CORRESPONDENT

[Lady Florence Dixie, Scottish author, traveller, suffragist and war correspondent.] Autograph Signature and conclusion of a letter.

Author: 
Lady Florence Dixie [Lady Florence Caroline Dixie, nee Douglas] (1855-1905), Scottish author, traveller, suffragist and war correspondent
Lady Florence Dixie
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£45.00
Lady Florence Dixie

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. On a 9.5 x 3.5 cm slip of paper, cut from a letter and laid down on a slightly larger slip of card. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads '[...] that we should never think from proclaiming. / Yrs. v. truly / Florence Dixie / (Lady)'. See Image.

[Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, war correspondent whose reporting of the Gallipoli campaign laid the foundation of the ‘Anzac legend’.] Autograph Signature and address extracted from document.

Author: 
E. Ashmead-Bartlett [Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett] (1881-1931), Daily Telegraph war correspondent in the Balkans in the First World War, noted for his reporting of the Gallipoli Campaign [Dardanelles]
Publication details: 
No date. ‘Marlborough Chambers / Jermyn Street’.
£38.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, which states with regard to his reporting of the Dardanelles Campaign that his ‘vivid description of the courage, spirit, and fighting qualities of the soldiers became the foundation of the “Anzac legend”, a key part of popular nationalism in Australia and New Zealand’. In addition Ashmead-Bartlett is responsible for the only extant cinematic footage of the campaign. Strip of paper from the lower part of a leaf, carrying the end of a document, laid down on leaf extracted from album. In fair condition on lightly aged and browned paper.

[Col. Charles Booth Brackenbury, R.A., military historian and Times correspondent.] Autograph Letter Signed to his editor J. T. Delane, on writing and reviewing after the Franco-Prussian war, with claim to have ‘started the Intelligence Department’.

Author: 
Col. Charles Booth Brackenbury, R.A. [C. B. Brackenbury] (1831-1890), military historian and British Army officer in Crimea, and war correspondent [John Thadeus Delane (1817-79), editor of The Times]
Publication details: 
10 April 1874; from Hill Street [Woolwich], on letterhead of Hill House, Woolwich, S.E.
£350.00

An excellent letter, casting light on the relationship between the editor of The Times and a senior correspondent. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. Brackenbury’s states that ‘During the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 Brackenbury was the Times correspondent with the Austrian army, and was at the battle of Königgrätz (Sadowa) — riding with Benedek under fire at Chlum — and reported the naval battle of Lissa.

[‘The most famous newspaper correspondent the world has ever seen': W. H. Russell [Sir William Howard Russell] of The Times.] Autograph Letter Signed, in French, to M. Barbotte, requesting a hotel room, and mentioning the ‘temps terrible’ of 1870.

Author: 
W. H. Russell [Sir William Howard Russell] (1820-1907), pioneering Anglo-Irish journalist, correspondent of The Times in the Crimea and American Civil War, and during the Indian Mutiny
Publication details: 
16 February 1884; 24 Avenue Victor Hugo [Paris], on letterhead of the New Club, Boulevard Malesherbes,
£50.00

According to Russell’s entry in the Oxford DNB, while reporting on the Civil War, he was described by one American newspaper as ‘the most famous newspaper correspondent the world has ever seen'. The inscription on his memorial in St Paul’s Cathedral calls him ‘'the first and greatest of War Correspondents'. He coined the phrase ‘thin red line’, was instrumental in the sending of Florence Nightingale to the Crimea, and is said to have written the report that inspired Tennyson to write ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’.

[Frederick Burnaby, adventurer, balloonist, Times war correspondent, British Army intelligence officer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Fred Burnaby'), requesting that 'Edward' accept an article by a female mountaineer, and referring to Randolph Churchill

Author: 
Frederick Burnaby [Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burnaby] (1842-1885), adventurer, balloonist, Times war correspondent, British Army intelligence officer [Randolph Churchill]
Publication details: 
15 October 1884. On letterhead of the Grand Hotel, Birmingham.
£320.00

Burnaby is the beau idéal of the Victorian military adventurer. 2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded twice. A hurried letter, with a couple of deletions. Written a few months before Burnaby's death. He explains that a 'mutual friend' has asked him 'to submit to you the enclosed article – on mountaineering – She does not wish her name to be mentioned – hence I must not divulge it.' Should the article not be wanted he asks for it to be returned to him at Somerby Hall, Oakham, 'in the course of the next two or three days'.

[Sterling Heilig, American journalist.] Typed Letter Signed ('Sterling Heilig.') to Fleet Street journalist 'A. T. Q. C.', discussing his 'business of writing sensational letters to the American Sunday papers' and 'cribbing' (plagiarism).

