CONSERVATIVE

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and folded twice. He states that he has 'no intention at present of writing or publishing any reminsicences', having always 'held a very strong view against the modern system of gentlemen who have been employed in official & confidential positions rushing into print the moment they have left their situations.' For Lowther's career see his entry in the Oxford DNB. In 1921 he retired as speaker, on being created Viscount Ullswater and appointed GCB.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Hamilton can 'confidently recommend' Peeke 'as a reliable honest & capable footman. He is very steady, a trifle slow at taking in <?> but remembers all he is told. He is a good valet. Lord George is sorry to lose him.'

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. He asks her to say, 'in answer to the enquiries of Mr. Wiles that Lord Chandos comes forward as a Member of the Conservative party & a supporter of Lord Derby in opposition to the heterogenous combination found under Lord Palmerston'.

1p., 12mo. On grey paper with black border. In fair condition, aged, and laid down on paper with watered silk backing (the endpaper of an album?). In reply to Cubitt's letter he writes that his 'list is extremely full but that I have sent for young Mr. Edmonds on the chance that I shall be able to make room for him.' Edmonds has 'not yet come or answered the summons'.

4pp., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. An excellent letter, concerning a banking bill in the House of Commons, written while Hankey was briefly outside the House of Commons, and Northcote was in opposition (he would be appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer following the election the following year. Northcote has read and is returning Hankey's 'papers', and finds his argument 'sound and right, but I own to a little uneasiness as to the view the House may take of the bill, - whatever that may turn out to be, for as yet we have not been favoured with a sight of it.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. He writes: 'It really costs me a great deal to say no to any wish that you and the Academy may express: but I do not like to alter my conclusion, at all events at present, in regard to the pictures. I hope you will not think me illiberal, but I have so great an objection to their incurring the risk of an unnecessary journey that I hope you will not ask me.'

2pp., 12mo. In good condition. He thanks her for 'the very pleasant glimpse of yourself and your family which I got last Saturday to Monday'. He hopes she will excuse the delay in acknowledging her 'kind and graceful hospitality'.

The three items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Long to Harington, 2 September 1897. 2pp., 12mo. He thanks him for his 'courteous letter' and is sending 'another memo. dealing with points raised by you'. He continues: 'We, of course, do not imagine that our orders and procedure are beyond criticism or are faultless - but we are supported by the Committee, & by the large majority of experts.

1p., 8vo. In good condition, with hole from paperclip at top left, and small rust spot to left-hand margin. Woolton's signature has been underlined by Luckhurst in red pencil. He thanks him for the invitation to take the chair 'at the meeting of the Society on Wednesday, 19th January, when Mr. Gray is reading a paper on "The Industrial Designer and Consumer Goods", but must decline, as he is 'already engaged for the whole of that day'.

Two pages, 8vo, very good condition. "It was very good of you to invite me to give the Trueman Wood Lecture, and I was most honoured. | As you will have heard, however, I came to the conclusion somewhat regretfully that I could not really do justice to the occasion. Althugh I am becoming increasingly interested in the problems of conservation - and I hope gradually more knowledgeable - I did not feel that I had sufficient expertise to lecture about it to the R.S.A."

From the papers of Sir Edward Marshall Hall. The rosette, diameter 13cm., has a ruffled border of two layers of red silk, and a Conservative blue interior, diameter 7cm., with two 13 x 5.5cm. ribbons of red silk hanging down. Embroidered on the rosette in thick gold thread: 'EAST TOXTETH | M H'. Safety pin on reverse. In good condition, still bright, lightly aged and worn. Such items would have been produced by London military tailors like Gieves and Hawkes.

8pp., 12mo. Stitched pamphlet. Aged, and with central vertical fold. A call for 'political instructors who shall [...] impress the first principles of political morality on the minds of the newly-enfranchised masses'.

1p., folio. On aged and creased paper. With Coalition Liberal Organisation stamp at bottom right, and manuscript date 'Decr 1920' at head. The agenda is in four numbered parts, including an 'Address by the Right Honourable J. Austen Chamberlain, M.P. (Chancellor of the Exchequer)', and the proposing by T. W. H. Inskip, M.P., of F. A. Wilshire, 'Prospective Coalition Candidate Thornbury Division', with Sir George Davies in support.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He begins by expressing pleasure at having been asked to write his name in Tyrrell's copy of his book (probably 'Benjamin Disraeli', published in 1926). He also thanks him for 'the kind things said about me in your letter'. He has 'tried to be useful in various ways', and remembers 'the case you mention.

Both items in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. ONE: 2pp., 12mo. He complains of having done 'no political speaking for 2 or 3 years now', and of being 'a poor hand at it even when in practice'. Dummett is nevertheless invited to 'command' him on 29 January. TWO: 3pp., 12mo. Circumstances having arisen, he has to apologise for 'crying off'. He is certain that 'in the 3 weeks which remain' Dummett will have 'no difficulty in securing a substitute who will be much more effective'. From the papers of Sir R. E. Dummett.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Headed 'Private'. He begins by undertaking to bear in mind Daniell's wishes if the Endowed Schools' Bill becomes law. With regard to 'lectures on the Friendly Societies', he thinks Daniell would be 'very well qualified to deliver some; but I don't think it would do for the Government to employ any one for the purpose'. He suggests he try to make 'private arrangements with some of the Literary and Philanthropic Societies', to some of which 'Ludlow' might be able to introduce him.

