LONDON

Autograph Letter Signed ('C: M: Young') from the actor Charles Mayne Young to his rival William Charles Macready, recommending an actor named Simpson for a position at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and wishing Macready success as manager there.

Author: 
Charles Mayne Young (1777-1856), actor [William Charles Macready (1793-1873); Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]
Publication details: 
Ashbourne Hall, Ashbourne, Derbyshire; 16 November 1841.
£220.00

3pp., 12mo. 37 lines. Fair, on worn and discoloured paper. An interesting letter, casting light on the relationship between two great actors who, according to the Oxford DNB, 'disliked but respected each other'. Macready is not named, but Young ends by sending his 'Kind Comts to Mrs Macready'. Macready had taken over at Drury Lane on 4 October 1841, but the season would not begin until 27 December. The letter begins 'My dear Sir!

Autograph Letter Signed ('Cs. Redding') by Cyrus Redding, expressing regret at not being able to assist William Shoberl, son of the journalist Frederic Shoberl, and bewailing the state of English publishing, and of his own affairs.

Author: 
Cyrus Redding (1785-1870), journalist and author, editor, Galignani's Messenger, and working editor, New Monthly Magazine [William Shoberl, son of Frederic Shoberl [Schoberl] (1775-1853), journalist]
Publication details: 
"Hill Road, | Thursday'. [No date, but on paper watermarked 1855.]
£220.00

3pp., 12mo. 55 lines, neatly and closely written. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'Mr W. Shoberl.' An excellent letter, giving an experienced and knowledgable view of the state of the mid-Victorian British booktrade. Redding begins by stating that he is 'indeed concerned to hear the statement' Shoberl has communicated to him. He wishes it was in his power to forward Shoberl's wishes.

Autograph Letter Signed ('J. C. Loudon') from the Scottish botanist John Claudius Loudon to the bookseller 'Mr. Jones', of the firm Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones, Finsbury Square, London.

Author: 
J. C. Loudon [John Claudius Loudon] (1783-1843), Scottish botanist, garden designer and editor [Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones, booksellers, Finsbury Square, London]
Publication details: 
Bayswater House; 28 May 1818.
£280.00

2pp., 4to. On a bifolium, with the main text on the recto of the first page, and the postscript with the address on the verso of the second. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Tipped-in onto leaf removed from an autograph album. The book he enquired after on the previous day was 'any spanish work translated into french or English Interlineally for a beginner in that language'. He has seen German and Italian books 'so translated', and will be grateful if Jones can suggest a Spanish one.

Autograph Letter Signed ('F Greville') from the diarist Charles Cavendish Fulke Greville to an unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Charles Cavendish Fulke Greville (1794–1865), Clerk to the Privy Council, and political diarist
Publication details: 
'Grosv[eno]r Place | Saturday [no date]'.
£56.00

1 p, 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, and still tipped-in onto leaf removed from album. Arranging a time at which to call on him. According to the Oxford DNB Greville moved from Grosvenor Place to Lord Granville's house in Bruton Street in 1849.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm. Melmoth') from the writer William Melmoth the Younger to the attorney Joseph Sharpe

Author: 
William Melmoth the Younger (c.1710-1799), translator of Pliny and Cicero, and author of 'Fitzosborne's Letters' (1748, 1749)
Publication details: 
Bath; 15 January 1767.
£180.00

1 p, 4to. Nine lines, in a neat and close hand. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, and still tipped-in onto a leaf from an autograph album. Addressed, with two postmarks, on reverse of second leaf of bifolium, to 'Mr. Jos. Sharpe, | at his chambers in | Lincolns Inn | London'. He wrote to Sharpe five weeks previously, sending a lease for his perusal, 'and likewise to authorise you to deliver up my sister's plate upon Mr. Argile paying you ye. <?> I agreed to take.' If the latter matter is still unsettled, he instructs Sharpe to apply to Argile's attorney 'to settle it forthwith'.

Autograph Manuscript of the American actor and poet John Howard Payne, either an original poem or a translation, entitled 'Ode the Sixteenth. | The Herb Rue'.

