STOKE

[Sir Stanley Matthews, great English footballer.] Autograph Signature on postcard with Blackpool Football Club letterhead.

Author: 
Sir Stanley Matthews (1915-2000), great English footballer who played outside right for Stoke City and Blackpool
Publication details: 
No date. On letterhead of Blackpool Football Club Limited, by whom Matthews was employed between 1947 and 1961.
£23.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The postcard, which is blank on the reverse, has been cut down into an irregular shape, roughly rectangular and approximately 11 x 7.5 cm. At the head is the printed Blackpool FC letterhead (‘All communications to BLOOMFIELD ROAD GROUND, BLACKPOOL). Two strips of glue from tape flank the firm signature ‘Stanley Matthews’, which rises slightly and is underlined. Otherwise in good condition, lightly aged.

[Salt-Hill Society, Burnham and Stoke, Buckinghamshire.] Large poster giving the 15 ‘Rules and Articles’, and listing those who agree with ‘the before-mentioned Articles’.

Author: 
Salt-Hill Society, (Instituted 1783) for the protection of Persons and Property from Felons & Thieves, Within the Hundreds of Burnham and Stoke, Buckingham; Edmund J. Craske, Treasurer [Eton College]
Publication details: 
Following ‘General Meeting, held at the Public Hall, Slough’, 3 March 1914. Printed by Spottiswoode and Co., Ltd., Eton College. [Buckinghamshire]
£56.00

A scarce item relating to provincial history and printing. A similar poster, from 1897, is offered separately, and is the only other item relating to the Salt-Hill Society present on ViaLibri. Large poster, printed on one side of 45 x 76 cm sheet of discoloured and brittle wove paper. The item is complete, but there are numerous long tears along the four fold lines (which might be easily repaired with archival tape).

[Barbara Castle, Labour politician.] Autograph Note Signed to ‘Pip’, accompanying signed press photograph to him, the other side of the note carrying an Autograph Note from deaf Labour politician Jack Ashley.

Author: 
Barbara Castle [Barbara Anne Castle, Baroness Castle of Blackburn, née Betts] (1910-2002), Labour politician [Jack Ashley [John Ashley, Baron Ashley of Stoke] (1922-2012)]
Publication details: 
Barbara Castle’s note dated 11 July 1973; no place. The ‘British Official Photograph’ dated on accompanying leaf to 1974.
£76.00

See their entries in the Oxford DNB. Castle was a pioneer for woman in British politics and a champion of the welfare state; and Ashley, said to have been the first totally deaf democratic representative in the world, was a campaigner for the rights of the disabled.. Both items in good condition. The ANS is on a 16mo leaf of pink paper. On one side: ‘To Pip / who has lightened our load and brightened our lives for so many years. / Bless you! / Barbara Castle / 11. 7. 73.’ On the other: ‘To PIP THE POPular / With every good wish / Jack Ashley / P.S. And lots and lots of fun. / JA’.

[John Aikin, physician and author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Aikin') to 'Mr Spottiswoode', i.e. the London printer John Spottiswoode, regarding the printing of the ninth volume of his 'General Biography'.

Author: 
John Aikin (1747-1822), physician and author, brother of Anna Laetitia Barbauld (1743-1825) [John Spottiswoode (1780-1866), London printer]
Publication details: 
'Stoke Newington | Decer. 6th. [1813]'.
£450.00

1p, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn, with thin strip from mount adhering to the reverse of the second leaf, which is addressed, with two postmarks (one 'STOKE NEWINGTON') to 'Mr Spottiswoode | New Street | Shoe Lane'. Aikin's 'Universal Biography' had begun appearing in 1799, and the letter concerns the ninth volume, which was published in 1814.

[ Victorian house sale in Herefordshire. ] Poster doubling as auction catalogue: 'The Rectory, Stoke Lacy | Catalogue of Valuable and Modern Household Furniture [...] By Order of the Adminstratrix of the late Rev. Charles Harrington.

