MANUSCRIPT

Autograph Letter Signed from Alfred Musty, an immigrant to Canada, writing to a benefactor [Mr Challinor?] back in England, to describe his 'first year', and including a reference to M. H. Cochrane, 'the great celebrated Herd Farmer of Canada'.

Author: 
Alfred Musty [Matthew Henry Cochrane (1823-1903), Canadian industrialist and breeder of livestock]
Publication details: 
Huntingville, Eastern Townships, Province of Quebec, Canada. 29 September 1883.
£80.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. 77 lines of text. In good condition, on aged paper, with a little wear and a few closed tears along folds. He begins by describing his 'prospects': 'My first year in Canada I stayed with Mr. Bridges, during which time I got a pretty fair knowledge of the country. I then decided to speculate on a woodland Lot of Fifty Acres, price Five Hundred Dollars.

Typed account, signed 'Anyanga' [J. H. Driberg], of a liaison with a Frenchwoman named Yvonne Beaubouchais in Marseille in 1915, titled 'L'Entente Cordiale'.

Author: 
'Anyanga'; J. H. Driberg [Jack Herbert Driberg (1888-1946), social anthropologist and brother of flamboyant Labour MP Tom Driberg (1905-1976), Baron Bradwell]
Publication details: 
'From J. H. Driberg, 19, Dryden Chambers, W.1.' Undated [1920s?].
£180.00

8pp., 4to. On eight leaves pinned together. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with rust staining from pin. Apparently unpublished. Typed at head of first page: 'From J. H. Driberg, 19, Dryden Chambers, W.1.', above which, in manuscript: 'NL. N. 10 pt Miscellany'. Driberg is clearly the author: 'Anyanga' is a surname common in the area of Kenya in which he was based as a colonial offical. The first paragraph gives an indication of the tone of the piece: 'The War left me with one fragrant memory. Her name was Yvonne Beaubouchais, and the date was 1915.

Autograph Letter Signed ('E. Ruggles-Brise') from prison reformer Sir Evelyn John Ruggles-Brise, to Captain Robert Arnold Vansittart , arranging a meeting with him and Captain Conor, Governor of Parkhurst, regarding development of the farm at Borstal

Author: 
Sir Evelyn John Ruggles-Brise (1857-1935), prison administrator and founder of Borstal system [Captain Robert Arnold Vansittart (1851-1938); Captain H. L. Conor, Governor of Parkhurst Gaol]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Prison Commission, Home Office, Whitehall, SW. 13 December 1907.
£65.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. In Prision Commission envelope, with two postmarks (one of them 'HOME OFFICE PRISONS | OFFICIAL'), addressed by Ruggles-Brise to 'Capt. Vansittart | 24 Cadogan Square | SW'. He writes to inform Vansittart that he has 'arranged for Capt Conor, Governor - Parkhust, to be at Borstal on Tuesday next 17th. inst. to confer with yourself & the Govr. as to the best way of developing the Farm.' He asks Vansittart to 'communicate with Major Elliott as to the time when it will be convenient to you to be there'.

Part of autograph 'Diary of the War' of Assistant Paymaster (later Rear-Admiral) Noel Wright, describing three months of his service with Jellicoe's Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow, and reporting the Battle off Texel and sinking of HMS Audacious.

Author: 
Rear-Admiral Noel Wright (1890-1975), Royal Navy [Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Jellicoe, Commander of the Grand Fleet, Scapa Flow; Battle off Texel; sinking of HMS Audacious]
Publication details: 
Covering the period from 18 October 1914 to 4 January 1915.
£1,250.00

163pp., 12mo. In a sturdy notebook, with brass clasp, covered in grey paper. Wright has written '4 | N W' on the front board. On the recto of the first leaf he gives the addresses of 'T', 'C', 'J', 'Adml Campbell' and 'Young'; and on the verso he writes the title 'DIARY OF THE WAR | VOLUME II', above the oval stamp 'SUPPLIED FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE'. He signs 'Noel Wright' at head of the recto of the second leaf.

Autograph Letter Signed ('N: Vansittart') from Chancellor of the Exchequer Nicholas Vansittart to Whig MP William Smith, discussing James Walker's 'Letters on the West Indies', and voicing approval for the spread of Walker's 'mild system' of slavery.

