PICCADILLY

[Angela Lansbury, Hollywood actress, star of TV series ?Murder, She Wrote?.] Typed Card Signed to Kenneth [Sephton], stating that 'the show' ['Gypsy', at the Piccadilly Theatre'] has ?turned into more of a success than I could have ever hoped for?.

Author: 
Angela Lansbury [Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury] (1925-2022), stage and screen actress, born in Britain of partly Irish extraction, who settled in America and starred in the TV series ?Murder, She Wrote'
Lansbury
Publication details: 
9 July 1973. [London.]
£45.00
Lansbury

On one side of 15 x 10 cm grey-blue card, with facsimile of her signature at the head. Addressed to ?Dear Kenneth?, and with bold stylish signature at bottom right. The subject of the letter is the Piccadilly Theatre production of ?Gypsy?, which had opened a few days before on 29 May 1973. She thanks him for his ?kind letter?, adding ?Thank god you were right about the show and it has turned into more of a success than I could have ever hoped for.? She is sorry he couldn?t attend the first night, as ?it was a good show and I know you would have enjoyed it?.

[Philip Hermogenes Calderon, genre painter and Keeper of the Royal Academy.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Miss Towgood’ [Mary Ethel Young Towgood], student at the RA Schools, asking for names of authors of ‘Cartoons’ and ‘Creswick’.

Author: 
Philip H. Calderon [Philip Hermogenes Calderon] (1833-1898), British historical genre painter of Franco-Spanish descent, Keeper of the Royal Academy [Mary Ethel Young Hunter [née Towgood] (1878-1936)]
Publication details: 
20 November 1896; on letterhead of Burlington House, Piccadilly [London].
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. On a leaf of grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. The recipient was studying at the Royal Academy Schools. Begins: ‘Dear Miss Towgood / Thanks for your letter and enclosed statement by Mr Percy Young.’ He asks to be sent ‘the names of the authors of the various “Cartoons” and “Creswick”’, so that he may have all his material ‘ready for the Council on Tuesday next’. He intended to ask her for the names in ‘the Schools’ (of the Royal Academy at Burlington House), ‘but a sudden attack of Influenza confines me to my room by the Doctor’s order’.

[Anthony Ashley Cooper, Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury, Tory politician, philanthropist and social reformer.] Autograph Note signed to ‘Mr Rowley’ regarding a request which he has not forgotten.

Author: 
The Earl of Shaftesbury [Anthony Ashley Cooper, Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury] (1801-1885), Tory politician, philanthropist and social reformer
Shaftesbury
Publication details: 
30 May 1862. No place.
£75.00
Shaftesbury

See his long entry in the Oxford DNB, which sums up his achievements as ‘very substantial’ and ‘a source of enduring inspiration to others’. 1p, 16mo. On bifolium with thin mourning border. In good condition, folded twice. Written in his characteristically-inky hand, and signed ‘Shaftesbury’. Reads: ‘Dear Mr Rowley / I did not forget your request. I trust that, by the blessing of God, your [fears?] are [removed?]. / Yours tr[ul]y / Shaftesbury’. Seee image.

[Henry Luttrell, wit and poet.] Autograph Letter Signed, thanking Agar Ellis for the gift of one of his books, and discussing the preparing for the press of one of his own.

Author: 
Henry Luttrell [born Henry King] (1768-1851), wit and poet, friend of Sydney Smith, illegitimate son of the , second Earl of Carhampton [Agar Ellis [George James Welbore Agar-Ellis, 1st Baron Dover]]
Publication details: 
18 February [no year, but between 1822 and 1833]. Albany [Piccadilly, London].
£180.00

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. ‘Many many thanks, my dear Ellis, for the kind present of your book, which, as soon as I am released from a torment of which you have had some experience, - correcting the press, I promise myself much pleasure and instruction in perusing. /As soon as my doggerel is printed, you may rely on having a copy. My best remembrance if you please to Lady Georgiana / Ever faithfully Yours / Henry Luttrell.’ Which of Luttrell’s or Ellis’s books are referred to here is unclear.

[Lord Bathurst, Tory politician.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Bathurst') [to the agent of the Marquis Wellesley, elder brother of the Duke of Wellington], regarding a dispute over the fittings to be left behind on quitting Apsley House.

