ABBEY

[The funeral of Robert Stephenson, locomotive engineer.] Autograph Letter Signed from Richard Chenevix Trench, Dean of Westminster Abbey (later Archbishop of Dublin) to Stephenson?s cousin G. R. Stephenson, agreeing to officiate.

Author: 
Richard Chenevix Trench (1807-1886), Anglican Archbishop of Dublin, Primate of All Ireland [Robert Stephenson (1803-1859) and his cousin George Robert Stephenson (1819-1905), locomotive engineers]
Publication details: 
'Westminster / Oct 15/59 [1859]'.
£56.00

See his entry, and those of the Stephenson?s, in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. On the first leaf of a bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with the blank second leaf carrying traces of mount. Folded for postage. Addressed to ?George Robt. Stephenson Esqr.? and signed ?R. C. Trench?. Reads: ?Dear Sir / May I express to you, as the first of those who have signed a communication which I have just received, the pleasure that it will give me to comply with the request therein contained; and I shall look forward to performing the part which you have desired in the funeral of the late Mr.

[The Abbey Theatre, Dublin, 1914.] Printed programme for the first production of 'The Prodigal' by Walter Riddall, produced by A. Patrick Wilson, with orchestra conducted by John F. Larchet.

Author: 
Abbey Theatre, Dublin, founded by W. B. Yeats, Lady Gregory and Edward Martyn; Walter Riddall; A. Patrick Wilson; John F. Larchet
Publication details: 
Production between 30 September and 3 October 1914. Abbey Theatre, Lower Abbey Street and Marlborough Street, Dublin, Ireland.
£120.00

From the Sylvia and Robert Lynd papers. A scarce piece of Abbey Theatre ephemera: the National Library of Ireland has a copies of the programmes for later revivals of the play in the Joseph Holloway collection (1918-1920), but does not have this one. ‘The Prodigal’ was Riddall’s only play. It ran for five performances between 30 September and 3 October, Riddall having died earlier in the year. It was revived in 1916, 1919 and 1923. 4pp, 12mo. Stapled into grey Abbey Theatre wraps. In fair condition, aged and worn, with one vertical fold.

[Sir Adrian Boult, distinguished English conductor.] Two items: Typed Letter Signed to C. Holme-Barnett on Birmingham conductors; and printed list of members of the ‘Orchestra at The Coronation of Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’.

Author: 
Sir Adrian Boult [Sir Adrian Cedric Boult] (1889-1983), distinguished English conductor, at the BBC and with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Publication details: 
LETTER: 16 September 1964, on letterhead of 13 Queen Anne Street, London, W.1. PRINTED LIST: For coronation, ‘In the Abbey Church of St. Peter, Westminster / On Wednesday, the 12th day of May, 1937’.
£150.00

See Michael Kennedy's assessment of Boult, in his entry in the Oxford DNB: 'In the music he admired most, Boult was often a great conductor; in the rest, an extremely conscientious one.' The two items are unrelated. LETTER: 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly creased. Folded twice for postage. Addressed to ‘C. Holme-Barnett, Esq., / 54 Anchorage Road, / Sutton Coldfield, / Warwickshire.’ The salutation and valediction are in Boult’s autograph: ‘Dear Mr Holme-Barnett’ and ‘Yours sincerely / Adrian C. Boult.’ The letter concerns two Birmingham conductors.

[A.E.F. Horniman; Abbey Theatre, Dublin, etc.] Autograph Letter Signed to unknown correspondent (Madam. See note below), about her past, the great fire in the Crystal Palace and the historical lack of orchestral concerts.

Author: 
A.E.F. Horniman [Annie Elizabeth Fredericka Horniman CH (1860 ? 1937), English theatre patron and manager. She established the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, etc.]
Horniman
Publication details: 
I [H?] Montagu Mansions, W.1., 12 June,1932.
£400.00
Horniman

One page, cr. 8vo, fold marks, faint foxing, good condition. See Image. Text: It is delightful to read that August Manns [conductor - see Wiki] is still remembered. I was born within sight of the Crystal Palace and can even remember the great fire on one Sunday afternoon when part of the 'Tropical End' was burned to the ground. Those Courts [with?] the fine casts of statues of all periods taught me how to look at their originals in many places.

[Sibell, Lady Wyndham (previously Countess Grosvenor).] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Sibell Grosvenor’) to the opera singer Madame Albani, discussing the death of her father-in-law the Duke of Westminster.

