CANADA

[Thomas Ord, Colonel Commandant of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Artillery.] Manuscript document detailing his ‘Services’ in the West Indies, Flanders and America.

Author: 
Thomas Ord (d.1777), British Army officer who served with distinction in the West Indies, Flanders and America, latterly as Colonel Commandant of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Artillery
Publication details: 
Entries between 1740 and 1762, regarding the West Indies, Flanders and America. In a contemporary hand (Ord's own?).
£180.00

Something akin to a CV in a neat contemporary hand (perhaps Ord’s own, in pursuit of preferment or a pension?). A useful summary of Ord’s career features in ‘Commissary Wilson’s Orderly Book. Expedition of the British and Provincial Army, under Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Amherst, against Ticonderoga and Crown Point. 1759.’ (New York, 1857): ‘THOMAS ORD was appointed Captain in the Royal Artillery on 1st March, 1746. He was an excellent Officer, and stood high in the Duke of Cumberland’s esteem, by whom he was selected to Command the Artillery in Braddock’s Expedition.

[San Juan Island, Washington State.] Printed paper: 'Correspondence respecting the Island of San Juan. Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. 1860.'

Author: 
San Juan Island, Washington State; Lord John Russell; Lord Lyons; General Lewis Cass; Captain Pickett; Captain Bazalgette; Assistant-General Pleasonton
Publication details: 
'Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. 1860.' and 'London: Printed by Harrison and Sons.'
£45.00

The correspondence concerns the need to prevent a 'collision between the American and British authorities on the island' (the American General Harney is quoted as saying that 'he is satisfied that any attempt of the British Commander to ignore this right of the territory will be followed by deplorable results out of his power to control'). [2] + 4 + [1]pp, foolscap 8vo. Stabbed as issued. On discoloured and worn paper, with slight chipping at head of first leaf. Last page (back cover) printed crosswise in the customary fashion (for folding into a packet).

[‘Discovery of Gold at Queen Charlotte’s Island.”] Printed paper: ‘Further Return to an Address of the Honourable The House of Commons, dated 16 June 1853; - for, Copies or Extracts of Correspondence [...] Colonial Office, 8 August 1853 [...]'.

Author: 
Queen Charlotte’s Island [Haida Gwai, British Columbia, Canada; the Queen Charlotte Islands; the Queen Charlottes; Frederick Peel, MP; Duke of Newcastle; Governor Douglas]
Publication details: 
‘Ordered, by the House of Commons, to be Printed, 9 August 1853.’
£125.00

Certainly a very scarce item. JISC only lists one physical copy, at the British Library. 12pp, foolscap 8vo. Stabbed as issued. In fair condition, on worn, discoloured paper. A ‘Schedule’ at the start lists four numbers ‘in Series’: ‘Governor Douglas to the Duke of Newcastle’, 11 April 1853, ‘With copy of Proclamation declaring the Rights of the Crown with respect to Gold found at Queen Charlotte’s Island.

[The Duke of Devonshire: Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke.] Typed Letter Signed, inviting Sir Courtenay Ilbert to join a 'group of gentlemen' meeting 'to consider the future of the Law School at the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield'.

Author: 
Duke of Devonshire: Victor Cavendish (1868-1938), 9th Duke of Devonshire, Governor-General of Canada [Sir Courtenay Ilbert (1841-1924), Clerk of the House of Commons who drafted Indian ‘Ilbert Bill’]
Publication details: 
25 July 1916. On lightly-embossed letterhead of Devonshire House, Piccadilly, W. [London]
£65.00

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged and discoloured. Folded twice. The salutation ‘Dear Sir Courtenay’ and valediction ‘Yours v. truly / Devonshire’ in his autograph, the rest type. Addressed to ‘Sir Courtenay Ilbert, G.C.B.’ He is ‘hoping to arrange a small and informal gathering to consider the future of the Law School at the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield’, and asks Ilbert to join ‘a certain number of gentlemen’ who will be lunching with him at Devonshire House on a named date, ‘With that object in view’.

[First Canadian First W.W. flying ace: Redford Mulock] [Air Commodore Redford Henry Mulock], aviator.] Autograph Letter Signed, supplying a 'signature' to ‘Gibson’, while referring to their time together at Westgate 'in the early months of 1915'.

