ENGLISH

[ The Royal National Lifeboat Institution. ] Transparencies of two charming illustrations, one a ragamuffin boy fisherman, and the other his sweetheart waving goodbye to him.

Author: 
[The Royal National Lifeboat Institution; RNLI ]
Publication details: 
'Sold in aid of the R.N.L.I.' Without publishing details or date. [England. 1920s?]
£80.00

Both transparencies negatives on plastic sheets. The two images attached by a thin vertical strip of Scotch tape. On the right (22 x 14.5 cm) the image of the ragamuffin boy fisherman, with net and rod, looking to the left. On the left (22 x 16.5 cm) his young sweetheart, with fishing nets aand lace apron, waving a lace handkerchief. His image with caption (old Breton poem): 'Dear God be good to me | The sea is so wide | And my boat is so small | Sold in aid of the R.N.L.I.' Her image with the same caption, but with the word 'his' replacing 'my'.

[ John Seymour Lucas, RA. ] Four Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Seymour Lucas') to 'Mr Slocombe' [ the artist Shirley Slocombe ], written in a light-heared and affectionate tone.

Author: 
John Seymour Lucas (1849-1923), English artist and Royal Academician [ Shirley Slocombe (c.1873-1906) ]
Publication details: 
All on letterhead of New Place, Woodchurch Road, West Hampstead. 1902 (2), 1904 and 1908.
£120.00

The four letters all in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. ONE: 22 July 1902. 2pp., 12mo. Rearranging a meeting, following his absence 'at my cottage in Norfolk'. TWO: 6 August 1902. 3pp., 12mo. Regarding a drawing titled 'The little Chest', which 'Mr Macquarie' would like Slocombe to being at once. With postscript signed 'S. L.' THREE: 4 June 1904. 2pp., 12mo. He was 'on the point of writing', to ask when he could 'buy those delectable pipes', when Slocombe's 'most acceptable present' arrived. He ends by asking to be reminded to send him a 'soiree ticket'. FOUR: 1p., 12mo.

[Carlisle; Byron] Autograph Letter Signed "Carlisle" to unnamed correspondent (""My dear :Lord").

Author: 
Howard Frederick, 5th Earl of Carlisle (1748-1825), diplomat.
Publication details: 
No place or date, [watermark 1805].
£400.00

One page, 4to, bifolium, damp-stained, one leaf partly stuck to second blank leaf, text clear and complete. "Under the present state of politics I am not to suspect you have any altered sentiment respecting our sapient Rulers, & that I do any thing injurious to your feelings when I propose to you to continue yr support to yr old friend by renewing your proxy. I should have submitted my name instead of Ld [Sd's?] but I am too uncertain an attender to be intrusted with your vote.

[ Printed pamphlet; Walter Crane ] On the Study and Practice of Art: An Address delivered by Walter Crane, to the Art Students of the Municipal School of Art, and the Municipal Technical School, Manchester, Saturday, March 4th, 1893.

Author: 
Walter Crane [ Municipal School of Art, Manchester ]
Publication details: 
Manchester: "Manchester Guardian" Printing Works, Blackfriars Street, 1893.
£180.00

19pp., 12mo. Stapled. In grey printed wraps. Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper; in wraps with stamp and label of the Education Department Library. Marginal headings include: 'Motives for following an Artistic Career', 'Primal Important of Facility of Hand', 'Triumph of Commercialism', 'The Worship of the Ugly', 'Art: Pictorial, Creative, Pot-boiling' and 'Decorum in Decoration'. Uncommon: only four copies recorded on OCLC WorldCat.

[ Eugène Ionesco, 'Theatre of the Absurd' playwright. ] Typescripts of two translations of his plays by Donald Watson: the 'original text' of 'The Bald Prima Donna. A Pseudo-Play in one act', and 'The Motor Show'.

