MITCHELL

[Erminia Rudersdorff [Hermine Küchenmeister-Rudersdorf], German soprano and teacher.] Autograph Letter Signed, in English, to ‘Mrs. Sprague’.

Author: 
Erminia Rudersdorff [Hermine Küchenmeister-Rudersdorf] (1822-1882), German soprano and teacher, born in the Ukraine, who perrformed in England and settled in America [Sir William MItchell (1811-1878)]
Publication details: 
No date or place. [London, 1868.]
£80.00

See her entry in Grove. The letter can be dated by the reference to Sir William Mitchell (see Oxford DNB) and the operetta 'The Rival Beauties', which he produced in London and then Plymouth. The letter is on one side of the paper, has been cut down to 11 x 9 cm, and laid down on a piece of card. Aged and worn, with slight loss at top right, affecting one word of text. Thirteen lines of close and neatly-written text, addressed to ‘Dearest Mrs. Sprague’ and signed ‘Yours affectionately, / Erminia Rudersdorff’, with a little of the flourish beneath the signature cut away.

[‘The English Mayakovsky’: Adrian Mitchell, radical poet.] Typed Letter Signed to [Paul] Furness, describing his youthful experiences in pubs, ‘with the Merseylads’ (‘Liverpool poets’), in London and Oxford, with Jeff Nuttall, David Mercer and others

Author: 
Adrian Mitchell (1932-2008), radical poet who made his name in the nineteen-sixties, described by Kenneth Tynan as ‘the British Mayakovsky’
Publication details: 
‘13 South Hill Park, London NW 3 March 31st 83’.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, foolscap 8vo. Forty-three lines. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded for postage. Signed in red ink ‘Adrian Mitchell’, and with red ink underlining and one manuscript addition. Addressed to ‘Mr Furness’ (One of a number of letters from British poets in response to enquiries from Paul Furness with regard to their pub memories.) Begins: ‘Pub I think of with the Merseylads is the Phil.

[American War of Independence: Battle of the Delaware Capes, 1782.] Autograph Letter Signed by Mrs Joanna Mitchell, regarding prize money due to her as widow of a Royal Navy officer on HMS Diomede, who took part in the capture of the South Carolina.

Author: 
American War of Independence: Battle of the Delaware Capes, 1782 - the capture of the South Carolina by HMS Diomede, HMS Quebec and HMS Astrea [Joanna Mitchell; Royal Navy prize money]
Mrs Joanna Mitchell
Publication details: 
'Tearles Lane Plymouth August 24th 1803'.
£150.00
Mrs Joanna Mitchell

An interesting item in the social history of the Royal Navy, indicating the financial anxieties many naval widows were under. The Battle of the Delaware Capes (or 3rd Battle of Delaware Bay) took place on 20 and 21 December 1782, between the Royal Navy frigates HMS Diomede, Quebec and Astraea and the South Carolina Navy's 40-gun frigate South Carolina, the brigs Hope and Constance, and the schooner Seagrove. The British won, with the Seagrove the only ship that got away. 2pp, foolscap 8vo.

[Gari Melchers, American naturalist artist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Gari Melchers') to 'Wriggles' [Henriette Lewis-Hind?], regarding book and exhibition at Anderson Galleries, New York, with reference to William Edwin Rudge and Mitchell Kennerly.

Author: 
Gari Melchers [Julius Garibaldi Melchers] (1860-1932), American naturalist artist [Henriette Lewis-Hind; Mitchell Kennerly (1878-1950); Anderson Galleries, New York; William Edwin Rudge (1876-1931)]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Century Club, 7 West Fortythird Street, New York. 13 April 1928.
£1,250.00

The name of the recipient is not clear: it would appear to read 'Wriggles', and the letter suggests that this is a pet name for Melchers' close friend Henriette Lewis-Hind, who wrote the foreword to 'Gari Melchers, Painter', published that same year in New York by W. E. Rudge. An excellent letter, full of content, beginning: 'My dear [Wriggles?]. | We only returned from the West Indies a week or two ago – had a fine time'.

[John Hughlings Jackson, neurologist.] Typed Draft, with Autograph emendations, of letter replying to 'Dr Osler', i.e. Sir William Osler on a proposal by him and Silas Weir Mitchell and James Jacksom Putnam, regarding reprinting his papers.

