VICTORIAN

Judge, ecclesiastical lawyer and international jurist (1845-1929). One page, 12mo, in self-sealing stamped addressed envelope with postmark. In very good condition. 'Many many thanks for the tree-plants. They have arrived in beautiful and your directions shall be carefully followed.' Signed 'Walter G. F. Phillimore'.

Burnet (1784-1868), Corbould (1787-1844), Hills (1769-1844), Phillips (1770-1845) and Smirke (1752-1845) were artists. Colnaghi (1790-1879) was a print seller. Paper dimensions roughly four inches square. Paper grubby and creased. Reads 'T. Phillips - | R. Hills | D Colnaghi | Henry Corbould | Rob Smirke - | Jno: Burnet.' Reverse reads, tantalisingly, '<...> that his Eldest Son | <...>ilder of Liverpool Road | <...>ledged to call his Creditors | <...>t.

Second baronet (1843-1911), politician and author. Three pages, 12mo. In good condition although grubby and with a few stains. 'My Coal Mines Prevention of Child Labour Underground Bill grew out of the Eight Hours debate and a challenge to the Coal Owners, so I did not put metalliferous mines in, and excluded them by any title. There are very few boys under 13 in them, but the principle might be the same'. He has been consulted on the matter by the Home Office, and has spoken to Lord Grey about it.

Commissioner of Customs (circa 1775-1853), husband of Lady Anne Wellesley. The recipient is Emmanuel-Louis-Henri de Launay, Comte d'Antraigues (1753-1812). Two pages, 12mo. Folded twice. Somewhat grubby and discoloured with age, but in good condition overall. He was directed by the Marquess Wellesley to request that the Count call on him that day, in order to 'satisfy the object of your recent communications'.

Antiquary and critic (1789-1864), editor of the 'Athenaeum'. Cawood was a musician and composer. Two pages, 12mo. Black bordered. Verso of second leaf of bifoliate laid down onto larger piece of docketed grey paper. In good condition apart from some glue damage to right-hand margin of recto of first leaf (not affecting text). Difficult handwriting. 'I am much obliged to you for the "Notes on the Woollen Hair" which I have just found.

Antiquary and critic (1789-1864), editor of the 'Athenaeum'. For Lankester (1814-74) see the Dictionary of National Biography. One page, 12mo. In good condition, mounted on a larger piece of docketed pink card. Difficult handwriting, presumably making payment for magazine contributions. 'On looking over your account I find that you have run off & that there is a balance due to you I therefore present a cheque for Ten Pounds by way of winding up the old year.' Signed 'C Wentworth Dilke'.

Burnand (1836-1917) was editor of Punch between 1836 and 1917. Paper dimensions roughly 4 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. In good conditon. Reads '<...> with you | faithfully | F. C. Burnand'. On verso '<...> be most <?> & happy & ought to get on well with his purser a straightforward <?> & gentlemanly <...>.

English novelist and playwright (1861-1955). One page, 4to. Folded twice. In good condition, although with slight fraying to corners. Reads 'Dear Madam: -- | You can certainly quote the passage you mention in Quinneys', but I think you ought to get permission to do so from my publisher. It will be granted I make no doubt. This is his style and address: | Major, Sir John Murray, D.S.O. | 50, Albemarle Street, | LONDON, W.1. | With all good wishes, | Faithfully yours, | Horace Annesley Vachell.'

Diplomat and administrator (1826-1902). Lanyon (1839-1900) was a surveyor, architect and engineer, partner in Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. Two pages, 8vo. Folded twice. In very good condition, with remains of mounts adhering to verso of blank second leaf of bifoliate. Marked 'Private'.

Diplomat and administrator (1826-1902). Lanyon (1839-1900) was a surveyor, architect and engineer, partner in Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. One page, 12mo. Folded twice. In very good condition, with remains of mounts adhering to blank verso. Reads 'My dear Mr. Lanyon | I send you a map with the ground we examined enclosed within a red line, together with a short Memdm. on the scheme I submitted to gl. consideration: | I hope this <?> may go down before you cross: | Yours sincerely | Dufferin'.

Behnes (died 1864) was a sculptor of high renown. Ross (1794-1860) was a miniature painter whose work includes portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Paper dimensions roughly 4 1/2 inches by 2 inches. In good condition. Reads 'William Behnes | W. C. Ross'. On verso 'my Apartments, should <...> | to the utmost of my hop <...> | be inadequate to extricat <...>'.

English historian of the Crimean War (1809-91). On piece of paper roughly 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/4 inches. In very good condition. Remains of mounts adhering to blank verso. Reads '<...> be of use in making the collection. | I have the honour to be | Sirs | faithfully yours | A W Kinglake.'

Political writer (1829-99), and editor of Burke. One page, 12mo, in very good condition. Reads 'My dear President, | I regret that I shall not be able to be at your meeting in the Library tomorrow afternoon. I expect some visitors here at the very time appointed - four oclock. | I hope, however, to be present at the dinner on the 19th. | With kind regards to Mrs. Hamilton and Yourself, | Believe me | Very Truly Yours | Thomas Macknight'.

Piece of grey card, dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches. In poor condition: grubby and discoloured, and crudely mounted on a piece of card. Novelist and journalist (1841-1907). Clearly in reply to a request for an autograph, Hatton has written, in a large hand, 'With pleasure - | Yours very truly | Joseph Hatton | Dec 1901'. Neatly docketed with a number '30' in a circle.

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'.

