MANUSCRIPT

[ Lord William Seymour, son of the 8th Duke of Somerset. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Willm Seymour') and Autograph Letter in the third person, both to 'Mr. Pitman', linen draper of Devizes, regarding two works of natural history.

Author: 
Lord William Seymour (1724-1800), son of Edward Seymour (1694/5-1757), 8th Duke of Somerset [ Pitman, Devizes linendraper ]
Publication details: 
Both from Seend [ Wiltshire ]. 24 May and 11 August 1788.
£65.00

The two items in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear, and both laid down on part of a page from an album. ONE: 24 May 1788. 1p., landscape 12mo. Written in the third person: 'Lord William Seymour Presents his Compliments to Mr. Pitman Will be much Obliged to him for the lent [sic] of His Curtis's Flora Londinensis. Ld. Wwm will take great Care of them -'. TWO: 11 August 1788. 1p., landscape 12mo. Addressed on reverse to: 'Mr Pitman | Linnen [sic] Draper | Devizes'. He is obliged to him 'for a Sight of Barbut's English Fossils.

[ Nicholas Carlisle, Secretary, Society of Antiquaries of London. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Nis. Carlisle.') to 'Mrs. Smyth', discussing domestic matters.

Author: 
Nicholas Carlisle (1771-1847), Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Publication details: 
Somerset Place [ London ]. 2 January 1847.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed, with broken seal in red wax, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Mrs. Smyth.' Addressed at head of letter to 'My dear friend.' He begins by thanking her for 'a huge slice of Cumberland pie', which he is certain 'will prove excellent'. The letter continues with references to 'Mr. Archer' and 'Mrs Grainger', the latter being 'at present in sorrow, for the death of her eldest sister at Sheffield'. In a contemporary hand beneath the signature: 'From Nicholas Carlisle Esq. | Sec. for many years of the Soc.

[ James Lothian, Scottish gardener. ] Autograph Letter Signed to Daniel Mctaggart of Kilkerran, sending a book on the 'Potatoe question'.

Author: 
James Lothian (1817-1871), Scottish gardener, author of the first English book on the cultivation of Alpine plants [ Daniel McTaggart [ Mactaggart ] of Kilkerran, Argyll, Scotland
Publication details: 
No place. 19 June 1854.
£56.00

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Daniel McTaggart Esq: of Kilkeran [sic]'. In fair condition, on lightly aged paper. He is sending him 'Keith' (i.e. a book by George Skene Keith), which contains 'some facts bearing on the Potatoe question'. He has other works on the same matter, but they are 'out', with the exception of 'Vol: 2 of the Gardener which I send down'. In his opinion 'Works on Forrest [sic] trees and Landscape Gardening throw no light on either disease or Longivity [sic] of Plants.

[ John Young, mezzotint engraver and keeper of the British Institution. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Jno Young.') to Charles Westmacott, explaining why his 'picture of Cromwell' cannot be accepted for the present exhibition.

Author: 
John Young (1755-1825), mezzotint engraver and Keeper of the British Institution, London [ Charles Molloy Westmacott (c.1787-1868), journalist and blackmailer? ]
Publication details: 
British Institution, Pall Mall [ London ]. 12 May 1824.
£56.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, on aged paper. He is desired to thank Westmacott 'for the offer of your picture of Cromwell for exhibition, and at the same time to inform you, that the arrangements, for the present season, are already completed'. He ends with the tact for which he was renowned, expressing the hope that he will have 'the pleasure of seeing you at the private [last word underlined] view on tuesday next'. The recipient is presumably C. M.

[ Lord Braybrooke, editor of Pepys's diary. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Braybrooke'), regarding the payment of a bill.

Author: 
Lord Braybrooke [ Richard Griffin [formerly Neville], 3rd Baron Braybrooke ] (1783-1858), politician and editor of the diaries of Samuel Pepys
Publication details: 
Audley End, Saffron Walden. 19 January 1875.
£50.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lighthly-aged paper. Reads: 'Dear Sir | I beg to enclose a cheque for the Sum of £10 . 10 . and shall feel obliged by yr returning to me a Receipt for the same | I remain | Yours truly | Braybrooke'. In another hand at top right: 'Answd'.

[ John William Cole ('J. W. Calcraft'), actor and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin. ] Autograph Note Signed ('J. W. Cole')

Author: 
J. W. Cole [ John William Cole, pseudonym John William Calcraft ] (c.1793-1870), actor, dramatist and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin
Publication details: 
No place. 23 October 1858.
£30.00

1p., 12mo. On aged and stained paper, with small spike hole. Reads: '23rd Oct. 1858 | My dear Sir | I have given Sergeant Glover of the M[orning] Chronicle a Private Box for Monday. | Yours entirely | J. W. Cole'.