Author: 
John Hughlings Jackson (1835-1911), neurologist and pioneer in the field of epilepsy [Sir William Osler (1849-1919); Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914) and James Jacksom Putnam (1846-1918), neurologists]
Publication details: 
3 Manchester Square, London; 12 February 1901.
£400.00

1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the blank reverse. Folded twice.Unsigned. Eighteen line typescript with a number of autograph emendations.He begins by thanking 'Dr Osler' for the letter he has sent containing a request made not only in his own name, but also in those of the American neurologists Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914) and James Jacksom Putnam (1846-1918), and which Jackson has 'carefully considered'. He continues: 'Many of my papers, all the old ones, are very old fashioned and are not worthy of reprint.

['Mau Mau terrorism' in Kenya, and the UK Foreign Office.] Typewritten Foreign Office briefing document titled: '(a) The political and economic effect of MAU MAU in KENYA.'

Author: 
'Mau Mau terrorism' in Kenya, and the British Foreign Office [Kikuyu tribe; Jomo Kenyatta; Sir Philip Mitchell; Sir Evelyn Baring]
Publication details: 
[United Kingdom Foreign Office, Whitehall, London. Circa 1953.]
£150.00

The Mau Mau uprising began in 1952, and the atrocities committed by the rebels were matched by those of the British, whose Attorney General in Kenya, Eric Griffith-Jones, wrote to Governor Baring in 1957 that the colony's detention camps for Mau Mau suspects were 'distressingly reminiscent of conditions in Nazi Germany or Communist Russia'.

[ 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'.

[ Joseph Freiherr von Hammer-Purgstall, Austrian orientalist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Joseph von Hammer'), in English,

Author: 
Joseph von Hammer-Purgstall (1774-1856), Austrian orientalist
Publication details: 
Vienna. 14 January 1831.
£180.00

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with creases unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. A long letter, addressed to an unnamed English recipient (perhaps the editor of an literary journal) interested in news of Austrian literary culture. The letter contains references to: 'the polyglott Georgian', 'the new litterary [sic] gazette', 'Mr.

[ Percy Burton, ] Typescript of an unpublished play titled 'His Majesty', 'Adapted from the French'.

Author: 
Percy Burton (1878-1948), impressario and theatrical manager of Sir Henry Irving, Sarah Bernhardt and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree
Publication details: 
Three addresses including 'Percy Burton | 18, Harley Rd. | Hampstead NW3 [ London ]' and 'Please return: - | Percy Burton | The Royalton | 44 West 44th St | N Y City'. Undated.
£150.00

94pp., 4to. Bound through punch-holes into green card 'Ludgate File'. Text on rectos only. Several addresses given for Burton in manuscript on cover of folder, and another at foot of first page. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in aged and worn file. Next to the phrase 'Adapted from the French' Burton has added in autograph 'Very roughly', with 'Note: - Costume or ordinary modern dress' at foot of first page. A few minor autograph emendations to the text.

[ Percy Burton. ] Typescript of unpublished play 'The Lady Killer', 'Rough adaptation of Aime des Femmes'.

Author: 
Percy Burton (1878-1948), impressario and theatrical manager of Sir Henry Irving, Sarah Bernhardt and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree [ Maurice Hennequin; Georges Mitchell ]
Publication details: 
Marked 'Private'. 'c/o. Messrs Shubert, 1416, Broadway, New York City.' [ Circa 1922. ]
£350.00

107pp., 4to. With each of the play's three acts bound with brass studs in separate grey paper wraps, with typed labels on covers. Internally in good condition, with light signs of age, in aged and worn bindings. With a handful of minor manuscript corrections. ' Aimé des femmes! Pièce en trois actes' by Maurice Hennequin and Georges Mitchell, was published in Paris in 1922..There is no record of Burton's adaptation having been published.

[ Auction catalogue. ] The Autograph Collection of a late American Author. Americana, Literary Letters & Manuscripts, Foreign Historical Autographs.

Author: 
The Anderson Galleries (Mitchell Kennerley, President), New York
Publication details: 
Sold by Order of his Mother. The Anderson Galleries (Mitchell Kennerley, President), 489 Park Avenue at Fifty-Ninth Street, New York. 1928.
£100.00

[2] + 130pp., 8vo. Frontispiece facsimile of the first page of the 'draft of contract for Woodrow Wilson's History of the United States - to be sold with six letters relating thereto, each signed by him'. In printed wraps. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. 949 lots, from a 1758 letter from James Abercrombie, Commander of the British Forces in America, to an 1899 letter from the Prince de Yturbide. Includes full-page facsimile of 'last page John Adams' fine letter on independence', and half-page facsimile of 'last page Roosevelt's letter on the management of Congress'.

[ Mitchell S. Buck, American classicist. ] Typescript of his novelette 'Rose of Corinth', inscribed to its illustrator Franz Felix, with covering Autograph Letter Signed ('M S B') from Buck to Felix, regarding arrangements for illustrating the book.

