SHIP

[1920s transatlantic ocean liner: RMS Transylvania, cruise ship with the Anchor Line.] Long Typed Letter from ‘Alex’ to his parents, written en route from Glasgow to New York, with account and diagrams of a sea rescue, and postcard of the liner.

Author: 
[1920s transatlantic ocean liner: TSS Transylvania (1925), cruise ship with the Anchor Line, requisi tioned by the Royal Navy in the Second World War, and torpedoed by the Germans in 1940
RMS Transylvania
Publication details: 
Letter from 'S. S. Transylvania' (en route from Glasgow to New York), 24, 26 and 29 November 1928. Postcard undated, but contemporaneous.
£180.00
RMS Transylvania

TSS Transylvania (the prefix stands for ‘Twin Screw Steamship’) was built in Glasgow for the Anchor Line and launched in 1925. She had three funnels, but two were redundant, only serving to render the ship more attractive to prospective passengers. In 1940 she requisitioned by the Royal Navy, and the following year she was torpedoed by the Germans, sinking with the loss of 36 lives. The letter is 13pp, 12mo; with neat single-space typing, on thirteen leaves.

[Prize Ships; Royal Navy: Admiralty; Napoleonic War.] Manuscript Letter from Edmund Hurry & Co to the London marine Charles Cox, offering to ‘take charge of the disposal of the Ships and their Cargoes’ in Gosport.

Author: 
[Prize Ships; Royal Navy; Admiralty; Napoleonic War.] Edmund Hurry [Edmund Cobb Hurry (1762-1808)] of Gosport [Charles Cox and Co., London marine agents]
Publication details: 
‘Gosport May 30th 1803.’
£220.00

An interesting piece of Royal Navy and Napoleonic War ephemera, casting light on the implementation of Admiralty Prize Law. See the reference to the writer of this letter in the 1926 ‘Memorials of the family of Hurry of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and of America, Australia, and South Africa’: ‘Edmund Cobb [Hurry], born at Great Yarmouth, in 1762, admitted a freeman by birthright, 23rd of August, 1782. He settled as a merchant and banker, at Gosport, where he married a Miss Liddell.

[Royal Navy Ophthalmic Department, Second World War.] Letterbook of Surgeon-Commander Edward John Littledale, Ophthalmic Specialist, of HMHS [Hospital Ship] Maine, containing two hundred AFOs [Admiralty Fleet Orders], circulars, correspondence.

Author: 
[Royal Navy Ophthalmic Department, Second World War] Surgeon-Commander Edward John Littledale (1906-2001), Ophthalmic Specialist, of HMHS [Hospital Ship] Maine
Publication details: 
[Admiralty, Whitehall, London.] Dating from between 1924 and 1946, with the greater number issued during the Second World War.
£450.00

Laid down on 138pp of a quarto volume. The contents are in good overall condition, lightly aged and worn, but the binding of the volume is in poor condition, heavily worn, with the leather spine split and damaged and the front board becoming detached. Meticulously arranged, with autograph thumb-index and list of AFOs at front, and autograph emendations in red ink to various orders, many of which are marked 'Cancelled'. Ownership signature and title on flyleaf: 'E. J. Littledale. | A. F. Os etc dealing with Ophthalmic Department'.

[ Port of Manchester. ] Pamphlet with eighteen-ship 'itinerary' of vessels present at a 'visit', accompanied by five maps [ 'Principal oil docks and installations with their road connections', 'Hinterland', 'Dockside Area' ], three of them fold-outs.

Author: 
[ Port of Manchester ] [ George Falkner & Sons Limited; Dunlop, Heywood & Co. ]
Publication details: 
[ Port of Manchester. ] George Falkner & Sons Limited, Manchester. With section dated 16 July 1959.
£180.00

Five maps, four of them fold-outs, together with duplicated text on two leaves, stapled into 8vo pamphlet of buff printed wraps with 'PORT OF MANCHESTER' and logo on the front, and printers' slug on back. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The five maps include three fold-outs: the first, coloured in blue and light and dark green, titled 'Principal oil docks and installations with their road connections' ('For particulars of sites on the Company's Estate application should be made to the Company's Land Agents | Dunlop, Heywood & Co.

[ Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, actor. ] Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Johnston') to his sister the artist Cecilia, on family matters, with a description of his passage across the Atlantic on a troop ship.

