Literature

Autograph Letter Signed to [Clement] Shorter.

Author: 
Arthur Anthony Baumann
Publication details: 
16 October 1918; on letterhead '44, HYDE PARK SQUARE. W.2.'
£30.00

English author (1856-1936). 2 pages, 8vo. In good condition. As Shorter has sent his letter to Baumann's home instead of to 'the office of the paper' it will be too late to insert it that week, 'as the paper was practically made up when I left this afternoon'. There are three letters dealing with Shorter's first letter in that week's issue. As Shorter may want to reply to them he is returning the letter, 'which otherwise will be published next week'. 'A letter should reach the office (10 King St. Covent Garden) not later than noon on Wednesday.' Signed 'Arthur A. Baumann'.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Edward Verrall Lucas
Publication details: 
26 February 1919; on compliments slip with letterhead '176, VICTORIA STREET. S.W.'
£20.00

English essayist and biographer of Charles Lamb (1868-1938). 1 page, dimensions approximately 4 inches by 6 inches. Somewhat grubby and creased. Reads 'Feb 26| 1919 | with E V Lucas's | compliments'.

Autograph Letter Signed by O'Conor to Mrs [J. M.] Patterson, Secretary to The Royal Society of Literature, regarding a reading of John Masefield's poems.

Author: 
Joseph O'Conor [John Masefield, Royals Society of Literature]
Publication details: 
No date (but post 1963?); 18 Melville Road, Barnes, S.W.13.
£65.00

Irish actor (1916-2001). 2 pages, 8vo. In good condition though creased along one edge. Accompanying this item are a typescript (1 page, 8vo, in good condition, annotated in ink) headed 'MASEFIELD READINGS', listing 13 items alternatively allocated to 'O'Conor' and 'Day Lewis', and two typewritten slips of paper listing some of the officers of the Royal Society of Literature, one of which has corrected details of the Don Carlos Coloma Memorial Lecture on the reverse. In the letter O'Conor complains that [Masefield's Collected Poems 'seem riddled with misprints'.

Typescript, with illustrations, of a children's tale entitled 'A story by patch'.

Author: 
Evaline May Brierly
Publication details: 
[circa 1949]; no place
£100.00

Typed on one side of 86 quarto leaves, the latter leaves paginated and ending with 86. In printed wraps neatly tied with blue ribbon. Somewhat dusty but in good condition overall. According to the British Library catalogue the story was published by Unity Products in 1949. Patch is a dog, and the first few leaves contain eleven charming illustrations his friends, including Scragg, Tatters and Madame Sing-Hi.

A collection of contracts and related material

Author: 
claud cockburn
Publication details: 
1971-1974
£150.00

Memorandum of Agreemen (Cockburn and Sidgwick & Jackson)t, 3 Dec. 1971, for "The Devil's Decade", 4pp., fol., signed by Cockburn. Memorandum of Agreement (Penguin), "Bestseller", photocopy, 6pp., unsigned. Memorandum of Agreement (Sidgwick & Jackson and Penguin), "Bestseller", 5pp., not signed by Cockburn. Ibid (Cockburn and Sidgwick & Jackson),"Bestseller" 6 Aug. 1971, 4pp., fol., corrected, initialled extensively and signed by Cockburn. Ibid.,(Sidgwick and Cockburn)) "News and Newspapers", 3 Aug. 1972, 4pp., fol., initialled extensively and signed by Cockburn.

Valuation of the literary properties of Anthony Hope, deceased.

Author: 
Anthony Hope
Publication details: 
1933 (death of Hope).
£150.00

Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins (d.1933)(DNB) From the archives of literary agents, A.P. Watt, letters, copy letters, listings of publishers, titles of books (inc. Zenda, etc) and contributions, royalties and valuations inc. literary estate, payments to Lady Hawkins c. 18 pages, 8vo and folio, most in manuscript.

Bibliographie anecdotique et critique des oeuvres de Jacques Casanova.

Author: 
Joseph Pollio
Publication details: 
Paris: L. Giraud-Badin, 1926.
£40.00

Edition limited to 680 copies. 8vo: 235 pages. Uncut. With numerous portraits and facsimiles. In original printed wraps with loss and splitting at head of spine. Internally a good tight copy on paper discoloured with age.

Valuation of the literary properties of Baroness Orczy, deceased.

