THOMAS

An important piece of local history. Neatly engrossed on one side of piece of stained and discoloured parchment, dimensions approximately 24 inches by 22 inches. Signed at foot by Lediard and with his seal (in poor condition). Signatures of five witnesses on reverse. In poor condition but with text mostly legible. Four holes, two of them affecting text, at intersections of folds in document.

Frederick Oldfield Ward, temporary editor of Hood's Magazine (see "The Letters of Thomas Hood", passim). He discusses the prestige of a name (such as "Peter Priggins") and speculates that authors write better under the name "to which their fame is attached". Colburn is trying to insist that Hewlett cannot use this name, but Ward advises a "more independent and more honorable position with regard to Colburn." He mentions Hood's health on several occasions, later mentioning his death. He asks for stories not dependent on College life, explaining why.

Andrew Spottiswoode ( Boase), of the printers and publishers (BBTI as printers only), proprietor of Hood's Magazine from early 1844 (see Jane Hood #3138). Hewlett has obviously followed Hurst's suggestion (above) that he contact Spottiswoode about the editorship of the Pictorial Times and contributions. The latter here replies that there is no vacancy and comments that it is not desirable "to fill up the Pages of a Newspaper with Novels".

Pickersgill (1782-1875) and Uwins (1782-1857) were both English artists who exhibited at the Royal Academy. Very good, on a piece of grey paper roughly two inches by four. From a collection of Autograph Signatures cut from petitions to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Blank reverse.

Two pages, quarto. On a discoloured piece of brittle, thin wove paper, with some fraying, several closed tears and a little loss (affecting three words). A long, able and closely-written defence of the discipline. '[...] | X appears decidedly opposed to an alarmed at the science, and feels himself awfully degraded with the comparisons drawn by Phrenologists between the human species and the lower animals - that they should exist, breathe, and partake of, in a limited degree, corresponding qualities with the human race.

English novelist and politician (1765-1846). The recipient (c1778-1863) was an influential Brighton solicitor, owner of Queen's Park. One page, octavo. On discoloured and lightly creased paper, with fraying and several small closed tears, but with no loss to text. An affectionate letter inviting Attree to Harlow. 'Fred.

Antiquary (1787-1857) and Keeper of the Archives at Oxford, 1826-57. On slip of grey paper roughly two and three-quarter inches by three-quarters of an inch, neatly mounted on larger slip of thicker paper. Reads, in Bliss's distinctive and disciplined hand, 'a true Copy | Philip Bliss.' Presumably found inside a volume from Bliss's extensive library.

Divine and author (1806-82). The recipient (1811-90) was a musical writer and composer, and the priest-ordinary of the Chapel Royal, St James's. Three pages. Poor: creased, dogeared, frayed, and with traces of previous mount adhering to blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. He received the note and inclosure the day before. 'We have copied the beautiful Kyrie Eleeson, and I now return it with many thanks for the trouble you have so goodnaturedly taken in my behalf.' He wishes he could have been at Leeds for what 'must have been a truly gratifying sight.

English artist and illustrator (1820-1912). Swain (1820-1909) was a noted wood-engraver, and the letter concerns his possible employment by Macquoid. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but on discoloured paper, heavily sunned along one edge and browning in one corner, with small closed tear at top of fold. Swain's price 'for Blocks will do - £8. 8. 0 for full page & £6. 6. 0 for front page -'. He has seen Williams 'who was very polite & promised me some work'. Williams is 'going to be married soon - wh: he said wd. "come in the way" of drawings at present'. Signed Thos. R. Macquoid'.

Pickford's are the world's oldest removal company, founded in Manchester in 1630. Hickling is presumably the Methodist preacher (1765-1858) who was active in the north of England. Dimensions of paper roughly nine inches by three and a half. Good only: paper discoloured and lightly creased. Two small punch holes. Small engraving of banking premises with negligible loss due to punch hole. Order 'No. [868] £[147..8..4] Manchester [April 22d..1814] | [Two Months] after date pay to the order of [Mr. Jno.. Hickling]'. Signed (presumably by one of the brothers) 'Thomas & Mattw. Pickford'.

