JOURNALIST

[Christabel Rose Coleridge, novelist and editor of girl’s magazines, granddaughter of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.] Autograph Letter in the third person regarding the dinner at the Royal Literary Fund.

Author: 
Christabel Rose Coleridge (1843-1921), novelist, journalist and editor of girl’s magazines, granddaughter of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Publication details: 
1 June 1921. Cheyne [Torquay, Devon].
£56.00

See is noticed in her the entry for her father Derwent Coleridge in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, on grey paper. Folded once. In a vigorous and youthful hand, considering the fact that she would be dead in a few months. Reads: ‘Miss Christabel Coleridge presents her compliments to the Secretary of the Royal Literature [sic] Fund, but is compelled to decline the honor they have done her, as she is unable to travel to London. She will endeavour to send a small subscription later on’.

[J. G. Cochrane [John George Cochrane], Scottish editor and first librarian of the London Library.] Autograph Letter Signed to Sir George Cornewall Lewis, providing information regarding the reburial of Louis XVI.

Author: 
J. G. Cochrane [John George Cochrane] (1781-1852), Scottish editor and bibliographer, first librarian of the London Library [Sir George Cornewall Lewis (1806-1863), Liberal politician]
Publication details: 
‘London Library / October 3d/1851’.
£65.00

See his entry, and that of Lewis, in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. Eighteen lines of closely-written text. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. He was absent when Lewis’s letter came, but is now able to answer his query by reference to the ‘Biographie Universelle’. Addressed to ‘G. C. Lewis Esq. / Grove Mill / Watford’ and signed ‘J. G. Cochrane’. He reproduces over seven lines a statement which ‘seems distinct enough’, regarding the reburial of the body of Louis XVI. Should he come across a ‘more particular account’ he will let him know.

[J. G. Cochrane [John George Cochrane], Scottish editor and first librarian of the London Library.] Autograph Note Signed to the Earl of Clarendon, with list of books not returned to the Library by the Earl's brother-in-law Thomas Henry Lister.

Author: 
J. G. Cochrane [John George Cochrane] (1781-1852), Scottish editor, bibliographer, first librarian of the London Library [George William Frederick Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon; Thomas Henry Lister]
J. G. Cochrane
Publication details: 
‘London Library / June 21st.' [1842]
£100.00
J. G. Cochrane

See his entry, and those of Clarendon and Lister, in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of the Earl’s sister Lady Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), who was married to Lister. (See their entries in the Oxford DNB.) 1p, 12mo. Cochrane’s note is on the recto of the first leaf of a bifolium, with the list of books on the recto of the second. In good condition, lightly aged. Addressed to ‘Rt Hon The Earl of Clarendon’. Adopting a diplomatic approach, Cochrane writes: ‘My Lord, / Annexed is a list of the books had from the Library by Mr Lister, which have not been returned.

[Auberon Waugh, journalist and novelist, son of Evelyn Waugh.] Long and entertaining Typed Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, proprietor of ‘Books and Bookmen’, regarding personal and professional matters.

Author: 
Auberon Waugh (‘Bron’, 1939-2001), journalist, novelist and editor of the ‘Literary Review’, son of Evelyn Waugh [Philip Dosse (c.1924-1980), proprietor of 'Books and Bookmen' (Hansom Books)]
Auberon Waugh
Publication details: 
24 May 1977. On illustrated letterhead of ‘Combe Florey House, Combe Florey, Taunton, Somerset.
£180.00
Auberon Waugh

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. From the archives of Philip Dosse, proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of the ‘Seven Arts’ group of magazines, including ‘Books and Bookmen’ and ‘Plays and Players’. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. 2pp, 4to. The letterhead, on both leaves, is topped by a pleasing 10 x 6 cm woodcut of Combe Florey House. The paper is creased, otherwise in good condition, and entirely legible.

[James Payn, Victorian novelist, journalist and magazine editor.] Signed Autograph Inscription 'from your fathers friend', from the autograph album of George Meredith's daughter Mrs Sturgis.