[ Printed pamphlet. ] Answer to Dr Mitchell's Statement of Facts.

Author: 
James Gibson [ afterwards Sir James Gibson Craig (1765-1850) of Riccarton; Dr John Mitchell, M.D., Freemason, Master of the Caledonian Lodge of Edinburgh, Scotland ]
Publication details: 
Edinburgh, 5th March 1808. Neill & Co. Printers.
£80.00

12pp., 4to. Unbound. In fair condition, aged, worn, and with light damp-staining. An interesting document in the context of Whig politics and Freemasonry in Scotland. One of a number of acrimonious pamphlets exchanged between the two men. On 22 February 1808, a few days before the writing of the present pamphlet, Mitchell had distributed a handbill stating: 'I hereby declare to the world, that, Mr James Gibson, Writer to the Signet, of York Place, is a dastardly ruffian and infamous coward'.

[ Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Liberal politician. ] Commencement of Autograph Letter to Lady Monteagle, expressing his distress and that of his wife [ over a death in her family ].

Author: 
[ Sir George Cornewall Lewis (1806-1863), Liberal politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer. ] [ Marianne, Lady Monteagle, wife of Thomas Spring Rice (1790-1866), 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon ]
Publication details: 
Grove Mill, Watford, Hertfordshire. No date.
£60.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. Ends abruptly at the end of the fourth page, and without signature. For the period an unusually frank expression of distress, apparently over the death of his wife's elder daughter He thanks her for calling on him with books - 'when you so kindly came to that House though I had intended so very much to see you I felt all my courage fail - & that I s[houl]d. only distress you & do myself harm if I saw you'.

[ Professor William Thomas Gordon of Kings College London, Scottish geologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. T. Gordon') to 'Mr. Joy', expressing condolences on the loss of a daughter, and grief at the recent death of an uncle.

Author: 
W. T. Gordon [ William Thomas Gordon ] (1884-1950), Scottish geologist, Professor of Geology at Kings College London
Publication details: 
On leterhead of the University of London, Kings College. 5 May 1930.
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. 29 lines of closely-written text. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. 'Such a calamity must be a terrible blow for you all but more especially to Mrs. Joy and yourself. To lose a daugher just blossoming out into womanhood is tragic indeed, the more so, if that were possible, in that she was such a bright girl.' He continues 'By the same post I have word that one of my uncles has just died, and that another has been given up by the doctors. They have both lived full lives, and, in their way, interesting lives, so that, there, one can hardly talk of a tragic end.

[ William Hamilton Gibson, American illustrator and naturalist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Hamilton Gibson') to 'Mr Skinner', thanking him for a notice of a lecture

Author: 
William Hamilton Gibson (1850-1896), American illustrator and naturalist
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 132 Lincoln Place, Brooklyn. 6 March 1894.
£56.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for a notice of his lecture which is 'sympathetic and in every way adequate and helpful'. He is accustomed to reviews 'which however kindly and appreciative have nevertheless so woefully manipulated my facts'. He gives as an example his 'good friend Baker of the Union', who 'in the kindliest & most cordial spirit put words in my mouth, statements of scientific fact [...] But it is as you have so often told me. The only way to establish a truth is to pound away at it, iteration and reiteration.'

[ John George Wood, naturalist and author. ] Autograph Signature ('J. G. Woods') on conclusion of Autograph Letter

Author: 
Rev. J. G. Wood [ John George Wood ] (1827-1889), English naturalist and author
Publication details: 
Date and place not stated.
£30.00

On one side of piece of 13.5 x 8.5 cm piece of paper. Aged and worn. Reads: 'know when I shall have an evening to myself, for in the last fifteen days or so, I have only dined at home twice, and as far as I see, that much of vagrant life seems rather on the increase than otherwise. But the first evening that I have, I will dedicate to you, & give you notice thereof | Best remembrances to your family - | Yours very sincerely | J. G. Wood'. On reverse, in another hand: 'J. G. Wood | the great naturalist'.

[ The Australian Wine Company, Limited, London. ] Printed notice and Autograph Receipt Signed, both by John Paterson, the firm's liquidator.

