and Sports; The Cinema and the Radio; Reading and Other Hobbies; What Do Children Like Doing Best? A smaller (and earlier?) version of a 90-page item published with the same title and date, but with the author's name given as 'Joyce Ward'.

[Printed report in 'The Social Survey'.] Children Out of School. An inquiry into the leisure interests and activities of children out of school hours carried out for the Central Advisory Council for Education (England) in November-December 1947.

Author: 
Joyce Ward [The Social Survey, Central Office of Information, London; Central Advisory Council for Education (England)]
Publication details: 
New Series110. Central Office of Information [London]. ('Crown Copyright Reserved'.) June 1948.
£120.00

90pp., foolscap 8vo. Includes extra leaf stapled in to make a fold-out. Internally in good condition, on aged paper. Author's 'Introduction' printed on inside front cover. In worn and chipped orange card wraps with damaged spine. With shelfmarks, stamp and label of the Board of Education Reference Library, London. Divided into the main headings: The Problem of Children's Play; How Much Spare Time?; Clubs and Organisations; Games and Sports; The Cinema and the Radio; Reading and Other Hobbies; What Do Children Like Doing Best?

[Printed parliamentary paper.] Employment of Children Act Committee. Report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Children Act, 1903, appointed by His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department [H. J. Gladstone].

Author: 
[Employment of Children Act; British parliamentary report, 1903; House of Commons; child labour; street trading]
Publication details: 
Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Ltd., Printers to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. [10 September 1910.]
£50.00

23pp., foolscap 8vo. Stitched. On aged and worn paper, with short closed tear to first leaf at foot of spine. Shelfmarks, stamp and label of the Board of Education Reference Library, London. Purple stamp on reverse of first leaf: '10 SEP 1910'. Divided into three sections: Warrants of Appointment; Majority Report; Minority Report. The 'Majority Report' section under the following main headings: Origin and Course of Inquiry; General Results of the Investigation; Remedies and Recommendations; Summary of Recommendations and Conclusions. A large part of the document discusses 'Street Trading'.

[Pamphlet.] The Next Steps in Elementary Education from the Point of View of the Children. A Paper read at the Church Congress, Nottingham, September, 1897.

Author: 
Ven. J. M. Wilson, M.A., Archdeacon of Manchester
Publication details: 
Reprinted from the official report of the Church Congress, by Hemrose and Sons, Limited, Derby and London. [1897.]
£60.00

9pp., 8vo. Unbound. With stamp, shelfmarks and labels of the Board of Education Reference Library, otherwise in good condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper. Scarce: no copy in the British Library or on COPAC.

[James Sully, pioneer psychologist.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to the publishers W. Swan Sonnenschein & Co., regarding his editing of a translation of Bernard Perez's 'First three Years of Childhood'.

Author: 
James Sully (1842-1923), English pioneer psychologist and philosopher [Bernard Perez (1836-1903)]
Publication details: 
The first letter from The Warren, Crockham Hill, near Edinburgh, 7 May 1884; the second from Holywood House, Hampstead, NW [London], 31 March 1886; the third from Hampstead, 6 April 1886.
£320.00

The three items in good condition, on aged paper. The second letter is addressed to 'Messrs Sonnenschein & Co', and from the context the other two are clearly to the same recipients.ONE: 2pp., 12mo. He states that he would be 'willing to edit Perez's work provided that the translation is well done & that only a general revision of it is necessary', and that he 'could not undertake to correct a faulty piece of work'. He asks the publishers to send him the manuscript, 'so that I may judge, together with a copy of the original', and asks for their terms.

[Presentation copy of a printed pamphlet containing a poem on the death of his young daughter.] Pattie's Christmas Tree. By J. A. Langford, LL.D.