Author: 
Henry Bathurst (1762-1834), 3rd Earl Bathurst [Lord Bathurst], Tory Foreign Secretary, friend and supporter of Pitt the Younger [Lord Wellesley; Duke of Wellington; Apsley House, Piccadilly, Mayfair]
Publication details: 
Piccadilly [London]. 22 September [1807].
£300.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The present item dates from 1807, the year in which Bathurst sold the celebrated Apsley House ('No. 1 London') to the Duke of Wellington's brother the Marquis Wellesley, who sold it on to the Duke ten years later. It is now the Wellington Museum. This item casts an interesting light on the initial sale. 2pp, 4to. Thirty-four lines of text. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded four times. He is disappointed that the unnamed male recipient (presumably Wellesley's agent) has not called on him.

[Sir Alfred Gilbert, sculptor of 'Eros', Piccadilly Circus, London.] Autograph Signature ('Alfred Gilbert') to conclusion of letter.

Author: 
Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934), sculptor and goldsmith responsible for the statue of Anteros (popularly Eros) in Piccadilly Circus, London
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£25.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, on browned paper, with glue from mount adhering to blank reverse. The last leaf of a letter, evidently detached for an autograph hunter. Good bold handwriting. Reads: 'I shall be only too glad to avail myself of it | Yours very sincerely | Alfred Gilbert'.

[ 'Arthur Sketchley' (i.e. George Rose), 'Mrs Brown' and the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly. ] Autograph Note Signed ('A. Sketchley') to 'Jno. Kinloch Esq', requesting 'A Box for this evening'.

Author: 
'Arthur Sketchley', pseudonym of George Rose (1817-1882), dramatist, creator of the once-celebrated 'Mrs Brown' [ The Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, London ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, London. 5 November 1864.
£30.00

Having left the Church of England for Roman Catholicism, Rose had had a number of well-received plays produced on the London stage before the huge success of his creation 'Mrs Brown'. 'Mrs Brown at Home and Abroad' was performed at the Egyptian Hall in 1864, and the 'Ladies' Cabinet of Fashion, Music & Romance' refers to 'Mr. Arthur Sketchley's snug little auditorium at the Egyptian Hall' for a performance of 'Mrs Brown at the Play'.

[ Grenville Murray, journalist and diplomat. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('E C Grenville : Murray'), a letter of introduction to his solicitors, who are to arrange the valuation of the property of 'the late Count Duke of Aragon'.

Author: 
Grenville Murray [ Eustace Clare Grenville Murray ] (1824–1881), journalist and diplomat, illegitimate son of Richard Grenville, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos (1797-1861)
Publication details: 
B.2. Albany, Piccadilly [ London ]. 29 December 1868
£120.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and worn. Reads: 'My dear Sir | Allow me to introduce to you Messrs.

[ Maria M. Grant, novelist and proprietor of the magazine 'Piccadilly'. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Maria M Grant') to Planche.

Author: 
Maria M. Grant, Victorian novelist and proprietor of the magazine 'Piccadilly', edited by Theodore Watts Dunton [ James Robinson Planché (1796-1880), dramatist, antiquary and herald ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 9 Wilton Place, S.W. [ London ] 'Friday' [ no date ].
£50.00

Grant published six novels between 1870 and 1882, four of them published by Chapman & Hall, and two by Bentley. 1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. She is enclosing (not present) 'Piccadilly's cheque for "Hilda"' The poem he has submitted 'is really too deep and sad for my frivolous paper - in which we want something to brighten us up'. She hopes that when he feels better he will 'do some little thing in this line - Something Short [last word underlined] & humorous'.

[ John Debrett, London publisher. ] Printed catalogue of 'Books printed for J. Debrett'.

Author: 
John Debrett (d. 1822), London publisher, responsible for the celebrated 'Debrett's Peerage'
Publication details: 
J. Debrett [ John Debrett, 178 Piccadilly, London ]. Undated [ 1794 ].
£100.00

8pp., 8vo. Unstitched (stabbed). Unopened, so that the four leaves unfold into a single strip with four pages on each side. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. First page headed 'BOOKS Printed for J. DEBRETT.' Numerous works are described in no particular order, in small print, beginning with 'PARLIAMENTARY REGISTER, 1794. | This day is published, | NUMBER XII. of the DEBATES of the PRESENT SESSION, [...]'. For more information on Debrett, see his entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. BBTI states that he was active before 1781, and went bankrupt in 1804.

[ Pamphlet. ] The Repeal of the Union Conspiracy; or, Mr. Parnell, M.P., and the I.R.B.

