GREENWICH

[Sir George Biddell Airy, Astronomer Royal who established the Greenwich Meridian.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Francis Baily Esqre’, announcing a meeting of the 'Standard Commission'.

Author: 
Sir George Biddell Airy (1801-1892), mathematician and Astronomer Royal who established the Greenwich Meridian
Publication details: 
‘Royal Observatory Greenwich / 1851 Feb 8 [amended from ‘Jan 27’]’.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage and with an unobtrusive crease to one corner (not near signature). Reads: ‘Sir / A meeting of the Standard Commission will be held at Sir John Lubbock’s Bank, St. Mildred’s Court, Mansion house Street, on Thursday Feb 11, at 11 o’clock in the forenoon, when your attendance is particularly requested. / I am, Sir, / Your obedient servant / G B Airy’.

[Sir Thomas Hastings, distinguished Royal Navy officer and gunnery instructor.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Sir Charles’, proposing that ‘Mr Stark’ [Charles Stark] give ‘mathematical instruction’ to the Lieutenants of Royal Marine Artillery.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Hastings (1790-1870), distinguished Royal Navy officer and gunnery instructor [Royal Marine Artillery]
Publication details: 
‘Excellent [i.e. HMS Excellent] Friday morning [no date, but watermarked 1838]’.
£180.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. Whatman watermark of 1838. Sixty-nine lines of text, addressed to ‘My dear Sir Charles’ and signed ‘Thomas Hastings’. Begins: ‘I have been thinking that the difficulty of giving mathematics instruction to the Lieuts of R[oyal]. M[arine]. A[rtillery].

’ [Mrs Evelyn J[Sir William Davidson Niven, mathematician, Director of Studies at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.] Autograph Letter Signed to his old acquaintance ‘Mrs Allan’, discussing her family and agreeing to cast a vote for her ‘candidate’.

Author: 
Sir William Davidson Niven (1842-1917), Scottish mathematician and electrical engineer, for thirty years Director of Studies at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich [James Clerk Maxwell; A. N. Whitehead
Publication details: 
10 April 1894; on letterhead of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, S.E. [London.]
£90.00

In addition to acting as editor of the works of his colleague James Clerk Maxwell, Niven was the teacher of one of the greatest mathematicians and philosophers of the twentieth century, Alfred North Whitehead. The item is from the papers of the presumed recipient, Mrs Evelyn Julia Allan of the Chelsea Red Cross. 2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Signed ‘W. D. Niven’ and addressed to ‘Dear Mrs Allen’. He was pleased to receive her letter, ‘reminding me of old times’, but he had not forgotten her, as he has ‘sometimes heard Dr. J. M Bruce speak about you & your family’.

[Thomas Sutton, physician and medical writer.] Three Autograph Letters, one signed and two third person, to A. J. G. Marcet, with Autograph Copy of letter from Marcet, on a misunderstanding over a paper to the Medical and Chirurgical Society.

Author: 
Thomas Sutton (c.1767-1835), physician who first described delirium tremens [Alexander John Gaspard Marcet (1770-1822), Genevan-born physician to Guy's Hospital, London, and chemist]
Publication details: 
ONE:Greenwich; 11 September 1812. TWO: 17 September 1812. THREE: 26 September 1812. FOUR: Ruessell Square [London]; 25 September 1812.
£600.00

See the entries for Sutton and Marcet in the Oxford DNB. A strained exchange as a result of a misunderstanding over the presentation by Marcet to the Medical and Chirurgical Society of a paper by Sutton. (The following year Sutton would publish his 'Tracts on Delirium Tremens, on Peritonitis, and on Some other Internal Inflammatory Affections, and on the Gout'.) The shift between persons in Sutton's three letters is indicative of a cooling of tone, and in the final item Marcet comes close to accusing Sutton of lying.

