OF

[ Sir Austen Henry Layard, English archaeologist, excavator of Nimrud and Nineveh. ] Autograph Signature ('A. H. Layard').

Author: 
Sir Austen Henry Layard [ Sir A. H. Layard ] (1817-1894), English archaeologist, excavator of Nimrud and Nineveh, and discoverer of the library of Ashurbanipal
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£23.00

On 5 x 9.5 cm. piece of paper, cut from the end of a letter. In fair condition, slightly smudged, with traces of glue from mount on reverse. Reads: 'Lateran. We shall be there to meet you. | Yours very truly | A. H. Layard'.

Printed list of 'Past Students of the Cambridge University Training College for Schoolmasters, with the Schools in which they are now serving.'

Author: 
W. Durnford, Principal; S. S. F. Fletcher, Vice-Principal; The Cambridge University Training College for Schoolmasters
Publication details: 
[ The Cambridge University Training College for Schoolmasters. ] Warkworth House, Cambridge, March, 1912.
£90.00

4pp., 4to. In fair condition, aged, and with wear and closed tears to extremities. With label, stamp and shelfmarks of the Board of Education Reference Library. Long list in small print, dating from between 1898 and 1911, and with entries listed under five columns: 'Name of Student', 'College', 'Year of leaving College', 'Degree' and 'Present School'. First entry reads: 'Bernays, A. E. | Trinity 1898 | 1st Class Div. 1, Classical Tripos, Part I. 1895. 2nd Class, Part II. 1897. | Educational Editor to Mr. Edward Arnold.' Last entry reads: 'Wood, F. J. | Jesus | 1911 | B.A.

[ Fencing in the French army during the July Monarchy; escrime francaise ] Manuscript 'Brévet de Maitre d'Armes' presented to Marius Chaix of 2e Regiment, 16e. Division Militaire at Arras, signed by eighteen 'Maîtres d'Armes'.

Author: 
Marius Chaix, 2e Régiment, 16e Division Militaire (Arras) [ Fencing in the French army during the July Monarchy ]
Publication details: 
Arras. 6 December 1840.
£450.00

Headed, with the first line in gold: 'Corps Royal du Genie. | 2e. Regiment. | Academie d'Escrime. | Brévet de Maitre d'Armes.' The commission reads: 'Nous soussigné Maîtres d'Armes, Composant la garrison d'Arras, après avoir reconnu les capacités du Sieur Chaix, (Marius) Maître Ouvrier à la Ce. Compagnie du 2e. Bataillon, du dit Regiment. On one side of a 28 x 36 cm piece of cream paper. In fair condition, aged, creased and worn, with central vertical fold.

[ Ciro of Bond Street, London jewellers. ] Four 1930s trade catalogues: 'A Treasury of Pearls & Jewels', 'A Book of New and Exclusive Jewels', 'Exclusive Watches' and 'A Book of New and Exclusive Watches by Ciro - Part 2 - Jewelled Watches'.

Author: 
Ciro of Bond Street, London jewellers, founded in 1917
Publication details: 
'Ciro of Bond Street' [ Ciro, 48 Old Bond Street, London, W.1. ] None of the four dated, but all from the 1930s.
£500.00

The four items date from around the same period, all printed in black and white on shiny art paper, stapled in cream card wraps with simple and elegant titles printed in gold on the front covers. All four are profusely illustrated, with accompanying effusive text. Two have price lists printed in red tipped-in at the end. All four are in fair condition, with pages of text in a good state, and light signs of age and wear to the covers, the two larger items exhibiting slight rolled creasing, and one of them with wear at foot of spine.

[ Festival of Britain, 1951. ] Printed 'Festival of Britain | May 3 - September 30, 1951 | Information Summary'.

Author: 
[ Festival of Britain, 1951 ]
Publication details: 
Printed for H.M. Stationery Office by Messrs. Fosh & Cross Ltd., London for Festival of Britain 1951, 2 Savoy Court, W.C.2. [ Dated '3/51', i.e. March 1951. ]
£100.00

16pp., 12mo. Stapled pamphlet. In fair condition, aged and dogeared. Cover reads 'FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN | MAY 3 - SEPTEMBER 30, 1951 | INFORMATION SUMMARY'. The lettering of the words 'FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN' is in the distinctive style, and the festival's logo is on the back cover. A list of contents on the second page includes an introduction on 'The Festival Organisation', information on events around Britain, 'Travelling Exhibitions' (including the 'Festival Ship Campania'), 'The Churches' Participation', and sections on books, films and 'Admission Charges'.

