COUNCIL

Autograph Letter Signed ('W F Butler') from Sir William Francis Butler, Irish officer in the British Army, to an unnamed correspondent, discussing the 'great mediaeval Sin' that was committed by the English in Ireland.

Author: 
Sir William Francis Butler (1838-1910), Irish officer in the British Army in the Red River and Asante [Ashanti] campaigns, member of the Irish privy council and supporter of Charles Stewart Parnell
Publication details: 
On letterhead of North Camp, Aldershot. 13 May 1894.
£80.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'My dear Sir'. England and Ireland are not named in the letter, but subject of the letter is clear from the context. He has read 'with very great pleasure' the pamphlet which the recipient sent him. 'You are correct in surmising that for the present at least I take no part in the political question of the day - but my views show no change'.

File of 78 documents from the papers of the jurist and Labour politician Professor R. S. T. Chorley [later Lord Chorley], relating to his campaign against the building of a 'road house' at the Old Brewery Stables, Great Stanmore.

Author: 
Robert Samuel Theodore Chorley (1895-1978), 1st Baron Chorley [Lord Chorley], legal scholar and Labour politician [The Old Brewery Stables, Great Stanmore; Hendon Rural District Council]
Publication details: 
London. 1932 and 1933.
£750.00

As Chorley is described in his entry in the Oxford DNB as a 'conservationist' with a 'deep attachment to and lifelong concern for the English countryside', it is a surprise that no mention is made of the matter to which this collection relates, which created some public interest at the time and involved a landmark legal action. The first item in this collection - a copy of typed letter from Chorley to the Clerk to the Hendon Rural District Council on 24 October 1932 - sets the scene neatly.

[Printed pamphlet.] The General Practice of Plumbing in Manchester & District, by Wm. Jaffrey, R.P., 27, Booth Street, Manchester. Being a Paper read at a Meeting convened by the Manchester, Salford, and District Council of Registered Plumbers.

Author: 
William Jaffrey, R.P., 27 Booth Street, Manchester, of the Registered Plumbers' Council
Publication details: 
Held at the Technical School, Manchester, March 11th, 1891.
£95.00

8pp., 12mo. Stapled. In brown printed wraps. On brittle, high-acidity paper, with staining from staples, in stained and worn wraps. After some 'Introductory Remarks' he discusses 'Light Materials in New Work', 'Position of Cold-Water Cistern', 'Position', 'The Runs of Pipes', 'The W.-C.', 'The W.-C. Supply' ('two gallons of water is not sufficient to wash away the soil into the main drain.

[Printed act of the United Kingdom parliament.] Chapter 60. An Act to constitute a Federal Council of Australasia. [14th August 1885.]

Publication details: 
London: Printed by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty. 1885.
£950.00

9pp. [paginated ii+ 7], 8vo. Disbound. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with first leaf loose. Government stamp at head of first page: 'SUPPLIED FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE'. The first two pages (paginated i-ii) give an 'Arrangement of Sections'. An historic document, almost never found alone: no copies listed on COPAC.

Autograph Letter Signed ('F Greville') from the diarist Charles Cavendish Fulke Greville to an unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Charles Cavendish Fulke Greville (1794–1865), Clerk to the Privy Council, and political diarist
Publication details: 
'Grosv[eno]r Place | Saturday [no date]'.
£56.00

1 p, 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, and still tipped-in onto leaf removed from album. Arranging a time at which to call on him. According to the Oxford DNB Greville moved from Grosvenor Place to Lord Granville's house in Bruton Street in 1849.

Typed Letter Signed from J. B. Priestley to E. M. Forster, accusing him of being 'in the wrong' regarding a Society of Authors questionnaire on National Service. With Autograph Copy and Typed Copy by Forster of letters by him to the Society.

Author: 
J. B. Priestley [E. M. Forster; Denys Kilham Roberts (1903-1976), of the Society of Authors]
Publication details: 
Priestley's letter to Forster: 3 The Grove, Highgate Village, London; 25 May 1939.
£220.00

Forster's main objection is that the National Service questionnaire, sent out by the Society of Authors 'at the suggestion of the Ministry of Labour', asks members to 'give general particulars of their political opinions' (see Hansard, 25 May 1939). Four items. ONE. Priestley's letter, addressed to 'My dear Forster' by 'J. B. Priestley'. 1 p, 4to. Twenty lines. Fair, on aged paper.

