BRITISH

Nine manuscript documents relating to the death and estate of Major Anthony Coane, 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot, who died in Kandy, Ceylon [Sri Lanka], in 1819, including an inventory and account, and a covering letter from Lieut. Minter.

Author: 
Major Anthony Coane (d.1819), 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot [Kandy, Ceylon [Sri Lanka]]
Publication details: 
The nine items all from Kandy, Ceylon [Sri Lanka], and dating from October 1817 to January 1819.
£180.00

The nine items in this collection provide valuable information regarding the management of the estate of a Georgian colonial British army office. Coane's battalion had served in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land between 1812 and 1814, and had been in Ceylon (under Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Giels) since 1814 by the time Coane died on 5 January 1819, his demise much regretted by his superiors. The nine items are on aged and worn paper with chipping to extremities. ONE: Autograph Letter Signed from 'G[eorge]. Minter' to unnamed recipient. Kandy; 29 December 1818. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium.

[British anti-German Second World War propaganda pamphlet, printing the transcript of a BBC broadcast.] The Woman from Poland.

Author: 
W. J. Brown [Second World War; occupation of Poland; Polish; Nazi war attrocities; fascism; BBC]
Publication details: 
'10/41 [i.e. printed October 1941] A., P. & S., Ltd.' 'Broadcast in the Home Service of the B.B.C. on Tuesday, 23rd September, 1941.'
£220.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly-aged and creased. Beneath the cover on the front page are four quotations: 'I don't know what astonishes me most about you British - your kindness and your courage, or your blindness.'; 'Not one in ten of you knows what a German victory would mean to you.'; 'Wake up.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Dalhousie') from George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie, on going to India, to Mr Forbes of 76 Queen St, Edinburgh, giving character references of three of his servants (Wood, Thomas Robertson and Robert Combe).

Author: 
George Ramsay (1770-1838), 9th Earl of Dalhousie, Governor-in-Chief of British North America,
Publication details: 
Dalhousie Castle [Midlothian, Scotland]. 16 April 1829.
£250.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In original envelope, with black wax armorial seal, addressed by Dalhousie to 'Mr. Forbes | 76 Queen Street | Edinr.' Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Dealing with his 'own Servant' Wood, first, he states that he has been with him for five years, 'in keeping my Cloaths, and my Butler latterly altogether; I have found him at all times sober, attentive active, and I believe him perfectly honest, & trustworthy. He has kept my house accounts, my Cellar Books, & all house matters regarding the men Servants, & that both at home and abroad to my satisfaction.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Benjamin Britten') and Typed Letter Signed ('Ben') from the composer Benjamin Britten to the publisher Hans Juda, with seven other items including an Autograph Card Signed from Britten's secretary Jeremy Cullum.

Author: 
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), English composer [Hans Juda [Hans Peter Juda] (1904-1975), art collector, publisher of the magazine 'The Ambassador']
Publication details: 
Britten's and Cullum's letters from The Red House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk. The nine items dating from 1962, 1964 and 1965.
£280.00

The nine items are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Items One, Three and Four, from 1962, and stapled together, as are the other six items, dating from 1964-5. ONE: Autograph Letter Signed ('Benjamin Britten') from Britten to Juda. On letterhead of The Red House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk. 25 July 1962. Responding to Item Three below, Britten thanks Juda for 'sending the magnificent book on Graham Sutherland', which Britten is 'very glad indeed to have'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Dhruva') from the Anglo-Indian sculptor Dhruva Mistry to Jennifer Jones of Art and Architecture magazine, regarding a planned talk to be titled 'Victoria Square: Work in Progress'.

Author: 
Dhruva Mistry (b.1957), CBE, RA, British sculptor born in India [Jennifer Jones; Art and Architecture magazine]
Publication details: 
On his monogrammed letterhead. 14 September 1993.
£180.00

1p., 8vo. Good, on lightl-aged paper. He thanks her for her telephone call, and hopes to give 'an illustrated talk about my work from 1980 onwards and culmination of themes towards sculptures for Victoria Square'. He will 'touch upon my conscious concerns for outdoor pieces in public, and working with others'. He ends by giving the title of the talk, 'If it is not too late'.

Typed Letter Signed ('Eduardo Paolozzi') from the Scottish sculptor Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi to Hans Brill, expressing interest in a proposition, and suggesting a meeting to discuss it.

