UNION

[J. H. Thomas, Welsh trade unionist and Labour politician.] Typed Note Signed, as General Secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen, to the future Sir W. D. Ross, written on the eve of the 1919 national rail strike.

Author: 
J. H. Thomas [James Henry Thomas] (1874-1949), Welsh trade unionist and Labour politician, General Secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen during the 1919 nation rail strike [Sir W. D. Ross]
J. H. Thomas,
Publication details: 
22 September 1919. On ornate letterhead of The National Union of Railwaymen, Unity House, Euston Road, London, N.W.1.
£56.00
J. H. Thomas,

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In good condition, on lightly aged and creased cartridge paper. Folded three times. The letterhead is quite an impressive affair, with an engraving of ‘Unity House’ and lettering in a variety of styles. The letter is addressed to ‘W. D. Ross, Esq., / Oriel College, / Oxford.’ The ink on the ribbon appears to have been running out, as the latter part of the note is faded.

[Ernest Bevin, Labour Party politician, Minister of Labour in Churchill’s wartime coalition.] Typed Letter Signed to [Sir David Ross,] the Vice Chancellor of Oxford University, regarding ‘the visit of the Greek Regent to this country’.

Author: 
Ernest Bevin (1881-1961), Labour Party politician, Minister of Labour in Churchill’s wartime coalition [Sir David Ross [W. D. Ross] (1877-1971), Scottish philosopher, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford]
Ernest Bevin
Publication details: 
1 September 1945; on letterhead of the Foreign Office, S.W.1. [Whitehall, London]
£80.00
Ernest Bevin

See the entries for Bevin and Ross in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Addressed to ‘The Vice Chancellor, / Oxford University’. The two lines of Bevin’s autograph valediction ascending and converging at the same time: ‘Yours sincerely / Ernest Bevin’. He was glad to receive Ross’s letter ‘about the visit of the Greek Regent to this country’. He feels sure that ‘the Regent will wish to accept an invitation to visit Oxford’. He gives tentative dates for his stay, undertaking to ‘have a day at least set aside for this purpose’.

[Joseph Stalin, communist dictator of the Soviet Union.] Printed propaganda: handbill in English, translating text by ‘J. STALIN’ exhorting his followers to do ‘as Lenin taught us’.

Author: 
Joseph Stalin, communist dictator of the Soviet Union [Lenin; Rabochaya Gazeta, Moscow; Communist Party of Great Britain; propaganda]
Stalin
Publication details: 
No date or place. [English, 1920s?] Translated from letter sent by Stalin in 1925 to the Rabochaya Gazeta (Worker’s Newspaper), Moscow.
£120.00
Stalin

The parallel which Bertrand Russell showed between Marxism and Christianity is apparent in this piece of quasi-religious propaganda, which presumably emanates from the Communist Party of Great Britain. It is printed in red on one side of a 20 x 29 cm piece of shiny paper, scarcely thicker than tracing paper. Lightly aged, and with creasing and wear to extremities. The text, which translates part of a letter sent by Stalin to the Rabochaya Gazeta on the first anniversary of Stalin’s death, reads as follows: ‘Remember, love and study Lenin, our teacher and leader.

[Thomas Burt, trade union leader and Radical Member of Parliament.] Autograph Letter Signed to A.G.L. Rogers, Secretary of the Liberal Publication Department, regarding a piece of parliamentary legislation on the question of mining.

Author: 
Thomas Burt (1837-1922), trade union leader and Radical Member of Parliament; General Secretary, Northumberland Miners' Association [A. G. L. Rogers, Secretary, Liberal Publication Department]
Publication details: 
2 June 1892. On House of Commons letterhead.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Under Gladstone Burt served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, 1892-1895. From the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son of the editor of the economist Thorold Rogers, and written while Rogers was Secretary of the Liberal Publication Department (a sort of public relations department), a position to which he was appointed in November 1891. 2pp, 12mo. On bifolium. Signed 'Thos Burt'. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage.

[Sir Charles Trevelyan and the Union of Democratic Control.] Typed Note Signed ('Charles Trevelyan') to E. Dinnage of Cambridge, enclosing a receipt ‘for payment of literature already sent’.