Author: 
John Howard Payne (1791-1852), American actor and playwright, best-known for his song 'Home, Sweet Home'
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£165.00

2 pp, 4to. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with slight wear to extremities. On one leaf, with both sides ruled with red borders. In Payne's neat and distinctive hand, and attributed to him in pencil at head.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'T: Dibdin') from the playwright and song-writer Thomas Dibdin to his publisher John Whitaker of Button & Whitaker of St Paul's Churchyard, discussing work and finances; with an autograph cheque signed by Dibdin.

Author: 
Thomas Dibdin [Thomas John Dibdin] (1771-1841), dramatist, song-writer, author of pantomime 'Mother Goose' and song 'The Snug Little Island' [Button & Whitaker, music publishers, St Pauls Churchyard]
Publication details: 
The two letters: 'Weston Green 10th: July [1812]' and 'Johnsons Coffee House | Monday Evg: [July 1812]'. Cheque: 'London September 19th: 1817'.
£320.00

All three items are on stubs, within a card wallet. All good, on aged paper. Letter One: 'Weston Green 10th: July'. 1 p, 4to. On bifolium, with verso of second leaf addressed to 'Mr: Whitaker | St: Pauls Church Yard | London', with two postmarks (one 'KINGSTON - T | 12'), and docketed 'Mr; T.

Calling card of 'Mrs. Byam Shaw [the artist Evelyn C. E. Shaw, born Evelyn Eunice Pyke-Nott].

Author: 
Evelyn C. E. Shaw (1870–1959) [born Evelyn Eunice Pyke-Nott], artist, wife of the painter Byam Shaw (1872-1919)
Publication details: 
Undated.
£38.00

Measuring 9 x 6 cm. With 'Mrs.. Byam Shaw' in larger type in centre, with '62, Addison Road, W.' in bottom left-hand corner, and '2nd. Wednesday &| 2nd. Thursday' diagonally in top left-hand corner. On aged paper, with the address '21 Wilton Street | S. W. 1 | Wednesday' in ink at head, and '88 Brook Green' in pencil on the reverse. A pencil name and telephone number ('Vic. 3583') have been erased.

Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Boaden') from the playwright and biographer James Boaden to William Hayley, regarding an edition of Randolph's works 'honour'd by the handwriting of Pope'.

Author: 
James Boaden (1762-1839), biographer and playwright [William Hayley (1745-1820), poet and biographer, friend of William Cowper and patron of William Blake; Alexander Pope; Thomas Randolph]
Publication details: 
Warren Street, London; 30 April 1804.
£180.00

1 p, 4to. Bifolium. Sixteen lines, neatly written. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'W. Hayley Esqre.' He begins by thanking him for 'the kind memorial' (a volume of music?); the gift expresses Hayley's 'sense of common civility' and acquaints Boaden 'with a composer of great merit'. 'I tried the effect of his divine art yesterday, Sunday, and could not but wish to hear it from the organ at Chichester'. The rest of the letter concerns 'the subject of Randolph, and the copy of his works honour'd by the hand-writing of Pope'.

[Printed pamphlet.] Observations on the Use and Abuse of Red Tape for the Juniors in the Eastern, Western, and American Departments. [Inscribed by the author Sir Thomas Henry Sanderson, and with two marginal notes by Sir V. Wellesley.]

Author: 
'T. H. S.' [Sir Thomas Henry Sanderson (1841-1923) of the Foreign Office] [Sir Victor Wellesley (1876-1954), diplomat]
Observations on the Use and Abuse of Red Tape for the Juniors
Publication details: 
Dated 'October 1891.'
£120.00
Observations on the Use and Abuse of Red Tape for the Juniors

8vo, 14 pp (followed by blank leaf). Unbound and stitched. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. Drophead title. With 'PRIVATE' in print in the top left-hand corner of the first page, and '[285]' in the bottom left-hand corner. Dated in type at end 'T. H. S. | October 1891.' Sanderson's inscription, at the head of the first page, reads 'From the Author | [signed] S | Sept. 1918'. From the collection of Sir Victor Wellesley, and with two marginal notes by him.