Autograph Letter Signed from George Candy QC to Charles Burton of Bayswater, on liquor licences and the Local Veto Bill, with Secretarial Letter signed by W. H. Le Fevre, President of the Balloon Society of Great Britain, and newspaper cuttings.

Author: 
George Candy (1841-1899), QC; W. H. Le Fevre, President, The Balloon Society of Great Britain [Charles Burton, Bridge House Hotel, Westbourne Terrace, Bayswater; licencing law; brewing; alcohol]
Autograph Letter Signed from George Candy QC
Publication details: 
Candy letter: 14 March 1893; Harcourt Buildings, Temple. Le Fevre letter: 15 March 1898; on letterhead of Le Fevre & Co., Civil & Mechanical Engineers, St Antholins Chambers, 26 Budge Row, Cannon St, with stamp of Balloon Society of Great Britain.
£85.00
Autograph Letter Signed from George Candy QC

Items are in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, and mostly laid down on two pieces of card. Candy's letter to Burton (who is not named, but identified from the context): 12mo, 2 pp. Headed 'Private'. He thanks him for 'the very kind and too flattering way in which you refer in to-day's Advertiser to my remarks at the Balloon Society's meeting anent the "Direct Veto Bill".' Claims that his 'services have always been at the disposal of "the trade", Wholesale & Retail.

Three printed reports of meetings held at the Council House, Chichester, of the West Sussex branch of the British 'War Agricultural Committee' (two from 1915 and one from 1916) and one report from the 'War Agricultural Executive Committee'.

Author: 
[Herbert Padwick, Chairman, War Agricultural Committee, West Sussex Branch; First World War; British farming; women and agriculture]
Publication details: 
The three 'War Agricultural Committee' reports: 16 November and 22 December 1915, and 9 February 1916. 'War Agricultural Executive Committee' report: 29 January 1917. All meetings held at the Council House, Chichester [West Sussex Committee].
£350.00

All four items clear and complete, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Item One: Report of WAC meeting of 16 November 1915. Folio, 6 pp. Includes 'Reports from District Sub-Committees' and section on 'Enlistment as to Skilled Agricultural Labourers'. Also section on 'Women's County Committee'. Item Two: Report of WAC meeting of 22 December 1915. Folio, 4 pp. Sections on 'Instruction in milking to women' and 'Employment of women on farm work'. Signed in type as Chairman by Padwick. Item Three: Report of WAC meeting of 9 February 1916. Folio, 4 pp. Signed in type as Chairman by Padwick.

An Act to empower the Legislature of Canada to alter the Constitution of the Legislative Council for that Province, and for other Purposes. [11th August 1854.]

Author: 
British Act of Parliament, 1854, regarding the Canadian Legislature [Canada]
Publication details: 
London: Printed by George Edward Eyre and William Spottiswoode, Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty. 1854.
£195.00

8vo, 3 pp. Paginated [1233] to 1235. Disbound bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with small hole in gutter. Headed with the royal crest and 'ANNO DECIMO SEPTIMO & DECIMO OCTAVO VICTORIAE REGINAE.' and 'CAP. CXVIII.]

An Act to empower the Legislature of Canada to make Laws regulating the Appointment of a Speaker of the Legislative Council. [8th August 1859.]

Author: 
British Act of Parliament, 1859, appointing a speaker to the Canadian legislature [Canada]
Publication details: 
London: Printed by George Edward Eyre and William Spottiswoode, Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty. 1859.
£95.00

8vo, 2 pp. On first leaf of a bifolium, with the second leaf blank. Paginated [37]-38. Headed with the royal crest and words 'ANNO VICESIMO SECUNDO & VICESIMO TERIO VICTORIAE REGINAE.' and 'CAP. X.'

[38 & 39 Vict.] Canada Copyright. [Ch. 53.] An Act to give effect to an Act of the Parliament of the Dominion of Canada respecting Copyright. [2d August 1875.]

Author: 
Canada Copyright Act, 1875 [British Act of Parliament, 1875, respecting Canadian copyright]
Publication details: 
London: Printed by George Edward Eyre and William Spottiswoode, Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty. 1875.
£75.00

8vo, 9 pp. Disbound. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Headed with the royal crest. The last seven pages carry the 'Schedule'. The British legislature had refused to ratify the 1872 Dominion of Canada bill that enshrined a fixed-royalty principle for Canadian publishers to re-print British copyrighted works. This act only allowed Canadian republishing of books that had gone out of print.