Author: 
Eugène Ionesco (1909-1994), Franco-Romanian 'Theatre of the Absurd' playwright; Donald Watson, translator
Publication details: 
Neither translation dated, but both 'Copyright by DONALD WATSON, | 13 Oakley St., Chelsea, London.'
£300.00

Watson's translation of 'La Cantatrice Chauve' (1950) was first published in London by Calder in 1958, and his version of 'Le Salon de l'Automobile' (1951) by the same publisher in the fifth volume of Ionesco's plays in 1963. The two scripts typed in uniform style, on rectos of leaves, and stapled together. ONE: 'The Bald Prima Donna'. 19pp., 8vo. In good condition, on aged paper, with somewhat-appropriate child's markings in black ink on blank parts of first page.

[ Simon Lane, novelist and bon viveur. ] Typescripts of two unpublished plays, the first signed by the author: 'Anagrams' and '"Petipa Dort" or "The Sleeping Princess Revised (again)"'.

Author: 
Simon Lane [Oliver Simon Lane] (1957-2012), novelist, playwright, bon viveur and wit
Publication details: 
'Anagrams' signed by Lane with the address 9 Kenilworth Court, Lower Richmond Road, Putney, London SW15 1EW, and dated 9 November 1978, 'Petipa Dort' with typed name 'O S LANE ESQ', from the same address.
£350.00

In his obituary in the Independent, Lane was described as 'one of those writers whose published oeuvre is only matched by the supreme fiction of their own existence'. The present two pieces, both unpublished, date from his time studying theatre design at Wimbledon Art School, before 'launching himself across the globe, seemingly supported only by his verbal brilliance, good looks, perfect wardrobe and genius to amuse'. ONE: '"ANAGRAMS [no closing quotation mark] | A One Act Play - by Simon Lane'. [3] + 19pp., 8vo. Duplicated typescript on loose leaves held together by paper clip.

[ Edward Hogg, doctor and travel writer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edwd. Hogg') to 'Dear Dyer' [ George Dyer ], written while en route to 'Mr. Fry's'.

Author: 
Edward Hogg (1783-1848), English doctor and travel writer, a friend of poet laureate Robert Southey [ George Dyer (1755-1841), author and political reformer ]
Publication details: 
'Hendon, Saturday.' No date.
£45.00

16mo. 1p. In fair condition, with slight traces of glue from mount. He has received Dyer's 'parcel p[er] Coach', and informs him that his party is 'expected at Mr. Fry's' on the following day. He is returning with the letter 'all the Books you first forwarded for Mrs Jacksons inspection'.

[Printed pamphlet.] The New Interest display'd: or A Second Dialogue between a Curate and a Cobler. Address'd to the Freeholders of Oxfordshire.

Author: 
[ C. Warburton of Amen-Corner, London bookseller ]
Publication details: 
London: Printed for C. Warburton, in Amen-Corner; and sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster. 1753.
£100.00

22 + [1]pp, 8vo. Unbound, and stabbed as issued. Last page carries an advertisement for five books 'Just publish'd in Octavo'. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with wear to fore-edge, and loss to bottom outer corner. Text entirely undamaged, apart from a tear through two words on the last page. The dialogue between the well-spoken curate and the dialect-spouting cobbler, on the subject of 'the Election-Business', takes place at 'the Cobler's Shop'. Seven copies on COPAC, but now uncommon.

[Richard Jenkyns, Master of Balliol College, Oxford.] Autograph Letter Signed ('R. Jenkyns') to former Balliol Fellow 'Marshall' [William Marshall] on personal and college matters.

Author: 
Richard Jenkyns (1782-1854), Master of Balliol College, University of Oxford [Rev. William Marshall]
Publication details: 
Balliol College [University of Oxford]. 4 December 1823.
£200.00

2pp., 8vo. 29 lines of neatly-written text. In fair condition, on aged paper, with two 5 cm closed tears to leaf. Addressed to 'My dear Marshall'. He regrets that his letter should contain 'so truly painful an account of the state of your family & affairs in the West Indies', but was 'glad to receive it, since after my last communication I was at a loss, not seeing you in Oxford, to explain your silence - I hope at some future occasion, I shall see you again under my roof'.

