Military and Naval History

Telegram to [Charles?] Tarleton.

Author: 
Charles William de la Poer Beresford, Baron Beresford
Publication details: 
Handed in at Portsmouth B', and bearing stamp from Uxbridge, Harefield, 26 November 1909.
£35.00

Naval officer and Conservative politician (1846-1919), nicknamed 'the member for the navy'. Dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 9 inches. In poor condition: browning and with several closed tears. Reads: 'From the older Charlie to the younger Charlie may all good luck attend you fighting for tariff reform national defence and relief of the unemployed Beresford'.

Autograph Note Signed to illegible correspondent.

Author: 
Rev. G.R. Gleig.
Publication details: 
Place illegible, 7 April [no year].
£50.00

Later chaplain-general of the forces, author (DNB). One page, 8vo, remnants of laying down process on blank conjugate leaf, letter in good condition. "I will be happy to supply your place on Sunday morning [presumably taking a service] - & much regret the cause of your absence. / I too have had my gout, but it is pretty well over."

Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent (a contributor to a periodical).

Author: 
William Beattie.
Publication details: 
13 Upper Berkeley St, Portman Square, Wednesday 7pm [no date].
£85.00

Writer and M.D. (DNB) Two pages, 12mo, good condition. "I return the proofs herwith. It is much improved by the Editorial Notes and will [?] in this moment in the M. & N. Gaz [ Naval & Military Gazette?] It was very kind of you to admit it so promptly - & I feel assured it will be much read in Paris. A note from the author (Paris 17th) says - "Several officers here in the main agreed with me (in conversation) & others have sincerely thanked me for opening their eyes.

Autograph Note Signed.

Author: 
Joseph Freiherr von Hormayr
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£100.00

Born 1781, died 1848. Dimensions approximately four inches by five inches. In good condition. Neatly mounted on a larger piece of paper, which is docketed 'Baron Hormayr is still famous for the part he had in the revolt of the Tyrol in 1809. Four lines in closely written gothic scrip, with signature. Scan on application for contents.

Autograph Letter Signed "Charlie Beresford" to "Maurice" [prob. Sir John Frederick Maurice, see DNB].

Author: 
Charles Beresford, Lord Beresford
Publication details: 
Somerby Hall, Oakham, 29 [March] 1888.
£100.00

Admiral (see DNB). 4 pages, 8vo, small piece of tape masks the month and another word, ow good and clear. His correspondent's letter to him has depressed him because it underates the "immense appriacation we as Seamen have for the patriotic line you have lately taken up." He is "delighted" with Maurice's book [prob. "Military History of the Campaign of 1882 in Egypt" published this year, 1888]. "I quite agree with you in all you say & consider your views the real statesmanlike Views of that immensely important point.

Autograph Note Signed to Lady Stanley.

Author: 
George William Frederick Charles, 2nd Duke of Cambridge
Publication details: 
23 March 1867; on letterhead 'Gloucester House, | Park Lane, W.'
£45.00

English aristocrat and military commander (1819-1904; DNB), grandson of George III and cousin of Queen Victoria. 2 pages, 16mo. In good condition despite minor discoloration and one ink stain. He asks her to forgive him for being unable to come to her house the previous day 'as I had most fully intended to do'. Signed 'George'.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr Wilson'.

Author: 
George Ernest Manwaring
Publication details: 
18 November 1931; London Library, St. James's Square, S.W.1.
£30.00

1 page, 8vo. Grubby but in good condition. 'In case you have not already seen it, I beg to enclose you a leaflet relating to my new book. | I shall be grateful for any help that you can give it.' Signed 'G. E. Manwaring'. The book was 'My Friend the Admiral. The life, letters, and journals of Rear-Admiral James Burney' (Routledge, 1931).

Autograph Signature on fragment of military document.

Author: 
Adolphus Frederick, Duke of Cambridge
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£30.00

Maternal grandfather of Queen Mary (1774-1850). In very good condition. Paper dimensions approximately 1 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Reads 'Adolphus Frederick. | Lt: Genl: & Col. in Chief.'

Autograph Signature on fragment of military document.

Author: 
Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£30.00

Uncle (1773-1843) of Queen Victoria, notable book collector. Paper dimensions approximately 1 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. In good condition. Florid signature 'Augustus Frederick' above printed word '(Rank)' beside 'Lieutt. Coll. Com.' in manuscript, which in turn is above printed word '(Corps)' beside 'Loyal North Britons' in manuscript.

Bristol Docks: and related topics an album of newspaper cuttings.