Draft Autograph Letter, probably incomplete (lacking signature page), to "St John". WITH related material.

Author: 
George Wyndham
Publication details: 
"Private / Draft / 25 Oct. 1904".
£500.00

(Wyndham) Statesman and man of letters, at the time of this letter Chief Secretary fo Ireland (see DNB). Three pages, 4to, good condition, draft with much working over. He appreciates being given detailed grounds for a proposal that Sir Anthony Macdonnell [MacDonnell, Antony Patrick, Baron MacDonnell, statesman, of Irish origin] , currently working with Wyndham in Ireland might be made available in the Indian Council, a matter of urgency. He explains at length his high opinion of Macdonnell (energy, ability, distinction, etc.) and his reluctance to part with him.

Autograph Letter Signed ('R Waithman') to 'J. <Delan?>'.

Author: 
Robert Waithman (1764-1833), Lord Mayor of London, 1823
Publication details: 
Dated in a contemporary hand to 1826. [The City of London.]
£25.00

4to, 1 p. Text clear and complete. On aged, sunned paper, with some chipping and closed tears to edges. He may not 'be able to get to the Com[mon] Coun[ci]l' as he is 'engaged on the Rota at the Old Baily this week'. He will be at a Court of Aldermen at the Guildhall at one o'clock, and if the recipient and other members of the Council cannot be there a quarter of an hour before, he will 'come out to you'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('R Waithman') to 'Mr Dillon'.

Author: 
Robert Waithman (1764-1833), Lord Mayor of London, 1823
Publication details: 
23 August [no year].
£23.00

12mo, 1 p. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Gives the date of a dinner with 'Mr. & Mrs. Thompson & family', to which he invites Dillon and his wife.

Autograph Letter Signed to Bobbie [?].

Author: 
George Cunningham [regarding rumours of Russian troop movements at the beginning of the 1st World War and other subjects]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Privy Council Office, Whitehall, S.W.; 3 September 1914.
£50.00

4 pages, 8vo. Creased and grubby but in good condition overall. Interesting letter in difficult hand. Opens by sending his deepest sympathy: 'I can sympathise having as you know been personally damaged by a falling branch last Xmas.' 'Officially we have given up contradicting the <?> prevalent rumours of Russian Troops moving through Great Britain. The Germans may hear of the rumours - may believe them: [^ that may do good;] but there is no truth in them at all. Barring a few Russian reservists who were in this country no Russian troops have been sent to France.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Ofori /') to 'Mr. Parsons'.

Author: 
Nana Sir Ofori Atta (1881-1943), Member of Executive Council of Gold Coast (Ghana)
Publication details: 
08/09/25
£35.00

Written in green ink on one side of a piece of watermarked paper roughly 20 x 12.5 cm. Nineteen lines of text. Fair, on lightly-aged paper with a couple of pin holes. Heavily stylised signature with long gap between the 'O' and 'f' of 'Ofori'. He thanks him for the letter, and is 'very pleased to welcome you to Ryebi [capital of Akem]'. He was 'awfully delighted to hear that Mr. Myerstein has completely recovered from his recent serious illness' and is pleased to learn that they are 'starting work on the reef very shortly'.

Autograph Signature ('Walter Runciman').

Author: 
Walter Runciman (1870-1949), 1st Viscount Runciman of Doxford, English Liberal politician
Publication details: 
6 March 1911. On Board of Education card.
£20.00

On a piece of card roughly 9 x 11.5 cm. With embossed government crest of the Board of Education in the top left-hand corner. In fair condition, lightly-aged and with small triangular areas of discoloration to two opposing corners caused by previous mounting. Good bold signature, presumably sent in response to a request for an autograph. Reads '[signed] Walter Runciman. | 6 March | 1911.'

Autograph Letter Signed to [George Kenneth] Menzies[, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts].