[Elizabeth Rundle Charles, Victorian author and hymn-writer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Bessie Charles') to 'Mrs Leader'

Author: 
Bessie Charles [ Elizabeth Rundle Charles ] (1828-1896), author of 'The Chronicles of the Schönberg-Cotta Family' (1862)
Publication details: 
7 Victoria Street, Westminster. 'Sunday' [no date].
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. With mourning border. In fair condition, on lightly aged and ruckled paper. Declining a dinner invitation and expressing regret at not being able to call, being 'very much occupied'.

[W. Heath Robinson.] Proofs of two sets of prelims from his Navarre Society edition of 'The Works of Mr. Francis Rabelais', with a total of ten illustrations by W. Heath Robinson.

Author: 
W. Heath Robinson [The Navarre Society, London; Morrision & Gibb, Limited, Printers, Edinburgh; Francois Rabelais]
Publication details: 
Navarre Society, London. Both sets of prelims with stamp of Morrison & Gibb, Limited, Printers, Edinburgh, dated 18 March 1954.
£180.00

Both sets of proofs unstitched and unopened (and both opening out into a folio sheet), and both with title-pages printed in red and black. Both in very good condition, on lightly-aged paper, and both stamped on first page 'PLEASE PASS FOR PRESS | MARGINS' in blue, with purple oval dated printers' stamp. FIRST SET: 16pp., 8vo, paginated to xvi. Title: 'THE WORKS OF MR. FRANCIS | RABELAIS | [...] | Illustrated by W. HEATH ROBINSON | The Second Part'. Publishers' details at foot on pasted label at foot of title-page: 'MCMLIV | THE NAVARRE SOCIETY LONDON'.

[Eric Gill.] Compliments slip of the bookseller George Sims, featuring a woodcut illustration by Eric Gill, with typewritten inscription by Gill to 'Tony & Jean', stating that the item has been given to them 'just before it was remaindered'.

Author: 
Eric Gill (1882-1940), artist [George Sims (1923-199), English bookseller]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£40.00

Printed in black ink on 8 x 12 cm piece of thick watermarked laid paper. In very good condition. Sims acquired the Gill archive from the artist's widow, and it seems likely that he had the illustration made from one of the artist's blocks. The illustration shows a bearded man in loincloth, trailing a sword along the ground as he runs from a tree. Printed beneath the illustration: 'With the compliments of | George Sims'. Above the illustration is typed 'for Tony & Jean', and below the printed text 'just before it was remaindered'.

[Blanche Gottschalk, British miniaturist.] Photograph captioned '(The late) Miss Blanche Gottschalk in her Studio 1923', showing the artist before her easel, with several works of art around her.

Author: 
Blanche Gottschalk (b. circa 1864), RMS (Royal Miniature Society), British miniature painter
Publication details: 
Without date or place. (London, 1923?)
£90.00

10 x 8.5 cm original print of black and white photograph. In frail condition, with slight loss to one corner, and another corner torn away and repaired with archival tape. A full-length view of the elegant artist, in long painter's robes, pointing a brush at a painting on an easel, with three paintings, including a miniature, on the wall behind her, and two paintings leaning against the same wall, and a small sculpture on a painted clock behind the easal. There is no representation of Gottschalk in the National Portrait Gallery collection.

[Presentation copy from the author.] Selected Verses by Virginia Graham 1939-1945.

Author: 
Virginia Graham [best friend of the comedienne Joyce Grenfell]
Publication details: 
Printed by the Broadwater Press Ltd, Welwyn Garden City, Herefordshire. [1945.]
£56.00

[2] + 44pp., 8vo. In lilac paper wraps with title in silver on front cover. Internally in good condition on lightly-aged paper; in worn wraps with creased corner at rear and small square of staining from label on front cover. Inscribed on front pastedown: 'With best wishes | from | Virginia Graham. | 1946.' A charming collection in Grenfell mode, with poems including 'Café Triste' (beginning: 'Miss Tomkinson, do you suppose | That you and I | On this same day next year | Will still be sitting here, | Eating this vegetable pie | Covered white glucose?') and 'V J Day' (beginning: 'Hurray!

