PUBLISHING

Autograph Letter Signed to [Martin] Tupper, miscellaneous writer (1810-1889)[?].

Author: 
R. Seeley (Robert Benton Seeley).
Publication details: 
54 Fleet Street, 20 Sept. 1871.
£65.00

Publisher, philanthropist and author (1798-1886). Two pages, 8vo, bifoliate, good condition. "Dear Mr. Tupper,/ I hope to send you a proof tomorrow./ I am afraid we shall have to throw Foley over altogether, as we shall probably begin a new series next year in place of the "English Artists"./ I almost think we are full for the next three numbers, but if there should be space for the short articles you mention [page 2] I will let you know . . ."

Autograph Note Signed to R. Sunter, Bookseller, Stonegate, York.

Author: 
<?> Hearn.
Publication details: 
Salisbury, 30 March 1844.
£45.00

One page, 4to, spike-hole, fold and other marks, text cleaar and complete. "Sir,/ Some months back, you informed me that "The Monastic Ruins of Yorkshire would be shortly ready, and you engaged to send me a copy to my Town Agent, (Jas. [underlined] Gilbert, 49 Paternoster Row) as soon as the new Edition appeared. I trust that it is now ready; and I will thank you to send me two [underlined] copies (instead of one) of the cheapest [underlined] edition, as I have no doubt I shall get a second subscriber as soon as the work can be seen . . . [signature] . . . P.S.

Autograph letter signed to Triphook, 21 Golden Square.

Author: 
[...Thoms?]
Publication details: 
Tenby, 2 Feb. 1829.
£45.00

One page, 4to, small tears, small piece missing, dulled, fold marks, spike hole, but text readable. "If you will go to Cockburn & Cos branch at Whitehall they will pay you £5.8- I am sorry it escaped my memory. I enclose you a list of the contents of 5 vols of Old Plays which I am offered - & I wish you would tell me what they are worth./ There is also here a book dedicated to Lord with the following title Page of which I wish you would tell me the probable value[.] Englands Improvements by Sea & Land &c. By Andrew Yarranton Printed by R.

typed note signed and typed letter signed to Elliott O'Donnell. author

Author: 
Allen Lane
Publication details: 
3 Sept. and 21 Dec. 1936
£150.00

Publisher (1902?-1970). One page each, 4to. In one he discusses someone's sighting of ghosts (about which O'Donnell has written and the possibility of reprinting O'Donnell's work on werewolves in Penguin. In the other he briefly gives information about his family and anticipates an announcement with regard to the Bodley Head "in the New Year". The letter has the stamp of the "Receiver", so the announcement may well refer to the company's financial difficulties (see W.E. Williams, "Allen Lane", p.41 "bankruptcy" of Bodley Head).

Autograph note signed to Henry Blackett of Hurst & Blackett, publishers

Author: 
Mayne Reid.
Publication details: 
No place, 21[?] Nov. 1861.
£65.00

Irish-American writer of boys' stories (1818-1883). Two pages, 8vo, in a bold though smudged hand, text just legible. "My dear Mr Blackett / May I beg you will let me have one more copy of The Hero in spite of himself -- s[?] I only had two [underlined], and six [underlined] is the allowance usually given me. I have like all authors one or two friends who will not buy, and yet who expect to read my books."

Autograph note signed to Jeffery, Pall Mall.

Author: 
Lady Midleton.
Publication details: 
Peper Harow, 12 Nov. 1815.
£45.00

d.1852 (Burke). Maria Benyon m. 4th Viscount Midleton 13 June 1797 (second wife). One page, 8vo, some marking and chipping but text clear and complete. "Lady Midleton wishes to know whether Mr. Jeffery [sic] has any number of the Quarterly Review published since <"that" excised> Janry. 1815 as she has not received any - the 24th. Number completes the volume---"

Autograph Note Signed to J.G. Wilson, Chairman of Bumpus's.

Author: 
Bernard Watson (of Ivor Nicholson & Watson Ltd).:
Publication details: 
44 Essex Street, London, WC2, 11 Nov. 1931.
£75.00

Publisher. One page, 8vo, bery good condition. "Dear Mr Wilson, / You were indeed kind to give me so much of your valuable Time today, and to take so much Trouble over our projected list. I learnt a great deal on how to write 'copy' for books, and advice from you with your store of experience is immensely valuable to a young beginner like myself, I am indeed grateful . . ." This must have been in the publishing company's early days. They later learned enough to reject "Animal Farm"(!) Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235).

Typed letter signed to J.G. Wilson, Chairman of Bumpus's, booksellers

Author: 
G. Belton Cobb
Publication details: 
25/07/31
£45.00

Of Longmans, Green & Co. Ltd, publishers. Two pages, 4to, responding to Wilson's comments on prospectuses, discussing both Wilson's and Longmans' idea of who one should send them to, or how many.

