building

[‘The Colossus of Roads’: Sir James Nicoll McAdam, Scottish builder and administrator of roads.] Autograph Signature cut from document.

Author: 
Sir James Nicoll McAdam (1786–1852), ‘The Colossus of Roads’, Scottish builder and administrator of roads
James Nicoll McAdam
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£45.00
James Nicoll McAdam

See his joint entry with his father John Loudon McAdam (1756-1836) in the Oxford DNB. On slip of paper roughly 11 x 6.5 cm, cut from document. In good condition, lightly aged, and laid down on part of brown paper leaf from an autograph album. (Part of an autograph by ‘[...] Perry’ is on the reverse.) Good large disciplined autograph ‘James Mc Adam’ (with the initial ‘J’ closely cropped at the head and left-hand side), beneath which is written, in a contemporary hand ‘The Colossus of Roads’. See Image.

[Arts and Crafts architecture in the Potteries, 1908.] Blueprint of plans and elevations by the architect William Ford Slater for ‘3 HOUSES HIGH LANE BURSLEM / FOR MR: HARRY H. ROSE / 1/8th Scale’, for construction by John Henry Broadhurst and Son.

Author: 
[Arts and Crafts achitecture in the Potteries.] William Ford Slater (1866-1951), architect and surveyor; J. H. Broadhurst and Son [John Henry Broadhurst], builder of Burslem, Staffordshire.
Burslem
Publication details: 
J. H. Broadhurst & Son, Burlem, Staffordshire. 27 [June?] 1908. ‘John Henry Broadhurst / [June?] 27/08 / p pro J H Broadhurst & Son’.
£280.00
Burslem

In 1907 the ‘Builder’ describes ‘Mr. W. F. Slater, Overhouse-chambers, Burslem’ as a ‘Surveyor’, and in 1909 the ‘Electrical Review’ refers to him as an ‘architect’ at the same address. Five years later ‘Building News’ reports that Slater is ‘architect to the education committee’. In 1921 (‘The Surveyor’) he is the ‘surveyor, Urban Council Offices, Wolstanton, Staffs’, and in 1926 (‘Public Works Weekly Surveyor’) he is ‘architect to the corporation’.

[Society for Irish Church Missions to the Roman Catholics.] Printed promotional pamphlet, including ‘The West Galway Church Building Fund / Appeal from the Bishop of Tuam.’ [i.e. Thomas Span Plunket]

Author: 
Society for Irish Church Missions to the Roman Catholics, Anglican missionary society, founded 1849 [The West Galway Church Building Fund; Thomas Span Plunket, Bishop of Tuam; Rev. Alexander Dallas]
Publication details: 
[November, 1850.] For the Society for Irish Church Missions to the Roman Catholics [The West Galway Church Building Fund].
£320.00

A scarce item: the only copy on COPAC at Trinity College Dublin. (WorldCat records a German library holding). See the entry on the Society’s founder, Rev. Alexander Dallas, in the Oxford DNB. The organisation, which still operates, is a controversial one. It was founded to convert Irish Roman Catholics to Protestantism, and the attitude of those involved can be gauged by the fact that its members considered the Potato Famine a judgement on the Catholics and made relief conditional on conversion, and that the Bishop of Tuam evicted tenants for not sending their children to Protestant schools.

[Lord Esher [Lionel Brett, 4th Viscount Esher], architect and town-planner.] Typed Letter Signed and Autograph Note Signed to the lutenist Desmond Dupré, discussing costs and options for new house.

Author: 
Lord Esher [Lionel Brett; Lionel Gordon Baliol Brett, 4th Viscount Esher (1913-2004), British architect and town-planner [Desmond Dupré (1916-1974), English lutenist]
Publication details: 
Both items on his letterhead, Wellington Park, Oxon, and New Town House, Hatfield, Herts. ANS: 22 October 1952. TLS: 28 October 1952.
£90.00

Dupré is thinking of retaining Brett as architect in the rebuilding of a house on an attractive site, and the two items deal with the practicalities. Both signed 'Lionel Brett', and both in fair condition, lightly aged. ONE: TLS. 2pp, 4to, Folded three times. Forty-two lines of text. Addressed to Dupré at The Lodge, Windlesham, Withyham, Sussex. Deals firstly with ‘the estimate for demolition’, with comments ‘On the technical side’, before moving on to the question of ‘salvage materials’.

