MANUSCRIPT

[ John Spencer Smith, diplomat, politician and writer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. S. Smith. | president de la Société Linnéenne, vice prés. de celle des Antiqq. de Normandie, &c.'), in French, presenting two of his works to 'Mr. N[érée]. Boubée'.

Author: 
John Spencer Smith (1769-1845), FRS, British diplomat, politician and writer, President, Société Linnéenne de Normandie; Vice-President, Société des Antiquaires de Normandie; Nérée Boubée (1806-1862),
Publication details: 
'Caen rue des Chanoines 3'. 2 August 1835.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Addressed on reverse (with 'R.S.V.P.') to 'Monsieur N. Boubée | correspondant de la société linnéenne de Mormandie | Paris'. (Nérée Boubée, naturalist, Professor at the University of Paris.) He offers him two works: he is the 'compilateur' of the first, which is titled 'Souvenirs de Bayeux', and 'editeur-annotateur of the second, 'la biographie de Bochart', of which 'le texte est l'oeuvre d'un de mes fils'). It may be that in his reading of the two Boubée encounters 'quelques passages susceptibles d'être cités dans l'Écho du monde savant'.

[ Signed by Braithwaite and Keel. ] The Royal Hospital Chelsea | A paper read before The Sette of Odd Volumes At the [511]th meeting of the Sette held at the Savoy Hotel, London on February 23rd, 1937.

Author: 
Gen. Sir Walter Pipon Braithwaite, G.C.B. Governor of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea 'and Peltast to the Sette' [ The Sette of Odd Volumes, London; Shenval Press ] Frederick Keel (1871-1954), composer
Publication details: 
[ Copy 24 of 133. ] London | Imprynted by THE SHENVAL PRESS and sold to NO Bokesellers'. 1937.
£80.00

38pp., 16mo. Internally in very good condition, in red paper boards printed in gilt, with bubbling at front and back, and in chipped and aged glassine wrapper. The number of the meeting has been added to the title in manuscript ('511'), and the signatures of 'Frederick Keel | Singer' and 'Walter Braithwaite' are written in pencil beneath the limitation (no 24 of 133 copies). Scarce.

[ Col. Thomas Wentworth, Adjutant-General. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Tho: Wentworth') to his brother [ Sir William Wentworth of Bretton ], giving 'particulars of our family' for 'the publisher of the Baronettage of England [ Thomas Wotton ]'.

Author: 
Colonel Thomas Wentworth (c.1693-1747) of Sunninghill, Berkshire, Adjutant-General [ his brother Sir William Wentworth of Bretton (Yorkshire), 4th Baronet (1686-1763); Thomas Wotton, London publisher]
Publication details: 
London. 26 October 1726.
£180.00

2pp., 4to. In poor condition, on brittle, aged paper, with closed tears and chipping to extremities causing slight loss to some words of text; repaired long since with archival tape. 2pp., 4to. Addressed to his 'Dear Brother', i.e. Sir William Wentworth of Bretton.

[ Fodens Motor Works Band, celebrated brass band of Sandbach, Cheshire. ] Autograph Signatures of the conductor Fred Mortimer and 26 members of the band, annotated in pencil with their instruments.

Author: 
Fodens Motor Works Band [ Foden's Band ], celebrated brass band from Sandbach, Cheshire [ Fred Mortimer (1880-1953), conductor ]
Publication details: 
[ Fodens Motor Works Band, Sandbach, Cheshire. ] Undated, but between 1927 and 1953, the 27 years that Fred Mortimer served as conductor.
£120.00

On one side of a ruled 13.5 x 19 cm. leaf extracted from an album. A very nice piece of Fodens ephemera, in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Mortimer's signature ('F Mortimer') is centred at the head, with the 26 names of band members in two columns beneath. Lightly annotated in pencil, with identification of: first cornets (5); repiano; flugel; second cornet; third cornets (2); soprano; horns (3); baritones (2); euphoniums (2); trombones (3); bass (4); and drums. For information on the band, see the works by F. D. Burgess (1977) and Allan Littlemore (2000).

'Burgess Ticket' for town of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, made out in manuscript on vellum, with armorial design in colours, for Captain James Kennedy, 1st Regiment, Royal Lanarkshire Local Militia, with declaration by 'A Hamilton Cl[er]k'.

