CO-OPERATIVE

Reading Cooperative Society Limited came into existence in the 1860s, as ‘Reading Industrial Co-operative Society’. A nice piece of ephemera from the high-tide mark of the co-operative movement. No other copy has been traced. 50 x 68 cm. A striking and attractive production in six columns, printed in red, olive-green and grey-black, and black, with border of raspberry leaves, calendar split between the outer edges. Large illustration of ‘Llandudno and the Great Orme’ beneath the heading ‘Each for all, & all for each.

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn. Folded twice. Only the conclusion of the letter is in Holyoake's hand. It carries an unusually large and bold signature. In reply to a letter of Watson's he states that he was not aware of the 'paper in the Westminster Gazette [...] until four days after its appearance'. He asks him to send 'the Leader referring to its appearance which you mention', and commends Watson's son for bringing it to his notice. Holyoake does not know if the matter has 'been mentioned elsewhere in Newcastle'.

Both items in good condition, lightly aged. ONE: 3 March 1884. 1p, 12mo. Addressed to 'Dear Mr. Kynnersley'. Having received Kynnersley's undated letter he writes: 'I shall meet Blandford as you propose on the 11th. with very great pleasure. He was one of the heroes on whom I used to look with awe as a 3rd. form boy in 1834 in which year I joined & he I think left Rugby.' He is sitting at Congleton on the day of the meeting, and 'there is just a chance that some perverse suitor may be in full blast at my train time in which case (as I never leave a cause part heard) I may be late'.

On 3 x 11 cm. slip of paper, cut from the end of a letter. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads 'Yrs very sincerely | Emma de Vesci'. Fragment of letter on reverse: '[...] random of all the monies you have sent to Messrs. Puget & Bainbridge. I [...]'. Lady de Vesci founded the Abbeyleix Baby Linen Society, a co-operative supplying affordable children clothes.

16pp., 12mo. Disbound and without covers. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Now uncommon.

16pp., 12mo. Disbound and without wraps. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Now uncommon.

23pp., 12mo. Stapled. Number 65 in a series. With stamp, shelfmarks and label of the Board of Education Reference Library, otherwise in fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Scarce: no copy at the British Library, or on COPAC.

25pp., 8vo. With an additional five plates of coloured tables. Stapled. In pink printed wraps. With stamp, shelfmarks and label of the Board of Education reference library, otherwise in fair condition, on aged paper, in chipped and worn wraps. Scarce: no copy in the British Library, or on COPAC.

11pp., 8vo. Stapled. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight rust to staples, with stamp, shelfmarks and label of the Board of Education Library. Scarce: no copy in the British Library or on COPAC.

12mo: 8 pp. An unopened pamphlet made by folding a leaf twice. Text clear and complete. Good: on aged and slightly-grubby paper. Scarce: the only copies on COPAC at the London School of Economics and University College London, in whose entries it is dated to the 1870s.

Items One to Three: three 'Co-operative Holidays Association General Notes' pamphlets, all 4pp, on unbound 8vo bifoliums. Text clear and complete, on aged and worn paper, with a 3 cm closed tear to both leaves of the second number. Each issue ends with a long list of 'Rambling Clubs and Secretaries'. Headings of notes include 'One Shilling Literature Subscription', 'Sir William Mather', 'Canadian Guests', 'Personalia'. Also a report of the annual general meeting.