MP

[Thomas Hughes, author of ‘Tom Brown’s Schooldays’.] Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Spencer Ponsonby of the Lord Chamberlain's Office, introducing ‘Mr. Selway’, whom he advises him to consult about proposals for a theatre in Surrey Gardens.

Author: 
Thomas Hughes (1822-1896), author of the Victorian classic children's book 'Tom Brown's Schooldays', Liberal MP for Lambeth [Sir Spencer Cecil Brabazon Ponsonby-Fane of the Lord Chamberlain's Office]
Publication details: 
19 March 1872. No place.
£220.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged. On first leaf of a bifolium of wove paper. Folded for postage. Signed ‘Tho. Hughes’. Begins: ‘My dear Ponsonby / Let me introduce the bearer, Mr. Selway, [i.e. William Robbins Selway (c.1822-1893) of Walworth] who was vice Chairman of my Committee in Lambeth, & is one of the most influential & trustworthy men in the South of London’. Selway wishes to see Ponsonby ‘about a building in the Surrey Gardens which certain persons are proposing to convert into a Theatre’.

[Enoch Powell, controversial politician whose 1968 'rivers of blood' speech led to his dismissal from the Conservative shadow cabinet.] Typed Letter Signed to H. V. Shooter, sending the text of an address.

Author: 
Enoch Powell [John Enoch Powell] (1912-1998), politician dismissed from the Conservative shadow cabinet following his 1968 ‘rivers of blood’ speech, subsequently Ulster Unionist Member of Parliament
Publication details: 
11 November 1971; on House of Commons letterhead.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage. Elegant signature: 'J Enoch Powell.' He thanks him for his letter, and explains that, as '[t]he reprint or reproduction of the St Lawrence Jewry addresses is hanging fire’, he is enclosing ‘a photocopy of the first, which I think is the one you have in mind’. He hopes it will reach him ‘in time’. The recipient’s address at the foot of the letter reads: ‘H. V. Shooter, Esq. / 225 Makepeace Mansions, / Makepeace Ave, / N.6.’ At the head of the letter, presumably by the recipient: ‘From: The Rt.

[H. Montgomery Hyde, authority on Oscar Wilde and Ulster Unionist MP.] Autograph Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, publisher of ‘Books and Bookmen’, regarding a review by Lord O’Neill of his book on Carson, a trip to North America, and money owed.

Author: 
H. Montgomery Hyde [Harford Montgomery Hyde] (1907-1989), writer, Ulster Unionist politician and authority on Oscar Wilde [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher of ‘Books and Bookmen’]
Publication details: 
30 September 1974; on letterhead of Westwell House, Tenterden, Kent.
£120.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The present item is 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, and folded once for postage. Thirty-one lines of text. Signed ‘H.

[Sir George Elliot, Conservative MP and industrialist.] Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed lady, describing his desire for rest, his duties, his Welsh constituents at Newport.

Author: 
Sir George Elliot (1814-1893), in youth called 'Bonnie Geordie', Conservative MP, industrialist and mining engineer whose company manufactured the wire rope of the first transatlantic telegraph cable
Publication details: 
26 November 1888; on House of Commons letterhead.
£80.00

Hailing from Gateshead, County Durham, Elliot was a self-made man: he began life as a colliery labourer and ended it as one of the richest men in England, his wealth at death being given as £575,000. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. His residence in Whitby containing an Egyptian mummy was visited by Bram Stoker and appears to have inspired his 'Tale of the Seven Stars' (1903). 3pp, two of them 12mo and one 8vo. Bifolium, with one page of text written across the central opening at right angles. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with a little glue from mount along outer gutter.

[ Thomas Burt; working class MP ] Autograph Letter Signed Thos Burt to Watson [presumably his biographer, Aaron Watson], about a social event he can't attend, and his health.

Author: 
Thomas Burt [ (1837–1922), trade unionist and one of the first working-class Members of Parliament.]
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] Northumberland Miners' Mutual Confident Association, with lines through and address changed in Burt's hand to 20 Burton Terrace (Newcastle), 17 Nov. 1906.
£56.00

Four pages, 8vo, bifolium, good condition. I rejoice that the N.L. Club is about to give you a complimentary Luncheon. The Committee asked me to propose, so to speak the Toast of the Guests. Most reluctantly I had to decline, mainly owing to the state of my health, but partly too because I am uncertain whether I can be in London in time for the function. | I trust, and feel sure, that there will be a great and appreciative gathering worthy of the guests and of the occasion. | It seems almost an age since I saw you and I have often chided myself for not calling upon you.

[William Smith O'Brien [Liam Mac Gabhann Ó Briain], Irish nationalist.] Autograph Signature ('W S Obrien') cut from document.

Author: 
William Smith O'Brien [Liam Mac Gabhann Ó Briain] (1803-1864), Irish nationalist MP, leader of the Young Ireland movement, deported to Van Diemen's Land after 1848 Young Irelander Rebellion
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£120.00

On 4 x 5.5 cm piece of paper. In good condition, laid down on square of paper cut from leaf removed from album. An uncommon signature and an unusual one, consisting of a single line in a series of up and down strokes, diminishing in height, tapering off to the right before returning for the underlining.

[Florence O'Driscoll, Irish nationalist politician.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Willie', a moving letter of condolence on the death of his father.

Author: 
Florence O'Driscoll (1858-1939), Irish nationalist politiician and member of the British parliament
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 18 Gower Street, W.C. [London] 10 December 1888.
£100.00

By profession a mining engineer, O'Driscoll was the Irish National Federation (Anti-Parnellite) MP for the South Monaghan constituency between 1892 and 1895. 2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with slight patch of discoloration at the head of the second page. Despite the author's statement to the contrary, an eloquent and moving letter of condolence. Addressing his letter to 'My dear Willie', O'Driscoll sends his sympathies on the death of the recipient's father. 'I feel old man that I have a poor way of expressing myself.