Author: 
Eduardo Paolozzi [Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi] (1924-2005), Scottish sculptor [Hans Brill (1930-2001), librarian, art teacher and collector]
Publication details: 
107 Dovehouse Street, London. 13 May 1994.
£180.00

1p., 8vo. Good, on lightly-creased paper. He writes that he was 'very interested' to get Brill's letter. 'I will certainly work on something: I have many ideas, and you will probably be able to select something from what I will show you.' He suggests 'a drink at the Chelsea Arts Club one evening? I now have an answering machine, so you can leave a message there - or even with Monica at the College'.

TLS ('Henry') from sculptor Henry Moore to art collector Hans Juda, concerning an Inland Revenue 'ruling (which I think applies only to me)'. With autograph directions from Moore's house Hoglands to Hoddesdon, and copies of four letters by Juda.

Author: 
Henry Moore [Henry Spencer Moore] (1898-1986), English sculptor [Hans Juda [Hans Peter Juda] (1904-1975), art collector, publisher of the magazine 'The Ambassador']
Publication details: 
Moore's letter and the directions on separate Hoglands letterheads, the letter dated 29 March 1973 and the directions undated. Copies of four Juda letters dated 13 May 1965, 23 March and 3 April 1973, and 29 August 1974.
£250.00

ONE: Typed Letter Signed ('Henry') from Moore to Juda ('Dear Hans'). On letterhead of Hoglands, Perry Green, Much Hadham, Herts. 29 March 1973. 1p., 12mo.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Oliver') from artist and stage designer Oliver Messel to collector Hans Juda, describing his terms for the sale of the originals of two 'designs for the Glyndebourne brochure' in 1952, which Juda's firm helped produce.

Author: 
Oliver Messel [Oliver Hilary Sambourne Messel] (1904-1978), English artist and stage designer [Hans Juda [Hans Peter Juda] (1904-1975), art collector and publisher; Vagn Riis-Hansen]
Publication details: 
No place or date. [2 December 1952.]
£220.00

1p., folio. Fair, on lightly-aged paper; with staple- and punch-holes in left-hand margin. Docketed in pencil, at head 'file Oliver MESSEL', and at foot '2/XII/52'. He thanks him for 'your charming messages [...] about the designs for the Glyndebourne brochure', which were 'given me by Vagn' (Messel's partner Vagn Riis-Hansen). 'For the one design ie.

Autograph Leytter Signed L.F. Salzman, economist, to Robert Lynd, essayist and Irish Nationalist.

Author: 
Louis Francis Salzman (1878-1971), British economic historian.
Publication details: 
14 Brookside, Cambridge; 19 August [1928
£200.00

ALS, 14 Brookside, Cambridge; 19 August [1928], 2pp., 12mo. Written on returning the proofs of two articles. 'I see you have cut out my proof of the early intrusion of the Friar Tuck element into the Robin Hood cycle: - the only piece of information in the article which a student could not easily find elsewhere! However, I don't suppose any students will bother about any part of these articles except the Bibliographies, so it probably doesn't matter.' He continues with a few scholarly points.

Printed paper on 'Occupation', giving the position on 'annexation' and 'settlement' of a 'civilised State' in international law, with a section on 'The West African Conference of 1884-1885', and a reference to 'the original uncivilised inhabitants'.

Author: 
[Thomas Joseph Lawrence (1849-1920), Fellow and Tutor of Downing College, Cambridge, and authority on International Law; The West African Conference of 1884-1885]
Publication details: 
Without date or place. [Cambridge. 1890.]
£150.00

A significant document, providing a clear exposition of the late-Victorian colonialist position on the two branches of occupation: annexation and settlement. Untraced. T. J. Lawrence of Downing College is the probable author, as the section on 'annexation' also features in his 'Handbook of Public International Law' (1890). 1p., 8vo. Printed in landscape on one side of a piece of unwatermarked laid paper. In fair condition, lightly-aged and creased. The document begins: 'Occupation in International Law applies only to territory not previously held by a civilised State.

Autograph Letter Signed ('John S. Pakington') from the British Conservative politician John Somerset Pakington, 1st Baron Hampton, to General Sir Robert Gardiner, Governor of Gibraltar, discussing his 'printed but unpublished Report' on the 'Rock'.