Author: 
James Payn (1830-1898), Victorian novelist and journalist, editor of Chambers's Journal in Edinburgh and the Cornhill Magazine in London
Payn
Publication details: 
31 October 1891. No place.
£50.00
Payn

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. From the autograph album of the novelist George Meredith's daughter Marie Eveleen (‘Mariette’; 1871-1933), later the wife of Henry Parkman Sturgis (1847-1929), American-born banker and Liberal politician. 1p, landscape 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, laid down on a part of a leaf from the album. Neatly written and centred on the page. Reads: ‘With kind regards / from your fathers friend / James Payn / Oct 31/91.’

[Tom Clarke, editor of the News Chronicle, as Director of Practical Journalism, King's College.] Typed Letter Signed ('Tom Clarke') to Morley Stuart of the Cambridge Daily News, regarding. his talk and journalism.

Author: 
Tom Clarke [Thomas Clarke (1884-1957)], editor, News Chronicle; Director of Practical Journalism, University of London King's College [Morley Stuart (c.1887-1949), editor, Cambridge Daily News]
Publication details: 
11 January 1937; on his letterhead, University of London King's College, Strand W.C.2.
£80.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage. He is pleased that Stuart is 'coming along on March 15 to talk to the journalism students, and tell them from a practical point of view what they have to expect when they make a start on a good provincial newspaper'. He agrees with Stuart's plan to 'emphasise that Fleet Street is not the only place in the world', his own view being that 'the best traditions of British journalism are still enshrined in the provincial press'.

[T. H. S. Escott [Thomas Hay Sweet Escott], journalist, newspaper editor (‘The Fortnightly Review’) and biographer of Anthony Trollope.] Six Autograph Letters Signed, mainly concerning autographs for the unnamed recipient’s collection.

Author: 
T. H. S. Escott [Thomas Hay Sweet Escott] (1844-1924), Fleet Street journalist, newspaper editor (‘The Fortnightly Review’) and biographer of Anthony Trollope
Publication details: 
Three letters from 1898 and one letter from 1899; the others from around the same time. All six letters from 90 Buckingham Road, Brighton.
£120.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The six items - written in the semi-retirement that followed Escott's breakdown in 1885 (Joseph Chamberlain and Lord Randolph Churchill took up a subscription for him) - are in good condition, on lightly aged paper. A total of 12pp, 12mo. Closely written in a well-nigh illegible hand. All six letters are addressed to ‘My dear Sir’ and signed ‘T H S Escott’. Considering the execrable nature of the handwriting, it is ironic that the main topic would appear to be the supplying by Escott of autographs for the recipient’s collection.

[Richard Holt Hutton, literary editor of the Spectator.] Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Lovelace Stamer, regarding arrangements for a ‘Congress’.

Author: 
R. H. Hutton [Richard Holt Hutton] (1826-1897), journalist and theologian, joint-editor of the Inquirer and National Review, and literary editor of the Spectator [Sir Lovelace Tomlinson Stamer]
Publication details: 
24 September 1875; on letterhead of ‘ “The Spectator” Office, / 1, Wellington Street, / Strand, London, W.C.’
£45.00

See Hutton's entry in the Oxford DNB, together with that of the recipient Sir Lovelace Tomlinson Stamer (1829-1908), Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged paper, with slight smudging on the first page. With two folds for postage. Addressed to ‘The Revd Sir Lovelace T Stamer Bart’ and signed ‘R H Hutton’. Twenty-five lines of text in a hand that must surely have proved as much of a challenge to Hutton’s compositors as to present-day readers.

[Walter Sichel, journalist and biographer.] Autograph Letter Signed, discussing ?information? (regarding his biography of Emma, Lady Hamilton.