Author: 
Rt Hon. Edward Theodore Salvesen, Lord Salvesen
Publication details: 
22 January 1918, on letterhead 'DEAN PARK HOUSE | EDINBURGH'.
£25.00

Scottish judge (1857-1942). One page, 12mo. Black-bordered. In good condition. Thanks Menzies for the copies of the Society's journal. 'I have ceased to have any active connection with the Copper Company, but I found Professor Carpenter's Lecture very interesting, although it is pretty technical - | I hope you and your wife are keeping well'. Signed 'Edw T Salvesen'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('A Helps') to his publisher Alexander Macmillan.

Author: 
Sir Arthur Helps (1813-1875), author and Clerk of the Privy Council [Alexander Macmillan (1818-1896), publisher]
Publication details: 
16 January 1867; no place.
£20.00

12mo, 2 pp. 9 lines of text. With mourning border. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He is glad that Macmillan and 'Mr Doulton' are coming to dine with him, but sorry that they 'will be obliged to leave so soon; but it cannot be helped'.

Printed Order in Council, signed in type 'C. L. PEEL', making changes to the Assize Circuit, headed 'At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, The 28th day of July, 1893. Present, The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.'

Author: 
Sir Charles Lennox Peel (1823-1899), Knight Clerk of the Council [Order in Council]
Publication details: 
i 78316 7400. - 9/93. [September 1893] Wt. P. 953. E. & S. [Eyre & Spottiswoode.]
£56.00

8vo, 8pp. Unbound. Stitched as issued. Text complete and clear. Good: lightly-aged and creased. The order is on pp.1-3. Followed by (over five pages): 'SCHEDULE', consisting of 'Circuits of the Judges. Civil and Criminal.', 'Autumn Circuit. Criminal Business Only, except where otherwise stated.' and 'Easter Circuit.'

Two handbills relating to the Sudbury Municipal Election of 1877.

Author: 
Sudbury Municipal Election, 1877 [Suffolk; East Anglia; English council elections; county councillors in Victorian England]
Publication details: 
1877. One of the two items 'Printed at the Free Press Office, Sudbury.'
£56.00

Both items printed on one side of a piece of cheap wove paper. Both items aged and lightly creased, but with text clear and entire. Item One (23 x 12.5 cm): Headed 'Sudbury Election.

Autograph Signature ('Arlington') on fragment of document.

Author: 
Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington (bap. 1618; d.1685), English politician and member of the celebrated 'Cabal' ministry
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£28.00

On a piece of paper roughly 4 x 7 cm. Very good, on slightly discoloured paper. Reads '<...> 34 years of His Maies <...> | [signed] Arlington'. The second of the two versions of Arlington's signature reproduced by Rawlins ('Five Hundred Years of British Autographs', p.63, no.8). Arlington was the first 'A' in the CABAL ministry, the name made up of the initials of the five privy councillors who conducted Charles II's government after the fall of Clarendon in 1667: Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley and Lauderdale.

Two Typed Letters Signed ('H. Gordon Griffin' and 'H. G. Griffin') to 'The Secretary' and K. W. Luckhurst, Royal Society of Arts; with carbon of Luckhurst's reply; and draft of 'C.P.R.E. Publication on the Design and Layout of Small Houses.'

Author: 
Sir Herbert Gordon Griffin (died 1969), General Secretary, The Council for the Preservation of Rural England [Royal Society of Arts, London]
Publication details: 
Letters of 12 January 1927 and 10 December 1956, both on Council letterhead; carbon reply, 11 December 1956; draft, November 1956.
£100.00

All items very good. A couple with slight staining at head from paperclip. Letter One (to 'The Secretary', 4to, 1 p, 5 lines): Apologising for delay in acknowledging the 'letter and enclosures of 31st ultimo': 'my office was only opened on Wednesday last and I have had much correspondence with which to deal'. Letter Two (to Luckhurst, 4to, 1 p, 18 lines): Concerning 'a booklet on the layout and design of small houses' which the C.P.R.E. 'is hoping to publish this spring'.

Autograph Letter Signed (Sr. D. W. Smith') to Messrs Thorp & Dickson, Alnwick.

Author: 
Sir David William Smith (1764-1837), property manager for the Duke of Northumberland [Farne Islands, Northumberland]
Publication details: 
21 July 1834; Alnwick.
£60.00

4to bifolium: 2 pp. Good, with slight loss to second leaf from breaking of red wax seal, traces of which still adhere. Twenty lines of text. Docketed in pencil and ink on second leaf. Asks them to furnish him with 'all the particulars relative to the Farne Islands [...] who the Lessee? - their estimated quantiy or extent? - Rent? length of lease? - [...] whether Birds, feathers, down, Eggs, Rabbits - Kelp, or Seaware, fish &c? all which I should hope you would be able to obtain from some of your Bamburgh friends? - or from Blackett, at N. Sunderland? - how they are protected?

