DAVID

In his obituary of Low’s partner Robin Waterfield (Independent, 12 February 2002), James Fergusson describes Low as a ‘Scottish Polish Jewish bouquiniste’. The recipient Andrew Block’s obituary in ‘The Private Library’ was subtitled ‘the doyen of booksellers’; his business was established in 1911. Plain orange-yellow card, with Reynolds Stone oval medallion letterhead. Signed ‘David’ in red ink. Addressed, with postmark and stamp, to ‘Mr. Andrew Block / 30, Barter Street / London W.C.1.’ He enquires whether the ‘coloured drawings on rice paper’ he is sending are ‘merely Chinese’.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Thomas Lloyd Humberstone (1876-1957) was a prominent member of the Convocation of the University of London. The work referred to in this letter is probably Hankey's 'The Supreme Command', the two volumes of which would be published in 1961. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. He is returning his letter and ‘its interesting enclosure’. Not having had any experience of the Central Office of Information, he is left with the impression ‘that they are not very well informed on questions of Military Organisation’.

20 x 25 cm colour print. Suitable for framing. In good condition, with a few light dinks. Head and shoulders shot of Ford in jacket and tie, standing in front of an American flag, arms folded and with his trademark toothy smile. Large signature ‘Gerald R. Ford’ on a white stripe of the flag, downwards and slightly over Ford’s right shoulder. It was Lyndon Johnson who said of the subject of this photograph: ‘Jerry Ford is so dumb he can’t fart and chew gum at the same time’ (the word ‘fart’ being altered by the press to ‘walk’). See image.

Considered by his friend Noël Coward as ‘a phenomenon that would never recur’. See his entry by Osbert Sitwell in the Oxford DNB and the biography by Damian Collins, ‘Charmed Life: The Phenomenal World of Philip Sassoon’ (2016). Clearly sent in response to a request for an autograph. The signature is on a plain 9 x 6 cm card, and reads simply ‘Philip Sassoon.’ The card is laid down at the foot of a 12mo letterhead, on which is written by Sassoon, above a flourish: ‘With Sir Philip Sassoon’s Compliments’. Both items in good condition, lightly aged.

A neat item, providing an insight into the great statesman’s mercantile roots. See his entry in the Oxford DNB, together with those of his father the first baronet (Lancashire calico printer and politician) and the recipient Scott. 2pp, 4to. On watermarked laid paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. The recipient is named as ‘David Scott Esqr’.

One page, 12mo, bifolium, pink paper, fold marks, good condition. Text: My dear David Roberts, | Gin a body don't [underlined] meet a body coming to the Club [cf. Burns' poem], a body must write. | Have you got a note of any kin of Edwin Landseer's [name underlined] - any acceptance of a dinner, any thing, that you would give me? | Why? | Because I want to oblige a Scotswoman, in the North, when I would do a deal to oblige. And she wants this autograph. Else, do ye think I'd fash ye wi'such sma' matters. | Ever yours | Shirley Brooks. Burns' Comin' thro' the Rye borrowed.

Lithograph. Landscape, 51 x 76 cm. In fair though fragile condition and worthy of framing, although aged and with a few small holes repaired. Weakened folds mainly repaired on reverse.. A determined Redmond marches to the right of the picture, large green flag of 'IRISH INDEPENDENCE' over his right shoulder, in his left hand three chains, linked to the noses of Asquith (with 'HOME RULE' paper under his arm), Lloyd George (holding a 'BUDGET BILL') and Winston Churchill (carrying a 'HOME DEPARTMENT' paper), who follow submissively.

Scarce: the only copy located on WorldCat and COPAC at the Tate Library, London. Unpaginated stapled and duplicated pamphlet: 16pp, 4to. Cover illustration by John Graham. No wraps called for. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. In Vanson's autograph, at top right of cover: 'For Christopher - | affectionately | Frederic | 3.

For more information on the Kauffman family, see Alexander Harris's 'Biographical History of Lancaster County' (1872), pp.332-335. The family were Mennonites, and originated in Hesse. The most notable member was affluent farmer and bank president Abraham Cassel Kauffman (1799-1886), a member of the Pennsylvania legislature for the 1835, 1837 and 1843 sessions. 18pp., 8vo. Unbound. On five loose bifoliums (with remains of stitching still present). The leaves of one bifolium are separated from one another, and the order of the pages is probably disturbed.

