ENGLISH

Two issues of the magazine 'The Private Schoolmaster. The Journal of the Association of the Principals of Private Schools' (No.I. Vol.II; and No.III. Vol.II), and 'Occasional Paper No. 1 of the Association of the Principals of Private Schools.'

Author: 
[Association of the Principals of Private Schools.]
Publication details: 
The two issues of the magazine: London: Elliott Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, EC. No.I. Vol.II, March 1881; and No.III. Vol.II, September 1881. 'Occasional Paper No. 1': Hastings: Daniel & Co., 22 Queen's Road. 1879.
£120.00

All three items with 1898 manuscript presentation inscription to the Education Department Library (later the Board of Education Reference Library) by Cecil Davis. All three in fair condition, on aged paper, in worn and chipped printed wraps bearing label and shelfmark. All three 32pp., 12mo (No.III. Vol.II of the magazine paginated 65-96). Scarce: COPAC only lists copies of the magazine at the British Library, Oxford and the National Library of Scotland; and no copies of the 'Occasional Paper' located.

[Pamphlet.] Village Board Schools: A Defence and a Plea.

Author: 
William Slater, member of Shepley School Board [Yorkshire]
Publication details: 
Reprinted from the "Huddersfield Examiner" of Saturday, May 27th, 1899.
£56.00

8pp., 12mo. Stapled. In grey printed wraps. With stamps, shelfmarks and labels of the Board of Education Reference Library, otherwise in good condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper. Scarce: no copy in the British Library, or on COPAC.

[Pamphlet.] The Dual System. Proposals for abolishing the "Dual System" in Elementary Schools by an Agreement for the Transfer on Terms of the Church of England Schools.

Author: 
The Rt. Hon. Lord Sheffield [National Education Association]
Publication details: 
National Education Association, Caxton House, Westminster [London], SW1. [Co-operative Printing Society Limited, Tudor Street, London EC. [Circa 1923]
£60.00

11 + [1]pp., 12mo. Stapled. With stamp, shelfmarks and label of the Board of Education Reference Library, otherwise in fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Scarce: no copy in the British Library, or on COPAC.

[Samuel Cousins, engraver.] Autograph Note Signed ('Saml. Cousins'), inviting the unnamed recipient to a meeting of the Chalcographic Society.

Author: 
Samuel Cousins (1801-1887), English engraver [The Chalcographic Society]
Publication details: 
12 Regents Park Terrace. 1 November 1847.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of former mount on blank reverse. The message reads: 'Dear Sir | I shall have the pleasure to receive the Chalcographic Society on Friday evening next, when I hope to be favor'd with your Company'. For information about the Chalcographic Society, , founded in 1807, see Dennis M. Read's biography of 'R. H. Cromek' (2011). A society set up for the encouragement of interest in engravings, ridiculed in a Blake notebook.

[Pattison family of farmers in the Bishop Auckland area of County Durham.] Manuscript diary and accounts, in 'The Newcastle Memorandum-book Or, a Methodical Pocket-journal.'

Author: 
[Pattison family of farmers in the Bishop Auckland area of County Durham] [Farming in Georgian England]
Publication details: 
Newcastle: Printed by and for S. Hodgson. 'For the Year M.XCCCI [1801]. The Forty-seventh edition.'
£560.00

The manuscript material is on 109pp. of the 12mo printed diary. On aged paper, with manuscript entirely legible, but some staining to printed matter, in original worn calf binding. The manuscript paints a vivid picture of the life of a prosperous Georgian agriculturalist in all its aspects, from itemised financial accounts to country pastimes and the weather. It is presumably in the hand of George Pattison, whose name is given prominence among those of other members of the Pattison family written out over two pages at the rear of the volume.

[Book auction catalogue.] "Rothbury," Blackheath Park, [...] Catalogue of the Valuable Library formed by the late J. Vavasseur, Esq., C.B. [Partially priced, and with manuscript list of booksellers attending.]

Author: 
[J. Vavasseur of 'Rothbury', Blackheath Park; Hampton & Sons, 2 & 3 Cockspur Street, London, SW]
Publication details: 
Hampton & Sons, 2 & 3, Cockspur Street, London, SW, and Wimbledon. 25 January 1909.
£220.00

20pp., 4to. Stapled. In original card wraps printed in black and red. 317 lots. Worn and aged and with central vertical crease to volume. Central bifolium loose. Advertisement for the auctioneers on inside front cover, and 'Time Table' on inside rear. A second day's sale, on the following day, is advertised as featuring 'The Furniture, Unique Collection of Japanese Works of Art, Bronzes, Old English and Continental Porcelain etc.' In margin of page with conditions of sale is pencil list of the booksellers, headed by 'Museum Book Store (Spencer's man)' and featuring E.