Author: 
Mitchell S. Buck [Mitchell Starrett Buck] (1887-1959), American poet, translator and classical scholar, praised by H. L. Menken [ Franz Felix (1892-1967), American artist of Austrian extraction ]
Publication details: 
Typescript without place or date. Letter on letterhead of Vapor Engineering Company, Philadelphia. 10 September 1928.
£320.00

Both letter and typescript in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. In envelope with three postmarks between 9 and 11 September 1928, addressed 'For: Franz Felix, Esq. | Apt. 3-c | 790 Riverside Drive, | New York City.' LETTER: 1p., 4to. He explains that he is sending the 'MS' [sic] that day by registered mail, and asks Felix to keep it 'strictly confidential for the present', adding that he has 'not even told Mr. Brown [his publisher] what it is about'. If Felix has time to 'make up a sketch' Buck will collect it and take it to Brown.

[J. & R. Edmiston,Glasgow Auctioneers and Valuators.] Manuscript results slip and Typed Letter Signed ('J. & R. Edmiston') to the Rev. W. C. Mitchell of East Mans, Larbert, regarding sales of his 'Tokens'.

Author: 
J. & R. Edmiston, Auctioneers and Valuators, 7 West Nile Street, Glasgow [Rev. W. C. Mitchell, East Manse, Larbert]
Publication details: 
Both items on letterheads of J. & R. Edmiston, Auctioneers and Valuators, 7 West Nile Street, Glasgow. Results slip dated 16 March 1914; letter dated 5 October 1916.
£120.00

ONE: Manuscript results slip, on the firm's letterhead, headed 'BRANCH AUCTION ROOMS - 16 DRURY STREET'. 1p., 12mo. On aged paper, with chipping to extremities and part torn away at foot (not affecting text). Recording that £22 13s 1d has been realised 'By Tokens as per priced Catalogue' and 'To Commission, Selling &c'. Against this are seven itemised 'Outlays' (including 'Advertising in Herald' and 'Likely buyers'), leaving a sum due of £18 4s 5d. TWO: Typed Letter Signed ('J. & R. Edmiston'). 1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper.

[Henry James Mitchell, naval tailor of Portsmouth.] Autograph Letter to him, in the third person, by 'Mr Cust', giving instructions for 'Master Custs best uniform' and other requirements as midshipman.

Author: 
[Henry James Mitchell, Tailor and Woollen Draper, 32 High Street, Portsmouth; Midshipman Cust; Royal Navy]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. Postmark dated 24 April 1837.
£65.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Reverse of second leaf with wax seal, postmark and address to 'Mr. Mitchell | High Street | Portsmouth'. The letter begins: 'Mr Cust wishes Mr Mitchell to send up Master Custs best uniform coat & waistcoat, & if any difference from those he has got the Trowsers; as soon as possible.' He complains that the shirts 'do not sit quite neat about the collar', before listing more requirements: '1 Pewter hand Bason, & cup. | 2 Bars common soap. | 1 Packet Windsor Do. | 2 Pair of Braces | 2 Log Books size for 3 yrs | 1 Watch Bill Book | 2 Bottles of Ink.

[Alexander Williamson, Laird of Balgray.] Autograph Signed 'Copy Discharge Alexr. Williamson to Edwd. Mitchell for Rent of a House in Alison's Sqe. possessed by him from Why 1800 to Why 1801'.

Author: 
Alexander Williamson, Laird of Balgray (fl. 1802) [Edward Mitchell of Alison's Square, Edinburgh]
Publication details: 
[Edinburgh.] 12 October 1801.
£60.00

1p., 12mo. Docketted on reverse. Good, on lightly aged paper. Reads: Copy | Newington Edh. 12th. Octr. 1801 | Recd. from Mr. Edwd Mitchell Twenty Pounds Stg. being the Rent of a House in Alison's Square in Edh. belonging to me and possessed by him for the Year from Why one Thousand Eight Hundred and one, and the same is hereby discharged. But it is to be remembered that I granted another discharge for the said Rent, dated July 1801, which being mislaid, the discharge is granted in place of it, which is not to infer double payment - A. W.'

Autograph Letter Signed ('T. Mitchell') from the classical scholar Thomas Mitchell to an unnamed editor ('My dear friend'), discussing his work translating Demosthenes.