Author: 
Sterling Heilig (1864-1928) of Philadelphia, American author, journalist and war correspondent [Fleet Street journalism; fin-de-siècle]
Publication details: 
'40 rue Laffitte, Paris, | September 29, 1894.'
£180.00

1p, 4to. On leaf of aged, worn and creased cartridge paper. Addressed to 'A. T. Q. C., | Care of The Editor of | The Speaker, 115, Fleet Street, E.C., London.' An interesting letter, touching on English and American journalistic practice, 'sensational' copy, plagiarism and fin-de-siècle Paris. The context is not entirely clear: one reading is that the recipient reported on or reproduced in the Fleet Street newspaper the Speaker one of Heilig's 'sensational letters to the American Sunday papers', only to have it 'cribbed' by Pearson's Weekly.

[Tania Long of the New York Times writes from wartime London on 'queue psychology' in Britain and America.] Typed Letter Signed ('Tania Long Daniell') to Punch editor E. V. Knox, in connection with an article being commissioned from him.

Author: 
Tania Long [Tania Long Daniell] (1913-1998), American journalist and war correspondent [E. V. Knox [Edmund George Valpy Knox] (1881-1971, 'Evoe'), editor of Punch]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the London bureau of the New York Times, Savoy Hotel, London WC2. 24 May 1943.
£250.00

Long's obituary in the New York Times, 6 September 1998, describes her as 'war correspondent for The New York Herald Tribune and The New York Times who covered the London blitz and the Nuremburg trials' and 'one of only a few women who were correspondents in World War II'. She had joined the New York Herald Tribune's London bureau in 1941, and subsequently married Raymond Daniell, chief of the New York Times's London bureau, joining that newspaper as a reporter in February 1942.

[Sir Henry William Lucy, celebrated Victorian political journalist.] Autograph Card Signed to Bristol printer and publisher J. W. Arrowsmith

Author: 
Sir Henry William Lucy [H. W. Lucy] (1842-1924), celebrated Victorian political journalist, parliamentary correspondent of Punch magazine [J. W. Arrowsmith [James Williams Arrowsmith] (1839-1913)]
Publication details: 
42 Ashley Gardens, Victoria Street, S.W. [London], on card with embossed letterhead of the House of Commons. 27 February [1900].
£40.00

In good condition, lightly aged. Written with purple ink. Addressed to 'J. W. Arrowsmith Esq | Publisher | Bristol.' The message begins, without salutation: 'Booking Office blocked with Copy. But I have had the "Modder River" taken out of turn. You will find a notice in tomorrow's "Punch"'. He announces that on the fifteenth of the following month he is 'to be a guest of the New Vagabond Club', and notes that Arrowsmith is a member, adding 'we may possibly meet'.

[ David Christie Murray, Victorian foregin correspondent and author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('D. Christie Murray') to Messrs Edward Gwyer & Son, regarding his plans for payment of a debt following the completion of a book.

Author: 
D. Christie Murray [David Christie Murray] (1847-1907), journalist and author, a noted foreign correspondent
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 10 Elmsworthy Terrace, Primrose Hill, N.W. [London] September 1893.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of paper from mount on reverse. Reads: 'Gentlemen, | My book was finished and handed in last Monday. I have written to Smedley's setting forth that fact. The document they hold forbids me to draw the money and sent it to them, but in the course of a few days Messrs Newnes will probably pay-up, and Watt on receipt of cheque will send Smedleys their due.' For information on Christie Murray, see his entry in the Oxford DNB.

[ Frederic Villiers, war artist and correspondent. ] Autograph Signature with date.

Author: 
Frederic Villiers (1851-1922), British war artist and correspondent, said to be the model for the Kipling's character Dick Heldar in The Light that Failed [ The Graphic newspaper, London ]
Publication details: 
6 March 1913. No place.
£20.00

On 8 x 10.5 cm piece of paper. In good condition, with minor traces of mount. A good firm signature reading: 'Frederic Villiers | 6 - 3 - 13'.

[ Poultney Bigelow, American journalist and author. ] Autograph Letter Signed describing his 'Canoe Voyage' on the Danube, and his future movements as guest of the Kaiser

Author: 
Poultney Bigelow (1855-1954), American journalist and author
Publication details: 
Addressed from 'Canoe "Caribee" - on the Danube - near Hungarian Frontier - July 21. 91.' [ 1891 ]
£320.00

1p., 8vo. Aged and worn. Bigelow was educated at a preparatory school in Potsdam, and was a childhood playmate of the Kaiser and his younger brother, and maintained a friendship with them throughout their lives. On his death at the age of 98 he was the oldest Yale alumnus, and the oldest member of the Athenaeum club in London.

