DEPARTMENT

Autograph Testimonial Signed ('Sydney G Mawson') by the landscape painter and lecturer in textiles at Slade School of Art, Sydney G. Mawson, for

Author: 
Sydney G. Mawson (1849-1941), landscape painter and lecturer in textiles at Slade School of Art [H. Clarence Whaite (1895-1978), Head of Art Department, University of London Institute of Education]
Publication details: 
Langholen Lodge, Richmond, Surrey. 5 January 1924.
£56.00

Whaite was first cousin twice removed of his more famous namesake. He was himself an excellent artist and teacher, and there is a large collection of his work at the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester. 2pp., 12mo. Fair, on aged, creased paper with slight rust spotting. Mawson begins: 'Mr. H. Clarence Whaite first came under my notice a few years ago when attending my lecture on Decoration & Ornamental Design at the Slade School - and from the first I was much struck with his understanding and grasp of the principles[.] This enabled him to carry out work of exceptional merit.

Autograph Testimonial Signed ('R. B. Henderson MA (Ox) | Head Master Alleyn's School | formerly Assistant Master of Rugby School', for the artist and educationalist E. Clarence Whaite.

Author: 
R. B. Henderson [Ralph B. Henderson] (1880-1958), Headmaster, Alleyn's School, Dulwich, who lived in a ménage à trois with the novelist E. H. Young ('Mrs Daniell') [E. Clarence Whaite (1895-1978)]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Alleyn's School, Dulwich, SE22. 19 May 1925.
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper with small pin-holes to one corner. 'Mr. H. Clarence Whaite is a part time art master in this School. [...] He succeeds in stimulating an interest in art & has conducted parties of boys over the Dulwich Gallery with that end in view. Of course the post he holds here does not offer much opportunity for the exercise of his powers either as an artist or a teacher of art & he is therefore justified in seeking a position more in accordance with his qualifications.' From the Whaite papers. Whaite was first cousin twice removed of his more famous namesake.

Two Typed Testimonials Signed (each 'T. Percy Nunn') by Sir Percy Nunn [Sir Thomas Percy Nunn], Professor of Education, University of London, for the artist and educator H. Clarence Whaite

Author: 
Sir Percy Nunn [Sir Thomas Percy Nunn] (1870-1944), Professor of Education, University of London [H. Clarence Whaite (1895-1978), Head of Art Department, University of London Institute of Education]
Publication details: 
The first, dated 28 June 1928, on London County Council letterhead. The second, dated 5 August 1937, from 83 Manor Drive, Wembley, Middlesex.
£120.00

Two extraordinarily positive testimonials, especially significant coming from one of the leading educationalists of his age, and also of interest considering the fact that Whaite would follow Nunn to the London Institute. (Whaite was first cousin twice removed of his more famous namesake. He was himself an excellent artist and teacher, and there is a large collection of his work at the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester.) ONE: Written by Nunn as Principal, London County Council, London Day Training College (University of London), Southampton Row, London, WC1. On College letterhead; 28 June 1928.

Typed Testimonial Signed ('Gwendoline E. Holloway') from Gwendoline Elizabeth Holloway, Principal, Queens College, London

Author: 
Gwendoline E. Holloway [Gwendoline Elizabeth Holloway] (1893-1981), Principal, Queen's College, 43, 45 & 47 Harley Street On Queen's College letterhead; 11 July 1940. 1p
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Queen's College, 43, 45 & 47, Harley Street, W1. 11 July 1940.
£35.00

1p., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. 'Mr. H. Clarence Whaite has held Art classes at Queen's College since Janary, 1934. [...] He has been most successful in encouraging the students to do individual work and the results have been excellent. | It has been of the greatest value to the College to have a visiting teacher who could bring such freshness and originality to the Art lessons and who, at the same time, took a keen interest in other subjects and in the general welfare of the students.' From the Whaite papers.

Autograph Letter Signed from John Streatfeild, Clerk in the Home Department, Whitehall, to William Hamilton, British Consul at the Port of Boulogne, concerning the Letters Patent granting Hamilton 'the Dignity of a Knight Bachelor'.