Author: 
John Somerset Pakington (1799-1880), 1st Baron Hampton [Lord Hampton] British Conservative politician [General Sir Robert Gardiner (1781-1864), Governor of Gibralar, 1848-1855]
Publication details: 
Eaton Square [London]. 1 March 1856.
£150.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium on mourning paper. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He writes to thank Gardiner for sending him 'a copy of your printed but unpublished Report to His Majesty's Government on the danger of governing Gibraltar as a Colony'. Gardiner's report 'forms an appropriate termination' to his 'administration of the affairs of the "Rock," & I shall read it with the interest and attention due to your long Experience in that Fortress'. He ends by sending his compliments to Lady Gardiner.

'Box Office Return' for a production of 'She Stoops to Conquer' at 'The Arts Theatre Club Festival of International Comedy and Drama', filled in by hand on printed form by Mary Pupley, Box Office Keeper.

Author: 
The Arts Theatre Club, London [Mary Pupley, Box Office Keeper]
Publication details: 
The Arts Theatre Club, London. 1 May 1949.
£65.00

1p., 4to. On aged and lightly-creased paper. Giving breakdowns for different seats in matinee and evening productions, as well as for programmes, with the number of complimentary tickets. The Arts Theatre Club was founded in 1927, 'in an attractive building in Great Newport-street shaped somewhat like the House of Commons' (Times, 9 May 1927). On its relaunch in 1933, its stated aim was 'to select plays of theatrical merit [...] with an entire disregard for their commercial possibilities' (Times, 18 December 1933).

Autograph Letter Signed from the Scottish painter Thomas Faed inviting a fellow-painter to his studio, and expressing concern that his paintings may get 'massacred [...] in the hanging'.

Author: 
Thomas Faed (1826-1900), RSA, Scottish painter
Publication details: 
24a Cavendish Rd, St John's Wood [London]. 3 April [post 1876].
£80.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Watermarked 'JOYNSON | 1876'. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with minor staining from mount at foot of second leaf. Written in a hasty, untidy hand. The recipient appears to be 'My dear Hornby', 'Horley' or 'Howley'. Faed writes that he is 'slaving away chopping and changing sometimes worse and sometimes better (I hope) on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. 7th.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Syd Smirke') from the architect Sydney Smirke, advising 'Mr. Lloyd' [William Watkiss Lloyd?] not 'to be made instrumental in dunning', in a case involving Saunders & Co. and 'Sir Robert' [his brother Sir Robert Smirke?].

Author: 
Sydney Smirke (1798-1877), English architect, younger brother of Sir Robert Smirke (1780-1867) [William Watkiss Lloyd (1813-1893), antiquary]
Publication details: 
Grosenor St [London]. 5 March [1859].
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with minor water staining and a couple of spike holes. An intriguing communication, beginning: 'I would not, if I were you, allow myself to be so worried.' Smirke feels that, as 'Mess: Saunders & Co have not been backward in representing themselves as Principals in the matter', and as they 'are as largely as - or more largely, interested' than Lloyd himself 'in obtaining a payment, they had better themselves address Sir Robert'.

Nine Autograph Letters Signed from the poet Herbert Palmer to Rev. Harry Escott of Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, editing a book of Escott's poetry, discussing Christian verse, and attacking T. S. Eliot, the Faber poets and modernism.

Author: 
Herbert Palmer [Herbert Edward Palmer] (1880-1961), English poet and critic [Rev. Harry Escott (1905-1987), MA, Congregational Minister at Rhynie, Aberdeenshire]
Publication details: 
All from 22 Batchwood View, St Albans, Hertfordshire. One from 1938, two from 1942, one from 1943, and the rest undated.
£280.00

Totalling 36pp., 4to. In fair condition, bound by Escott with brown paper into paper wraps, with the front wrap signed by Escott and bearing the typed label 'LETTERS from HERBERT PALMER on "Minstrels of Christ" and my second book of verse "Soar for Victory", amended in February 1948 to "Back to the Fountain."' An interesting correspondence, casting light on the workings of the mid-twentieth century publishing industry, from the point of view of a successful traditional poet strongly opposed to modernism.

Autograph Letter Signed from the writer Robert Innes-Smith, friend of British Union of Fascists leader Sir Oswald Mosley, to James Royston Clark, tried for treason at end of war as 'Number Two' broadcaster in Berlin to 'Lord Haw Haw' [William Joyce].