Author: 
Walter Sichel [Walter Sydney Sichel] (1855-1933), English journalist and biographer of German-Jewish descent
Publication details: 
14 December 1905. On letterhead of 50 Egerton Gardens, S.W. [London]
£56.00

3pp, 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Strip of paper from mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. Folded once for postage. He thanks him ?for kind lines with the information? (regarding his biography of Emma, Lady Hamilton). The mistake his recipient points out, regarding ?the Douglas case?, will be ?put right in any subsequent edn.? Regarding ?the Duchess & Lady H?s marriage?, he has ?now put it more hypothetically?, but he considers ?the inference justified by Lady H?s letter (Morison M.S.

[Gordon Daniell Knox, journalist and author.] Duplicated Typed Circular, signed by Knox (as editor of The Standard), ‘to all Fellows of the Royal Society’, accompanied by three question to which he invites answers.

Author: 
Gordon Daniell Knox (b.1880), son of Sir George Edward Knox, journalist and author, editor of the Standard [the Royal Society, London]
Publication details: 
A son of Sir George Edward Knox, Gordon Daniell Knox was educated at Balliol College, Oxford, before going into journalism. He served as deputy editor of the Times of India, and was the author of several works of popular science.
£90.00

A son of Sir George Edward Knox, Gordon Daniell Knox was educated at Balliol College, Oxford, before going into journalism. He served as deputy editor of the Times of India, and was the author of several works of popular science. The letter and questionnaire are on separate pieces of paper, pinned together. Each 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Circular letter, 9 November 1909.

[H. W. Nevinson, campaigning journalist.] Circular Typed Letter, with facsimile signature, appealing for support for the National Council for Civil Liberties.

Author: 
H. W. Nevinson [Henry Woodd Nevinson] (1856-1941), campaigning journalist who reported on slavery in Africa, suffragist, war correspondent [National Council for Civil Liberties, London]
Publication details: 
23 November 1939. On letterhead of the National Council for Civil Liberties, London.
£120.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. A very good facsimile of a typed letter, with the main text in black, some in red and the facsimile signature 'Henry W. Nevinson' in light blue. Names of Nevinson as President, E. M. Forster as Past-President, and dozens of Vice-Presidents in left-hand margin, including Aldous Huxley, A. A. Milne, J. B. Priestley, H. G. Wells and Rebecca West. Addressed to 'Dear Sir', the letter sets out the history of the organization, appealing for 'support for its activities'.

[Robert Lynd, Irish journalist and essayist; his wife the poet Sylvia Lynd.] Autograph Letter Signed from SL to Clement Shorter on the birth of his daugher; and signed autograph letter of condolence from RL to Shorter's widow on his death.

Author: 
Robert Lynd [Robert Wilson Lynd], Irish journalist and essayist; his wife the poet Sylvia Lynd [Clement Shorter [Clement King Shorter], journalist; his second wife, born Annie Doris Banfield]
Publication details: 
SL to CS: 18 January 1922; on letterhead of The Stone House, Steyning, Sussex. RL to 'Mrs. Shorter: 21 November 1926; on letterhead of 5 Keats Grove, Hampstead, NW3.
£80.00

See the entries on Robert and Sylvia Lynd, and Clement Shorter, in the Oxford DNB. (Shorter’s first wife, the Irish nationalist poet Dora Mary Shorter (née Sigerson), had died in 1918.) Both items are in good condition, lightly aged. Both 1p, 12mo, and each folded once for postage. ONE: SL to CS, 18 January 1922. Signed 'Sylvia Lynd'. Begins: 'My dear Clement, I hear that you have a little daughter. Many many congratulations & good wishes. It is very nice to know that you are so happy.' She turns to her own family: ‘We are all well down here & very busy. Sheila & B. J.

[Geoffrey Jenkins, South African journalist and novelist, friend of Ian Fleming and author of an unpublished James Bond novel.] Typed Letter Signed to the autograph hunter Eileen Cond, regarding his next novel ‘A Grue of Ice’.