[ Henry Kemhle of Grove Hill, MP for East Surrey. ] Autograph Note Signed inviting James Hunt to dine as his guest at the Salters Company.

Author: 
Henry Kemble (1787-1857) of Grove Hill, Camberwell, MP for East Surrey
Publication details: 
Grove Hill, Camberwell. 19 January 1843.
£30.00

1p.,12mo. On aged and worn paper, with wear, and closed tear to one fold.. Reads: 'Dear Sir | The Salters Company dine together on Thursday the 9th of February, when I hope to have the pleasure of your Company as my Friend'.

[ Morgan John O'Connell, Member of Parliament for Kerry. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('M. J: O'Connell') to the Postmaster General the Earl of Lichfield

Author: 
Morgan John O'Connell (1811-1875), Irish politician, Member of Parliament for Kerry, 1835-1852, half-brother of Daniel O'Connell ('The Liberator') [ Thomas Anson, 1st Earl of Lichfield (1795-1854) ]
Publication details: 
14 Manchester Buildings, Westminster. 15 May 1840.
£50.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Recommending for employment in the Post Office 'Mr. Paul Scollard, who is a young man of most respectable connexions, but whose circumstances are such as to render a very humble situation an object to him - If a vacancy should soon occur in the Letter Carrying Department, I would respectfully solicit the appointment from Your Lordship for him'.

[ Pamphlet. ] First Annual Report of the Council of the Liverpool Anti-Monopoly Association for the Year 1842, read at the Annual Meeting of the Members, held January 23, 1843: Treasurer's Account, and a List of Members.

Author: 
Liverpool Anti-Monopoly Association [ Thomas Thornely, M.P.; Free Trade; Smith, Rogerson, and Co., Liverpool printers ]
Publication details: 
Second edition. Liverpool: Printed by Smith, Rogerson, and Co., 44, Lord Street. 1843.
£45.00

40pp., 12mo. Disbound and without wraps. On aged and lightly damp-stained paper. The report begins (p.5): 'The Object of the Liverpool Anti-Monopoly Association, as expressed in its constitution, is "The annihilation of all Monopolies in Trade and Commerce, and especially the total and immediate Repeal of the Bread and Provision Taxes.' Pp.36-37 carry, in small print, the 'List of Members for 1842'; the 'Council for 1843', with 'THOMAS THORNELY, Esq., M.P.' as president, is on p.3.

[Female suffrage; printed pamphlet.] Speech of Mr. G. Shaw Lefevre, M.P., on bringing in "The Bill to amend the Law with respect to the Property of Married Women." In the House of Commons, April 21st, 1868.

Author: 
G. Shaw Lefevre, M.P. [the Committee in support of the Married Women's Property Bill; Alexander Ireland, Manchester printer] [women's suffrage; Victorian feminism]
Publication details: 
Manchester: A. Ireland & Co., Printers, Pall Mall. 1868. [On reverse of title: 'Printed, by permission, for the Committee in support of the Married Women's Property Bill.']
£90.00

12pp., 8vo. In fair condition, aged and worn, no wraps, disbound, with pencil annotations to title-page. Copies listed on COPAC etc

[Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell, as Secretary of State for War.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edward Cardwell') to the Member of Parliament for Hackney Charles Reed, regarding the depriving of the commission of Lieutenant Jordan.

Author: 
Edward Cardwell (1813-1886), 1st Viscount Cardwell, Liberal politician [Sir Charles Reed (1819-1881), successively Liberal MP for Hackney and St Ives]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the War Office [Whitehall]. 9 August 1870.
£45.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper. Reed was a collector of autographs, and has written his accession mark in a small hand at the foot of the first page. Headed by Cardwell 'Private'. He begins: 'Lt. Jordan, having so far committed himself, as to be undergoing imprisonment under the sentence of the High Court of Justice in India, and his antecedents having been far from uniformly favourable, - His Royal Highness asked me to concur in a recommendation which he proposed to submit to the Queen that Lt. Jordan's services be dispensed with.

Autograph Letter Signed from Conservative MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed Colonel David Milne Home [David Milne-Home] of the Royal Horse Guards to the Hon. Secretary of the Berwick Amateur Rowing Club, regarding a trophy to be named the Paxton Cup.

Author: 
Colonel David Milne Home [David Milne-Home] (1838-1901), Royal Horse Guards, Conservative Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed [Berwick Amateur Rowing Club]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the House of Commons Library, 8 May 1877.
£40.00

2pp., 12mo. On bifolium with mourning border. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. He will be 'very happy, if it suits the Committee, to present a Cup somewhat similar to that they accepted fm me last year - as the Paxton Cup.' He prefers to leave the conditions to them, and asks for 'due notice when the time of the Regatta is fixed'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Francis Crossley') from the carpet manufacturer and Liberal Member of Parliament Sir Francis Crossley, explaining his reason for declining a dinner invitation.

Author: 
Sir Francis Crossley (1817-1872) carpet manufacturer, philanthropist and Liberal MP, whose carpet factory at Dean Clough Mills, Halifax, Yorkshire, was the largest in the world
Publication details: 
Halifax; 28 March 1866.
£60.00

1p., 12mo. On aged paper, with traces of grey paper mount adhering to the reverse. He thanks the unnamed male recipient for the 'very kind favor of the 23rd. Instant': 'my Parliamentary duties & business engagements demand so much of my time that I am obliged to decline, with but very rare exceptions indeed, all invitations of the character named'. He asks the recipient 'to have me excused complying with your wishes'.

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