ENGLISH

[ Dion Boucicault the younger, actor and theatre manager. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Dion Boucicault') to 'Mr Clarkson', regarding 'wigs that are being made for Sir Arthur Pinero's new play'.

Author: 
Dion Boucicault the younger (1859-1929), actor and theatre manager, husband of the actress Irene Vanbrugh [ Sir Arthur Wing Pinero; Duke of York's Theatre, London ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Duke of York's Theatre, London. 25 September 1912.
£35.00

1p., landscape 8Vo. In fair condition, aged and with a number of vertical crease lines. Reads: 'Dear Mr Clarkson, | Will you please give instructions that any wigs that are being made for Sir Arthur Pinero's new play should be here not later than 11 o'clock on Monday morning next. Our Dress Parade is at 12 o'clock.' The play Boucicault refers to is 'The Widow of Wasdale Head'.

[ Richard St John Tyrwhitt, art critic. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('R St John Tyrwhitt') to 'Miss Bosworth', presenting a copy of his 'A Handbook of Pictorial Art' to her. With inscribed copy of the book.

Author: 
Rev. R. St. John Tyrwhitt, M.A. [ Richard St John Tyrwhitt (1827-1895), English art critic, cleric and supporter of John Ruskin ]
Publication details: 
Lettter dated 29 March 1869, no place. Book published at the Clarendon Press, Oxford. 1868.
£150.00

Letter: 1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Attached by the blank second leaf of the bifolium to the reverse of the front free endpaper of the book. Envelope addressed by Tyrwhitt to 'Miss Bosworth | Parks Town' tipped-in beside the letter. He is not sure whether she has a copy of 'my art-book', which she mentioned 'the other day'. 'If not, will you kindly accept of this one, tho I fear it is not a very good one in the illustrations?' Book: [xv] + 480pp., 8vo. Sixteen-page November 1868 publisher's catalogue at rear.

[ Richard St John Tyrwhitt, art critic. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('R St John Tyrwhitt') to 'Mrs Paul', regarding his book 'Our Sketching Club. Letters and Studies on Landscape Art.' With a copy of the book.

Author: 
Rev. R. St. John Tyrwhitt, M.A. [ Richard St John Tyrwhitt (1827-1895), English art critic, cleric and supporter of John Ruskin ]
Publication details: 
Letter from Ketilley, Oxford, on cancelled letterhead of Christ Church. 25 September 1875. Book published by Macmillan and Co., London, 1874.
£150.00

Letter: 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Laid down on the book's flyleaf. In very good condition, lightly-aged. He hears about his book 'every now & then & I suppose it goes off all right'. He advises Mrs Paul to tell her correspondent that 'she has only to go on with its lessons & exercises', and that 'The woodcuts are all meant to be copied, & a fair amount of directions is given.

[ P. G. Wodehouse, humorist. ] Two typewritten drafts, each with autograph emendations, of 'The Day I met the Master', Barrie Pitt's account of his encounter with Wodehouse in Tost internment camp. With printed version the article, and other material

Author: 
[ P. G. Wodehouse [ Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse ] (1881-1975), English humorist ] Barrie Pitt (1918-2006), military historian, editor of 'Purnell's History of the Second World War'
Publication details: 
1992 and 1993.
£180.00

All items in good condition, with minor signs of age. The drafts are both printed on yellow paper. Each is 4pp., 4to. The two appear the same textually, but one has two slips of paper with amended text attached, and the autograph emendations to the two are different from one another. Also present is a leaf from 'Lifewise' magazine, November 1993, with one page carrying Pitt's memoir, accompanied by a photograph of Wodehouse being interviewed at Tost by Angus Thuermer. The piece begins: 'I first saw P. G.

[ Joseph Knight, theatre historian. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr Munday'

Author: 
Joseph Knight [ John Joseph Knight ] (1829-1907), English drama critic and theatre historian
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 27 Camden Square, N.W. [ London ] 2 February 1895.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and worn, with staining from glue used in previous mounting. He apologises for not being able to 'do what you asked', as he 'did not go to the Garrick until to day when I found your letter with others waiting me'.

[ Edward Askew Sothern, English actor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. A. Sothern') to 'Mr. Ottley', returning a work which he has attempted to 'place rightly'.

Author: 
Edward Askew Sothern (1826-1881), English actor, best-known as Lord Dundreary in 'Our American Cousin' [ Henry Ottley (1811-1878)? ]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [ London? ]
£30.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper with remains of stub adhering to one edge. Having heard from 'Russell' he is returning something which Ottley 'kindly wrote', 'which so far I've been unable to place rightly'. He invites him to 'a quick family dinner with me (143. Regent St.)' the following Sunday. Henry Ottley is the probable recipient; although best-known for his supplement to Bryan's dictionary, he was also the author of a critical analysis of 'Fechter's Version of "Othello"'.