Author: 
Alexander Hamilton, clerk of Hamilton, Lanarkshire [ Captain James Kennedy 1st Regiment, Royal Lanarkshire Local Militia; William Hamilton; John Torrance, Burgesses ]
Publication details: 
Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Declaration dated 13 July 1813.
£250.00

On both sides of a piece of vellum roughly 21 x 15.5 cm. An unusual survival, aged and discoloured in the fashion customary with vellum. On the front is a design of an armorial shield encircled in draperies, in ink and colours (blue, red, yellow), beneath which are the words 'Burgess Ticket | for | Captain Kennedy 1 Regt Royal Lanarkshire Local Militia | 1813'.

[ 'Alberto Tomasini' (Anlon Young), Canadian baritone. ] Autograph Signature ('Tomasini') on inscription to postcard portrait carrying 'Press Comments'.

Author: 
'Alfredo Tomasini', stage name of Anlon Young (b.1895), Canadian baritone
Publication details: 
No place or date. The inscription dated 28 February 1937.
£20.00

Printed in black ink on both sides of a 13.5 x 8.5 cm postcard. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Inscription reads: 'To F J Watt. | With best wishes | Tomasini | Feb 29/37'. The inscription is written on the photographic portrait of 'ALFREDO TOMASINI' (head and shoulders shot in suit and tie, looking dreamily upwards), which is captioned: '(Canadian baritone,) for the past nine years has been singing leading roles in the principal Opera Houses of Italy; Covent Garden, London; State Opera Houses of Finland, Latvia, and Estonia; and the Royal Opera House, Malta.

[ William R. Holland, American anthropologist. ] Typed Letter Signed to Francoise Cabeaux of Belgium, responding positively to her offer to help publish his work in Europe, with details of his planned publications.

Author: 
William R. Holland (1928-1964), American anthropologist, expert in the field of Maya religion and cosmology and the Tzotzil-speaking people of highland Chiapas
Publication details: 
San Carlos 7, San Angel Inn, Mexico 20, D.F. 24 June 1963.
£220.00

Holland's obituary in the American Anthropologist (vol. 67, issue 1, 1967, pp.80-82, including bibliography) accorded him high praise: 'The success with which he had applied himself during the greater part of the past six years to field work and the productivity he had shown in publishing his research results make his early death an incalculable loss to the field of Maya studies.' 1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly-aged and worn. In remains of Air Mail envelope, addressed to 'Srta. Francoise Cabeaux | 152 Chausee de Charleroi | Bruxelles 6, Belgique'.

[ Sir William Huggins, astronomer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('William Huggins') [ to Alexander Ramsay, editor of the 'Scientific Roll' ], regarding 'one small correction' necessary in 'the spare proof'.

Author: 
Sir William Huggins (1824-1910), pioneer, with his wife Margaret Lindsay Huggins, in the field of astronomical spectroscopy [ Alexander Ramsay, editor of the 'Scientific Roll' ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 90 Upper Tulse Hill, S.W. [ London ] 22 May 1892.
£90.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. He begins: 'On taking up the spare proof I find one small correction which should have been made'. He describes the correction that needs to be made on 'page 5 of th proof 13th line from bottom'. Ramsay is not named, but the item is from his papers.

[ Sir William Job Collins, ophthalmic surgeon and Liberal politician. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W J Collins') to 'Sir Henry', i.e. Sir Henry Trueman Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, explaining why he has no lecture ready for the Society.

Author: 
Sir William Job Collins (1859-1946), English ophthalmic surgeon and Liberal politician [ Sir Henry Trueman Wood (1845-1929), Secretary, Royal Society of Arts ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Meads End, Eastbourne. 8 October 1915.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, with the Society's oval date stamp. He thanks him for the 'kindly renewed invitation to lecture at the R.S.A. As you surmise, I am too much engaged at present to put together anything worthy of so august a body.' He is 'collecting material & perhaps at that indefinite date - "after the war" - I may be able to put it into shape'. He concludes: 'We miss you at the Chadwick'.

[ William Noel-Hill, 3rd Baron Berwick, politician and diplomat. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Hill') [ to Rev. Daniel Lysons ], inviting him to breakfast, and describing 'the pressure of business' [ at the legation at Naples ].

Author: 
William Noel-Hill, 3rd Baron Berwick (1773-1842) [ born William Hill ], British politician and diplomat [ Daniel Lysons (1762-1834), antiquary ]
Publication details: 
'Tuesday Eve | Novr <32?>'.
£150.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged. Note in contemporary hand on reverse of second leaf: 'Honble. Wm. Hill | Brirtish Minister at Naples to Revd Danl Lysons'. He has received Lysons's 'two notes & enquired at the time if your servant waited for my answers & was told that the servant was gone saying no answers were required'. Nevertheless he wishes to assure Lysons that 'we shall be ready for you on Monday but I trust you will have the goodness to excuse my joining your Breakfast party afterwards.