Author: 
Geoffrey Jenkins [Geoffrey Ernest Jenkins] (1920-2001), South African writer, husband of Eve Palmer, friend of Ian Fleming, author of an unpublished James Bond novel [Eileen Cond, autograph hunter]
Publication details: 
10 February 1961; on letterhead of The Star (‘Pretoria Office’).
£120.00

Jenkins’s Bond book ‘Per Fine Ounce’, which he claimed was based on a diamond-smuggling storyline he had developed with Fleming in 1957, was rejected by Fleming’s production company Glidrose in 1966. The recipient Eileen Margaret Cond (1911-1984) of Honiton was an enthusiastic collector of autographs, with the ability of drawing a more than perfunctory response from her targets. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. Signed 'Geoffrey Jenkins'.

[Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, war correspondent whose reporting of the Gallipoli campaign laid the foundation of the ‘Anzac legend’.] Autograph Signature and address extracted from document.

Author: 
E. Ashmead-Bartlett [Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett] (1881-1931), Daily Telegraph war correspondent in the Balkans in the First World War, noted for his reporting of the Gallipoli Campaign [Dardanelles]
Publication details: 
No date. ‘Marlborough Chambers / Jermyn Street’.
£38.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, which states with regard to his reporting of the Dardanelles Campaign that his ‘vivid description of the courage, spirit, and fighting qualities of the soldiers became the foundation of the “Anzac legend”, a key part of popular nationalism in Australia and New Zealand’. In addition Ashmead-Bartlett is responsible for the only extant cinematic footage of the campaign. Strip of paper from the lower part of a leaf, carrying the end of a document, laid down on leaf extracted from album. In fair condition on lightly aged and browned paper.

[Blanchard Jerrold, journalist and author.] Signature and autograph paraphrase of passage from his ‘Life of Napoleon III - Vol 2.’, written out for an album.

Author: 
Blanchard Jerrold [William Blanchard Jerrold] (1826-1884), journalist and author
Publication details: 
No place or date, but after the book’s publication in 1874.
£56.00

Part of leaf from autograph album, cut into an irregular shape. In fair condition, on lightly aged and discoloured paper, with film of dried glue from mount on blank reverse. The passage, which curiously enough does not correspondend with the printed text, reads (with three mistakes scored through): ‘Life of Napoleon III - Vol 2. / The Government, it is true, endeavoured to prevail upon Queen Hortense to request him to give his word that he would remain in America for ten years; but she replied that Prince Louis was master of his own actions & she would not endeavour to influence them.

[Cecil King, Fleet Street press baron.] 47 Autograph Cards Signed to the publisher of ‘Books and Bookmen’ Philip Dosse, on various topics including the reviews he is writing for him.

Author: 
Cecil King [Cecil Harmsworth King] (1901-1987), Fleet Street press baron (Daily Mirror, Sunday Pictorial, IPC), nephew of Viscounts Northcliffe and Rothermere [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher]
Publication details: 
35 of the 47 cards with postmarks from between 1971 and 1977; the other 14 postmarks illegible. 29 of the cards from England (ten with his letterhead, The Pavilion, Hampton Court, Surrey); 17 from the Republic of Ireland [Eire]; one from Iran.
£1,200.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, together with those of his uncles and other members of the newspaper dynasty of which he was a member. The recipient Philip Dosse was the proprietor of the London publishers Hansom Books. Beginning in 1950 with ‘Dance and Dancers’, Dosse built up a stable of seven monthly arts magazines, produced from offices in Artillery Mansions, London, the most influential of which were ‘Books and Bookmen’, ‘Plays and Players’ and ‘Films and Filming’. An elusive figure, Dosse certainly merits a full-length study.

[John Joy Bell, Scottish journalist and chronicler of Glaswegian working-class life.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr Keary’ [Peter Keary, editor of Pearson’s Weekly], explaining why the piece he is submitting for the ‘1000th Number’ is sub-par.