[ Conrad Heighton Leigh, English artist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C H Leigh') to 'Mr Horton', giving an account of the result of his visit to the London publisher Grant Richards, regarding 'Mr Hegcock's & my little alphabet'.

Author: 
Conrad Heighton Leigh (b.1883), artist, commercial illustrator and member of the Brighton Arts Club [ Grant Richards (1911-1963), London publisher ]
Publication details: 
68 Grand Parade, Brighton. 20 January 1902.
£56.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. After following Horton's 'kind advice' concerning 'Mr Hedgcock's & my little alphabet', 're some sketches with more action in them', he has been to 'Town' to show the designs to the publishers Grant Richards. He 'called in person on Thursday but after some delay they have eventually rejected the Alphabet. [...] Evidently from what I was told the sketches such as you advised would have been more what they wanted', so he will do them again 'in that style and try again with other people'.

[ Walter Runciman, 1st Baron Runciman, shipping magnate. ] Printed pamphlet of 'Sir Walter Runciman's Dinner', with alphabetical list of guests and fold-out 'Plan of Grand Hall'. With seat reservation for Aneurin Williams, MP.

Author: 
[ Sir Walter Runciman [ Walter Runciman, 1st Baron Runciman ] (1847-1937), English shipping magnate ] [ Aneurin Williams (1859-1924), Liberal MP ]
Publication details: 
Dinner at the Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street, Kingsway, W.C. [ London ] 11 April [ b ]. Pamphlet printed by Metchim & Son, Westminster.
£80.00

Both pamphlet and reservation in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. Pamphlet: Titled: 'Sir Walter Runciman's Dinner, Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street, Kingsway, W.C. | Friday, April 11th, at 7.30. | Alphabetical List of Guests with Allocation of Seats and Plan of Grand Hall.' 26 + [1]pp., 12mo. With fold-out 'Plan of Grand Hall | Showing Numbered Tables'. With lightly-rusted staples. Fifty-two tables of the great and the good, with the fifty sitters at 'Table "A"' including Lord Denman, Augustine Birrrell, H. H.

[ Jacob Epstein ] Autograph Signature only "Jacob Epstein" on detached album leaf.

Author: 
Jacob Epstein, sculptor
Publication details: 
No place or date
£56.00

Bold Signature on detached album leaf, 18 x 13cm, one edge rough (from removal from album), mainly good condition.

[ Helen Faucit, English actress. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Helen Faucit Martin') to John Coleman, explaining why an engagement in Sheffield would be inconvenient to her.

Author: 
Helen Faucit [ Helena Saville Faucit, latterly Lady Martin ] (1817-1898), English actress
Publication details: 
42 Albany Street, Edinburgh. 20 February [no year].
£40.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Her engagements will keep her in Scotland for three weeks, after which she intends to 'return direct to London'. Sheffield is too far out of her way, and would 'prove tiresome & expensive'. Should she visit Manchester 'at Easter or Whitsuntide' she would have no objection to performing in Sheffield for a couple of nights.

[ Helen Faucit, English actress. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Helen Faucit') requesting a private box for a performance of James White's 'John Savile of Haysted'.

Author: 
Helen Faucit [ Helena Saville Faucit, latterly Lady Martin ] (1817-1898), English actress
Publication details: 
55 Brompton Square [ London ]. 15 November [ 1847 ].
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. She asks for a 'Private Box at your Theatre on Wednesday evening if your new play of "John Saville" [sic] is acted.' Rev. James White's 'John Savile of Haysted' was performed in London in November 1847.

[ Henry Kemble, actor. ] Long Autograph Letter Signed to 'Seymour', entirely written in verse, giving a humorous account of his activities in provincial theatre.

Author: 
Henry Kemble (1848-1907), English actor
Publication details: 
Theatre Royal Nottingham, 21 September 1871.
£600.00

8pp., 12mo. Text complete on aged and worn paper. A charming and high-spirited description of life in the provincial theatre in Victorian England, in better than average verse showing the influence of Byron's humorous poetry.

[ Edward Fitzball, writer of melodramas. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Fitzball') to an unnamed recipient, regarding changes to the last scene of his play 'The Haunted Hulk'.

