autograph.

Banker and writer (1840-1930). 2pp., 8vo, good. He is asking friends to his home for “chat and supper”, including Bowen.He gives minute directions how to get to his house in Tufnell Park.

German jurist and historian (1792-1879). In English. 2pp., 8vo, good. He discusses difficulties with a passport which he can help with.

Author and positivist (1831-1923). Printed item. Frederic Harrison, "The Herbert Spencer Lecture delivered at Oxford, March 9, 1905 , wraps, chipped, contents g., with a card attached to the titlepage, saying that the pamphlet is a gift and “cost me long study”, signed “F.H.”.

British Museum ceramics expert. One page, 8vo, good. He passes comment on a blue and a yellow pot, dating them, and giving the countries of origin of the yellow pot.

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.

French politician (1755-1849). 2pp., 4to, sl. creased. In French with official stamp.He recommends to Persil’s attention a “M. Ducon”, lawyer and “sous-prefet”, describing his exemplary character and his achievements, and requesting an extension of his period in office.

Politician and critic (1759-1835). One page, 12mo, good. He regretfully declines her invitation claiming a prior engagement.

2nd Earl Granville, statesman (1815-1891). One page, 8vo, small portion cut out (place name prob.), ow. good. He claims a prior engagement, presumably after receiving an invitation, and hopes Clarendon is not tired after a long journey.

Statesman and man of letters (1838-1928). 3pp., 8vo, good. He and his wife are pleased that their son is happy (presumably at aboarding school). He then expresses his detestation of the sort of touristwho does not enter into the spirit of a place (in this instance, Venice).

Novelist and biographer, daughter of W.M. Thackeray (1837-1919). 2pp., 12mo, good. She commends a doctor to May’s mother, Mrs Irving.

Novelist. Signature with part of subscription ("yours truly / Thos Highes"), on piece of paper c.1.5 x 0.75", good condition.

Daughter of J.F.W. Herschel. Two pages, 8vo, good condition, still attached to part of page from album, expressing her regret at missing her visit and arranging a meeting.

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.

Prince related to Victoria (DNB). Piece of paper, c.6 x 4", sl. soiled but clear, missing top left corner (and a word or two), text as follows: " . . . [end of word] 13123 / [P]lease give the Bearer 2 Gal: Brandy No. 2. at 24/6 the Gal: --- / Gleichen/ St James Palace / March 29/83/ The Secretary / A & N. Co:Op: Socty"

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.

Librarian and author. "I shall be very happy to conduct the members of hte South Place Ethical Society over the Library, at any time that may be mutually arranged."

Author and drama critic (DNB). One page, 4to, good condition. He thinks that "the man who alters the view of life of the world is a more important person" than the rose-grower "who makes his neighbourhood fragrant". Those who initiate are few. Hw would rather see wages increased, and the purchasing power of hte masses. He disklikes the tendencu to giving "bad value for money" - e.g. in his childhood the milkman would give extra just iun case of a shortfall. Today, it's exact measure or less.

Robert Smith, Ist Baron Carrington (DNB). Two pages, 4to, good condition. He welcxomes news of a marriage, shows a disinclination to pursue a property for wwhich there is competition, and discusses the enclsure of Bledlow.

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".

Browning has signed his headed notepaper virtually in the centre.

Paper, c.6.5 x 4.5", fold mark, some foxing, but image bold and clear of people on the sea-front pulling and pushing an invalid chair against a fierce gale which has caught an umbrella, a fish, a handbill, etc. The sub-title reads "I [underlined] got a nice little airing! / Yours ever / GAB."

Cartoonist. Four pages, 8vo, good condition. He is enthusiastic about the idea of a "Press visit to Devon" but thinks that the sort of journalist he calls the "boozy bounder" should not go. He names people who would help, including aristocrats and literary figures.

He has "stopped all orders at T.R.H. [Haymarket?]" and cannot, therefore, ask other managers for favours.

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.

Paper, c.4 x 3.5", good condition, at the top of which the authoress has signed her real name and her pseudonym "Ada Ellen Bayly. / Edna Lyall."

Dodington, George Bubb, Baron Melcombe 1691-1762, a Lord of the Treasury, Pope's "Bufo". One page, folio, fold mark, tear, loss of text (including the full signatures formerly below Dodington's), rest of official countersigning, etc. surviving. An order (8 March 1736) to pay £300 from His Majesty's treasure to John, Duke of Montagu (see DNB) "for one quarter of a year due at Christmas 1736 on his Annuity or yearly Pension of One Thousand two hundred pounds . . ."

Novelist. Text: "Yours / E Bulwer Lytton / 71 Marina / St Leonards on Sea / Sussex", clipped part of letter, c.4 x 2", laid down on similar sized card, fold mark but clear.

Librarian at Windsor Castle (DNB). Three pages, 8vo, good condition. He has received a reply to his letter to publishers, Chapman & Hall who claim to have sent "No.II" (prob. of ‘The Fine Arts Quarterly Review,’ which appeared from May 1863 to June 1867, which Woodward founded and edited) at the "proper time" but they have sent another copy. The titlepage, index &c will be given when the new number comes out." He discusses his excessive "mental work" and current "idling", and requirement of a "real holiday".

Envelope, c. 4.5 x 3.5", foxed with small tears, but address, in pencil, clear,in Kropotkin's hand as follows: Peter Kropotkin / Viola / Bromley // Kent".

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, poet. A fragment cut from a letter, c. 6" long and from 0.5 to 0.75" wide, with vestiges of hte laying-down process and small tear. Text:" P.S. Derwent! James Coleridge has written to his Brother, that / your wife is beautiful, unaffected, good, & an ornament to our / Family.-" I am informed by Professor James Mays, editor of the "Works" of Coleridge, that "Derwent was married on 6 Dec. 1827 . . . and the letter must date from very soon after 28 April 1828 when C's brother James paid STC a surprise visit at Highgate."