Author: 
J. A. Langford, LL.D. [John Alfred Langford (1823-1903); the Herald Press, Birmingham]
Publication details: 
Printed for private circulation. 1892. [Printed by Wright, Dain, Peyton & Co., at the Herald Press, Birmingham]
£80.00

[2] + 8 + [1] pp., small (18 x 14 cm.) 4to. Sewn with green ribbon into white wraps, with 'Pattie's Christmas Tree' in gilt on front. In good condition, with the wraps slightly sunned in panels. Inscribed at head of title-page 'With kind regards'. The pamphlet contains a single poem titled 'Pattie's Christmas Tree', printed on eight pages each with decorative border in gilt. Printer's slug on revers of title, and colophon on last page. The beginning and end of the poem indicate the theme.

'Children's Book' in the autograph of Edith Louisa Henderson-Begg, wife of Rev. Canon William Henderson-Begg of Edinburgh, filled with information on the childhood of her three sons Robert John, Colin and Alec, with letters by them and photographs.

Author: 
Edith Louisa Henderson-Begg [née Cornish], wife of Rev. William Henderson-Begg (1877-1934), Rector of St Paul's and Canon of Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh [their sons Robert John, Colin and Alec]
Publication details: 
St Mary's Rectory, Edinburgh, Scotland. The notebook contains entries dating from January 1911 to June 1926.
£250.00

43pp., 12mo. Closely written in a ruled black cloth notebook, titled on first page 'CHILDREN'S BOOK'. Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper; torn scraps of paper adhering to the waxed cloth covers. Containing such information as date and time of birth, weight of child, name of doctor and 'nurse-housemaid', teething ('R. J.s first eye-tooth'), first walk, first words ('R. J. said ("I'm a pe-pe" - this probably only imitation; since called himself Baby).

[Printed sheet music for children.] Récréations de l'Enfance. Recueil de Rondes avec Jeux et de Petites Chansons pour fair jouer, danser et chanter les enfants avec un accompagnement de piano très-facile.

Author: 
Charles Lebouc [French children's songs]
Publication details: 
Troisième édition, revue et corrigée. Paris: E. Heu, éditeur, 10, Rue de la Chaussée-d'Antin. Propriété pour la France et l'etranger. [Circa 1866.]
£280.00

[6] + 36pp., 8vo. In original yellow printed wraps. Title carries illustration by Fouget. Inscribed, at head of title, 'To "The Bairns" from Mr. ', 8 February 1866. Lightly-aged, with slight damp staining, in worn wraps. Clearly printed with simple musical scores, including such classics as 'Frère Jacques' and 'Sur le Pont d'Avignon'.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Sybil Mc.Donnell') from Lady Sybil Mary McDonnell, daughter of the 6th Earl of Antrim, to Cecily Parker of Chester, discussing their autograph collections, and enclosing a caricature of her French teacher 'Tottie'.

Author: 
Lady Sybil Mary McDonnell (1876-1959), daughter of William Randall McDonnell (1851-1918), 6th Earl of Antrim, and from 1897 wife of Vivian Hugh Smith, 1st Baron Bicester
Publication details: 
Both on letterheads of Glenarm Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. 'Friday' and 'Sunday' [both in envelope postmarked 29 May 1891].
£80.00

Entertaining letters reflecting the privileged childhood of a member of the Irish nobility in the late Victorian period. Both in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in aged envelope, with stamps and postmarks, addressed to 'Miss C. Parker | The Paddocks | Eccleston | Chester'. Letter One: 'Friday'. 1p., 12mo. She is sending 'some autographs which Mother gave me' (not present), and has 'put whoose [sic] they are on their backs in pencil'. She has 'no time to write now' as she is 'going out riding'.

[Printed illustrated brochure.] The Camphill Village Trust. [With mimeographed typed appeal, on Trust letterhead.]