Author: 
Edward Fitzball (1792-1873), English playwright specialising in melodrama [ Benjamin Nottingham Webster (1797-1882), actor-manager ]
Publication details: 
'Monday Evng.' [ London?, 1831. ]
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He has had a conversation with 'Tomkins', and as a consequence has 'made a few alterations in the last scene of the "Hulk"'. He asks him to read the last scene and 'manage, if possible, to get the Prompter's Copy set right before the reading of the Piece'. He feels his changes make the play 'more original, and more likely to render the Piece effective'. With postscript. 'The Haunted Hulk', a Nautical Drama in two Acts was performed at the Adelphi in 1831.

[ Helen Faucit, actress. ] Autograph Signature ('Helena Martin') on part of letter.

Author: 
Helen Faucit [ Helena Saville Faucit, latterly Lady Martin ] (1817-1898), English actress
Publication details: 
31 Onslow Square [ London ]. No date.
£20.00

On 6 x 11 cm piece of paper., torn from the foot of a leaf. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Mr Martin sends kind wishes with Yours | Very affectionately | Helena Martin. | 31 Onslow Square.' The reverse reads: '[...] attend to <?> William's little ones are all laid up with scarlet fever, so there is no [...]'.

[ Henry Chappell ] Autograph Note Signed "H Chappell" WITH Typed Poem Signed, entitled "Prisoners of War".

Author: 
Henry Chappell, the "Bath Railway Poet".
Publication details: 
Both items dated 16 March 1917, from 4 Magdalen Road, Wellsway, Bath.
£120.00

One page each, note and poem, creased, chipped, small closed tears, texts clear and complete. Letter: "Many thanks for your favour of the 12th inst. I have pleasure in enclosing the lines I undertook to send you & hope you will like them. If you will kindly let me know approximate date of sale I will try to get them published with an explanatory note as to their object." Typed poem, 4 verses, commencing "O, let us not, while many voices plead, | And nearer claims confront us day by day [...]". Apparently unpublished.

[ Eric Ambler, thriller writer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Eric Ambler') to military historian Barrie Pitt, regarding the award of an OBE and the gift of a book. With copies of two letters by Pitt to Ambler.

Author: 
Eric Ambler [ Eric Clifford Ambler ] (1909-1998), British writer of crime and espionage novels [ Barrie Pitt ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Av. Eugene Rambert 20, 1815 Clarens, Suisse [ Switzerland ]. 1 May 1981.
£150.00

1p. 8vo. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. With envelope addressed by Ambler to Pitt at Kennister in Somerset. Also present are copies of two letters to Ambler from Pitt, dated 2 January and 20 February 1980. In the first Pitt congratulates Ambler on the receipt of an OBE, reminds him of their previous correspondence through Peter Janson-Smith, and sends 'Part I of my trilogy on the North African campaign' ('If it gives you one tenth of the enjoyment I get from every one of your books, it will have been worth writing.').

[ Thomas Heron Jones, 7th Viscount Ranelagh. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Ranelagh') to an unnamed recipient, complaining of the actions of 'Mr. Clarke

Author: 
Thomas Heron Jones (1812-1885), 7th Viscount Ranelagh, leading figure in the volunteer movement [ later incorporated into the Territorial Army ] and "known for his links to glamorous women"
Publication details: 
7 New Burlington Street [ London ]. 16 April 1861.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He is 'very much disgusted and indignant against Mr. Clarke for his Impertinence' in calling on the recipient, and has 'expressed as much to him'. He discussed with Clarke the question of the number of gentlemen contacting him about the matter, and hoped to put Clarke in touch with the recipient. The letter concludes: 'It seems Mr. Clarke, when I was out of the Room, took up your Letter addressed to me, and copied your name and direction, a most unwarrantable and unjustifiable act.'

[ Sir A. J. B. Beresford-Hope, Tory politician and author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('A J B Beresford Hope') to W. de Boinville, thanking him for uncovering information about the poet Christopher Smart.

Author: 
Sir Alexander James Beresford Beresford Hope [ Alexander Hope; A. J. B. Hope; A. J. B. Beresford Hope ] (1820-1887), Tory politician and author
Publication details: 
Bedgebury Park, Cranbrook [ Kent ]. 4 February 1858.
£45.00

3pp., 12mo. Writing in a difficult hand, he thanks him for his very curious & interesting letter respecting Chr. Smart, of whose birthplace I had been previously ignorant, tho' his name was not unknown to me in connection with Horace'.