One page, sm. folio, airmail, one small closed tear, good condition. Text: I was glad to get your letter of 8th August and must apologise for my delay in answering it. I was, just then, caught up into a confusion of work. | I telephoned Mr Leventhal (he doesnt live in Woodbury, but in Boston; howeyer, we are in touch) and he was delighted at his good fortune in acquiring a copy of my FARMER'S YEAR.

2pp, 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with crease lines from having been folded into a packet. The letter is from a batch of letters written following Ivor Novello's death in 1951, in Macqueen-Pope's personal papers. He writes to send his new address ('after April 14th.'), having been forced after eight weeks to move from the Holmwood Hotel, 'to seek a little relaxation at a guest house where there will be less noise and Jubilation'.

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. The letter reads: 'My Dear Roberts. | I shall have great pleasure in accepting your kind invitation for Friday next, & in meeting such Distinguished Guests as you propose to gather round you. | Ever my Dear Roberts | Sincerely yours | C. R. Cockerell.' From the Roberts papers.

Two pages, 12mo, bifolium, formerly in an album, tipped onto strip of album page, as is the addressed envelope (no postal marks), good condition. My dear Sir | If as I hope you are disengaged on Friday [underlined] next come and partake of a quiet family dinner with us at 5 o'clock, you will confer much pleasure on us, and will I trust meet honest David Scott with whom we will discuss high & important matters. As an inducement to him to do me that favour I have ventured to tell him that I hope he will meet you. | Prytheee then let us not be disappointed. Postscript, asking What of Mr Black?

Beautiful stitched pamphlet, with three gorgeous colour natural history prints by Wadsworth, comprising frontispiece and one other full-page print, and double-page print incorporating the words of the title. Near fine. Text unpaginated, printed on eleven pages, over eight leaves of green laid paper. Numbered 44 on the colophon, which carries the device of the Rampant Lions Press, and is signed 'Richard Wilbur' and 'Charles E.

See his entry in J. F. Riddick, 'History of British India' (2006). LETTER: 1p, 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Writing to 'My dear Rees', and signed 'Henry Beauchamp'. He congratulates him on his appointment to the Supreme Legislative Council, '& on the chance now offered you of 'o'er-leaping the stone-wall of the "Minor" Presidencies, about which you have spoken to me at times'. TELEGRAM: 1p, 4to. On thin paper, aged and worn. From 'Beauchamp' to 'Honble J. D. Rees, 14 Chowringhee'.

1p, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. From the celebrated manuscript collection of Richard Monckton Milnes (Baron Houghton). Addressed by Girodet on reverse 'préssée | A Monsieur | Monsieur Gros peintre d'histoire rue des champs Elissés la 1ere or 2e porte cochere a droite'.

Three items, including two substantial albums containing in excess of 500 newspaper cuttings. The first album was commenced in 1906 by Pepys scholar Walter Henry Whitear, and completed by Chappell after Whitear's death in 1932, the last cuttings in it dating from the following year.

See the separate entries on the Gibsons in the Oxford DNB, which notes 'her eclectic salons, attended by diplomats, writers, politicians, and, after 1848, European exiles. Regular guests included Dickens, Thackeray, Hugo, Lady Morgan, the Disraelis, Cobden, and Louis Napoleon'. (Dickens wrote part of his last novel, 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood', at the Gibsons' London house.) The present item is from the papers of Arethusa's mother Lady Ann Cullum (1807-1875), wife of Rev. Sir Thomas Gery Cullum (1777-1855) of Hardwick House. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium.

The full title reads: 'Can Hiraethlon | David Davies (Dai'r Cantwr,) | Pan yn Garcharor yng Nghaerfyrddin, am y Terfysg yn amser Becca. | Cenir ar y dôn “Roslin Castle.'” The title may be translated as 'A nostalgic song, written when a prisoner in Carmarthen, for the riot in Becca's time. | Sung to the tune of 'Roslin Castle'. 4pp, 12mo (15.5 x 9 cm). Paginated [1]-4. Disbound. A frail survival: aged and worn, with damp-stain along one edge. Beneath the title is a small vignette of a sailing ship, and at the end of the final page is another of a crown. Poem in four sixteen-line stanzas.