Autograph ('A Helps') on order for copies of his 'Life of Las Casas' (1868).

Author: 
Sir Arthur Helps (1813-1875), English civil servant and author
Publication details: 
Undated (but post 1868); on Privy Council Office letterhead.
£25.00

12mo: 1 p. Good, with four fold lines. Helps held the post of Clerk of the Privy Council from 1860 until his death. In large letters beneath the oval blue Privy Council crest reads 'Life of | Las Casas | 2 copies for | [signature] A Helps'. The handwriting is bold and the signature is underlined with a flourish.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter to the architect of the Houses of Parliament Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860).

Author: 
Joseph Kay (1821-1878), English barrister and economist
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00

On piece of creased and lightly spotted paper roughly 11 x 11 cm. Reads '<...> for half a Century. | Believe that I remain | Dear Barry | Your's faithfully | [signed] Joseph Kay | Charles Barry Esqr. Kt. | &c &c &c'.

Typed Letter Signed ('H A McClure Smith') to T. H. Rowney of Messrs George Rowney & Co., Ltd., London.

Author: 
Hugh Alexander McClure Smith (1902-1961), Australian diplomat, journalist and editor of The Sydney Morning Herald
Publication details: 
4 April 1950; on engraved letterhead of The Sydney Morning Herald.
£65.00

One page, quarto. On aged and creased paper. Letterhead illustrated with engraving of the paper's headquarters. Thanks him for the copy of Rowney's 'Artists' Almanac'. 'Like yourselves, we are an old family firm and as such have always taken a live interest in the Arts.' Endorses the Empire Art Council, feeling that '[t]here is a great deal that can be done in the exchange of art exhibitions, etc., between the various parts of the Empire'. Docketed with London address on reverse.

For sale by order of the trustees of the will. Hampstead Heath. The well-known Freehold Estate of the late Sir Spencer Wells, Bart., a perfect Country Seat within five miles of Charing Cross. [...] known as Golder's Hill.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Spencer Wells [Hampstead Heath; Golder's Hill House; London topography]
Publication details: 
For Sale by Auction by Messrs. Debenham, Tewson, Farmer and Bridgewater | At the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard, near the Bank of England, in the City of London. On Tuesday, the 28th day of June, 1898.
£100.00

Two unbound bifoliums stapled together. Eight pages, on four leaves each roughly seventeen inches by eleven wide. A corrected proof, stamped at head of first page 'PROOF NO.' A frail survival of a significant document in London topographical history. Aged and worn, with several closed tears. A few manuscript emendations, notes and additions in different hands. For example, concerning a right of way, 'Messrs. Debenham can ascertain this from Mr. Pinder Simpson 20 Old Burlington St. W. the Collector'.

Typed Letter Signed to [Mary] Scharlieb, 149 Harley Street.

Author: 
Leonard Darwin
Publication details: 
24 September 1919; on letterhead of the Professional Classes War Relief Council (Incorporated).
£120.00

Soldier, policitician, economist, eugenicist (1850-1943) and son of Charles Darwin. The recipient Dame Mary Scharlieb (1845-1931) was an early woman doctor. Two pages, quarto. Good, but on slightly discoloured and lightly creased paper, with staple stains to both top left-hand corners. An interesting letter concerning the efforts of Scharlieb's Committee to 'establish a Home where the wives of professional men could be certain to obtain excellent treatment at moderate fees'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Joshua Sharpe.

Author: 
Edward Blakeney
Publication details: 
Mahon the 8th. November 1753', Mahon, Minorca.
£125.00

The recipient Joshua Sharpe (c.1716-86) was a solicitor of Lincoln's Inn, and counsel for various American colonies before the Board of Trade and Privy Council. His brother Horatio was Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. Two pages, folio. Grubby, frayed and worn, with some closed tears and minor fraying and loss to extremities, and minor loss to text. Appears to concern the investigation into a case brought against an English ship by the owners of the Spanish vessel Sancta Barbara ('Patron Joseph de la Torre').

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