[ Sir John Hall, Secretary to the St. Katherine Dock Company. ] Autograph Signature ('J Hall') to official secretarial letter addressed to Hon. Charles Greville, Clerk of the Council, on the question of householders in the 'St. Katharine Precinct'.

Author: 
Sir John Hall (1779-1861), consul, Secretary to the St. Katherine Dock Company, London [ Charles Greville [ Charles Cavendish Fulke Greville ] (1794-1865), Clerk of the Council and diarist ]
Publication details: 
St. Katharine [sic] Precinct [ London ]. 11 November 1831.
£120.00

1p., folio. In poor condition, on aged and worn paper, with chips and loss along edges repaired with archival tape, and repairs to Hall's signature. Some biographical information in a light contemporary hand at head. The document reads: 'Sir, | I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Circular of the 9th. instant, and to state that in consequence of the construction of the St.

[ Sir Nicholas Conyngham Tindal, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. ] Autograph Letter in the third person to J. L. Adolphus, regarding 'the proof Sheet of the judgment of the Court of Exchequer Chamber in Wilson v. Fuller'.

Author: 
Sir Nicholas Conyngham Tindal (1776-1846), Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas [ John Leycester Adolphus (c.1794-1862), English lawyer, jurist and author ]
Publication details: 
Croydon. 19 August 1843.
£75.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Laid down on a piece of card cut from an album. Reads 'The Lord Chief Justice Tindal returns to Mr J. L. Adolphus, the proof Sheet of the judgment of the Court of Exchequer Chamber in Wilson v. Fuller. He has made no other alteration therein than the addition of a word, thinking the Judgment expresses very clearly and faithfully what was delivered by the Court'. See both men's entries in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

[ Sir Frederick Flood, Irish lawyer and politician. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Frederick Flood') to a cousin of Lady Flood, explaining how 'the business &c has been wholly misunderstood'.

Author: 
Sir Frederick Flood (1741-1824), Irish lawyer and politician
Publication details: 
'4 oclock | 8 York Place [ London ] | 7th Jany 1800'.
£150.00

2pp., 4to. Closely written, with forty-three lines of text, in a somewhat difficult hand. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper with closed tear and creasing at head of leaf. The letter is written to a relation, after Flood has been shown a letter by 'yr Cousin, L[ad]y Flood', in which the recipient complains of having been 'injur'd or slandered'. It is Flood's intention in the letter to show that 'the business &c has been wholly misunderstood'. He also states that 'the view of imploying you proceeded from friendship strengthened by connexion'.

[ Sir Robert Charles Kirkwood Ensor, journalist and historian. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('R. C. K. Ensor') to unnamed party, on Oxford University Fabian Society business, discussing the best time for a 'sober event'.

Author: 
R. C. K. Ensor [ Sir Robert Charles Kirkwood Ensor ] (1877-1958), journalist, historian, poet and liberal intellectual [ Oxford University Fabian Society ]
Publication details: 
10 Parks Road, Oxford. 23 April [ no year, but before his move to London in 1904 ]. At foot of letter: 'OU.F.S.', i.e. Oxford University Fabian Society
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper.Reads: 'Dear Sir | The 19th May is out of it; becase it falls in Eights Week, which is an impossible time for any sober event – college concerts & dances per evening, with a vista of importunate relatives behind. | Fir the rest, the 26th is very much our best evening, if you can possible manage it without putting yourself to too great inconvenience.' See Ensor's entry in the Oxford DNB.

[ Sir Alexander Campbell Mackenzie, Scottish composer, and John Mackenzie Rogan, Director of Music, Coldstream Guards. ] Their signatures, each with an autograph bar of music, for composer Herman Finck, on a menu from Pagani's Restaurant, London.