Miniature painter and chemist (1802-75) with Carlisle and Newcastle connections. The recipient (1794-1860) was a miniature-painter and member of the Royal Academy. Both letters in poor condition, on discoloured, worn and stained paper, but with no loss to text. In LETTER ONE (two pages, 12mo) he states his willingness to meet Ross 'to talk over the matter to whicy your letter of yesterday refers', undertaking to 'enage with Mr. Thorburn to meet us'.

English chemist (1788-1866) who succeeded Sir Humphrey Davy as Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution (1813). Two pages, octavo. Very good, though lightly creased and with remains of previous mount adhering to one edge. Begins 'I have no doubt that much fraud is committed by the substitution of spiritious liquors of different strengths, for what is called woodspirit and wood naphtha'.

Four noted British artists of the earlier part of the nineteenth-century: Witherington (1785-1865), Jackson (1778-1831), Lonsdale (1777-1839), and Hofland (1777-1843), together with the sculptor Chantrey (1781-1841), and the art critic and connoisseur Balmanno (1780-1861), who left England for America in the early 1830s. Paper dimensions roughly three inches by four. Creased, and on paper discoloured with age, with show-through from remains of seal under Chantrey's signature. Reads 'J Chantrey | W. F. Witherington | John Jackson | James Lonsdale. | T. C. Hofland | Robert Balmanno'.

Irish administrator and Member of Parliament (1815-62). Consists of the front of the envelope, the dimensions of which are roughly five inches by three. Addressed to 'R. Byham Esq. | Ordnance Office | Pall Mall | London', and signed 'Th Redington'. Two postmarks in red ink: the first, in a circle, appears to read 'PAID | NW | 6 DE | 1846'; the second, in a circle topped with a crown, appears to read 'PAID | DE 7 | 1846'.

Author (1770-1844) and friend of Miss Mitford. Paper dimensions roughly three and a half inches by one inch. Slightly discoloured, creased, and with one small closed tear. Read 'Believe me dear friend, | your truly affectionate Cousin | B Hofland'.

Poet and literary critic (1856-1930). One page, 12mo. Discoloured but very good. Folded once. One might almost think he was being sarcastic. 'The unflawed pleasure of my short visit to the Archdeaconry will never be effaced from my memory. Heartily I thank you all very much. | Most sincerely yrs | Mackenzie Bell | [autograph]'. Last word and square brackets Bell's.

Octavo. 16 pages. Disbound pamphlet from the Churchill Babington collection, and with his ownership inscription (slightly cropped at head) dated June 1849. Very good on slightly discoloured paper, and with first and last pages somewhat grubby. Babington and Macaulay were related.

British metallurgist (1874-1960) and Master of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers. Apologises for assuming that Dr Thomas Monro was a member of the Society. 'I never doubted it because not only did he live in Adelphi Terrace, next door to his friend David Garrick, but he was friendly with so many of the Members of that day, and a great patron of the Arts. For the rest he was a medical man - chief physician to 'Bedlam' and one of poor old George III's mental doctors -'.

English painter (1880-1952) and member of the International Socialist Organization. All items in good condition, though variously grubby or discoloured with age, lightly creased or with pin holes to corners. All items signed either 'T C Dugdale' or 'T. C. Dugdale'. Several items docketed and/or bearing the Society's stamp. LETTER ONE (typed, 23 June 1925, one page, 12mo, on letterhead '9 AVENUE STUDIOS, 76 FULHAM ROAD, LONDON, S.W.3.'): He hopes to 'be able to accept your invitation to act as Judge in the same section as last year'. Asks for the date.

British biochemist (1900-2003), Director of the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine, London, 1972-5. All five items one page, quarto, and all five very good and stapled together by year. Correspondence for 1964 begins with Samson inviting Morgan to deliver a lecture in the Society's forthcoming session 'on the science and practice of immunology', and giving details of the requirements. Morgan declines, 'as my special studies and experiences have been almost entirely concerned with the more chemical aspects of the subject'.

British research chemist (1872-1940), Mason Professor of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, and author of numerous works. All three items very good; all three docketed and two bearing the Society's stamp. All three signed 'G. T. Morgan'. ITEM ONE (typed letter, one page, quarto, slightly creased, with one pin hole): His 'change of address and the recent crisis have both hindered my reply to your letter'. Would be honoured to be one of the Society's Cantor Lecturers, and suggests as title 'Achievements of British Chemical Industry in the last Twenty-five Years'.