Author: 
Sir Charles Trevelyan [Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, 3rd Baronet] (1870-1958), Liberal politician, a founder of the anti-First World War group the Union of Democratic Control
Trevelyan
Publication details: 
11 February 1915. On letterhead of The Union of Democratic Control, 37 Norfolk Street, Strand, W.C., London.
£65.00
Trevelyan

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, which states that after his resignation from government in protest against the impending war, ‘Around him he rallied those few brave, independent spirits who shared his views. Together they helped to found the Union of Democratic Control, in A. J. P. Taylor's judgement 'the most formidable Radical body ever to influence British foreign policy' (A. J. P. Taylor, Politicians, Socialism and Historians, 1982, 103). Trevelyan became the union's principal advocate in the Commons.

[Thomas Burt, trade union leader and Radical Member of Parliament.] Three Autograph Letters Signed and one Secretarial Letter Signed to A.G.L. Rogers, Secretary of the Liberal Publication Department, regarding the composition of publicity leaflets.

Author: 
Thomas Burt (1837-1922), trade union leader and Radical Member of Parliament; General Secretary, Northumberland Miners' Association [A. G. L. Rogers, Secretary, Liberal Publication Department]
Publication details: 
2 June 1892; and 2 and 11 February, and 11 October, 1893. The first two on House of Commons letterhead; the third on letterhead of the Reform Club, Pall Mall; the fourth from Cromer, on letterhead of the Board of Trade [Whitehall, London].
£120.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Under Gladstone Burt served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, 1892-1895. From the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son of the editor of the economist Thorold Rogers, and written while Rogers was Secretary of the Liberal Publication Department (a sort of public relations department), a position to which he was appointed in November 1891. The four items, all addressed to ‘Dear Mr Rogers’ and signed ‘Thos Burt’, are all bifoliums in good condition, folded for postage. ONE (2 June 1892): 2pp, 12mo.

[Indian students in Britain during the Empire.] Ten items of ephemera relating to: Indian National Council of Y.M.C.A.’s; Indian Students’ Union & Hostel; Indian Gymkhana Club; Edinburgh Parsi Union (inscribed by A. N. Baria).

Author: 
[Indian students in Britain during the Empire.] Indian National Council of Y.M.C.A.’s; Indian Students’ Union & Hostel (M. N. Chatterjee); Indian Gymkhana Club; Edinburgh Parsi Union (A. N. Baria)
Publication details: 
Dating from between 1909 and 1921. London (Indian National Council of Y.M.C.A.’s; Indian Students’ Union & Hostel; Indian Gymkhana Club) and Edinburgh (Edinburgh Parsi Union). Two items printed by Garden City Press, Printers, Letchworth.
£420.00

Ten scarce pieces of printed British Indian ephemera: no other copies of any of them having been traced. The ten items, which range from 8vo to 16mo, are attached to one another through punch holes by a tag. In fair overall condition, aged and worn, with rust staining from staples, and some evidence of damp to the final items (described below). ONE: Bifolium leaflet. 4pp, 8vo. Headed: ‘Indian National Council of Y.M.C.A.’s. / Indian Students’ Union & Hostel. / February 4th, 1920 - February 4th, 1921.’ A ‘brief report’ of the year’s work.

[Laurence Housman, writer, artist and radical activist, brother of the poet A. E. Housman.] Typed Card Signed to Rev. A. H. Sayers of the Monmouth Town League of Nations Union, confirming that a car should be sent to collect him.

Author: 
Laurence Housman (1865-1959), writer, artist and radical activist, brother of the poet A. E. Housman and illustrator Clemence Housman [Rev. A. H. Sayers of the Monmouth Town League of Nations Union]
Housman
Publication details: 
9 November 1936; Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.
£45.00
Housman

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The postcard, with stamp printed on it, has the typed address: ‘The Rev. A. H. Sayers, / Orchard Close, / Monmouth’. Aged and worn, with a dog-eared corner and minor rust spotting from a paperclip. Stylised signature. Reads: ‘Many thanks for your offer to send a car to meet me at Severn Tunnel Junction, on November 20th. I will look out for it. / Yours / L Housman’. From the Sayers papers, with other material indicating that Housman was giving a talk for the Union. See image.