[ King William IV, as Lord High Admiral. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('William') to Sir James Cockburn, Inspector General of the Royal Marines, regarding 'the proper mode of depositing the various Colours' used by the different divisions.

Author: 
King William IV (1765-1837) of the United Kingdom, King of Hanover [ Sir James Cockburn (1771-1852), 9th Baronet, Inspector General of the Royal Marines ]
Publication details: 
Admiralty [ London ]. 16 August 1828.
£250.00

2pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Cockburn is not named as the recipient, but the item is from his papers. There has been some difficulty regarding 'the proper mode of depositing the various Colours that have been in use with the different Divisions of the Royal Marines', but William (who was at the time the Duke of Clarence) knows 'that these Colours belong to His Majesty and not as in Departments to the Colonels'. He gives instructions, 'so that they may be placed in the Chapel of the Royal Hospital' at Greenwich, and gives his reason for doing so.

[ King William IV, as Lord High Admiral. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('William') to Sir James Cockburn, Inspector General of the Royal Marines, concerning officer's examinations, divisional reports, and the preparation of a portrait.

Author: 
King William IV (1765-1837) of the United Kingdom, King of Hanover [ Sir James Cockburn (1771-1852), 9th Baronet, Inspector General of the Royal Marines ]
Publication details: 
Bushy House. 14 November 1829.
£250.00

2pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Cockburn is not named as the recipient, but the item comes from his papers. William (at the time the Duke of Clarence) writes: 'I rejoice exceedingly at the favourable account you are enabled to give me concerning the late examination for Adjutants amongs the Royal Marine Officers'. He is anxious to have Cockburn's 'various reports from the different Divisions'.

[ King William IV as Lord High Admiral. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('William') to Sir James Cockburn, Inspector General of the Royal Marines, on Lt-Col. Robert Moncrieff acting 'foolishly' over his commission. With ALS from Moncrieff on the subject.

Author: 
King William IV (1765-1837) of the United Kingdom, King of Hanover [ Sir James Cockburn (1771-1852), 9th Baronet, Inspector General of the Royal Marines; Lt Col. Robert Moncrieff ]
Publication details: 
Admiralty [ London ]. 22 November 1827. [ Moncrieff's letter to Cockburn from Portsmouth, 22 November 1827. ]
£200.00

2pp., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight tear to one edge. Cockburn is not named as the recipient, but the item comes from his papers. William (at the time the Duke of Clarence) writes that he is enclosing Moncrieff's letter, 'by which you will perceive he is acting foolishly not to use a harsher term. My determination therefore is when I arrive tomorrow afternoon at Portsmouth to be informed by you whether he sells or goes on the Half pay of a Colonel which is Fourteen Shillings and Six Pence pr: diem.

[ Offprint. ] Library Association of the United Kingdom, 1891. Report on Library Appliances.

Author: 
James D. Brown [ James Duff Brown; Library Association of the United Kingdom ]
Publication details: 
Dated 'August 19th, 1891.' [ John Bale & Sons, Steam Printers, 87-89, Great Titchfield Street, London. ]
£100.00

17pp., 8vo. Unbound. In fair condition, on aged paper with slight rusting to staple. Addressed 'To the Council of the Library Association of the United Kingdom'. The author explains that for the purposes of his report 'the definition of library appliances is mechanical contrivances designed to carry on or facilitate the work of a library, but excluding such as are connected with structural arrangements'. The only copy on either OCLC WorldCat or COPAC at the British Library and University of Bristol.

[ Printed pamphlet. ] The Official Programme of The Tercentenary Festival of the Birth of Shakespeare, To be held at Stratford-upon-Avon, Commencing on Saturday, April 23, 1864. Also, An Account of what is known of the Poet's Life; [...].

Author: 
[ By order of the Committee, The Tercentenary Festival of the Birth of Shakespeare, 1864 ]
Publication details: 
At London: Imprinted for Cassell, Petter, & Galpin, at the Belle Sauvage, in Ludgate-hill, near Paules Church-yard. 1864.
£80.00

The full subtitle reads: 'Also, An Account of what is known of the Poet's Life: a Guide to the Town and Neighbourhood of Stratford-upon-Avon And sundrie other matters just now of publicke interest relating thereto.' 96pp., 8vo. In red printed wraps. Pp.79-96 carry advertisements, as do the wraps, and there is also a leaf of advertisements on red paper inserted at rear. Aged and spotted, in brittle and worn wraps with slight loss to extremities. Illustrations in text. At head of front cover: 'Published under the Authority of the Committee.' Several copies on COPAC, but now uncommon.

[ Sir Charles Barry, architect who worked on the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square. ] Autograph Signature ('Charles Barry').