Author: 
Oakley & Son, auctioneers, and Henry E. Oakley, printer, both of Bromyard, Herefordshire [ Rev. Charles Harington (1837-1868), Rector of Stoke Lacy ]
Publication details: 
'On 24 September 1868. [ Henry E. Oakley, Printer, Market-Square, Bromyard. ]
£180.00

Rev. Charles Harington [sic] was grandson of Sir John Edward Harington (1760-1831) of Ridlington, 8th Baronet, and the item is from the Harington papers. The full title reads: 'The Rectory, Stoke Lacy | Catalogue of the Valuable and Modern Furniture | Including Iron Bedsteads, Blankets and Quilts, Chests of Drawers, Mahogany and Painted Wardrobes, Dairy & Kitchen Requisites, Bacon, Whitechapel Trap, Saddles, Casks, Hurdles, & numerous Effects,| To be sold by Auction, by Oakley & Son | On Thursday, 24th.

Autograph notebook by the biographer and antiquary Thomas Wright of Olney, containing rough drafts of an apparently-unpublished story or novel ('My Little Lady. A Story without a Moral'), and of a lecture on Daniel Defoe and Stoke Newington.

Author: 
Thomas Wright ['Wright of Olney'] (1859-1936) of Olney, Buckinghamshire, biographer, editor and antiquary, founder of the Cowper, John Payne and Blake Societies
Publication details: 
[Edwardian. Olney, Buckinghamshire.]
£300.00

12mo, 134 pp each on one side of a ring-punched loose leaf, with the leaves attached by green thread within an original worn buckram binder with discoloured endpapers. The leaves themselves in good condition on lightly-aged paper; with those of the draft story ruled in red, and sometimes utilizing scrap paper (for example the blank reverses of prospectuses for Wright's books and scrap pages from Blake Society material).

[ Sir George Biddell Airy, Astronomer Royal. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('G B Airy') to Robert C. Ransome, of the Ipswich manufacturers of agricultural machinery, regarding a planned visit.

Author: 
Sir George Biddell Airy (1801-1892), mathematician and astronomer, Astronomer Royal
Publication details: 
Playford [ Suffolk ]. 6 January 1874.
£45.00

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and stained paper. In the light of an invitation from Ransome's wife, he proposes to 'drive to Stoke' in the early afternoon of the following day with his daughter Annet ('who has now relieved Hilda'), hoping that it 'will suit Mrs. Ransome's and your convenience'.

[ William Allen, Quaker scientist and philanthropist. ] Letter of recommendation, with autograph signature, written 'To my dear Friends on the Continent of Europe', regarding religious work by Joseph John Gurney of Norwich and his wife Eliza.

Author: 
William Allen (1770-1843), Quaker scientist and philanthropist, first president of the Pharmaceutical Society [ Joseph John Gurney (1788-1847) of Norwich; Eliza Gurney; John Forster ]
Publication details: 
'Stoke Newington near London | the 11th. of the 4th month (April) 1843'.
£250.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with a 2.5 cm closed tear and slight loss at one edge causing damage to one word of text. The text is neatly written out in another hand over 14 lines. Allen's signature and other details in his hand are at the end: 'Wm. Allen | Stoke Newington near London | the 11th. of the 4th month (April) 1843'. Headed 'To my dear Friends on the Continent of Europe to whom these lines may come'.

[Printed pamphlet.] The London Schools' Guild of Arts & Crafts. Its Origin and Purpose. A Leaflet of information issued with the object of extending the influence of the Guild outside London, 1928.

Author: 
Professor Robert Anning Bell, President, The London Schools' Guild of Arts & Crafts; William J. Pettit, Hon. General Secretary; Board of Education Reference Library]
Publication details: 
'Please address all communications to Mr. William J. Pettit, (Hon. Sec.) The London Schools' Guild of Arts & Crafts, Stoke Newington Central School, Albion Road, London, N.16.
£60.00

12pp., 12mo. In cream wraps printed in brown. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with rusted staples and shelfmarks, stamp and label of the Board of Education Reference Library. Foreword (pp.1-2) by Bell, and text (pp.3-12) by Pettit. Scarce: no copy on COPAC.

