POPULAR

[Sir Cliff Richard, popular British singer and film actor.] Autograph Signature to black and white print of publicity photograph of him in swimming trunks, seated on a beach between two girls in bikinis.

Author: 
Sir Cliff Richard (born 1940 as Harry Rodger Webb), popular British singer and film actor, the top-selling artist in the English singles chart, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley
Cliff Richard
Publication details: 
No date or place. [Early 1960s.]
£90.00
Cliff Richard

Lightly-written signature (?Cliff Richard?) in blue ink at bottom left of 21 x 16 cm photographic print on glossy paper of black and white publicity photograph of a tanned Richard sitting in swimming trunks with his hands on his knees, looking at the viewer between two rather plain brunettes in bikinis. The print is somewhat creased and worn, with minor discoloration to white border at the top edge. See Image.

[Erma Franklin, soul singer, elder sister of Aretha Franklin.] Autograph Inscription, with Signature.

Author: 
Erma Franklin [Erma Vernice Franklin] (1938-2002), American gospel and soul singer, elder sister of Aretha Franklin
Erma Franklin
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00
Erma Franklin

The inscription reads ‘Best Wishes / [flourish] / Erma Franklin’, and is written on a piece of thick paper cut from an envelope, and shaped into an oval roughly 9.5 x 5 cm. In fair condition, lightly aged, with two vertical folds, one through the centre of the oval. See Image.

['The Rockville Rocket': Gene Pitney, American singer-songwriter, international pop star big in the 60s.] Signed Autograph Inscription.

Author: 
Gene Pitney [Gene Francis Alan Pitney] (1940-2006), 'The Rockville Rocket', American singer-songwriter, international pop star big in the 60s
Pitney
Publication details: 
No place or date.
Upon request
Pitney

See his obituary in the Guardian, 5 April 2006. On irregularly-shaped trapezoid of ruled paper, roughly 8 cm wide at top, with one vertical side also 8cm, and the other 4cm, giving it a guillotine shape. Lightly aged and ruckled. Blank on the reverse. Reads: ‘Best / always / Gene Pitney’.

[Eddie Calvert, 'The Man With The Golden Trumpet', who scored two number ones in the 1950s.] Autograph Signatue for autograph collector.

Author: 
Eddie Calvert [Albert Edward Calvert] (1922-1978), 'The Man With The Golden Trumpet', 1950s English trumpeter with two number ones in the UK Singles Chart
Calvert
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£50.00
Calvert

See the article ‘Glory days of the man with the golden trumpet’ in the Lancashire Post, 17 March 2017. On one side of 12 x 8.5 cm leaf of cream paper with rounded outer edges, torn from an autograph album. In good condition, with blank reverse. Large sprawling signature covering the whole page. Reads ‘Sincerely / Eddie Calvert’. See Image.

[Francis Vivian, writer of popular fiction, author of the Inspector Knollis mysteries.] Typed Letter Signed to Eileen Cond, assessing his books and giving a synopsis of forthcoming story ‘The Frog was Yellow’.

Author: 
Francis Vivian [pen name of Arthur Ernest Ashley (1906-1979), writer of popular fiction, author of the Inspector Knollis mysteries, brother of photographer Hallam Ashley [Eileen Cond]
Publication details: 
11 November 1939; The Chalet, Skegby, Mansfield.
£120.00

An excellent letter to enthusiastic autograph collector Eileen Margaret Cond (1911-1984). It shows Cond’s ability to draw a more than perfunctory response from her targets. 1p, 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and folded for postage. Signed ‘Francis Vivian’. He is ‘very grateful’ for her ‘appeciation of my book, The Three Short Men. I have to confess that I thoroughly enjoyed writing it, even though both Pam and Hathersage at times refused to obey my orders, and went their own sweet way.

[Berta Ruck, popular writer of romantic fiction.] Typed Letter Signed to the theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, asking for advice and praising his later book, with observations on reminiscence.

Author: 
Berta Ruck [Amy Roberta Ruck, Mrs. Oliver Onions] (1878-1978), prolific writer of romantic fiction, born in India of Welsh extraction [W. Macqueen-Pope [‘Popie’] (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
2 June 1950; Pomona, Aberdovey, Merioneth.
£56.00

See her entry and his in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and slightly creased at extremities. Addressed to ‘My Dear Mr. MacQueen Pope’ and signed (in block capitals) ‘BERTA RUCK’.