Author: 
Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860), English architect who worked on the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 3 x 11 cm slip of paper. In fair condition, lightly aged. Cut from the end of a letter. Good firm signature. Reads: 'Yours faithfully | Charles Barry'.

[ Emma Vesey, Viscountess de Vesci, philanthropist. ] Autograph Signature ('Emma de Vesci').

Author: 
Emma Vesey, Viscountess de Vesci [ Emma de Vesci ] (1819-1884), philanthropist, wife of Thomas Vesey, 3rd Viscount de Vesci, and daughter of daughter of George Herbert, 11th Earl of Pembroke
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 3 x 11 cm. slip of paper, cut from the end of a letter. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads 'Yrs very sincerely | Emma de Vesci'. Fragment of letter on reverse: '[...] random of all the monies you have sent to Messrs. Puget & Bainbridge. I [...]'. Lady de Vesci founded the Abbeyleix Baby Linen Society, a co-operative supplying affordable children clothes.

[ Jane Wardle, psychologist. ] Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Jane') to her father the painter Peter Wardle, together with a small collection of childhood writings and drawings.

Author: 
Jane Wardle [ Frances Jane Wardle ] (1950-2015), Professor of Clinical Psychology, University College, London [ Peter Wardle (b.1929), English artist ]
Publication details: 
Two of the letters from 48 Abingdon Road, Oxford, and one on letterhead of the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. One of the childhood items from Lidstone, Enstone, Oxfordshire. All items undated (adult letters pre-1991).
£180.00

Wardle's achievements as a leading behavioural scientist in the field of cancer prevention are described in her obituary in the Guardian, 24 November 2015. The three adult letters addressed to 'Daddy'. One four-page letter on yellow paper with loss from damp damage, the other items in fair condition, with light signs of age. One of the other two letters also of four pages, and the last of one page. The letters are intimate and positive, filled with loving encouragement and advice and giving family news.

[ Thomas Brassey, 1st Earl Brassey, Governor of Victoria. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('T. Brassey') to the Secretary of the Royal Naval College Mess Committee, asking to change the date of a meeting, as he is hunting with his brother's hounds.

Author: 
Thomas Brassey, 1st Earl Brassey (1836-1918), Governor of Victoria, Liberal politician, yachtsman and freemason
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Heythrop, Chipping Norton. 19 February 1876.
£50.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The letter begins: 'I have just come down here, and find my brother's hounds are hunting on Tuesday. I venture therefore to ask, if I may be allowed to change my plans, and to dine with you on Thursday next, instead of Tuesday.' He concludes by explaining why he hopes the change may not be inconvenient.

[ Girton College, Cambridge University. ] Anonymous manuscript magazine: 'Girtonica or Pearls from Oysterland. Edited by The Mocking Turtle and the Doormouse', containing a Lewis Carroll parody 'Alice in Oyster-land', and other humorous material.

Author: 
Girton College, Cambridge University [ Lewis Carroll; Alice in Wonderland ]
Publication details: 
[ Girton College, University of Cambridge. ] The first volume containing entries dating from between November 1906 and June 1909; and in the second volume between June 1909 and July 1912.
£850.00

235pp., 4to. In two uniform volumes, paginated as follows. Vol.1: ii + 135pp. Vol.2: 89pp. With an additional nine unpaginated pages. Both volumes in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in aged and worn bindings with marbled covers and cloth spines. Written out in at least two hands. The first volume is preceded by a 'Prefatory Note', dated 30 November 1906, giving a good example of the tone of the magazine, which is written in a parody of the academic style (complete with pseudo-scholarly footnotes), and is filled with what are clearly Girton in-jokes.

[ General Sir Dighton Probyn. ] Autograph Letter in the third person, as 'Comptroller & Treasurer of the Prince of Wales' Household', inviting Sir Robert Herbert to visit the Prince and his wife at Sandringham, and giving transport details.

Author: 
General Sir Dighton Probyn [ General Sir Dighton Macnaghten Probyn ] (1833-1924), British army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross [Sir Robert Herbert; King Edward VIII; Sandringham, Norfolk ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Sandringham, Norfolk. 15 November 1884.
£75.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and a little smudged. He 'writes by direction of The Prince and Princess of Wales to invite him to pay their Royal Highnesses a visit at Sandringham from Saturday next the 22nd. Inst. to remain till Monday the 24th. He gives details of the best train to catch to 'Wolferton (the Station for Sandringham)', where there will be 'conveyances to take Sir Robert and the other Guests travelling by the same Train, from the Station to the House'.

[ Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Lucius Curtis') to an unnamed 'Dear Sir & Brother' (freemason?), regarding 'the Election of Poor Brother Moss' Son'.