Author: 
No author.
Publication details: 
1905-1908.
£200.00

An Album, 55pp. with newspaper cuttings laid down, 4to, coves worn and sunned but contents intact and in good condition. Headings mainly "Press", presumably short for a local paper (Western Daily Press prob.), and "T & M", "Daily Press", "Mercury", "Express", etc. Subjects:duties of the Newhaven Master of Bristol, Britol Docks Commitrtee, Custom of thePort, The Destruction of the Avon Bank, The Dock Toll, The Canals Problem, The Alien Pilotage, Highest Bridge in the World, Appointment, The Housing Question at Avonmouth, etc, etc.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
General James Harold Doolittle
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

Distinguished and much-decorated American general (1896-1993), who during World War II led a squadron of army bombers in a series of intrepid raids on the Japanese mainland. In good condition. On a piece of paper 3 inches by 5 inches.

Autograph Note Signed to Mrs <Swanthwaite?>.

Author: 
Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Scott
Publication details: 
Monday' [no date]; on letterhead of the United Service Club, Pall Mall, S.W.
£25.00

British naval officer and inventor (1853-1924; DNB). 1 page, 16mo. In good condition. Attached to larger piece of card, docketed with a brief biography. 'I shall be delighted to come tomorrow at 4. pm. | Yours sincerely | Percy Scott'.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Sir Henry Keppel, Admiral of the Fleet.
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00

For Keppel (1809-1904) see the DNB. On a slip of paper, 1 inch by 2¾, probably cut from a letter. Grubby and creased, and docketed in ink 'Admiral Keppel'. Mounted on a long slip, together with the signature of his brother 'Edwd. S[outhwell]: Keppel' (b. c. 1801), Rector Of Quidenham, Norfolk, on a piece cut from another letter, 1¼ inches by 3. This second signature is in better condition and is preceded by "Dear Sir | Yours very truly'. Two 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'.

Autograph Letter Signed by 'Handley'

Author: 
149 SQUADRON, ROYAL AIR FORCE, BOMBING OF THE RUHR VALLEY, SECOND WORLD WAR
Publication details: 
No date [c.1940-1]; Sgts. Mess, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
£50.00

2 pages, 8vo, both with Royal Air Force letterhead bearing the motto 'PER ARDUA AD ASTRA'. Not in good condition - creased, frayed, torn and discoloured - but a marvellous and immediate piece of history, regarding what one authority describes as the 'strategic bombing [...] principally against the Ruhr, on which No.149 concentrated during the winter of 1940-1'. The letter begins 'Dear Mum, | Just a line to thank you for the photographs, I think that one of you is very good.

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'.

40 Autograph Letters Signed to him from various "old shipmates", mostly senior naval figures; with 9 portrait photographs, a photograph of the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert and the seal in red wax of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich.

Author: 
Captain Charles Dickson Inglis, R.N.
Publication details: 
between 1858 and 1898; from various locations.
£450.00

Captain Charles Dickson Inglis, R.N. (born c.1835; fl. 1898), is best known for his offer in 1887 to buy South Georgia in the Falkland Islands for the purposes of sheep-farming. This collection of his correspondence is neatly bound in a crude octavo volume, and is preceded by a manuscript index by him. Items in good condition overall, with minor discoloration and spotting, mainly caused by the glue used in mounting the photographs. All the letters are 8vo and smaller, several of them being cropped at the head, but with the cropped strips loosely inserted.

Sailing ships on the Hudson River, New York, viewed from Hoboken Docks.

Author: 
Photograph
Publication details: 
Undated but certainly nineteenth century.
£100.00

Evocative picture with docks to the right viewed through tree branches, and a number of boats and ships clearly visible, with three three-masted ones in the foreground, one sideways on and the two beside it viewed from the bows. Dimensions: 2¼ inches by 3¾ inches. Mounted on a piece of pink board which is docketed on reverse in nineteenth century hand: 'Hudson River. N.Y. from Hoboken Docks.' The picture is a little creased in the bottom left-hand corner and there is minor discolouration due to ink stains and grime.

Autograph Letter Signed to Richard Byham, Secretary [of ?].

Author: 
Richard Pigot
Publication details: 
21 May 1848; Roseland Cottage near Reading.
£50.00

Presumably Richard Pigot (1774-1868) who is described in Boase, Modern English Biography, as being a colonel in the dragoon guards at the time of writing and a general from 1851. 2 pages, 8vo. In good condition, but with one margin still adhering to the remains of a stub. 'I enclose you a letter to my old friend Lord Anglesey in favour of Mr Frederick Foster [...] I shall feel obliged to you by your interesting yourself in his behalf to obtain any vacancy that may occur in the Ordnance as a Messenger.

