Literature

Autograph Note, third person, to the Lord Mayor of London and wife.

Author: 
Anthony Panizzi.
Publication details: 
British Museum, 3 June (no year).
£45.00

Chief Librarian, British Museum (1797-1879). One page, 8vo, bifoliate, sl. marked, fold marks, text clear and complete. "Mr Panizzi presents his compliments to the Lord Mayor . . . and regrets very much that a previous engagement will prevent him from having the honour . . ."

Address in her hand.

Author: 
Mary Mitford.
Publication details: 
No date.
£30.00

The address panel only, 4 x 2", of a letter with the address "Mrs Davidson/ Milner's[?] Lodgings/ Green Street/ Scarborough/ Yorkshire" in Mitford's hand. Partly laid down. Mary Mitford's name and address are written in another hand on the reverse.

Typed Letter Signed to De V. Payen-Payne.

Author: 
J.C. Squire.
Publication details: 
The London Mercury, 18 Dec. 1920.
£45.00

Poet and man of letters (1884-1958). One page, 4to, fold marks, sl. wear, text readable. " . . . I think the occasion for using that poem by Collins would be the next occasion on which we mention - as we are bound to mention - the Artist's Rifles [last work in ms.]/ It will go in very nicely if you will let me hold it up for a bit. I don't blame Wise about the Swinburne poems; I don't think there is a man in the world who could tell one Swinburne poem from another, once you have ruled out the few best.

Autograph note signed to "Registrar".

Author: 
Thomas Hughes.:
Publication details: 
Chester, 13 July 1892.
£85.00

Author of "Tom Brown's Schooldays", lawyer (1822-1896). One page, 8vo, a little crumpled and marked from having been laid down previously in an album, but text clear and complete. He asks for his next "Court" day to be changed since the "Governor of the Isle of Man has come down on me to fulfil an old promise to preside at the speech day of King William's College". He will have to get there by the "Friday boat". From DNB: " In July 1882 Hughes was appointed a county-court judge, and went to live at Chester.

Scrap of paper with a sentence in his hand.

Author: 
Louis Blanc.
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£45.00

French politician and historian (1811-1882). Poor condition, complete text:. "Mille remerciement de la part de Mr Louis Blanc. Il reviendra. --- I.e. he was in exile or about to go into exile.

Autograph letter signed to Miss Russell.

Author: 
John Marriott.:
Publication details: 
10 June (no year).
£100.00

Divine and poet (1780-1825). Three pages, 4to, heavily water-stained but still all legible, tear and nick not affecting text. He tells her that he has at last got round to sending her a book (a postcript reveals that it was a "french Book" which his wife had promised ot loan a long time before). He had hoped she was going to visit. He discusses the parlous health of his son and his wife's "maternal anxiety". He had seen a mutual acquaintance, looking better, and hopes she received his letter of thanks for the drawings of the tesselated pavement she had given as a present to him,.

Typed Note Signed to Miss Jerrold.

Author: 
A.E.W. Mason.
Publication details: 
London, 3 Sept. 1935.
£35.00

Novelist. One page, 8vo, good condition. "I am quite willing that you should use the extract from my book "The House of the Arrow", but you should, I think, get also the consent of Mesrs. Hodder & Stoughton before using it."

Autograph note signed to William Jerdan, editor of the Literary Gazette.

Author: 
William Sotheby.
Publication details: 
No place, postmark 3 Nov. 1832.
£350.00

Litterateur and Poet (1757-1833). One page, 4to, fold marks, minor tears and staining, clear and good. Sotheby asks Jerdan "If there be time, l;et the Two last lines of the Proem [underlined] be -/ "And, in his grave while falls a Nation's tears,/ I strow these fading flours on Scott's untimely Bier".The equivalent text published in "the Literary Gazette", 3 Nov. 1832, p.699, runs as follows: "The golden close of F,me's unclouded day --/ Now strew these fading flowers on his untrimely tomb." In other words, Sotheby was too late with his changes.

Autograph Letter Signed to [Walter] Jerrold.

Author: 
Herbert Trench.
Publication details: 
3 Mansfield Place, Richmond Hill, Surrey, 23 Oct. 1907.
£35.00

Poet and playwright. Three pages, 8vo, good condition. H has realised that Jerrold is publishing in his "Anthology" two popems which are about to appear in Trench's "New Poems", to be published by Methuen the following day. He requests what he believes in Methuen's customary charge of a guinea a poem. Otherwise, could he return them.

Autograph Letter Signed and two autograph notes signed to J.G. Wilson, Chairman of J & E. Bumpus's.

Author: 
Thomas Moult.
Publication details: 
London, 20 Aug. and 14 Nov. 1930, and 15 Nov. 1932.
£60.00

Miscellaneous Writer (Poetry Society). Total 4pp., 8vo. He is enlisting Wilson's aid in selling his new book (favourably reviewed by Evelyn Waugh) and requesting a list of distinguished visitors to Bumpus's (bookshop) (Walter) Scott {Centenary] Exhibition to establish who was interested in Scott at that time. Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235). Four items,

Autograph Letter Signed and Autograph Note Signed to [Walter Jerrold].