Author: 
Lady Wyndham [previously Sibell Mary Grosvenor (née Lumley, daughter of the Earl of Scarborough), Countess Grosvenor] (1855-1929), wife of George Wyndham [Dame Emma Albani (1847-1930), opera singer]
Publication details: 
‘Epiphany [6 January] 1901’; on letterhead of the Chief Secretary’s Lodge, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
£60.00

See the entry on her second husband George Wyndham in the Oxford DNB. Wyndham had been appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland a few months previously (October 1900). His plans were ambitious, but after some success they would flounder, leading to a nervous breakdown: within four years of the present letter the Prime Minister Arthur Balfour would write to Lady Wyndham that was ‘utterly ruined’ and ‘really hardly sane’. See also the ODNB entry on the recipient. 4pp, 12mo, with text concluding crossways at top of first three pages. Bifolium with mourning border. In fair condition, lightly aged.

[George Sinclair, gardener to the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey.] Parts of two Autograph Letters Signed to different seedsmen, both with good content, one relating to the subscription to Sinclair’s ‘Hortus gramineus Woburnensis’.

Author: 
George Sinclair (1786-1834), Scottish horticulturalist, gardener to the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey who conducted experiments under Sir Humphrey Davy
Publication details: 
One dated by recipient 1816, the other undated but also from 1816. Places not stated, but the undated letter from Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire.
£280.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Large fragments, both with interesting content, from the beginning of letters to unnamed seedsmen (both addressed to ‘Dear Sir’, but the two docketed by different individuals, suggesting different recipients). Neither has the signature present (presumably supplied to autograph hunters for placement in Sinclair’s ‘Hortus gramineus Woburnensis’, described in the ODNB as‘an expensive folio volume containing dried specimens of the grasses’). Both items in good condition, lightly aged, and with creases from having been folded up.

[Earl of Carnarvon, Secretary of State for the Colonies; Gold Coast (Ghana)] Substantial Autograph Letter Signed Carnarvon to Mr [John Thadeus] Delane, Editor of 'The Times' about trade (and its political side effect) in the Gold Coast.

Author: 
Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon, politician
Publication details: 
[Embossed address] Highclere Castle, Newbury, 3 April 1874. Private.
£90.00

Four page, 12mo, in very narrow frame of stiffer paper, good condition. DELANe has introduced him to a Mr Moylan involving future employment. He'll contact Moylan. He continues: The whole question of our future position as regards the Gold Coast is very difficult and I wish much that I knew - as one important consideraiot in the case - what are the [rulings?] of the trade. I cannot learn with any certainty; but I have recently heard that Messrs. Swanzy, who, as you know, enjoy by far the largest share of the Coast trade w[oul]d be inclined to prefer the withdrawal of all Govt.

[Inscribed by Author; with authorial inscrioption] 'Sydney's' Letter to the King and other correspondence, connected with the Reported Exclusion of Lord Byron's Monument from Westminster Abbey.

Author: 
'Sydney' [pseud.]
Publication details: 
London: James Cawthorn, British Library, Cockspur Street, 1828
£220.00

Pp.hf.title, title, [i]-[x]; [11]-56[4], paginated to p.56 (apparently the end of the copy on the Net)), with additional (after a Campbell poem) address 'To the Reader' commencing Since this little book was sent to the press it appears [...] that the lines 'said to have been written in a Bible' are not Lord Byron's [...]. Original bds, recased, minor spotting mainly good+ INSCRIBED on title With the Author's Compliments.

[Walter Starkie, Irish author, Hispanic and Romany scholar.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to Christopher Fry regarding Spanish translation, W. B. Yeats and Abbey Theatre; with five letters from Geoffrey Cumberlege of OUP, two from G. W. S. Hopkins.

Author: 
Walter Starkie (1894-1976), Irish author, Hispanic and Romany scholar; Geoffrey Cumberlege (1891–1979); Gerard Walter Sturgis Hopkins (1892-1961) [Christopher Fry (1907-2005); Oxford University Press]
Publication details: 
All items dating from 1955. Two of Starkie's three letters from Madrid, the other on letterhead of the Athenaeum, London. Seven letters on letterheads of the Oxford University Press, London.
£500.00

Fourteen items, including three letters from Starkie and seven letters from the Oxford University Press – five of them from Geoffrey Cumberlege and two from G. W. S. Hopkins – and copies of two letters from Cumberlege to Fry's agent Emanuel Wax, and a copy of a letter from the OUP to Starkie. All dating from 1955. The collection is in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The three Starkie letters are all in autograph, and total 7pp. The first two are written from Madrid, and the last from the Athenaeum in Pall Mall.