[Norman Angell, socialist and pacifist writer, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.] One Autograph Letter Signed and two Typed Letters Signed, all to Rev. A. H. Sayers of the League of Nations Union, Monmouth, giving reasons why he cannot lecture.

Author: 
Sir Norman Angell [Ralph Norman Angell Lane] (1872-1967), Nobel Peace Prize winner, socialist and pacifist journalist and author, Labour MP [Rev. A. H. Sayers of Monmouth; League of Nations Union]
Publication details: 
The two TLsS: 4 June 1928 and 5 September 1933; both on letterhead of 4 King’s Bench Walk, Temple, London EC4. The ALS: 16 August 1928; on letterhead of ‘Northey Island, off Essex Coast’.
£60.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. All three in good condition, lightly aged. Each letter 1p, 4to, and folded three times. All three signed ‘William Angell’. The recipient’s details are given in the first letter as: ‘Rev. A. H. Sayers / Orchard Close / Monmouth.’ (Sayers was Hon. Sec. of the Monmouth Town Branch of the League of Nations Union.) ONE (TLS, 4 June 1928): He will probably be going into hospital for an operation the following week, and has been ‘warned’ not to ‘accept further engagements, even in the autumn’, until he knows ‘how this operation will leave my general health’.

[Rachel Crowdy, social reformer.] Three Typed Letters Signed to Rev. A. H. Sayers, giving reasons why she cannot give talks to the Monmouth Branch of the League of Nations Union.

Author: 
Rachel Crowdy [Dame Rachel Eleanor Crowdy] (1884-1964), social reformer [Rev. A. H. Sayers of the Monmouth Branch of the League of Nations Union]
Publication details: 
ONE: 22 January 1929; from Geneva, on League of Nations letterhead. TWO: 18 August 1932; 14 Grosvenor Crescent Mews, Hyde Park Corner [London]. THREE: 4 January 1934; same address as Letter Two.
£90.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. All three items in good condition, lightly aged. All three folded for posting. The three with stylized signature ‘Rachel E Crowley’. ONE (22 January 1929): 1p, foolscap 8vo. Sayers is addressed as ‘The Rev. A. H. Sayers / Orchard Close, / MONMOUTH.’ Beneath her signature her title is given as ‘Chief of the Opium Traffic and Social Questions Section’. She very much appreciates his invitation to ‘speak at an Annual Demonstration at Monmouth during the month of November’, but must decline, as she does not expect ‘to be in England during that month’.

[‘I must speak as a full pacifist’: Laurence Housman, writer, artist and radical activist.] Three Typed Letter Signed to Rev. A. H. Sayers regarding a talk he is to give to the Monmouth Town League of Nations Union, and his book ‘The Unexpected Years

Author: 
Laurence Housman (1865-1959), writer, artist and radical activist, brother of the poet A. E. Housman and illustrator Clemence Housman [Rev. A. H. Sayers of the Monmouth Town League of Nations Union]
Publication details: 
3 and 5 November 1936 and 22 February 1937; all three from Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.
£80.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. All three letters 1p, 8vo. The third letter in good condition, lightly aged; the first two in fair condition, on creased and chipping cartridge paper, with a few spots of rust from a paperclip. All three folded for postage. All three signed ‘Laurence Housman’. ONE (3 November 1936): Begins: ‘Dear Mr. Sayers, / I am rather perturbed to find that the meeting I am asked to speak at is the Annual of the League of Nations Union. The request for me to speak came from the Peace Pledge Union, and no indication was given that it was not a Peace Pledge meeting.

[Ethel Snowden, Fabian socialist and suffragist.] Seven Typed Letters Signed and one Autograph Letter Signed, to Rev. A. H. Sayers, regarding a talk by her to the League of Nations Union, Monmouth; with one after her husband’s death.