Author: 
First Canadian flying ace of the First World War, and the first in the Royal Naval Air Service: Redford Mulock [Air Commodore Redford Henry Mulock (1886-1961), CBE, DSO & Bar], aviator [Gibson]
Publication details: 
‘July 22. 29 [1929] / Winnipeg / Canada’.
£120.00

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, but with the blank reverses of the two leaves both carrying traces of glue from previous mounting, and slight damage and loss at the foot of both. Good firm signature. Reads: ‘Dear Gibson - / I have just received your note asking for my signature. I think you were at Westgate in the early months of 1915 when I was. I wonder how you are getting on these days. I do hope that the scouts are all right and going strong & that you yourself are in the best of health & spirits / Yours very Sincerely. / Red. H. Mulock.’ See Image.

[Madame Albani [Dame Emma Albani Gye], celebrated Canadian operatic soprano.] Autograph Inscription to 'J. Bennett Esq', on calling card of 'Mlle. Emma Albani'.

Author: 
Madame Albani [Dame Emma Albani Gye; Madame Albani; born Marie-Louise-Emma-Cécile Lajeunesse] (1847-1930), celebrated Canadian operatic soprano
Madame Albani
Publication details: 
1876. No place.
£45.00
Madame Albani

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. 9 x 6 cm calling card, with 'Mlle. Emma Albani' printed in copperplate in the centre. Above this, at the head of the card, she has written 'J. Bennett Esq.' And around the printed signature she has written the unsigned inscription: 'With [Mlle. Emma Albani]'s compliments & heartfelt thanks -'. Date by her at bottom left: '1876'. See IMage.

[G. J. Romanes; Darwin; Canadian-born evolutionary biologist, friend and disciple of Charles Darwin.] Part of Autograph Draft of biographical entry on himself, with deleted passage.

Author: 
G. J. Romanes [George John Romanes] (1848-1894), evolutionary biologist, born in Canada, friend and disciple of Charles Darwin
G. J. Romanes
Publication details: 
No date, but from internal evidence written in 1893. No place.
£220.00
G. J. Romanes

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The present item is clearly part of a draft of an intended biographical entry, penned by Romanes himself in his close and distinctive hand. On one side of a cm piece of laid paper with the reverse blank. Reads: ‘His extensive treatise entitled “Darwin and after Darwin,” which is now being published in successive volumes, is an outgrowth of the lectures delivered in both capacities.

[Deanna Durbin, Hollywood star.] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Deanna Durbin (1921-2013), Canadian film actress and Hollywood star
Deanna Durbin
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£30.00
Deanna Durbin

Clearly given in response to a request for an autograph. Neatly written and centred on one side of a 12 x 7.5 cm piece of pink paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with vertical crease close to the left-hand edge. Reads: ‘Best wishes - / Deanna Durbin’. See Image.

[Grant Allen [Charles Grant Blairfindie Allen], British novelist and writer on science, born in Canada.] Heavily-revised Autograph Manuscript of part of essay on literary obscurity, with reference to George Meredith, presented to Meredith’s daughter.

Author: 
Grant Allen [Charles Grant Blairfindie Allen] (1848-1899), British novelist and writer on science, born in Canada, atheist and proponent of evolution [George Meredith, Victorian man of letters]
Publication details: 
Without place or date (1880s?).
£220.00

See the entries on Allen and Meredith in the Oxford DNB. On one side of 20 x 18 cm piece of paper, in good condition, with two vertical folds, laid down on 4to leaf of thick gilt-edged paper removed from an autograph album of Meredith's daughter Marie Eveleen (Mariette; 1871-1933), later the wife of Henry Parkman Sturgis (1847-1929), American-born banker and Liberal politician. Sixteen lines of heavily-revised text, in Allen’s close hand, with interpolation by him in the right-hand margin. The place of publication of the text has not been traced, but it is highly complimentary to Meredith.

[Bernard Braden, Canadian actor and broadcaster, married to Barbara Kelly.] Typed Letter Signed to Ken Sephton, with reminiscences inspired by his autobiography.

Author: 
Bernard Braden [Bernard Chastey Braden] (1916-1993), Canadian actor and broadcaster, married to Barbara Kelly (1924-2007)
Publication details: 
21 November 1990. On his letterhead, 5 Kidderpore Avenue, London, N.W.3.
£80.00

Braden features prominently in his wife?s entry in the Oxford DNB, where it is stated that he ?deserves recognition not only for his extreme versatility, but for his major contribution to broadcasting by pioneering consumer television?. The letter concerns Braden?s autobiography ?The Kindness of Strangers? (1990). 1p, 12mo. On grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage. Twenty-five lines of text. Addressed to ?Dear Ken Sephton? and with good firm signature. ?Your letter made me feel very humble.