Author: 
Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis (1786-1869), Royal Navy officer [ Freemasonry? ]
Publication details: 
Cosham [ near Portsmouth ]. 9 December 1862.
£90.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper. Newspaper cutting of obituary laid-down at foot. He asks to be sent 'some Printed cards, for the Election of Poor Brother Moss' Son'. These are wanted 'to send to a friend in Warwickshire, as also to one in Surrey - for them to Distribute.'

[ Sir Albert Spicer, Liberal Party politician. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Albert Spicer') to A. D. Snow, responding to congratulations on his receiving his baronetcy.

Author: 
Sir Albert Spicer (1847-1934), industrialist and Liberal Party politician, successively Member of Parliament for Monmouth Boroughs and Hackney Central
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 10 Lancaster Gate, W. [ London ] 9 July 1906.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He thanks him for his congratulations on 'the honour His Majesty has conferred upon me', adding 'The kind and generous way in which the announcement has been received by our friends has been most gratifying to my Wife and myself.'

[ Henry Montagu Butler, headmaster of Harrow School and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. ] Signed Letter ('H Montagu Butler'), written out by a secretary, to Professor Langley, referring him to one of his works.

Author: 
Henry Montagu Butler (1833-1918), headmaster of Harrow School (1859-85), Dean of Gloucester (1885-86); Master of Trinity College (1886-1918); Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University (1889-90)
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Trinity Lodge, Cambridge. 24 August 1904.
£56.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, with light signs of age. At head of first page: 'Dictated'. He refers him to 'the second Chapter of the book I published some years ago, which deals with the subject on which we conversed the other night at dinner'. The amanuensis has written that the chapter deals with 'some of the reflections on matters ethereal', and Butler has corrected this to 'some reflections on matters Aesthetical'. Butler has also added the words 'more clearly, though I fear' after the word 'puts' in the following: 'it puts at much greater length'.

[ Fabrizio Ruffo, Prince of Castelcicala, Neapolitan ambassador to London. ] Autograph Signature ('Castelcicala').

Author: 
Fabrizio Ruffo, Prince of Castelcicala [ Fabrizio Ruffo di Bagnara, principe di Castelcicala ] (1763-1832), Neapolitan ambassador to London
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 2 x 12 cm. strip of paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Cut from the end of a letter.

[ Father Edmond Nolan, Catholic priest, Vice-President, St Edmund's College, Ware. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edmond Nolan') to 'Miss Haig' of Basildon, regarding autographs in his collection and his duties tutoring boys.

Author: 
Father Edmond Nolan, Vice-President of St Edmund's College, Old Hall, Ware, and founder of (the Roman Catholic) St Edmund's House (now St Edmund's Hall), Cambridge
Publication details: 
On letterhead of St Edmund's College, Old Hall, Ware. 12 and 14 November 1894.
£100.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Since his return from Basildon three friends have promised him 'letters from the illustrious' for her collection. He has also 'looked for a collection I made myself once - but altho I have found all kinds of things which I thought I had lost for ever I cannot find it'. He lists seven 'minor autographs' he is sending her, including '(7) The late Earl of Denbigh to Bish of Patterson - This letter led to the capture of a famous impostor, who died immediately afterwards in Clerkenwell Gaol'.

[ Abbott Laurence, American ambassador to London. ] Autograph Signature ('Abbott Laurence').

Author: 
Abbott Laurence (1792-1855), American politician and philanthropist, congressman and ambassador to London, 1849-1852
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£22.00

On 1 x 5 cm. piece of paper. In fair condition, lightly aged. Cut from a letter.

[ Sir Hamilton Seymour, diplomat. ] Calling Card, carrying an Autograph Note to 'Baron Ward' on seating arrangements.

Author: 
Sir Hamilton Seymour [ Sir George Hamilton Seymour ] (1797-1880), British diplomat
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£30.00

For more on Seymour, who held diplomatic posts in Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Russia, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. The 4.5 x 7.5 cm card carries the words 'Sir Hamilton Seymour | Ministre d'Angleterre' in copperplate. Above this Seymour has written, in a difficult hand, what appears to be: 'My dear Baron Ward | I want you to shew your finess [sic] in your placing Machen & Mr Caird. | Yrs.'

[ Inscribed offprint. ] On the Position of the Centre of Gravity in Man, as determining the Mechanical Relations of the Two Sides of the Body towards each other. By Andrew Buchanan, M.D.

