LITERATURE

[Printed handbill.] New Version of the House that Jack Built. [Parallel texts, with the 'old version' in one column, and the 'new version', in circumfluous language, in another.]

Author: 
[Victorian parody of 'The House that Jack Built']
Victorian parody of 'The House that Jack Built']
Publication details: 
[Without date or place.] [Late Victorian?]
£125.00
Victorian parody of 'The House that Jack Built']

8vo, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Fair, on thin aged paper, laid down on a sheet of backing. In small type, with the 'old version' of the nursery rhyme, in the left hand column, transformed into a 'new version' of 78 lines of prose in the right-hand column. The first line - 'This is the house that Jack built' - is changed into 'This is the domiciliary edifice erected by John.' The 'priest all shaven and shorn' becomes 'the ecclesiastical gentleman, the summit of whose pericranium was denuded of its natural covering'. Scarce: no copy in the British Library or on COPAC.

Contemporary and apparently unpublished typescript translation by L. A. Shiffner of 'The Battle of the Waves for Freedom' by Maxim Gorky [Gorki]. Headed 'Forbidden in Russia'. Made on behalf of Mrs Gill's Translating Office, Ludgate Hill, London.

Author: 
Maxim Gorky [L. A. Shiffner, translator, of Mrs R. V. Gill's Translating Office, Ludgate Circus, London]
 'The Battle of the Waves for Freedom' by Maxim Gorky
Publication details: 
[Circa 1910.] With stamp of 'Mrs. Gill, Translating Office, Ludgate Hill, London EC.'
£450.00
 'The Battle of the Waves for Freedom' by Maxim Gorky

The story on nine numbered 4to pages, with a covering page carrying the title: 'THE BATTLE OF THE WAVES FOR FREEDOM. | By Maxim Gorki.' On the rectos of ten 4to leaves, attached by a brass pin. Text clear and complete at 26 lines to the page. On worn, discoloured paper (watermarked 'CONQUEROR | LONDON'), with loss to extremities. Mrs Gill's purple oblong stamp in bottom left-hand corner of reverse of last leaf: 'Mrs.

[Pamphlet] Asinus Loquax; or, The Talking Donkey. A Pasquinade.

Author: 
'A Little Old Man'
Asinus Loquax; or, The Talking Donkey. A Pasquinade.
Publication details: 
Guildford: Printed by Billing and Sons, 1888.
£56.00
Asinus Loquax; or, The Talking Donkey. A Pasquinade.

24pp., 12mo, original red paper wraps, sl. chipping and staining, mainly good. From the personal library of Richard Bentley, sometime publisher, for whose House Billing did work. One copy listed on WorldCat, at the BL.

Four ink drawings, portraits in the style of Daniel Maclise's illustrations to William Maginn's 'Gallery of Illustrious Literary Characters' in Fraser's Magazine, and possibly depicting John Nichols, Theodore Hook, Percival Bankes and William Jerdan.

Author: 
[Daniel Maclise; William Maginn; John Nichols; Theodore Hook; William Jerdan; Percival Bankes; Count D'Orsay; David Moir; James Fraser]
Four ink drawings, portraits in the style of Daniel Maclise
Publication details: 
London; 1820s and 1830s?
£450.00
Four ink drawings, portraits in the style of Daniel Maclise

Fraser's Magazine launched in London in February 1830, and to begin with its most popular feature was Maginn's 'Gallery of Illustrious Literary Characters', with illlustrations by Maclise (collected in book form in 1873). The four portraits, all busts, are somewhat reminiscent of those in that work, but must be earlier if the identification of John Nichol, who died in 1828, is correct. The four are on separate pieces of paper, laid down 2 X 2 (with the four sitters looking inwards towards the centre of the page) on a leaf torn from an album.

[Pamphlet printed at Canterbury College of Art.] The story of the children who live at Willow Green told and illustrated by Rene Hummerstone.