Author: 
Sir Alexander Campbell Mackenzie (1847-1935), composer and conductor; John Mackenzie Rogan (1855-1932), Director of Music, Coldstream Guards [ Herman Finck (1872-1939); Pagani's Restaurant, London ]
Publication details: 
Menu from Pagani's Restaurant, London. Dated by Mackenzie 4 November 1909.
£120.00

Attractive menu, printed in black and gold, on card bifolium, folding into two 8 x 17 cm. panels, partly detached. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Calligraphic design, with 'Pagani's' printed in gilt on the cover, and the menu itself on the recto of the second leaf, facing some calligraphic flourishes on the verso of the first leaf. The two inscriptions are both in pencil, mainly on the recto of the second leaf but with the second extending somewhat onto the facing page. The upper of the two, signed by 'A. C.

[ Nathaniel Pigot [ Nathaniel Pigott ], Roman Catholic lawyer. ] Opinion of 'Nath: Pigot', signed and in his autograph, regarding 'The Case of Mr. Thomas Hunsdon' over a Holborn property, with reference to Thomas Green and the Duke of Montagu.

Author: 
Nathaniel Pigot [ Nathanie Pigott ] (bap. 1661, d.1737), Roman Catholic lawyer. friend of the poet Alexander Pope [ Thomas Hunsdon ]
Publication details: 
'Middle Temple 9: Novr. 1731'.
£180.00

For information on Nathaniel Pigott (so spelt), see his entry in the Oxford DNB. Pigott was a friend and adviser of Alexander Pope, who composed the inscription on his memorial tablet. 3pp., folio. Bifolium, on watermarked laid paper, folded into the customary packet, with 'Mr. Hunsdon's Case' written lengthwise on the blank reverse of the second leaf. Sixty-lines of neatly and closely written text. The first page is headed 'The Case of Mr.

[ Panapakkam Anandacharlu, founder-member of the Indian National Congress. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('P. Anunda Charlu') to 'Mr Rees' [ later Sir J. D. Rees ]. congratulating him on his elevation to the Viceregal Legislative Council.

Author: 
Panapakkam Anandacharlu [ P. Anunda Charlu; P. Ananda Charlu ] (1843-1908), advocate, founder-member of the Indian National Congress [ Sir John David Rees (1854-1922), colonial administrator ]
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, Lakeside, Egmore [ Madras, India ]. 16 October 1895.
£180.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight glue staining on blank reverse of first leaf. The letter begins: 'My dear Mr Rees. | I beg to congratulate you & myself on your elevation to a membership of the Viceregal Legislative Council – you on your well-earned elevation – myself on the pleasure of your companionship while at Calcuttah. [sic]' He is pleased to note that Rees's 'youth & the fact of your being comparatively a junior have not been regarded insuperable obstacles or unpardonable crimes'.

[ H. Montagu Butler, ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. Montagu Butler') [ to Major Robert Guthrie Macgregor ], regarding the gift to Harrow of his 'Translations from the Greek Anthology'.

Author: 
Henry Montagu Butler (1833-1918), Headmaster of Harrow School, and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge [ Major Robert Guthrie Macgregor (1805-1869) ]
Publication details: 
Harrow. 28 October 1864.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He thanks him for his 'very kind present to our School Library': 'The "Greek Anthology" will, I need not say, be a most acceptable addition to our treasures.' Guthrie's 'name will duly appear in our annual list of those friends who during the last twelve months have provevd themselves Benfactors to the Library'.

[ John Edwin Cussans, antiquary. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. E. Cussans') to Edward Walford, regarding his 'new Magazine' [ the Antiquarian Magazine and Bibliographer ] and the sending of a New Year's card.

Author: 
John Edwin Cussans (1837-1899), English antiquary and historian of Hertfordshire [ Edward Walford (1823-1907), magazine editor ]
Publication details: 
On embossed letterhead of 4 Wyndham Crescent, Junction Road [ London ]. 28 December 1881.
£120.00

See both men's entries in the Oxford DNB. 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The present letter was written as Walford – having resigned the editorship of the Antiquary in acrimonious circumstances – was preparing to launch the Antiquarian Magazine and Bibliographer (renamed Walford's Antiquarian Magazine and Bibliographical Review in 1885). It would cease publication in 1886. In the letter, after thanking Walford for his 'very kindly review', Cussans writes: 'If the first number of your new Magazine be a fair specimen of those to follow, its success is certain.

[ Alexander Nicoll, Regius Professor of Hebrew, Oxford University. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Alex. Nicoll')

Author: 
Alexander Nicoll (1793-1828), Scottish orientalist, Regius Professor of Hebrew and canon of Christ Church, Oxford
Publication details: 
'Ch. Ch. [ i.e. Christ Church, Oxford ] May 16. [ no year ].
£45.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Laid down on a leaf removed from an album. Reads: 'My Dear Sir, | I did not receive your Note including those from Mess. Irvine & F until late last night. It will give me great pleasure to see you and Mrs. Hughes, and I shall have the pleasure of calling upon you soon after 11, being now obliged to go to Prayers.'

