SOPHIE

In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Christmas card with unusual image of the three wise men (in Roman helmets) seen from behind, following the guiding star as it leads them across a Hawaian beach to the hut in which the birth of the messiah is occurring. Printed message in card in Hawaian and English. The reverse of the second leaf has nothing printed on it other than the publisher's slug, and at the head the prime minister has written 'Happy Christmas'. Beneath this, one above the other, are the five signatures: 'Harold Wilson | Mary Wilson. | Giles Wilson.

One page, 8vo, bifolium, good condition. From the celebrated manuscript collection of Richard Monckton Milnes (Lord Houghton). Text: "The Baroness de Feucheres presents her compliments to Mr Wesmacott, and has much pleasure in sending a Snuff Box which Capt. Manby said she might venture to offer him. She begs he will consider it merely as a souvenit [underlined] ,and by no means as an inducement for him to make any concession in his political opinions." Pinniger and Westmacott also conducted a court case involving the Baroness's large estate reported in detail in the "Annual Register", etc.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. The letter begins: 'My dear Lord Stratford | The 5th November, the day of Inckerman, [sic] is passed – I had not the courage to write. There was such a weight of grief in my heart, it was very difficult to give any utterance to it. Yet I will not let this disastrous year come to its close, without sending you a few words of remembrance, of sincere friendship. Since I left you in London, how many are gone!

On 6.5 x 12 piece of ruled paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads 'With Compliments Sophie Tucker 1936'.

On a piece of 12 x 19cm paper. Discoloured and chipped, and laid down on an 8vo leaf removed from an album, with cut-out printed family crest letterheads in various colours on reverse. At head of page, in another contemporary hand: 'H. R. H. Princess Sophie's handwriting'. The letter is written in a difficult hand, and begins: 'The Princess Sophie returns Mr Clarke the enclosed Letter, & she also sends the sum of £1 .. 8 .. 9 for the 4 yds & 1/2 of <?> <?> he was so obliging as to purchase for her.' The letter continues with a request, ending '[...] this is much the fashion'.

2pp., 8vo. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. She apologises for not being able to be 'helpful on any of your questions'. She does not even possess a copy of her own 'Designing and Making Stage Costume'. 'I have no Motley designs at all, as every one which was in my possession has been sold to the University of Illinois, who have taken the whole collection of about 3000 swatches.' She is glad to hear that he has some of them, 'as it means that there are a few still in this country'.