Second baronet (1838-1928), English Liberal statesman and historian. Two pages, 8vo. Very good, with three small mounts adhering to verso of blank second leaf of bifoliate. Reads 'I am much obliged for your letter, and the kind invitation of the Palmerston Club to their annual dinner on Saturday 15th June at the Clarendon Hotel, but I regret very much that I am already engaged for that day'. Signed 'G O Trevelyan'.

Second baronet (1838-1928), English Liberal statesman and historian. Two pages, 12mo. In good condition on foxed grey paper, and with traces of previous mounting adhering to verso of blank second leaf of bifoliate. 'I am sorry to say that, as I have written to Mr James Watson, I cannot get to Newcastle or the Tyneside till the 1st. October, when I am to preside at the Welsh Disestablishment meeting.' Signed 'G O Trevelyan'.

Judge (1779-1854) and Lord Chief Justice of England. 'I must not defend one neglect by another; but I fear that other applications of the same kind as that from yourself respecting the St Ann's Schools remain also unanswered. My well known engagements will form some apology but I regret to add that I have found it absolutely necessary to decline acting as a steward at any public dinner'. Signed 'Denman'.

Son of the English polititian, Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt Jones (1765-1811). One page, quarto. On mourning paper. Folded three times. Several closed tears and small creases, and with one stub hole at centre (not affecting text). 'Sir. | You will most particularly oblige me by sending me a Box for either Theatre this Evening as my Brother in Law Mr. Tollemache & myself are most anxious to be there. We shd. prefer Covent Garden.

Mathias (c.1754-1835), F.R.S., F.S.A., was librarian at Buckingham House and editor of Thomas Gray, &c. One page, 12mo. In good condition, although attached to sheet of larger paper by four wafers, all of which show through the paper. He asks his correspondent to accept 'a copy of a new edition of a little volume lately printed in Naples, entitled "Poesie Liriche, con l'Aggiunta di Saffo, Dramma lirico [...]'. Signed 'T. J. Mathias'. The work, by Mathias himself, went through various editions between 1810 and 1825.

Diplomat (1755-1846) and bibliophile, one of the British Museum's greatest benefactors. Grenville's book collection, formerly in the Museum at Bloomsbury, is now kept with George III's books in a glass tower in the new British Library at Euston. Both items in very good condition, glued to the remains of a brown-paper mount. In a somewhat shaky version of Grenville's distinctive neat hand, so perhaps late productions. The note reads 'My Dear Sir | I am very sorry that, hearing of Lady Cawdor's illness I had promised Mr Gaskell to dine with him if I did not dine with Lady C.

English historian (1818-94). Two pages, 12mo, on grey paper. In very good condition, with traces of previous mounting on verso of otherwise-blank second leaf of bifoliate. He is flattered by the offer, but cannot 'take part at the opening of your Session'. 'Mr Graham wrote to me at your desire. I had to tell him as I hope he will have informed you, that my uncertain health forbids me to make any distant engagements | more than once when I have given such promises I have been unable to fulfil them and I have therefore found it necessary to decline once for all'. Signed 'J A Froude'.

Lords of the Admiralty, the Treasury and of the Bedchamber under George III (1764-1831). On front of envelope, cut down to roughly 4 1/2 inches by 3 inches. Good only: ruckled and with one closed tear not affecting signature. Blank reverse docketed in pencil and with remains of paper from previous mounting. Difficult handwriting. Reads '<?> Twenty Seventh of January | 1823 | Richd <?> Esq | Queen Street | May Fair | London | Sydney'. 'FREE | 28JA28 | 1823' stamped in red ink in circle cropped at head.

4to. [vi] + 131 pages. In original yellow binding, grubby and stained, gilt on spine faded. Handsome production on fine paper. Frontispiece, 18 illustrations and pedigree. PRESENTATION COPY from the editor (the subject's son) to his mother-in-law, with accompanying letter (1 page, 16mo, 29 December 1939, on letterhead 'NEASHAM HALL, NR. DARLINGTON.').