SAMUEL

One page, 12mo. Good, if a little aged and lightly creased. He apologises for the delay in 'sending the drawing that now I ask you to please me by accepting' (not present). He asks her to accept it as a present for 'that almost superannuated festivity' of Christmas. 'I send you a coat-of-arms as that includes a certain amount of letterpress which you will I think prefer to a simple drawing'. He has delivered all the drawings bought by Mrs Samuel's friend and has received his thanks.' Signed 'E. T. Rees'.

On a piece of foxed and discoloured laid paper, dimensions roughly 12 inches by 8 inches. Edges fraying, and with loss to two corners affecting a text and a total of six entries. Cluster of small holes towards one corner, not affecting text. Bearing a circular red stamp, roughly half an inch in diameter, with a central shield surrounded by the words 'FORTE SCUTUM SALUS DUCUM'. Presumably the second of two leaves, with a total of ninety-two ships, numbered 74 to 165, arranged in three columns.

Author and politician (1806-63). The recipient (1802-76) was author of a dictionary of English artists, and successively private secretary to several English statesman. Two pages, 12mo. An odd request. 'I have been asked by a friend to ascertain for him whether any person has ever been tried in England for suffocating a human being supposed to be affected by hydrophobia. If you shd. be in possession of any information which throws light upon the subject, would you have the kindness to enable me to answer the question'. signed 'G C Lewis'.

English banker and economist (1796-1883). The recipient (1809-93) was a writer, and wife of the President of the Royal Academy, Sir Charles Eastlake. Three pages, 12mo. Very good on lightly creased and slightly discoloured paper. Shaky hand. He thanks her for her life of Mrs Grote. 'I shall read it with pleasure as coming from your pen - but at the same time with that <?> interest which must always accompany the <?> recollection of the sayings and doings of a Friend who is no longer amongst us. | My daughter & Col: L. L.

American lawyer (1873-1958), who in 1930 headed the investigation into political corruption in New York City which brought about the decline of Tammany Hall. Sulzer (1863-1941) had been elected Democratic Governor of New York in 1913 with Tammany support, but had been removed from office following an internal dispute. One page, quarto. Very good. His reply to Sulzer's letter has been delayed due to 'pressure of other matters and my absence from the City'. He thanks Sulzer for the 'recent note conveying your good wishes.

Colnaghi was a member of the notable family of English printsellers. Hall (1800-89) was an author and editor. Paper dimensions roughly five inches by three inches. Good. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Reads '<...> Paul Dominic Colnaghi Esq | | S. C. Hall. | '.

Lawyer and Member of Parliament (1802-74), Master of the Rolls, 1851-73. On scrap of paper roughly three and a half inches square. Grubby and stained. Reads '<...> In Chancery | F. 131 <...> | L. C. 13 Ap. 1839 | Will [last word deleted] see minutes of judgment back of pp. 3 & 4. Will give final judgment on Monday. next, 15 Ap./ | John Romilly. | 10/- | <...> In the Matter of the <...>'

Victorian writer and social reformer (DNB), famous for his book 'Self-Help (1859)'. Inscribed by Smiles on the half-title 'To Dear Georgie | from the Author | S Smiles. | Christmas 1886'. Later ownership inscription on front free endpaper. 8vo, xii + 388 pages, followed by sixteen-page catalogue of publisher's advertisements. Original maroon cloth, with blindstamped bevelled boards. Not in the best of condition: cloth worn, stained and rubbed; spine frayed and faded with long tear along hinge; binding loose; paper somewhat discoloured with some foxing.

351 pages, 8vo. Unbound: in original brown printed wraps. In good condition, but with wraps browning and creased. Ownership inscription on inside of front wrap. An important collection, with the bibliography accompanied by seventeen essays, including ones by J. D. Fleeman, Arthur Sherbo, Joyce Hemlow and Gwin J. Kolb.

Irish-born author (1800-81; nee Fielding), wife of Samuel Carter Hall. On slip of paper roughly 14 centimeters by 2 centimeters. In good condition, although paper discoloured and with traces of glue from previous mounting on reverse. Apparently the foot of a page of printed accounts, with 'Brewster & West, Printers, Hand Court, Dowgate.' in bottom left-hand corner. 'To be returned to Mrs. S C Hall on or before the 1st. of June' written over the printed part, but the signature 'Anna Maria Hall' written across clear paper.

The recipient, who died in 1898, was the possessor of a celebrated library (see Seymour de Ricci, English Collectors, p.109). 3 pages, 12mo. In good condition, with edge of blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate adhering to remains of stub. She apologises for the delay in replying and regrets that they cannot 'avail ourselves of yr. kind invitation to pay you a visit as my husband is engaged to dine out on Saturday the 31st.' He is 'hard at work again' and they have had 'a delightful holiday in Somersetshire'.

English historian and biographer of Pepys (1899-1985). All six letters are 1 page, 8vo. In poor condition: creased, frayed and discoloured, with ruststains from a paperclip. All six are signed 'Arthur Bryant' and three are addressed to Mrs Cecil Roscoe, presumably the recipient's husband's name. Two of the letters are addressed to Roscoe at the Society of Women Journalists, Stationers' Hall. In the first letter Bryant says he would be pleased to address the Society. He might however be forced to cancel, 'owing to my absence from the country on Service duty'.

Politician (1750-1810), a favoured friend of Samuel Johnson in his last years, and a pall bearer at his funeral. 3 pp, 8vo. He apologises for misapprehending his correspondent's letter. "One circumstance which helped to mislead me was of a sort which it is not for me to reproach you with, though it may serve as my excuse. I mean the extreme kindness & delicacy which could think it necessary to consult me before Mr Lukin took the step of submitting a proposal for a tax to the Treasury.