[Dame Eva Turner, English soprano.] Two Autograph Letters Signed and two Autograph Cards Signed (all 'Eva') to Geoffrey Child. The letters concerning LP recordings of her music, and piracies by 'Bill Smith', with reference to Giovanni Martinelli.

Author: 
Dame Eva Turner (1892-1990), English soprano [Giovanni Martinelli (1885-1969), Italian tenor; Geoffrey Child]
Publication details: 
First letter: Michigan, 4 July 1957. Second letter: Oklahoma, 22 September 1957. Cards from 1960 and 1962.
£135.00

All four items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. All four in a bold, expansive hand. The two letters accompanied by their envelopes, addressed to Child in London. Letter One: Address: 'c/o Mr & Mrs G. W. Williams, | 615 East Genesee, | Saginaw | Michigan. U.S.A.' 4 July 1957. 4pp., 4to. She is 'on the first lap of my Vacation' and has asked 'Anne' to contact him. 'During the University year I am so frightfully taxed for time - my own correspondence and my personal affairs suffer in consequence and are perforce relegated to the background.

[Alfred Noyes, English poet.] Autograph Card Signed to 'Miss Meugens', granting permission to make a version for the blind of his 'Torch-Bearers'.

Author: 
Alfred Noyes (1880-1958), English poet
Publication details: 
85 Cadogan Gardens, S.W. [London postmark, 8 June 1925.]
£35.00

In good condition, lightly-aged, with thin strip from stub to one edge of address side of card. Message reads: 'It will give me great pleasure for you to copy the 2nd. volume of the Torch-Bearers, as you suggest, for the Blind. | With my best wishes, | Alfred Noyes.'

[Female suffrage; printed pamphlet.] The Ladies' Sanitary Association. From the "English Woman's Journal."

Author: 
'B. R. P.' [Bessie Rayner Parkes] [The Ladies' Sanitary Association; The English Woman's Journal, London] [women's suffrage; Victorian feminism]
Publication details: 
[The Ladies' Sanitary Association.] London: Published at the Office, 14a Princes Street, Cavendish Square. [Printed by Odell & Ives, 18, Princes Street, Cavendish Square.] Undated [1859].
£90.00

15pp., 8vo. In good condition, lightly-aged, no wraps, disbound. No copy on COPAC or on OCLC WorldCat.

[Walter William Ouless, portrait painter.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. W. Ouless') to 'Mr. White' [John Forbes White?], regarding the contribution of paintings to an exhibition in Aberdeen.

Author: 
Walter William Ouless (1848-1933), RA, British portrait painter from Jersey [John Forbes White of Aberdeen?; Herbert Stacy Marks (1829-1898); Sir Alexander Matheson (1805-1886)]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 12 Bryanston Square. 27 October 1887.
£65.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. Ouless regrets that he has 'nothing available' for 'the Aberdeen Exhibition this year', 'unless it be Marks' portrait [Henry Stacy Marks, artist] which is my property & now at Manchester, but as it was painted 12 years ago I do not think you will consider it suitable'. He suggest asking the Highland Railway Company whether they might lend the 'half length by me of Sir A. Matheson'. The letter ends: 'I wish I had something more recent which I could propose. I hope another year you will ask me again.'

[Anne Manning, Victorian novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed to her 'cousin and friend' 'Mr. Maleson', regarding his efforts to obtain a Civil List pension for her.

Author: 
Anne Manning (1807-1879), Victorian novelist [Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co., London publishers]
Publication details: 
Reigate Hill, Surrey. 18 July 1872.
£80.00

2pp., 12mo. 25 lines of text. In fair conditon, on aged and worn paper. Her sister Frances is 'overjoyed at your benevolent efforts for me', and 'Mr Arthur Hall is very glad indeed to hear what you are trying to do, and is quite ready if you and I approve to send a set of my books, with a notification to Mr Gladstone, and also of privately interesting the Archbishop, who will, he has no doubt send an autograph letter privately to the Prirme Minister'. The letter ends with a prayer for her 'kind friends', concluding 'The Lord will provide'.