[[General Edmund Boyle, 8th Earl of Cork and Orrery.] Autograph Signature ('Boyle') to frank addressed in his Autograph to 'Miss L: Inglis | Milton Bryand | Wooborn'.

Author: 
General Edmund Boyle, 8th Earl of Cork and Orrery (1767-1856), Irish peer and soldier, styled Viscount Dungarvan, 1768-1798
Publication details: 
'Woolverhampton [sic] July seventeenth 1848'.
£50.00

The frank is on a piece of paper cut from the front of an envelope. In good condition, lightly aged, laid down on part of leaf from album. The frank is set out in the customary manner, with the signature 'Boyle' at bottom left, and the address reading: 'Woolverhampton [sic] July | seventeenth 1848 | Miss L: Inglis | Milton Bryand [sic] | Wooborn'. The recipient is probably Mary Louisa Inglis (d.1853), sister of Sir Robert Harry Inglis (1786-1855), Conservative politician and Lord of the Manor of Milton Bryant (or Bryan), Bedfordshire.

[ Abbess; West Malling; St Bride's ] Autograph Letter Signed (D. Scholastica Abbess O.S.B." to a "Mrs Bushell".

Author: 
Abbess D. Scholastica, St Mary's Abbey, West Malling [Lady Abbess of Talacre, Dame Scholastica Ewart, OSB]
Publication details: 
[ Address embossed] St Mary's Abbey, West Malling [with lines through it to cancel?], 3 September 1909.
£120.00

Three pages, 12mo, largish handwriting, bifolium, minor foxing, hand difficult at times, good condition. "How very rude we must have seemed to you this afternoon; the Abbot & I were [talking?] over rather a difficult Community matter & [?] I did not want to be disturbed he did not expect to see you & [said?] what was in his [mind?] without realising to whom he was talking; it sounded so ludicrouslt abrupt & really was rather funny. Will you come in after Church [?]. I am always disengaged then I leave early on Monday morning."

[George Dyer, poet and English Jacobin, writes to the Earl of Buchan following a visit to his seat, Dryburgh Abbey, Berwickshire.] Substantial Autograph Letter Signed ('G Dyer'), discussing the preparation of his volume of poems and other topics.

Author: 
George Dyer (1755-1841), poet and radical, leading English Jacobin, in circle of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Godwin, Lamb; David Steuart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan (1742-1829), Scottish antiquarian
Publication details: 
Cambridge. Undated, but written shortly before the publication of his poems in 1801.
£2,000.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin stub from mount neatly adhering. A long, closely written letter of 116 lines, including eight-line postscript at head of first page. Addressed by Dyer on reverse of second leaf: 'To Lord Buchan | Dryburgh Abbey | Berwickshire | Scotland.' Buchan has annotated the reverse of the second leaf: 'George Dyer | Characteristic | while I reasoned with George Dyer in my Library at Dryburgh Abbey on the Economy of Nature and the Providence of God, I said Heaven itself will one day bear witness to my Words.

[ Lord Combermere, soldier and diplomat whose ghost is said to haunt Combermere Abbey. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Combermere') to 'Wm. <Stranger?> Esq', regarding the political views of Bertie Williams Wynn and his desire to join the Carlton Club.

Author: 
Lord Combermere [ Field Marshal Stapleton Cotton (1773-1865), 1st Viscount Combermere ], soldier and diplomat, successively Commander in Chief in Ireland and India [ Combermere Abbey, Cheshire ]
Publication details: 
Combermere Abbey [ Cheshire ]. 25 February 1858.
£40.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and worn. He writes to inform him that 'Mr Bertie Williams Wynn's political views are strictly Conservative & in accordance with those entertained by the great body of the Carlton Club'. Wnn is 'still anxious to become a Member of the Club', and Combermere gives his Shropshire address.

[ Dr Richard Williamson, Headmaster of Westminster School. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Rd Williamson') regarding the King's visit to a play.

Author: 
Dr Richard Williamson (1802-1865), Headmaster of Westminster School, 1828-1846
Publication details: 
Deans Yd. [ Westminster Abbey ]. 12 December 1834.
£50.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Tipped-in onto part of a leaf removed from an album. Annotated at head, in a contemporary hand: 'an invitation from the Head Master of Westr - | F. P.' The letter reads: 'Sir | The King having graciously signified his intention of honoring the third performance of our <?> Play with his presence on the 15th. inst I hope for the pleasure of your company to assist me in receiving his Majesty who comes to my house at 7 o'clock, on his way to the College.'

