HERRIES

See his father?s entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 16mo. On first leaf of bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. The recipient?s full name is not give. Signed ?Walter H Pollock?. The ?Ajax business? referred to in the letter is the performance of the first of the Cambridge Greek plays, organised by the archaeologist Sir Charles Walston [formerly Waldstein] (1856-1927).

Two Manuscript Letters from the London banking house Robert Herries & Co. to the former Governor of West Florida George Johnstone, the first ‘with Account Current’ and the second regarding delivery of ‘the plate to Mr Maxwell. Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: 2pp, 8vo. On the inner sides of a bifolium, with the reverse of the second leaf bearing the address (with postmark) ‘Commodore Johnstone / M. P. / Portsmouth’, and endorsement ‘Sir Robert Harries [sic] & Co. / 19th Feby. 1781. / with Account Current. / Balance due the Governor / £697 .. 18/3’.

1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, with negligible remnants of windowpane mount adhering at edges of reverse (which has the catalogue entry for the item laid down on the reverse). Folded for postage. Reads: ‘Sir / In reply to the letter which I have had the honor of receiving from you I beg leave to communicate to you my wish to be enrolled among the Members of the Club for promoting the Authors of Science Literature & the Arts / I have the honor to be / Sir / Your obedient / humble Servant / J C Herries’.

Lord Hennessy has characterised the subject of these items, the Northcote-Trevelyan Report of 1854, as 'the greatest single governing gift of the nineteenth to the twentieth century: a politically disinterested and permanent Civil Service with core values of integrity, propriety, objectivity and appointment on merit, able to transfer its loyalty and expertise from one elected government to the next'.

Janet Maxwell married William Maxwell in Buittle Parish on 3 September 1839, and died three years later. The nine items, in good condition on lightly-aged paper, provide a fascinating insight into the requisites and cost of an early Victorian Scottish middle-class wedding, from the wedding 'pelisse' to the 'bride's cake'. ONE. Covering packet with manuscript note by J. H. Maxwell reading 'Vouchers | My Daughters marriage - clothes jewellery pocket money &c | 3d Sep 1839 | £439. 5. 4'. TWO. Autograph itemised account by J. H. Maxwell. 12mo, 1 p.

New Zealand-born English author (1884-1941), best know for his series of 'Herries Chronicles'. Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by five inches. Folded once (not affecting signature). Mounted on larger piece of cream paper. From Autograph album. Reads 'With the best | wishes of | Hugh Walpole | May 30th. | 1924'.