Author: 
The Australian Wine Company, Limited, London; John Paterson, Chartered Accountant, Liquidator
Publication details: 
John Paterson, Chartered Accountant, 35 Walbrook, London. [ Australian Wine Company, Limited, London ] Notice dated 20 February 1885; receipt dated five days later.
£45.00

12mo bifolium, with the printed notice on the recto of the first leaf and Paterson's autograph receipt on the reverse of the first leaf. In good condition, lightly aged. The notice states that as liquidator Paterson has 'sold the Goodwill and Stock-in-trade to Mr. C. H. Aylwin' The notice is completed in manuscript, asking 'G. Johnston, Esqre.' to remit the ten shillings owing by him to the company. On the reverse Paterson acknowledges receipt 'from James Johnston, Banker, 61 Irish Sreet, Dumfries, Ten Shillings Stg.

[ Lucien-Anatole Prévost-Paradol, French journalist and essayist. ] First page of Autograph Letter, giving details of a lecture he proposes to give.

Author: 
Lucien-Anatole Prévost-Paradol (1829-1870), French journalist and essayist
Publication details: 
Paris. 23 April [ 1869 ].
£80.00

1p., 12mo. On aged and worn paper. Docketted on reverse: 'Letter Lectures | Prevost Peradol | 23 April 1869'. Reads: 'Sir | I accept the honourable invitation which is transmitted to me through your kind letter from the Directors of the philosophical institution of Edinburgh. The subject will be the social and political condition of France in two lectures.'

[ Lillie Martin Wood ] Signed autograph 'copy of my letter sent to Miss Meakin at Freiburg, Baden': a long and informed letter to a German friend regarding war profiteering, inflation, and the economic state of Weimar Germany.

Author: 
Lillie Martin Wood, daughter of W. Martin Wood (1829-1907), editor of The Times of India [ Weimar Germany ]
Publication details: 
Copy of letter sent 'on July 23rd. 1924'.
£120.00

6pp., 4to. In good condition, on aged paper. In envelope docketted by her 'My reply to Miss Meakin | to her letter of July 18th. 1924'. The recipient is a German former friend, who has sent her a copy of a letter she has sent the London magazine the Spectator, complaining of the economic treatment of Germany since the First World War. Wood signs herself 'Your affectionate old friend', recalling 'our beloved parents, and [...] our own youth'. She concludes bitterly: 'Please dont interrupt your studies for the thankless task of trying to make me forget all that we owe to Germany.

[ George Joseph Bell, Professor of Scots Law at the University of Edinburgh. ] Manuscript Testimonial, Signed twice (both 'George Jos Bell'), on behalf of 'Mr Scipio A. Mactaggart'.

Author: 
George Joseph Bell (1770-1843), Professor of Scots Law at the University of Edinburgh, Scottish jurist [ Scipio Alexander Mactaggart (1812-1886), Writer to the Signet ]
Publication details: 
On printed card of the 'University of Edinburgh Lectures on the Law of Scotland'. Dated November 1834.
£80.00

The card is 12 x 9 cm. In fair condition, aged and worn. On one side, printed in fancy letters in blue, is 'University of Edinburgh | LECTURES | ON THE | LAW OF SCOTLAND'. Beneath this Bell has written: 'Mr. S. A. Mactaggart | George Jos Bell | Nov 1834'. The testimonial, in a secretarial hand, is on the reverse, signed by Bell at the bottom (again 'George Jos Bell'). It reads: 'Mr Scipio A.

[ Rosalind Thuillier, sketches from Graham Sutherland. ] Sketchbook containing captioned ink sketches of 'GS paintings from museums & galleries 2008', for 'possible use in 2nd edition of Inspirations by Rosalind Thuillier'.

Author: 
Rosalind Thuillier [ Rosalind Adams ] (1939-2015), art critic and artist, authority on her friend Graham Sutherland (1903-1980)
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 2007 and 2008.
£400.00

16pp. of sketches in 15 x 13 cm. artist's sketchbook. In good condition, in boards covered with decorative paper. On page preceding the sketches: 'Sketch Book 2007', with the following added subsequently: 'GS paintings from museums & galleries 2008 | possible use in 2nd edition of Inspirations by Rosalind Thuillier'. The sketches, all in black ink, are pared-down and assured (as befits the abstract painter that Thuillier was). The first two captions are 'portrait from Goldmark | 1924' and 'Little painting - 1924 (6?). Fine Art Society.

[ Alfred Edward Stamp, antiquary. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('A. E. Stamp'), expressing his condolences to 'Mr Joy' on the loss of a daughter.

Author: 
A. E. Stamp [ Alfred Edward Stamp ] (1870-1938), antiquary, Deputy Keeper of the Public Records
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Alnewyn, 107 Hampstead Way, Golders Green, N.W. 18 April 1930.
£30.00

3pp., 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. He expresses the grief of his wife and himself at Joy's loss, and continues: 'I seem to have known your two girls ever since Molly was quite a chidl and we heard so much of them from her that we seemed to know them better nd be more interested in them than in other girls that we saw far more often.' He continues with a comment on how the loss must be affecting the surviving sister Mary.