[ St. Gregory's Monastery, Downside. ] A Catalogue of the Black Letter and other early Printed Books in the Library of St. Gregory's Monastery, Downside.

Author: 
Anon. [ Downside Abbey, Bath ]
Publication details: 
Without printer's details or date. [ Offprint from the Downside Review, 1880. ]
£50.00

24pp., 12mo. Paginated 1-24. Disbound printed item. In fair condition, on aged and spotted paper. Drophead title, followed by: 'This Catalogue consists of three parts. In the first part is given a list of our early printed books in chronological order; in the second, a typographical index, showing at what presses the works were produced; in the third, an alphabetical index of the authors' names.' Originally published in the first issue of the Downside Review, July 1880, pp.72-90. This offprint is scarce: the only copy on OCLC WorldCat at Cambridge, whose catalogue dates it to 1880.

Printed pamphlet: 'U. I. O. G. D. To the Memory of the first Benedictine Pope St. Gregory the Great on the occasion of the Thirteenth Centennial of his death 604-1904'. [ On front cover: 'Thirteenth Centennial of St. Gregory the Great'. ]

Author: 
'A Benedictine of Conception Abbey, Conception, Missouri, U.S.A.' [ Thirteenth Centennial of St. Gregory the Great ]
Publication details: 
'Printed as manuscript'. [ Conception Abbey, Conception, Missouri, U.S.A. 1904. ]
£50.00

[20]pp., 8vo. In grey printed wraps. Disbound. In good condition, but with stitching cut away and leaves loose. A collection of poems, flashily printed in gold, red and green, on shiny art paper. Covers printed in gold, red and blue. Frontispiece illustration of the subject of the collection. Scarce: only one copy on OCLC WorldCat.

Printed pamphlet: 'Weld Sermon | Downside Abbey | 1902'

Author: 
Right Rev, J. C. Hedley, O.S.B. Lord Bishop of Newport [ The Abbey Church, Downside ]
Publication details: 
[ The Secretary, Downside Abbey, Bath. ] Art and Book Company, Printers, Leamington. [ 1902. ]
£65.00

23pp., 8vo. Stitched and disbound. In good condition, lightly aged. Scarce: no copy traced on COPAC.

[ Edward VII Coronation; Printed poster giving instructions and regulations for carriages and traffic. ] Metropolitan Police. Coronation of Their Majesties King Edward VII. and Queen Alexandra, at Westminster Abbey, on Thursday, 26th June, 1902.

Author: 
E. R. C. Bradford, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis; Charles T. Ritchie [ Coronation of King Edward VII, 1902; Metropolitan Police; London ]
Publication details: 
Metropolitan Police Office, New Scotland Yard, 2nd June, 1902. [ Printed by the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police Division, New Scotland Yard, London, S.W. ]
£120.00

Printed on one side of a 50.5 x 32 cm leaf of wove paper. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, folded three times. In relatively small print. Underneath the title, by 'Charles T. Ritchie': 'The following instructions for Carriages have been prepared and published in the "London Gazette" of 13th May, 1902, by direction of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and will be strictly carried out by Police'. Eight 'Regulations to be observed on the day of the coronation' follow.

Conservative High Society in late Victorian Britain: The album of Miss Evelyn Peel, daughter of Sir Robert Peel, 1896-1899

Author: 
[Emily Peel, daughter of Sir Robert Peel III; Alice Keppel and her like]
Publication details: 
1896-1899
£1,200.00

Evelyn Emily Peel (c.1869-1960), second daughter of Sir Robert Peel, 3rd Bart (1822-1895), and Lady Emily Hay, daughter of the Marquess of Tweeddale, married the diplomat Sir (James William) Ronald Macleay (1870-1943) in 1901. Compiled in the years preceding her marriage, the album reflects Evelyn Peel's energetic and playful personality, and her position as a member of late-Victorian Conservative high society.

[ Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire. ] Manuscript 'Ground plan of Fountains Abbey', with key including 'The Church & parts thereto belonging'.

Author: 
[ Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire ]
Publication details: 
Dated 'Harrogate Octber 1839'.
£180.00

4to bifolium (on two 19.5 x 22.5 cm leaves). The 'Ground plan' is neatly drawn on the reverse of the first leaf, and the two-page key is on both sides of the second leaf, lettered A to Z, and headed 'A. B. C. D. E. F. G. The Church & parts thereto belonging'. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Entries among the keys include 'I. Places groined over with stone one of which is supposed to have been the infirmary', 'K. Arches under which the River Skell runs' and 'S. Cloisters groined with stone the pillars whereof were painted - Over these was the Dormitory.