[John Randall, coachmaker] Two Autograph Letter Signed ('John Randall') from the London coachmaker John Randall to 'monsieur le Doctor Brown' [i.e. Sir Charles Brown], physician to the Queen of Prussia, one giving an Estimate for work.

Author: 
John Randall, 80 Long Acre, London, coachmaker and freemason [Sir Charles Brown (c.1747-1827) of Potsdam, 'First Physician to the King of Prussia, his Court and Army']
Coaching
Publication details: 
London, Long Acre 1788 AND London; 30 June 1789.
£150.00
Coaching

(1788) Letter, bifolium, , cr. 8vo, good condition, one page giving assurances as to quality, etc., with list (essentially a quote) of prices/features of A new Fashionable Chariot with a [?] light coloured cloth, Painted a Green [?] Patent yellow, made of the best materials & season'd timber, followed by a price list of various features (blinds, plated head plates, steps, strong plated harness, packing etc etc). See image. (1799) 1p., 4to, bifolium, very good, on lightly-aged paper.

[ Edward Churton (1800-1874), Hispanist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edw. Churton') to an unnamed party

Author: 
Edward Churton, Archdeacon of Cleveland, and Hispanist
Publication details: 
'Crayke nr. Easingwold. | Feb. 29. 1868.'
£30.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He has 'dutifully employed a portion of this odd [last word underlined] day in the year' looking over his accounts, and finds that his 'Subscription for last Year to the Ch[urch]. Build[in]g. Soc[iet]y. was not paid'. He thinks the former local secretary for the area has retired, 'or has left off reminding the Subscribers when their Subsc[riptio]ns. become due'. He encloses 'what is meant to represent' his subscriptions for the present and previous years.

[ Sir Frederick Snow, structural engineer. ] Two Typed Letters, one Signed 'Fredck. S. Snow' and the other signed on his behalf, to the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, with typed synopsis of a proposed paper on 'Steel or Concrete Structures'.

Author: 
Sir Frederick Snow [ Sir Frederick Sidney Snow ] (1899-1976), civil and structural engineer, overall designer for Gatwick Airport
Publication details: 
Both on letterhead of Frederick S. Snow & Partners, Consulting Engineers, Ross House, 144 Southwark Street, London. 28 February and 23 March 1964.
£90.00

Five items: Snow's two letters and carbons of three of Mercer's replies (5 and 25 March, and 24 June 1964). ONE: Typed Letter from Samson, signed on his behalf, to the Secretary (i.e. G. E. Mercer), Royal Society of Arts, 28 February 1964. 1p., folio. Confirming that he wishes to give a paper on 'The Relative Merits of the use of Steel or Concrete in Structures', 'with a number of slides showing comparisons of various materials'. At the foot of the page is a signed note from Mercer to Sampson, dated 2 March 1964: 'Do we want this?

Manuscript minute book of meetings of the directors of Huntley & Company, Lawrence Hill Railway Wharf, coal factors and builders merchants, with each entry signed by the chairman.

Author: 
H. A. Burnell, Secretary, Huntley & Company of Lawrence Hill Railway Wharf, coal factors and builders merchants, also 'Hauling & Furniture Removal', 'House Furnishing & Drapery' and 'Estate Agency'
Publication details: 
[Huntley & Company, Coal Factors and Merchants, Lawrence Hill Railway Wharf, Bristol.] Entries dating from 1 July 1904 to 7 October 1930.
£350.00

293pp., 4to. In brown leather half-binding, with black cloth boards and marbled endpapers. Three-page form relating to the firm's dealings with National Provincial Bank of England, filled-in and signed on behalf of the company by the secretary Henry A Burnell, dated July 1904. The minutes are in a number of different hands (beginning with Burnell's) and signed by a number of different chairmen.

[Printed parliamentary paper.] School-Houses (Scotland). Return to an Order of the Honourable The House of Commons, dated 27 March 1839; - for, An Account of the Expenditure [...] for the Erection of School-Houses or Model Schools in Scotland; [...]'