[ Andrew Varick Stout Anthony, American wood engraver. ] Autograph Note Signed ('A. V. S. Anthony') to W. E. Ambler.

Author: 
A. V. S. Anthony [ Andrew Varick Stout Anthony ] (1835-1906), American wood engraver
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the St Botolph Club, 2 Newbury Street, Boston. 8 January 1889.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'Dear Sir: | I have nothing at present except some note book sketches, otherwise I should be pleased to acceed to your request. | Yours truly | A. V. S. Anthony'.

[ First World War: proposed British Parliamentary legislation. ] Typescript of 'Skeleton Draft of a Bill prepared in August 1914.', proposing to 'organise and make fully effective the services which every subject of the Realm is bound to render'.

Author: 
[ First World War, compulsory service on the Home Front: proposed British Parliamentary legislation, 1914; the Houses of Parliament ]
Publication details: 
[ London? Circa August 1914. ]
£320.00

An anonymous document, clearly the work of a member of the British Parliament. Typescript of 12pp., folio. With retrospective title page in neat manuscript, reading: 'Skeleton Draft of a Bill prepared in August 1914. | How many troubles and disasters might have been saved if some such scheme had been carried out.' A few minor emendations in the same hand. On 'British Loan' Britannia wove paper. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear.

[ William Newnham, medical practitioner and author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W: Newnham') to Dawson Turner, on reverse of printed handbill advertisement for his 'The Reciprocal Influence of Body and Mind'.

Author: 
William Newnham (1790-1865) of Farnham, Surrey, medical practitioner and author [ Dawson Turner (1775-1858), banker, botanist and antiquary ]
Publication details: 
Letter dated from Farnham, 27 November 1841. Undated prospectus by London publishers J. Hatchard and Son, 187 Piccadilly, and J. Churchill, Princes Street, Soho..
£100.00

On a 12mo bifolium of laid paper, with the printed advertisement on the recto of the first leaf, and the manuscript letter on the verso of the second. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper folded twice. The advertisement is headed 'Preparing for Publication, in One thick Volume, 8vo., Price 12s. Cloth,' and consists of a reproduction of the title-page. The letter, addressed to 'Dawson Turner Esq', states that, as a member of the Royal Society of Literature, Newnham has 'taken the liberty of addressing the present announcement to each one of my fellow members'.

[ Helene Winzberger-Ford, Austrian artist. ] Long Autograph Letter Signed ('Helene') to Welsh artist Nerys Johnson, on bacck of poster for a joint exhibition.

Author: 
Helene Winzberger-Ford, Austrian artist [ Nerys Johnson (1942-2001), Welsh artist and museum curator ]
Publication details: 
Poster for show at Galerie, Austria. Letter (presumably from same place) 21, 25 and 26 July 1977.
£56.00

The poster is printed in black on one side of a 59.5 x 42.5 cm piece of glossy art paper. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, folded four times. It is for a joint show with Livia Szadai at the Galerie Hildebrand, Klagenfurt. There is a photograph of her work (Wollbilder oder Umh

[ Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Boyd, Governor of Gibraltar. ] Autograph Signature ('Robt Boyd, Govr.).

Author: 
Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Boyd (1710-1794), British Army officer, three-times Governor of Gibraltar (1776-1777, 1790 and 1790-1794)
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£35.00

On 3 x 9.5 cm strip of laid paper. In fair condition, with light signs of age. In another hand on the reverse: '1791 | Governor of Gibraltar'. Presumably cut from a letter in response to a request for an autograph.

[ Thomas William Webb, astronomer. ] Long Autograph Letter Signed ('T. W. Webb.') to Rev. Dr Thomas Dick, on William West's Clifton Observatory, the rings of saturn, and other scientific matters.

Author: 
Thomas William Webb (1806-1885), English astronomer and clergyman [ Rev. Dr Thomas Dick (1774-1857), Scottish science writer; William West (1801-1861), artist and builder of the Clifton Observatory ]
Publication details: 
Tretire [ Herefordshire ]. 5 March 1840.
£400.00

For more information on Webb see his entry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp., 4to. On bifolium. In good condition, with light signs of age. Around ninety lines of closely and neatly written text. Addressed (with postmark and red wax seal of smith at forge) on reverse of second leaf to 'Thomas Dick, Esq. L.L.D., | Broughty Ferry | near Dundee, | Scotland.' A highly interesting and informative letter.

[ John Baldwin Buckstone, actor-manager and playwright. ] Autograph Signature ('Jno. B Buckstone').