Author: 
Nicholas Vansittart, 1st Baron Bexley (1766-1851), Tory Chancellor of the Exchequer [William Smith (1730-1819), Whig abolitionist; James Walker, Commissioner for Crown Estates in Berbice, Guyana]
Publication details: 
Downing Street [London]; 16 February 1818.
£325.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. An important letter, in which the serving Chancellor of the Exchequer puts his position concerning slavery (a subject of extreme importance to the British Treasury), siding with a prominent apologist for the practice, James Walker, one of the commissioners managing the Crown Estates at Berbice.

Autograph Letter Signed ('D. S. Cairns') from the theologian David Smith Cairns to 'Mr. Vansittart' [the diplomat Robert Gilbert Vansittart, later Baron Vansittart of Denham], praising his poem 'The Singing Caravan' in the most fullsome terms.

Author: 
David Smith Cairns (1862-1946), theologian [Robert Gilbert Vansittart (1881-1957), Baron Vansittart of Denham, diplomat and poet]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 130 Desswood Place, Aberdeen. 12 May 1929.
£135.00

7pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. On two bifoliums. He begins: 'Dear Mr. Vansittart | I have just finished a second reading of "The Singing Caravan". I got a copy for myself after a hunt, for it is o[ut]. [of] p[rint]. as you know'. He will 'return to it again & again.

Autograph Letter Signed from the actor-manager Wilson Barrett [William Henry Barrett] to Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine, regarding the dramatisation of his novel 'The Deemster' (renamed 'Ben-my-chree') for performance at the Princess's Theatre, London.

Author: 
Wilson Barrett [William Henry Barrett] (1846-1904), English actor and playwright, manager of the Princess's Theatre, London [Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine (1853-1931), novelist]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Hedingham, 21 Maresfield Gardens, South Hampstead, London. 28 April 1888.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Barrett writes: 'Dear Hall Caine/ | The scheme promises well. I have made an arrangement for eight weeks at the Princess's. I thought it better to fight for the play there. Will certainly have a fair chance, although there can be no <?>.' According to Barrett's entry in the Oxford DNB, he returned from the Globe Theatre 'to the Princess's, where he began work with Hall Caine on adapting The Deemster, renamed Ben-my-chree (17 May 1888).

Autograph Letter Signed ('W. P. Schreiner') from William Philip Schreiner, Prime Minister of the Cape Colony during the Second Boer War, to 'My dear J. S. C.' [J. S. Cox], suggesting a meeting while in London for the enquiry into the Jameson Raid.

Author: 
William Philip Schreiner (1857-1919), Prime Minister of the Cape Colony [South Africa] during the Second Boer War; J. C. Cox; Jameson Raid]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Morley's Hotel, Trafalgar Square, London, WC. 24 March 1897.
£180.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, with slight spotting to extremities, laid down on leaf removed from autograph album. 'I am sorry that we have missed each other on the occasions you have called. My time is much occupied & it is difficult to fix an hour before 6 P.M.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Ja Stonhouse') from Sir James Stonhouse, 7th and 10th Baronet, physician and cleric

Author: 
Sir James Stonhouse, 7th and 10th Baronet (1716-1795), of Radley, Berkshire, physician, cleric and author of numerous religious tracts, close friend of Philip Doddridge and James Hervey
Publication details: 
Radley. 10 November [no year].
£75.00

1p., 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with slight loss to one corner. Reads: 'Sir | I last night receiv'd a Letter from Mr Mapletoft to acquaint me with the death of Morris the Clark I have left it intirely [sic] to the Gent. to find out a person they approve of & I will appoint him. I propose being in Town next Monday & should be glad if you will be so good to get my Acct ready that I may settle it before I leave Town. I will bring my book up with me. I beg my Compts to Mr.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Tho Mozley') from the Church of England cleric and Times leader-writer Thomas Mozley to 'My dear Rickards' [Rev. Samuel Rickards], like him associated with the Oxford Movement.

Author: 
Thomas Mozley (1806-1893), Church of England clergyman, author and Times leader-writer, associated with the Oxford Movement [Rev. Samuel Rickards (1796-1865), Tractarian]
Publication details: 
7 Holly Place, Hampstead. 21 June 1853.
£45.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse of the second leaf. He thinks that Rickards 'could answer the question in the enclosed letter with much more authority, exactness, and detail, than I could.' If Rickards has 'anything to say on the subject', Mozley asks him to 'send it at once to my brother at Oxford, as he is in the last crisis of an article on the Manuscript Commission'. He continues with news of 'Grace' ('now home for the holidays') and of his health.