Author: 
Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson (1853-1937), distinguished Shakespearian actor [ Cecilia Forbes-Robertson, artist ]
Publication details: 
First: 10 June 1916, letterhead of Hartsbourne Manor, Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire. Second: 28 December 1917, letterhead of 18 Sussex Square, Brighton. Third: 4 October 1915; Wychdene, St. Cliff Parade, Broadstairs.
£100.00

All three items in good condition, lightly aged and worn, and all in envelopes addressed by him to her at 48 Hogarth Road, South Kensington (the third 'Earls Court'). ONE: 10 June 1916. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He begins by expressing a desire to visit the family, and then gives directions for the use of field glasses which he is sending his father. 'They are German I am sorry to say, but the best.' TWO: 28 December 1917. 2pp., 12mo. He found her 'beautiful drawing' on his return home, and 'Auntie Gertrude will see it today. - I was thirteen days at sea, the ship having to go up to Halifax.

[ Francis Elgar, naval architect. ] Autograph Letter Signed [ to W. J. Fisher ], regarding the fund set up at the death of Harold Frederic.

Author: 
Francis Elgar (1845-1909), English naval architect [ Harold Frederic (1856-1898), London correspondent of the New York Times ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 18 York Terrace, Regent's Park, London. 3 January 1899.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, with light signs of age. He is enclosing a cheque for two guineas towards 'The Frederic Fund', and writes that he had 'the pleasure of often meeting Mr Harold Frederic at the Savage Club some years ago'. He was 'deeply grieved to hear of his sad & untimely end'. He hopes enough money will be collected to be an 'appreciable help to his widow & children'. The letter relates to a celebrated Victorian scandal. In 1884 Frederic had come to England with his wife and five children as the London correspondent of the New York TImes.

[Voyage to Australia, 1912.] Autograph notebook of H. A. Butcher of Wrexham, containing account of voyage to Australia from England, in 1912. With details of 'A few friends we met on the "Orama" during our voyage to Sydney ex London October 25 1912'.

Author: 
H. A. Butcher of Wrexham, Wales [SS Orama, 'Orient' line steam ship; Australia; Australiana]
Publication details: 
'[...] on The "Orama" during our voyage to Sydney [Australia] ex London [England] Oct 25. 1912'. [Disembarking at Melbourne, 2 December 1912.]
£280.00

96pp., 12mo (15.5 x 9.5 cm.), in 'Note Book for Pen or Pencil Writing'. Comprising the account of the voyage on 75pp. at the back of the volume, and the names and details of fellow passengers on 21pp. at the front. Built in 1911, SS Orama was torpedoed and sunk in 1917 while serving as convoy escort. In good condition internally, on lightly aged paper, in aged and worn card covers. The front section is described inside the front cover: 'A few friends we met on the "Orama" during our voyage to Sydney ex London October 25 1912', and the 21pp.

[J. H. Peacock, proprietor of the Ship & Turtle Tavern, Leadenhall Street.] Autograph Letter Signed to the banker Thomson Hankey senior, announcing his retirement from business, and recommending the new owner, 'my late Cook Mr Geo Painter'.

Author: 
J. H. Peacock, proprietor of the Ship & Turtle Tavern, Leadenhall Street, 'opposite the East India House', City of London [George Painter; Thomson Hankey senior; Messrs Thomson Hankey, 7 Mincing Lane]
Publication details: 
'Ship & Turtle Tavern | Leadenhall St. | opposite the East India House'. May 1839.
£120.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'T Hankey Senr'. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He thanks him for 'the many kind favors I have received & as the Turtle season has commenced & having retired from business & resigned it to my late Cook Mr. Geo Painter of this Tavern I should be obliged by your future favors to him who will be answerable for the Turtle.' He concludes: 'I stand Debtor to you'. The Tavern was situated at 129 Leadenhall Street. Painter would also become a purveyor of earthenware pottery from the same address.

[Harold Tomlins, Master, the Apolline.] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. J. G. Tomlins') to the ship's owners Messrs. Hankeys, explaining why he has had to put into port at Queenstown, Ireland, while transporting troops to Bermuda. With copy letter.