[ Charles Forbes René de Montalembert, Comte de Montalembert. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'le Cte de Montalembert'), in French, to an unnamed recipient

Author: 
Charles Forbes René de Montalembert (1810-1870), Comte de Montalembert [ Abraham Hayward; John Wilson Croker ]
Publication details: 
Paris. 26 April and 25 May 1856.
£180.00

Both in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: He thanks him for offering to translate his book ('The Political Future of England'), but considers his knowledge of English law too shaky to permit him to give any encouragement. He suggests that the recipient come to an arrangement with 'Mr. Abraham Hayward, Queen's Counsel, 1 King's Bench Walk, Temple', who is acting for de Montalembert in the matter.

[ George Arnald and Sir Thomas Lawrence, painters. ] Autograph Letter Signed from 'G. Arnald' 'To the President and Council of the Royal Academy', requesting relief for the widow of artist Thomas Whitcombe. With Autograph Note by Lawrence in reply.

Author: 
George Arnald (1763-1841), English landscape painter; Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), President of the Royal Academy and portrait painter [ Thomas Whitcombe (1763-c.1824), English artist ]
Publication details: 
18 June 1829.
£150.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper. Arnald's appeal begins: Appealing to the 'known humanity' of Lawrence and the Council, Arnald writes on behalf of 'Mrs. Abigail Whitcombe, widow of Mr. Thos. Whitcombe late of Clarendon Square, marine painter, and for 40. Years an annual contributor to the Exhibition of the Royal Academy', who has previously received assistance, but is now 'almost totally deprived of sight, and otherwise afflicted', and is dependent on 'the assistance afforded by friends on whom she has no Claim'.

[Russian Navy 1861-1880] Two detailed Journals of an English engineer (primarily naval) in the Russian Far East, 1861-1880

Author: 
An English engineer (primarily naval) in the Russian Far East, 1861-1880
Publication details: 
1861-1880.
£1,500.00

2 volumes. Both internally in good condition, with light signs of age, and both in worn grey cloth bindings with marbled boards.ONE: 17 May 1861 to 22 July 1861, then a couple of entries for 1867, and then from 1 January 1868 to 22 May 1870. 115pp., 4to. At rear, three pages, with the following headings: 'Cashe [sic] received From 16 October 1865', 'Nineaux' and 'Account with Lutz the 22 of Febure [sic]'.TWO: 14 August 1876 to 23 September 1880. 136pp., small 4to.

Three Autograph Letters Signed "J.A. Fleming" (electronic engineer ) to Sir Henry Truman Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir John Ambrose Fleming
Publication details: 
November 1915 to February 1916; London.
£250.00

English electronic engineer (1849-1945), inventor of thermionic valve. Widely considered to be 'the founder of electronics'. All three items good though grubby and on slightly discoloured paper. Item three dog-eared and grubby in top left-hand corner. All signed 'J. A. Fleming' and bearing the Society's stamp. ITEM ONE (two pages, quarto, 15 November 1915, University College, Gower St, to Wood, docketed): On the subject of a paper he proposes to give to the Society entitled 'The Organisation of Scientific Research'.

[ Sir Thomas Beecham and Ethel Frank. ] Autograph Signatures on leaf from album.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961), English conductor; Ethel Frank, American soprano
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [ London, 1921? ]
£25.00

The two signatures are on one side of a 14 x 18cm leaf of cream paper removed from an album. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with laid down. Good clear examples. Beecham's signature 'Thomas Beecham' is above that of 'Ethel Frank'. Probably given on Franks first visit to Britain in 1921. Small magazine cutting of photograph of three musicians laid down on reverse.

[ Robin Wallace, English landscape painter. ] Drypoint etching titled 'The River'. Inscribed to 'Father Richard' and described as a 'working Proof'.

Author: 
Robin Wallace (1897-1952), English artist from Kendal, Westmoreland
Publication details: 
Signed by the artist and dated by him 'July 1927'.
£56.00

On F. J. Head & Co. laid paper. Dimensions of paper: 23 x 29cm. Dimensions of plate: 17.5 x 25cm. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. A wonderful watery view of a winding country river and trees. Inscribed in pencil on the reverse: 'To Father Richard. This is working Proof for drypoint "The River" | Robin Wallace July 1927'. Wallace, a well-known painter of landscapes and still life subjects in oil and water-colour, was born at Kendal in the Lake District and studied in Kensington at the Byam Shaw and Vicat Cole School of Art.

[ William Clark Russell, nautical author. ] Offprint of article about him by 'Capt. W. J. Ward (Cardiff)', titled 'A National Asset'. With photographic portrait of Russell, and reproduction of sonnet to him by Julia D. Young.