Author: 
[ Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1892), Irish nationalist member of the British parliament; the Irish Republican Brotherhood ]
Publication details: 
London: William Ridgway, 169, Piccadilly, W. 1886.
£90.00

64pp., 12mo. Frontispiece in red and black, with diagrammatic pyramid with 'Rank and File or "Soldiers."' at the base, and 'C. S. Parnell, M.P.' at the apex. At foot of the frontispiece is printed 'The Assassination Oath of the I. R. B.' Disbound pamphlet without covers. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper.

[ The Lyric Club, Piccadilly and Barnes. ] Original photographic print of an interior at the 'Lyric Club', with a newsaper cutting reporting that the New Lyric Club is 'starting on its career with every prospect of a brilliant success'.`

Author: 
The Lyric Club, Piccadilly East and Barnes, late-Victorian venue for 'smoking concerts'
Publication details: 
[ The New Lyric Club, Coventry Street, London. ] Circa 1889.
£35.00

The sepia photographic print is 15.5 x 11.5 cm, and shows a sumptuous domestic interior, showing paintings around an ornately carved wooden doorframe, into another room, with hangings draped footstool, piano, and other accoutrements of high Victorian interior decoration. In pencil on reverse: 'The Lyric Club'. The cutting is 12 cm and forty-five lines long. It begins 'The new Lyric Club is starting on its career with every propsect of a brilliant success.

[ John Edward Kempe, Rector of St James's, Piccadilly. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'John Edw Kempe'), the first regarding Archibald Campbell Tait, on his appointment as Bishop of London, both to 'Rev. S. Smith'.

Author: 
John Edward Kempe (1810-1907), M.A., Prebendary of St. Paul's, Chaplain to Queen Victoria, and Rector of St James's, Piccadilly [ Archibald Campbell Tait (1811-1882), Archbishop of Canterbury ]
Publication details: 
Both from St James's Rectory, Piccadilly [London]. 22 September 1856 and 21 June 1858.
£56.00

Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: 22 September 1856. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Docketted: 'Revd J. E. Kempe about Annie's XG. & Tait, new Bp of London | Sep 1856'. After discussing arrangements for meeting he turns to Tait, about to be consecrated Bishop of London. 'You ask about our new Bishop. I have reason to think it an excellent appointment.

[ James Ridgway of Piccadilly, London bookseller. ] Printed catalogue titled 'Pamphlets on Corn Laws, Currency, Banking, China, &c. &c. Recently published by James Ridgway, 169, Piccadilly.'

Author: 
James Ridgway of 169 Piccadilly, London bookseller [ Blatch and Lampert, Printers, Grove Place, Brompton; the Corn Laws; Opium Trade; economic history ]
Publication details: 
[ James Ridgway, 169 Piccadilly [London]. Printed by 'Blatch and Lampert, Printers, Grove Place, Brompton.' [Circa 1840.]
£120.00

8pp., 8vo. Disbound. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Sixty titles, with prices and some information, arranged under five headings: 'Important Works on the Corn Laws, &c. &c.' (24 items); 'On Banking' (6 items); 'The Chinese and Opium Question' (4 items); 'On Education' (7 items); 'Political' (19 items). No copy traced on either COPAC or OCLC WorldCat.

[Rev. Charles Voysey.] Copy of his 'Lecture on Rationalism, delivered at Glasgow, Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester, and St. George's Hall, London' (1871), with three printed items relating to his 'Theistic Church, for the Worship of the One God'.

Author: 
Rev. Charles Voysey (1828-1912), Church of England priest condemned for heterodoxy, who went on to found the Theistic Church, London
Publication details: 
'Lecture on Rationalism' published in London by Trübner & Co., Paternoster Row, 1871; the other three items from 'The Theistic Church, for the Worship of the One God, Swallow Street, Piccadilly, London'.
£200.00

For more on Voysey, father of the architect of the same name, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. Denouncing the doctrine of eternal punishment, he was deprived of his living on 11 February 1871. ONE: 'Doctrine on Rationalism' (1871). 34pp., 8vo. Stitched and stabbed as issued. No covers. Aged and worn, with ownership inscription in pencil at head of title-page, on which the author is described as 'REV. CHARLES VOYSEY, B.A., | LATE VICAR OF HEALAUGH.' (thus indicating that the pamphlet appeared immediately after his explusion from the Church of England).

[William Samuel Woodin, Victorian entertainer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. S Woodin') to W. C. M. Kent [Dickens's friend Charles Kent], editor of the Sun, regarding his refurbishment of the Myriographic Hall, Piccadilly, for entertainments.