First leaf of Autograph Letter from the landowner and politician John Sawbridge, supporter of John Wilkes [to David Steuart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan].

Author: 
John Sawbridge (1732-1795) of Olantigh [Ollantigh], Kent, political supporter of John Wilkes; Member of Parliament for Hythe; Lord Mayor of London in 1775 [David Steuart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan]
Publication details: 
Ollantigh [sic]. 29 December 1772.
£40.00

2pp., 4to. 31 lines of text. Good, on lightly-aged paper, but the first leaf of the letter only. He writes that he is pleased to receive a letter from Erskine ('your Lordship') after 'so long an interruption'. 'I forebore till I had heard from you to take the liberty of congratulating you upon your Marriage' (Erskine had married the previous October). The second page ends: 'I have never been able to learn whether your Good Mother Lady Buchan was in England or not.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Harriette Waylett') from the actress and singer Harriet Waylett to J. M. Donnell of the Theatre Royal, Cork.

Author: 
Harriet Waylett [née Cooke; other married name Harriet Lee] (1800-1851), English actress and singer [J. M'Donnell, proprietor, Theatre Royal, Cork]
Publication details: 
'Dublin Saturday [18 April 1829]'. Postmarked 20 April 1829.
£90.00

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed by Waylett on reverse of second leaf 'To/ | J. M. Donnell Esq | Theatre Royal | Cork', with oval postmark in red, in two parts: 'MIDDAY MAIL | 20 AP | 1829'. According to Waylett's entry in the Oxford DNB, 'On 12 May 1825 she made, as Zephyrina in The Lady and the Devil, her first appearance at the Haymarket, under D. E. Morris. It was a successful début, but she was not encouraged by the managers, and after playing many different parts, some original, she went to Dublin.

Autograph Letter Signed ('H. Davis Richter') from the English painter H. Davis Richter to Dorothy Swan

Author: 
H. Davis Richter [Herbert Davis Richter] (1874-1955), English artist [Dorothy Swan]
Publication details: 
Letter on letterhead of 5 Redcliffe Square, South Kensington, SW10. 28 January 1946.
£100.00

Item One: Autograph Letter Signed from Richter to Swan. 1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly spotted paper. From the letter it would appear that in 1946 Richter was acting as one of the selectors for the 59th Exhibition of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, at the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London. He writes that he is enclosing 'the mighty deed [a book, as the letter explains], also the invitation for the exhibition at the Royal Academy valid from Feb. 13 to March 17.

Autograph Note Signed from the American theatrical producer and impresario David Belasco to 'Miss Micheline Keating'.

Author: 
David Belasco (1853-1931) American theatrical producer, impresario, director and playwright
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 1924.
£28.00

1p., landscape 12mo. Good, on aged paper, laid down on fly-leaf of book. Bold signature, written in response to a request for an autograph: 'To/ | Miss Micheline Keating | With affectionate good wishes. | David Belasco. | 1924.'

Autograph Letter in the third person from Charles Manner-Sutton, Speaker of the House of Commons, acknowledging receipt of Thomas Moulden Sherwood's 'A Treatise on the Proceedings to be adopted by Members'.

Author: 
Charles Manners-Sutton, 1st Viscount Canterbury (1780-1845), Speaker of the House of Commons [Thomas Moulden Sherwood]
Publication details: 
Palace Yard. 6 February 1828.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with unobtrusive closed tear and evidence of previous mounting on reverse. The letter reads: 'The Speaker presents his Compts to Mr Sherwood, and begs to return his best thanks for the work he has just received - The Speaker feels assured that Mr Sherwoods experience in and attention to the Private business of the House will have enabled him to collect much useful information on this subject so important to the Public at large | Palace Yard | Feby. 6 | 1828'.

Autograph Signature of the Victorian philanthropist Catharine Tait, wife of Archibald Campbell Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Author: 
Catharine Tait (1819–1878), philanthropist, daughter of William Spooner (c.1778-1857), Archdeacon of Coventry, and wife of Archibald Campbell Tait (1811-1882), Archbishop of Canterbury
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£23.00

On slip of paper, 2 x 9 cm, cut from a letter for an autograph hunter. In good condition, on lightly-creased paper.

Typescript titled 'William Wordsworth. | his Books.' Divided into 19 'lots'.