[Commander William Guy Carr, Royal Canadian Navy submarine officer and Illuminati conspiracy theorist.] Signature, with address and date, apparently intended for an autograph hunter.

Author: 
Commander William Guy Carr (1895-1959), Royal Canadian Navy submarine officer and Illuminati conspiracy theorist, leader of the anticommunist National Federation of Christian Laymen of Toronto
Publication details: 
13 June 1939; Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
£50.00

On 11 x 5.5 cm piece of grey paper. Good firm signature, with emphatic underlining, apparently in response to request for an autograph. Reads: 'Richmond Hill / Ontario / Canada. / William Guy Carr / June 13th. 1939.'

[Commander William Guy Carr, Royal Canadian Navy submarine officer and Illuminati conspiracy theorist.] Typed Letter Signed to Eileen Cond, discussing his writing of a second book dealig with ‘the famous “Harwich Strking Force”’ during the Great War.

Author: 
Commander William Guy Carr (1895-1959), Royal Canadian Navy submarine officer and Illuminati conspiracy theorist, leader of the anticommunist National Federation of Christian Laymen of Toronto
Publication details: 
13 June 1939; Maplecroft, Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
£50.00

The recipient Eileen Margaret Cond (1911-1984) was an enthusiastic collector of autographs, with the ability to draw a more than perfunctory response from her targets. 1p, 8vo. Good firm signature, 'William Guy Carr', above typed 'Wm. Guy Carr.' On lightly browned paper with nicks and short closed tears to extremities. His London publishers Hutchinsons have sent on her letter, and he is pleased to learn that she enjoyed her book, and is sending his autograph for her correction.

[Robert Machray, Anglican Archbishop of Rupert’s Land.] Autograph Letter Signed to his friend ‘Conoin’, written within days of his consecration at Lambeth, and just before his departure for Canada.

Author: 
Robert Machray (1831-1904), Scottish-born Anglican Archbishop of Rupert’s Land, Canada, 1865-1904 [Conoin]
Publication details: 
Harrogate [England]. 8 July 1865.
£150.00

Written within days of his consecration at Lambeth on 24 June 1865. See his entries in the Oxford DNB and Dictionary of Canadian Biography. The former states that his diocese ‘covered 2 million square miles of territory, with headquarters at Winnipeg, then a hamlet with a population of 150. To assist him in the administration of the diocese he had only eighteen clergymen. In 1866 he made a difficult tour of inspection of the Native American missions’. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Signed ‘R. Rupert’sLand’ and addressed to ‘My dear Covoin’. With embossed letterhead featuring a bishop’s mitre.

[Matheson Lang, London-based Canadian Shakespearian actor.] Autograph Letter Signed to W. J. Macqueen-Pope, containing reminiscences of his early London career at the St James’s Theatre, written in response to MP’s book ‘Carriages at Eleven’.

Author: 
Matheson Lang [Alexander Matheson Lang] (1879-1948), Canadian actor-manager based in London [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
10 December 1947; ‘c/o Canadian Bank of Commerce / Bridgetown / Barbados / B. West Indies’.
£50.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. Air Mail letter, 2pp, 4to, written within a few months of his death. With large signature ‘Matheson Lang’, and addressed to ‘My dear Pope’. Lightly-aged and worn, with slight damage from removal of postage stamp. Thirty-three lines of text, neatly-written and complete.

[Lord Thomson of Fleet, Fleet Street press baron.] Producer Hugh Burnett's copy of typescript of Thomson’s interview with John Freeman in the BBC TV series 'Face to Face', marked up for publication.

Author: 
Lord Thomson of Fleet [Roy Herbert Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of Fleet] (1894-1976), Canadian-born British newspaper proprietor, one of the Fleet Street press barons [Hugh Burnett; BBC; John Freeman]
Publication details: 
Undated, but BBC interview broadcast on 4 February 1962, and this item prepared for publication in 1964.
£50.00

The present item is producer Hugh Burnett's own copy, from his papers, of the transcript of John Freeman's interview with Thomson, broadcast in the groundbreaking BBC series 'Face to Face' on 4 February 1962. This single-spaced typed transcript was produced for inclusion in Burnett's book 'Face to Face / Edited and introduced by Hugh Burnett' (London: Jonathan Cape, 1964), and is marked up with printing instructions in pencil and red ink, with a few proof corrections in green ink. 1p, foolscap 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Emphasizing Thomson’s unthreatening ordinariness.