Author: 
John Streatfeild (1811-1883) of Sea Beach House, Eastbourne, Clerk at the Home Department, Whitehall [Sir William Hamilton (1788-1877), British Consul at the Port of Boulogne]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. 8 February 1873.
£80.00

2pp., 4to. On bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'Wm. Hamilton Esq'. Streatfeild has received directions from 'Mr. Secretary Bruce' granting Hamilton 'the Dignity of a Knight Bachelor of the United Kingdom'. Hamilton is to place £96 14s 6d in Streatfeild's account at Drummond's Bank in Charing Cross, 'being the Account & the Expenses attending the passing of the Patent under the Great Seal'. Streatfeild will 'proceed with the Patent as soon as you inform me whether the enclosed is your proper description'.

Signed Autograph Memorandum ('Ro Greenhow') from the historian Robert Greenhow, produced as part of his duties as librarian at the Department of State in Washington, concerning a correspondence between Madison and Monroe on 'natural improvements'.

Author: 
Robert Greenhow (1800-1854), translator and librarian at the Department of State in Washington, and author of works including 'The History of Oregon and California' (1844)
Publication details: 
24 June [no year].
£60.00

1p., 4to. Ten lines. Fair, on aged paper, with one unobtrusive closed tear. Greenhow describes the surviving correspondence concerning 'natural improvements' between Madison and Monroe, and speculates regarding a discrepancy.

Five items, including a notebook, containing manuscript notes taken during the Second World War by a member of the First Quartermaster's Department, Royal Marines, Plymouth.

Author: 
First Quartermaster's Department, Royal Marines, Plymouth [Jean B. Maclachlan, Mount House, Hartley, Plymouth.]
Publication details: 
Circa 1943. [First Quartermaster's Department, Royal Marines, Plymouth.]
£325.00

Five manuscript items, all in the same pencil hand. The name and address of Jean B. Maclachlan written twice on Item One indicates the identity of the notetaker. All texts clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper (but see slight damage to Item Two). Item One: Manuscript notebook. 12mo, 61 pp. Stapled. In original blue wraps, 'SUPPLIED FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE'. Repeatedly and untidily stamped in red ink on front cover 'PLYMOUTH', with 'CAPTAIN, R.M. | ASSISTANT PAYMASTER' and 'ROYAL MARINES | PLYMOUTH'.

[Printed pamphlet by Adam Crooks, Minister of Education.] Centennial Exhibition Philadelphia, 1876. Educational Institutions, Province of Ontario, (Canada.)

Author: 
Adam Crooks, Minister of Education, Education Department, Ontario, Canada.
Centennial Exhibition Philadelphia, 1876. Educational Institutions
Publication details: 
Toronto: Printed by Hunter, Rose & Company. 1876.
£85.00
Centennial Exhibition Philadelphia, 1876. Educational Institutions

8vo, 23 pp. In original yellow printed wraps. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper; wraps worn and with slight loss to a couple of corners. Red label on rear cover: 'Education Department. Reference Department.' Library stamp and shelf marks on front cover and title page. Signed in type at end: 'ADAM CROOKS, | Minister of Education.

Corrected galley proof of nonsense poem by 'M. S.' [the Faber & Faber production manager Montague Shaw?] entitled 'Cowkeeper's Tune'.

Author: 
[Montague Shaw, production manager, Faber & Faber Ltd]
Montague Shaw, production manager, Faber & Faber Ltd
Publication details: 
[Undated. London: Faber & Faber, 1950s?]
£50.00
Montague Shaw, production manager, Faber & Faber Ltd

The text area is about 13.5 x 30 cm, on the top half of a slip of paper around twice as long. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The lower half of the slip is blank apart from the pagination 196. Headed 'EPILOGUE | COWKEEPER'S TUNE', and beginning 'Unless your window is fitted with very strong iron bars and, just to make sure, your window locks, | Do not attempt to keep a Dexter cow in your window box.' Signed in type at end 'M.