[Jane Aiken Hodge, American-born British writer.] Typed Letter Signed to autograph collector Eileen Cond, describing her writing plans: ‘Such hard work; such fun.’

Author: 
Jane Aiken Hodge (1917-2009), prolific American-born British writer, daughter of poet Conrad Aiken, sister of Joan Aiken
Publication details: 
17 September [1969]. 6 Lancaster Road, Wimbledon, SW19 [London].
£100.00

Jane Aiken Hodge was author of many works, mainly romantic fiction. Her most popular book was a study of Georgette Heyer, and she was also responsible for a biography of Jane Austen. 1p, landscape 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded once for postage. Signed in type ‘Jane Hodge’, with the following in type: ‘Mrs. Alan Hodge’.

[Josephine Delves-Broughton (‘John Bryan’), thriller writer.] Typed Letter Signed to autograph collector Eileen Cond, regarding her latest book’s reception, and the petrol shortage.

Author: 
Josephine Delves-Broughton (1916-1975), British thriller writer under the pseudonym ‘John Bryan’
Publication details: 
24 January 1957; Apple Tree Cottage, Rowledge, Farnham, Surrey.
£100.00

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Thirty-one lines of text. Addressed to ‘Dear Miss Cond’ (the autograph collector Eileeen Cond) and signed ‘Jo. Delves-Broughton’. It is ‘splendid’ of Cond to get ‘the thriller’ (presumably her book ‘A Sojurn in England’, Faber & Faber, 1956, but possibly one of the two books she published with the firm in 1957): ‘I hope you enjoy it! I don’t know if you take the “Observer” but it had a splendid review in Maurice Richardson’s “Crime Ration”.

[B. Feldman & Co., London music publishers.] Printed ‘Selected List of New and Popular Numbers. / Vocal and Instrumental’, including 'Musical Comedy & Revue Successes' and 'Talkie Film Songs'.

Author: 
B. Feldman & Co., London music publishers
Publication details: 
No date, but late 1930s/early 1940s. B. Feldman & Co., 125, 127 & 129, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W.C.2.
£180.00

Few copies of this ephemeral item can have survived. (No copies appear to show up on Jisc or WorldCat.) 20pp, 4to. Small print. Stapled. In very good condition for such a publication: lightly browned paper, with one off-centre horizontal fold. The item can be dated from the films listed on the two pages of ‘Talkie Film Songs’ seem to all date from the 1930s (e.g. ‘The Cowboy and the Lady’ and ‘Song of the Saddle’). Title page has box containing a list of ‘Immortal Melodies by Victor Herbert’.

[Stanley J. Weyman, popular English novelist of the ‘cloak and dagger school’.] Autograph Signature on inscription for collector.

Author: 
Stanley J. Weyman [Stanley John Weyman] (1855-1928), popular English Victorian and Edwardian novelist of historical romance
Weyman
Publication details: 
2 November 1899. Place not stated.
£30.00
Weyman

Weyman was, as his entry in the Oxford DNB states, ‘one of the most popular and skilled of the historical romance novelists of the cloak and dagger school’. Oscar Wilde recommended his novels as reading for convicts. The present item is on an 11 x 9 cm piece of watermarked laid paper. In good condition. A neat attractive two-line inscription for an autograph collector, underlined and sloping upwards. Reads: ‘Stanley J. Weyman | Nov. 2. 1899’. See image.

[Victor Silvester, bandleader and ballroom dancer.] Autograph Signature on ‘Souvenir Programme’ for the ‘Grand Empire Day Dance’ at the Alexander Hall, Halifax, with local band 'Harry Nicholl and his Alexandrians' .

Author: 
Victor Silvester [Victor Marlborough Silvester] (1900-1978), British bandleader and ballroom dancer [Harry Nicholl and his Alexandrians; Alexandra Hall, Halifax]
Silvester
Publication details: 
Date of the ‘Grand Empire Day Dance’: 24 May 1957. At the Alexandra Hall, Halifax, for T. F. Firth & Sons Ltd. Sports Club.
£25.00
Silvester

On 15 x 11 cm card, with vertical central fold making it into a bifolium with front and back covers, and central text across the opening. In fair condition, a little aged. Perforated outer corner removed from bottom of second leaf, no doubt as proof of use; with slight creasing to first leaf at same point. Printed at the head of the back cover is the word ‘AUTOGRAPHS’, and here in blue ink is the signature ‘Victor Silvester’. There are no other autographs. The front cover is headed ‘T. F. Firth and Sons Ltd.