[Madame Albani [Dame Emma Albani Gye], celebrated Canadian operatic soprano.] Autograph Signature (‘Emma Albani Gye | 1883.’), written for display on front of envelope.

Author: 
Madame Albani [Dame Emma Albani Gye; Madame Albani; born Marie-Louise-Emma-Cécile Lajeunesse] (1847-1930), celebrated Canadian operatic soprano
albani
Publication details: 
1883; no place.
£28.00
albani

Clearly given in response to an autograph collector, and written for display on front panel of envelope. Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 cm. In good condition, lightly aged. Horizontal crease along bottom not affecting signature, which reads ‘Emma Albani Gye | 1883.’ In 1883, after several years of enormous success in Europe, Albani returned to Canada to give a series of recitals. Thousands turned out to greet her arrival in Montreal.

[Paul Axel Boving, Swedish-born Canadian agronomist.] Long Autograph Letter Signed ('Paul.'), in English, to his brother Jens Orten Boving, discussing farming and family matters.

Author: 
Paul Axel Boving (1874-1947), Swedish-born Canadian academic, Professor of Agronomy at the University of British Columbia [Jens Orten Boving (1873-1959), was a hydro-electric engineer]
Publication details: 
3 January 1923. Vancouver [Canada], on letterheads of the University of British Columbia.
£250.00

19pp, 8vo. On ten foliated leaves. On aged paper; the first leaf with slight damage and loss to corner and one edge, with minor loss to text. Addressed to 'My dear Jens'. According to Elinor Barr, 'Swedes in Canada: Invisible Immigrants' (2015), Boving 'developed several new strains of forage crops and grains'. The recipient, Boving's brother Jens Orten Boving (1873-1959), was a hydro-electric engineer and inventor based in London, responsible, according to 'Who's Who in Engineering', 1922, 'for a large number of water-power plants, pulp mills and pumping plants in all parts of the world'.

[Sir Edward Morris [as Lord Morris], Prime Minister of Newfoundland.] Typed Letter Signed ('Morris') to Mrs Eustace Hills, accepting her invitation to 'say a few words in connection with the work ahead for women in Empire Citizenship'.

Author: 
Sir Edward Morris [Edward Patrick Morris, 1st Baron Morris] (1859-1935), Prime Minister of Newfoundland, 1909-1917 [Mrs Eustace Hills, Vice President, Lend-a-Hand Club, London]
Publication details: 
17 October 1924; 3 Heath Drive, Hampstead, N.W.3 [London].
£90.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice. Bold signature in light-blue ink. He has not forgotten the 'very pleasant meeting' he had with Hills and her husband when she was on a trip to Newfoundland, and will be 'very pleased to accept your kind invitation for luncheon on the 5th November, and say a few words in connection with the work ahead for women in Empire Citizenship'. He assumes that the invitation extends to his wife.

[Sir Robert Thorburn, Premier of Newfoundland.] Poem 'Dedicated to Samuel Mucklebackit, Esq., (Otherwise James Lumsden, of 34 Royal Park Terrace, Edinburgh)'.

Author: 
'Sir Robert Thorburn, K.C.M.G., Ex-Premier of Newfoundland' [James Lumsden ['Samuel Mucklebackit'] (1839-1909) of Nether Hailes, Scottish dialect poet and author]
Publication details: 
Printer not stated. Dated from 'St John's, | Newfoundland, | January 1897.'
£180.00

Printed on one side of a 21 x 9 cm slip of watermarked laid paper. Aged and creased. Headed: 'Dedicated | to | Samuel Mucklebackit, Esq., | (Otherwise James Lumsden, of 34 Royal Park Terrace, Edinburgh), | by | Sir Robert Thorburn, K.C.M.G., | Ex-Premier of Newfoundland, | From | “Somewhere far abroad, where sailors gang to fish for cod.”' Place and date at bottom left.

[Herbert Whittaker, Canadian theatre critic, designer and director.] Eight long Signed Letters (six typed and two in autograph) to English playwright Christopher Fry, on theatre matters including a reading at the Toronto Arts and Letters Club.