[Sir William Gifford, Governor of Greenwich Hospital.] Conclusion of Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm: Gifford'), regarding a petition to the Queen from 'the Commissrs: and Directors of the Royal Hospital', and raising of funds for the 'House and Park'

Author: 
Sir William Gifford (c.1649-1724), Royal Navy officer, Member of Parliament, and Governor of Greenwich Hospital, 1708-1714
Gifford
Gifford2
Publication details: 
Without place or date [prior to 1708].
£750.00
Gifford
Gifford2

On one side of a piece of laid paper, top half torn off and missing, leaving the conclusion of the letter. Roughly 11 x 17.5 cm. Thirteen full lines of text, with two partial lines along the tear at the top edge. A frail item, in fair condition, aged and worn. See Gifford's entry in the History of Parliament. The letter, apparently addressed to an individual at the Admiralty or the Treasury, concerns a part of the tortuous process of raising finances for the conversion of the Queen's House into the hospital.

[ Admiral Sir Lewis Jones, Governor of Greenwich Hospital. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Lewis T Jones') to 'Mr Wills', paying his subscription to 'the South Hants Archery Society'.

Author: 
Admiral Sir Lewis Jones [ [ Admiral Sir Lewis Tobias Jones ] (1797-1895), Governor of Greenwich Hospital and Commander-in-Chief, Queenstown
Publication details: 
'Down End Fareham | May 14th 1875'.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, with small stain from mount at head of leaf. He is sending a postal order for eleven guineas, 'being the Subscription of Miss Jones & myself to the South Hants Archery Society fm 1875'. He ends in the hope that Wills and his wife have enjoyed their 'trip on the Continent'.

[ Thomas Hardy, RN ] Autograph Note, third person, to Joseph Glynn, Civil Engineer, thanking him for a Print by the latter..

Author: 
Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy [ Thomas Masterman Hardy, sometime Captain of the "Victory" under Nelson ], Governor, Greenwich Hospital.
Publication details: 
Greenwich Hospital, 27 November 1834.
£180.00

One page, 12mo, fold marks, signs on being tipped into an album, good conition. "Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy presents his Compliments to Mr. Glynn and begs to return his best thanks for a Print of a Bridge over the River Aire."

[ Earl of St Vincent; Royal Navy ] Autograph Letter Signed "St Vincent" to [ Edward Hawke Locker, watercolourist, Governor of Greenwich Hospital (Royal Navy) ]

Author: 
John Jervis, Earl of St Vincent, Admiral, patron of Nelson.
Publication details: 
[Racketts?] 5 May 1811.
£220.00

One page, 4to, window pane mount, good condition. "I am very glad that you incline to be a Fellow of the Royal Society, because I am sure you will contribute largely to it by your researches - and be a much better attendat tha | Your very sincere | nd obedient servant | St Vincent.| [POstscript ] My Protege, Lieut. Dickens, is, I believe in the ship which bears the Flag of Adml Boyles - Lady St Vincent is something better.

[ Sir Frank Watson Dyson (1868-1939), Astronomer Royal. ] Autograph Note Signed ('F. W. Dyson') to 'Prof. Adams'

Author: 
Sir Frank Watson Dyson (1868-1939), Astronomer Royal who introduced Greenwich time signals ('pips') and helped prove Einstein's theory of general relativity
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Royal Greenwich Observatory. 1 July 1919.
£200.00

1p., 16mo. In good condition. Reads: 'Dear Prof. Adams, | Will you give us the pleasure of your company at lunch at the Royal Observatory on July 8 at 1 o'clock?'

[ Nicholas Tindal, Chaplain to Greenwich Hospital, historian. ] Autograph Signature ('N: Tindal') to Exchequer receipt.

Author: 
Nicolas Tindal (1687-1744), Chaplain to Greenwich Hospital, historian
Publication details: 
[ His Majesty's Receipt of Exchequer, London. ] 27 July 1761.
£180.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, aged and worn. Laid out in the usual way, with printed text completed in manuscript. Records a payment of ten pounds on an annuity, 'during the Life of Anna Maria Tindal'. With signature of witness 'Alexr. Ross'.

[ Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (later King of Hanover) and the Royal Naval Asylum, Greenwich. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Ernest Augustus') to Rev. William Morgan, giving instructions regarding the appointment of matrons to the institution.