Author: 
H. J. G. Tomlins, Master of the Apolline brig, the property of Messrs. Thomson Hankey & Co., London merchants and banker; Captain W. Mosse; Edward Walker [Admiral Sir Henry Ducie Chads (1788-1868)]
Publication details: 
Tomlins to Hankeys: 'Ship "Apolline" | Queenstown Ireland'. 13 December 1856. Copy letter from the 'Hired Freight Ship | Apolline'. 10 December 1856.
£130.00

On 29 November 1856 The Times had reported that 'The 26th company of the Royal Engineers, under the command of Captain G. E. L. Walker, R.E., will leave the head-quarters of that establishment at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, this morning for Gravesend, where they will embark on board the Appoline, [sic] for Bermuda.' Both items in good condition, on lighty aged and worn paper. Both docketed by the recipients. ONE: Tomlins to Hankeys, 13 December 1856. 3pp., 4to. Bifolium.

[J. D. Emms, ship chandler of Lowestoft.] Autograph account book ('J D EMMS | 1851 | SHIP-BREAD'), recording the itemised orders for provisions for a large number of individuals and ships.

Author: 
J. D. Emms [Jewett David Emms] (fl. 1898), ship chandler of 3 Commercial Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Publication details: 
Lowestoft, Suffolk. 3 September 1851 to 26 November 1853.
£340.00

254pp., in long (32 x 10cm.) account book. Bound in vellum, with the front endpaper carrying a printed diary ('Almanack for 1850'), and the rear endpaper marbled. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, in grubby vellum binding. At the head of the front free endpaper Emms has written 'J. D. Emms | Lowestoft | 1851 | Aug 6th.', and on the front cover: 'J D EMMS | 1851 | SHIP-BREAD'. Closely written, with the entries marked as paid, with Emms's signature and that of 'J. C. Emms'.

Autograph journal of a 'Trip to Singapore' from Johannesburg, by an unnamed female doctor (presumably the wife of the South African political activist Basil Stein).

Author: 
[Journal of a trip to Singapore from Johannesburg, South Africa, 1967-1968; Basil Stein (1928-2012), South African political activist]
Publication details: 
From Johannesburg, South Africa, to Singapore. 21 October 1967 to 31 January 1968.
£120.00

57pp., 4to. In ruled notebook, with marbled boards and brown cloth spine. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. A light, observant account of a holiday, with details of her pastimes, the individuals she encounters, social engagements. First page headed 'Trip to Singapore Oct. 1967'. The first entry begins: '21st Oct. Left Jburg by train at 6.30 PM Ben [her husband] saw me off - gave me a box of Lindt chocs! but still could not refrain from pointing out how expensive they were.

[Printed 1921 prospectus.] The Cunard Steam Ship Company, Limited. Offer for Sale of £4,000,000 Seven per cent. Mortgage Debenture Stock at the price of £90 per cent. [With separate application form.]

Author: 
[Sir Alfred Booth, Chairman, The Cunard Steam Ship Company, Limited]
 The Cunard Steam Ship Company, Limited.
Publication details: 
The Central Stationery & Printing Co., Ltd., 19, North John Street, Liverpool. [The Cunard Steam Ship Company, Limited. 1921.]
£85.00
 The Cunard Steam Ship Company, Limited.

Folio, 3 pp; 8vo, 1 p. Bifolium. With the title lengthwise on reverse of second leaf, which also carries a table of 'The Fleets of the Cunard Company and of its Allied Lines' (both of vessels 'in commission' and 'building'). In small type. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. Detailed prospectus quoting letter from 'the Chairman of the Cunard Company, Sir Alfred Booth, Bart'. Accompanying printed application form (8vo, 1 p). Both prospectus and application with the stamp of the Edinburgh stockbroker A. W. Banks.

Three glass slides of photographs relating to the wreck of the SS Schiller off the Isles of Scilly, 1875: 'Lifeboat in which Survivors came ashore', 'Digging the last graves' and 'A funeral'.

Author: 
[The wreck of the SS Schiller ('the Victorian Titanic'), off the Scilly Isles, 1875; German Transatlantic Steam Navigation Line]
Publication details: 
[1875.] Gibson & Sons, Penzance & Scilly Isles.
£320.00

Three striking unfamiliar photographs (the last two in particular excellent compositions) of a significant historical event. The three slides are bound in 8 cm glass squares, with none of the glass shattered, and the images themselves in good condition, clear and unfaded. Each mount carries the stamp of the photographers Gibson & Sons. With numbered labels carrying a shelfmark. Each mount titled in manuscript. ONE: ' Schiller" wreck. Lifeboat in which Survivors came ashore'.

Twelve Typed Letters Signed and one Autograph Letter Signed to George Kenneth Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts; two Typed Letters Signed by Menzies with manuscript reply by Denny; one initialed Autograph Note by Denny; one R.S.A. circular.

