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Author, Title, Summary Subject Price
Edgar Jepson [Edgar Alfred Jepson, pseudonym 'R. Edison Page'] (1863-1938), popular author of adventure, detective, supernatural and fantasy fiction [Barbara Kaye [Barbara Kenrick Gowing] (1908-1998)]

[Edgar Jepson, popular novelist; .] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edgar Jepson'), replying to a fan letter from 'Miss Gowing' [novelist Barbara Kaye] by suggesting that they meet to prevent him from injuring his constitution by 'industrious excess'

2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Folded once. In what is a quite unusual and somewhat flirtatious response to a fan letter, he thanks her for her 'kind letter about my books', adding: 'it is pleasing to know that they cheer you when things go wrong; and I trust that the next...

£120.00
Gari Melchers [Julius Garibaldi Melchers] (1860-1932), American naturalist artist [Henriette Lewis-Hind; Mitchell Kennerly (1878-1950); Anderson Galleries, New York; William Edwin Rudge (1876-1931)]

[Gari Melchers, American naturalist artist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Gari Melchers') to 'Wriggles' [Henriette Lewis-Hind?], regarding book and exhibition at Anderson Galleries, New York, with reference to William Edwin Rudge and Mitchell Kennerly.

The name of the recipient is not clear: it would appear to read 'Wriggles', and the letter suggests that this is a pet name for Melchers' close friend Henriette Lewis-Hind, who wrote the foreword to 'Gari Melchers, Painter', published that same year in New York by W. E. Rudge. An excellent...

£1,250.00
Robert Harling [Robert Henry Harling] (1910-2008), typographer, designer, journalist and novelist, friend of Ian Fleming and possible model for James Bond [Percy Muir (1894-1979), bookseller]

[Robert Harling, typographer who may have served as model for James Bond.] Typed Letter Signed ('Luv Robert') to the bookseller Percy Muir, on his eightieth birthday, discussing their lives and criticising their old friend, Ian Fleming's wife Ann.

See Harling's entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice. The salutation ('My dear Percy'), valediction ('Luv Robert'), and one additional word in autograph; the rest typed. He begins by thanking Muir for a copy of 'PHM 80', the volume celebrating...

£450.00
Robert Rainy (1826-1906), Scottish Presbyterian divine after whom Rainy Hall in New College, Edinburgh (the Divinity faculty in Edinburgh University) is named

[Rev. Dr Robert Rainey of New College, Edinburgh, Presbyterian divine.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Robert Rainey') to 'Mr Willie', responding humourously to a request for an autograph, while exhorting him to be a good Christian.

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Given the contents of the letter, the recipient 'Mr Willie', whose father is a minister ('of the manse'), may well be 'Master Willie', i.e. a youth named William. He is 'much flattered' by the value Willie puts on his autograph, and...

£50.00
Sir George Thomas Napier (1784-1855), distinguished British army officer who served in the Peninsular War and commanded the army of the Cape Colony [Major-General William Craig Emilius Napie]

[Sir George Thomas Napier, distinguished soldier.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Napier') to 'Captn. Hamilton', regarding his request for a position, and quoting from a letter from Secretary at War Fox Maule.

The letter must have been written in 1855, as Fox Maule (later Earl of Dalhousie) was appointed Secretary of State for War on 8 February of that year, and Napier died on 16 September. 4pp, 16mo. Bifolium with black border. Loss to part of second leaf caused by removal from mount, resulting in...

£56.00
Everard Meynell (1882-1926), writer, journalist and book collector.

[ Everard Meynell ] Autograph Letter Signed Everard Meynell, Corpl., R.A.F. to W.Downing | Birmingham (bookseller) about a Mr Johnston's examples of handwriting, samples of the pen used by Downing, and Downing's latest (book) catalogues.

One page, 8vo, laid down on sl. larger piece of stiff paper, edges v. slightly frayed, faint ink line through (clear) text, name of Everard Meynell stylishly printed (or more likely written calligraphically) at base. Text: I have written for the Examples of Handwriting required by you, and will...

£180.00
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society [Alfred West of Beechen Cliff, Bath; policing in Scotland]

[George Combe, Scottish phrenologist and lawyer.] Autograph Document describing 'The Police Establishment of Edinburgh', including information on the 'Watching', 'cleaning' and 'Lighting' departments, written out by him for Arthur West of Bath.

1p, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of glue from mount at head of reverse of second leaf, which is addressed, with broken seal in red wax, to 'Arthur West Esq | Beeching [i.e. modern-day 'Beechen'] Cliff | Bath.' The page is headed: 'The Police Establishment of...

£650.00
James Johnson [James Johnstone] (1777-1845), Irish physician, surgeon and author, Physician Extraordinary to King William IV [George Fincham, London surgeon; Horatio Goodday]

[James Johnson, Physician Extraordinary to King William IV.] Autograph Testimonial Signed ('James Johnson, M. D | Physician Extry to the King.') for Horatio Goodday.

1p, 4to. In fair condition, aged and creased, on thin Whatman wove paper, with wear to edges. Reads: 'I was acquainted, for some years, with Mr. Horatio Goodday, while he was residing as a pupil, with my friend Mr. Fincham, of Spring-Gardens, [i.e. the surgeon George Fincham] and had many...

£280.00
B. R. Whiting (1923-1988), Australian Soldier Poet.

[B.R. Whiting; Australian Poet ] Large Archive of correspondence and poems in typescript (many unpublished.

A significant archive of material relating to the Australian poet B. R. Whiting (1923-1988), from the papers of his close friend and mentor the English playwright Christopher Fry (1907-2005). In addition to 171 typescripts of 136 different poems by BRW, many of them unpublished, the collection...

Literature £3,500.00
General William Schaw Cathcart, 1st Earl Cathcart (1755–1843), Scottish soldier and diplomatist.

[ Earl Cathcart; William Rae Wilson the "popular traveller" ] Autograph Letter Signed "Cathcart" to W.Rae Wilson, on various matters.

Five pages, 12mo, a little grubby, with selltape securing the bifolium, text clear. P.4 docketing with details of contents. Text: He thanks Wilson for his letter but says he can't "render you any efficient Service in facilitating your arduous and most interesting remarks. | I certainly used my...

£180.00