Author: 
Herbert Whittaker (1910-2006), Canadian theatre critic, designer and director [Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright; Canadian Players; Hart House Theatre; Crest Theatre; Montreal Repertory Theatre]
Publication details: 
From his address in Lamport Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; between 11 July 1998 and 7 April 2002.
£850.00

An interesting correspondence on theatre matters, from one of Canada's most influential critics and designers to 'a favourite poet', the English verse dramatist Christopher Fry. Whittaker discusses, among other matters, mutual acquaintances including Sir John Gielgud and Leonard White, past productions of Fry's plays, a 1998 meeting with the playwright at his West Dean home, and a reading he organises of Fry's 'A Ringing of Bells' at the Toronto Arts and Letters Club. The eight letters are in good condition, lightly aged.

[ George, Duke of Cambridge ] Secretarial Note Signed "George" to Major General Cha[rle]s Hastings Doyle (see note below) about promotion.

Author: 
Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, (George William Frederick Charles (1819–1904), grandson of King George III, cousin of Queen Victoria)
Publication details: 
Horse Guards, 18 May 1868.
£45.00

One page, cr. 8vo, fold mark, very good condition. "I have the satisfactiuon to acquaint you that Her Majesty The Queen has been pleased to approve of your appointment to the Colonelcy of the 70th Regiment of Foot in succession to General Sir Wm Paty K.C.B. deceased." Note: "[Doyle] was the second Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia post Confederation and the first Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick."

[ Alured Clarke, British army officer in the American War of Independence ] Autograph Note Signed "Alured Clarke" to "Mr Baker" ["Tailor near Covent Garden" from docket]

Author: 
Sir Alured Clarke (1744-1832), British army officer in the American War of Independence; Governor of Jamaica; Lieutenant-Governor of Lower Canada; Governor-General of India
Publication details: 
Mansfield Street, [London], 8 Dec. 1807.
£220.00

One page, 12mo, bifolium, docketed with names etc of the sender ("Gen. Sir A. Clarke") and recipient of letter on p.[4], a small part of which is stuck to p.[2], separated from the other docketing. Text clear and complete. A mysterious further note appears above the letter text "Entd. OB[?] 236". He says: The bearer George, one of my Servants, is so much grown that he cannot wear his Blue Livery Coat, and Red Waistcoat.

[Sir George Henry Richards, Hydrographer to the British Admiralty, responsible for many Canadian place names.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo Henry Richards') to '[Setcham?]'.

Author: 
Admiral Sir George Henry Richards (1820-1896), Hydrographer to the British Admiralty from 1864 to 1874, responsible for many Canadian place names
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Cottage, Fetcham, Leatherhead. 21 February 1895.
£60.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. A letter of seventeen lines, written 'In haste'. Written in a difficult hand. He begins by thanking him for his 'Satisfactory note', written in answer to a point by '[Shuter?]' which Richards was 'not able to answer then'. The postscript refers to the 'sad loss […] I never knew a better man & friend'. As a hydrographer on the coast of British Columbia from 1857 to 1862, Richards was responsible for the selection and designation of dozens of place names (e.g.

[The first census of the British Empire.] Two documents printed for Earl Grey at the Colonial Office: Major Graham's 'Memorandum' of 'suggestions' on how to take a colonial census; and a letter from Grey instructing colonial governors to prepare one.

Author: 
Major George Graham (1801-1888), Registrar General of England and Wales, 1842-1879; Earl Grey [Henry George Grey, 3rd Earl Grey (1802-1894)] [Sir Frederick Peel (1823-1906), Liberal MP]
Publication details: 
[HMSO, London.] The Major Graham document, dated from the General Register Office [Somerset House, London], 7 December 1848. The Grey circular dated from Downing Street, 20 January 1849.
£320.00

Two printed documents: the first carrying Major Graham's 'Memorandum' of 'suggestions respecting the mode of taking a Census in each of our Colonial Posssessions', together with his observations on the making up of 'Statistical Abstracts', a specimen 'Form of Return' and a covering letter; the second a circular letter from Earl Grey, instructing colonial governors 'to cause a Return of the Population of the Colony under your Government to be prepared'. For the background to these two documents, see A. J.

[ Prisons; Colonies inc. Australia, Canada, West Indies etc.] [Printed Parliamentary] Circular. MS title "Prisons" (in Frederick Peel's hand). Signed at end "Grey"

Author: 
[ Henry George Grey, 3rd Earl Grey, sometime Colonial Secretary (from 1846) ]
Publication details: 
"Downing Street, 13th March 1848"
£500.00

Printed in italics, 14pp., folio (also [paginated in MS 133-146, extracted from a volume of Parliamentary Circulars with the ownership signature "Frederick Peel", Member of Parliament (from Feb. 1849), dated 1839-1851), very good condition. The context makes it plain that this Circular was sent to all Colonial Governors, a gap in the text indicating where the name of a specific Governor would appear in MS.

