GRAMMAR

[Randolph Churchill [Major Randolph Spencer-Churchill], only son of Winston Churchill.] Typed Letter Signed to V. H. Collins, invoking his father’s name in support of his use of the word ‘EGALITARIAN’.

Author: 
Randolph Churchill, only son of Winston Churchill [Major Randolph Frederick Edward Spencer-Churchill] (1911-1968), writer, soldier, and Conservative Member of Parliament [Vere Henry Collins, author]
Publication details: 
7 July 1953. Oving House, Oving, Nr. Aylesbury, Bucks, on cancelled letterhead of 12 Catherine Place, London SW1.
£65.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Signed ‘Randoph S. Churchill. The recipient Vere Henry Collins (1872-1966), was an author and grammatical stickler. After apologising for the delayed response he administers an effective put-down: ‘I do not pretend to be an expert in these mattes, but I have never heard the word EQUALITARIAN used in ordinary talk. EGALITARIAN, on the other hand, I have heard used by a wide variety of people who speak good English, including Sir Winston Churchill.

[‘I used it because I meant it’: Nicolas Bentley, writer, illustrator and cartoonist.] Typed Letter Signed to V. H. Collins, defending his use of the phrase ‘I am afraid’.

Author: 
Nicolas Bentley [born Nicholas Clerihew Bentley] (1907-1978), writer, illustrator and cartoonist [Vere Henry Collins]
Publication details: 
10 October 1955. On letterhead of Andre Deutsch Limited, Publishers, 12-14 Carlisle Street, Soho Square, London W1.
£50.00

See his entry by Ruari Maclean in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Vere Henry Collins (1872-1966), was an author and grammatical stickler. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. With Bentley’s distinctive stylized signature ‘Nicolas Bentley’. After thanking him for his letter he writes (apparently with reference to a newspaper article): ‘I am sorry if in using the phrase “I am afraid” I ruffled your grammatical sensibilities. I used it because I meant it.

[Michael Sadleir, novelist, biographer and bibliographer.] Typed Letter Signed to V. H. Collins, apologising for a grammatical error, and informing him that he is ordering a copy of his book ‘The Choice of Words’.

Author: 
Michael Sadleir [Michael Thomas Harvey Sadleir, formerly Sadler] (1888-1957), novelist, biographer and bibliographer [Vere Henry Collins (1872-1966), author and literary stylist]
Publication details: 
12 August 1953. On letterhead of [Constable & Co.,] 10 Orange Street, London WC2.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with a crease, dogeared corner and small nick. Folded once for postage. Signed ‘Michael Sadleir’. He is grateful to Collins ‘for pointing out the careless grammatical mistake of mine in the SUNDAY TIMES review. It is only too easy to slip into a conversational style (for I think that what I meant was perfectly clear) when writing rapid condensations for a newspaper.

[‘the lover of words (as I am)’: Lord Birkett, judge, British representative at the Nuremberg Trials.] Two Typed Letters Signed, one with long Autograph Postscript, and Typed Note Signed, all to V. H. Collins, defending his use of language.

Author: 
Lord Birkett [William Norman Birkett, 1st Baron Birkett] (1883-1962), judge, a British representative at the Nuremberg Trials, Lord Justice of Appeal, Liberal Member of Parliament [Vere Henry Collins]
Publication details: 
LETTERS: 9 July 1953 and 11 May 1954. NOTE: 14 July 1953. All three items on letterheads of the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2.
£180.00

The third letter gives an excellent indication of Birkett’s pride in his use of language. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Vere Henry Collins (1872-1966), was an author and grammatical stickler. All three signed ‘Norman Birkett’. In fair condition, lightly aged and little grubby. The first letter with a small hole to one corner, and the two leaves of the last letter held together with a pin. ONE: ALS, 9 July 1953. 1pp, 4to. He is adding Collins’s book to his ‘select library on “words”’.