Author: 
[The Library of William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Poet Laureate]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [1910s?]
£150.00

8pp., on eight leaves of foolscap 8vo, with a ninth leaf carrying the title (headed 'Library' in manuscript). Fair, on aged and creased paper. The first page carries four entries, all beginning in 'A', from W. P. Alison's 'Remarks on the Poor Laws etc of Scotland, 1844' to a total of 54 volumes of the Annual Register. The four items are attributed the lot numbers 1, 3, 2 and 4 in manuscript. The second page carries seven items beginning with 'B' (ending with 'Border Laws 1705.'), with the first and second given lot numbers in manuscript.

Five Autograph Letters Signed (one 'Alex Comfort' and four 'Alex C') from the poet and sexologist Alex Comfort to John Rogers, regarding poetry, including a discussion of whether poetry is 'finding a language in England, rather than losing one!'

Author: 
Alex Comfort [Alexander Comfort] (1920-2000), poet, novelist, doctor and sexologist
Publication details: 
Three from Havengrove, Tudor Road, Barnet; one on letterhead of Chase Farm Hospital, Enfield, and another on letterhead of the Royal Waterloo Hospital, London. All undated [c.1942]
£220.00

Item One: From Havengrove. On reverse of printed 12mo prospectus for the first issue of 'Poetry Folios' magazine (which appeared in 1942), edited by Comfort and Peter Wells. 1p., 12mo. Fair, on aged and creased paper. He thanks him for his letter. 'It is appreciation of this kind that makes one want to go on writing. [...] I wish I could meet you.' Item Two: From Havengrove, on letterhead of 'Poetry Folios'. Undated. 2pp., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-creased and aged paper.

Copy of typed report into the 'Development of Rail Car Services in Europe [Germany, Austria, Hungary and Denmark]', by the Chief Mechanical Engineer, Junin, Peru [William Frank Stanton?]. With six fold-out blueprints.

Author: 
[Chief Mechanical Engineer, Junin, Peru [William Frank Stanton (1887-1962), English civil engineer?]
Publication details: 
Junin, Peru; 29 November 1935.
£250.00

32pp., foolscap 8vo, bound into white wraps with the six fold-out blueprints. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in worn wraps. Figure 1: '2-6-2 Diesel Locomotive V.1601 (showing the 'general characteristics' of the 'new 1400 H.P. Diesel locomotive'). Figure 2: 'General Arrangement of the small standard Shunting Locomotive' ('75 H.P. Diesel shunting locomotive made by the Deutz Motorenfabr, Köln, Germany'). Figure 3: 'general proportions' of 'the old "Flying Hamburger" and the new unit equipped with hydraulic transmission'). Figure 4: '150 H.P. Diesel-Hydraulic Rail Car'.

Two autograph diaries of Rev. William Jebb Few, MA, of Christ Church, Oxford, 'continued during residence' at Henley-on-Thames; Alverston, Hampshire; Braemar, Elgin and Banff (as tutor to the Earl of Fife's son); Reading. With carte de visite.

Author: 
William Jebb Few (c.1835-c.1881), MA, of Christ Church, Oxford, and Rector of St Nicholas, Guildford, Surrey [Alexander William George Duff (1849-1912), 1st Duke of Fife]
Publication details: 
The two diaries covering the period from 30 May 1858 to 25 August 1864, and written at Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire; Alverston, Hampshire; Mar Lodge, Braemar; House, Elgin; Duff House, Banff; and 6 Coley Hill and 4 Castle Crescent, Reading.
£450.00

Both volumes in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in worn black leather bindings, marbled endpapers. Both 4to, the first volume smaller than the second. First Diary: 168pp., 4to. Titled by Few: 'Diary commencing May 30, 1858, and continued during residence at Henley on Thames Oxfordshire. Alverston Hampshire'. Includes two pages of addresses, page of 'Books Read' in 1860 and 1861, and page of accounts for 1861. Second Diary: 180pp., 4to.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (one with a drawing) and an Autograph Note Signed from the editor of 'Ballet' magazine Richard Buckle to Dr Erich Adolph Alport, with typed circular from Buckle and Typed Letter Signed to Alport from his secretary.