[Martha Sherman, wife of Rev. James Sherman.] Printed handbill notice of 'Hymns to be sung at The Funeral of Mrs. Sherman, at Abney Park Cemetery, On Thursday, May 25th, 1848.'

Author: 
Martha [Patty] Sherman [née Tucker] (1806-1848), wife and helpmate of Rev. James Sherman (1796-1862), Congregationalist and abolitionist [Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington]
Publication details: 
Name of printer not given. [Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, London. 25 May 1848.]
£40.00

1p., 4to. Crisply printed with black border. In fair condition, on aged paper, with traces of glue from mount on reverse causing slight discoloration and ruckling. The three hymns are headed: 'After the reading of the Scriptures and Prayer.' (first line of hymn: 'WHY do we mourn departing friends'); 'At the Vault' (first line of hymn: 'UNVEIL thy bosom, faithful tomb,'); 'Before the Benediction' (first line of hymn: 'Farewell, dear saint, a short adieu!' No copy located on either COPAC or OCLC WorldCat.

Fourteen Diaries 1904-1918 (Letts Rough Diary or Letts Clerical Diary), week per two pages.

Author: 
Rev. Prebendary Harry Freeman of Pitminster Vicarage, Taunton, son-in-law of the Bishop of Truro, James Elstone.
Publication details: 
1904-1918.
£450.00

Good condition. Paper Boards. A difficult hand. Diary entries variable in length, many full, some days blank. The Diaries chronicle his life at the Church of Holy Trinity (in.c football for Coventry City and Stoke), and the years (some First World War) serving his father-in-law, the Bishop of Truro. Subjects: [1904] services; journeys; preaching; litany; helping parishioner write letter; sermons; finances; schools; dinners; meetings; asked to play for Coventry City (1904", 'to raise tone of the team'); travels - mainly local (walking distance to Stoke, Rugby etc - initially c.

Autograph Letter Signed ('L. Solon') from the French potter Louis Marc Emmanuel Solon of Minton's, Stoke on Trent, thanking the unnamed recipient and his friend 'Mr Bailey' for a parcel of circulars, and discussing his library of works on ceramics.

Author: 
Louis Marc Emmanuel Solon (1825-1913), French potter, first at the Sèvres, and then with Minton's, Stoke upon Trent
Publication details: 
1 The Villas, Stoke on Trent, 8 July 1893.
£150.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Solon has been informed by their common friend 'Mr Bailey' that the recipient has 'been kind enough to gather the parcel of circulars issued at various time [sic] by your firm, and which reaches me this morning.' He is sending 'a small pamphlet of mine [...] as an inadequate acknowledgement of the trouble I have caused you'. He continues: 'Mr Bailey must have told you that all printed matter having reference to ceramics has a special interest to me.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Granville') from Granville George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville, vice-president of the Board of Trade, to John Lewis Ricardo, Member of Parliament for Stoke upon Trent, about the 'irregular' nature of certain evidence.

Author: 
Granville George Leveson-Gower (1815-1891), 2nd Earl Granville, Liberal Home Secretary, 1851-1852 [John Lewis Ricardo (1812-1862), Member of Parliament for Stoke upon Trent; Thomas Rowe Edmonds]
Publication details: 
Bruton Street [Mayfair, London]. 31 May 1851.
£56.00

1p., 4to. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Granville explains that 'Edmonds' (the economist Thomas Rowe Edmonds (1803-1889)?) asked him before the House of Commons Committee about giving Ricardo 'the evidence - the Committee saw it was quite irregular', but if Ricardo 'can manage to call on me at the Bd. of Trade tomorrow (Saturday) at about 12 o clock, I will show you what you want'. Postscript reads: 'Pray come at all events on Monday at one to the Committee'.

Printed poster, headed 'Salt-Hill Society, (Instituted 1783) For the Protection of Persons and Property from Felons & Thieves, Within the Hundreds of Burnham and Stoke, In the County of Buckingham.', giving the 'Rules and Articles of this Society'.