Union of South Africa. Department of Native Affairs. Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Social, Health and Economic Conditions of Urban Natives.

Author: 
[Union of South Africa, Department of Native Affairs, Report on the Social, Health and Economic Conditions of Urban Natives, 1942] [South African; apartheid]
Union of South Africa, Department of Native Affairs, Report
Publication details: 
Printed in the Union of South Africa by the Government Printer, Pretoria. 1942
£125.00
Union of South Africa, Department of Native Affairs, Report

Folio, 30 pp. In original blue printed wraps. Stapled. Text clear and complete. On discoloured, frayed and creased paper. Ownership inscription of A. Copeman, Cambridge. Only copies on COPAC at the British Library and University of London SOAS.

Report of Enquiry into Wages and Costs of Living of Natives at Kroonstad, Orange Free State.

Author: 
South African Institute of Race Relations (Incorp.) / Suid-Afrikaanse Instituut vir Rasseverhoudings (Ingelyf) [Bantu; apartheid]
Report of Enquiry into Wages and Costs of Living of Natives at Kroonstad
Publication details: 
Dated in type 'A. L. S. July 1st, 1940.'
£100.00
Report of Enquiry into Wages and Costs of Living of Natives at Kroonstad

Folio, 13 pp. Mimeographed typed document on seven leaves stapled together at head. Some leaves separated. Text clear and complete. On aged high-acidity paper with slight chipping to extremities. Report over first seven pages, followed by two appendixes: 'Minimum Diet for Urban Bantu Family of Husband, Wife and Three Children and Cost thereof in Kroonstad' and 'Occupational and Wage Statistics'. No copy on COPAC or in the British Library.

Autograph Letter Signed to Colnaghi, thanking him for an engraving by Easton of his father.

Author: 
James Edward FitzGerald (1819-1886), Assistant Secretary, The British Museum, and later a New Zealand politician [Dominic Colnaghi (1790-1879); Paul Colnaghi (1751-1833); Reginald Easton]
Publication details: 
12 August 1848; British Museum.
£38.00

Folio, 1 page. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with an edge of the blank reverse bearing a small strip of the grey mount. A formal letter, attractively presented. He is 'directed by the Trustees of the British Museum, in the absence of the Secretary', to convey their thanks for the 'obliging Present to the Museum Collection of Prints, of a Portrait of the late Paul Colnaghi Esqr. Engraved by R Easton, proof'. Interestingly, the National Portrait Gallery does not possess any portrait of Paul Colnaghi.

Printed Receipt, completed in manuscript and signed, for five works by Williamson legally deposited in the Library of the British Museum.

Author: 
Department of Printed Books, British Museum, London [George Charles Williamson (1858-1942), writer on art and historian of Guildford; George Bell & Sons]
Publication details: 
6 October 1904; Department of Printed Books, British Museum, London.
£25.00

On one side of piece of paper 23.5 x 16 cm. With perforated edge. Good, on aged paper, with traces with strip of glue from previous mount on reverse. Printed in copperplate. The deposited works are 'Notes on the Maces, Insignia of Office, and Town Plate of the Town of Guildford', 'Progress of Catholic Work', 'Token Pamphlet', 'Guildford Shakespeare' and 'County Town'. Ostensibly signed by the 'Keeper', but the signature is not decipherable (''). In his obituary in The Times, 6 July 1942, Williamson was praised as 'a highly industrious and versatile writer on art'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('F Carruthers Gould') to 'Mrs Whyte'.

Author: 
Francis Carruthers Gould (1844-1925), English caricaturist, politician, and assistant editor of 'The Westminster Gazette'; temperance; the Liberal Publication Department]
Publication details: 
23 April 1908. On letterhead of The Westminster Gazette.
£45.00

12mo: 2 pp. On the rectos of the two leaves of a bifolium. Good, on lightly aged and spotted paper. Her letter has been handed to him by 'Mr Spender'. He would be 'very pleased to have the temperance cartoons circulated as post cards', and has asked 'the manager here' for a costing. 'Some of the cartoons I believe are being produced as posters by the Liberal Publication Department and by Temperance organisations.'