[Duke of Devonshire [Spencer Compton Cavendish (1833-1908), 8th Duke of Devonshire].] Autograph Letter Signed regarding prizegiving at Derby Grammar School

Author: 
Duke of Devonshire [Spencer Compton Cavendish (1833-1908), 8th Duke of Devonshire, styled Marquis of Hartington between 1858 and 1891, aristocrat and statesman [Derby Grammar School]
Publication details: 
15 June 1901; on letterhead of Chatsworth House, Chesterfield.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Outer sides somewhat grubby, otherwise in good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Addressed ‘Dear Sir’ and signed ‘Devonshire’.

[ Rev. Dr E. R. Humphreys, disgraced headmaster of Cheltenham Grammar School. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. R. Humphreys'), enclosing a certificate and sending his good wishes to the family of a boy who is leaving the school.

Author: 
E. R. Humphreys [ Rev. Dr Edward Rupert Humphreys ] (1820-1893), disgraced headmaster of Cheltenham Grammar School, 1852-1859 [ now Pate's Grammar School ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Cheltenham Grammar School. 28 August 1858.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The recipient is not named. He has sincere pleasure in enclosing the certificate (not present) awarded to the recipient's son, whom he is sorry to lose as a pupil. 'I trust this will, with God's blessing, be but the prelude to an honourable and useful Career. My kind wishes will follow your boy through life, and to yourself also I heartily wish happiness in your new home.' Humphreys is described in the School history as 'a Classical scholar of doubtful repute'.

[ Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Ipswich, Suffolk. ] The first 22 numbers of the school magazine, bound together with title-leaf: 'The Elizabethan. Auspicio Laeti Venerato Nomine Eliziae

Author: 
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Ipswich, Suffolk, established 1399, now Ipswich School [ S. H. Cowell, Ipswich printer and bookseller ]
Publication details: 
Ipswich: Printed and Sold by S. H. Cowell, Old Butter Market. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co., Stationers' Hall Court. Twenty-two issues bound together with new title page. 21 February 1852 to 3 December 1853.
£180.00

The 22 issues (originals, not a resetting of the text) are continuously paginated, each being 16pp. long, and totalling 352pp., 8vo. Preceded by a title-leaf for 'Vol. I.' and two-page index. Frontispiece engraving of 'Queen Elizabeth's New Grammar School and Chapel, Ipswich.' A differently-inked variant of the same illustration faces the first page of No. 6. In brown morocco half-binding, title in gilt on spine, marbled boards. Internally sound and tight, in worn binding with damage to marbling on back board, and the first leaf of the first issue somewhat grubby.

[ Companion volumes illustrated by John Leech. ] 'The Comic Latin Grammar; A new and fracetious Introduction to the Latin Tongue' and 'The Comic English Grammar; A new and facetious Introduction to the English Tongue.'

Author: 
[ Percival Leigh (1813-1889), satirist and humorist, contributor to 'Punch' [ John Leech (1817-1864), illustrator and caricaturist; Charles Tilt and Richard Bentley, London booksellers ]
Publication details: 
'Latin Grammar': London: Charles Tilt, Fleet Street. 1840. [ Printed by T. H. Coe, Old Change, St. Paul's. ] 'English Grammar': London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street. 1840. [ Printed by Samuel Bentley, Bangor House, Shoe Lane. ]
£100.00

Two good tight copies, on lightly aged paper, in worn original bindings with gilt decorations on front covers, with engravings on browning paper because of high acidity content. Both volumes with bookplate of Alan Angele and manuscript library shelf label. ONE: 'The Comic Latin Grammar'. 163 + [3]pp., 8vo. Eight engravings and numerous illustrations in text (the first engraving is positioned as frontispiece rather than at p.23 as specified).

[ Barton-on-Humber Grammar School. ] Five printed items, comprising: 'A Memorial Tribute to H. Boulton the first Headmasterr, 1931-1944' (including a poem by Henry Treece) and four 'Prize Distribution' programmes.