Author: 
John Joy Bell (1871-1934), Scottish journalist and author, noted for his accurate depiction of Glaswegian working-class life [Peter Keary (1865-1915), editor of Pearson’s Weekly]
Publication details: 
22 June 1909; on letterhead of Clyde Cottage, Craigendoran, Helensburgh.
£56.00

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded for postage. Reads: ‘Dear Mr Keary, / Enclosed is for 1000th Number of Pearson’s Weekly. It is not what I wanted to do for you, but illness and other interruptions have spoiled my work for the last two months. So please reject if necessary. / Faithfully yours / J. J. Bell’.

[‘Everyone is holding on tight’: James Bone, Scottish journalist, London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian.] Typed Letter Signed to ‘Burdett’, explaining how ‘experienced men’ are ‘on the street’ (during the Great Depression).

Author: 
James Bone (1872-1962), Scottish journalist, for three decades London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, brother of Sir Muirhead Bone
Publication details: 
12 May 1932; on letterhead of the Manchester Guardian London Office, 43 Fleet Street, EC4 [London].
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage. Addressed to ‘Dear Burdett’ and signed ‘J Bone’. He will let him know if he hears of anything with regard to Burdett’s ‘young friend’, ‘but one hears so rarely now of newspaper openings, as everyone is holding on tight, and there are so many experienced men on the street’. He is sending Burdett’s note ‘on to Manchester in case there should ever be an opportunity there’.

[Sir Colin Coote, editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Typescript, with Autograph additions, of essay written in support of apartheid following a visit to South Africa in 1971, with particular reference to the economy, ending with 'White Man's Burdens'.

Author: 
Sir Colin Coote [Sir Colin Reith Coote] (1893-1979), editor of the Daily Telegraph and Liberal politician [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher ‘Books and Bookmen’; South Africa and apartheid]
Publication details: 
No place or date, but circa 1971.
£350.00

An interesting document on the South African situation at the beginning of the 1970s, written in support of apartheid by a leading British journalist. See Coote’s entry in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Philip Dosse, who was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. There is no indication where, if anywhere, the present item was published.

[‘Nothing good can come out of Printing House Square’: Sir Colin Coote, editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Autograph Manuscript, signed ‘Colin R. Coote’, of review of ‘The Reigning Error’ by William Rees-Mogg, editor of The Times.

Author: 
Sir Colin Coote [Sir Colin Reith Coote] (1893-1979), editor of the Daily Telegraph and Liberal politician [Philip Dosse (1925-80), publisher, ‘Books and Bookmen’; William Rees-Mogg, editor, The Times]
Publication details: 
Not dated, but published in the London magazine ‘Books and Bookmen’ in 1974.
£180.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Philip Dosse, who was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. Rees-Mogg’s book was published in 1974, and the present item appeared in ‘Books and Bookmen’ in the same year. A late draft, neatly written out on 5pp, small 4to, with each page on separate leaf. Signed at end ‘Colin R. Coote’.

[Marghanita Laski, novelist, journalist and radio personality.] Autograph Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’, explaining her reasons for postponing future reviewing.

Author: 
Marghanita Laski [née Esther Pearl Laski] (1915-1988), novelist, journalist and radio personality [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher of ‘Books and Bookmen’]
Publication details: 
15 December 1973; on letterhead of Capo di Monte, Windmill Hill, London NW3 (with upside-down letterhead of Les Forges de Montgaillard, 11 Mouthoumet).
£56.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The present item is 1p, small 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded.. Signed ‘Marghanita Laski’. She had no fears about the cheque for £50 he has sent: ‘I knew it would turn up.’ She thanks him for offering her ‘some reviewing.

[Claud Cockburn, well-connected communist journalist.] Two Typed Letters Signed and one Autograph Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, publisher of ?Books and Bookmen?, one giving plans for reviewing Jessica Mitford's 'damn good book' 'Fine Old Conflict'.