2pp., 12mo. He 'unfeignedly' feels his 'unworthiness to be placed among those sons of Eton whose portraits are intended to grace the pannels [sic] of the College Hall'. He will comply with the Provost's wish, 'as soon as opportunity permits, & after I have learnt from you the most suitable mode of carrying your design into execution'.

Cover of envelope, 9.5 x 13 cm. Aged and discoloured. Partial official postmark in red. Addressed by Smith at centre to 'Thomas Thatcher Esqre | 44 College Green | Bristol.' Signature in bottom left-hand corner: 'W. H. Smith'.

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight smudging to second page. Annotated by the recipient 'read & burn'. He explains that he is 'just off to Eastbourne', and asks her to send on her letter 'to The Editor [of the Morning Post]', adding that it is 'a risk to send to me'. He concludes by explaining that he and his wife have 'given our present long ago & I am subscribing to a Kensington one. We cannot subscribe to all.'

Although never Prime Minister, Chamberlain was described by Churchill as the man 'who made the weather' in the House of Commons, and was leader of the Liberal opposition for a few months in 1906. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged and ruckled paper. He thanks the recipient for accepting his invitation, and considers that his 'assistance will greatly strengthen the commission'.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Good firm signature. Written in response to a request for an autograph, and reading 'if you wish | Your's sincerely | Henry Bentinck'.

2pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly-aged, folded into packet. 34 lines of text. He begins by expressing his pleasure on Bateson's 'kind attention in naming me one of the God Fathers to your little Boy' [the future Conservative MP Robert Bateson (1816-1843)]. He next turns to the agricultural crisis: 'The accot. you give me of the state of the North of Ireland is very distressing under these circumstances. I feel no inclination to witness it by visiting my Estate there this Summer.

On 7 x 12 cm. panel cut from front of envelope. In good condition, lightly-aged. All in Ellenborough's hand, it reads 'Algernon Greville Esq | Apsley House | Ellenborough'.. As required with a frank, Ellenborough's signature is between two horizontal lines, in the bottom left-hand corner.

ONE: Northcote's letter to Barnett. 7pp., 12mo. On two bifoliums, in a close hand. In good condition, in aged envelope, with red wax seal and two postmarks (one of Woodstock), addressed to 'Henry Barnett Esqre | Woodstock | Oxon.' At the time of writing Northcote was Gladstone's personal secretary at the Board of Trade. The letter begins: 'Coleridge has left town for Sessions, and will not I fear return for some time. This will account for your letter of the 1st. remaining so long unanswered. I am sure we are much indebted to you for your suggestions, by which I doubt not we shall profit.

4pp., folio. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly-aged. With facsimile signature of 'George Courthope'. The document begins: 'Dear Sir, | The last Report to the Livery was issued in Professor Hutton's Prime Wardenship at Christmas, 1942. I succeeded him in May, 1943, and this Report coincides with the end of my term of office and the declaration of Peace in the West.

1p., 12mo. On aged and worn paper, with two punch holes at head. The letter is written to enclose particulars (not present) 'relating to the Chelsea Hospital for Women', in which Cadogan takes 'a deep interest'. He hopes Tuck 'may be induced to become one of its supporters, as it is urgently in need of increased assistance'. The Hospital's secretary will acknowledge all contributions on Cadogan's behalf.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. An interesting survival (no copies traced on either COPAC or OCLC WorldCat), indicating that British party politics was not entirely suspended during the 'Phoney War'. The pamphlet gives no indication that it is directly issued by the Conservative and Unionist Party, but see the quotation from Chamberlain below. The front cover reads: 'Politics in War Time.

[1] + 6pp., 12mo. On six leaves, stapled together in one corner. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. Main headings: 'General Conditions', 'Special Notes' [sub headings for Chairman (Elocution and Manner; Subject Matter; Procedure; Manner of Handling Meeting); Speaker; Proposer and Seconder; Team Work], 'The National Anthem', 'Marking Sheets' and 'Declaring Result'. Scarce: no copy traced on either COPAC or OCLC WorldCat.

2pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Cole has received a request from Jephson, asking him 'to send the Poll-book of the County Fermanagh to the Library of the Carleton [sic] Club'. He explains that 'for the last two Elections for that County there has been no Contest.

66pp., 12mo. In brown cloth printed wraps. In good condition, lightly aged. Ownership inscription of 'Mabel S. Lomax' at head of front cover. Eight chapters, including 'How to Become Fluent' and 'The Art of Delivery (Manner and Mannerisms)'. With two appendices: 'How to Conduct Debating Societies' and 'Specimen Rules for Debating Societies'. Scarce: no copy on COPAC, and only one on OCLC WorldCat. (An undated second edtion, ascribed to Hugh Thornton, with introduction by F. Solbe, is equally scarce.) From the archive of Mabel S.