Author: 
Richard Buckle [Christopher Richard Sandford Buckle; 'Dicky'] (1916-2001),dance critic and editor of 'Ballet' magazine [Dr Erich Adolph Alport (d.1972), art connoisseur and book collector]
Publication details: 
One from Overstrand [Norfolk]; 27 May 1950. The other four on letterheads of 'Ballet', 'Ballet and Opera' and 'Ballet Publications Ltd'. Between 1949 and 1950.
£120.00

The five items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Item One: Autograph Letter Signed (with a crude drawing of Buckle sitting on a rope slung between the printed names of the two magazines). 1p., 4to. On Fleet Street letterhead of 'Ballet Publications Ltd.' Dated by Alport 14 February 1950. The letter concerns an article on the conductor Karl Rankl, and begins: 'Dear Erich | I have just spoken to Harewood [the Earl of Harewood, co-founder with Buckle of 'Opera' magazine].

Autograph manuscript of Thomas Charles Baring's 'The Lyrics of Horace. Done into English Rhyme'. Neatly written out by him, and in original stamped binding, with his bookplate.

Author: 
Thomas Charles Baring, banker, Chairman of Baring Brothers Ltd, Conservative Member of Parliament for South Essex, 1874-1885, and for the City of London, 1887-1891; Fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford
Publication details: 
[London: circa 1870.]
£400.00

4to, 179pp. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. In lightly-worn original binding in blue cloth, all edges gilt, with 'THE LYRICS | OF HORACE | IN | ENGLISH RHYME.' stamped in gilt on front board, and 'THE | LYRICS | OF | HORACE' on the spine. A fair copy by Baring of his complete translation, paginated by him 5-183, without title or preliminaries (these were presumably intended to be written out on the two blank leaves which precede the translation).

Five Autograph Letters Signed, in French, from the French artist and designer Jean-Denis Malclès to an unnamed correspondent, regarding the sale of maquettes of costumes of a production of 'Orphée aux Enfers'. With price list of 31 items.

Author: 
Jean-Denis Malclès (1912-2002), French artist, illustrator and costume, set and poster designer for film, theatre, ballet and opera, who worked with Cocteau, Anouilh and others
Publication details: 
The five letters from 152 rue Leon-Maurice Nordmann, Paris. One from 1980 and the other four from 1982.
£280.00

The first four letters are each 1p., 12mo; and the fifth letter is 1p., 4to. The price list, which accompanies the last letter, is 2pp., 4to. All items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. In the first letter (4 May 1980) he replies to his correspondent, thanking him for a letter 'concernant la representation d'Orphée aux Enfers que vous avez vu à Oxford en 1977'.

Typed Letter Signed ('Harewood') from George Henry Hubert Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood, as editor of 'Opera' magazine, to Dr Erich Adolph Alport, regarding a 'muddle' over an article on Karl Rankl, caused by a letter from the conductor's wife.

Author: 
George Henry Hubert Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood (1923-2011) [Dr Erich Adolph Alport (d.1972), art connoisseur and book collector; Karl Frankl (1898-1968), English conductor, born in Austria]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Harewood House, Leeds. 14 February 1950.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. 36 lines. Harewood explains that he 'originally asked Mrs Rankl to think of someone who had known her husband for, at any rate, a portion of his continental career who would be prepared to review his career before he came to this country, and also to give some idea of what he had achieved since arriving here [...] when the moment came she had to say that there appeared to be nobody who had known him abroad who had the necessary musical qualifications. When I saw her about 10 days ago I said I would find someone myself.

Five issues of 'The Childerley Times', illustrated juvenile manuscript magazine edited by Denis Wingfield King of Epsom, with manuscript 'Childerley Chatter' by members of the King family, and two Typed Letters Signed from King to his grandmother.

Author: 
Denis Wingfield King (b.1922) of Childerley, 8 Ridgeway, Epsom, juvenile editor of 'The Childerley Times' manuscript magazine
Publication details: 
Childerley, 8 Ridgeway, Epsom. Between 1935 and 1943.
£500.00

The eight items all in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Each copy of 'The Childerley Times' is a unique manuscript or typescript item produced by the young D. W. King as editor, his twin sister E. W. King as sub-editor, and relatives for circulation among the family. The five issues, ranging from 1935 to 1943, all differ with regard to style and format. ONE: 19pp., 12mo. On loose leaves held together with a paper clip. Undated, but with one contribution dated 14 May 1934. No title, but first page (with pencil drawing of boy in bed with toys) reading 'SILENCE PLEASE !!

Holograph extract of a translation from the German of Wieland's 'Oberon' by the English poet William Sotheby, beginning 'Sweet Isle! methinks once more I hear'.