[Printed pamphlet.] A Catalogue of the Engineers' and Boilermakers' Tools & Machinery at the Soho Foundry, Smethwick, Birmingham. For Sale by Auction, by Messrs. Fuller, Horsey, Sons & Cassell, May, 1896.

Author: 
Messrs. Fuller, Horsey, Sons & Cassell, Auctioneers, 11, Billiter Square, London, E.C. [The Soho Foundry, Smethwick, Birmingham; W. & T. Avery; engineering; trade catalogue]
 Soho Foundry
Publication details: 
May, 1896. [London: Messrs. Fuller, Horsey, Sons & Cassell, Auctioneers, 11, Billiter Square, London, E.C.]
£180.00
 Soho Foundry

8vo, 43 pp. In original grey printed wraps. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper, in discoloured wraps. Title taken from front wrap. Title-page reads, in abridged form: 'By order of Messrs. W. & T. Avery, Limited, who have recently acquired the Freehold. | Soho Foundry, Smethwick, Birmingham. To Engineers, Boiler Makers and Others.

Autograph Letter Signed ('W H Russell') from the journalist W. H. Russell to 'dear Spencer', mainly concerning the Urabi Revolt against Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt.

Author: 
W. H. Russell [William Howard Russell] (1820-1907), Irish journalist, war correspondent for The Times [Isma'il Pasha [Ismail the Magnificent] (1830-1895), Khedive of Egypt; Urabi Revolt]
Autograph Letter Signed ('W H Russell') from the journalist W. H. Russell
Publication details: 
4 June 1882; on letterhead of the Empire Club, 4 Grafton Street, Piccadilly, London.
£165.00
Autograph Letter Signed ('W H Russell') from the journalist W. H. Russell

2 pp, 12mo. 18 lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Begins 'Its Alberta <(Songfeld)?> who is at 2 Lowndes Street not the undersigned - Are these cards en rêgle? [sic]' A pencil note by the recipient at the head of the first page reads 'Sent 2 June to Sumner Pl: card returned - answer does not live there.' Refers to 'Sumner Place' and 'the Coming Ball'. He wishes 'the Powers - which they aren't by the by - had let our fat friend Ismail alone just tightening the bit a little'.

Autograph Letter Signed from 'Fanny Goode' [Frances Goode], sister of the composer Sir Henry Bishop, regarding her brother's final days and death.

Author: 
Fanny Goode [Frances Goode], sister of Sir Henry Bishop (1786-1855), English composer, best known for writing the tune to 'Home Sweet Home']
Fanny Goode [Frances Goode], sister of Sir Henry Bishop
Publication details: 
Undated. 13 Cambridge Street, Hyde Park.
£75.00
Fanny Goode [Frances Goode], sister of Sir Henry Bishop

4 pp, 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The unnamed recipient appears to have been named as executor in a prvevious will of Sir Henry Bishop. Opens in dramatic style: 'I was very greatly surprised to receive a letter from you this morning, dated from Brighton, as my poor Brother, Sir Henry Bishop, had not the slightest idea that you were still an inhabitant of this world, having heard of your death some time since, in consequence of which, he made another will similar to the one in your possession, but changing the executors'.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'F M Peard') from the Victorian author Frances Mary Peard to the wife of the London solicitor Robert Cole, FSA, regarding the physical condition and situation of 'the Signora', 'Mme Sineo [Sineo-Benaducci?]'.