[ Irving Montagu of the Illustrated London News and Punch. ] Three Autograph Letters Signed (one 'Irving Montagu' and two 'Montagu') to Edward Draper

Author: 
Irving Montagu (1842-1901), war correspondent and artist of the Illustrated London News and Punch [ Edward Draper, London solicitor and writer on the theatre ]
Publication details: 
Two from Briar Cottage, Shepherds Bush, 2 and 7 January 1893. One on letterhead of 64 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square [ London ]. 'Saturday' [no date].
£56.00

The three items in fair condition, on aged and worn paper, the last two items with traces of grey paper from mounting adhering. ONE: From Charlotte Street. 'Saturday' (undataed). Signed 'Irving Montagu'. 2pp., 8vo. Arranging to dine at Draper's in the face of a clashing invitation. TWO: From Briar Cottage, 2 January 1893. 4pp., 12mo. Signed 'Montagu'.

[ Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace, foreign correspondent of The Times. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Donald M Wallace') to 'Sir Robert' [ Sir Robert Herbert ] regarding a meeting of the Breakfast Club.

Author: 
Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace (1841-1919), foreign correspondent of The Times of London [ Sir Robert Herbert (1831-1905), first Premier of Queensland ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of St. Ermins Mansions, Caxton Street, SW [ London ]. 11 June [ no year ].
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, with light signs of age. He hopes to make his Breakfast Club 'debut' the following Saturday morning.

[ Frances Dunlop, friend of Burns ] Autograph Letter Signed to a Charles Macintosh of Glasgow

Author: 
Frances Anne Walker Dunlop (1730–1815), of Dunlop, friend of Robert Burns
Publication details: 
Dunlop, [30 June 1808].
£250.00

Two pages, 4to, bifolium, staining and aging, but text clear and complete, discussing friendship and familial relationships at length, commiserating on the sufferings and death of "Nanny", and asserting the importance of their relationship and friendship. Note: A. Macintosh is possibly the chemist and inventor (wife named by Frances Dunlop as 'Mary' [he married Mary Fisher, and she refers to their 'children' - see "Biographical Memoir of the Late Charles Macintosh"); B.

[ Henry Noel Brailsford, journalist and socialist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. N. Brailsford') to 'Dear Watson' [ Francis Leslie Watson ], fulsome in praise of his BBC Radio programme on Mahatma Gandhi.

Author: 
H. N. Brailsford [ Henry Noel Brailsford ] (1873-1958), journalist and socialist, foreign correspondent of the Manchester Guardian [ Francis Leslie Watson (1907-1988), biographer; Mahatma Gandhi ]
Publication details: 
Greylands, London Road, Amersham. 18 November 1956.
£80.00

2pp., 12mo. 33 lines of text in blue ink. In good condition, lightly-aged. He writes that his family have 'all been listening to your third broadcast on Gandhi with pleasure and admiration'. He cannot imagine 'a better treatment of the subject', and is 'lost in admiration for the skill with which you pieced all these fragments together, and wove out of them a thrilling and convincing narrative [...] The old charwoman at Bow was a delight, and how sympathetic & interesting was Lord Templewood! But there wasn't a "dud" among all your many contributors, both the Indians & the English.

[ Louis Heren, foreign correspondent with The Times of London. ] Typed Letter Signed to Lady de Freitas, regarding two books he has borrowed from her for research for a book he is writing.

Author: 
Louis Heren (1919-1995), foreign correspondent with The Times of London
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Fleet House, Vale of Health, London, NW3. 23 February 1992.
£35.00

1p., small 4to. He refers to 'lunch with the Bells' and 'Tattie', and apologizes for keeping the books for so long: 'They were a great help, especially Rory Fitzpatrick's God's Frontiersmen'. He ends with the news that he is revising his manuscript, 'and would like to send you a copy when it is eventually published'. The book Heren was working on does not appear to have been published.

[ Henry Sutherland Edwards, foreign correspondent of The Times. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. Sutherland Edwards'), regarding negatives now lodged with his solicitor.

Author: 
H. Sutherland Edwards [ Henry Sutherland Edwards ] (1828-1906), British journalist, foreign correspondent of The Times of London
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Reform Club, Pall Mall, S.W. [London] 15 October [no year].
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper. Written in a difficult hand. 'The negatives are with Mr P, Solicitor, 50 Leinster Square, who, while I was away, received them from the W Printing Company. I will ask him to leave them out for you. I will call to-morrow or the nexxt day and give you an order for this delivery.'

[Frederic Villiers] Autograph Note Signed 'Frederic Villiers' to an unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Frederic Villiers, war artist and war correspondent
Publication details: 
[Headed notepaper] Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough, 15 Jan. 1899.
£38.00

One page, 12mo, edges sunned, some spotting and darkening, text clear and complete. "Thanks for the 'Hermit' which I hope to peruse at my leisure. If possible, I may hand you a small subject in return but am now very busy indeed."

Manuscript receipt, signed ('Arch Forbes') by the war correspondent Archibald Forbes, for £50 from the London publishers Henry S. King & Co., for the right to publish an edition of 1000 copies of his 'Soldiering and Scribbling'.