Author: 
William Samuel Woodin (1825-1888), entertainer [Charles Kent [William Charles Mark Kent; W. C. M. Kent] (1823-1902), editor of the Sun newspaper and friend of Charles Dickens]
Publication details: 
Myriographic Hall, 232 Piccadilly [London]. 1 March 1853.
£120.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper. With envelope addressed by Woodin to 'W. C. M. Kent Esqr | Sun Office', on which is written 'Your Card of course will admit any Friends'. The letter begins: 'My very dear Sir, | I have taken the Salle Robin and called it The Myriographic Hall, now I intend inviting the gentlemen of the Press on Thursday Evening March 3rd.

[Chatto & Windus, London publishers.] Manuscript letter, signed on behalf of 'Chatto & Windus', to fellow London bookseller Philip Stephen King, declining the offer of a translation of Portuguese novelist Alexandre Herculano's 'O Monge de Cister'.

Author: 
Chatto & Windus [P. S. King [Philip Stephen King] (1819-1908), London Parliamentary Bookseller of 12 Bridge St, Westminster and other addresses; Alexandre Herculano (1810-1877), Portuguese writer]
Publication details: 
On the firm's letterhead at the 'Office of Belgravia of the Gentleman's Magazine & of "Academy Notes", 74 & 75 Piccadilly, London. 4 January 1878.
£120.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Tasteful letterhead including the firm's device within an oval, printed in sepia. In good condition: on aged and lightly-worn paper. King was the leading London parliamentary bookseller, and it is interesting to see him apparently offering a work of his own to other publishers. The letter reads: 'Dear Sir | We beg to acknowledge with thanks your offer of a translation of Herculano's "O Monge de Cister," which we much regret our inability to accept - our hands being very full just now, & all our arrangements for some time to come made.

Manuscript 'Agreement to repurchase Furniture at L No. 4. Albany at the expiration of Lease' between 'George Hibbert Esqre.' and George Krehmer, Russian Consul-General. With 'Inventory and Valuation'. Signed by Hibbert; witnessed by Sprigges.

Author: 
George Hibbert the Younger (fl. 1877), of Albany, Piccadilly, son of the bookcollector George Hibbert (1757-1837); Charles Sprigges [George Krehmer, Russian Consul-General in London]
Publication details: 
London. 1 November 1849.
£45.00

3pp., foolscap 8vo, with the fourth page carrying the description of the document when folded into the usual packet. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper. With embossed tax stamp and circular stamp in black ink dating the document to London, 24 September 1849. The agreement, on the first two pages, is 'Between George Hibbert of Albany Piccadilly in the County of Middlesex Esquire of the one part and George Krehmer of Albanyaforesaid Esquire of the other part.' It is signed 'George Hibbert', with 'Witness Charles Sprigges'.

Autograph Letter Signed and franked (both 'Js Stuart Wortley') to the London booksellers Messrs Ridgeway.

Author: 
James Stuart-Wortley [James Archibald Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie] (1776-1845), 1st Baron Wharncliffe, Conservative politician [James Ridgeway, Piccadilly bookseller]
Publication details: 
5 September 1835; Wortley.
£28.00

12mo, 1 p. Bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of minor traces of stub adhering to one edge. Franked, with remains of red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Messrs. Ridgeway | Piccadilly. | [signed] Js Stuart Wortley'. Giving instructions for the sending of newspapers to Wighill Park, Tadcaster, and to Wortley.

Autograph Note in the third person, with signature ('Wrothsley') on frank.

Author: 
Sir John Wrothsley [Wrottesley; James Ridgeway, bookseller, Piccadilly, London]
Publication details: 
9 September 1835 [Doncaster].
£28.00

12mo, 1 p. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with thin strip of stub adhering to the reverse of the second leaf. Reads 'Sir John Wrothsley requests Mr. Ridgway will direct his Newspapers [corrected from 'Letters'] Post Office Scarborough. The frank reads 'Doncaster September ten 1835 | Mr. Ridgway | Piccadilly | London | [signed] Wrothsley'. Divided circular Doncaster postmark in black, and frank ('FREE | 11SEP11| 1835') in red.