Author: 
Edmund J. Craske, Treasurer, Salt-Hill Society, Burnham and Stoke, Buckingham [R. Ingalton Drake, printer, Eton; provincial printing]
Publication details: 
At a General Meeting, held at the ROYAL HOTEL, Slough, on Tuesday, the 13th day of April, and (by adjournment) on Tuesday, the 20th day of April, 1897'. ['R. INGALTON DRAKE, PRINTER, ETON.']
£120.00

Printed on one side of a piece of paper roughly 680 x 430 mm. Good, on aged paper with a little spotting and one short closed tear. Text complete and entirely legible. Heading printed in a variety of types and point sizes, with the Rules and Articles, dated 'Slough, April 20th, 1897. and 'Signed on behalf of the General Body of Subscribers, EDMUND J. CRASKE.', in double-column beneath. Final list of subscribers, in four columns, beginning with 'ABORN, Edwin, Eton' and ending with 'WOLLASTON, H. U., East Burnham'.

Autograph Letter Signed to [Frederick Whelen], Fabian writer and lecturer (1867-1955), founder of the Stage Society.

Author: 
Arnold Bennett, novelst.
Publication details: 
14 St. Simon's Avenue, Putney, [London] S.W., 5 May 1909.
£220.00

One page, 4to, slightly chipped and with folds at corners, good condition, text clear and complete. " . . . I am not a brilliant orator, nor even an orator; but neither am I the sort of person to refuse your request to orate, & therefore I will speak for the guests. I wish you would let me know whom the chief invited stars are, so that I can say for them what I think they ought to say. . . . "

Autograph Note Signed ('John Murray') to 'my dear Williams'.

Author: 
Sir John Murray (1884-1967, 'the fifth'), member of a notable London firm of publishers
Publication details: 
4 June 1932; 'as from 50 Albemarle St W.1', on letterhead of Tithe Farm, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire.
£45.00

8vo: 1 p. Good, with creasing towards right-hand margin. 'Very many thanks, my dear Williams, for your most kind congratulations. I feel that my honour is some recognition of the publishing trade & I take it as such'. Murray was created KCVO in 1932, following his publication of the ninth and final volume of the letters of Queen Victoria.

Ten Typed Letters/Notes Signed and One Autograph Letter Signed to G. K. Menzies, [Secretary,] Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Frank H Wedgwood [ Francis Hamilton Wedgwood; Josiah Wedgwood ]
Publication details: 
1918-26; all but one item (from 'Barlaston Lea, | Stoke-on-Trent') on Wedgwood letterhead.
£250.00

Chairman of the famous pottery firm Josiah Wedgwood & Sons, Ltd (1867-1930), and High Sheriff of Staffordshire. All items are very good, if somewhat grubby. The typed letters are one page, quarto and the autograph, one page, octavo. All are signed 'Frank H Wedgwood', and most are stamped and docketed. One letter from 1918, two from 1919, one from 1924, five from 1925 and two from 1926. Mostly brief.

Two Autograph Letters Signed and four Typed Letters Signed, two to W. Perry, three to the Secretary and one to the Vice President of the Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Honourable Josiah Wedgwood
Publication details: 
First three (all typed): 14 November, 16 and 18 December 1935, all on Wedgwood letterhead; fourth and fifth (both autograph), 13 and 18 February 1936, on letterhead 'STOKE GRANGE.STONE.STAFFS'; the sixth (typed), 1 May 1836, on Wedgwood letterhead.
£250.00

Managing Director of the famous pottery business ('saviour of the firm') and the fifth in the family to bear the name (1899-1968), Member of Parliament. All six items in good condition, though grubby, and with the first three bearing pin holes in one corner (not affecting text), the hole in the first letter being decidedly marked. All but one item docketed and stamped. Letters one, two, three and six are one page, quarto; letter four, two pages, 12mo; letter five, one page, 12mo; letter six, one page, quarto. All but the third item, which is signed 'Wedgwood', are signed 'Josiah Wedgwood'.

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