Author: 
Baroness Orczy
Publication details: 
1945- 1947 (death), 1969
£250.00

(Oxford Companion, ed. Drabble)) From the archives of literary agents, A.P. Watt, letters, copy letters, listings of publishers, titles of books (Pimpernel, Lady Molly etc) and contributions, films, translations, royalties and valuations inc. literary estate, foreign rights, c. 25 pages, 8vo and folio, most in manuscript.

The History of Valentine and Orson

Author: 
Anon.
Publication details: 
n.d. (mid-late 18thC)
£100.00

12mo, unopened, unbound, g+

One Autograph Letter Signed to "Gosse" and one Autograph Note Initialled to an unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Philip Sainsbury.
Publication details: 
The Cayme Press, 21 Stanhope Mews West, Kensington, S.W.7, no dates but the printed address (36 Queen's Gate Mews, S.W.7") has been replaced by handwritten "Stanhope Mews" address.
£200.00

Founder, with Humphrey Toulmin of the Cayme Press. Total 3pp., 8vo, minor defects, good condition, text clear and complete. (The ALS (2pp.) is addressed to [Edmund prob.] "Gosse", inviting him to dinner at the Double Crown Club and thinking he would be amused. "The members are mainly publishers & include such people as Sadleir, Sidgwick, Holbrook Jackson, Harold Monro, Albert Rutherston, Emery Walker & C".

Autograph Note signed with draft title page to [Bell & Daldy], publishers.

Author: 
Robert Bell.
Publication details: 
[1867].
£100.00

Author and editor (DNB). One page, 8vo, dusty edges but text clear and complete. Bell initially writes the text of the titlepage with extensive corrections and additions (text comes through close to the printed version). He then adds a note as follows: The word 'original' appears to me important, as so many illustrated works are made up of old plates. I would suggest that there is no punctuation in the title-page." An unusual item.

Five (5) Autograph Letters Signed to [John Russell Smith], publisher.

Author: 
William Chadwick.
Publication details: 
Arksey (mainly), 1858/9 and 1862.
£450.00

Author of "The Life and Times of Daniel Defoe, with remarks digressive and discursive" (J.R. Smith, London, 1859).Total 23pp., 8vo, minor damage, texts clear and complete. The letters concern this book about Defoe exclusively. He starts (29 Oct. 1858) "You have the whole manuscript complete now, with the Parcel sent yesterday", adding that entries (giving examples) can be struck out since they were part of library researches.

Typed Note Signed to Herbert M. Adler.

Author: 
Israel Zangwill.
Publication details: 
Far End, East Preston, Sussex, 12 July 1911.
£100.00

One page, 4to, sl. dusty and dulled, fold marks, but text clear and complete, as follows: "Dear Adler, I cannot remember whether "Lord of the World" was published for the first time in "Blind Children" or not, but at any rate it would be impossible for the pirates to know any more than I do. It is very probable also that I asked Funk and Wagnall's permission."

Autograph Note Signed to "Routledge", publisher.

Author: 
R.M. Ballantyne.
Publication details: 
6 Millerfield Place, Edinburgh, 5 May 1867.
£50.00

Novelist. One page, 8vo, text complete and clear but someone has misused scissors to make cuts in text, both 1.5", corner trimmedThe letter is laid down (with scrap attached to other side). He thanks Routledge for a cheque settling his account to date and is "glad to hear of the success of your effort in aisng a lifeboat, & sincerely hope that you may have to record the saving of many lives by it in your magazine."

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Sir Francis Cowley Burnand
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

Editor of Punch (1836-1917), and co-author with Sir Arthur Sullivan of 'Cox and Box'. In good condition. On slip, 1 inch by 2 1/2, cut from letter. Signed 'F C Burnand'.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Charles Albert Fecther
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

English actor and dramatist (1824-79; DNB). On slip of paper, 1½ inches by 4 inches, probably cut from letter. Discoloration to two corners caused by mounting. Paper creased and with almost imperceptible closed tear. Florid and attractive signature. Neatly docketed in pencil on reverse.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Morley Roberts
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

Novelist, journalist and travel writer (1857-1942). Dimensions: 1 1/4 inches by 4 inches. In good condition, although creased along its length, and attached to a larger piece of paper docketed 'Morley Roberts. | Novelist & Journalist.'