Author: 
Rene Hummerstone [Canterbury College of Art]
Pamphlet printed at Canterbury College of Art
Publication details: 
Canterbury College of Art, 1951.
£75.00
Pamphlet printed at Canterbury College of Art

8vo, 17 pp. Stitched. In original grey wraps, printed in black red and dark and light green. Good, on lightly aged paper. A children's book, with attractive illustrations of children playing, either in red or green. Colophon reads: 'Compositors: D. Beech and J. Baker | Pressmen: G. V. Jones and G. Knott | The Illustrations are printed from the original lino-cuts.' Scarce: the only copy on COPAC at Cambridge.

Long manuscript of an early Victorian poem entitled 'The last of the Hohen Stauffens', divided into three sections: 'Italy', 'The Morning of the Execution' and 'The Execution'. With a number of emendations and deletions.

Author: 
[Anonymous Victorian poem ('Written for Dublin about 1843') titled 'The Last of the Hohen Stauffens', on the execution of Conradine, 1268.]
 Victorian poem entitled 'The last of the Hohen Stauffens'
Publication details: 
Undated, but on paper watermarked 1841, and docketed 'Written for Dublin about 1843'.
£125.00
 Victorian poem entitled 'The last of the Hohen Stauffens'

Folio, 11 pp. On the rectos of eleven leaves of Britannia paper watermarked 'W H FELLOWS | 1841'. Held together with string. Text clear and complete. In ink, with deletions and emendations in pencil. Good, on aged paper. Docketed on reverse of last leaf. The subject of the poem is the execution of Conradine in the market square in Naples, 29 October 1268. The first section (3 pp) begins 'Italia fair Italia unto thee, | Was beauty given twice with misery, | At once the loveliest and the loveliest clime, | Thou wert the seat of Empire, and of crime; [...]'.

[Privately printed volume.] Winchester, and a few other Compositions in Prose and Verse. [by Rev. Charles Townsend, Rector of Kingston-by-Sea, Sussex]

Author: 
[Charles Townsend, Rector of Kingston-by-Sea, Sussex]
Publication details: 
[Privately printed.] Winchester: James Robbins, College Street. 1835.
£350.00

Townsend was a member of the Holland House circle. Two of his poems were compared favourably with Wordsworth by J. G. Lockhart. 4to, 80 pp, followed by a manuscript leaf, paginated 81 and 82, with the poems 'Sonnet, On Viewing St Paul's from Blackfriar's Bridge' and 'Sonnet | Richmond late in the Evening'. In original brown cloth boards, worn, rebacked and repaired, with 'WINCHESTER.' in gilt on front. Internally sound and tight, on aged paper. Tipped on the recto of the front free endpaper is a presentation inscription: 'With the Authors | Kind regards:- | Jany: 30th: 1837'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('EVL') from E. V. Lucas to 'My dear <Reed?>', concerning his 'Shakespeare drawings'.

Author: 
E. V. Lucas [Edward Verrall Lucas] (1868-1938), author, authority on Charles Lamb, and chairman of the publishers Methuen & Co.
E. V. Lucas [Edward Verrall Lucas] (1868-1938), author
Publication details: 
Undated. On letterhead of the Savoy Hotel, London.
£56.00
E. V. Lucas [Edward Verrall Lucas] (1868-1938), author

12mo, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Lucas's handwriting is not straightforward, and the recipient's name is unclear. His 'Shakespeare drawings' are 'first rate'. Lucas retires 'into private life again' on the Monday, when 'O. S.' returns.

Long unpublished autograph poem signed by Mrs Acton Tindal on the death of Bishop Samuel Wilberforce in 1873, beginning 'A jennet stumbled on a grassy knoll'.