Author: 
Robert Innes-Smith, friend of Sir Oswald Mosley [British Union of Fascists; James Royston Clark (b.1923), son of Dorothy Eckersley, 'Number Two' to Nazi collaborator 'Lord Haw Haw', William Joyce]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Old Vicarage, Swinburne Street, Derby. 20 March 2000.
£180.00

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He begins by enquiring whether the recipient is 'the J. R. Clark who appeared recently on TV', whom he 'would love to meet'. 'In 1934 my two aunts were in Germany and wrote letters home. They were keen Nazis and my older aunt met Goering & Goebbles. My grandparents and younger aunt were given luncheon by the Mussolinis when in Rome.' He was 'rivetted' by the television programme, as he was 'transcribing the letters sent to their mother by my aunts when the programme was broadcast'.

25 items of printed ephemera relating to The British Weleda Co. Ltd., suppliers of Anthroposophic medicines developed by Rudolf Steiner and Dr Ita Wegman, including handbills and issues of 'Weleda News'. With 3 items about the Wala Association Ltd.

Author: 
[The British Weleda Co. Ltd., suppliers of Anthroposophic medicines [Wala Association Ltd, East Grinstead; Rudolf Steiner; Dr Ita Wegman]
Publication details: 
The 28 items dating from between 1938 and 1958: the 25 Weleda items from 24 Crawford St, London W1, and The Chantry, Fladbury, Worcestershire; the 3 Wala items from 15 Moat Road, East Grinstead, Sussex.
£150.00

From the papers of Major Reginald Kersey Green and his son the nuclear physicist Robert Kersey Green. The magazines are mostly in 4to, and the advertisements mostly in 12mo. Printed in a variety of styles on a range of different coloured papers, with illustrations and photographs. In good condition, on aged paper, except for one heavily-stained item, and another with light staining to back wrap. Comprising: ONE. 'The Weleda Journal' ('Gratis to all interested in the Weleda'), No. 1, September 1938.

[Printed illustrated brochure.] The Camphill Village Trust. [With mimeographed typed appeal, on Trust letterhead.]

Author: 
[The Camphill Village Trust Ltd, 'A Working Community for the Handicapped'; Ursula Gleed, Hon. Sec.; The Botton Hall Estate, Danby, Whitby, North East Yorkshire]
Publication details: 
Brochure issued by the Council of The Camphill Village Trust Limited, London. No date [1950s]. Appeal on Trust letterhead. Dated July 1955.
£120.00

Brochure: 4pp., 4to. Bifolium, printed in green and brown on yellow paper. With four photographs of children. Fair, on lightly-worn paper, with vertical crease to second leaf. Requesting help for 'Houses Workshops Farms': 'Are they not human beings like us? | Do they not all have similar rights? | Do they not deserve to live a life filled with work, duty and pleasure?' Mimeographed typed appeal: 3pp., 4to. On two leaves of paper stapled together by a corner. Headed 'The Botton Hall Estate, Danby, Whitby, North East Yorkshire'.

Two Victorian stained glass windows, each with a central panel relief in white glass paste and grisaille, each with an image from Steuben depicting Esmeralda, from Victor Hugo's 'Hunchback of Notre Dame', dancing with, and nursing, her goat.

Author: 
[Victorian stained glass window; Charles de Steuben (1788-1856); Victor Hugo (1802-1885), author of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' (1831)]
Publication details: 
[British, c.1850?]
£300.00

Each wIndow is 22 x 20 cm, with a central 16 x 14 cm panel of white glass, surrounded by a border made up of eight pieces (2 x 2cm corner squares with stars in orange glass, connected by 2 x 14cm rectangular purple panels). Each window has a set of two metal loops at head, for hanging. Metal frame rusted on both, and two border panels cracked on one, otherwise in good condition, with both white glass reliefs undamaged. The two housed in a contemporary silk-lined black leather box with brass clasps.

Mimeographed typed list of amendments to the articles of the Dar es Salaam Club, with proxy voting slip and amendment slip

Author: 
Dar es Salaam Club, Tanzania [Forodhani Hotel Training Institute; Court of Appeal building; Evelyn Waugh; Tanganyika]
Publication details: 
[Forodhani Hotel Training Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.] Undated.
£90.00

In fair condition, on aged and creased paper. Comprising seven folio pages, each in two columns: 'Existing Articles' on the left, and 'Proposed Amended Articles' on the right. These seven pages are each on separate leaves, and all stapled to a proxy voting slip (not filled in) and an amendment slip. The Dar es Salaam Club, 'solidly built with much fine joinery in dark African timber and heavy brass fittings on doors and windows', was housed in what became the Forodhani Hotel Training Institute building, Dar es Salaam.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'E P Loftus Brook') from Edgar Philip Loftus Brook, FSA, FRIBA, Hon. Sec. of the British Archaeological Association, to Norwich geologist and antiquary John Gunn, regarding membership and contributions of papers.