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'J M Villasante.') to the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Professor J. M. Villasante [Julian Martinez-Villasante y Navarro] (1876-1945), Senior Lecturer, Department of Spanish Studies, University of London (1913-1936)
Publication details: 
19 January 1920, on letterhead of the Senior Common Room, King's College, London W.C.; 5 February 1921, 28 Home Park Road, Wimbledon Park, London S.W.19.
£56.00

Both docketed and bearing the Society's stamp. Letter One (12mo, 2 pp, good): Discussing the syllabus of the Royal Society's Spanish examinations. Ends: 'I think that there is need of arriving at some uniform standard of difficulty and of arrangement of the papers set.' Letter Two (4to, 4 pp, good, with top left-hand corner of first leaf torn away, though not affecting text): A long defence of an examination paper set by him against the criticisms of 'Mr Frank J. Allen', who has sat it. 'Mr. Allen, to me it seems as if he does not know his own language, he writes Castilian with two lls.

2 Autograph Letters Signed by Close (both 'C. F. Close') to Dawkins; and one Typed Letter Signed ('H. R. Douglas') from Douglas to Close.

Author: 
Sir Charles Close [Sir Charles Frederick Arden-Close] (1865-1952), surveyor and geographer; Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Percy Douglas (1876-1939) [Sir Wiliam Boyd Dawkins (1837-1929), geologist]
Publication details: 
Close's letters: 17 and 24 April 1926, both on letterhead of Coytbury, St. Giles's Hill, Winchester; Douglas's letter: 23 April 1926, on letterhead of the Hydrographic Department, Admiralty, Whitehall, London, S.W.1.
£100.00

All three letters good, on lightly aged paper. Close's first letter (12mo, 2 pp): He is pleased to hear 'that Professor O. T. Jones is convalescent and back at work'. Close will write to him to ask if he will take part in the 'Commission' on the 'Terrasses littorales'. Having none 'handy', he is writing to the Admiralty Hydrographer for a 'list of Admiralty Charts'. The Closes have 'settled to take a house in Jersey for the children's holidays', so there is 'little chance of our being at Oxford for the British Association meeting'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Forshall') to Bishop Coleridge.

Author: 
Josiah Forshall (1795-1863), Keeper of Manuscripts and Secretary of the British Museum [William Hart Coleridge (1789-1849), bishop of Barbados and the Leeward Islands]
Publication details: 
B[ritish]. M[useum]. Oct: 2. 1848.'
£35.00

12mo: 2 pp. 11 lines of text. The Bishop's note has reached him 'just as I am about to set out for Cambridge to spend the week there'. When he returns he will 'search for any papers we may have relative to Dr. Walker'. He will let him 'know the result of my enquiries'.

Autograph Letter Signed ['J. Arthur Thomson'] to an unnamed firm of publishers.

Author: 
Sir John Arthur Thomson (1861-1933), Professor of Natural History at the University of Aberdeen, 1899-1930
Publication details: 
10 August 1914; his letterhead from the Natural History Department, Marischal College, The University, Aberdeen.
£100.00

One page, octavo. On aged paper, with slight chipping to corners, but text clear and entire. He is afraid that he 'did not answer your second letter in regard to a book on Sex.' 'After careful consideration', Thomas and 'Prof. Geddes' [Sir Patrick Geddes, 1854-1932] have come to the conclusion that 'if we wrote another book on that subject it should be published either by "Walter Scott" (who has 'The Evolution of Sex') or by Williams and Norgate (who have 'Sex')' [both books, 1889 and 1914 respectively, also by Geddes and Thomson].

Handbill headed 'STOLEN POSTAL ORDER FORMS | STOLEN POSTAGE STAMPS NEGOTIATED BY MEANS OF STAMP SAVINGS SLIPS'.