Author: 
Mrs Acton Tindal [Henrietta Euphemia Harrison] (c.1817-1879), English poet [Bishop Samuel Wilberforce (1805-1873)]
Mrs Acton Tindal on the death of Bishop Samuel Wilberforce
Publication details: 
Signed at end 'Mrs. Acton Tindal - Manor House - Aylesbury'.
£165.00
Mrs Acton Tindal on the death of Bishop Samuel Wilberforce

Folio, 9 pp. Unpublished. Written in landscape, with the title ('Samuel Wilberforce - DD | Bishop of Winchester | July 19th. 1873') on the first leaf and the poem on the following eight. The leaves held together with pink string. On paper watermarked 'EDWIN PARR | DULCOTE MILLS | 1861'. Text clear and complete. The commencement sets the tone of the poem, fully worthy of its subject 'Soapy Sam': 'A jennet stumbled on a grassy knoll - | And without sound or sign | Passed from Time's foremost rank a peerless Soul - | A Chief by right divine.

[Pamphlet] The History of a Poor Black Widow; shewing How she grieved for the death of her Child, and the consequences of her doing so.

Author: 
[Legh Richmond]
The History of a Poor Black Widow;
Publication details: 
London: Printed by Augustus Applegath and Edward Cowper, Duke-street, Stamford-street; Sold by F. Collins, 56, Paternoster-row; and Evans and Sons, 42, Long-lane, Smithfield [London], no date [c.1830??]
£125.00
The History of a Poor Black Widow;

BLACK LITERATURE SLAVE AFRICAN

[Autograph Manuscript] A Little Romance of 'P.W.' ['P.W.' = Pearson's Weekly]

Author: 
William Le Queux, novelist
William Le Queux, novelist
Publication details: 
No date.
£750.00
William Le Queux, novelist

ARCTIC LAPLAND LAPPLAND LITERATURE SHORT STORY PERIODICAL

Correspondence about Gertrude Stein and related matters, and related photographs and other material.

Author: 
[Gertrude Stein] Robert E. Finlay, collector of Steiniana
Publication details: 
1957-2009
£580.00

A. CD, "Finley Stein Holdings 2009". A catalogue of the Finley Stein Collection. B. Letters from Addison M. Metcalf, also a major Collector of Steiniana: Three Autograph Letters and Three Typed Letters Signed with full name, "Addison" only, or humorously ("Baron de Thou" etc) or is it "camply", to Finley, 6 Sept. 1957- [c.6 Nov. 1962 from postmark), with original envelopes, headed "Addison M. Metcalf's Collection of Gertrude Steiniana", total 7pp., 4to.

Autograph Reference Signed for Mr. J. Buzzacott. With his calling card

Author: 
Louis Zangwill, novelist and printer
Louis Zangwill, novelist and printer
Publication details: 
[headed] 24 Oxford Road, Kilburn, N.W., 19 Feb. 1894.
£56.00
Louis Zangwill, novelist and printer

One page, 12mo, good condition, saying Mr. J. Buzzacott was in my employment in the capacity of compositor (apprentice) at my printing works, 12 Wilson St., Finsbury, for about two years, and during the whole of that time was satisfactory with respect to conduct, work, & punctuality. He is a gentlemanly lad & I can recommend him. With Zangwill's calling card, name and address printed, adding With complements embracing his name.

Autograph Note Signed to Riverita Signora od Amica.

Author: 
Terenzio Mamiani, Italian Poet.
Terenzio Mamiani, Italian Poet.
Publication details: 
Coat of arms of the Ministero delli Istruzione, Rome 1883 in different hand.
£36.00
Terenzio Mamiani, Italian Poet.

One page, 12mo, good condition. See scan for contents.