[ David Macbeth Moir, the 'Delta' of Blackwood's Magazine. ] Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Mr Marshall', i.e. the London publisher William Marshall, praising the keepsake 'The Pledge of Friendship', to which he is a contributor.

Author: 
D. M. Moir [ David Macbeth Moir ] (1798-1851) of Musselburgh, Scottish physician and writer, the 'Delta' of Blackwood's Magazine [ William Marshall, London publisher ]
Publication details: 
Musselburgh [ Scotland ]. 15 December 1827.
£150.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with traces of stub adhering to blank reverse. The letter begins: 'Mr Moir presents compts to Mr Marshall and returns best thanks for the two copies of the Pledge of Friendship, one of which he delivered as directed to H. M. who requests me in his name to return his acknowledgements. | Mr M.

[ William Johnstone, General Merchant of Launceston, Van Diemen's Land [ Tasmania ].] Manuscript accounts of six Australian firms with him: William Bayles; Henry Burge; Westgarth, Ross & Co.; Lewis Cohen; Du Croz, Nichols & Co.; Moses Moss.

Author: 
William Johnstone (c.1819-1874), General Merchant, Launceston, Van Diemen's Land [ Tasmania ]; William Bayles; Henry Burge; Westgarth, Ross & Co.; Lewis Cohen; Du Croz, Nichols & Co.; Moses Moss
Publication details: 
[ Launceston, Van Diemen's Land [ Tasmania ]; and Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. ] Between 1853 and 1866.
£450.00

See William Johnstone's obituary in the Illustrated Tasmanian News, May 1874. He was born in England and left Somerset for Van Diemen's Land in 1841. He set up in business the following year in Launceston, which had been founded in 1806, and is said to be the third oldest colonial settlement in Australia, after Sydney and Hobart..As the years proceeded he prospered spectacularly, and by the time of his death he was so highly esteemed, that 'many places of business had the front windows partially closed while the shipping in port and the Town Hall had the Union Jack hoisted at half mast'.

[ Enid Blyton, English children's writer: the famous signature of one of the world's best-selling authors. ] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Enid Blyton [ Enid Mary Blyton ] (1897-1968), English children's writer, one of the world's best-selling authors
Publication details: 
Without dater or place.
£120.00

On one side of a 7.5 x 12.5 cm leaf of pink paper, extracted from an album. In good condition, very lightly aged. Centred on the page, in blue ink, the inscription reads: 'love from | Enid Blyton'. No other writing anywhere on the leaf. As 600 million copies of Blyton's books have been sold worldwide, and as she oversaw the design of her books, and insisted on her distinctive signature being placed on every cover, it is not an exaggeration to state that this is one of the most famous signatures of the twentieth century.

[ William Cunningham, Archdeacon of Ely, Scottish economist. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Wm. Cunningham') to an unnamed party, explaining why he must decline his invitation to co-operate, despite the 'flattering invitation' of the Delegates

Author: 
William Cunningham (1849-1919), Archdeacon of Ely, Scottish economist [ Harvard University ]
Publication details: 
Both from Trinity College, Cambridge. 9 and 12 October 1899.
£150.00

The two letters were written on Cunningham's return from America, where he had been lecturing in economic history at Harvard. Both are in good condition, lightly aged. Both are addressed from Trinity College, Cambridge. ONE: 9 October 1899. 2pp., small 4to. He has 'just returned to England after a long absence'. He appreciates 'the honour you have done me in asking me to cooperate in such a work', but regrets 'that it is impossible for me to undertake anything of the kind at present'. TWO: 12 October 1899. 4pp., small 4to.

[ William Ewart, Radical politician and penal reformer, and Hansard. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Ewart') to 'Mr: Hansard', regarding the proof of his 'speech on Capital Punishment. With Autograph Note in response on reverse.

Author: 
William Ewart (1798-1869) of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, Radical politician and penal reformer [ Hansard, Printer to the House of Commons ]
Publication details: 
Otterington House, Northallerton. 24 July 1850.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He asks to be sent 'the proof of my speech on Capital Punishment for correction'. In a postscript he writes: 'Possibly one copy may have been sent already to my house in London. In that case, can you send another here, as I cannot easily make the Servant in London understand about the Paper.' On the reverse an initialled autograph note is written in red ink: 'Mr Ewart has sent us another letter since; will you have the kindness to send this in advance immediate | '.