Author: 
Ethel Snowden, Viscountess Snowden [née Ethel Annakin] (1881-1951), Fabian socialist, suffragist, temperance and peace campaigner, wife of first Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Snowden
Publication details: 
The ALS and six of the TLsS from 1934, one TLS from 1937 and another undated (but from November 1934), All eight items from Eden Lodge, Tilford, with four on letterheads.
£280.00

She her entry, and that of her husband, in the Oxford DNB. Throughout her life she inspired a range of responses. The ‘Labour Leader’ described her as a ‘second Annie Besant’, while Manny Shinwell dismissed her as ‘the would-be Sarah Bernhardt of the party’; to Lord Reith, during her time as a BBC governor, she was ‘the Scarlet Woman’. The present eight items are in good condition, lightly aged, and all folded for postage. A total of eleven typed pages (4to, 12mo and 16mo) and one page in 4to autograph. All signed ‘Ethel Snowden’.

[Albert D. Shaw, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic.] Autograph Letter Signed to J. Rawlinson, regarding ‘the Resolution passed by the Board of Congregational Ministers of Manchester’, on the death of President Garfield.

Author: 
Albert D. Shaw [Albert Duane Shaw] (1841-1901), American government official and New York Republican Congressman, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic [Manchester, England]
Publication details: 
5 October 1881; on letterhead of the United States Consulate, Manchester [England].
£150.00

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border (for President Garfield). 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, a little worn and creased. Folded once. Signed ‘Albert D Shaw / U.S. Consul’, and addressed to ‘J. Rawlinson Esq. / Hon. Sec. / Old Trafford.’ He is in receipt of ‘the Resolution passed by the Board of Congregational Ministers of Manchester and neighbourhood, expressing their heartfelt sympathy, and that of the Churches they represent with the American people in the Calamity which has befallen them in he death of President Garfield’.

[Thomas Mann, trade unionist and communist.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both ‘Tom Mann’), as Secretary of London Reform Union, one endorsing a ‘scheme’ which will reduce the death rate; the other about ‘Douglas’ and a meeting of the Stepney Branch

Author: 
Tom Mann [Thomas Mann] (1856-1941), trade unionist, socialist and communist [A. G. L. Rogers]
Publication details: 
12 and 30 May 1993; both on letterhead of London Reform Union, Granville House, 3 Arundel Street, W.C. [London].
£90.00

See the entry for Thomas Mann in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son and editor of the economist Thorold Rogers [James Edwin Thorold Rogers] (1823-1890), for information regarding whom see his entry in the Oxford DNB. The second letter in good condition, lightly aged and folded once; the first in fair condition, folded three times with a number of short closed tears along creases. Mann is writing in his capacity as Secretary of the London Reform Union (for whose ‘Object’ see the end of this entry). ONE: 12 May 1893. 2pp, 4to.

[From crow-scarer to Member of Parliament: Joseph Arch, Liberal politician.] Autograph Letter Signed [to A. G. L. Rogers], approving of a ‘rural’ leaflet on behalf of the Liberal Party.

Author: 
Joseph Arch (1826-1919), agricultural worker who became a prominent trade unionist and Liberal Member of Parliament [A. G. L. Rogers]
Publication details: 
21 February 1892; Barford, Warwickshire.
£95.00

See Arch’s entry in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son of the economist Thorold Rogers [James Edwin Thorold Rogers] (1823-1890), for information regarding whom see his entry in the Oxford DNB. At the time of this letter the 1892 general election was looming, and the recipient was Secretary of the Publications Department of the National Liberal Federation. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once.

[ LEICESTER TIGERS; Rugby Union ] Two albums of newspaper clippings and handwritten notes recording the games of Leicester Tigers

Author: 
[ LEICESTER TIGERS ]
Publication details: 
Seasons 1922-23 AND 1930-31.
£120.00

Two albums giving full details of the above seasons for Leicester Tigers, including fixture list (with all details to Won or Lost); Try scorers (with number) and other records (e.g. Converted goals); newspaper clippings of team sheets for home fixtures (only) with newspaper pictures of the action. Presented neatly with headings.

[Paul-Henri Spaak, Prime Minister of Belgium and ‘Mr Europe’.] Typed Letter Signed (‘P. H. Spaak’), in French, as Belgian Foreign Minister, to Sir George Rendell, regarding the success of a mission to Singapore and a paper on a mysterious subject.

