Book Trade History

Manuscript invoice to "the Exe[cuto]rs of <G>.S. Wegg".

Author: 
J. Hatchard.
Publication details: 
London, 31 Jan. 1816 to 10 Jan. 1817.
£80.00

One page, 4to trimmed (loss of text perhaps), otherwise, text clear. In top righthand corner "London 577" (invoice number?). Books listed: "Horsbys [Hornby?] 9 Sermons <?>------10--6/ Britsh Review 13-14-15------18/ Debretts Perage 2 -------1.4--/ Binding Baileys P. Book roy/<?> 4.6/ Annual Register 1807 <?>-----4.6/ Frends Amusement 1817 -------1----/ Baldwin's Journal & London 6//4.6.-"

Autograph note, third person, to an unnamed correspondent. (publishers Harding, Lepard & Co., prob.).

Author: 
James Henry Arnold.
Publication details: 
Lincolns Inn Fields, 7 March 1821
£45.00

One page, 8vo, good condition, text clear and complete. "Dr. Arnold desires his name may be set down as Subscriber to the history of Shrewsbury by Rev. H Owen & Rev. JB Blakeney . . ./ Large paper". Not in Bent. Not in Besterman. Published 1825, 2 vols. (i.e. much later).

Autograph Note Signed to "Mr McCreery/ 21 Took's Court, Chancery Lane

Author: 
"Mr Parry".
Publication details: 
No place, 21 Feb. [postmark 1824].
£45.00

One page (prob. from larger sheet divided since part of an address survives at bottom, 4to, poor condition but text clear and complete. "When Mr Parry returns the enclosed Proof (which he begs to have again soon) for press, he will be able to send copy enough to complete the next sheet. What he now transmits is all he has ready. / Saturday Evening - Febry 21st." Could this be the Arctic explorer?

Receipt, text by publishers (Grant & Griffith), signed by Jerrold.

Author: 
W. Blanchard Jerrold.
Publication details: 
London, 2 Dec. 1851.
£45.00

One page, 7.5 x 4.5, fold marks, minor staining, text clear and complete. "London Decr 2nd. 1851/ Received of Messrs Grant & Griffith the sum of five pounds <?> for the second Edition of 'Wonders of Home' and completing the sum of twenty pounds to be paid me as per agreement for the Copyright of that Book./ Received,/ W. Blanchard Jerrold// £5.0.0".

Autograph note, third person, to de La Rue, Library, Soho Square.

Author: 
Lady Perceval.
Publication details: 
Curzon St, 10 July [1805 (postmark and librarian's[?]note).
£45.00

One page, 4to, minor defects, text clear and complete. "Lady Perceval's Compts. to <. de La Rue, & requests he will send the following Books, or, if he has them not in the Library that he will be so good as to write for them to Paris./ Gradus ad Parnassum - bonne Edition francoise-/ Les opuscules Latins[sic] de M. Le Bean/ 2 Vols./ Praed[i]um Rusticum de Vaniere [Jacobi Vanierii Praedium rusticum.. Jakob Vaniers Gedichte von der Landwirthschaft.

Autograph Note Signed to unnamed correspondent (poss. Cadell).

Author: 
Coventry (Earl of).
Publication details: 
Piccadilly, 13 June 179[?].
£50.00

One page, 4to, some discoloration, but text readable. "Sir,/ Please to deliver to the Bearer, Mr Clarke, the Evidence on Mr Hasting's Trial from page 1204 to page 1244 so much being wanting to compleat my Numbers." Note (for dating purposes and identification of correspondent = publisher): prob. Minutes of the evidence taken at the trial of Warren Hastings ... upon an impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors, etc. [London,] 1788[-94]. fol.

Autograph note, third person, to Clark[e], Bookseller, New Bond Street (i.e. William Clarke).

Author: 
The Duke of Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton Douglas, etc.).
Publication details: 
Thomas's Hotel, 8 Novr 1826.
£80.00

Book-Collector (DNB)(1767-1852). One page, 8vo, grubby but text readable. "The D of Hamilton will be much obliged to Mr. Clark [sic for "Clarke"] if he will either send by the bearer or procure & send to him at Thomas's Hotel a school book for the Marquess - that he cannot find abroad -/ Petters [Potter's?] Graecian Antiquities[underlined] - ..."

Autograph note, third person, to William Clarke, 38 (another hand-post office?) New Bond Street, bookseller.