Author: 
Barton-on-Humber Grammar School, Lincolnshire [ Henry Treece (1911-1966), British poet and author ]
Publication details: 
The Grammar School, Barton-on-Humber [ Lincolnshire ]. The programmes dating by John Lovitt, Printer, Barton, from between 1946 and 1949, and the memorial volume to Boulton from around 1944 or 1945.
£120.00

The five items in fair condition, aged and worn. The 'Memorial Tribute' is 28pp., 8vo. Printed on shiny art paper, and stitched into blue printed wraps. An evocative production, with five pages of photographs, and 'Biographical Notes' followed by warm personal tributes from various individuals. These are of a high standard, particularly 'A Man of many Parts' by first assistant master W. G. Brice, and 'Do you remember?' by clerk to the governors Thomas S. Jackson. Also of interest is 'This was my Friend' by the school caretaker W. G. Todds.

[ The Le Fleming family of Rydal Hall. ] 16 manuscript items from the family papers of Barbara Le Fleming Benson (sister of Sir Daniel Fleming), including material relating to a disputed will, miscellaneous correspondence and genealogical memoranda.

Author: 
[ The Le Fleming family of Rydal Hall, Cumbria, landlords of the poet William Wordsworth; Barbara Le Fleming Benson (1784-1862); Sir Daniel Le Fleming (c.1785-1821), 5th Baronet ]
Publication details: 
Carlisle; Kendal; Crosthwaite; New Mills, near Stockport; Douglas, Isle of Man; St Bees Grammar School, Cumbria. Between 1813 and 1874.
£300.00

The Le Flemings of Rydal Hall were a leading Cumbrian family, notable as the landlords of the poet William Wordsworth. The present collection of 15 items derive from the family papers of Barbara Le Fleming, eldest child of Roger and Ann Fleming, and sister of Sir Daniel le Fleming (c.1785-1821), 5th Baronet, who married John Benson (1780-1830) in 1809.

[John Belfield Gadd, librarian, The John Rylands Library, Manchester.] Bound collection (by his family?) of 18 original compositions, titled 'Some Of His Published and Unpublished Articles', including 14 Typescripts and 2 Autograph Manuscripts.

Author: 
John Belfield Gadd (1895-1918), librarian, The John Rylands Library, Manchester [The Manchester Guardian]
Publication details: 
[Several from 'Edale', 115 Atwood Rd, Didsbury, Manchester.] Items dated from between 1913 and 1916.
£500.00

Folio volume of 127pp. (paginated in red pencil) of typescripts and manuscripts, with three printed items extracted from magazines, bound in black cloth, with the front cover stamped in gilt with the title 'John Belfield Gadd | 1895-1918. | Some Of His Published and Unpublished Articles'. A good-natured and entertaining collection of seventeen essays and two plays, strongly hinting at unfulfilled promise.

[Printed item.] The Laws relating to Grammar and Common Schools, in Cities, Towns, and Villages In Upper Canada; Together with Decisions of the Courts, and other Information.

Author: 
J. George Hodgins, LL.B., Deputy Superintendent of Education, Department of Public Instruction for Upper Canada, editor [nineteenth-century Canadian education]
Publication details: 
Toronto: Printed for the Department of Public Instruction for Upper Canada, by Lovell and Gibson. 1860.
£120.00

88pp., 12mo. In green printed wraps, with front cover carrying the title, which continues: 'Edited under the authority of the Chief Superintendent of Education, with Notes and References, by J. George Hodgins, LL.B., Deputy Superintendent.' In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. With shelfmark and labels of the Board of Education Reference Library, London. Only four copies on OCLC WorldCat.

[The Royal Visit to Reading, 1870.] Printed handbill poem headed 'New Version to an Old Nursery Rhyme', and beginning 'Sing a song of Thousand Guineas', an attack on the mayor Peter Spokes, on the foundation of the new Grammar School.

