bookselling

Author of "The Life and Times of Daniel Defoe, with remarks digressive and discursive" (J.R. Smith, London, 1859).Total 23pp., 8vo, minor damage, texts clear and complete. The letters concern this book about Defoe exclusively. He starts (29 Oct. 1858) "You have the whole manuscript complete now, with the Parcel sent yesterday", adding that entries (giving examples) can be struck out since they were part of library researches.

Biblical scholar, archaeologist, and orientalist (DNB). One page, 8vo, faintly stained but text clear and complete, as follows:"Your list to hand I can certainly take the little collection of tracts, beginning "England's Warning". You may also send me the two Portsmouth tracts, & the Lilburn tract, the Titus Oates sermon & the oath of the Kings of England". Harris was at this time at the John Rylands Library, Manchester and may well have been ordering on their behalf.

Poet and novelist, basketmaker and bookseller (1807-1874). One page, 4to, one nick not affecting text, fold marks and signs of having been laid down, mainly good. He has made "few alterations in the Poem, which if you think an improvement, may be adopted. I am afraid that so much practise in writing prose is creeping into and tinging my poetry. I do not truly like this 'Desolate Hall' and yet I can do nothing better at present". He has had no review in the "Literary Gazette" as yet, and comments on the "mass of new books that every corner of the columns have been crowded . . . Mr.

One page, 4to, spike-hole, fold and other marks, text cleaar and complete. "Sir,/ Some months back, you informed me that "The Monastic Ruins of Yorkshire would be shortly ready, and you engaged to send me a copy to my Town Agent, (Jas. [underlined] Gilbert, 49 Paternoster Row) as soon as the new Edition appeared. I trust that it is now ready; and I will thank you to send me two [underlined] copies (instead of one) of the cheapest [underlined] edition, as I have no doubt I shall get a second subscriber as soon as the work can be seen . . . [signature] . . . P.S.

One page, 4to, small tears, small piece missing, dulled, fold marks, spike hole, but text readable. "If you will go to Cockburn & Cos branch at Whitehall they will pay you £5.8- I am sorry it escaped my memory. I enclose you a list of the contents of 5 vols of Old Plays which I am offered - & I wish you would tell me what they are worth./ There is also here a book dedicated to Lord with the following title Page of which I wish you would tell me the probable value[.] Englands Improvements by Sea & Land &c. By Andrew Yarranton Printed by R.

d.1852 (Burke). Maria Benyon m. 4th Viscount Midleton 13 June 1797 (second wife). One page, 8vo, some marking and chipping but text clear and complete. "Lady Midleton wishes to know whether Mr. Jeffery [sic] has any number of the Quarterly Review published since <"that" excised> Janry. 1815 as she has not received any - the 24th. Number completes the volume---"

Publisher. Both letters one page, 4to, good condition. (1931) He asks if an American scholar whose stay in London and studies of Coleridge have been affected by illness can have a look at a relevant book belonging to Murrays, but in a Bumpus Exhibition. He thinks the Exhibition successful and adds in ms. "The Times gives us a nice notice today".

Publisher. One page, 8vo, bery good condition. "Dear Mr Wilson, / You were indeed kind to give me so much of your valuable Time today, and to take so much Trouble over our projected list. I learnt a great deal on how to write 'copy' for books, and advice from you with your store of experience is immensely valuable to a young beginner like myself, I am indeed grateful . . ." This must have been in the publishing company's early days. They later learned enough to reject "Animal Farm"(!) Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235).

Publisher (see Mumby, 1956 ed., p.305). Two pages, 8vo, bifoliate, good condition. Nash recalls their first meeting ("at Mc Geachy's in Glasgow") - "and I felt then that you would get to the top of your calling, because you were obviously a born bookseller wit a knowledge of literature and a splendid memory. / I am delighted to have your good wishes, and will think over your suggestion that I should write some reminiscences of the book trade".( Nash's autobiography was published in 1941.) Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235).

One page, 4to, fold marks, text clear and complete.

"Mr Burne/ 20 King Street/ Covent Garden".Two pages, c.10 x 7", chipped, part torn off, small hole, text clear.

Two pages, 7.5 x 4.5, page trimmed without obvious loss, spike-hole, text clear. "Instead of the Repository[underlined] of Arts[underlined] for November/ which is the Magazine which the Baroness Howe has taken from its first publication/ Mr Akerman [sic] has sent her a Magazine & a Bill for others of the same sort, which she has never had. She desires therefore that he will instead send her The Repository [underlined] of Arts [underlined] for November [underlined].

French writer (1805-1851). Three pages, 8vo, bifoliate, good condition. "Sir,/ I have the honor to forward you the enclosed prospectus of the "Encyclopedie du XIXe Siecle" in which the high approbation given to this work by his Holiness, and also that of the R.R.

Journalist and miniature painter (1776-1842).

(1731-1810 - Maxted). Maxted says he was an "Extensive publisher of works in weekly numbers", and refers to DNB, Plomer, Nichols, iii.719, and Timperley. One page, c.7.5 x 4", minor damage, text clear and complete, printed in italic. "Paternoster Row London/ I hereby promise if this Work shall exceed Eighty Numbers, to deliver the Bearer all above that quantity Gratis, on producing this Note/ J. Cooke/ January 22nd. 1780."

One page plus address page conjoint, 8vo, grubby, spike-hole, small portion torn off with opening of seal not affecting text, text clear and complete. "Lady Anne Culling Smith begs Mr. Carpenter will send her down by the stage to:morrow Eveng Mrs. Riche's Nocturnal visit together with her Maid of the Hamlet & Vicar of Lansdown." Note on address page by bookseller "Lady A. Smith/ 1800".

Scottish journalist, editor of The Star, Biblical writer and inventor (of the stereotype) (1759-1825). One page 8vo, trimmed, text clear and complete. "Dear Sir/ Have the kindness to lend me the Appendix to Aikens Chem. Dicy. for about a week - I wish to give some Notice of it in the Phil. Mag. . . ."

Oxford Bookseller and Publisher (1806-1884). Two pages, 8vo, chipped and sl. marked, but text mainly clear. "Sir/ At the requestof Mr. Hill and Mr. Renand I write you a few lines respecting the books you wished to enquire about -on the Articles I send - but it is the most scarce of 's pieces- The Harmony of Confessions is a very [underlined] book.

Miscellaneous Writer (Poetry Society). Total 4pp., 8vo. He is enlisting Wilson's aid in selling his new book (favourably reviewed by Evelyn Waugh) and requesting a list of distinguished visitors to Bumpus's (bookshop) (Walter) Scott {Centenary] Exhibition to establish who was interested in Scott at that time. Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235). Four items,

Publisher, Oxford University Press. One page each, 8vo (2) and 4to (2), one grubby, fold marks, minor defects, but texts clear and complete. Two are goodhumoured, brief, and concerning social trivia. The one sent in 1932 goes: "This is to introduce Sir Wallis Budge. I have told him you are the best bookseller in London, and would be able to get him all he wanted." (one ms. correction and one ms. addition). The letter dated 1943 discusses the works of Mark Rutherford: "I remember in very old days you were a devoted admirer of my late brother-in-law, Mark Rutherofrd.

Author of "The Road to Kashmir" and others. Total seven pages, 8vo (4) and 4to (1), good condition. He discusses "The Road to Kashmir" (sales, etc.) and "A Window on Fleet Street". He discusses at length a circular relating to the latter from John Murray which he sends (not present) in response to Murray's request for him to send it to "good book readers and good book buyers". (Wilson is "the goodest [bookseller] in London".) Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235). Six items,