[6th Marquis of Donegall, as President of the Nation Federation of Jazz Organisations. On behalf of.] Autograph Signature to circular to the Kent County Army Cadet Force, offering tickets for the 1951 jazz concert at the Royal Festival Hall.

Author: 
[6th Marquis of Donegall] Edward Arthur Donald St George Hamilton Chichester, 6th Marquess of Donegall (1903-1975), President of the Nation Federation of Jazz Organisations [W. P. MacQueen Pope]
Publication details: 
31 May 1951. On letterhead of Kent County Army Cadet Force Welfare, 16 Hyde Park Gate, London.
£120.00

A nice piece of ephemera, associated with a landmark concert in the history of British popular music. 1p, 8vo. Twenty-three-line typed circular, with perforated order slip for tickets at end. In fair condition, lightly aged. Signed ‘Donegall’ and with autograph address to ‘Dear Mac Queen Pope’ (i.e. the theatre historian W. P. MacQueen Pope). The circular begins: ‘I am writing to you because H. R. H.

[Printed work of sensational popular fiction.] The Mysterious Avenger; or, The Trials of Love. [Followed by a reprinting of De Quincey's translation of 'Der Freischütz', under the title 'William, the Fatal Marksman; or, The Seven Charmed Bullets'.]

Author: 
[Thomas De Quincey; William Walker, printer, Otley, Yorkshire]
Publication details: 
London: Published by the Booksellers. William Walker, Otley. 1847. [Slug: 'WILLIAM WALKER, PRINTER, OTLEY.']
£250.00

256pp., 12mo. With frontispiece engraving and vignette on title. In original brown cloth binding, with blind-stamped decorative pattern on the boards, and title and design on the spine. Ownership inscription of 'Arthur Baxter | Runcorn | 1861' on piece of paper laid down on front pastedown. A tight copy, on stained paper (particularly the last few leaves) and aged paper, in worn binding with gilt almost dulled. An interesting production, reminiscent of previous Minerva Press publications, and looking ahead to the yellow-back.

[Dudley Moore, comedian and jazz musician, interviewed by Les Tomkins for 'Crescendo'.] Typescript of 'The Serious Side of Dudley Moore', with second part ('More Music and Moore'), gig review, and carbon of Tomkins letter to editor Victor Graham.

Author: 
Dudley Moore, comedian and musician, half of the 'Pete and Dud' duo with Peter Cook; Les Tomkins, Features Editor of the jazz music magazine 'Crescendo'
Publication details: 
The interview appeared in the July and August 1966 numbers of 'Crescendo' magazine [London].
£50.00

The interview was published in two numbers of 'Crescendo' ('The world's most authoritative music magazine', founded 1962). The first part, retitled 'Music & Moore | Les Tomkins interviews “The Genuine Dud” – was the leading article (pp.18-19) of the July 1966 number of ), with Moore featuring on the cover. The second part was published in the following number, August 1966, pp.18-19 and 25. Four items, all in good condition, with light aging. ONE: Carbon typescript of first part of interview, with title (replaced on publication): 'The Serious Side of Dudley Moore | A Les Tomkins Interview'.

[Ivor Novello, composer, playwright and actor.] Autograph Signature on front cover of the 'Magazine Programme' of his comedy 'I Lived With You'.

Author: 
Ivor Novello [born David Ivor Davies] (1893-1951), Welsh composer, playwright and actor [W. J. Macqueen-Pope]
Publication details: 
The Magazine Programme [London: Prince of Wales' Theatre], No. 893. 4 April 1932.
£45.00

[24]pp, 12mo. Stapled programme, in shiny covers. Strip torn away from back cover, and with staples slightly rusted, otherwise in fair condition. Large signature 'Ivor Novello' diagonally across title on front cover: 'Richard D. Rose | presents | Ivor Novello | in | I Lived With You | A comedy in three acts | by | Ivor Novello'. An illustrated 'magazine' programme, containing articles and advertisements. No copy on OCLC WorldCat. From the papers of Novello's friend and biographer, the theatre historian W. J.

[Stanley J. Weyman, novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Stanley J. Weyman') regarding his forthcoming book 'Sophia'.