Author: 
Paul-Henri Spaak (1899-1972), Prime Minister of Belgium, nicknamed ‘Mr Europe’ because of his work towards European integration [Sir George Rendell (1889-1979), British diplomat]
Publication details: 
26 May 1954. On letterhead of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brussells.
£90.00

Rendell had served as Ambassador to Belgium between 1947 and 1950. At the time of writing he was heading the Commission which resulted in the 1955 Constitution of Singapore. 1p, long 8vo. Folded twice. In fair condition, lightly aged. Endorsed with action taken in red ink. Twenty lines of text, addressed to ‘Sir Georges [sic] RENDELL’ in London as ‘Mon cher ami’. Having once again ‘repris mon job avec plaisir et intérêt’, he has not spent much times in the Belgian capital, instead ‘faisant la navette entre Genève, Strasbourg et Bruxelles’.

[Hong Kong; natural disaster] Typed Letter Signed, cover for instructions etc (3 pp) J. B. Keenan, to C. A. A. Nicol, enclosing 'our instructions in the event of a civil disturbance or natural disaster eg Typhoon', map and 'warning signals'.

Author: 
Major J. B. Keenan, Royal Artillery, Camp Commandant, Land Forces Hong Kong [C. A. A. Nicol (1921-2012), Special Branch, Malayan Union Police Force and Royal Malaysian Police]
Publication details: 
Letter from Camp Office, Headquarters, Land Forces Hong Kong, British Forces Post Office 1; 18 October 1973.
£250.00

Totalling 4pp., sm.fol. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. The letter (1p., 8vo) is a circular, and in it Keenan writes: 'Do not be alarmed at the sudden appearance of these instructions. Rather accept them as a fact that some one has your interests at heart'. The instructions (2pp., 8vo) are headed 'APPX 3 TO ANNEX D | CAMP HOLF SOP NO 2 | INSTRUCTIONS TO FAMILIES'. Divided into 13 sections, under the headings: Introduction; Wardens; Precautions; Children; Shopping; Special Warning Procedure; Leave; Finally.

[James Robertson Justice, Sir Compton Mackenzie and Michael Maclagan at the Oxford Union, 1955.] Autograph Signatures of the three men, on Oxford Union Society leaflet for the 'Eights Week Debate', 'This House Would Never Be Young Twice.'

Author: 
James Robertson Justice [James Norval Harald Justice] (1907-1975), film actor; Sir Compton Mackenzie [Sir Edward Montague Compton Mackenzie] (1883-1972), novelist; Michael Maclagan (1914-2003), herald
Publication details: 
Oxford Union Society leaflet, dated from 'Christ Church | May 24th, 1955'.
£50.00

A nice piece of Oxford Union ephemera, with the three signatures - 'James Robertson-Justice.', 'Compton Mackenzie' and 'Michael Maclagan' - printed in a row on the otherwise blank reverse of the 25.5 x 20.5 cm leaf, which is aged and worn, with closed tears to extremities and a fold line. Printed beneath the text of the advertisement on the other side of the paper is an attractive illustration in imitation of infant drawing, printed in brown, red, green black and white on a pink ground. The entire text reads: 'OXFORD UNION SOCIETY | Thursday, May 26th, 1955, at 8.15 p.m.

[British Embassy Medical Officer in Cold War Moscow and Bucharest.] Unpublished typed account by T. V. Humphreys of his journeys around Romania and Russia during five years of service, also describing medical aspects and 'Soviet methods of medicine'.

Author: 
Col. Thomas Victor Humphreys (b.1922), O.B.E., M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O, Royal Army Medical Corps, British Embassy Medical Officer at Moscow and Bucharest [USSR; Soviet Union; Iron Curtain; Russia; Romania]
Publication details: 
December 1952 to January 1953. Romania and the USSR (Russia). Russian locations: Moscow, Leningrad, Peterhof, Tsarskoe-Selo, Gatchina, Pavlovsk, Kharkov, Kiev.
£1,250.00

Biographical details regarding Humphreys are hard to come by. He features in two Times reports of the indisposition of the pianist Cyril Smith in Moscow in 1956 (8 May and 9 June). On his award of the OBE in the 1958 New Years Honours List he was described as 'lately First Secretary and Medical Officer at Her Majesty's Embassy in Moscow'. On his retirement in 1987 he was described as 'Col. T. V. Humphreys, O.B.E., M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.