Author: 
Edgar Philip Loftus Brook (d.1895), FSA, FRIBA, Hon. Secretary of the British Archaeological Association [Rev. John Gunn (1801-1890), Norwich geologist and antiquary; Walter de Gray Birch (1842-1924)]
Publication details: 
The first from 37 Bedford Place, Russell Square, and the second from 19 Montagu Place, Bedford Square; both on letterheads of the British Archaeological Association. 11 September 1879 and 6 May 1880.
£80.00

Both letters 2pp., 12mo, on bifoliums. Both good, on lightly-aged paper. On both letterheads Brook has cancelled the printed address and the name of the Association's president. ONE: Regarding the renewal of Gunn's membership, 'the guinea entrance fee' being unnecessary in his case. 'I have also noted my enquiry if you will contribute a paper when convenient upon the Saxon works in your district. This will be very acceptable to us.' TWO: He has sent Gunn the proof of his 'interesting little paper with which you favoured us at Caistor'.

Mimeographed printed notice to Fellows of the British Interplanetary Society by Arthur C. Clarke, as 'A.C. CLARKE, Chairman of the Council', regarding a reorganization of the Society's finances at a 'vital period in the development of astronautics'.

Author: 
Sir Arthur C. Clarke, science fiction writer and Chairman of the British Interplanetary Society, 1946-7 and 1951-3
Publication details: 
The British Interplanetary Society, 'Secretarial address: 157, Friary Road, London, S.E.15.' 1 July 1947.
£50.00

1p., 8vo. A fragile piece of ephemera, on aged paper, with wear at head (not affecting text). The notice begins: 'For several months past the Council has had under consideration the question of the Society's finances since it has become apparent that our annual income is insufficient to ensure a continuous and regular flow of publications.' References follow to 'donations from private members', an 'enforced summer recess', 'the acquisition of library shelves, desks and other fittings'. Two reasons are given in justification of the doubling of the 'Fellowship subscription'.

Autograph Letter in the third person from Sir Charles Lock Eastlake, sending money for 'Mr. Mauld' to give to a 'young lady'.

Author: 
Sir Charles Lock Eastlake (1793-1865), English artist and President of the Royal Academy
Publication details: 
7 Fitzroy Square, London. 28 October 1850.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, with slight discolouration from glue. Reads: 'Mr Eastlake presents his compliments to Mr. Mauld & begs to enclose a half sovereign for the young lady on whose behalf Mr. Mauld has applied to him. | 7. Fitzroy Square | Octr. 28. 1850.'

Autograph Note in the third person from Sir Charles Lock Eastlake, painter and President of the Royal Academy, to 'Mr Whitaker', giving ''Mr Millais' address'.

Author: 
Sir Charles Lock Eastlake (1793-1865), English artist and President of the Royal Academy [Sir John Everett Millais]
Publication details: 
7 Fitzroy Square, London. 5 February 1863.
£65.00

1p., 12mo. Good, with the blank second leaf of the bifolium having slight staining from mount, and having laid down on it a newspaper cutting headed 'DEATH OF SIR C. EASTLAKE', docketd 'E & T Dec 26/65'. The note reads: 'Sir Chas Eastlake presents his compts. to Mr Whitaker & begs to inform him that Mr Millais' address is No. 7. Cromwell Place | Kensington. S.W. | 7. Fitzroy Sqr. (London) | Feby 5 1863.'

Autograph Letter in the third person from Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby, to the Secretary of the Royal Zoological Society [Philip Lutley Sclater], enquiring as to 'which steps are necessary to be taken' to become a member.

Author: 
Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby, British Conservative politician [Philip Lutley Sclater (1829-1913), Secretary, Zoological Society of London]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Knowlsey, Prescot. 10 November 1869.
£30.00

1p., 12mo. With mourning border. (On his father' sdeath in October Derby had acceded to the title.) The letter reads: 'Lord Derby presents his compliments to the secretary of the Royal Zoological Society, and beign desirous of becoming a member of that body, would be much obliged to the secretary if he would inform him which steps are necessary to be taken for that object.'

Long telegram to the British Legation in Reykjavik [from the Home Office in Whitehall] instructing them on position to take with the press depending on the result of the impending 'GERMAN AIROFFENSIVE CONTRABRITAIN' [i.e. the Blitz].