Author: 
Frances Mary Peard (1835-c.1923), Victorian author [Robert Cole, FSA, London solicitor and autograph collector; Madame Sineo-Benaducci]
Frances Mary Peard (1835-c.1923), Victorian author
Publication details: 
Letter One: 7 June [1880s?]; Sparnon, on deleted letterhead of Meadfoot Lodge, Torquay. Letter Two: without date or place.
£180.00
Frances Mary Peard (1835-c.1923), Victorian author

Both items in good condition on aged paper. A dramatic, almost novelistic correspondence, regarding 'the Signora' (named in the second letter as 'Mme Sineo', who is staying at her house in Torquay and is apparently too frail to return to her London house. Letter One: Docketed 'No 1'. 12mo, 4 pp. Peard states that she has not 'written of late about the Signora. She has got fairly well again, but she does not seem to us fit to return to London, & I hear that her doctor does not think she ever will be fit.

Autograph Letter Signed from the publisher of 'The Athenaeum' John Francis, declining to buy back issues of the magazine from Miss Emily Cole of Teignmouth.

Author: 
John Francis (1811-1882), publisher of 'The Athenaeum', 1831-1882 [Miss Emily Cole (c.1819-1894) of Teignmouth, daughter of the lawyer and autograph collector Robert Cole, FSA]
John Francis (1811-1882), publisher of 'The Athenaeum'
Publication details: 
5 February 1875; on letterhead of the Athenaeum Office, 26 Wellington Street, Strand, London.
£45.00
John Francis (1811-1882), publisher of 'The Athenaeum'

12mo, 1 p. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He is 'unable to make an offer for the back Vols of The Athenaeum - our stock in house being sufficient to meet demands'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('M Berry') from Horace Walpole's friend Miss Mary Berry to the politician and wit Richard 'Conversation' Sharp, commenting on his volume of 'Epistles in Verse'.

Author: 
Mary Berry ['Miss Berry'] (1763-1852), author and diarist; sister and companion of Agnes Berry (1764-1852), friend of Horace Walpole [Richard 'Conversation' Sharp (1759-1835), politician and wit]
Mary Berry ['Miss Berry']
Publication details: 
7 April 1828; Petersham.
£180.00
Mary Berry ['Miss Berry']

12mo, 4 pp. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Her 'constant practice' has always been to return her thanks for the gift of a poetry volume 'before I could possibly have had time to read it', but in this case 'this caution was impossible for I received your little Vol: in all the hurry of leaving town, & I may say England, for I shall not return to London before our departure'. She is glad she was not able to write before reading the poems 'with the attention they merit & with all the pleasure they have given me'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('John Foster Fraser') from the English travel writer Sir John Foster Fraser to H. W. Massingham of the Daily Chronicle, describing his career and qualifications while applying for journalistic work.

Author: 
Sir John Foster Fraser (1868-1936), English travel writer [Henry William Massingham (1860-1924), editor of 'The Nation', 1907-1923]
Sir John Foster Fraser
Publication details: 
3 January 1896; The Author's Club, 3 Whitehall Court, SW, London.
£180.00
Sir John Foster Fraser

12mo, 4 pp. 61 lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. An impressive letter applying for work. He does not expect Massingham (addressed as 'W. H. Massingham') to remember their meeting 'in the Lobby' when he was 'chief reporter on The Sun', while at the same time holding 'a Parliamentary engagement on the staff of the C. N.' Gives details of his subsequent employment, including joining the editorial staff of the 'Manchester Guardian' ('principally to look after their weekly paper which was in a sad way.

Collection of material relating to the designers and typographers Banks and Miles [Colin Banks; John Miles], assembled by Montague Shaw for his monograph on the firm.

Author: 
Banks and Miles, designers and typographers [Colin Banks (1932-2002); John Miles; Monty Shaw [Montague Shaw; the Post Office; British Telecom; London Underground]
Publication details: 
Dating from between 1988 to 1991.
£450.00

Monty Shaw's 'Banks and Miles: Thirty Years of Design Evolution' was supposedly published by Lund Humphries (London) in February 1993 but no copy can be found on the internet (one listed on WorldCat appears to be a ghost).. This collection, in a buff card folder, contains material relating to Shaw's monograph, grouped as follows: ONE.