[Sir Arnold Wesker, playwright.] Two Typed Letters Signed (both 'Arnold Wesker') to Israeli author Aubrey Hodes, regarding his touring festival Centre 42, the English attitude to 'culture outside the commercial framework' and Israeli arts funding.

Author: 
Sir Arnold Wesker (1932-2016), playwright and author [Aubrey Hodes, Israeli author; Centre 42; New Wave; Kitchen Sink Drama; Angry Young Men; Jewish writers]
Publication details: 
20 Fitzroy Square, London, N1. 17 October 1962.
£220.00

Both 1p, 4to, and in good condition, lightly aged and folded once. Both letters addressed to Hodes at Beit Rosenberg, Keron Heyesod Street, Herzlia-on-Sea, Israel. The subject of the letters is Centre 42, the touring arts group Wesker formed to bring culture to the masses on his release from prison, following a sentence for civil disobedience with the Committee of 100 in opposition to nuclear weapons. The group moved to the Roundhouse in London in 1964.

[Jack Jones, Welsh playwright: a Mid-Rhondda production of his Mid-Rhondda Depression-era play.] Typescript of 'Rhondda Roundabout', for a production by Garrick Dramatic Society of Mid-Rhondda, belonging to Jack Heycock, who played the male lead.

Author: 
Jack Jones (1884-1970), Welsh novelist, playwright and trade union officer [Jack Heywood, Garrick Dramatic Society, Mid-Rhondda]
Publication details: 
'Garrick Dramatic Society, Mid-Rhondda'. Circa 1939.
£320.00

A satisfying association: a copy of the typescript of a play set in 'Mid-Rhondda', for a production by an amateur dramatic company from Mid-Rhondda. [1] + 80pp, 4to. Duplicated typescript. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Each page is on the recto of a separate leaf. Stapled into a dark-blue card binding, with cloth spine, the front cover of which carries: '”RHONDDA ROUNDABOUT” | A Play in 3 Acts by | JACK JONES | GARRICK DRAMATIC SOCIETY | Mid – Rhondda'. Preceding the text of the play is a page carrying a list of characters and their ages, and a 'Scene-Sequence'.

[Duff Cooper, as Minister of Information in Churchill's wartime government.] Publicity document, in facsimile of typed letter, praising the British Commonwealth of Nations, attacking Hitler, and looking ahead to a union of European nations.

Author: 
Duff Cooper [Alfred Duff Cooper, 1st Viscount Norwich] (1890-1954), Conservative politician, diplomat and author, Minister of Information in Winston Churchill's wartime government
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Special Secretariat, Ministry of Information, Malet Street, London, W.C.1. 2 August 1940.
£180.00

2pp, 8vo. On a single leaf. In fair condition, aged, worn and creased, with one short closed tear. Folded twice.

[Ivan Maisky, Soviet Union Ambassador to the United Kingdom during the Second World War.] Autograph Signature ('I. Maisky').

Author: 
Ivan Maisky [Ivan Mikhailovich Maisky] (1884-1975), Soviet Union Ambassador to the United Kingdom during the Second World War
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£100.00

On 6 x 7.5 cm slip of paper, laid down on a piece of card. In good condition, lightly aged. A good firm and large signature, reading 'I. Maisky'.

[Sir Charles Trevelyan and the Union of Democratic Control.] Typed Letter Signed ('Charles Trevelyan') to 'Mr. Armstrong [the journalist George Gilbert Armstrong]', offering to review his book.

Author: 
Sir Charles Trevelyan (1870-1958), Liberal politician, one of the founders of the Union of Democratic Control, prominent group opposing the First World War [George Gilbert Armstrong (1870-1945)]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Union of Democratic Control, 37 Norfolk Street, Strand, W.C. London. 31 March 1916.
£50.00

1p., 4to. Aged and creased, with closed tears and damage to extremities. He will be 'very glad if you will instruct Allen's to send me a copy of your book. I will review it, though I cannot promise to do it in any particular month for the "U.D.C".' The organisation will be glad to 'enclose a number of your circulars, if you will have them sent. Not more than a thousand.'