Author: 
[The British Legation, Reykjavik, Iceland; Icelandic; The Blitz, 1940; Rev. Dr John Charles Fulton Hood (1884-1964), editor of 'The Midnight Sun' newspaper]
Publication details: 
On 'Landssimi Islands' telegram form. From London to 'PRODROME REYKJAVIK' on 19 August 1940.
£320.00

From the papers of Rev. J. C. Fulton Hood who, having been Chief Chaplain British Forces in Norway in 1940, worked in Iceland between 1940 and 1941. A pencil note on the telegram (see below) refers to 'The Midnight Sun', the troops’ newspaper in Norway and Iceland which Hood founded and edited. He was made a Knight of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon in 1949. The telegram is in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, and bears an oval blue 'LANDSSIMINN' stamp. It is headed 'PRESSE PRODROME REYKJAVIK' ('Prodrome, Reykjavik' being the British Icelandic Legation's telegraph address).

[Printed programme.] Scottish National War Memorial. Opening Ceremony by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, 14th July 1927, and Visit of Their Majesties The King and Queen.

Author: 
[Opening Ceremony of the Scottish National War Memorial, 1927]
Publication details: 
Caldwell Brotthers Limited, by Appointment Stationers to H. M. The King, Edinburgh. [1927.]
£150.00

15pp., 8vo. Pamphlet. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with rusting staple, and strip from mount adhering to margin of title. A change in the order of ceremony has been marked in red ink, and the section on the Seaforth Highlanders has been indicated in blue ink. From the papers of Regiment's Colonel, Maj.-Gen. Sir C. J. Mackenzie, KCB. A scarce piece of Scottish military ephemera: the only copies on COPAC and WorldCat are at Oxford and the National Library of Scotland.

Copy of Two Typed Letters from the London publisher Martin Secker to the Scots-Canadian author Frederick Niven, the first asking for 'one more chance' to publish his work. With typed copies of two of Niven's replies, the first extremely critical.

Author: 
Frederick Niven [Frederick John Niven] (1878-1944), Scots-Canadian writer [Martin Secker [Percy Martin Secker Klingender] (1882-1978), London publisher; J. B. Pinker, literary agent]
Publication details: 
Secker: both from Number Five, John Street, Adelphi; 26 and 28 February 1913. Niven: both from Holmleigh, Church Hill, Loughton, Essex; 27 February and 2 March 1913.
£280.00

Sent by Niven to his literary agent J. B. Pinker, whose date stamp is on the first of Secker's letters. All four items in fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Secker's first letter: 1p., 4to. He begins by praising 'Denny's display' [a window display of Niven's work in Denny's bookshop in the Strand]: 'I am wondering whether you managed to get the photograph into any of the papers. Shall I send it to the Bookman?' He continues: 'The sales [of Niven's novel The Porcelain Lady] up to date amount to 434 in England.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Ada Ellen Bayly / "Edna Lyall."') by the novelist Edna Lyall (real name Ada Ellen Bayly), on the part played by illustrations in novels.

Author: 
'Edna Lyall', pseudonym of the novelist Ada Ellen Bayly (1857-1903)
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 6 College Road, Eastbourne. 11 January 1893.
£90.00

2pp., 12mo. Fifteen lines. On bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. The male recipient is not named. She apologies that 'the crowd of Christmas engagements' has meant that his letter has gone unanswered until now. 'With regard to the question you ask, my feeling is that where an artist and an author can contrive to work well together illustrations are a decided improvement to novels. But it is most trying to an author to see his characters presented to the public in a way utterly unlike his own conception of them.' In her view it is 'clear gain' if a book can be 'well illustrated'.

Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Miss Cole' [perhaps daughter of collector Robert Cole] declining to engrave her work, as he has 'found the copying miniatures so injurious to his eyes'.

Author: 
Richard James Lane [R. J. Lane] (1800-1872), engraver and sculptor, appointed Lithographer to Queen Victoria in 1837, and to the Prince Consort in 1840
Publication details: 
11 Chester Place, London. 29 January [no year].
£80.00

2pp., 16mo. On bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. After presenting his respects, Lane states that he'regrets that he is so engaged for three or four months that he must not undertake any more - / He has found the copying miniatures so injurious to his eyes and the drawings so unsatisfactory in the printing that he is at all times unwilling to engage in very small Drawings -'. He concludes by thanking her for 'her most kind & gratifying note'.

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