According to the British Library Bisset's Directory was published in 1800. Paper dimensions roughly 5 1/4 inches by 9 inches; print dimensions roughly 4 1/4 inches by 7 inches. In very good condition although somewhat grubby. Paper watermarked '<179?>9 | TMAN'. At head of plate: 'M'. At foot of plate: 'Reynolds. Sct. Birm'.

Liberal statesman (1792-1861). One page, 12mo. In good condition despite slight discoloration and traces from previous mounting on reverse. Folded twice. Marked 'Private'. Reads 'I accept with much pleasure and many thanks your obliging Present of the Photograph of the Great Ship. I shall not cease to take the most lively Interest in the success of this stupendous Enterprize. [sic]' Signed 'J R G Graham'. Brunel designed the Great Eastern steamship between 1852 and 1858.

28 pages, 8vo. 14 leaves, the last a blank. Paginated [1-3] 4-26 [1-2]. Unbound and stitched as issued. In very good condition though grubby and with one dogeared corner. Brief mention (p.7) of John Payne Collier's discovery of 'The life of Robin Goodfellow' in the library of the Earl of Ellesmere, and of 'Mr. Halliwell'. No copy in the British Library.

Author and musician (1826-1906), described by Louise Jopling as 'a rich bachelor' and 'a noted figure in the seventies'. 1 page, 16mo. In good condition despite slight creasing and discoloration. Letterhead in green and black ink. Reads 'My dear Locker, | Many thanks - I will meet you at the Athenaeum at 3 o'Ck. on Tuesday - I have done, & shall do nothing till then. | Every yrs. | Hamilton Aïdé'.

English sculptor (1775-1856). Dimensions of paper roughly 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. In good condition. Reads '<...> I am Gentlemen | Your obt. & humble St. | Richd Westmacott'.

English sculptor (1775-1856). Dimensions of paper roughly 5 inches by 1 inch. In good condition. Reads '<...> | Recommended /on unexceptionable testimonials/ by | Richd Westmacott: | Nov 26/1844.'

English sculptor (1791-1864). Dimensions of paper roughly 4 inches by 1 inch. In very good condition. Large, slightly smudged signature on one side in blue ink. Reverse, in different ink and apparently in another hand, reads '<...> may I presume to solicit your favour fo<...> | as increasing Age naturally brings on in<...>'.

Antiquary (1803-85), first editor of Notes and Queries. Sepia. Dimensions roughly 2 1/4 inches by 3 1/2 inches. Faded image of a bespectacled Thoms knees upward, seated in profile at a table examining a small book on top of another book and leaning against a pile of six others. The oval is in a frame beneath which, in copper-plate letters (in the photograph and not manuscript), 'William J Thoms'. Stuck to a piece of card on the reverse of which is a grubby, foxed, nineteenth-century plate of William Cowper the poet.

The firm, apparently antique dealers (although it also bought and sold false teeth), was established in 1833. All items are addressed to Slocombe, with whom the family (to whom he was perhaps related by marriage?) were clearly on intimate terms. Grubby, dusty, creased, dogeared and with several closed tears. The first six letters are from J. B. Fraser, the first four being on the letterhead of 'R. D. & J. B. FRASER, LIMITED.' ('ESTABLISHED IN THE REIGN OF WILLIAM IV.') Letter 1 (Ipswich, 4 Jan 1899, 4 pages, 8vo), from J. B. Fraser, concerns 'Edith', who is recovering from illness.

Anglo-German aristocrat (1837-1900), father of Queen Mary. Dimensions roughly 4 1/2 inches by 4 inches. In good condition, though somewhat grubby. Remains of glue and paper from previous mount on reverse. Addressed to his wife (1833-97) 'Her Royal Highness | the Princess Mary | Duchess of Teck | Richmond Park | East Sheen | Surrey | Teck'. Envelope carries stamped Penny Red in poor condition.

8 leaves, 8vo, paginated [5-6] 7-19 [1]. Stitched: in contemporary brown plain wraps. In good condition, though folded in half lengthwise and with wraps rather grubby. Inscription reads 'Dr Tyndall FRS &c &c | from J P G'.

Journal editor and writer (1800-89). 1 page, 8vo. Creased and slightly discoloured, but in good condition overall. Cover of envelope pasted to back, reading 'for | Rd Lehman Esq | Newmarket Road | Norwich'. Reads 'Dear Sir. | I much regret that I have been unable to avail myself of your kindness: I have been so over-run with Matter at this, the concluding, month of the year. | Sincerely | S C Hall.'

Consort (1792-1849) of King William IV of Great Britain and aunt of Queen Victoria. On piece of paper, roughly 5 inches by 3 inches. In good condition, although creased and grubby. Reads '[...] l'heure. - Adieu. | Toujours votre | afft. | Adelaide'.

Queen-consort (1844-1925) of King Edward VII. 2 pages, 16mo. Bifoliate, with recto of first leaf bearing a mourning border. Reads 'Marlborough House | I have read with great interest the Report of the work of the Field Force Fund and I hope the Appeal for Friends will meed with a generous response to enable the Comforts that are required to be Sent to our Soldiers at the Front - | Alexandra'. The homogeneity of the ink implies that the item is a printed copy. Note: Field Force Fund, 1916-1918.

Scottish novelist (1828-97). On piece of laid paper, dimensions roughly 4 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches, with mourning border. Paper discoloured and stained from previous mounting. Reads '[...] convenient? - It would be very good of you and enable us to have a double pleasure - With kind regards, believe me, | very truly yours | 'M. O. W. Oliphant | Friday -'.