Author: 
Sir Archibald Denny
Publication details: 
1917 to 1926; the first three letters on William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton, letterhead; the last ten letters on letterheads of Spencer House, Park Side, Wimbledon, S.W.19.
£200.00

Scottish naval architect (1860-1936) and shipbuilder, President of the Institute of Marine Engineers. Seventeen items, various formats. In good condition though dusty and creased. Several items docketed and bearing the R.S.A. stamp. Correspondence indicates Denny's involvement in the R.S.A. matters (lecturing, serving on council, etc). LETTER ONE (30 January 1917): Asks for a dozen copies of the R.S.A. Journal. 'We have in our Works here Committees of Workmen collecting money for war charities and I am anxious to let them read Mr.

Coloured lithographic dioramic print, captioned 'Dawson's Diorama No. 4. The British Queen, a first rate Steem [sic] Ship, which on holding it up to the light changes to her Magesty [sic] Queen Victoria, attired in her Robes of State.'

Author: 
T. Dawson, London printseller [Queen Victoria; SS British Queen; diorama; dioramic print; optical illusion; naval and maritime]
Publication details: 
Undated, but between 1839 and 1844. 'London: Published by T. Dawson, 29, Bedeord [sic, for 'Bedford'] St. Covent Garden.'
£300.00

Dimensions of print roughly 13 x 17.5 cm. On original grey paper windowpane mount (22 x 28.5 cm). Engraved label (3 x 12.5 cm) beneath the print, with small remarque-style illustrations of the ship and the queen. The print itself is good, although aged and a little worn and spotted; the spotting and aging to the margins and mount is a little heavier. Attractive and unusual item, the image changing when held up to the light. The ship is depicted sailing on choppy seas, and the young queen seated with drapery around her on a verandah with stone balustrades and a landscape behind. Scarce.

Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Stéphane Flachat, Ingénieur, Engineer.
Publication details: 
No place, 12 Janvier 1830.
£280.00

One page, minor damage and staining marginally affecting text, which has lost one letter, as follows: "D'après l'autorisation que mon frère [Eugène Flachat, eminent engineer] m'a transmise de votre part, je prends la liberté de vous demander un rendez-vous, pour vour entretenir du Canal maritime, et vous soumettre notamment la partie des plans de cette entreprise qui interesse plus spécialement la ville de Paris.

Loss of The Centaur Man-of-War, In the year 1782. (Written by Capt. Inglefield.)

Author: 
[John Nicholson Inglefield] [Shipwrecks; The Centaur; Naval; Maritime; The Royal Navy]
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated [c.1818?].
£100.00

Eight 16mo leaves ['A4' at foot of recto of first leaf]. Sixteen unpaginated pages. Unbound, in contemporary marble wraps. Aged and slightly stained, but good overall. Dramatic fold-out handcoloured engraving of distressed men in rowboat in turbulent sea, roughly four and a half inches by five wide, captioned 'CENTAU. | Situation of part of the Crew who are leaveing [sic] the Wreck in a Boat.' Closed tear in engraving unobtrusively repaired on reverse with archival tape. Small stamp of the Webster Collection, with manuscript date 1924, on reverse of print.

Archive of papers relating to his employment.

Author: 
George Hazlehurst (1867-1941); Millwall Dock Company; Manchester Ship Canal Company
Publication details: 
1867-1932.
£450.00

20 items. Various formats (see below). Showing signs of age, and with some foxing, fraying and creasing, but in very good condition overall. Collection indicates that Hazlehurst, who was born in Grappenhall, Lancashire, to an illiterate mother, was a capable individual entrusted with responsible positions. ITEMS 1 TO 5: Certified Copies of Hazlewood's birth and marriage certificates (birth certificate in poor condition, but with text entirely legible), his wife's birth and death certificates, and his parents' marriage certificate.

Typed letter signed,

Author: 
Frank Carr, Director of the National Maritime Museum, to Admiral Sir Sydney Freemantle, regarding the clipper ship the Cutty Sark
Publication details: 
9 July 1957, with letterhead of the National Maritime Museum.
£150.00

4 pp, 8vo. A long letter discussing the restoration of the ship. "[...] I have always appreciated (and envied) your personal experience of sail in days when seamanship in the old sense really meant something. [...] No one is better qualified to speak with authority on the restoration of a historic sailing vessel than you are". Five points are discussed: "The position of the upper topsail yards. [...] royal yards [...] fitting sails [...] ropes [...] Maintenance."

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