See E. A. H. Webb, 'History of the 12th (The Suffolk) Regiment, 1685-1913' (1914). Picton was the uncle of 'the illustrious Picton', Lt-Gen. Sir Thomas Picton (1758-1815), who was his sole executor and residuary legatee. The year of Picton's birth is variously reported, but the Monthly Magazine, December 1811, is among several sources reporting his death in Bond Street at the age of 87. 4pp, folio. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and with closed tears along the three fold lines. Endorsed on reverse of second leaf: '12th.

One page, 12mo, bifolium, good condition. "Will you do me the favour to call on Mr Albert Smith 14 Percy St respecting some little drawings on wood for a work he has on hand for me. | I shall be obliged by your letting this have y[ou]r [early?] attention [...]".

Paper, 13 x 6cm, upper edge sl ragged from detachment from larger page, good condition.

1p, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. A charming and discursive letter of thanks, following time spent with Fry, addressed to 'Dear Christopher (or may I call you Kit?)'. He is 'seizing the opportunity' whilst in the presence of his secretary 'Angela', who 'has been putting my life in order for the past eight years!' He continues: 'I have looked forward to spending a little time with you for so long and, even thought it has taken months and months for us to get together, how worthwhile was the wait.

2pp, 16mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'David Priestman'. Reads: 'If my friend D Priestman is going to the Asylum [Qty?] Court to-day I shall be obliged by his stating that I have been unable to attend the Committee during the last quarter from my indisposition & that seeing no prospect of discharging the duties of the Office during the next [i.e. the next quarter] I hope the Court will omit my name in the list[.] I have given up the attendance of the Retreat Committee'. The Tuke and Priestman families were related by marriage.

The document bearing the ten signatures is 1p, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to blank reverse of document. Folded twice. A printed form, completed in manuscript, with the ten signatures of leading figures in the medical world of Georgian London in a column at bottom right, the first two grouped as 'Governors' and the other seven as 'Examiners': 'Charles Blicke | David Dundas | C Hawkins | J Earle | G Chandler | T Forster | Everard Home | William Blizard | Henry Cline'.

2pp, 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf, which is addressed, with Sheffield postmark, to 'Messrs Cadell & Davies | Booksellers | Strand | London'. Folded several times. He begins by reporting the safe arrival of 'The parcel', with thanks for 'attending to my request in point of time'. The letter continues, with reference to his 1806 translation of Phillipe Pinel's 'Treatise on Insanity'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf. The recipient is not named. The letter begins: 'My Dear Sir, | I beg to introduce my friend Mr. Walker to you as he is frequenting the Leeds Anniversary Meeting of the Association'.

The two cards are accompanied by the envelope in which the first card was sent, with stamp and postmark. All three items in good condition, lightly aged. Envelope addressed to 'Ian McPherson, Esq.' at his house on the Isles of Scilly. Both cards written in blue ink on side with letterhead, the other side being blank. ONE: 25 April 1983. She thanks him for his letter and cheque, adding: 'I have no signed copies at present, and in any case we must wait for my husband's return from a research trip during the next week before I can get him to inscribe it specifically for Andrew'.

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with two fold lines. Thin strip of stub from mount adhering to one edge. The subject of the letter is Frazer's obituary of 'the Rev. Lorimer Fison and Dr. A. W. Howitt' (their deaths being 'two heavy losses' suffered by 'Australian anthropology in particular'), published in Folklore, Vol. 20, No. 2 (Jun. 30, 1909), pp. 144-180. Frazer begins by thanking Wright 'for the copy of my article which you have succeeded in wringing from the clutches of young Mr Nutt', i.e. the publisher of 'Folklore' Alfred Nutt (himself a folklorist).

An interesting document, produced on the eve of the establishment of the State of Israel. Full heading on first page: 'Minutes of the Sixth Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Friends of the Tel-Aviv Museum of Art held on the 13th April 1948 at the House of Commons.' 5pp, foolscap 8vo, on five stapled leaves. Paginated and complete. In fair condition, aged and worn, with first leaf detached. Recorded as present are: 'Mrs Barbara Ayrton-Gould [Michael Ayrton's mother and a Member of Parliament] (Sitting-in for the Chairman) | Mr. J. Isaacs | Mr. Michael Ayrton | Mr.