[ J. M. Synge's 'Playboy of the Western World'. ] Front-page article from 'The Gaelic American', carrying a report of 'New York's Protest against a Vile Play!', accompanied by a caricature of W. B. Yeats and Lady Gregory.

Author: 
[ John Devoy (1842-1928), proprietor and editor of 'The Gaelic American', New York [ J. M. Sygne [ John Millington Synge ]; George Bernard Shaw; W. B. Yeats; Lady Gregory; The Abbey Theatre, Dublin ]
Publication details: 
New York. 2 December 1911. [ 'Vol. VIII, No. 48, Whole No. 429'. ]
£50.00

The front and back covers of the newspaper are present, forming a bifolium. A frail and scarce survival. Heavily-aged newsprint, chipped and worn, with the top and bottom halves of the front page separated along a horizontal fold line. The article on Synge's play covers the first two of the six columns on the front page, with a further quarter-column on the back page.

[ Jane Austen's 'Northanger Abbey'. ] Typed Rehearsal Script of Maggie Wadey's 1987 BBC television adaptation. (directed by Giles Foster and produced by Louis Marks)

Author: 
Maggie Wadey, scriptwriter and wife of actor John Castle; Louis Marks (1928-2010) BBC producer and scriptwriter; Giles Foster, television director; Jane Austen [ British Broadcasting Corporation]
Publication details: 
[ British Broadcasting Corporation, London. ] At head of covering page: '3rd Draft - Typed 3rd June 1986'.
£120.00

[2] + 170pp., 8vo. On 172 leaves, held together by a steel stud. In good condition, lightly aged, with discoloring to first leaf and the last seven leaves dogeared. The names of the crew are given on the first covering page, and the cast of characters (but not the names of the actors playing them) on the second. An interesting artefact, indicative of the continuing reassessment and reinterpretation of the works of one of Britain's great writers.

[Norris Davidson, Irish radio producer.] Typed Letter Signed to Irish poet Sylvia Lynd, regarding his own book, and the latest productions of his friend Lennox Robinson.

Author: 
Norris Davidson (1908-1998), Irish radio producer [Sylvia Lynd (1888-1952), Irish poet, wife of the essayist Robert Lynd (1879-1949); the Abbey Theatre, Dublin]
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, Donard, County Wicklow. 'Wednesday 27th. [1935]'
£80.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. The letter begins: 'Never having forgotten that you once asked me "What is the sense of knowing Mrs Lynd if you don't make use of her?" I am sending you a spare set of proofs of the new book. The publishers, having made me add thousands of words to it, now tell me that it is a bit too long'. The second part of the letter refers to a visit by 'Lennox [i.e. Lennox Robinson] and his wife [...] He has just been doing June in Belfast, he has Aodh de Blacam's translation, A Saint in a Hurry!

[Printed funeral service, containing ticket for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.] Westminster Abbey. Service of Thanksgiving for the Life and Work of Laurence Olivier O.M. Baron Olivier of Brighton 1907-1989.

Author: 
[Laurence Olivier (1907-1989), English actor]
Publication details: 
Printed by Barnard & Westwood Ltd, 9 Railway Street, London N1 9EE. By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Printers and Stationers. 'Friday 20 October 1989 | Noon'.
£100.00

16pp., 8vo. Stapled. Printed in brown on white. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. One correction in manuscript: on p.5 'Peter O'Toole' replaces the subject of the sentence 'Miss Jean Simmons carries the script used in the film Hamlet.' Other worthies involved in the service are: Douglas Fairbanks, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Paul Scofield, Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, Dorothy Tutin, Frank Finlay, Albert Finney, Sir John Mills, Peggy Ashcroft, Sir John Gielgud, Sir Alec Guinness. Uncommon: the only copies on COPAC at the British Library and London Library. The ticket ('No.

[Peter Rylands] Autograph Letter Signed "Peter Rylands" to "Brooke Robinson" (Dudley lawyer?).

Author: 
Peter Rylands, politician and wire manufacturer (Wikipedia)
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] Bewsey House, Warrington, 25 Sept. 1871.
£80.00

Four pages, 12mo, remannts from tipping in album or similar, sl. grubby, text clear and complete. He discusses the previous situation of "John Gamble", a servant, who he says was 'trustworthy & obliging' in the few months he was employed by him., "He is not at all afraid of hard work but rather appears to like it but is somewhat rough in his manner & makes too much noise." He had to tell him off for this, and prefers quiet servants.