[ Sydney George Holland, 2nd Viscount Knutsford, hospital reformer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Knutsford') to 'Miss Holland'

Author: 
Sydney George Holland, 2nd Viscount Knutsford (1855-1931), hospital administrator and reformer
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Kneesworth Hall, Royston, Hertfordshire. 20 November 1914.
£90.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He asks her to help him once again 'with the Women's Wards in the London Hospital'. He hopes that the enclosure (not present) will interest her: 'I am sending it instead of the familiar booklet "To Women".' He concludes, presumably in reference to the war, 'Whatever is being done, the relief of suffering women must not be left undone.'

[ Thomas Pakenham, 5th Earl of Longford. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Longford') to the music critic R. A. Streatfeild regarding the suitability as a groom or chauffeur of his 'fellow countryman' Leonard, for whom he has a 'sneaking liking'.

Author: 
Thomas Pakenham, 5th Earl of Longford [ Lord Silchester to 1887 ] (1864-1915), Irish politician and soldier [ R. A. Streatfeild [ Richard Alexander Streatfeild ] (1866-1919), music critic ]
Publication details: 
On letterheads of 44 Byranston Square, W. [ London ] 11 and 12 May 1911.
£60.00

The two letters in good condition, on lightly aged paper. ONE: 2pp., 12mo. He begins by stating that he 'knew Leonard pretty well in the 2nd Life G[uar]ds., he was a good fellow, but rough and wild - he came from Mullingar, my local capital, a good man with a horn but too heavy for a groom'. He could not give Leonard 'a better character than the regiment has done', and if 'his knee is too bad for him to soldier it probably would prevent him being a groom anywhere [...] he occasionally came before me for punishment - and as a fellow countryman I took an interest in him'.

[ Walter Handel Thorley, organist. ] Autograph Letter Signed to the music critic R. A. Streatfeild, regarding his candidacy for the Conductorship of the London Philharmonic Society.

Author: 
Walter Handel Thorley (1859-1923), Blackburn composer and organist [ R. A. Streatfeild [ Richard Alexander Streatfeild ] (1866-1919), music critic ]
Publication details: 
On embossed letterhead of 25 Durham Terrace, Westbourne Gardens, W. [ London ] 14 July 1899.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. On grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dear Sir | As I am unknown to you further than by Concert on Ap. 28th. may I be permitted to say that I am a Candidate for the Conductorship of the London Phil[harmoni]c. Society and to hope it may prove an acceptable item of news.'

[ Sir Claude Phillips, art critic and first Keeper of the Wallace Collection. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C. P.') to 'Dearest Dick' [ i.e. the art critic R. A. Streatfeild ], regarding the obituaries of 'H. H.' and Elgar's 'wonderful' new 'things'.

Author: 
Sir Claude Phillips (1846-1924), art historian and critic for the Daily Telegraph and Manchester Guardian, first keeper of the Wallace Collection, 1900-1911 [ Richard Alexander Streatfeild ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 40 Ashburn Place, S.W. [ London ] 4 May 1916.
£40.00

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on aged, worn and creased paper. Written in a hurried, difficult hand. He begins by saying he was 'just thinking' of him, 'and wondering!' He then invites him to dine the following Sunday in the 'usual way'. He continues: 'No, I didn't write about H. H. . There was a <?> ordinary notices in the D[aily]. T[elegraph]., but by whom written I can't say. I didn't really know enough about him.' He is 'going with Mr. Crawshay to the Elgar performance: it appears the new things are wonderful.

[ John Gough Nichols, printer and antiquary. ] Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed recipient, requesting information on the architect James Elmes.

Author: 
John Gough Nichols (1806-1873), printer and antiquary [ James Elmes (1782-1862), architect and surveyor; Society of Antiquaries of London ]
Publication details: 
25 Parliament Street [ London ]. 21 May 1862.
£40.00

1p., 12mo. In fair conditon, on aged and worn paper. Headed in another hand 'Answered'. Reads: 'My dear Sir, | Many thanks for your kind note. If you could bring with you tomorrow evening to the Antiqs. [i.e. Society of Antiquaries ] the dates when the late Mr James Elmes became Surveyor of the Port of London, & when he resigned that office, you would further oblige me.'

Syndicate content