Author: 
Archibald Forbes (1838-1900), British war correspondent, born in Scotland [Henry S. King & Co., 65 Cornhill, London publishers]
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 27 June 1872.
£56.00

1p., landscape 12mo. In good condition, on aged paper. Signed by Forbes over a purple one penny Inland Revenue stamp. Reads: '£50 : 0 : 0 | 27th. June 1872. | Received of Messrs: Henry S. King & Co. of 65 Cornhill London, the sum of Fifty Pounds in payment for the right to publish an edition of 1000 copies of "Soldiering and Scribbling" | [signed] Arch Forbes'. The book was published by the firm in the same year as the receipt.

Autograph Manuscript by the British parliamentary sketch-writer Sir Henry Lucy, titled 'Her Majesty's Ministers as Wage Earners. [originally 'Work & Wage in Downing St.'] By Henry W Lucy'.

Author: 
Henry W. Lucy [Sir Henry Lucy; Sir William Henry Lucy] (1842-1924), English journalist, parliamentary sketch-writer acknowledged as the first great lobby correspondent
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [Published in 'Youth's Companion', vol.73, London, 1899.]
£90.00

1p., 4to. The beginning of the article only: 21 lines of text, ending abruptly. Torn from notebook. Very good, on aged paper. A corrected draft, with the deleted original title reading 'Work & Wage in Downing St'. An interesting item, casting light on the working practices of a pioneer of parliamentary journalism. Begins: 'The keeness of competition for ministl office in Great Britain is certainly not inspired by sordid motive.'

Autograph ('M. Halstead') of the noted American war correspondent Murat Halstead, at foot of letter to him from autograph-hunter John N. Cobb, with another signature on his calling card. With engraved portrait of Halstead by Arthur Jule Goodman.

Author: 
Murat Halstead (1829-1908), American newspaper editor and author, war correspondent in the American Civil War, the Franco-Prussian War and the Spanish-American War [Arthur Jule Goodman]
Publication details: 
Cobb's letter dated from Philadelphia, 7 June 1893.
£75.00

Cobb's letter is 1p., 4to, typed in green. He states that he is 'collecting the autographs of prominent American editors' and that he would like to add Halstead's, as 'it will not be complete without yours'. At the foot of the letter Halstead has written, in a sprawling hand, with smudged signature, 'Perhaps the will serve. | M. Halstead'. Pinned to the letter is the calling card of 'Mr. Murat Halstead.', with his signature 'M. Halstead' (again slightly smudged) beneath the name. Both items are lightly-aged, but good.

Autograph Letter Signed ('W H Russell') from the journalist W. H. Russell to 'dear Spencer', mainly concerning the Urabi Revolt against Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt.

Author: 
W. H. Russell [William Howard Russell] (1820-1907), Irish journalist, war correspondent for The Times [Isma'il Pasha [Ismail the Magnificent] (1830-1895), Khedive of Egypt; Urabi Revolt]
Autograph Letter Signed ('W H Russell') from the journalist W. H. Russell
Publication details: 
4 June 1882; on letterhead of the Empire Club, 4 Grafton Street, Piccadilly, London.
£165.00
Autograph Letter Signed ('W H Russell') from the journalist W. H. Russell

2 pp, 12mo. 18 lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Begins 'Its Alberta <(Songfeld)?> who is at 2 Lowndes Street not the undersigned - Are these cards en rêgle? [sic]' A pencil note by the recipient at the head of the first page reads 'Sent 2 June to Sumner Pl: card returned - answer does not live there.' Refers to 'Sumner Place' and 'the Coming Ball'. He wishes 'the Powers - which they aren't by the by - had let our fat friend Ismail alone just tightening the bit a little'.

Autograph Note Signed ('Donald Mackenzie Wallace') to unnamed female correspondent.

Author: 
Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace (1841-1919), foreign correspondent of the London 'Times' who published an important work on Russia
Publication details: 
29 June 1907; on letterhead St Ermin's Mansions, Caxton Street, S.W. [London].
£25.00

One page, 12mo. Good, on aged and lightly spotted paper, but with blank verso showing traces of previous mounting. Nine-line printed biographical cutting laid down in top left-hand corner. Reads 'Madam, In accordance with your request I enclose my autograph'.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Sir John Foster Fraser
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

Special parliamentary correspondent, traveller and lecturer (1868-1936; DNB). Dimensions: 2 inches by 4½ inches. In good condition and attached to a sheet of paper docketed: 'Sir John Foster Fraser, Kt., F.R.G.S., F.J.I. | Great Journalist, Traveller, Lecturer. | (Cycled round the world. 19,234 miles in 774 days)'. Signed 'John Foster Fraser' beneath '<...> you. Salaams | Thine gratefully'.

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