Author: 
Lady Perceval.
Publication details: 
18 June 1812 (year added in another hand?).
£35.00

One page, 7.5 x 6.5" (cut back from 4to), edges discoloured, tear and small mising portion (seal torn off) not affecting clear and complete text. "Lady Perceval troubles Mr Clarke with the Inclosed to forward to <??> Sykes & Co.[not in Maxted or Brown - not a bookseller?] & Mr <?> requests the Abbe 'de <?>' Medaillons & Books may be in Mr Cs' keeping till he hears further ---"

Autograph note signed to Rodd, Bookseller, Newport St., Long Acre, London (Thomas Rodd, prob. the Younger).

Author: 
Orford (Horatio, Third Earl of Orford)
Publication details: 
Wolterton, 18 Dec. 1827 (but see note below).
£65.00

(1783-1858). Thomas Rodd and Son NOT in Brown or Maxted! One page, 4to, fold marks, text clear and complete. "Mr Rodd,/ I am surprized that the vols. of Humboldt have not been yet sent home, as they were to have been done as soon as possible, and desire that they may be returned to Berkeley square immediately bound or unbound, - the Atlas shd. be sent on receipt of this, it never being intended to have it bound -" Addresss page part of conjoint leaf as foloows: "eighteen/ Aylsham, December {eighteen from above] fifteen 1825/ [address]/ [frank]Orford".

Autograph letter, third person, to Triphook.

Author: 
George Watson Taylor.
Publication details: 
No place, 31 Oct. (no year).
£100.00

Book Collector. One page, 4to, discoloured, sl. chipped, fold marks, mainly good, clear text. "Mr. Watson Taylor requests Mr Triphook to send him down Ld Byron's new Work as soon as it comes out. enquiring first whether he is in Town at the time. He also wishes to have "Hints on the formation of Gardens & pleasure Grounds royal 4to coloured 3 gs. - at Gale & Jenners also the Rejected Addresses on drawing paper hot pressed - 10/6d.

Autograph Note Signed to an unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Charles Butler.
Publication details: 
Lincoln's Inn, 15 Sept. 1820.
£75.00

Legal and misc. writer (1750-1832). Part of page (trimmed), 5 x 5", stained but text clear and complete. "I wished to see you, on your return from Clark, tomention my doubt whether the manuscript, which I put into your hands, is proper in its present state, for insertion in the review, which [excisions] you notived [excison] to [inserted] me;- If you will have the goodness to return it to me, I will endeavour to cast it into a more proper form for your publication:-".

Autograph note signed to an unnamed bookseller.

Author: 
J.C. Watkins.
Publication details: 
Abergavenny, 9 March 1802.
£45.00

John Cheese Watkins, bookseller. Two pages, 8vo, ragged edges (perhaps some loss), text readable. "<??> of the within being forwarded at a certainty [inserted phrase ] by the Coach from the - which leaves London either on Friday night or Saturday morning early --- & which will greatly oblige . .

Autograph Note Signed to "Mill".

Author: 
Owen Rees.
Publication details: 
11 Oct. [1821? year James Perry died].
£50.00

Publisher (Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green)(1770-1837). One page, 8vo, trimmed, fold marks, grubby, text clear and complete."Dear Mill/As the Editor of the Annual Biography is proposing a Memoir of Mr Perry for that work, I shall feel obliged by any information with which you can favor him." Perhaps Perry, James,1756-182, Literature and Writing, Journalist (one of DNB's sources is the Ann. Biog.

Autograph note signed to Edward Jeffery, No. 11 Pall Mall (as Brown).

Author: 
R. Thornton.
Publication details: 
Grafton St, 26 June (no year).
£35.00

Which, if any? Thornton, Richard 1776-1865, merchant, underwriter, and financier; Thornton, Robert John 1768?-1837, botanical and medical writer. Or East Indian Robert? One page, 8vo, grubbly but text readable: "I beg to decline subscribing to the work mentd to me".

Autograph Note Signed to Mr. Robertson (not in Maxted - see address on verso).

Author: 
Thomas Hornsby.
Publication details: 
[Ox]ford, 22 Sept. 1784.
£50.00

Astronomer and Radcliffe Librarian (1733-1810). Became Librarian in 1783. One page, 4to, chipped and stained but text readable. "Mr. Hornsby presents his Compliments to Mr. Robertson, & begs the favour of him to deliver the two last Publications of the Royal Society {insert: Small Paper} , to the Bearer, if Mr. Wingrove [Wingrave in Maxted?] has not yet recd. them. As it is the Small Paper which Mr. H[ornsby] chooses to have on account of binding the late volumes of the same size with the preceding ones, Mr. H.