Author: 
[British House of Commons parliamentary paper on 'School-Houses (Scotland)', 1839; Model Schools in Scotland]
Publication details: 
Ordered, by the House of Commons, to be Printed, 3 June 1839.
£120.00

30 + [1]pp., foolscap 8vo. Stitched. In fair condition, with shelfmarks, stamp and label of the Board of Education Reference Library, London. The full title reads: 'School-Houses (Scotland).

Manuscript minute book of meetings of the directors of Huntley & Company, Lawrence Hill Railway Wharf, coal factors and builders merchants, with each entry signed by the chairman.

Author: 
H. A. Burnell, Secretary, Huntley & Company of Lawrence Hill Railway Wharf, coal factors and builders merchants, also 'Hauling & Furniture Removal', 'House Furnishing & Drapery' and 'Estate Agency'
Publication details: 
[Huntley & Company, Coal Factors and Merchants, Lawrence Hill Railway Wharf, Bristol.] Entries dating from 1 July 1904 to 7 October 1930.
£650.00

293pp., 4to. In brown leather half-binding, with black cloth boards and marbled endpapers. Three-page form relating to the firm's dealings with National Provincial Bank of England, filled-in and signed on behalf of the company by the secretary Henry A Burnell, dated July 1904. The minutes are in a number of different hands (beginning with Burnell's) and signed by a number of different chairmen.

Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Fairbairn') from the Scottish civil engineer Sir William Fairbairn to 'Mr. <Wittine?>', expressing gratitude at his good fortune after 'a long and laborious life'.

Author: 
Sir William Fairbairn (1789-1874) of Ardwick, Scottish civil engineer and shipbuilder
Sir William Fairbairn
Publication details: 
1869 [rest of date lacking]; Manchester.
£150.00
Sir William Fairbairn

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium. 37 lines. Text of letter clear and complete, but with damage to head of letter, causing loss to date, with traces of the album leaf to which the letter was attached on reverses. Otherwise good, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for his 'friendly congratulation', and has now entered his '81st. year under the most favourable conditions'. He is 'truly thankful that my affectionate Partner and Myself have through a long life been so mercifully dealt with'.

Manuscript minute book of board meetings of the London Commercial Deposit Permanent Building Society and Deposit Bank, 1882 to 1888. With signatures of the various directors.

Author: 
[London Commercial Deposit Permanent Building Society and Deposit Bank; W. Hurran, Chairman]
Publication details: 
13 March 1882 to 12 November 1888.
£550.00

More information about this Society (founded in 1863 and incorporated in 1875) is to be found in the report in The Times, 20 September 1892 ('Suspension Of Another Building Society'), of the announcement of its dissolution 'in consequence of the commercial panic'. See also 'The Stoppage Of Building Societies', Times, 21 September 1892, which reports the reversal of the decision to wind up the Society. Folio, 248 pp. Disbound. Text clear and complete. Foxing and slight wear to first and last few leaves of volume, otherwise in good condition on lightly-aged paper.

Collection of the firm's estimates, invoices and receipts, mainly addressed to Percy Young of Messrs. H. Young & Co. Ltd., Constructional Engineers, and concerning items for a 'House at Sheen' designed by the architect H. V. Milnes Emerson.

Author: 
Doulton & Co. Limited, Manufacturers of Sanitary Equipment, Lambeth [Royal Doulton Potteries; bathroom fixtures and fittings; Percy Young; H. V. Milnes Emerson]
Publication details: 
1930-1931.
£100.00

A collection of twenty-two items, with one printed envelope, all in good condition, and relating to a complex order to one of the United Kingdom's best-known business concerns. Interesting for the light it casts on the best business practice in the British building industry of the 1930s. Includes typed two-page foolscap estimate, dated 1 November 1930, initialed and on the firm's letterhead, addressed to H. V.

Mortgage Indenture (No. 13992), printed, manuscript, typewritten, and signed, between Smith, his wife Millicent Smith and the Burnley Building Society.

Author: 
William Russell Smith, Oldham 'Book Manufacturer and Auctioneer'
Publication details: 
9 October 1922. Printed by 'George Anderson (Burnley) Limited.'
£35.00

Eight pages, quarto. Unbound and stitched on six leaves. Good, with recto of first leaf and verso of last somewhat more aged. With company and tax stamps. 'Mortgage, [a leasehold plot of land and messuage Numbered 26 in Barker Street Oldham in the County of Lancaster to secure £450 and interest.' Typewritten acknowledgment of payment, 25 February 1929, signed by company secretary W. Harvey and director J. Brown.