Author: 
William Sotheby (1757-1833), English poet and translator [Christoph Martin Wieland, German author of 'Oberon']
Publication details: 
No place. 26 September 1804.
£120.00

1p., 8vo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of previous mounting along two edges. Headed, in a contemporary hand: 'Given to Mrs. Richards by Miss Calhoun Fanshawe'. 22 lines of verse, in couplets. Signed in the bottom right-hand corner, apparently at a later date than the rest of the text: 'William Sothbey | Sepr 26 - 1804'. The extract - possibly written out by Sotheby for an acquaintance - begins: 'Sweet Isle!

Unpublished youthful autograph poem by Sylvia Lynd [née Sylvia Dryhurst], dealing in a humorous style with the perils of buying footwear in Edwardian Finchley, North London, beginning: 'By some devil surely sent | Sandal hunting off I went'.

Author: 
Sylvia Lynd [née Sylvia Dryhurst] (1888-1952), Anglo-Irish poet, novelist and essayist, wife of the Irish essayist Robert Lynd (1879-1949)
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [London, before 1909.]
£135.00

2pp., 12mo. On bifiolium of ruled paper, with 'HIERATICA' watermark of 'J. S. & Co.' From the Lynd archive, and judging from the handwriting a youthful effort, almost-certainly dating from before Sylvia Dryhurst's marriage to Robert Lynd in 1909. In fair condition, on aged paper. In seven stanzas, the first three giving a taste of an amusing and unusual jeu d'esprit and excellent piece of Edwardian social history: '1) By some devil surely sent | Sandal hunting off I went, | And my footsteps never slowed | Till I reached the Finchley Road. | Chorus: (with fervour) Damn them ! | Damn them !

Typed Letter Signed from Major A. M. Urquhart, Royal Artillery, to Rev. William Henderson Begg, giving a summary (as President of the Committee of Adjustment) of what has been done regarding his brother Captain Robert Henderson Begg's estate in India

Author: 
Major A. M. Urquhart, Royal Artillery [Rev. William Henderson-Begg (1877-1934), Rector of St Paul's and Canon of Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh; Captain Robert Henderson Begg (d.1915); Siege of Kut
Publication details: 
The Arsenal, Ferozepore, India. 27 April 1916.
£56.00

2pp., foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Captain Begg had died at the Siege of Kut Al Amara, Mesopotamia (now Iraq), and Urquhart begins by informing the Rev. Begg that the inventory which he sent of his brother's effects has 'gone astray'. 'In order to save any further delay I am forwarding you a complete list including some things recently recovered from Kirkee Arsenal. Would you kindly point out what you wish returned to you. The remaining items will be sold by auction here.' He continues with 'a summary of what has been done up to date'.

Thirty typewritten poems by the American poet Louis How, some with manuscript emendations, and all apparently unpublished.

Author: 
Louis How (1873-1947), American poet and translator, grandson and biographer of inventor James Buchanan Eads and brother of hobo activist James Eads How [St Louis, Missouri]
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£600.00

Each of the thirty poems ends with the typed name 'Louis How'. The collection is in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with each poem printed on one side of a 4to leaf. There is no record of any of the thirty being published. Six of the poems have minor manuscript emendations, and several include minor corrections in type. A prolific poet, in 1915 How was grouped with Amy Lowell and Ezra Pound in an article by Zoe Akins in Reedy's Mirror (published in his native St. Louis).

Autograph Letter Signed ('W J Prowse') from the English humorist W. J. Prowse [William Jeffrey Prowse] to the solicitor Edward Draper, written as he sets out for France to convalesce during his final illness, regarding a legal action against him.

Author: 
William Jeffery Prowse (1836-1870), English humorist, leader writer on the Daily Telegraph [Edward Draper of Vincent Square, London, Honorary Solicitor of the Savage Club]
Publication details: 
College, Camberwell New Road. 14 October 1869.
£80.00

2pp., 16mo. 22 lines of text, closely and neatly written. In fair condition, on aged paper, with small pinholes and a spot of glued paper from previous mounting. The letter begins: 'My dear Draper, | I sail early tomorrow morning. | Enclosed is a ten pound note, and the summons referred to. - I cannot help thinking that a compromise might be effected it it were shown to the summoner by a "lawyer" that I have left England, have no house or furniture of my own, and that the most valuable of my books are gone with me. You will deeply oblige me if you will see whether this can be done'.

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