Author: 
Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland 1799-1851, and King of Hanover 1837-1851, son of King George III and uncle of Queen Victoria [ Rev. William Morgan, Chaplain of the Royal Naval Asylum, Greenwich ]
Publication details: 
St James's Palace [ London ]. 1 January 1808.
£320.00

The Duke was the head of the Committee in charge of the Royal Naval Asylum, which had been founded as the British National Endeavour in 1798, for the orphans of military and naval personnel killed in action. It had moved from Paddington to the Queen's House, Greenwich, in October 1807, having received a large amount of public support (including that of Lord Nelson), and was responsible for upwards of 1000 boys and girls. 3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged paper, with damp damage resulting in some loss (including a little text). Repaired with archival tape.

Manuscript headed 'A Valuation of Houses and Gardens &c in Corbridge as follows', giving names of proprietors, tenants, 'What the Building consists of' and valuations.

Author: 
[ Corbridge, Northumberland: manuscript valuation of houses and gardens, circa 1800 ]
Publication details: 
[Corbridge, Northumberland. Circa 1800.]
£250.00

10pp., 4to. On five leaves pinned together. In good condition, on aged laid paper with Britannia watermark. Folded into the customary packet, and docketted 'Valuation of Corbrid. Houses & Gardens &c.' Arranged in ten columns: No. of Claim; Proprietors Names; Situation & Tennants Names; What the Building consists [Premises consist] of; Particular Content of Land [Gardens &c]; Total Content of Land; Particular rent of Houses & Land; Yearly rent of Houses & Land; Houses & Land proportioned; Total Claim.

[Nathaniel Wegg, Wine and Spirit Merchant, Red Lion, No. 1, East Street, Greenwich.] Printed circular advertisement, informing the public that he has purchased the business of Mr. Gosling. With price list and engraving of the Red Lion Inn.

Author: 
Nathaniel Wegg, Wine and Spirit Merchant, Red Lion, No. 1, East Street, Greenwich
Publication details: 
Nathaniel Wegg, Wine and Spirit Merchant, Red Lion, No. 1, East Street, Greenwich. [Henry S. Richardson, Printer, Greenwich.] July 1841.
£150.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper. The recto of the first leaf is headed by a 6.5 x 8 cm engraving of the Red Lion Inn. Beneath this is an advertisement in the form of a letter from 'NATHANIEL WEGG' to 'Sir, or Madam', addressed from 'RED LION, EAST STREET, GREENWICH. | July, 1841.' He states that he has 'repurchased the business lately carried on by Mr. GOSLING', and recommends his 'STOCK OF WINES, which was laid in by me at my commencement in business in December 1838, and which for selection and flavour may safely defy competition'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Brassey') from Brassey to 'P. Michelli [later Sir Pietro James Michelli], Esq | Secretary | Seaman's Hospital', regretting that he was not able to visit the Albert Docks.

Author: 
Thomas Brassey, 1st Earl Brassey [Lord Brassey] (1836-1918), Liberal politician [Sir Pietro James Michelli (1853–1935), Secretary, Seaman's Hospital; Albert Dock Seaman's Hospital]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 24 Park Lane, W. [London]. 16 July 1889.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with short closed tear to one edge and traces of mount on blank second leaf of bifolium. Signature slightly smudged. Brassey writes that he has been 'detained at the House of Lords, where I have been acting as chairman of a private committee', and as a result 'found it impossible to go down to the Albert Docks yesterday afternoon'. The letter almost certainly relates to the Albert Dock Seaman's Hospital, which was officially opened the following year, as a branch of the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Jno Colpoys') from Admiral Sir John Colpoys, Governor of Greenwich Hospital, to James Sykes Jnr, regarding arrangements following the death of 'Poor Georgina'.

Author: 
Admiral Sir John Colpoys (c.1742-1821), Governor of Greenwich Hospital [Spithead Mutiny, 1797]
Admiral Sir John Colpoys (c.1742-1821)
Publication details: 
3 June [1800].
£85.00
Admiral Sir John Colpoys (c.1742-1821)

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium, with the reverse of the second leaf carrying the address ('J. Sykes Esqr: | 22 Arundel Street | Strand', with two postmarks and docketing by Sykes. Nineteen lines. Text clear and complete. On aged paper, with wear to second leaf. Sykes 'will not be surprized to hear' that on the previous day 'Poor Georgina [...] paid the Great Debt'. Colpoys has arranged for her funeral to be 'conducted - in a Decent Private manner', and for her to be buried 'in the Parish of Kensington where she Died - Mr.