Typed Letter Signed ('H. V. A. Briscoe') from Professor H. Vincent A. Briscoe to [Thomas Lloyd] Humberstone, concerning a meeting of the Royal College of Science Association

Author: 
H. Vincent A. Briscoe [Henry Vincent Aird Briscoe] (1888-1973), Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Imperial College, London, 1938-1954 [Thomas Lloyd Humberstone (1876-1957), educationist]
Publication details: 
12 April 1954; on letterhead
£38.00

12mo, 1 p. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with slight traces of mount on reverse. Regretting, given his 'keen interest' in the affairs of the Association and of the College, that Humberstone cannot attend a meeting of the RCS Association. The influence of the Association is 'probably considerable' regarding 'the development in progress', as many members are very active in the matter.

Autograph Letter Signed ('A. C. Egerton | V.U.I.P.!') from the chemist A. C. Egerton to Thomas Lloyd Humberstone, giving his reasons for passing him over in an election in favour of the microbiologist Frederick William Twort.

Author: 
Professor Sir Alfred Charles Glyn Egerton [A. C. Egerton] (1886-1959), chemist, of Imperial College, London [Frederick William Twort (1877-1950); Thomas Lloyd Humberstone (1876-1957), educationist]
Publication details: 
22 October 1947; on letterhead of Imperial College of Science and Technology, Prince Consort Road, London.
£45.00

12mo, 2 pp. 22 lines. Text clear and complete. Begins by explaining his reasons for not supporting Humberstone in an unspecified election. Humberstone has 'valiantly' supported 'the cause for Research at the Universities', and his 'knowledge of University affairs' is 'profound', but 'after a time new minds have to have their turn!' He remembers a paper of Twort's 'on airborn infection problems' which interested him 'much'. 'I know he was an original investigator, but somehow he seems to have got across people in his line of work. I don't propose to go in for Biological Warfare!

One Autograph Letter Signed and one Typed Letter Signed (both 'R. J. Cruikshank') from the writer Robert James Cruikshank to the educationist Thomas Lloyd Humberstone.

Author: 
R. J. Cruikshank [Robert James Cruikshank] (1898-1956), editor of the 'News Chronicle' and writer [Thomas Lloyd Humberstone (1876-1957), educationist]
Publication details: 
5 December [1947] and 6 June 1950; the first on letterhead of 12-22 Bouverie Street, EC4, and the second on letterhead of the News Chronicle (same address).
£45.00

Both items in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of mount on reverses. Letter One: 4to, 1 p. He is away from the office and out of town, and has asked 'P. O'Donoghue, who deals with publications for the News Chronicle', to get in touch with him: 'I know you will find his counsel very sound'. Letter Two: Thanking him for his endorsement of his book. 'There is nothing that could possibly give an author greater encouragement than to receive such informed and stimulating words from someone such as yourself.'

Autograph Letter Signed from Sir Henry A. Miers, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester University, to the educationist Thomas Lloyd Humberstone, regarding his book on 'University Reform in London'.

Author: 
Sir Henry A. Miers [Sir Henry Alexander Miers] (1858-1942), Professor of Crystallography at the Victoria University of Manchester, 1915-1926 [Thomas Lloyd Humberstone (1876-1957), educationist]
Publication details: 
31 May 1926; on his Manchester University letterhead.
£38.00

12mo, 2 pp. Nineteen lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Thanking him for his 'excellent book on University Reform in London': 'I read it carefully when it came out and was much impressed by your clear statement of the problem and the thoughtful discussion of possible solutions'. He will now prize his own copy, as it is 'a really important contribution to a subject which has naturally interested me for the past 18 years'.

Typed Letter Signed ('R. A. Gregory') from Sir Richard Arman Gregory to T[homas]. Ll[oyd]. Humberstone, regarding an article for 'Nature' magazine on the London School of Hygiene.