[ Ex-Officers Book Union, London. ] Printed book catalogue ('Part I'): 'A Collection of Choice & Charming Books of the 17th 18ty & 19th Centuries & a few Modern Authors offered for sale by the Ex-Officers Book Union'.

Author: 
[ Major George William Redway (1859-1934), soldier and military historian, trading as bookseller under the name ] 'Ex-Officers Book Union', Ealing, London
Publication details: 
London: 16 Rathgar Avenue, West Ealing. [ The Westminster Press, London W. ]
£45.00

The 'Ex-Officers' Book Union' (the apostrophe was omitted in later years) was an obscure business. The firm was certainly active between 1919 and 1936, mostly from 16 Rathgar Avenue, West Ealing. In the early 1930s its address was given as '87 Bishop's Mansions, S.W.6', which was also Redway's residence. It seems likely that the business was a joint-venture between Redway and at least one other former army officer. The present item is 40pp., small 4to. Stapled in brown printed wraps. In fair condition, lightly aged, on worn and creased wraps.

Speech of Mr. Gathorne Hardy on the Irish Church Question, in the House of Commons, 31st March, 1868. From the "Standard" of 1st April, 1868.

Author: 
'Mr. Gathorne Hardy' [ Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, 1st Earl of Cranbrooke (1814-1906) [ The National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations; disestablishment of the Church of Ireland ]
Publication details: 
London: Printed by Order of "The National Union" of Conservative and Constitutional Associations, 9 Victoria Chambers, Westminster, S.W. 1868.
£80.00

15pp., 8vo. Stitched and unbound. In good condition, lightly aged, with central vertical fold. In small print. In the conclusion of the speech - 'greeted with repeated rounds of applause' - he states that he 'cannot be a party to severing that Church and State under which it is the glory and the privilege of the state to uphold the light of the Reformation in the midst of Ireland'. Scarce: only two copies on OCLC WorldCat, at the British Library and Illinois, and no copy at the National Library of Ireland.

Three scrapbooks containing professional and personal material, 1883-1907, with material relating to his father, Quartermaster-General of the United States army.

Author: 
Montgomery Meigs, Jr, son of The Union Army's Quarter-Master-General
Publication details: 
1883-1907
£3,000.00

Montgomery Cunningham Meigs (1847-1931), nicknamed 'Monty', civil engineer and inventor, was the son of the celebrated American army officer and engineer of the same name (1816-1892), Quartermaster-General of the United States army during and after the American civil war. While easily overshadowed by his illustrious father, Meigs was a fascinating figure in his own right, talented in a wide range of fields: manager of the canals and locks of the Old Des Moines Rapids Canal, designer of steamboats and other river craft, and Mississippi river pilot.

[ Louisa de Rothschild ] Autograph Note Signed "Louisa de Rothschild" to a "Mr. Henderson",

Author: 
Louisa de Rothschild [ (née Montefiore), Lady de Rothschild (1821–1910), Anglo-Jewish philanthropist, and founding member of the Union of Jewish Women. ]
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] 19 Grosvenor Place, 1 June [no year given]
£65.00

Three pages, 12mo, large handwriting somewhat difficult to read, bifolium, black border, some damage, remnants of laying down in album, and foxing without obscuring text. She will get her gardener to send a plant (she gives technical name), thanking him for photographs of "the nurse with the two little patients [...] a very pretty picture.2

[ The Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834 ] Printed 'Order for the keeping, examining, and auditing of the Accounts of the above Union, and of the several Parishes of which it is composed.

Author: 
J. G. S. Lefevre and Geo. Nicholls, Poor Law Commissioners [ Brixworth Union, Northamptonshire, Old or Wold Parish; Rev. Richard Harington; Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834 ]
Publication details: 
Poor Law Commission, London. [14] November 1835. [ London: Printed by William Clowes and Sons, 14, Charing Cross. ]
£400.00

A significant document, being the first government instruction manual for the completing of accounts folllowing the great changes ushered in by the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834. 30pp., 8vo. Stitched and unbound. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with vertical closed tear to foot of first leaf. Embossed seal on red paper of the Poor Law Commission of England and Wales on front page, together with red 'Office Copy' stamp. The word 'Brixworth' has been added in manuscript on the first page, with 'Old or Wold' above it.

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