Author: 
John Baldwin Buckstone (1802-1879), English actor-manager and playwright, associated with the London theatres the Adelphi and Haymarket
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 4 x 9.5 strip of paper. In good condition, with light signs of age. Reads 'Truly Yours | Jno. B Buckstone | T. Q. H'. Presumably cut from a letter in response to a request for an autograph.

[ John Henning senior, Scottish sculptor inspired by the Elgin Marbles. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('John Henning senr | To | S. C. Hall Esqr'), complaining of delay in returning his 'plate after The Parthenon Frieze'.

Author: 
John Henning senior (1771-1851), Scottish sculptor who produced scaled-down re-creations of the Parthenon frieze - one adorns the Athenaeum Club, London [ S. C. Hall [ Samuel Carter Hall ] (1800-1889)
Publication details: 
'Decr 22. 1849 | 8 Thorn Hill Brigge Place Caledonian Road [ London ]'.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, with light signs of age a some dabs of glue from mounting on blank reverse. The letter has an unusual calligraphic layout. The message reads: 'My Dear Sir | When I last lent you my plate after The Parthenon Frieze I expected it returned at furthest in two weeks it now eight weeks I would be obliged if you could let me have it by the Bearer I hahve the Honor to be with respect yours truly | John Henning senr | To | S. C. Hall Esqr'. At foot, in a contemporary hand, signed 'J.

[ John Palgrave Simpson, Victorian playwright. ] Autograph Signature ('J Palgrave Simpson').

Author: 
John Palgrave Simpson (1807-1887), Victorian playwright
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 4 x 10.5 cm. strip of paper, cut from a letter, presumably in response to a request for an autograph. In fair condition, with light signs of age.

[ François Guizot, French politician and historian ] Autograph address, on cover of letter, to London bookseller Richard Bentley, with postmarks and seal in black wax.

Author: 
François Guizot [ François Pierre Guillaume Guizot ] (1787-1874), French politician and historian [ Richard Bentley (1794-1871), London printer and publisher ]
Publication details: 
With three postmarks, one from Paris, 13 February 1852
£45.00

Covering leaf of letter, 18 x 22.5 cm, folding into 7 x 15.5 cm packet. In fair condition, aged and worn. Addressed by Guizot to 'Mr. Bentley bookseller | 8 New Burlington Street | London | England.' Seal in black wax (without impression) and three postmarks, two circular French ones, including one from Paris, and an English one in red ink. Perhaps the cover of a communication relating to his book 'Corneille and his Times', published by Bentley in 1852.

[ Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Lansdowne') to the economist Nassau Senior (acting as his agent), directing him to arrange accommodation for him at Ilfracombe.

Author: 
Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice (1780-1863), 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne [ Lord Henry Petty ], British Liberal statesman [ Nassau Senior [ Nassau William Senior ] (1790-1864), economist ]
Publication details: 
Bowood [ Bowood House, Wiltshhire ]. 5 September 1837.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. On leaf with mourning border. With 7.5 x 12.5 cm frank cut from front of envelope, reading 'Calne September fifth 1837 | Nassau Senior Esq | Ilfracombe | Devon | Lansdowne'. In good condition, lightly aged. While Senior is known to have been a protégé of the Marquess of Lansdowne, this letter suggests that he acted as his agent. The Marquess asks him to 'secure me a lodging at the hotel at Ilfracombe or if full at any house in the town on Friday, when I expect to be there pretty early'.

[ Barry Pitt, military historian. ] Typescript, with autograph emendations, of article on 'Orde Wingate'.

Author: 
Barrie Pitt (1918-2006), military historian [ Orde Wingate [ Major-General Orde Charles Wingate ] (1903-1944), British Army officer, tactical innovator during the Burma Campaign of World War Two
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£150.00

3pp., 4to. On three leaves of yellow paper. In good condition, with slight staining from paper clip. Emendations in black and red ink. No evidence of publication of the text has been discovered. It begins: 'On 25th July, 1943, Mr. Churchill wrote "I consider Wingate should command the army against Burma. [...]"'.

[ Barrie Pitt, military historian. ] Typed account, titled 'Monty', of meetings with Field Marshal Montgomery of Alamein, first in Egypt in 1942, and then 'some time in the 1970s'.

Author: 
Barrie Pitt (1918-2006), British military historian [ Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein (1887-1976); Basil Liddell-Hart; the Savage Club, London ]
Publication details: 
Without place or date [ 1980s? ].
£180.00

4pp., 8vo. In good condition, with light signs of age. A lively and vivid account, as the opening indicates: '"Ah!

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