Author: 
Thomas Sturge Moore.
Publication details: 
26 July and 20 Sept. 1906.
£100.00

Poet, wood engraver, and illustrator ((1870-1944). (July) "I shall be very pleased to be represented in the anthology . . . [gives permission for two shorter pieces] / May your venture have so much success as to enable future compilers to repair in some measure the market value of verse. Thanking you for your courteous encouragement." (Sept.) "I am agreeable to your choice of peices for your Anthology namely "On Death" & "That Land". . . ." Two items,

Autograph Letter initialled "R" to Daniel George, author and publisher's reader

Author: 
Rupert Hart-Davis
Publication details: 
17/05/44
£45.00

Publisher. 2pp., 8vo. He discusses his reading which includes Blunden's "Cricket Country", some done for professional reasons.

Typed Agreement on the production of Christie's "Appointment with Death".

Author: 
Bertie Alexander Meyer and Derrick de Marney.
Publication details: 
London, 5 May 1944.
£150.00

Agreement "to be associated in the exploitation of the said Play", 4pp., folio, manuscript correctionsand additions initialled throughout by the above parties, and finally signed by both. WITH: Typed copy of the agreemen,t5 May 1944, between Agatha Mallowan (Christie) and Bertie Alexander Meyer for the rights to produce a play, 4pp., folio, NOT signed; AND: Typed copy of agreement, 30 Sept. 1942, between the same parties for the rights to "Ten Little Niggers", 4pp., folio, some pencilled annotation, NOT signed; AND: Typed copy agreement, 9 Sept.

Autograph letter signed to "Miss <?>"

Author: 
Margaret Oliphant
Publication details: 
No date [1974?]
£40.00

Scottish novelist and historical writer (1828-1897). 2pp., 12mo, laid down. She is delighted to accept "Mrs Hargreaves's invitation, saying when will suit her best and outlining travel plans.

autograph letters signed (x 3) to Walter Jerrold, editor, etc.

Author: 
W.J. Locke
Publication details: 
1906-1911
£80.00

Novelist. Total 4pp., 8vo, in the most substantial of which he confesses to being "a most barren person . . . the very act of composition is one of exceeding pain & travail". He is considering a proposal to write something to help the Journalists Orphan Fund. One note concerns the Thackeray Charterhouse Dinner, the other conveys thanks for a fee and pleases that an Exhibition was successful. Three items,

Autograph letter signed to Frank George

Author: 
S.R. Crockett
S.R. Crockett
Publication details: 
13/04/97
£40.00
S.R. Crockett

Novelist (1860-1914). One page, 8vo. He excuses his delayed response by reference to illness and his travels "over central Europe with a knapsack". He is obviously sending a financial contribution of some sort despite not knowing where his bank account stands. In a postscript he says that he had given Norman an honourable mention in "The Bookman" earlier that year.

letter [by amanuensis?] to H. A. West,

Author: 
Sir Francis Cowley Burnand
Publication details: 
no date, on letterhead addressed Hale Lodge, Edgeware.
£20.00

Dramatist (1836-1917) and editor of Punch from 1862-1906. One page, 12mo. The printed part is laid out like a telegram, with a reference number, and the letter, although signed "FCB" does not appear to be in Burnard's hand. "Dear Sir / I am head over ears in engagements & business next week. [...] to you ce qu'arrivera." With postscript "Just come from Germany". In parlous condition, frayed, and with holes and tape marks from previous mounting.

Autograph letter signed to S. Teulon.

Author: 
Samuel Smiles.
Publication details: 
South Eastern Railway, 7 August 1857.
£100.00

South-Eastern Railway secretary, social reformer, author ((1812-1904). Two pages, 8vo. He is presenting one of his books, presumably the "Life of George Stephenson" which was published in July of that year: "The book has been written under great disadvantage, - and has been scraped together as it were out of the scraps & odd bits of my lesser moments. But such as it is I hope it will afford you some pleasure to read." Smiles wrote "Self-Help" among other significant books.

Autograph note signed on card to [the Rev. E.J.F. Davies, autograph-collector)

Author: 
Maud Diver
Publication details: 
31 July [1931].
£45.00

Novelist (1867-1945). Two sides of card, 3" x 3". She says he is welcome to her autograph "for what it is worth, to add to [his] distinguished collection. She adds a postscript saying that she has enclosed her signature on a separate piece of paper in case that is what he requires. She points out that she "is not Miss Diver & never was. My husband Colonel Diver, was in the Royal Warwickshire Regt. I am a mother - & a grandmother! My new book "Ships of Youth [A study of marriage in modern India]" was published a week ago". With: separate piece of paper with her signature and a date.

autograph notes signed (x 3) to G.F. Troup Horne

Author: 
W.W. Jacobs
Publication details: 
1929-1934
£120.00

Humorous writer (1863-1943), one large 8vo page each. (1929) He is returning some "sketches", commenting on the difficulty of a beginner to get published despite merits, and the need for a little revision. (I have found nothing by Horne in the BLCat.)(1930) His handwriting is even more difficult than usual, but he is responding to a card and appears to be annoyed at a suggestion ("disgraceful"). His postscript runs "If I wrote like that I would take a few lessons".