Author: 
E. H. Bourne, Director, Investigation Branch, Personnel Department [THE POST OFFICE; ROYAL MAIL; POSTAL HISTORY]
Publication details: 
[London,] 20 January 1939.
£56.00

Two pages. On both sides of a piece of paper roughly twelve and a quarter inches by eight inches wide. Illustrated on both sides. An unusual piece of Post Office ephemera, and something of a period piece, on aged paper, with fraying to extremities. Begins 'The object of these instructions is to secure the apprehension of men and women who are negotiating stolen postal order forms and stolen penny stamps, the proceeds of thefts from Post Office. [...]'.

Autograph Signature ('Edward Lugard') on fragment of document.

Author: 
General the Rt Hon Sir Edward Lugard, GCB (1810-98)
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

Dimensions of paper roughly one centimetre by six wide. Close-cropped but clear and entire. On aged paper with traces of glue from previous mount on reverse.

Autograph Letter Signed to Sir H[enry]. T[rueman]. Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
John Allen Harker
Publication details: 
9 February 1916; The National Physical Laboratory, Teddington (on deleted letterhead of the National Liberal Club).
£28.00

Inventor and engineer (1870-1923), whose papers are held by the Royal Society. During the war Harker was in the Inventions Department of the Ministry of Munitions. One page, 12mo. Good, if slightly grubby. Docketed in pencil and bearing the Society's stamp. Reads 'I send herewith a short contribution to the discussion of Dr Flemings paper at which I was present but in which on account of lack of time I did not feel it desirable to take part verbally.' Signed 'J. A. Harker'.

Two Typed Letters Signed to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir Ambrose Heal [Heal's Department Store]
Publication details: 
7 October 1918 and 15 May 1919; both on letterhead of Heal & Son Ltd. 195 to 198 Tottenham Court Road, London.
£75.00

Art historian, designer and founder of department store (1872-1959). Both items very good though somewhat dusty. One docketed and both bearing the Society's stamp. ITEM ONE (one page, quarto, 7 October 1918). He encloses (not present) a letter he has received from a woman named Evelyn James. 'I do not know what facilities you have for getting publicity but Miss James has done a good deal of this kind of thing and done it very well. She is a thoroughly capable young woman.' Her help may be sought regarding the meeting on 28 October.

Typed Letter Signed to W. Perry, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Cecil Henry Desch
Publication details: 
2 February 1937; on letterhead (including map of environs) of the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex.
£45.00

Eminent British metallurgist (1874-1958). One page, quarto. Very good. 'I should have been pleased to take the chair at Professor Bragg's Lecture, but I have already undertaken to preside at a similar lecture by Professor Bragg [...] and to have the same Chairman on both occasions, the lectures dealing with the same subjects, would suggest that Metallurgy is very poorly represented in London. Would it be possible to get Sir Harold Carpenter to take the chair? I am sure that you will have a good Meeting, as Professor Bragg's lectures are always exceedingly interesting.' Signed 'C. H.

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

Author: 
Colonel Augustus Mervyn Owen Anwyl-Passingham [FIRST WORLD WAR PROPAGANDA]
Publication details: 
17 March 1915; on letterhead of the 'PUBLICITY DEPARTMENT | CENTRAL RECRUITING DEPOT | WHITEHALL :: S.W.'
£33.00

British army officer (1880-1955). One page, folio. Very good. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. Unusual letterhead for a governmental department of the period. He has not received the letter, which must have been misaddressed. 'Nevertheless, I shall be glad if you will kindly forward me a copy of the Journal with the Advertisement in, and walso the exact quantity of Posters you require.'

One Autograph Letter Signed and one Typed Letter Signed to W. Perry, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir Arthur Leigh Bolland Ashton [Leigh Ashton]
Publication details: 
Typed letter: 19 November 1930; autograph letter, no date; both items on (different) Victoria & Albert Museum letterheads.
£75.00

Director (1897-1983) and Secretary, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1945-55. Both items one page, quarto. Both in very good condition. Typed letter bearing R.S.A. stamp. Both items concerning a projected lecture. TYPED LETTER: Perry will have a typescript by the end of the month, 'but as a good dea of my lecture is extempore you may find it rather shorter than you had anticipated. The written part will be roughly two thousand words.' Signed Leigh Ashton'. AUTOGRAPH LETTER: Perry will 'have to be content with the length of M.S. I send in. It may possibly run to 3000 but not more.

