MARSHAM

[ Oxford, Gladstone, Marsham and the General Election of 1852. ] Spoof in the form of a printed circular from 'Mrs. Harris' Commemoration Advertiser', with a variety of in-jokes poking fun at the University.

Author: 
[ University of Oxford; General Election of 1852; William Ewart Gladstone; Robert Bullock Marsham, Warden of Merton College; Rev. Dr Richard Harington, Principal of Brasenose ]
Publication details: 
"Printed for the Authoress" [ University of Oxford. 1852. ]
£250.00

A lively Oxford spoof, which can be dated precisely from the references to Marsham, Gladstone and the coming General Election. In the General Election of July 1852 the Peelite Gladstone defeated the Conservative Marsham, who had been put forward by 'the heads, Protestants and protectionists'. A reference to German education is a nod towards the first Oxford University Commission, whose report published in 1852 recommended that a switch to a more Germanic educational system. (For the background see Brock and Curthoys, 'History of the University of Oxford', vol.

Autograph Letter Signed ('T. W. Holderness') from Sir Thomas William Holderness to Sir Henry Marshman Havelock-Allan, regarding his appointment as Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India, and his predecessor 'poor Ritchie' [Sir Richmond Ritchie]

Author: 
Sir Thomas William Holderness (1849-1924), member of the Indian Civil Service and Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India [Sir Henry Marshman Havelock-Allan (1830-1897); Sir Richmond Ritchie]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the India Office, Whitehall. 24 October [1912].
£65.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Tipped in onto a leaf removed from an album. Holderness's predecessor Sir Richmond Ritchie (1854-1912) had died ten days before the writing of the letter, as a result, according to the Oxford DNB, of the undermining of his health by 'unremitting hard work [...] over several years'. Holderness begins the letter: 'It is very good of you to congratulate me on succeeding to poor Ritchie's responsibilities.

Syndicate content