Author: 
Claud Cockburn [Francis Claud Cockburn] (1904-1981), well-connected communist journalist, founder and editor of ?The Week? [Philip Dosse (1926-1980), publisher ?Books and Bookmen?; Jessica Mitford]
Publication details: 
Years not stated (but one from 1977); all three items on his letterhead, Brook Lodge, Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland.
£180.00

An interesting correspondence, with one editor showing his experience in discussing the reviews he is writing for another. See Cockburn's entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ?Death of a Bookman? by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ?Books and Bookmen? at the time of Dosse?s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The three items are ruckled and stained from water damage, with smudging of the signature (?Claud Cockburn?

[‘The Ultimate All-Rounder’: C. B. Fry, one of the greatest of English cricketers.] Autograph Signature from Typed Letter written as Honorary Director of the training ship Mercury..

Author: 
C. B. Fry [Charles Burgess Fry] (1872-1956), one of the greatest of English cricketers, sportsman, scholar, journalist
Fry
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00
Fry

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, which states that he has ‘strong claims to be regarded as the greatest sporting all-rounder of his or any era since’. (Neville Cardus counted him ‘among the most fully developed and representative Englishmen of his period’.) It also seems that in 1920 he was offered the chance of becoming king of Albania. His grave at Repton is inscribed: ‘Cricketer, scholar, athlete, Author – The Ultimate All-rounder’.

[Percy Linaker, journalist, editor of the Oxford Chronicle.] Offprint of article ‘A Journalist’s Ideals’.

Author: 
Percy Linaker (1860-1938), journalist, editor of the Oxford Chronicle, manager of the Leamington Chronicle [J. Cuming Walters (1863-1933), editor of the Manchester City News]
Publication details: 
‘Paper read by Mr. Percy Linaker (Leamington), at the Quarterly Meeting of the Birmingham and Midland Counties District of the Institute of Journalists, held at Wolverhampton, March 7th, 1896.’
£120.00

A scarce item, no other copy discovered on ViaLibri, WorldCat or JISC LHD. 4pp, 12mo. Paginated bifolium in small print. Aged and worn, with short closed tear in gutter. Folded twice.

[Hannen Swaffer, Fleet Street journalist and spiritualist.] Typed Letter Signed to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, with carbon of the reply, regarding the music hall artiste Belle Bilton, who became Lady Dunlo.

Author: 
Hannen Swaffer [Frederic Charles Hannen Swaffer] (1879-1962), Fleet Street journalist and spiritualist [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian; Belle Bilton, music hall artiste [Lady Dunlo]]
Publication details: 
Swaffer’s letter: 9 May 1951; 8 St Martin’s Place, Trafalgar Square, WC2 [London]. Carbon of Macqueen-Pope’s letter: 11 May 1951; 359 Strand, WC2 [London].
£45.00

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. From the Macqueen-Pope papers. Each item in good condition, lightly aged, with creasing and rust staining to one corner from a paperclip. ONE: Swaffer to MP. TLS, signed ‘Swaff’. 1p, 4to. ‘Dear Popey, / Do you know anything about this woman? [From the context he is sending MP an enquiry he has received from ‘Mr. Le Poer Trench’] I presume she was a legitimate actress.

[Saint Nihal Singh, trailblazing Indian journalist.] Typed Card Signed to W. Macqueen-Pope, querying their possible acquaintance during his years of ‘London journalism’, and the Indian reception of MP’s BBC radio broadcasts. With carbon reply by MP.

Author: 
Saint Nihal Singh [St Nihal Singh] (1884-1949), trailblazing Indian journalist and author, for a time based in England [W. J. Macqueen-Pope [Walter James Macqueen-Pope] (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
3 November 1951; Suryasthanam, 16, Nemi Road, Dehra Dun, Uttar Pradesh, India.
£180.00

From the papers of W. J. Macqueen-Pope (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). Addressed in autograph to MP care of the BBC, and then forwarded to his office, 359 Strand. Pencil annotation by MP. On one side of an unillustrated postmarked printed British ‘Indian Postage’ air mail card with Indian postage stamp. In good condition, aged and lightly-worn. Also in Singh’s autograph is the salutation to ‘Dear Pope’ and the valediction ‘Your sincere / St Nihal Singh ST NIHAL SINGH’.