Author: 
Sir R. A. Gregory [Sir Richard Arman Gregory] (1864-1952), writer on science, editor of 'Nature', and scientific editor at the London publishers Macmillan & Co. [Thomas Lloyd Humberstone (1876-1957)]
Publication details: 
27 July 1926; on letterhead of Nature Magazine, Macmillan & Co. Ltd, St. Martin's Street, London, WC2.
£65.00

4to, 1 p. Twenty lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on aged paper, with slight traces of mount on reverse. Having read Humberstone's article on the London School of Hygiene, he is 'sending it to the printers to be set up'. He commends the article for dealing with the subject 'in an interesting and useful way'. He rejects the five plans Humberstone has sent, as they would not 'reproduce satisfactorily', and a photograph which is 'too large to go across a page', and would like 'a photograph of the elevation of the School' and 'either a photograph or an electro of the design of the Seal'.

Signed photograph of Mrs Patrick Campbell (Beatrice Stella Cornwallis-West), laid down on a leaf from an autograph album which has the signature of the Czech violinist and composer Jan Kubelik on the reverse.

Author: 
Mrs Patrick Campbell (1865-1940; born Beatrice Stella Tanner and later Beatrice Stella Cornwallis-West), English actress; Jan Kubelik (1880-1940), Czech violinist and composer
Signed photograph of Mrs Patrick Campbell
Publication details: 
Undated. Photograph printed by Haycock, Cadle & Graham Ltd., Camberwell, London, S.E.5'.
£75.00
Signed photograph of Mrs Patrick Campbell

Fair, on lightly-aged paper. The publicity photograph of Mrs Patrick Campbell, : Roughly 10.5 x 13 cm. Printed in green. Depicts her leaning forwards, with neck and forearms exposed. Across the foot she has written: 'Beatrice Stella Cornwallis West. | (Mrs. Patrick Campbell)'. Laid down on a leaf from an autograph album, on the reverse of which is Kubelik's signature: 'jan Kubelik | 25.XI.1921'.

[Printed pamphlet.] The Commercial Travellers' Benevolent Institution, for the Relief of Aged and Necessitous Members and Widows of Members. Instituted 1849.

Author: 
[Leonard Courtney, Secretary, and J. M. Longley, Treasurer, The Commercial Travellers' Benevolent Institution (Inst. 1849]
The Commercial Travellers' Benevolent Institution
Publication details: 
[1907. The Commercial Travellers' Benevolent Institution, 11 Ironmonger Lane, Cheapside, E.C.]
£38.00
The Commercial Travellers' Benevolent Institution

12mo, 10 pp. Text clear and complete. On aged and worn paper, with pin holes and a spike hole. Includes list of the 'Board of Management for 1907', accounts, 'Statement of Accounts, December 21st, 1901, to December 20th, 1906. Compiled by Mr. J. M. Longley, Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.' Also 'Report Presented at the Half-Yearly General Court, 27th Dec., 1906.' The 'Result of Poll', 'December Election, 1906', by Courtney, contains lists naming 'Successful Candidates' and 'Unsuccessful Candidates'.

Letter, in a secretarial hand, signed by P. A. Latham, secretary of the Nevada Land and Cattle Company, Limited, to Sir James Kitson, regarding his '1000 shares', enclosing a printed circular by Latham on the Company's behalf.

Author: 
P. A. Latham, Secretary, The Nevada Land and Cattle Company, Limited [Sir James Kitson of Gledhow Hall, Leeds]
The Nevada Land and Cattle Company
Publication details: 
Letter: 13 December 1888; on letterhead of the Nevada Land and Cattle Company Limited, 15 St Helen's Place, Bishopsgate Street, London. Circular: 29 November 1888; from the same address.
£95.00
The Nevada Land and Cattle Company

Both items good, on lightly-aged paper. LETTER: 4to, 2 pp. He is enclosing the 'circular letter recently sent out to all the shareholders of this Company, whose shares are not fully paid', but as Kitson has 'paid in full in advance of calls on the 1000 shares' in his name 'by way of Loan to the Company', he informs him of the sum to be transferred to his account. On 3 April 1889 Kitson's 'loan a/c will be closed and your shares will be fully paid'. CIRCULAR: 4to, 1 p.