Two Autograph Letters Signed to Sir R.L. Harmsworth about the publishing history of Little Goody Two Shoes. With part of a substantial letter from [F.Contes?] on the same subject

Author: 
P.J. Dobell, Antiquarian Bookseller
Publishing history of Little Goody Two Shoes
Publication details: 
[Headed] P.J. & A.E. Dobell, Sons of the late Bertram Dobell, Dealers in Books, Manuscripts and Autograph Letters, 8 Bruton Street, New Bond Street, London W1, 20 & 23 Jan. 1926.
£125.00
Publishing history of Little Goody Two Shoes

Three pages, 4to, good condition. Harmsworth has obviously consigned two copies of the History of Little Goody Two Shoes to Dobell for evaluation and Dobell is now returning them with a learned disquisition on the publishing history of the work. He discusses the advertising and other background of the Newbery imprint, speculation on the rights being sold to a syndicate of booksellers (explaining worsening quality of printing), speculation on the undated one being pirated. He cites a memorandum by a British Library principal Librarian, J.

[Printed Prospectus] The Satirist; or, Monthly Meteor.

Author: 
[Periodical; magazine]
The Satirist; or, Monthly Meteor.
Publication details: 
[Samuel Tipper, publisher, Leadenhall Street] T. Gillet, Printer, Wild-court
£125.00
The Satirist; or, Monthly Meteor.

Four pages, 8vo, sl. chipped and sunned but mainly good, stab-holes. It autlines plans and describes The Proprietors of the Satirist as a society of private gentlemen, whose literary connections are peculiarly extensive. They will follow the same spirited plan which fomerly distinguished the Antijacobin newspaper. Subjects to be Poetry, Literature, Theatre, Politics, etc. NoteThe Satirist survived 7 years re. CBEL (1807-1814)..

Redfield; or, A Visit to the Country. A Story for Children. With Four Illustrations by John Absolon. With letter from publisher with good content.

Author: 
Anon. [Mrs Parker Smith?]
Publication details: 
London: Bell & Daldy, 186, Fleet Street, 1858.
£480.00

90[6]pp., 8vo (six-page catalogue of Bell & Daldy's "New and Standard Publications" at end), in slipcase, green cloth in good condition, pattern in relief, gold motif of laurels surrounding the title, hinge strain at title/frontispiece, some speckling throughout, some pencilled underlining, and childish daubing of colour onto three of the illustrations. INSCRIBED as follows: "This book was written by my mother [letters crossd out] the stories read to me & Walter for our amusement in 1857-8 | J Parker Smith".

Autograph Note Signed to Rev. R. Best?], concerning takings from his lectures.

Author: 
Joseph Parker (1830-1902), English nonconformist divine, preacher, theologian and miscellaneous writer
Joseph Parker (1830-1902), English nonconformist divine
Publication details: 
Old Trafford, 24 October 1866.
£56.00
Joseph Parker (1830-1902), English nonconformist divine

One page, thirteen lines, 8vo, small closed tears, text clear and complete. "As I cannot continue my lectures on [? see scan], for some time to come I return a proportion of the balance of money collected in various towns. I have not taken one penny for my labours, but I propose to retain about one third of the balance [underlined] as there were innumerable etceteras about a work like mine. If any of the subscribers object to this, please let me know. - I enclose a cheque for £5." Best has listed 6 recipients of shares of this £5 on the verso of a conjoint leaf ,and with a small sum.

[Manuscript] "Appeal to the Public for the descendents of De Foe" [Daniel Defoe]. With three MS. poems by Landor.

Author: 
Walter Savage Landor, Author (1775-1864)
Walter Savage Landor, Author
Publication details: 
Undated.
£950.00
Walter Savage Landor, Author

One page, 4to, tipped onto larger card, good condition. Forty-five lines excluding signature at base ("Walter Savage Landor"), text, worked over by Landor, as follows: The Public is informed that our gracious queen [sic], among her many acts of judicious beneficence, has granted a pension of 100£ a year to the lineal descendents, in the fourth degree, of Daniel De Foe. These are two aged women reduced to poverty and decrepitude.

Attractive black and white pen portrait of the American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne, with the artist's dated stylized signature mark, presumably executed to be engraved for a magazine such as the Illustrated London News.