Author: 
Capt. W. J. Ward (Cardiff), Author of "A Lady Skipper," "S.S. Grauck, or The Scheme That Failed," Etc. Etc. [ William Clark Russell (1844-1911), English nautical author; Julia D. Young ]
Publication details: 
'Reprinted from "The Maritime Review."' No place or date (but during the reign of King George V).
£50.00

2pp., 4to. Printed on the same side of one piece of shiny art paper, folded to make a bifolium. Aged and stained, with wear and slight loss to extremities. Photograph of Russell beneath title, alongside 'Sonnet | To W. Clark Russell', reprinted 'From "English Sea Pictures." By Julia D. Young, Author of "Barham Beach, the President's Poem." - New York.' The author laments that '[i]n this country, it is not the fashion to ennoble those who really do something for their time and generation', such as Russell, whose 'stupendous output' consists of 'fifty-seven books everyone [sic] of them good'.

[ Frederick Charles Husenbeth, Catholic priest and writer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('F. C. Husenbeth') ordering books from an unnamed bookseller's catalogue.

Author: 
Frederick Charles Husenbeth (1796-1872), English Catholic priest and writer
Publication details: 
Cossey [ Norfolk ]. 26 February 1854.
£25.00

1p., 12mo. On aged paper, with spike hole and damage to one margin, affecting five words of text, but not the signature. He asks for the item he orders, 'Natural Hist of England', to be addressed on the parcel to 'Very Rev. Dr. Husenbeth | Care of Mr. Spratchett | St. John's | Madder Market | Norwich'.

[ Samuel Cousins, engraver. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Saml: Cousins') to the Scottish artist Thomas Faed

Author: 
Samuel Cousins (1801-1887), RA, English mezzotint engraver [ Thomas Faed (1826-1900), RA, Scottish artist ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 24 Camden Square, N.W. [London] 29 October 1877.
£30.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly-aged, with small piece of mount adhering at head. Accepting an invitation to dinner.

[ Sir Robert Rawlinson, civil engineer. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Robert Rawlinson'), accepting a dinner invitation from Scottish artist Thomas Faed.

Author: 
Sir Robert Rawlinson (1810-1898), English civil engineer in the field of public health and sanitation [ Thomas Faed (1826-1900), RA, Scottish artist ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Lancaster Lodge, 11 Boltons, West Brompton, S.W. [ London ] 7 November 1877.
£25.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly-aged, with small part of paper mount adhering at head. Accepting a dinner invitation on 20 November.

[ George Sanders, English film actor. ] Typically-caddish Autograph Inscription to a six-year-old girl, given during shooting of 'The Saint in London'. With autographs of the brothers John Paddy Carstairs (director) and Tony Keys.

Author: 
George Sanders (1906-1972), English film actor; John Paddy Carstairs [ born John Keys ] (1910-1970), film director, and his brother Tony Keys, film producer associated with Hammer Films
Publication details: 
No place [ Twickenham Film Studios]. April 1939.
£90.00

The three inscriptions are all on one side of an 18 x 16 cm leaf taken from an album. In good condition, lightly-aged. Given during the shooting of the RKO film 'The Saint in London' (1939), which Sanders starred in and Carstairs directed. Sanders writes, at the head of the page, 'To Anne | I want to see you in about 8 years time! | George Sanders | April 1939.' Beneath this is: 'Anne - let's make it seven! | John Paddy Carstairs: | '39.' And beneath Carstairs' inscription: 'Six years. X. | Tony Keys'. The recipient was the daughter off a cameraman at Twickenham Film Studios.

[ Poor Rates in Devon, 1819. ] Handbill 'Poor Rates' notice by H. Roberts, Governor, Hospital of Poor's Portion, Plymouth, regarding the examination of 'the Receipts of the Collectors'.

Author: 
H. Roberts, Governor, Hospital of Poor's Portion, Plymouth [ Poor Rates in Devon ]
Publication details: 
'Hospital of Poor's Portion, 23rd August, 1819.' [ 'WILLIAMS, PRINTER AND BOOKSELLER, OLD-TOWN, PLYMOUTH.' ]
£45.00

Printed on one side of a 31.5 x 19.5 cm piece of Britannia laid paper. A fragile piece of ephemera, aged and with heavy wear to extremities. The text is complete, except for loss to the first letter ('P') of the first word ('Poor') on the top line. Text reads: 'Poor Rates. | THE GUARDIANS who were appointed a Committee to examine the Receipts of the Collectors, having compared a great number of Receipts with the Original Rate Book, have the satisfaction to inform the Inhabitants that they are fully satisfied with Messrs.

Syndicate content