[Printed on playbill sheet.] (Copy of a Letter in "THE TIMES" of Tuesday, February 14th, 1854.) Mr Charles Mathews and the Lyceum Theatre. To the Editor of the Times. [On his difficulties with creditors and the temporary closure of the theatre.]

Author: 
Charles James Mathews (1803-1878), British actor-manager [The Lyceum Theatre, London; Covent Garden]
Charles James Mathews (1803-1878), British actor-manager
Publication details: 
Dated 'Lyceum, Feb. 12. [1854] C. J. MATHEWS'.
£280.00
Charles James Mathews (1803-1878), British actor-manager

Printed for display, on one side of a piece of paper 24.5 x 49.5 cm. Text clear and complete. On aged and creased paper, with one closed tear and bottom right-hand corner lacking, causing slight loss to the last letter of Mathews' name at foot of document. Heading in bold type in a variety of point sizes. Giving a 'brief statement of my fourteen years' struggle and of my latest difficulty'.

[Printed items.] Prospectus and application form for 1897 flotation of London United Laundries, Limited, with poster carrying fifteen photographs of 'Businesses to be acquired by the Company' and publicity flier headed 'A Great Laundry Amalgamation'.

Author: 
The London United Laundries, Limited [Directors: The Hon. Reginald Brougham, A. C. Lyster, Murray Marshall, F. A. Baldwin, Ernest Honey]
The London United Laundries, Limited
Publication details: 
Prospectus 'Dated May 27th, 1897, London'; Roberts & Leete, Ltd., Printers, London. Other three items contemporaneous.
£180.00
The London United Laundries, Limited

All items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: Prospectus. Folio, 7 pp. To raise share capital of £230,000. Lists the '13 modern Steam Laundries', four 'Receiving Depots', 'Dyeing and Cleaning Works' and 'recently-established Laundry Supply Stores' the company was being 'formed to acquire as going concerns, and still further develop'. Includes section on 'Advantages of the Amalgamation', auditors' and valuers' reports and memorandum of association. TWO: Application form. Folio, 1 p. Perforated, with 'Bankers' Receipt'. THREE: Publicity flier. Folio, 2 pp.

Autograph Letter Signed ('W. J. Newton') from the miniature painter Sir William John Newton to James Lakyn, regarding damage to his house in Argyle Street caused by building works.

Author: 
Sir William John Newton (1785-1869), miniature painter to King William IV and Queen Victoria [Richard Westmacott (1799-1872); Burrell & Valpy, architects]
Sir William John Newton (1785-1869), miniature painter to King William IV and Qu
Publication details: 
19 October 1864; 6 Argyle Street, London.
£60.00
Sir William John Newton (1785-1869), miniature painter to King William IV and Qu

12mo, 3 pp. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. 'Mr Westmacott [the sculptor Richard Westmacott the younger?]' has called on him, and he has 'shown him the settlement all down my Wall - I told him that you had seen it but did not contemplate any immediate danger - he said that Mr Valpy [Henry Valpy (fl.1851-1885) of the architects Burrell & Valpy] was out of town'. Westmacott will write to Valpy, as he thinks there ought to be 'a conference with' Lakyn, who 'should be requested to make a report'.

Original finished coloured comic drawing, showing a large penguin [Jan Tschichold?] dragging a bearded man [Montague Shaw?] who clutches a set of letters spelling 'Fabers', signifying the man's move from the publishers Faber & Faber to Penguin Books.

Author: 
[Montague Shaw, production manager, Faber & Faber Ltd; Jan Tschichold, typographer for Penguin Books]
Original finished coloured comic drawing
Publication details: 
[London.] 1966.
£200.00
Original finished coloured comic drawing

Dimensions 29 x 12 cm. Pasteboard mount, 31 x 14.5 cm. In blue, black and white. In good condition on lightly-aged paper. In front of a background of ricketty railings, a jolly bespectacled penguin [with Tschichold's sprightly eyes], with a Penguin book under his left arm, and preceded by a letter P and followed by an n, drags a bespectacled, bearded man (looking a little like a young Michael Bentine) towards the right of the drawing.

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