[William Gawtress, Leeds printer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm. Gawtress') to Rev. Thomas Greenwood, requesting contributions [to the Leeds Intelligencer] of 'Sketches' of 'Dawson and Newton', and discussing a book society and Greenwood's poetry.

Author: 
William Gawtress, printer and proprietor of the 'Leeds Intelligencer' [Rev. Thomas Greenwood, of Trinity College, Cambridge, Lecturer at Cripplegate Church]
Publication details: 
No place. 3 May 1825.
£280.00

2pp., 4to. On bifolium, with reverse of second leaf addressed to 'Rev. T. Greenwood, | Leeds.' In good condition, on aged paper, with slight discoloration to second leaf. BBTI lists Gawtree as active in Leeds between 1817 and 1822; he took over the Leeds Intelligencer in 1818. The first paragraph reads: 'An opportunity has very unexpectedly occurred this morning of sending a packet. - I inclose you Blackwood, wch. we recd. uncommonly late this month.

[Inscribed copy.] Trial of a Judge. A tragedy in five acts.

Author: 
Stephen Spender
Publication details: 
London: Faber and Faber Limited. 1938.
£80.00

115pp., 8vo. In red cloth binding. No dustwrapper. Aged, with back hinge sprung and one bumped corner at the back. Excellent inscription by Spender on the front free endpaper, in which he describes the history of the composition of the play: 'To And | with love from | Stephen. | March 16 1938. | This play begun January 1933, at Barcelona, partly written in January 1937 in Madrid & Albacete, and finished January 1938 in London, is almost a record of our friendships through five years.'

[Rev. David Henry Urquhart.] Autograph Letter Signed from his wife Eliza Urquhart to his publishers [Cadell & Davies], urging them to send proofs [of his 'Commentaries on Classical Learning'] more quickly, or 'the Season will inevitably be lost'.

Author: 
Rev. David Henry Urquhart (c.1754-1829), Prebendary of Lincoln [Cadell & Davies, London publishers; Thomas Cadell (1773-1836); William Davies; Andrew Strahan (1750-1831), printer; Spottiswoode]
Publication details: 
Doncaster. 5 May [1803].
£100.00

1p., 4to. On aged paper, with damage and discoloration to one margin. Eliza Urquhart begins her letter: 'Gentlemen, | Mr Urquhart has desired me to acquaint you that he thinks it would be adviseable immediately to see Mr Spotswood [i.e. Spottiswoode, then an employee of the book's printer Andrew Strahan] on the subject of accelerating the printing of his work, as from the present tardiness with which the proofs are sent, he thinks the Season will inevitably be lost'.

[John Pyke Hullah, composer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('John Hullah'), sending tickets to 'Laura'. With cutting of a few bars of manuscript sheet music by him.

Author: 
John Hullah [John Pyke Hulla] (1812-1884), English composer for one of whose operas Charles Dickens wrote the libretto
Publication details: 
Letter: On letterhead of 11 Devonshire Place, [London] W. 'Tuesday night' [no date]. Cutting of sheet music with docketted date 1861.
£120.00

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE (letter): 1p., 12mo. In a neat and elegant hand, it reads: 'Tuesday Night | Dear Laura | I send the tickets; as Goldsmith sent the portion of Lord Clare's haunch of venison to Sir Joshua - | "To paint it or eat it, whichever he pleased" | I am glad you like the Philharmonia | Your affecte. Friend | John Hullah'. TWO (cutting of sheet music): Written in pencil on one side of a 6.5 x 15 cm piece of paper, docketted 'Written by John Hullah 1861 | for

'. With a few words in Hullah's hand at head.

[John Bell of Lincoln's Inn.] Part of document giving his legal opinion in a cause, written out by a clerk, and signed and dated by him.

Author: 
John Bell (1764-1836) of Lincoln's Inn, English barrister
Publication details: 
Lincoln's Inn. 14 March 1828.
£120.00

Bell's entry in the Oxford DNB records that 'In conversation with the prince regent (later George IV), Lord Chancellor Eldon was said to have described Bell as the best lawyer then at the equity bar, though he could "neither read, write, walk, nor talk": Bell was lame, spoke with a broad Westmorland accent, the effect of which was heightened by a confirmed stammer, and wrote in a hand never more than barely legible.

[Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott, headmaster of Eton.] Autograph Letter Signed ('C A Elliott') to J. J. S. Driberg, discussing his son J. H. Driberg's 'Poems', inserted in a copy of the book, inscribed by the author to his mother.