Autograph letter signed to Bohte ("Compliments to Mrs Bohte")

Author: 
D.G. Wait (Daniel Guilford Wait).
Publication details: 
Redland House, W. Bristol, 10 April 1824.
£65.00

Hebraist and Biblical scholar (1789-1850). One page, edges discoloured, chipped, text complete and clear. "I was mentioning to a friend here Ebert's Bibliographisches Lexicon, who wishes much to see it: Mrs Wait [prob. mother, he was unmarried re. DNB] will leave town on Sunday, when she will arrive on Saty ["for" excised] on her way to this place. Would you entrust me with a copy to shew him, & direct it to me on Saty morng. to the care of Mrs Wait, at Mrs Bowdens 33 Gt Coram St. Brunswick Square? & if he does not take the copy, I will bribng it back.

Autograph Letter Signed [to the editor of the North American Review].

Author: 
William Edward Hartpole Lecky
Publication details: 
16 February 1891; on letterhead '38, Onslow Gardens, S.W.'
£36.00

Two pages, 12mo. Very good. Thanks his correspondent for 'your kind letter & for the hospitality you have given me in the North American Review. I hope you will be able to bring out my article in the March Number as the political Kaleidoscope changes so quickly that some part may appear belated if it is long delayed.' Asks for a change to be made if it is not possible to bring the piece out in the March issue. Signed 'W E H Lecky'.

Autograph Note, third person, to "Messrs Blackwoods' Printing Office".

Author: 
John Wilson [ Christopher North ]
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£68.00

One page, trimmed, 6 x 5", some defects but text clear and apprently complete, as follows: "Professor Wilson wishes the enclosed LIst to be set up immediately [underlined]; & a proof of it to be ready in the [shop?] [phrase underlined] at 10 O'Clock tomorro morning [underlined] as it will be wanted at 1/2 Eleven." A further instruction, "Set it up in the same [?]" is crossed out. An interesting insight into Wilson's relationship with Blackwood's printers.

Autograph Postcard Signed to Kenneth Bredon, of Bredon's Bookshop in Brighton.

Author: 
Nicolas Bentley
Publication details: 
Postmarked 24 September 1974; 'The Old School, Downhead, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.'
£35.00

One page, very good. Postcard illustration of Marie Taglioni. In Bentley's distinctive neat hand. 'If & when Angus & Robertson's traveller shows you a book called Dead Funny, illus. by Bill Tidy, pubs. Ask & Grant, I hope you'll feel compelled to place a huge order: The Grant is Arabella's husband, just breaking into publishing (mad!) How are you & Billie? We should love to see you both, but I doubt that you ever come this way. If you do, you can count on a warm bed & reception. Try & make it sometimes.' Signed 'Nick'.

Autograph Note, either secretarial and third person AND/OR signed "Baron [de] Villefosse.

Author: 
Baron Antoine Marie Heron de Villefosse
Publication details: 
Paris le 9 Avril 1824.
£80.00

Engineer. "Born in Paris on June 21, 1774, former Adviser of State, free Member of the Academy of Science, [he] was, in 1832, general Inspecteur of 1st class and president of the general Council of the Mines" (from Internet). Also author. One page, 8vo, good condition. Text either third person or, more likely, secretarial as follows: M. H. de Villefosse a l'honneur de saluer Monsieur le Bibliothecaire de l'Institut, de lui envoyer l'ouvrage de M. [Solvyns?], et de le prier de remettre en echange du porteur de ce billet l'ouvrage de M.

Catalogue of the well-known collection of Ballooning and Aeronautical Prints and Drawings, the Property of Col. R.L. Preston

Author: 
Sotheby and Co
Publication details: 
20/03/62
£45.00

Printed wraps, illus.., fold mark mainly affecting covers, mainly v.g. NO estimate or price lists

Autograph Letter Signed to J.T.J. Hewlett, author of "Peter Priggins" and other books.

Author: 
Saunders & Otley
Publication details: 
1846
£45.00

Saunders & Otley, publishers (BBTI), declining to "undertake the work he mentions". Originally from a larger archive, the residue of which is described in #3157 (Hewlett's papers), this and other items appear in my ABE inventory in book id#s 3124-3156.

Autograph Letter Signed to the Rev. C. H. Middleton[-Wake].