Author: 
[Nathaniel Hawthorne; Illustrated London News]
Attractive black and white pen portrait of the American novelist Nathaniel Hawth
Publication details: 
[1926.]
£180.00
Attractive black and white pen portrait of the American novelist Nathaniel Hawth

Dimensions of paper 23 x 17 cm; dimensions of image c.16 x 10.5 cm. In fair condition on lightly-aged paper. Captioned at foot 'Nathaniel Hawthorne'. Head and shoulders illustration, with Hawthorne looking at the viewer with his head slightly towards his right shoulder. Placed in modern 34 x 26.5 cm cream card frame with gold and light-green border. Professionally executed in a traditional style. The artist's monogram, centred beneath the illustration, consists of a stalk topped by simple flower design, and with the date '26' at the foot.

Typed Note Signed by Carl Van Vechten to 'Miss Lucha', thanking her for a copy of the Gertrude Stein number of the Academic Observer.

Author: 
Carl Van Vechten (1880-1964), American author and literary executor of Gertrude Stein [Margaret Lucha; the Academic Observer]
Typed Note Signed by Carl Van Vechten
Publication details: 
15 April 1937; on Van Vechten's 101 Central Park West, New York, letterhead.
£150.00
Typed Note Signed by Carl Van Vechten

8vo, 1 p. Typed and signed in light-blue, beneath green letterhead, and with 'CARL VAN VECHTEN' 'watermark' at centre of page. Text clear and complete. On lightly aged paper, worn and dogeared at extremities. He thanks her for the copy of 'the Academic Observer (Gertrude Stein number) which intererested me so much that I am writing to ask if I may have another copy for a friend of mine, Please.' Autograph note explains that the 'friend' is one 'who also collects Steiniana'. Docketed in pencil on reverse: 'Miss Mallory | Keep this until I call - someday I will. | [signed] M. Lucha'.

Autograph Signature ('P. Francis:'), cut from letter, of Sir Philip Francis, the leading candidate for the authorship of the Letters of Junius.

Author: 
Sir Philip Francis (1740-1818), English politician and writer, the leading candidate for the authorship of the Letters of Junius
Autograph Signature ('P. Francis:'), cut from letter, of Sir Philip Francis
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£125.00
Autograph Signature ('P. Francis:'), cut from letter, of Sir Philip Francis

On piece of laid paper, 5.5 x 8 cm. Clear signature on lightly-aged and spotted paper. From the collection of James C. Webster, Secretary, Athenaeum Club, London, who has written, above the signature, 'Royal Society of L<...>', and beneath it, 'Sir Philip Francis | author of "Junius"'.

[sheet music] Letter to Freddy. For voice and piano. Words by Gertrude Stein. Music by Paul Bowles.

Author: 
Gertrude Stein; Paul Bowles
Letter to Freddy. For voice and piano. Words by Gertrude Stein.
Publication details: 
1946 (first separate printing). G. Shirmer, Inc. New York. ['Copyright, 1935, by New Music. Copyright assigned, 1946, to G. Shirmer, Inc.']
£50.00
Letter to Freddy. For voice and piano. Words by Gertrude Stein.

4to, 3 pp. Loose leaf inserted in bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Front page printed in black and red. Advertisements on reverse of last leaf.

[sheet music] Pigeons On The Grass Alas. Recitation and Air for Barytone. From the Opera Four Saints in Three Acts. Text by Gertrude Stein. Music by Virgil Thomson. As sung by Edward Mathews.

Author: 
Gertrude Stein; Virgil Thomson [Edward Mathews]
Stein, Pigeons On The Grass Alas.
Publication details: 
1935. J. Fischer & Bro., New York, N.Y. [Limited edition 'printed especially for the Berkshire School Musicale Association']
£120.00
Stein, Pigeons On The Grass Alas.