Author: 
Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott (1888-1973), headmaster of Eton; Jack Herbert Driberg (1888-1946), Lecturer in Anthropology, Cambridge University, 1934-42 and brother of Labour MP Tom Driberg (1905-1976)
Publication details: 
Elliott's letter on letterhead of Fernwood, Wimbledon Park, London SW; 17 September [no year]. Driberg's book: London: Frank H. Morland, 16 Park Mansions, Fulham, S.W. 1908.
£220.00

ONE (Elliott's letter): 3pp., 12mo. 34 lines. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper, loosely attached to the title-leaf of the book by a small piece of gummed paper. The letter begins: 'My dear Driberg | I ought to have acknowledged your letter sooner, but I only received it on my return from abroad, and since then I have been busy struggling with the arears which always accrue during absence.' He thanks him for sending his 'son's little volume', which he has read 'with much interest & congratulate him on the neat & modest appearance he has made in print'.

[Hannen Swaffer and Walter Macqueen-Pope.] Collection relating to an abortive collaborative attempt at a 'biography' of Swaffer for Odhams Press, with drafts of chapters (with anecdotes on Churchill, H. G. Wells, Lloyd George) and original letters.

Author: 
Hannen Swaffer (1879-1962), doyen of English journalists, known as 'The Pope of Fleet Street'; Walter Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre manager and historian [Odhams Press; Maurice Barbanell]
Publication details: 
[London: 1955.]
£500.00

In very good condition, on aged paper, in a brown card folder. The material in this collection relates to a book that was never published, and included here are copies of two typed letters from WMP to HS, casting light on the nature of this doomed collaborative project. In WMP's first letter, dated 26 July 1955, he writes to 'Dear Swaff' to 'finalise the manner in which your book is to be written'. Presaging future problems he urges him: 'I do entreat you to remember the fact that a book is different to a series of paragraphs. It must have cohesion.

[In illustrated wraps.] Medley! By Cuthbert Bede, B.A. Author of "Motley;" "Verdant Green;" &c &c.

Author: 
Edward Bradley (1827-1889), humorist under the pseudonym 'Cuthbert Bede'
Publication details: 
London: James Blackwood, Paternoster Row. 1856.
£280.00

114pp., 12mo. In wraps printed in green and red, with striking illustration of jester bursting through the front cover, and advertisements on the rear. In fair condition, on aged paper, in worn wraps. Frontispiece, engraved title, and numerous illustrations in text. A collection of nineteen pieces in prose and verse, with such titles as 'A Chat concerning a Couple of Chairs' and 'Mephistophiles at Malvern'. Scarce: the only copies on COPAC at the British Library and Durham.

[Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, playwright.] Typed Letter Signed ('Arthur Pinero.') to author W. Teignmouth Shore regarding injections for inoculation.

Author: 
Sir Arthur Wing Pinero (1855-1934), English playwright [W. Teignmouth Shore (1865-1932), author]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 115A. Harley Street, London W1. 12 April 1926.
£35.00

1p., 8vo. With mourning border. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-ruckled paper. After exclaiming 'How kind of you!' Pinero explains that he has been 'inoculated regularly since the autumn, and it has done me no good'. He continues: 'No, I won't say that; I might have been worse but for the injections.' He concludes by stating that he will show Shore's letter to his doctor, 'to prick his conscience'.

[Printed nineteenth-century handbill.] Copy of a curious Love Letter | From a young Gentleman in this Neighbourhood, to his Sweetheart, Miss W - , of this Town, which was found near this place yesterday morning.

Author: 
'T. B - l.' [nineteenth century handbill]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [1830s?]
£56.00

1p., 12mo. Text enclosed within a decorative border. In fair condition, on heavily aged and worn wove paper, with a couple of small holes. Printed on cheap paper, with rough untrimmed edges. Beneath the title is a poem in two columns, itself titled 'Directions for Reading it.': 'Hast thou no pity on my woes? | Dost thou at me turn up thy nose? | I'll make my declaration first, | So read straight forward and be curst. | But if thy heart to me incline, | O!

[Periodical, abortive; John Clare] The English Journal: A Miscellany of Literature, Science, and the Fine Arts

Author: 
Cyrus Redding, Editor and Contributor
Publication details: 
Vol.I (all published), nos. 1-26, January to June 1841: London: How and Parsons, 132, Fleet Street, 1841.
£1,500.00

Title, ii [Index], 412pp., cr. 8vo, hf-cf, sp. gt, marbled boads, raised bands, leather scuffed, top of spine damaged, hinge strain inside front cover, contents good. Bookplate of John Ribton Garstin (see note below). This short-lived periodical is notable for its distinguished contributors (Miss Mitford, Horace Smith, Douglas Jerrold, George Hogarth, Mrs S.C. Hall Redding himself "Etc. Etc".

[Sir George Bramwell, Baron in the Court of Exchequer.] Autograph Certificate, on vellum, regarding an indenture shown to him by Catherine Stein, wife of Peter Stein. With a signed affidavit, also on vellum, signed by Charles Harris Hodgson.