Typed Note Signed, Autograph Postcard Signed, and Autograph Letter Signed

Author: 
John Lehmann
Publication details: 
8/9 Sept. 1955 and 18 July 1956
£100.00

Publisher and editor (formerly Hogarth Press). Total 5pp. /sides, 8vo and 12mo (the card). The eqarlier items (TNS and APCS) thanks Sewell Stokes for a piece for "The London Magazine" about George Moore on which he comments ("I'm sure it's an improvement"0 wondering if the effect of an anecdote is diluted by "the part about Ford". In the latter he asks Daniel George, writer and publisher's reader, for suggetions who should get a "Travelling Scholarship" beyond Vernon Watkins ("favoured by the anonymous donor") and Maurice Cranston ("not particularly well off"). Three items,

Autograph Letter Signed to J.G. Wilson, Chairman of Bumpus's.

Author: 
Eveleigh Nash.
Publication details: 
64 Curzon Street, W1, 3 July 1929.
£75.00

Publisher (see Mumby, 1956 ed., p.305). Two pages, 8vo, bifoliate, good condition. Nash recalls their first meeting ("at Mc Geachy's in Glasgow") - "and I felt then that you would get to the top of your calling, because you were obviously a born bookseller wit a knowledge of literature and a splendid memory. / I am delighted to have your good wishes, and will think over your suggestion that I should write some reminiscences of the book trade".( Nash's autobiography was published in 1941.) Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235).

Autograph Note initialled, and Typed Note, initialled, to J.G. Wilson, Chairman, J & E. Bumpus's.

Author: 
John Murray V.
Publication details: 
7 July 1931 (TNS) and 26 May 1932 (ANS).
£150.00

Publisher. Both letters one page, 4to, good condition. (1931) He asks if an American scholar whose stay in London and studies of Coleridge have been affected by illness can have a look at a relevant book belonging to Murrays, but in a Bumpus Exhibition. He thinks the Exhibition successful and adds in ms. "The Times gives us a nice notice today".

Autograph letter signed to Henry Blackett of Hurst & Blackett, publishers.

Author: 
Martin F. Tupper.
Publication details: 
Lord Chamberlain's Office, St James's Palace, 10 Nov. 185[7?watermarked 1856].
£50.00

Miscellaneous writer and inventor (1810-1889). Three pages, 8vo, good condition. He asks for his authorial allowance of copies to be sent to his brother's at the Palace. He nominates other people he wants copies sent to, and adds "(The United States ought to take a few copies, as I have thousands of friends there, - & the 1/4 dollar reprints wont satisfy them: a good English book is a luxury well appreciated in the land of cottonpaper & indifferent print.)" He asks for a copy to be sent to Edward Walford of "The Times" - "possibly he may give it a [worldwide?] notice.

Autograph note, third person, to [Ackerman].

Author: 
Baroness Howe
Publication details: 
13/11/10
£50.00

Two pages, 7.5 x 4.5, page trimmed without obvious loss, spike-hole, text clear. "Instead of the Repository[underlined] of Arts[underlined] for November/ which is the Magazine which the Baroness Howe has taken from its first publication/ Mr Akerman [sic] has sent her a Magazine & a Bill for others of the same sort, which she has never had. She desires therefore that he will instead send her The Repository [underlined] of Arts [underlined] for November [underlined].

Printed Circular Autograph Letter Signed with Subscription Form)

Author: 
Comte Alexis de Saint Priest.
Publication details: 
August 1845, 124 Regent Street, London.
£75.00

French writer (1805-1851). Three pages, 8vo, bifoliate, good condition. "Sir,/ I have the honor to forward you the enclosed prospectus of the "Encyclopedie du XIXe Siecle" in which the high approbation given to this work by his Holiness, and also that of the R.R.

Autograph letter signed to R. Ackermann.

Author: 
W.H. Watts.
Publication details: 
21 Cecil Street, Strand, 12 June 1811.
£85.00

Journalist and miniature painter (1776-1842).

Autograph note, third person, to [James?] Carpenter, bookseller..

Author: 
Lady Anne Culling Smith.
Publication details: 
Hampton Court, Friday, no date (watermark 1798, bookseller note says 1800).
£65.00

One page plus address page conjoint, 8vo, grubby, spike-hole, small portion torn off with opening of seal not affecting text, text clear and complete. "Lady Anne Culling Smith begs Mr. Carpenter will send her down by the stage to:morrow Eveng Mrs. Riche's Nocturnal visit together with her Maid of the Hamlet & Vicar of Lansdown." Note on address page by bookseller "Lady A. Smith/ 1800".

Autograph Letter Signed to J.H. Burn, bookseller and ephemerist.

Author: 
John Thomas Hope.
Publication details: 
37 Upper Seymour Street, 25 June 1829.
£150.00

"Mr Burne/ 20 King Street/ Covent Garden".Two pages, c.10 x 7", chipped, part torn off, small hole, text clear.

(Printed circular) Autograph Note Signed.

