CLAYTON

This is a document which would certainly repay investigation. No record of this firm of merchants has been discovered, or even of where they traded. Robison is a Scottish name, and there is an undated reference to a ‘James Robison, merchant in Dumfries’; most Shuttleworth’s hail from the north-east of England, and there is mention of a John Shuttleworth in Manchester in 1820. Other clues in the document suggest a London location: in 1793 Napper and Co.

On 12.5 x 17 cm. piece of paper. Aged and worn at one edge, but signature and surrounds clear and strong. Records the receipt, by 'Wm Ld Sundon in behalf of my Wife Ass. of Francis Dyre', from an annuity.

On an irregular piece of paper, 18cm. high and 23cm. wide at the extremities. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Torn from a larger leaf, with one side carrying manuscript additions completing printed text ('In Repayment of Loan on the Eighteenth, 2s. Aid, Anno 1739.'). In manuscript: 'The most Noble Sarah Dutchess Dowager of Marlborough, the Right Honble Francis Earl of Godolphin, the Right Honble William Lord Sundon Executors of the late most Noble John Duke of Marlborough'. The signatures are on the reverse, with more manuscript text.

52pp., 12mo. In green cloth notebook with label of Reeves & Sons Ltd, London. In good condition, with moderate signs of age and wear, in worn binding. Calthrop's ownership inscription in pencil on front pastedown: 'Dion Clayton Calthrop | 29 Sussex Place | Queens Gate | S.W.' Apart from the two landscape studies in charcoal colours (both of cliffs by the sea), the rest of the sketchbook consists of pencil sketches in a tight, disciplined hand.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on aged paper, in aged franked envelope ('J. Cowell') addressed to 'The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of St. Helena.' Reads: 'My Lord - | I am desired by His Royal Highness, Prince Alfred, to forward you the accompanying portrait of himself. | Believe me | My Lord | Yours faithfully. | J. C. Cowell'.

Quarto bifolium, 3 pp. Verso of second leaf blank. On greyish-blue paper. Good, though lightly creased and with a little spottting. Begins 'MR. D'ISRAELI [sic] presented a Petition from Finnemoor, a place forming part of Oxfordshire, but being wholly within the County of Buckingham. The Petiton complained of oppression on the part of the Bishop of Oxford.

Four pages, 12mo. Very good, with strip of brown paper adhering at the head. Text clear and entire. A long letter, casting light on the effects on the English middle classes of the financial crisis of 1825. Clayton begins by thanking Procter for the 'card case'. He 'will gladly do any thing that may fall within [his] power, to assist the Associate Fund', but does not think that he can 'do much'. 'The times are such, that Cases of

LETTER ONE (manuscript): Two pages, 12mo. Good on aged paper with a little light foxing. Is 'glad of the opportunity' to tell Clayton 'how highly appreciated on the Committee was the assistance you gave it, your assiduity & attention, your fairness, & your practical wisdom. Besides your kindliness & unvarying good temper were an invaluable element. For myself personally I feel I have made a new friend; wh. in old age is not so easy, & therefore is all the more agreeable.' Signed 'Arthur L Smith'. LETTER TWO (typed): three pages, octavo. Good, though slightly dogeared.

1 page, dimensions roughly 8 inches by 6 1/2 inches. Creased and with one closed tear, but in good condition overall. A bill containing 9 items (various quantities of beef, mutton, fouls, ham, geese, puddings, cheese & butter, bread sauce & dressing, liquor), separately charged, and with a total cost of £6 0s 8d. Beneath this '30th. Novr. 1777 | Recd. ye contents ff me [signed] Ralph Stanley'. Typewritten at the head of the page: 'STANLEY, Ralph, 1777.', and with 'CLAYTON MSS.' typewritten on the reverse, which also bears 'No. 200' in a contemporary hand.

Clayton (c.1713-1769) was MP for Bletchingley. 1 page, dimensions roughly 6 inches by 7 inches. In poor condition: creased, discoloured and with several closed tears. 12 items - mainly bushells of malt and hops - amounting to £31 12s 3d. Beneath this the receipt in another hand, signed in the same hand as the bill 'Edward Green'. Docketed on reverse: 'Edwd. Greens Bill for Malt'. Typewritten on reverse 'GREEN, Edward, 1747.' and 'CLAYTON MSS.'