[Admiral Sir George Back, explorer of the Canadian Arctic.; his Arctic Mission; Ross] Autograph Letter Signed ('G Back') to 'Captain Maconochie' [Alexander Maconochie], regarding packing for a journey.

Author: 
Admiral Sir George Back (1796-1878), explorer of the Canadian Arctic, naturalist and artist [Alexander Maconochie (1787-1860), Scottish naval officer, Governor of Norfolk Island, penal reformer]
Publication details: 
8 February 1833. No place.
£280.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. Addressed on blank reverse of second leaf to 'Captain Maconochie'. In good condition, lightly aged. Begins: 'My dear Maconochie | I have not yet done packing - Have they sent the Books &c from the Ad[miralt]y.?' He next refers to 'the Almanack for 34', and his plans for the following day's 'Journey' [to Arctic - see NOte below]. From 1830 Maconochie was the first secretary of the Royal Geographical Society. In 1833 he became the first professor of Geography at the University College London.

[Alessandro Gavazzi, Italian patriot.] Autograph Signature ('Alessandro Gavazzi') beneath inscription 'Dio e Patria'.

Author: 
Alessandro Gavazzi (1809-1889), Italian patriot and opponent of Roman Catholicism [Gavazzi Riots, Canada, 1853]
Publication details: 
1863.
£80.00

Clearly given in response to a request for an autograph. On one side of a 7 x 11 cm piece of paper. In good condition. In a good firm hand, reading: 'Dio e Patria | Alessandro Gavazzi | 1863'.

[ John Buchan; Tweedsmuir ] Typed Letter Signed "Susan Tweedsmuir" to E.V. Knox, poet, satirist, editor of 'Punch' responding to a letter of condolence.

Author: 
Susan Tweedsmuir,writer and wife of John Buchan, Lord Tweedsmuir (d. 1 Feb. 1940), writer, sometime Governor-General of Canada.
Publication details: 
[Printed heading ] Government House, Ottawa, 9 March 1940.
£80.00

One page, 4to, black-bordered, one corner chipped, minor marking, text clear and complete. "Thank you very much for your delightful little letter. My husband always so love your writing, and always quoted and enjoyed your parodies. He was a very careful reader of 'Punch', and had, in his time, contributed some things to it." She hopes he will visit her in Oxfordshire.

[Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Canadian Arctic explorer, regarded by Roald Amundsen as 'the greatest humbug alive'.] Typed Letter Signed ('V. Stefansson') to English author Clifford Bax; regarding plans for a meeting in New York.

Author: 
Vilhjalmur Stefansson [Vilhjálmur Stefánsson] (1879-1962), Canadian Arctic explorer of Icelandic extraction, ethnologist and archaeologist [Clifford Bax (1886-1962), English author; the Harvard Club]
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, 67 Moreton Street, New York. 25 March, 1935.
£120.00

Stefansson was involved in two disasters: the loss of the Karluk during the Canadian Arctic Expedition 1913–1916 to explore the regions west of Parry Archipelago for the Government of Canada, which he led; and the Wrangel Island fiasco, 1921. 1p., 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He writes to Bax 'c/o Hill & Peters'. The letter begins: 'Just as I am starting on a lecture tour, a letter comes from Marjorie Humphreys saying you are about to arrive and asking that I do something for you.

[ 'Alberto Tomasini' (Anlon Young), Canadian baritone. ] Autograph Signature ('Tomasini') on inscription to postcard portrait carrying 'Press Comments'.

Author: 
'Alfredo Tomasini', stage name of Anlon Young (b.1895), Canadian baritone
Publication details: 
No place or date. The inscription dated 28 February 1937.
£20.00

Printed in black ink on both sides of a 13.5 x 8.5 cm postcard. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Inscription reads: 'To F J Watt. | With best wishes | Tomasini | Feb 29/37'. The inscription is written on the photographic portrait of 'ALFREDO TOMASINI' (head and shoulders shot in suit and tie, looking dreamily upwards), which is captioned: '(Canadian baritone,) for the past nine years has been singing leading roles in the principal Opera Houses of Italy; Covent Garden, London; State Opera Houses of Finland, Latvia, and Estonia; and the Royal Opera House, Malta.

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