Coloured engraving: 'Copy of the Transparency exhibited at Ackermann's Repository of Arts, During the Illuminations of the 5th and 6th of November, 1813, In Honour of the Splendid Victories obtained by The Allies over the Armies of France, at Leipsic

Author: 
Thomas Rowlandson [Rudolph Ackermann, Repository of Arts, Strand, London; Napoleon Bonaparte; Regency caricature]
Publication details: 
Date, place and publisher not stated. [London: R. Ackermann, 1813.]
£250.00

On a piece of good wove paper, roughly 415 x 260 mm. Dimensions of engraving 180 x 220 mm. On aged paper and with the margins of the leaf trimmed. Laid down along the right hand margin runs a strip of blue paper, 30 x 410 mm, which it may be possible for a professional restorer to remove. This edges the border of the print (which is clear and entire) and overlaps a few letters of the text. Neatly coloured in sombre tones.

Autograph Letter Signed ('J Bowles') to 'Mr Wright | Piccadilly', confirming his authorship of the 'Letters of the Ghost of Alfred'.

Author: 
John Bowles (1751-1819), barrister and author [John Wright (1770-1841) of Piccadilly, bookseller and publisher of Gifford's 'Anti-Jacobin']
Publication details: 
Tuesday' [no date, but circa 1798]. Place not stated.
£200.00

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium with address on second leaf. Twenty-five lines. Text clear and complete. On aged, spotted and repaired paper. A significant letter, confirming Bowles's hitherto-tentative authorship of the 'Letters of the Ghost of Alfred', which was printed by Wright in 1798. Bowles informs Wright that he will 'receive some Copies of ye. Ghost of Alfred' the following morning. 'The price [I conceive] should be only 2/6 in boards there being but about 130 pages including thhe advertisements'.

Four mid-eighteenth-century printed forms relating to English county militia: 'A Protection', 'Summons for Absentees or other Offenders', 'Mittimus on Refusal to Pay the Penalties', 'A Certificate of a Militia Man changing his Place of Abode'.

Author: 
[the county militia in eighteenth-century England; Hanoverian English magistracy; warrant; Justice of the Peace]
Publication details: 
The 'Summons' dated '175[ ]' and therefore from the 1750s, the other three items dated '17[ ]' and so eighteenth century. Three of the four 'Printed by J. TOWERS, near Air-Street, Piccadilly.'
£225.00

All four items well printed on one side of a piece of watermarked laid paper. All four lightly-aged but good. None of them filled in. The third item more dusty than the rest. Item One (15.5 x 20.5 cm): Headed 'No. VII. A PROTECTION.' To be signed by one of the 'Deputy Lieutenant, | Captain, | Commanding Officer.' Exempting the bearer, as a militia man, 'from doing any Highway Duty, commonly called Statute Work'.

A speech delivered in the House of Commons in the debate on the North American blockade, Tuesday, March 7, 1862.

Author: 
Sir Roundell Palmer, M.P., Her Majesty's Solicitor-General [the Earl of Selborne; American Civil War]
Publication details: 
London: James Ridgway, Piccadilly. W. 1862.
£150.00

Octavo: 29 + [2] pp. Unbound, stabbed and stitched. Slightly dogeared, on grubby, lightly-spotted paper. Loss to top right-hand corner of title-leaf (not affecting text). Two pages of advertisements at rear, headed 'Important pamphlets, etc. Recently published by James Ridgway, Piccadilly.'

Some Account of the Character of the late Right Honourable Henry Bilson Legge (DNB, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Irish Secretary, etc)

Author: 
[John Butler (1717-1802), Bishop of Hereford]
Publication details: 
London: Printed for J. Almon, opposite Burlington-House in Piccadilly. 1764.
£150.00

4to, 20 pp. The last page carries advertisements for the publisher Almon. Unbound; stitched. Good, with first and last leaves somewhat aged and chipped. Central vertical fold. A relatively uncommon item, with most of the entries on COPAC turning out to be for a microfilm reproduction.

Ought France to Worship the Bonapartes?

Author: 
Ahriman I., pseud. [Napoleon Bonaparte]
Publication details: 
London: Robert Hardwicke, 192, Piccadilly. 1863. [W.H. Collingridge, City Press, 117 to 119, Aldersgate Street, E.C.]
£100.00

8vo: [iv] + 90 + [ii] pp. In original grey printed wraps. The answer to the question in the title is an emphatic 'No!', with the author's argument summed up in the conclusion: 'The publication of these remarks has been elicited by a feeling of indignation and surprise, on learning, that, in any part of the world, and especially of France, the man, whom a former generation cursed, should now be deemed worthy of being canonised.' The author puts his case forcefully and well, marshalling a number of quotations from classical and modern sources.

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