Five Typed Notes Signed (all 'Fabian G Trollope') to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Fabian George Trollope (1872-1960) of Trollope & Sons, 'Artists in Decoration since A.D. 1778. Branch of Trollope & Colls Ltd.' [London Architecture]
Publication details: 
20 March 1923, 4 November and 14 December 1927, and two of 18 June 1931; letter 1 on letterhead of Trollope & Colls, Ltd., letters 2 to 5 on letterhead of Trollope & Sons'.
£45.00

All items one page, quarto, and all very good. Two docketed and one bearing the Society's stamp. Letter 1: He will be pleased to attend a committee meeting. Letter 2: He has 'a long-standing engagement' and will be unable to attend 'the Architectural Decoration Committee'. Along with Godfrey Giles he has 'had a long discussion' with Mr. Grigsby 'with reference to the conditions of the Lewis Berger Scholarship'. Letter 3: He knows 'Professor Richardson very well, and this is just the information which I am requiring. I will send my man on to see the secretary as you suggest'.

Typed Letter Signed ('P. Morley Horder') to W. Perry, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Percy Richard Morley Horder (1870-1944), English architect
Publication details: 
3 March 1931; on letterhead 5 Arlington Street, St. James's.
£23.00

One page, 12mo. Very good; lightly creased with staple holes to one corner. 'I beg you to publish the letter which I have addressed to the Journal. There is no point in withholding it.' Horder, who designed Lloyd George's house, as well as Mallory Court and Greys, is, according to one authority, 'one of a group of early twentieth century architects who were highly influential in re-introducing the romantic vernacular styles of the Elizabethan period. Many of his homes were in the style of Edwin Lutyens, having gables, stone dressings, mullioned windows and inglenooks.'

Typed Letter Signed to the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir James Weir French
Publication details: 
27 July 1919; on letterhead 'ARDOCH HOUSE, | BEARSDEN, | DUMBARTONSHIRE.'
£28.00

British engineer (died 1953). One page, quarto. Very good. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. Signed 'James Weir French'. 'I should be very pleased to have the opportunity of supporting the Society and I would be glad if you would make the necessary arrangements as you have so kindly offered to do'.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Sir Reginald Theodore Blomfield, R.A.
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

English architect (1856-1942). Slip cut from letter, dimensions approximately 1 1/4 inches by 4 1/4. In good condition. Reads 'Yrs sincy | Reginald Blomfield'. Docketed in pencil '1935' and with tidy strip with 'SIR REGINALD BLOMFIELD, M.A., R.A.', neatly stuck down beneath signature.

2 Typed Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Unsigned to Mary Delane, and a collection related material.

Author: 
Robert Maxwell
Publication details: 
1962 to 1964; Oxford and London.
£200.00

Politician, publisher and one of the greatest crooks of the twentieth century (1923-91). The recipient, Mary Delane, is described as 'sometime woman's editor for The Times'. A collection of drafts and letters mainly relating to negotiations for the publication by Maxwell's Pergamon Press of a series of cookery books. A fine example of his Maxwell's questionable business practices. Mainly consisting of typed correspondence and draft replies, mostly in 8vo, some creased and torn but generally in good condition.

autograph signature

Author: 
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott
Publication details: 
fragment of letter, [1935]
£20.00

Ecclesiastical architect. Signed 'Giles Gilbert Scott' beneath typewritten 'Yours sincerely,'. Neatly stuck beneath this is 'Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, R.A.' printed in copperplate (from the letterhead?). The fragment is about one inch by two and a half inches. Docketed in pencil 1935.

autograph letter signed to James Hartford

Author: 
Samuel Lambert, S. L. & Co., varnish makers [Pratt & Lambert?]
Publication details: 
2pp, 8vo, 17 August 1892, on printed letterhead headed 'From S. L. & Co.'
£100.00

Long and unusually entertaining account 'Re Varnish', addressed to an American correspondent. A fascinating insight into the nature of Victorian entrepreneurship. 'It has long been an idea of mine that of all the Trades the most profitable one is Varnish [...] the Germans, clever as they are, can't make Varnish at all [...] nor for that matter can the Americans'.

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