[Lottie Venne, Edwardian actress and comedienne.] Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male recipient, describing her painful separation from her husband Walter H. Fisher of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Author: 
Lottie Venne (1852-1928), English actress and comedienne, wife of Walter H. Fisher [Walter Henry Fisher], singer with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 5 Norfolk Road, St John's Wood, NW [London]. 18 July 1910.
£35.00

2pp., 8vo. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. She begins by asking whether the recipient is 'the same gentleman who wrote to me from Bournemouth', and to whom she replied that she was 'unable to give the information required, for many years before my husband's death we were seperated [sic]'. She explains that when Fisher was not 'travelling about in the Country he lived with his Father I believe, who has now been dead some years. The whole thing was very tragic and painful, & I shall feel obliged to you not writing to me again on the subject'.

[Georgian London.] Two lithographic engravings: companion pieces both headed 'Casualties of London Street Walking', and titled 'A Faint Impression' and 'A Strong Impression', showing the fine clothes of fashionable figures sullied by street hawkers.

Author: 
S. & J. Fuller, printsellers, 34 Rathbone Place, London [English social history; Georgian fashion; Regency London]
Publication details: 
Both engravings published on 2 October 1826 by S. & J. Fuller, 34 Rathbone Place, London.
£240.00

The two engravings in good condition, with light signs of age, and with 'A Faint Impression' with some offsetting in light pink (not entirely displeasing). Both headed above the image 'Casualties of London Street Walking', with the title and publication details below the image. ONE: 'A Faint Impression.' Dimensions: image, 23.5 x 18.5 cm; plate, 27 x 20 cm; paper, 29 x 22 cm.

['Marie Corelli' [Mary Mackay], English popular novelist.] Autograph Signature ('Marie Corelli') removed from letter.

Author: 
'Marie Corelli' [pseudonym of Mary Mackay (1855-1924)], Victorian popular novelist
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£23.00

On 3 x 12.5 slip of paper cut from foot of letter. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The reverse reads '[...] think of me! I fear [...] I was threatened your [...]'.

['Marie Corelli' [Mary Mackay], English popular novelist.] Autograph Signature ('Marie Corelli') removed from letter.

Author: 
'Marie Corelli' [pseudonym of Mary Mackay (1855-1924)], Victorian popular novelist
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£23.00

On 5 x 11 cm slip of paper cut from foot of letter. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The reverse reads '[...] in these dark days [...] interest! It is so [...] of you to sent it, [...]'.

A complete run of the 14 numbers of 'Cinema Studies The Journal of the Society for Film History Research'.

Author: 
Neville March Hunnings and John Gillett, editor [The Society for Film History Research, London]
Publication details: 
The Society for Film History Research, London. Between March 1960 and September 1967 (all published).
£450.00

[8] + 344 + [7]pp., 12mo, and four pages of plates (vol.2, no.2). Fourteen issues, loose, with volume 1 (issues 1-9) continuously paginated to 244; and volume 2 (issues 1-5) paginated to 90; with the volume's separate prelims (8pp.) and index (7pp.) ready for binding up. Two identical fliers for the society (giving its 'Purpose') loosely inserted. The collection is in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, but with rusted staples to all volumes. Hunnings and Gillett are named as editors of the first four volumes, thereafter Hunnings alone.

[Sir Robert Graham, merchant banker.] Two letters from the firm of Sir Robert Graham & Co to an unnamed recipient, the first regarding a dishonoured draft and the second on the payment of two approaching bills.

Author: 
Sir Robert Graham, merchant banker [Sir Robert Graham & Co., 2 Walbrook, City of London]
Publication details: 
[Sir Robert Graham & Co., 2 Walbrook, City of London.] Both from London, the first dated 30 March 1829, and the second 28 April 1829.
£45.00

Both items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Both 1p., 4to, and both signed 'Robert Graham & Co.' ONE (30 March 1829): Docketed on reverse: 'Letter from Sir R Graham respg Hunts Bill'. They have already informed him that his 'draft on Hunt of £20 was dishonoured & noted for nonpayment', and now 'have now to intimate that your draft on Foreman for the same amount has met the same fate'. Consequently they request a remittance. TWO (28 April 1829): They are 'rather surprised' that they have received no reply to their letter of 14 April.