Author: 
J. Cooke.
Publication details: 
Paternoster Row, London, 22 January 1780.
£50.00

(1731-1810 - Maxted). Maxted says he was an "Extensive publisher of works in weekly numbers", and refers to DNB, Plomer, Nichols, iii.719, and Timperley. One page, c.7.5 x 4", minor damage, text clear and complete, printed in italic. "Paternoster Row London/ I hereby promise if this Work shall exceed Eighty Numbers, to deliver the Bearer all above that quantity Gratis, on producing this Note/ J. Cooke/ January 22nd. 1780."

Autograph letter signed to J.H. Burn, Bookseller, King Street, Covent Garden, London.

Author: 
Daniel Terry.
Publication details: 
T[heatre] R[oyal], Cheltenham, 3 June 1827.
£150.00

One page, 4to, fold marks, text clear and complete.

Autograph Note Signed to publisher [?] of "Aikens Chem Dict." [= J & A. Arch & William Phillips].

Author: 
Alexander Tilloch.
Publication details: 
Star Office, 26 Oct [1814 - appendix pubd then].
£125.00

Scottish journalist, editor of The Star, Biblical writer and inventor (of the stereotype) (1759-1825). One page 8vo, trimmed, text clear and complete. "Dear Sir/ Have the kindness to lend me the Appendix to Aikens Chem. Dicy. for about a week - I wish to give some Notice of it in the Phil. Mag. . . ."

Autograph Letter Signed to W[illiam] Shackell, onetime owner, printer of "John Bull".

Author: 
Samuel Phillips.
Publication details: 
18 Sept. 1852.
£45.00

Glass manufacturer (1814-1854). 2pp., 8vo, good, admitting that he isinvolved with the Crystal Palace Company, but is not the secretary. He says that he has the interests of “Mr Woodfall” [the printer?] at heart, and his family is well. Phillips became literary diretor of the Crystal Palace Co. in 1853. He wrote Guide to the Crystal Palace and Park (1854).

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs de Salis.

Author: 
B.B. Woodward.
Publication details: 
Windsor Castle, 18 May 1866.
£45.00

Librarian at Windsor Castle (DNB). Three pages, 8vo, good condition. He has received a reply to his letter to publishers, Chapman & Hall who claim to have sent "No.II" (prob. of ‘The Fine Arts Quarterly Review,’ which appeared from May 1863 to June 1867, which Woodward founded and edited) at the "proper time" but they have sent another copy. The titlepage, index &c will be given when the new number comes out." He discusses his excessive "mental work" and current "idling", and requirement of a "real holiday".

Autograph Letter Signed to [Samuel Christie-Miller].

Author: 
B.B. Woodward.
Publication details: 
Buckingham Palace, 10 Sept. 1869.
£50.00

Librarian at Windsor Castle. Three pages, 8vo, good condition. "I am one of hte unfortunates of the earth . . ." He is unable to accept an invitation to Britwell (hence the identification of Samuel Christie-Miller as the correspondent) because he "cannot keep off the demands of the printers any longer, & I must work." He hopes, however, to welcome him to the Library (Windsor) and to have the invitation to Britwell repeated. He adds a paragraph about "the great loss all Bibliophiles have experienced in the death of Mr Thomas Watts of the British Museum.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
J.H. Parker.
Publication details: 
Oxford, 19 Nov. 1836.
£100.00

Oxford Bookseller and Publisher (1806-1884). Two pages, 8vo, chipped and sl. marked, but text mainly clear. "Sir/ At the requestof Mr. Hill and Mr. Renand I write you a few lines respecting the books you wished to enquire about -on the Articles I send - but it is the most scarce of 's pieces- The Harmony of Confessions is a very [underlined] book.

Typed Letter Signed (1943) and three Typed Notes Signed to J.G. Wilson, Chairman of Messrs J & E. Bumpus

Author: 
Humphrey Milford.
Publication details: 
OUP, 4 & 11 Oct. 1929, 26 May 1932, and 16 March 1943.
£120.00

Publisher, Oxford University Press. One page each, 8vo (2) and 4to (2), one grubby, fold marks, minor defects, but texts clear and complete. Two are goodhumoured, brief, and concerning social trivia. The one sent in 1932 goes: "This is to introduce Sir Wallis Budge. I have told him you are the best bookseller in London, and would be able to get him all he wanted." (one ms. correction and one ms. addition). The letter dated 1943 discusses the works of Mark Rutherford: "I remember in very old days you were a devoted admirer of my late brother-in-law, Mark Rutherofrd.

Autograph Letter initialled "R" to Daniel George, author and publisher's reader

Author: 
Rupert Hart-Davis
Publication details: 
17/05/44
£45.00

Publisher. 2pp., 8vo. He discusses his reading which includes Blunden's "Cricket Country", some done for professional reasons.

Autograph Letter Signed to "Fred. Mouillet"

Author: 
Paul Blouet ("Max O'Rell")
Publication details: 
25/10/95
£50.00

2pp., 8vo, discussing work in progress and promising to get the MS to "Andre" by Christmas. He will also be "Max O'Relling" (as a participle) a MS sent to him by Mouillet.

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