Author: 
Stanley J. Weyman [Stanley John Weyman] (1855-1928), popular novelist of historical romance
Publication details: 
19 February 1900. Plâs Llanrhydd, Ruthin [Wales].
£45.00

2pp, 16mo. In fair condition, on aged paper with ruckling caused by glue from mount, traces of the paper from which adhere to blank reverses of both leaves. In a crabbed difficult hand, addressed to 'Mrs [Pugh?]', regarding his forthcoming book 'Sophia', a copy of which he will be sending the recipient, with reference to his wife, 'anxiety', and something 'characteristic'.

[Stanley J. Weyman, novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Stanley J. Weyman') regarding his forthcoming book 'Sophia'.

Author: 
Stanley J. Weyman [Stanley John Weyman] (1855-1928), popular novelist of historical romance
Publication details: 
19 February 1900. Plâs Llanrhydd, Ruthin [Wales].
£45.00

2pp, 16mo. In fair condition, on aged paper with ruckling caused by glue from mount, traces of the paper from which adhere to blank reverses of both leaves. In a crabbed difficult hand, addressed to 'Mrs [Pugh?]', regarding his forthcoming book 'Sophia', a copy of which he will be sending the recipient, with reference to his wife, 'anxiety', and something 'characteristic'.

[Anna Eliza Bray, historical novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed to her nephew John Arrow Kempe, explaining that she wishes him to act as her literary executor, and discussing the 'revised copies' of her works.

Author: 
Anna Eliza Bray [born Kempe, sometime Stothard] (1790-1883), historical novelist [her nephew, John Arrow Kempe (1846-1928) Knight Comptroller and Auditor General]
Publication details: 
18 August 1871; 40 Brompton Crescent, S.W. [London]
£550.00

4pp, 18mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. With envelope addressed 'To | John Arrow Kempe Esqre. | St James's Rectory | Piccadilly | W'.A long letter, with the words 'To be carefully kept' at the head of the first page. The letter begins with a light-hearted reference to her novel 'De Foix': 'My dear Godson/ | Accept the enclosed trifle - It may help you to make an excursion to the Casle of De Foix - and (vanity of authorship!) to tell me what it is like -'. After this she turns to the real theme, her will.

[Ursula Bloom, novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Ursula'), regretting that a 'Foyle lunch' will prevent a meeting, she being 'really dreadfully worried' about a problem with the recipient's sight.

Author: 
Ursula Bloom (1892-1984), popular novelist, author of more than five hundred books
Publication details: 
'Sunday'. On her letterhead, 191 Cranmer Court, S.W.3. [London]
£56.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, creased and lightly aged. Folded twice. Letterhead printed in red, with illustration of quill pen, inkstand and lighted candle. Written in purple ink. The recipient is not named and the letter begins: 'My dear, | I am horrified to find I have made some awful mistake in my diary & am at the Foyle lunch on Wednesday to stand in for someone else who may not turn up, so I can't break with it. I could cry, for I feel that I have let you down & so wanted to see you to hear how you really are'. She is 'worried to death' about the recipient's sight.

[P. C. Wren, novelist, author of 'Beau Geste'.] Typed Letter Signed ('P C Wren') to 'Miss Mills', explaining that he is sending her his autograph 'on one of my own private book-plates'.

Author: 
P. C. Wren [Percival Christopher Wren] (1875-1941), writer of adventure fiction, best remembered for his novel 'Beau Geste'
Publication details: 
3 January 1928. On letterhead of the Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth.
£32.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded once. Her letter has been forwarded to him and he has 'much pleasure in sending you my autograph. In order to make it a little more personal, I am sending it on one of my own private book-plates.'

[Jeffery Farnol, novelist of Regency romantic fiction.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Jeffery Farnol.') to 'Mr. Wynn', stating that he has reread a previous letter from him 'with great pleasure'.

Author: 
Jeffery Farnol (1878-1952), prolific author of romance and swashbuckler novels, creator with Georgette Heyer of the genre of Regency romantic fiction
Publication details: 
12 December 1918. On letterhead of 71 Eltham Road, Lee, S.E. [London]
£35.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded three times. After thanking Wynn for his letter he continues: 'It is a curious coincidence that in looking through a file of old correspondence yesterday I came across your letter of the 20th November 1915, which I read again with great pleasure'. Postscript: 'With good wishes to you & yours. J F.'