4to, [i] + 4 pp. On two loose bifoliums, in tan printed wraps. No. 73 of 110 copies (one of the hundred numbered copies and NOT one of the ten copies signed by author and composer). Limitation inside front wrap. Title-page states 'This arrangement is dedicated by the composer to the Berkshire School Musicale Association'. No copy on COPAC.

[sheet music] baby, baby, from "On Whitman Avenue". A Lullaby. [piano solo]

Author: 
Paul Bowles
Paul Bowles, baby, baby, from "On Whitman Avenue".
Publication details: 
1946. Mercury Music Corporation, New York, N.Y.
£35.00
Paul Bowles, baby, baby, from "On Whitman Avenue".

4to, 4 pp. Bifolium. In light-grey printed wraps with design by Lieberman printed in dark-grey and pink (price on front amended with stamp). Score on central two pages. Last page carries an advertisement for another of Bowles's piano pieces, and a short biographical notice, headed 'ABOUT THE COMPOSER' ('[...] He is best known as composer of music for the theatre. In this medium he has written incidental scores for the two Orson Welles productions: [...] Mr. Bowles has also done several film scores, and the music for two ballets commissioned by the American Ballet Caravan: [...]').

[sheet music] Carretera de Estepona (Highway to Estepona). Piano Solo.

Author: 
Paul Bowles
Paul Bowles, Carretera de Estepona
Publication details: 
1947. Contemporary Composers Series. Marks Edition, New York. [Copyright MCMXLVII by Edward B. Marks Music Corporation.]
£56.00
Paul Bowles, Carretera de Estepona

4to, 3 pp (paginated 3-7). Bifolium loose in grey wraps printed in red. Good, on lightly-aged paper with slight wear to spine.

[sheet music] Six Preludes for Piano.

Author: 
Paul Bowles
Paul Bowles, Six Preludes for Piano.
Publication details: 
1947. Mercury Music Corporation, New York, N.Y.
£28.00
Paul Bowles, Six Preludes for Piano.

4to, 12 pp. On six loose bifoliums. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with minor spotting on reverse of last leaf (page of advertisements).

[sheet music] Sonatina. For piano solo. Paul Bowles.

Author: 
Paul Bowles
Sonatina. For piano solo. Paul Bowles.
Publication details: 
1947. Elkan-Vogel Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Pa.
£56.00
Sonatina. For piano solo. Paul Bowles.

4to, 13 + [i] pp. On four loose bifoliums. On aged paper with small closed tears to spine and last leaf repaired with archival tape.

Two Typed Letters Signed ('Naomi Jacob.'), author and actress, to Eva Lawrence.

Author: 
Naomi Jacob [Naomi Eleanor Clare Jacob] (1884-1964), author, actress and broadcaster
Two Typed Letters Signed ('Naomi Jacob.')
Publication details: 
8 July 1949 and 2 January 1950; both from Casa Micki, Gardone Riviera, Lago di Garda, Italy.
£60.00
Two Typed Letters Signed ('Naomi Jacob.')

Both letters 8vo, 1 p; the first on pink paper. Both texts clear and complete. Both fair, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Letter One: She was surprised to learn that Lawrence had 'Miss Babbington with you because I did not even know that she was on the stage. I thought she was with a publishing house.' After the 'long and wonderful run' she is sorry that Lawrence's leading lady is leaving. 'Although I never intend to go back to the stage again, I shall always have the same keen interest in matters theatrical [...] the variety profession is my first love'.

Autograph Note Signed "E. Lynn Linton", novelist, to "Mr Wright".

Author: 
Eliza Lynn Linton, novelist
Autograph Note Signed "E. Lynn Linton", novelist
Publication details: 
6 Fitzroy Street, [London] W., no date.
£36.00
Autograph Note Signed "E. Lynn Linton", novelist

One page, 12mo, edge trimmed with minor loss of text. She is working too hard to find time for "social duties or politenesses" She will be at a certain place the following day. She has a cold "who has not?") abnd asks whether he will be in his "place" the following day.

Syndicate content