Author: 
Andrew Buchanan, M.D. [ Andrew Buchanan (1798-1882), Scottish physician, Professor at the University of Glasgow ]
Publication details: 
'Read before the Philosophical Society of Glasgow, April 25, 1877.' Place and date of offprint not stated.
£80.00

24pp., 8vo. Disbound. In good condition, with light signs of age. Inscribed at head of first page: 'With kind regards.' 11 figures in text. Published in 'Proceedings of the Philosophical Society of Glasgow', vol. 10 (1875-1877).

[ Jane Porter, English novelist. ] Part of Autograph Letter from 'Miss Porter' to 'Monsr. Ventouillac'.

Author: 
Jane Porter (1776-1850), English novelist [ Louis Théodore Ventouillac (1798-1834), Professor of French Literature at King's College, London ]
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£30.00

On both sides of 7 x 11 cm. piece of paper, cut from a letter. On one side is the address: 'Monsr. Ventouillac | to the care of Master Morgan | From Miss Porter -'. And on the other a fragment of the letter: '<...> that the same volume will be so presented to him, by the Revd Mr. Pole and Mr. Ventouillac. Miss P - hopes Mr. V - <...> success in his <...>'.

[ Samuel Plimsoll of the 'Plimsoll Line'. ] Autograph Signature franking letter.

Author: 
Samuel Plimsoll (1824-1898), English politician and social reformer, Member of Parliament for Derby, and originator of the celebrated 'Plimsoll Line'
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£25.00

On 4 x 13.5 cm. strip of paper, cut from the front panel of an envelope. In fair condition, lightly aged. Addressed to 'John Head Esq | Ransome Sims & Head | Ipswich', with the underlined signature 'Samuel Plimsoll' at bottom left.

[ William Ewart Gladstone, British Prime Minister. ] Autograph Signature ('W E Gladstone') from franked letter.

Author: 
William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), British Liberal Party politician, four-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Gladstone
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated. [ 1859? ]
£25.00
Gladstone

On 2.5 x 11.5 cm. piece of paper, cut from front panel of envelope. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Lower part of address present, reading 'Gt Grimsby | Grantham'. Circular frank in red ink over this, reading 'FREE | 8 JY 8 | 18<5?>9'. Good firm signature underlined at bottom left: 'W E Gladstone'.

[ Joseph Barber Lightfoot, Bishop of Durham. ] Autograph Signature ('J B Lightfoot') on part of letter.

Author: 
J. B. Lightfoot [ Joseph Barber Lightfoot ] (1828-1889), Bishop of Durham and Professor of Divinity at Cambridge
Publication details: 
'Trin: Coll. | Nov. 18th'. [ Cambridge, year not stated. ]
£35.00

On 11 cm square piece of light-blue paper cut from the end of a letter. Good firm signature, preceded by five lines of text in a difficult hand, appearing to read: '

to every one but the Academic Deanery should have failed to a man of Academic & literary distinction | I am, dear Dr.

, | Very truly yrs | J B Lightfoot | Trin; Coll. | Nov. 18th'.

[ College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. ] 'Secret' typed thesis, with 71 diagrams, on the interception of atomic bombers, titled 'Turning Performance and Manoeuvrability of Aircraft at Supersonic Speeds by Lieutenant (E) R. A. Langley, Royal Navy'.

Author: 
Lieut-Commander R. A. Langley, Royal Navy [ College of Aeronautics, Cranfield; Nuclear War; Atomic Weapons ]
Publication details: 
The College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. May 1952.
£1,250.00

The problem with which the thesis deals is summed up at the start: 'If war broke out in the near future, attack by atomic bombers would become an immediate possibility, and one of the biggest problems would be the defence of this Island, which, with its areas of dense population, particularly around its essential industries, would present many ideal targets to the enemy. It would, therefore, be essential to destroy, or attempt to destroy, each enemy bomber before it reached the coast.

[ Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (later King of Hanover) and the Royal Naval Asylum, Greenwich. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Ernest Augustus') to Rev. William Morgan, giving instructions regarding the appointment of matrons to the institution.

Author: 
Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland 1799-1851, and King of Hanover 1837-1851, son of King George III and uncle of Queen Victoria [ Rev. William Morgan, Chaplain of the Royal Naval Asylum, Greenwich ]
Publication details: 
St James's Palace [ London ]. 1 January 1808.
£320.00

The Duke was the head of the Committee in charge of the Royal Naval Asylum, which had been founded as the British National Endeavour in 1798, for the orphans of military and naval personnel killed in action. It had moved from Paddington to the Queen's House, Greenwich, in October 1807, having received a large amount of public support (including that of Lord Nelson), and was responsible for upwards of 1000 boys and girls. 3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged paper, with damp damage resulting in some loss (including a little text). Repaired with archival tape.

Syndicate content