[Stanley J. Weyman, novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Stanley J. Weyman') to 'Mr. Balfour', regarding an article he is writing for him, with relation to 'the Church' and 'Seaman'.

Author: 
Stanley J. Weyman [Stanley John Weyman] (1855-1928), popular novelist of historical romance
Publication details: 
22 November 1923. On letterhead of Plâs Llanrhydd, Ruthin, N. Wales.
£45.00

Weyman is largely forgotten now, but he was admired by Robert Louis Stevenson and Oscar Wilde, and Graham Greene singled him out for regular re-reading among the authors of 'the key books in my life'. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged, with pin holes to one corner. Folded twice. He is 'relieved' that Balfour thinks 'it will do. Yes, if you will kindly send it me I will look it over again & get it typed.' He has 'not seen the Church for some years', and will be grateful if Balfour will note any inaccuracy. He supposes that if the work is received within a fortnight 'it will do'.

[Dudley Moore, comedian and jazz musician, interviewed by Les Tomkins for 'Crescendo'.] Typescript of 'The Serious Side of Dudley Moore', with second part ('More Music and Moore'), gig review, and carbon of Tomkins letter to editor Victor Graham.

Author: 
Dudley Moore, comedian and musician, half of the 'Pete and Dud' duo with Peter Cook; Les Tomkins, Features Editor of the jazz music magazine 'Crescendo'
Publication details: 
The interview appeared in the July and August 1966 numbers of 'Crescendo' magazine [London].
£50.00

The interview was published in two numbers of 'Crescendo' ('The world's most authoritative music magazine', founded 1962). The first part, retitled 'Music & Moore | Les Tomkins interviews “The Genuine Dud”' – was the leading article (pp.18-19) of the July 1966 number of ), with Moore featuring on the cover. The second part was published in the following number, August 1966, pp.18-19 and 25. Four items, all in good condition, with light aging.

[Charles Mackay, Scottish poet, journalist and author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Chas Mackay') to Rev. G. Bainton, granting permission to publish a letter.

Author: 
Charles Mackay (1814-1889), Scottish poet, journalist, and author of 'Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds' [Rev. George Bainton (1847-1925)]
Publication details: 
12 October 1887; 47 Longridge Road, South Kensington [London].
£45.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight nick at gutter of bifolium. Addressed 'To | Revd G Bainton.' Reads: 'Dear Sir | You are quite at liberty to publish my letter. - If it finds its way into the papers, I should be obliged if you would kindly forward me a copy. | Ever yours truly | Chas Mackay'.

[David Davies ('Dai'r Cantwr'), the Rebecca Riots and Transportation to Australia: Victorian Welsh street ballad.] Printed poem, titled: 'Can Hiraethlon David Davies (Dai'r Cantwr,) Pan yn Garcharor yng Nghaerfyrddin, am y Terfysg yn amser Becca'.

Author: 
David Davies (c.1812-1874), Welsh poet known as Dai'r Cantwr (David the Singer), transported to Van Diemen's Land after the Rebecca Riots [nineteenth-century Welsh street ballad]
Publication details: 
No place or date. [Welsh, late Victorian.]
£280.00

The full title reads: 'Can Hiraethlon | David Davies (Dai'r Cantwr,) | Pan yn Garcharor yng Nghaerfyrddin, am y Terfysg yn amser Becca. | Cenir ar y dôn “Roslin Castle.'” The title may be translated as 'A nostalgic song, written when a prisoner in Carmarthen, for the riot in Becca's time. | Sung to the tune of 'Roslin Castle'. 4pp, 12mo (15.5 x 9 cm). Paginated [1]-4. Disbound. A frail survival: aged and worn, with damp-stain along one edge. Beneath the title is a small vignette of a sailing ship, and at the end of the final page is another of a crown. Poem in four sixteen-line stanzas.

[Two Victorian Welsh street ballads, one with engraved advertisement for 'FINE TEAS AND TOBACCO'.] Two poems printed together: 'Cerdd y Tobacco' and 'Can y Bachgen Main'.