[Sophia Johnstone, Marchioness of Annandale.] Autograph Signature ('S Annandale') to 'Tack [i.e. contract] betwixt The Marchioness of Annandale And Peter Grahame'. Also signed by Grahame and two witnesses.

Author: 
Sophia Johnstone [née Fairholm] (1668-1716), Marchioness of Annandale (buried in Westminster Abbey), wife of William Johnstone (1664-1721), 1st Marquess of Annandale
Publication details: 
'Att Moffat the Nyntenth day of May one thousand seven hundred and sixten years'.
£80.00

1p., foolscap 8vo. On bifolium of watermarked paper. In fair condition, on aged paper, with slight wear to foredges. Two small stamps (one 'Tenn Pence Quire') and official blind stamp. 48 lines of closely-written text, in a chancery hand. Regarding a lease for an uncertain location. Signed by 'S Annandale', 'Petter [sic] Grahame', and witnessed by 'Ja: Moir' and 'John Grahame'. Docketted on reverse of second leaf 'Tack betwixt | The Marchioness of Annandale | And | Peter Graham | 1716'.

[Chandos Leigh, 1st Baron Leigh.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Leigh') to 'Mr. Brodie', regarding a 'rather singular letter' he has received from one of his parishoners, offering his services as a shoemaker at a prison.

Author: 
Chandos Leigh (1791-1850), 1st Baron Leigh, of Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire, minor poet, cousin of Jane Austen and friend of Byron and Leigh Hunt
Publication details: 
57 Portman Square, London. 14 July 1849.
£150.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. The recipient presumably held a living near Leigh's Warwickshire mansion Stoneleigh Abbey (said to be the model for Sotherton Court in his cousin Jane Austen's 'Mansfield Park'). Leigh apologises troubling Brodie 'with the enclosed rather singular letter which I have received from one of your Parishioners'.

Autograph Signature ('C Godolphin.') of Charles Godolphin, Member of Parliament for Helston, and brother of Sidney, Earl of Godolphin, on printed Exchequer Receipt, made out by him in autograph.

Author: 
Charles Godolphin (c.1651-1720), Member of Parliament for Helston and one of the Commissioners of the Customs, buried in Westminster Abbey, brother of Sidney, Earl of Godolphin
Publication details: 
[Her Majesty's Court of Exchequer, London.] 22 January 1707.
£56.00

1p., small 4to. On aged and lightly damp-stained paper, with wear and closed tear to extremities. Three counter-signatures in bottom left-hand corner faded with damp. The document begins (with manuscript additions in square brackets): 'Record [15 Janry 1707] | Numb.

Autograph Letter Signed, in the third person, from 'Mrs Harford', guest of Mrs Martin of Camden, Chiselhurst, asking 'Mr Wilson' to procure her a ticket 'to see the preparations in the Abbey' [for the coronation of Queen Victoria?].

Author: 
Mrs Harford (possibly Louisa Harford, née Louisa Hart Davis, wife of John Scandrett Harford) [Mrs Frances Martin (d.1863) of Camden, Chislehurst, wife of John Martin (d.1832), MP for Tewkesbury]
Publication details: 
'Chislehurst [Kent]. | June 22 [1838?].'
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Considering the fact that Mrs Harford states that she is staying at the home of Mrs Martin, and that Mr Martin died in 1832, it seems probable that the letter refers to the preparations for the coronation of Queen Victoria, which occurred on 28 June 1838. The letter reads: 'Mrs Harford understanding that people are admitted to see the Preparations in the Abbey & thinking it probable that Mr Gillen may have been employed in the decoration, will be very much obliged to Mr Wilson if he could procure her a Ticket to see them.

Manuscript Victorian directions for a servant in a large establishment, giving twenty instructions, primarily regarding cleaning.

Author: 
[Directions for a nineteenth-century English servant; Victorian domestic service]
Publication details: 
Without date or place. [England, 1860s?]
£60.00

4pp., 16mo. Bifolium. On piece of watermarked laid paper. The first page reads: 'Not to call out to any of the servants but to go up to them when wanted or to ring the call bell. | Care about curtains & chairs - wear white cotton gloves to touch them with | Open shutters gently so as not to disturb the family. | Dont talk loud or laugh loud. - where there are many servants the noise is disagreeable & never allowed.' Towards the end: 'In setting your candle down see that there is nothing over it - such as a picture frame or ornament of any kind -'.

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