Autograph Quotation Signed "Marie C. Stopes

Author: 
Marie Stopes
Publication details: 
n.d.
£100.00

Stopes has written lines headed "Marriage" on a 4to page (her birthday, 15 October) extracted from "A Birthday Book designed by her Royal Highness the Princess Beatrice" (1881). The book comprises one day to every page. The book has the bookplate of N. Hardy Wallis (see BLC). Stopes says "Marriage:-/ A stream of sweet content whereon do float/The jewelled flowers of passion to the sea / Of deep and everlasting memory./ Marie C. Stopes.

Autograph letter signed to J. F. Ellis,

Author: 
John Leycester Adolphus
Publication details: 
10 December [no year], no place.
£80.00

Barrister and author (1795-1862). One page, 12mo. "Dear Ellis, / Doe v.

One autograph postcard signed and two autograph letters signed to Clement Shorter

Author: 
Sir Sidney Low
Publication details: 
1904-1906
£75.00

Author. The letters total 5 pages, 8vo. He anticipates the publication of his "Governance of Britain", giving his view of the book. He thanks Shorter for as review (presumably in "The Sphere"), expresses admiration for Mrs Shorter's work (Dora Sigerson), discusses public reaction to his "Vision of India". He is thinking of writing a "Vision of Ireland". Three items,

Two typed notes signed to J.G. Wilson, Chairmand of J & E Bumpus, booksellers.

Author: 
Norman Collins
Publication details: 
14 and 18 July 1947
£40.00

Novelist. One page each, 8vo. He is responding to an invitation and outlining a busy schedule. 2 items,

Le Miracle de Saint Antoine

Author: 
Maurice Maeterlinck
Publication details: 
Paris 1920
£85.00

Belgian dramatist, poet, essayist (1862-1949). "Deux Mille", blue wraps, small tear both ends of spine, hinge strain, yellowing pages but mainly g.. INSCRIBED "A Sir John Martin Harvey [English actor/manager]. L'incomparable <........................> ref. obscure to me> qui sera bientot le miraculeur [sic] St Antoine./ En toute <..?> admiration/ Maeterlinck/ 24 juin 1921" (last figure obscure). DNB says: "At the Prince of Wales's Theatre his Pelléas in Maeterlinck's Pelléas and Mélisande moved the author to declare: ‘Il a volé mon âme, ce M. Harvey.’

Autograph letter signed and one typed letter signed, both to Sewell [Stokes],

Author: 
Norman Ginsburg
Publication details: 
both 1967, both with letterhead Barum Lodge, 25 Prideaux Road, Eastbourne, Sussex.
£30.00

Playwright (1902-1991). The typed letter, 8 February 1967, one page, 8vo. An interesting letter. "I am back again! I have just had a note from Murray Macdonald. He tells me he is going to direct a new play by Tam and Maggie Williams, probaly [sic] in July. The Williams' want Gladys Cooper [English actress, 1888-1971] for it but it is a small part and she has not said "Yes" or "No" yet. She spole to Murray about "The Limit" and told him she would like to do it at Guilford. So please, please convince her that the play to do is the one by ME and not by Williams!

Autograph phrases signed "William Sharp"

Author: 
William Sharp ("Fiona Macleod")
Publication details: 
n.d.
£100.00

n the 4to page (12 September, Sharp's birthday) extracted from "A Birthday Book designed by her Royal Highness the Princess Beatrice" (1881). Sharp has written six Gaelic phrases with English translations E.g. "Mar a bha As it was/ Mar a tha As it is .......". . The book comprises one day to every page.The book has the bookplate of N. Hardy Wallis (see BLC).

Autograph note signed to J.H. Gifford (prob. editor of the St James' Chronicle).

Author: 
Martin Archer Shee
Publication details: 
27/01/31
£45.00

Irish Painter, poet, dramatist and novelist (1770-1850). He gives his correspondent the address of a "Mr Herbert" who was, according to the Post Office Directory of 1846, a professor and publisher of music.

Autograph postcard signed to Douglas Sladen, author.

Author: 
M.H. Spielman
Publication details: 
24/02/17
£25.00

Author. She asks where Frederic Whyte is. "I've long been wanting to meet him again, but he's unfortunately plunged out of my orbit . . . he's one of the men I should least like to lose sight of". She asks about Sladen's election to the Athenaeum.

Autograph postcard signed to J.G. Wilson, Chairman of Bumpus's, booksellers

Author: 
R.H. Bruce Lockhart
Publication details: 
21/02/33
£35.00

Author. Two sides of card used, thanking Wilson for obtaining for him an invitation from John Buchan to be a guest at the National Book Trade Dinner and for the "splendid showing" he arranged for his book (probably "British Agent") at Bumpus's.

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