Author: 
[Nineteenth-century Welsh street ballads; tobacco; smoking]
Publication details: 
No place or date. [Welsh, late Victorian.]
£100.00

4pp, 16mo (15.5 x 9 cm). Paginated [1]-4. Bifolium. Disbound. A frail survival, aged and worn. The first leaf (pp.1-2) carries the poem 'Cerdd y Tobacco' ('The Tobacco Poem'), in five eight-line stanzas, with the title followed by a half-page stock woodcut (evidently from a tobacconist's advertisement) of an oriental figure seated on crates on the dockside, with sailing ship in the background. At the foot is engraved: 'FINE TEAS AND TOBACCO'. The second leaf (pp.3-4) carries the poem 'Can y Bachgen Main' ('Song of the Slender Boy'), in six eight-line stanzas.

[Bedwellty Colliery Explosion, 1865: street ballad in Welsh, with list of names of deceased.] Printed item titled: 'Hanes alarus am 26 o golliers a gollasant eu bywydau yn pwll glo Bedwellty, gerllaw Tredegar, Dydd Gwener, Mehefin 16, 1865.'

Author: 
[Bedwellty Colliery Explosion, 1865; Welsh street ballad; coal mining]
Publication details: 
Printed by 'William Thomas, Argraffydd, Caerfyrddin.' No date [late Vicvtorian].
£65.00

The title is 'Hanes alarus am 26 o golliers a gollasant eu bywydau yn pwll glo Bedwellty, gerllaw Tredegar, Dydd Gwener, Mehefin 16, 1865.' This may be translated as 'The woeful tale of 26 colliers who lost their lives in the Bedwellty coal mine, near Tredegar, Friday, 16 June 1865. 4pp 16mo (15.5 x 9 cm). Paginated [1]-4. Bifolium. Printer's slug at foot of last page. Disbound. A frail survival: aged and worn.

[Two Printed Victorian Welsh Migration Street Ballads by Isaac Thomas of Aberdare.] 'Morgan Bach a'i fam yn ymddiddan ynghylch myned i Australia' and 'Dychweliad Morgan Bach o Awstralia, A'i fam (Gwen o'r Gyrnos) yn methu ei adnabod.'

Author: 
Isaac Thomas of Aberdare [Welsh Migration Street Ballads; Victorian popular literature; nineteenth-century emigration to Australia]
Publication details: 
Welsh, late nineteenth century. Both without date or publication details.
£450.00

Two Welsh street ballads, indicative of the desire for emigration during a period of hardship. Both 4pp, 16mo (15 x 9 cm). Both bifoliums, and both paginated [1]-4. Frail survivals, heavily aged and worn. ONE: 'Morgan Bach a'i fam yn ymddiddan ynghylch myned i Australia'. Vignette of a sailing ship beneath the title, which translates as 'Young Morgan and his mother talking about going to Australia'. Poem of eleven eight-line stanzas, in the form of a dialogue between the 'Y FAM' and 'MORGAN'. Signed in type at end: 'ISAAC THOMAS.

[Edgar Jepson, popular novelist; .] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edgar Jepson'), replying to a fan letter from 'Miss Gowing' [novelist Barbara Kaye] by suggesting that they meet to prevent him from injuring his constitution by 'industrious excess'

Author: 
Edgar Jepson [Edgar Alfred Jepson, pseudonym 'R. Edison Page'] (1863-1938), popular author of adventure, detective, supernatural and fantasy fiction [Barbara Kaye [Barbara Kenrick Gowing] (1908-1998)]
Publication details: 
120 Adelaide Road, Chalk Farm, London NW3. 8 July 1920.
£120.00

2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Folded once.

[James Simpson, educationalist, phrenologist and friend of Sir Walter Scott.] Autograph Letter Signed to geologist William Hutton of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, writing enthusiastically about his lectures around England on non-sectarian popular education.

Author: 
James Simpson (1781-1853), Scottish advocate, educationalist, phrenologist, friend of Sir Walter Scott [William Hutton (1797-1860), geologist; Sir Thomas Wyse; Professor Dionysius Lardne]
Publication details: 
Bath; 30 August 1836.
£450.00

The background to this letter is explained in Simpson's entry in the Oxford DNB which states that he 'took a deep interest in the movement for better elementary education. He was one of the founders of the Edinburgh modern infant school, in which he attempted to solve the problem of religious education by allowing parents to select religious instructors themselves. Failing to receive adequate support, however, the school was ultimately sold to the kirk session of New Greyfriars. Simpson continued devoted to the cause of non-sectarian education, and lectured on the subject throughout Britain.

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