Author: 
[The Camphill Village Trust Ltd, 'A Working Community for the Handicapped'; Ursula Gleed, Hon. Sec.; The Botton Hall Estate, Danby, Whitby, North East Yorkshire]
Publication details: 
Brochure issued by the Council of The Camphill Village Trust Limited, London. No date [1950s]. Appeal on Trust letterhead. Dated July 1955.
£120.00

Brochure: 4pp., 4to. Bifolium, printed in green and brown on yellow paper. With four photographs of children. Fair, on lightly-worn paper, with vertical crease to second leaf. Requesting help for 'Houses Workshops Farms': 'Are they not human beings like us? | Do they not all have similar rights? | Do they not deserve to live a life filled with work, duty and pleasure?' Mimeographed typed appeal: 3pp., 4to. On two leaves of paper stapled together by a corner. Headed 'The Botton Hall Estate, Danby, Whitby, North East Yorkshire'.

Anonymous album containing 29 quarto pages of superior ink drawings of teddy bears and other stuffed toys in cartoonish and anthropomorphic style.

Author: 
[An album of strikingly original illustrations of teddy bears]
An album of strikingly original illustrations of teddy bears
Publication details: 
The album dates from the 1930s; the drawings are undated, and would appear to be slightly later.
£250.00
An album of strikingly original illustrations of teddy bears

4to album, with the 29 pages of drawings on 28 leaves (on the rectos, except on one leaf, where they are on both sides). The album gives evidence of having been re-used, but gives no evidence as to the identity of the artist. While the covers of the album are worn, with the spine becoming detached, and with its leaves of discoloured high-acidity paper, all the drawings are clear and complete, consisting of twenty-eight full-page studies, and the remaining page (the first) with three studies on it. A few of the illustrations are lightly- and tastefully-coloured in pastel watercolour.

Les vacances de Lumineux petit cheval de cirque.

Author: 
Cécile Aubry
Publication details: 
Paris: Éditions Émile-Paul Frères, 14 Rue de L'Abbaye, VI. 1955.
£60.00

PRESENTATION COPY: inscribed on half-title 'Pour Louise | avec mon bien amical souvenir - | Cécile Aubry'. 32 pages, quarto. In printed coloured boards, with decorated endpapers. llustrated by Aubry in colour (one double-page and nine full page) and black and white (five vignettes) and red (final page and endpapers). On the poor side of good, with minor staining, spotting and wear; negligible damp damage to boards.

Dorothy Canfield. A Biographical Note'.

Author: 
Dorothy Canfield Fisher (1879-1958), American novelist, educational reformer and social activist [Vrest Orton]
Publication details: 
Undated [1930s?]. 'Typography by VREST ORTON'.
£225.00

Stapled pamphlet of thirteen pages (dimensions of leaf 15 x 8 cm), in original grey printed wraps. Attractively produced in relatively small print. Small stain to rear wrap, and some spotting to p.12. Inscribed beneath frontispiece photograph of a pensive Canfield at her writing desk, 'With best greetings to Harry from [signed] Dorothy Canfield Fisher'. The final page consists of a list of 'Books By Dorothy Canfield', several of which are scored through in pencil, with the titles of four others added. No copy listed on COPAC, and none listed in the Yale and Harvard catalogues.

Engraving by Reynolds of Birmingham.

Author: 
James Bisset [ nineteenth-century illustrated list of Birmingham toy makers ]
Publication details: 
No date [1800?]; 'Publish'd, by J. Bisset, Museum Birmm. for his Magnificent Directory.'
£85.00

According to the British Library Bisset's Directory was published in 1800. Paper dimensions roughly 5 1/4 inches by 9 inches; print dimensions roughly 4 1/4 inches by 7 inches. In very good condition although somewhat grubby. Paper watermarked '<179?>9 | TMAN'. At head of plate: 'M'. At foot of plate: 'Reynolds. Sct. Birm'.

Typescript, with illustrations, of a children's tale entitled 'A story by patch'.

Author: 
Evaline May Brierly
Publication details: 
[circa 1949]; no place
£100.00

Typed on one side of 86 quarto leaves, the latter leaves paginated and ending with 86. In printed wraps neatly tied with blue ribbon. Somewhat dusty but in good condition overall. According to the British Library catalogue the story was published by Unity Products in 1949. Patch is a dog, and the first few leaves contain eleven charming illustrations his friends, including Scragg, Tatters and Madame Sing-Hi.

Syndicate content