Printed form headed 'Royal Naval College,' not filled in, which when completed is intended to give 'an account' of the 'progress' made by an individual 'in his studies at this establishment'.

Author: 
[Royal Naval College, Portsmouth; Royal Navy; naval and maritime; the Admiralty]
Publication details: 
Without date or place [early nineteenth century].
£150.00

Folio bifolium (dimensions of leaf roughly 32 x 20 cm): one page, with the reverse of the leaf and the whole of the second leaf of the bifolium blank. Unbound. Good, on lightly aged and creased laid paper with a Britannia watermark. Eighteen lines of text, mostly taken up with comments on the teaching at the College of Latin and Greek, followed by an 'Extract from the General Report transmitted to the Admiralty Office' with room for the Student's name, his date of admission, and progress in mathematics, English, Latin and Greek, History and Geography, French and Drawing.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Miss Zeman'.

Author: 
Francis Lambert McCrudden (1872-1958), editor of The Raven Anthology ('Issued Monthly by the Raven Poetry Circle of Greenwich Village')
Publication details: 
Undated; on letterhead of the Raven Anthology.
£85.00

Octavo, 2 pp. 23 lines of text. Lightly discoloured and slightly creased. The letterhead gives the names of seven of the Anthology's staff, and features an illustration of a raven. Regarding a line missed (beginning 'O fool') in the printing of a poem of Zeman's, he is pleased that Zeman has been able to 'see the matter from my side', and doesn't think 'an explanatory note in our next issue would be adequate'. Zeman's poem is 'beautiful' and 'well worth reprinting'. 'As to the Soiree, in your honor, think no more about it.

Two Typed Notes Signed to [C.H. Grinling, socialist, editor of the Woolwich "Pioneer"

Author: 
Leo Chiozza Money
Publication details: 
[Headed notepaper] The Daily News Office, London, 14 Nov. 1905 and 13 Oct. 1906
£120.00

Member of Parliament, economist, etc. Two pages each, 8vo, good condition, one docketed with writer's name, etc. in another hand [Grinling's?]. [14-11-05] He tells Grinling that his "Riches and Poverty" is the right response to the latter's "first paragraph", and the point is dealt with at length in two chapters. His column will also deal with the point. He goes on to emphasise the importance of a matter concerning electiricity. In an autograph postscript, Money says "The 'Pioneer' has gone astray - I get more papers than I can look at.

Typed Letter Signed to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, School for the Art of Theatre, 7, John Street, Adelphi, London.

Author: 
Sir Alfred Fernandez Yarrow
Publication details: 
12 January 1916; on letterhead 'HOMESTEAD, | HINDHEAD, | SURREY.'
£30.00

English engineer and naval architect (1842-1932). One page, 4to. Good, but lightly creased and slightly discoloured at foot. Bears the stamp of the Royal Society of Arts, of which Wood was the Secretary. Thanks Wood for his 'kind telegram of congratulation' (presumably on his knighthood).

40 Autograph Letters Signed to him from various "old shipmates", mostly senior naval figures; with 9 portrait photographs, a photograph of the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert and the seal in red wax of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich.

Author: 
Captain Charles Dickson Inglis, R.N.
Publication details: 
between 1858 and 1898; from various locations.
£450.00

Captain Charles Dickson Inglis, R.N. (born c.1835; fl. 1898), is best known for his offer in 1887 to buy South Georgia in the Falkland Islands for the purposes of sheep-farming. This collection of his correspondence is neatly bound in a crude octavo volume, and is preceded by a manuscript index by him. Items in good condition overall, with minor discoloration and spotting, mainly caused by the glue used in mounting the photographs. All the letters are 8vo and smaller, several of them being cropped at the head, but with the cropped strips loosely inserted.

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