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Eden Phillpots
Publication details: 
February 1928; no place.
£15.00

English novelist, poet and dramatist (1862-1960), noted for his works on Devon. On piece of paper, 3 inches by 4 1/2. In good condition, and attached to a piece of blue card docketed with list of Phillpots works. Distinctive and attractive signature, 'Eden Philpotts | Feb: 1928'.

Autograph Signature on fragment of typewritten letter.

Author: 
Samuel Rutherford Crockett [S.R. Crockett]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

Scottish novelist (1860-1914) of the Kailyard School. The fragment is one inch by three inches in size, in good condition and attached to a docketed piece of green paper. The signature 'S R. Crockett' is beneath a typewritten 'Yours as ever,'.

Autograph letter signed to an [W.H. Harrison, poet, editor of "Friendship's Offering", literary advisor to Ruskin]

Author: 
Thomas Miller.:
Publication details: 
31 Elliott's Row, St George's Road, Southwark, 22 May 1837
£250.00

Poet and novelist, basketmaker and bookseller (1807-1874). One page, 4to, one nick not affecting text, fold marks and signs of having been laid down, mainly good. He has made "few alterations in the Poem, which if you think an improvement, may be adopted. I am afraid that so much practise in writing prose is creeping into and tinging my poetry. I do not truly like this 'Desolate Hall' and yet I can do nothing better at present". He has had no review in the "Literary Gazette" as yet, and comments on the "mass of new books that every corner of the columns have been crowded . . . Mr.

Autograph letter signed, Typed note signed, and Autograph postcard signed to Daniel George, man of letters,

Author: 
C. Day-Lewis
Publication details: 
Mainly undated, 1940s and 1950s
£250.00

(Letter [1945]) He is jumping at Daniel George's offer to take any reviews that Day-Lewis could do without. His doctor has ordered rest. (Note) He is returning an article he cannot use in "Orion". (Card) He would like to see a broadcast George has made. With: autograph note signed from Daniel George, 29 January 1945, acknowledging receipt of the books he is to review, hoping his health is improving. And: Christmas Card signed by Day-Lewis and Rosamund Lehmann (1944), containing a poem by Day-Lewis and a design by Paul Cross. 4 items,

6 Typed Letters Signed to Mrs Theodora Roscoe.

Author: 
Sir Arthur Bryant
Publication details: 
1945-1950; the first three from The White House, East Claydon, near Bletchley, Bucks, the next two from 18 Rutland Gate, London, and the last one from Smedmore House, near Wareham, Dorset.
£50.00

English historian and biographer of Pepys (1899-1985). All six letters are 1 page, 8vo. In poor condition: creased, frayed and discoloured, with ruststains from a paperclip. All six are signed 'Arthur Bryant' and three are addressed to Mrs Cecil Roscoe, presumably the recipient's husband's name. Two of the letters are addressed to Roscoe at the Society of Women Journalists, Stationers' Hall. In the first letter Bryant says he would be pleased to address the Society. He might however be forced to cancel, 'owing to my absence from the country on Service duty'.

One Autograph Letter Signed, one Autograph Card Signed, one calling card bearing unsigned Autograph Note, and one obituary from an unnamed newspaper.

Author: 
Sir Philip Montefiore Magnus, Bart.
Publication details: 
Card to C. H. Grinling of Red Roofs, Peaslake, Surrey: 15 December 1928; letter: 13 June 1930; both fromTangley-Hill, Chilworth, Surrey; calling card and newspaper cutting without place or date.
£30.00

Educationalist and biographer of Kitchener and Edward VII. All items are in good condition, but bear traces of rust from paper clips. The card is 1 page, 12mo, with printed letterhead, and carries two stamps and postmark on reverse. He is going to London the next day and will stay till Thursday. He will be happy to see Grinling on Sunday or Monday if convenient and he will try to be at home. The letter is 1 page, 8vo. In it he thanks his correspondent for the 'interesting papers which I will return'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Charles Stuart (later Baron Stuart de Rothesay), Ambassador to Paris.