Author: 
[Royal Visit to Reading, 1870; Queen Victoria; Sir Peter Spokes (1830-1910) of Redlands, Mayor of Reading]
Reading
Publication details: 
Without place or date [Reading, Berkshire; 1870].
£120.00
Reading

1p., 12mo. On trimmed wove paper. Aged and worn, with traces of mount on reverse. 24 lines, arranged in six four-line stanzas, beneath the title 'New Version to an Old Nursery Rhyme.' The poem - based on 'Sing a song of sixpence' - begins: 'Sing a song of Thousand Guineas, | Pockets full of brass; | Rate-payer's money's nought to me, | I'll squander it like an ass. | Sing a song of Royal Visit, | Ain't I a man of sense | To shake hands and sit with Royalty, | At Rate-payers expence.

[Dr Samuel Parr, 'the Whig Doctor Johnson'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('S Parr') to the tea merchant Richard Twining, Senior.

Author: 
Dr Samuel Parr (1747-1825), schoolmaster and classical scholar [Richard Twining (1749-1824), Senior, tea and coffee merchant; his son Richard Twining (1772-1857), Junior]
Publication details: 
27 May [1807].
£56.00

1p., 12mo. 24 lines of text. In fair condition, on aged paper, with minor traces of mount adhering to reverse, which is addressed by Parr to 'R Twining, Senior, Esqre | Devereux Court | the Strand', and docketted 'Dr. Parr May 27th. 1807'.

The Universal Letter-Writer; or, New Art of Polite Correspondence: Containing A Course of Interesting Original Letters, [...] With a new plain and easy Grammar of the English Language. [...] Likewise, The Complete Petitioner, [...].

Author: 
Rev. Thomas Cooke, A.B. 'One of the Authors of the New Royal and Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences.'
Publication details: 
Gainsborough: Printed by and for Henry Mozley. 1812.
£180.00

Full title: 'The Universal Letter-Writer; or, New Art of Polite Correspondence: Containing A Course of Interesting Original Letters, on the Most Important, Instructive, and Entertaining Subjects, which may serve as copies for inditing letters on the various Occurrences in Life. With a new plain and easy Grammar of the English Language. To which are added, Forms of Mortgages, Letters of License, Bonds, Indentures, Wills and Powers, Letters of Attorney, &c. &c. &c.

[Printed pamphlet.] An Address delivered in the Chapel of the Protestant Dissenters' Grammar School, Mill Hill, on Occassion of Public Day, June 18th, 1845.

Author: 
Algernon Wells [Rev. Algernon Wells (1793-1850), Secretary of Mill Hill Grammar School, and to the Colonial Missionary Society] [Evangelical Dissenters]
An Address delivered in the Chapel of the Protestant Dissenters' Grammar School,
Publication details: 
London: Printed by J. Unwin, 31, Bucklersbury. 1845.
£125.00
An Address delivered in the Chapel of the Protestant Dissenters' Grammar School,

12mo, 15 pp. Stitched and unbound. Text clear and complete. Good, on aged paper. Described by Wells as 'an attempt, however feeble, to set forth the character and design of that interesting establishment', Mill Hill Grammar School, and 'designed to exhibit favourably a Public Grammar Education, rendered select by strict religious oversight; and to show the importance that Evangelical Dissenters should possess a permanent Institution for securing such an education for the sons of their more respectable families'.

Albert Rutherston: A Catalogue of the Illustrated Books, Periodicals, Pamphlets, Christmas Cards, Pantomimes, Diaries and Almanacks, Pattern Papers, Ornaments and Autographed Letters in the Collections of Manchester Polytechnic Library.

Author: 
Ian Rogerson [Albert Rutherston (1881-1953), artist and illustrator; Sir William Rothenstein]
Publication details: 
Manchester: Manchester Polytechnic Library, 1988.
£10.00

Quarto: ix + 21 pages. Stapled. In original cream wraps, with colour cover illustration by Helen Taylor. Full-page reproduction of drawing of Rutherston by his brother Sir William Rothenstein. Introduction places Rutherston in the tradition of Edward Gordon Craig and Claud Lovat Fraser. Copies of the second edition (1992) recorded by COPAC, but not at BL or Bodley.

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