Author: 
George William Reid [BRITISH MUSEUM DEPARTMENT OF PRINTS AND DRAWINGS]
Publication details: 
13 April 1880; on letterhead of the 'Print Room, | British Museum.'
£56.00

Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum (1819-87). One page, 12mo. Docketed in ink on blank second leaf of bifoliate. 'I feel it my duty to publish a second edition of our Catalogue of Duplicates before the Sale takes place as there are so many mistakes. | As you went through the prints so carefully I should be glad to avail myself of your notes if you would kindly lend them to me for a day at the same time, I should wish to fullhy acknowledge the favour'. Signed 'Geo. Wilm Reid'.

Two Typed Letters Signed to [Sir] H[enry]. T[rueman]. Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir Arthur Keysall Yapp [Y.M.C.A.; YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION]
Publication details: 
4 November 1915 and 13 January 1917; both on letterhead of the National Council of Young Men's Christian Associations, Incorporated.
£50.00

Evangelical churchman and preacher (1869-1936), National Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association. First letter one page, quarto; second letter one page, octavo. Both very good though dusty. Both signed 'A. K. Yapp'. One letter docketed, and both bearing R.S.A. stamp. LETTER ONE: '[I]t is most probable that we can render the assistance indicated in your letter, and I should be very glad to meet you at some time mutually convenient.

Typed Letter Signed to Sir Henry T[rueman]. Wood[, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts].

Author: 
Oliver Armstrong Fry [VANITY FAIR]
Publication details: 
30 January 1915; on letterhead 'MELBOURNE LODGE, | EAST MOLESEY, | SURREY.'
£33.00

Journalist (1855-1931), editor of Vanity Fair, 1889-1904. One page, quarto. Very good, if a little dusty. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. There is 'no apparent chance' of F. V. Brookes delivering his 'promised lecture' at the R.S.A. 'Of course I would be willing if necessary to read this paper for my old friend; but [...] I would very strongly urge that it would be better in every way to postpone this lecture for some time. Its subject is one that is peculiarly Mr. Brooks's own, and I think no one else would deal with it so well.' Signed 'Oliver A. Fry'.

Catalogue of the Valuable Collection of Illuminated Manuscripts, Printed Books and Americana formed by the Late Apsley Cherry-Garrard, Esq. The property of Mrs Gordon Mathias"

Author: 
Sotheby's
£50.00

Wraps, illustrated, 5 June 1961, inscribed by the scholar C.E. Wright who has noted prices and purchasers beside 9 items which interested him. He also notes that Cherry-Garrard originally paid £5000 for a missal. A flick through the pages throws up Back, Bligh, Dalrymple, Scoresby for polar exploration.

Part of an autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent (editor or publisher?)

Author: 
H. Rider Haggard.
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£85.00

Fragment of a letter, c.3.5" x 3", laid down on slightly larger card, surving text as follows: "I have no story suitable. Hope you had a pleasant trip. Very truly yours / H Rider Haggard".

Signed Printed Memorandum of Agreement between Aldrich and Anthony Blond Limited for a book to be entitled 'Harlem Diary'.

Author: 
Nelson W[ilmarth]. Aldrich jr. [Anthony Blond Ltd].
Publication details: 
20 January 1964; London.
£100.00

4 pages, folio. Somewhat grubby and creased, but in good condition overall. A standard Blond printed contract with manuscript additions and deletions. Signed 'Nelson W Aldrich /' and Anthony Blond'. The work does not appear to have been published.

Autograph Letter Signed to <?>.

Author: 
William Thomas Fry
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£56.00

English engraver (1789-1843). Two pages, 12mo. Edges trimmed (with some loss to text), lightly creased and with some damage to head. Asks if the recipient has in his collection a print of Horace Walpole. 'If you have will you let me see it for , with price marked, will either return it or send the Money, Business preventing my <?> out <?> [...] Impressions of the Vandicke, should you have any grand Heads after that Master I should listen to see soon'. Signed 'W. F. Fry'. Docketed at head 'Mr Fry Engraver'.

Autograph Note Signed "Dufferin and Ava" to [John] Murray, publisher.

Author: 
Dufferin and Ava, Marquis of
Publication details: 
46 Cadogan Square, S.W., 3 July 1891.
£26.00

Blackwood, Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple, first Marquis of Dufferin and Ava 1826-1902, diplomatist and administrator (DNB). One page, 8vo, tarces of having ben laid down in album, text cleqar and complete. "My dear Murray / A thousand thanks for your kind little note about Mrs Elliot's book . . ."

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