[Eliza Lynn Linton, novelist, pioneering woman journalist and anti-feminist.] Autograph Note Signed enquiring about what constitutes an acceptable subscription.

Author: 
Eliza Lynn Linton (1822-1898), novelist, pioneering woman journalist and anti-feminist
Publication details: 
25 June [1892], but with initialled receipt stamp dated 27 June 1892. ‘address / c/o Captain W. Colburn D.L. / Bellevue / Enniskillen / Co. Fermanagh’; on letterhead of Queen Anne’s Mansions, St. James’s Park, S.W. [London]
£30.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. On bifolium with her current address in autograph on the reverse of the second leaf, which has slight traces of paper from a previous mount at its head. The recipient is not named. Reads: ‘Dear Sir / Will you give me some idea of the subscriptions made by the Committee, so that I may be [?] the amount to send, as I do not ish to send a cheque equal with the highest or below the lowest. / Faithfully yrs. / E. Lynn Linton’.

[Francis Horner, Scottish Whig politician, journalist and political economist; Slave Trade] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Harrison’, regarding ‘Stephen’s book’, a pardon for thieves, the Attorney General, ‘Thorpe’, and the General Assembly.

Author: 
Francis Horner (1778-1817), Scottish Whig politician, Member of Parliament and political economist, one of the founders of the Edinburgh Review [Harrison]
Publication details: 
1 April 1815. Taunton [Somerset].
£220.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. At the time of writing, a year and a half before his death, Horner was Member of Parliament for St. Mawes in Cornwall. 1p, 4to. Eighteen lines, neatly written. Addressed to ‘My dear Harrison’ and signed ‘Fra Horner.’ In good condition, lightly aged, with negligible remnants of windowpane mount adhering at edges of blank reverse. Folded for postage. He has received both of Harrison’s letters, and is ‘particularly obliged’ to him for ‘sending the copy of Stephen’s communication.

[‘The most famous newspaper correspondent the world has ever seen': W. H. Russell [Sir William Howard Russell] of The Times.] Autograph Letter Signed, in French, to M. Barbotte, requesting a hotel room, and mentioning the ‘temps terrible’ of 1870.

Author: 
W. H. Russell [Sir William Howard Russell] (1820-1907), pioneering Anglo-Irish journalist, correspondent of The Times in the Crimea and American Civil War, and during the Indian Mutiny
Publication details: 
16 February 1884; 24 Avenue Victor Hugo [Paris], on letterhead of the New Club, Boulevard Malesherbes,
£50.00

According to Russell’s entry in the Oxford DNB, while reporting on the Civil War, he was described by one American newspaper as ‘the most famous newspaper correspondent the world has ever seen'. The inscription on his memorial in St Paul’s Cathedral calls him ‘'the first and greatest of War Correspondents'. He coined the phrase ‘thin red line’, was instrumental in the sending of Florence Nightingale to the Crimea, and is said to have written the report that inspired Tennyson to write ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’.

[Henrietta Stannard, author and journalist with pseudonyms ‘John Strange Winter’ and ‘Violet Whyte’.] Typed Letter Signed, with long Autograph postscript, regarding how she has used the donations towards the ‘comfort and independence’ of an old lady.

Author: 
Henrietta Stannard [Henrietta Eliza Vaughan Stannard; née Palmer] (1856-1911) author and pioneering woman journalist who employed the pseudonyms ‘John Strange Winter’ and ‘Violet Whyte’
Publication details: 
17 December 1901; 25 Charleville Road, West Kensington, W. [London.]
£50.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, on lightly-browned paper. Folded four times. The recipient is not identified. Signed ‘Henrietta E. V. Stannard’ and addressed to ‘Dear Lady’. She thanks her for ‘the kind help you have provided for my old lady’. The ‘very generouos responses’ she has met with have exceeded her expectations, and she hopes that her ‘dear old friend’s future comfort and independence are now assured, for the rest of her life’.

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