Author: 
William Richard Hamilton, Minister at Naples.
Publication details: 
20 July 1824; Naples.
£120.00

For Hamilton (1777-1859), Treasurer of the Royal Institution and one of the Trustees of the British Museum, see Boase's 'Modern English Biography'. He was secretary to Lord Elgin in Constantinople, recovered the Rosetta Stone from the French and aided in collecting and removing the Elgin Marbles from Athens. 3 pages, 16mo. Creased but in good condition. Begins by saying that a few years ago Stuart introduced Charles Rothschild to him, 'but it was probably at the request of his brother, as he has now asked me to introduce him to you'.

Autograph Letter Signed, to the Duchess of St Albans

Author: 
Bret Harte
Publication details: 
Onslow Gardens, Kensington, London, n.d.
£100.00

Author (1839-1902), 2pp., 8vo, laid down on card, small tear not affecting text. He is trying to arrange a visit, and gives some idea of when he can make it, saying that he has to go to Glasgow (where he was U.S. consul 1880-5) and Brighton on certain days. He asks her to telegraph possibilities. He is pleased to have heard from "Mrs Webb" that an accident had no serous consequences.

Autograph Letter Signed to Lewis S. Benjamin.

Author: 
Leonard Huxley
Publication details: 
3 May 1920; 16 Bracknell Gardens, Hampstead, N.W.3, on letterhead of The Cornhill Magazine, John Murray, 50A Albemarle Street, London, W.1.
£25.00

English writer and editor (DNB), son of the biologist Thomas Henry Huxley and father of the novelist Aldous Huxley. One page, 8vo, in good condition. Docketed 'not acknowledged'. 'Having secured a clear evening on May 10th I look forward to attending the dinner of the Titmarsh Club, & beg to enclose cheque for my subscription 12/6. I do not propose to bring a guest.'

Autograph Signature on fragment addressed to Frederick Ouvry.

Author: 
Charles Albert Fechter
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

Anglo-French actor best remembered for having presented Charles Dickens with the Swiss chalet he erected in the garden at Gadshill and in which he wrote Great Expectations. The recipient was a lawyer and antiquary. The signature is on a slip approximately two inches by four and a half, presumably part of a letter or envelope, and laid down on a piece of card. Miniscule loss to part of slip, but text unaffected. Inscribed 'Fred. Ouvry Esq. | Ch. Fechter', with the signature underlined and overlined by Fechter.

Unpublished proof of illustration for "Henry Esmond".

Author: 
W.M. Thackeray.
Publication details: 
No date.
£125.00

C. 6 x 4", in envelope, on which a description has been written as follows: "With Mr E.L. Legatts kind regard. 2 proof copies [note: only one present] from an unpublished [underlined] wood block cut by Mr swain being an illustration to Thackary's [sic] "Esmond" shewing the boy being introduced to the Lord Castlewood by the Roman Catholic priest. 1 Copy for your sister please. / Novr 05". Postmak, 2 Dec. 1905, addressed to "Mrs Walker, 36 Elsworthy Road, London, NW".

Four Autograph Letters Signed to Edward Draper.

Author: 
William Ball
Publication details: 
21 March 1848; 5 January 1856; 22 January 1856; 6 August 1862; the first three letters from 5 Upper York Street, Bryanstone Square; the last from 5 St James's Terrace, Clarendon Road, Notting-Hill, W.
£200.00

According to Frederic Boase's Modern English Biography William Ball (1785-1869) was the composer of 'hundreds of comic and sentimental songs', the most famous of which, 'Jack's lament for the loss of his tail', being 'one of the most popular songs of the day ever written'. All four letters 16mo, that of 22 January 1856 of 8 pages and the others of 4 pages. All are somewhat grubby with minor spotting but the overall condition is good. An extremely informative and intimate correspondence in a very close hand.

Three Typed Letters Signed, one Autograph Poem Signed, and Two Typed Letters signed by his Private Secretary.

Author: 
Wavell Wakefield
Publication details: 
All five Typed Letters on House of Commons notepaper, 1961-2; the poem April 1962.
£120.00

Politician and rugby player (DNB). The five letters all one page, 16mo, and each with two staple holes and in good condition. The autograph poem is on a printed bifoliate menu for the Cricket Society Spring Dinner (6 April 1962), 16mo, slightly discoloured. The letters relate to various Cricket Society Dinners. He agrees to attend the 1961 Spring Dinner at the Lords Tavern, but his private secretary P. Barling declines on his behalf an invitation to the autumn dinner as he is out of the country recovering from an operation.

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