[John Rudge Harding, actor.] Fifteen Autograph Letters Signed ('J. Rudge Harding' and 'Rudge') to actor 'Anmer Hall' [Alderson Burrell Horne]

Author: 
John Rudge Harding (1862-1932), English actor [Alderson Burrell Horne ['Anmer Hall'] (1863-1953), actor-manager and owner of the Westminster Theatre]
Publication details: 
Most from 34 Elm Park Mansions, Park Walk, Chelsea. Three on letterheads of the British Red Cross Society, 83 Pall Mall. Two on letterhead of the Green Room Club, 49 Leicester Square. Undated (one from 1917 and the rest from around the same time).
£350.00

The fifteen items are in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Totalling 19pp., 12mo; 4pp., 8vo; 1p., 4to. Eleven signed 'Rudge', three 'J. Rudge Harding', and one 'J. Rudge H.' Ten addressed to 'My dear Alderson', four to 'My dear Horne', and one to 'My dear Alderson Horne'. A friendly, chatty correspondence.

Seventeenth-century Vellum Manuscript Indenture, a Terrier of John Head's lease lands in West Hendred, Berkshire.

Author: 
[John Head of Langley, Hampstead Norreys, High Sheriff of Berkshire, 1698-1699; terrier his lease lands in West Hendred]
Publication details: 
[West Hendred, Berkshire.] Late seventeenth-century.
£220.00

On one side of a strip of vellum (circa 40 x 18 cm). In fair condition, aged and worn. In English. Scan of part on application

[Philip Augustus Hanrott, book collector.] Autograph Note Signed ('P. A. Hanrott.') to an unnamed recipient, subscribing to 'the work mentioned in the Prospectus'.

Author: 
Philip Augustus Hanrott (1776-1856), English book collector
Publication details: 
Great Ormond Street [London]. 29 August 1829.
£75.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Hanrott writes that he has received the recipient's letter on his 'return to Town', and that he will be pleased to subscribe 'to the work mentioned in the Prospectus you inclosed to me, & should wish to have a large Paper Copy'. He hopes that 'it may meet with that liberal encouragement, which it's [sic] importance & usefullness [sic] deserves'. He concludes in the hope that 'it is to be conducted under your auspices'.

[James Shergold Boone, cleric and author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. S. Boone') to John Silk Buckingham, praising him and his 'undertakings', with reference to his own 'letter to Mr Raikes Currie'.

Author: 
J. S. Boone [James Shergold Boone] (1799-1859), English cleric and author [James Silk Buckingham (1786-1855), Cornish author, orientalist, and Member of Parliament; Raikes Currie (1801-1881), MP]
Publication details: 
2 Stanhope Street, Hyde Park Garden [London]. 31 March 1849.
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Having just received Buckingham's letter, he writes that he 'cannot but feel much gratified that my letter to Mr Raikes Currie should have in any way attracted the notice of a Gentleman like yourself whose name is so well known in connexion with our literature and our social progress.' He concludes by expressing an interest in the 'undertakings which have engaged, and now engage' Buckingham's attention, and by wishing him every success.

[Catherine Penna, soprano.] Autograph Letter Signed to '- Wilkinson Esq', accepting an engagement at the Brighton Aquarian, on the reverse of two pages of printed 'eulogistic criticisms' of 'Miss Catherine Penna'.

Author: 
Catherine Penna (d.1894), English soprano [Sir Julius Benedict; the Norwich Festival; Madame Albani]
Publication details: 
38 Marylands Road, St Peter's Park, London, W. 1 October [1881].
£90.00

Letter and printed text both on a 12mo bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Letter: 2pp., 12mo. Docketed with stamp of the Brighton Aquarium. She writes that she is 'happy to accept an Engagement for a Saturday Concert at the Brighton Aquarium as Principal Soprano' and will do her best 'to meet your terms'. Printed text: 2pp., 12mo.

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