Author: 
Thomas Mitchell (1783-1845), English classical scholar, who produced a number of editions of Greek authors for the Clarendon Press, Oxford University
Publication details: 
Ramsdon [sic]. 24 January 1822.
£150.00

2pp., 12mo. In a windowpane mount on a leaf removed from an album. The letter itself very good, on aged paper; the mount worn at extremities. He begins by informing the recipient that his 'last Letter has made ample atonement for the provocation of the preceding', and he has 'ever been the foremost, both in word & deed, to keep my wings in motion. I speak this seriously: my former note was only a temporary petulance'. The second paragraph begins: 'I must positively have another Paper for my Orators'. He has 'run to a fearful length, & yet have cramped myself all the way.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos Dick Lauder') to William Mitchell of Parsons Green.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Dick Lauder of Fountainhall (1784-1848), Deputy Lieutenant of Moray and Haddington, Scottish writer and academic
Publication details: 
7 January 1840; The Grange House.
£75.00

4to, 3 pp. Bifolium. 61 lines of text; clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. Having recovered from 'the surprise which I received from the communication made to me today by our mutual friend Sir James Gibson Craig', his 'first idea was to go directly to Parsons Green to give full vent to my gratitude' for Mitchell's generosity. The rest of the letter gives fulsome expression Lauder's his feelings at 'the generous - the magnificent gifts' (unspecified) which Mitchell is 'dispensing - with so little parade'.

Typed Letter Signed ('Ruth Knowles'), a reference for her 'ship-keeper' William Stilwell. With four photographs of her barquentine 'Friendship' ('Emma Ernest'), moored at Charing Cross, and typed reports, with newspaper cuttings, by Stilwell's son.

Author: 
Ruth Mitchell [Knowles] (c.1888-1969) [Chetniks; Yugoslavia; Brigantine 'Emma Ernest'; Charing Cross Pier; World Explorers Friendship Clubs; The Yellow Rolls Royce (film, 1964); ]
Publication details: 
Letter dated 21 May 1932; on 'World Explorers' letterhead. The two reports from 1988, with one dated 'JS [James Stilwell] Oct 88'.
£220.00

An interesting collection of material relating to an extraordinary woman whose exploits deserve recognition. According to one obituary Mitchell (sister of American General 'Billy' Mitchell) was 'he only foreign woman to serve with the Chetniks', for whom she acted as a dispatch rider. Captured by the Gestapo while swimming at Dubrovnik, 'still in her bathing suit, and with papers on her that would have caused her to be executed without trial, she turned to the agents and asked: "Gentlemen, you will permit me to change my trousers?" They agreed.

Spoof notice by 'T. N. Mitchell, Benson, Henley', regarding the death of an 82-year-old 'Wireless Dealer' who is said to have left a fortune of £50,000', with signed inscription by Mitchell on reverse.

Author: 
T. N. Mitchell of Benson, Oxford [Blows, printer, Henley; spoof; hoax]
Publication details: 
Dated by Mitchell in manuscript 'Xmas 1930'. Printed by 'BLOWS, HENLEY'.
£80.00

On a piece of brown card roughly 250 x 200 mm. Designed to be hung from two punch holes at head. Worn and aged, but with text (printed in red and black within a decorative border) clear and entire. A clever and amusing spoof, deliberately old-fashioned typographically in a parody of 'improving' texts. Reads '£50,000 | A Wireless Dealer aged 82, died - He left £50,000; thanks to long hours, close attention to business, strict economy, and - a bequest of £49,650 from an Uncle in Australia | T. N. MITCHELL | Benson, Oxford.' Inscribed on the reverse 'Xmas. 1930.

My friend Henry Miller.

Author: 
Alfred Perles
Publication details: 
London: Neville Spearman, 1955.
£120.00

8vo. Pages: xi + 242. 11 plates. Good, despite one bump at head of back board. Dustwrapper good, despite fraying at head and tail of spine and show-through sellotape discolouration . Dustjacket discoloration to free endpapers. Neat inscription, presumably by Perles, in green ink on front free endpaper 'To | Jack Mitchell | from Alfred Perles | & | Henry Miller | London March, 56.'

Five Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir Charles Herbert Armstrong
Publication details: 
1927-30; Elmhyrst, Guildford.
£120.00

British railway magnate and industrialist in India (1862-1949). The collection is very good. The five autograph letters are 12mo, and printed on letterheads. All items signed 'C H Armstrong'. Several items docketed and bearing the Society's stamp. Mainly concerned with Society committee matters, but two letters of interest. The first (autograph, 15 February 1928, 2 pages, 12mo): 'You will no doubt have seen the remarks of the Lord Chief Justice in the Mitchell Hedges case - Times of 14 inst page 5 column 2 - on "learned societies . . . .

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