Autograph Signatures of several members on printed keepsake.

Author: 
D Squadron
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£100.00

Presumably printed for a Royal Air Force regimental reunion. Card bifoliate, 16mo, with 3 pages printed in green ink and featuring crude vignette of men in action in black ink on recto of first leaf, and with verso of second leaf reserved for autographs. Discoloured but in good condition. Recto of first leaf headed '"D" Squadron | R.A.F. Regiment O.C.T.U., Sidmouth. | 29th October, 1942 - 23rd January, 1943.' Across the opening are listed the men of nos. 13, 14, 15 and 16 flights. Among around a dozen autograph signatures in pencil or pen are those of the Squadron Commander Major J.

autograph letter signed to Major William Owen Lanyon, C.M.G. [later Sir William Owen Lanyon, Administrator of the Transvaal]

Author: 
Earl of Carnarvon
Publication details: 
4pp, 8vo, 30 August 1875, no place, on mourning letterhead with blindstamped Carnarvon crest
£100.00

Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon, British statesman who made Canada a confederation but failed to create a federation of South Africa; Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Interesting matter relating to South African affairs. He encloses (not present) a passage of Lanyon's from the Government Gazette.

Autograph Letter Signed (part) to unknown correspondent.

Author: 
George, Duke of Cambridge.
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£25.00

Part of letter, c.4 x 4", laid down, good condition, last few lines in which he says "Princess Frederica has promised to dine with me. Could I induce you & Bradford to come & meet her here. I remain, / Yours most sincerely / George."

A collection.

Author: 
British Army.
Publication details: 
1901
£100.00

(British Army: Ist Volunteer Rifle Battalion (Devon) in 1901). A small collection of letters and printed ephemera relating to the Ist Volunteer Rifle Battalion, Exeter, comprising: ALS, 2pp., 8vo, William C.Richards to Colonel Sir Dudley Duckworth-King, 17 Sept.

Autograph Letter Signed to “Maurice”.

Author: 
A.B. Cunninghame-Graham.
Publication details: 
17/03/47
£25.00

Admiral. One page, 4to, tear not affecting text, discussing his travel plans and meetings.

Autograph Note Signed to an unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Louis Jules Trochu.
Publication details: 
No date.
£35.00

French general (1815-1896). On visiting card, two sides, in French. He expresses regret at not being able to see or receive “Mr. Roumieu” inTouraine. He later describes himself as an old friend of England’s.

Autograph Letter Signed to an unreadable correspondent.

Author: 
Henry Labouchere
Publication details: 
27 Aug.[wm 1848].
£30.00

Baron Taunton, statesman (1798-1869). 2pp., 4to, good. He has been sent some material relating to the Merchant Seamen’s Billand relates it to his own views on the matter.

Signature.

Author: 
Robert Williams.
Publication details: 
No place and date.
£20.00

Inventor of a screw propeller (DNB). End of letter clipped, text "Yours very truly / Robt Griffiths", c. 3.5 x 1-1.5" (irregular), good condition.

Signature.

Author: 
A. Moncrieff, colonel and engineer
Publication details: 
25/06/69
£25.00

Moncrieff, Sir Alexander 1829-1906, colonel and engineer (DNB). Bold signature and date on part of headed notepaper (Royal United Service Institution), paper, c.4 x 4", slightly stained from having been laid down but clear.

Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Francis Vincent.

Author: 
George B. Rumbold.
Publication details: 
Berlin, 23 June 1806.
£180.00

Diplomat. Three pages, 4to, poor condition but most of the text legible. "Private". Rumbold discusses the reception of a petition he sent to "Mr Fen[?]" saying that he is to get "immediate indemnification for the losses & expenses occasioned by the seizure of my Person, my imprisonment &c". Vincent is giving him support. He encloses his account, anticipates delay by the Treasury in paying but enlists his correspondent's help. His case was a cause celebre of the time, described in DNB as follows: "On the night of 25 Oct.

Autograph Letter Signed "Thomas Coutts & Co" (Coutts's hand) to Thomas Steuart, The Secretary, Bank of Scotland.

Author: 
Thomas Coutts.
Publication details: 
London, 28 Nov. 1780.
£250.00

Banker. Bank to Bank transaction. One page, 4to, good condition. "Sir/ Since our last of the 2[0]th Inst we are favour'd with yours of the 23d agreeable to which we have this day bought the undermention'd Bills (listed with numbers, description, date and amount, three "Victualling Bills" and one "Navy Bill"; discount, total given "Charged to the Bank of Scotland £5062.18.10".

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