Autograph Letter Signed to the Rev. C. H. Middleton[-Wake].

Author: 
George William Reid [BRITISH MUSEUM DEPARTMENT OF PRINTS AND DRAWINGS]
Publication details: 
13 April 1880; on letterhead of the 'Print Room, | British Museum.'
£56.00

Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum (1819-87). One page, 12mo. Docketed in ink on blank second leaf of bifoliate. 'I feel it my duty to publish a second edition of our Catalogue of Duplicates before the Sale takes place as there are so many mistakes. | As you went through the prints so carefully I should be glad to avail myself of your notes if you would kindly lend them to me for a day at the same time, I should wish to fullhy acknowledge the favour'. Signed 'Geo. Wilm Reid'.

Typed Letter Signed and Typed Note Signed to F. J. Epps, Convenor, South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies, 78 Dunwich Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, England.

Author: 
[NATIONAL PARK SERVICE] Ned J. Burns
Publication details: 
1 November 1943 and 28 November 1944; both on letterhead 'UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR | NATIONAL PARK SERVICE | Chicago, 54, Ill.'
£35.00

The letter of 2 pages, 4to. Discoloured, dusty and frayed. Dr Carl P. Russell has asked him to reply to Epps's letter regarding 'the preservation of outdoor Geological Sections'. Discusses this matter over two paragraphs. Says he is sending a copy of his 'Field Manual for Museums' and refers Epps to two illustrations. 'I am personally as well as professionally interested in all problems related to the preservation of natural and historical objects and will be pleased to learn of any methods you have found to be satisfactory.' The note of 1 page, 16mo.

2 Autograph Letters Signed.

Author: 
[THE BRITISH MUSEUM] T. House of the Department of Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities, The British Museum, to Mrs [Frances?] Epps
Publication details: 
6 June 1951 and 2 April 1952; both on departmental letterheads.
£20.00

Both 1 page, 12mo. Both in good condition, although the first creased in two corners. It is unlikely that House held a senior position in his department as neither letter bears testimony to a good education. In the first letter he says he will be away from the Museum on a certain date, and suggests another day when, if convenient, he will 'bring the two ushabti figures from home and perhaps may be able to find others'. He saw Mr Epps on the previous day but 'we were too busy to talk'.

Typed Letter Signed to F. R. McQuown.

Author: 
Ian William Beresford Nye
Publication details: 
15 September 1964, on letterhead of the British Museum (Natural History), Department of Entomology.
£35.00

Entomologist (1924-), author of the monumental 'Generic names of moths of the world' (6 vols, 1975-91). The recipient is the author of several works on gardening. 1 page, 8vo. In good condition, but creased and with one closed tear and with sellotape stains at head and foot. He thanks his correspondent for the letter of 10 September enclosing a caterpillar, and compliments him on its preservation. '[I]t is in perfect condition for determination. It is very difficult to preserve the green coloration, as in life.' He identifies the specimen as a cabbage moth.

Autograph Letter with illegible signature, to 'Frederick'

Author: 
HYDROGRAPHIC DEPARTMENT, ADMIRALTY, 1903
Publication details: 
25 September 1903; on letterhead, 'Hydrographic Department, Admiralty, London, S.W.', with oval Admiralty blind stamp of anchor at head.
£25.00

1 page, 16mo. Creased and discoloured, with holes and loss caused by pin, and with strip at foot loose and neatly reattached with archival tape. Stamped in blue 'HYDROGRAPHIC DEPARTMENT | 28 SEP. 1903'. Reads 'Dear Frederick | I see by the paper on Labuan sent over here that you have had a chart showing where Tanjong Batu &c is situated - Can you let me have this | Yours sincerely | '. Docketed in red at foot 'Chart Herewith Decr. 26/9'. Docketed on rerverse in blue pencil.

Syndicate content