Author: 
George Bramwell, 1st Baron Bramwell [George William Wilshere Bramwell, 1st Baron Bramwell] (1808-1892), English judge [Charles Harris Hodgson]
Publication details: 
Bramwell's certificate: 28 March 1861. Hodgson's affidavit: Rolls Garden, Chancery Lane. 28 March 1861, on vellum document 'Sold by J. Sullivan, Printer and Stationer, 22, Chancery Lane.'
£45.00

The two documents are on 33 x 24 cm pieces of vellum, and are pinned together. Both in very good condition. Both are printed forms, made out by the signatory. Bramwell's certificate begins (with the manuscript portions in square brackets): 'These are to Certify that on the [Twenty eighth] day of [March] in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-[one] before me the undersigned [Sir George William Wilshere Bramwell Knight one of the Barons of Her Majestys Court of Exchequer] Appeared personally [Catherine Stein] the Wife of [Peter Stein] and produced a certain Indenture marked [A]'.

[Dickens first edition, in original binding.] Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi. Edited by "Boz." With illustrations by George Cruikshank. In two volumes.

Author: 
"Boz" [Charles Dickens], ed.; Joseph Grimaldi; Richard Bentley
Publication details: 
London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street. 1838. [London: Printed by Samuel Bentley, Dorset Street, Fleet Street.]
£500.00

2 vols: xix + [1] + 288; ix + 263. With frontispieces to both volumes (both with tissue guards) and the eleven other plates called for. First edition, first issue, with the plate facing p.238 of vol.2 in its first state (without the 'grotesque' border), and the 36-page undated publisher's catalogue bound-in at the end of vol.2. In primary binding of pink cloth with floral pattern, and the gilt titles on the spine held up by an image of a clown.

[Printed periodical, in original illustrated wraps.] The Month. A View of passing Subjects and Manners, Home and Foreign, Social and General. By Albert Smith & John Leech. [Issues I, II, III and V.]

Author: 
Albert Smith [Albert Richard Smith] (1816-1860), editor; John Leech (1817-1864), illustrator [Bradbury & Evans, Printers, Whitefriars]
Publication details: 
Published at the Office of 'The Month,' No. 3, Whitefriars Street. [Bradbury & Evans, Printers, Whitefriars.] [Issues I, II, III and V, dated July, August, September and November 1851.]
£180.00

16mo, with the first three issues continuously paginated to 240, and issue V paginated 321-400. Each volume with a frontispiece by Leech, and numerous illustrations by him in text. Three of the four issues (I, III and V) with an initial four-pages of advertisements, and more advertisements on the wraps. The four volumes in fair condition, on aged paper, in worn wraps, with the first volume lacking its spine. Each with the small and neat ownership inscription of 'L Jackson' in the top right-hand corner of its front wrap.

[Joseph William Allen, landscape painter.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. W. Allen') to his pupil the artist Edward John Cobbett

Author: 
Joseph William Allen (1803-1852), landscape painter, President of Society of British Artists and drawing master of City of London School [his pupil Edward John Cobbett (1815-1899); Liscard Hall]
Publication details: 
'Liscard Hall. | near Egremont | Cheshire.' Undated.
£120.00

2pp., 4to. Aged and creased, mounted in windowpane on leaf removed from album. Liscard Hall was built for the former Mayor of Liverpool and slave-ship captain Sir John Tobin. Allen writes that since arriving there he has 'painted too little subjects', and that he has 'a wish' to 'leave them behind me - but not unframed - size of Pictures 16in: x 12in:' If Cobbett does not have 'two tolerable frames of that size' he asks him to order two: 'I do not require the "best double distilled - extra hyper - superfine" - but something tolerably good looking'.

[Henry Lamb, artist] Three Christmas Cards to Robert Lynd, essayist, and Sylvia Lynd, poet

Author: 
Henry, Lamb, English artist of the Camden Town Group
Publication details: 
One dated 1948, another1950, one undated.
£180.00

Three cards (bifoliums), 15 x 12.5cm, 11.5 x 18cm, 10 x 12.5, inscribed by Lamb either below image on front or on inside blanks. Images, two b & w, one faintly purple background, presumably by him, are: Madonna and child (inscribed page[3] "With love from | Henry Lamb"); Carol Singers (inside "Best wishes from | Henry Lamb") ; children and teenagers playing cards (under image on front "With love to you both | from | Henry Lam.| Xmas/48"). Image available on my website.

[Horatio/Horace Smith] Autograph Note Signed to Lady Stepney accepting an invitation to dinner.

Author: 
Horace Smith] Horatio Smith, poet.
Publication details: 
12 Cavendish Place [London], Monday [no date].
£45.00

One page, 12mo, crupled but text clear and complete: "I shall have very great pleasure in diding with your Ladyship on Monday next - & some of the Ladies will be most happy to follow me in the evening. [...]" Note: joint author of 'Rejected Addresses'.

[Eden Philpotts] Two Autograph Postcards signed "E.P." to Lewis Wynne, Welsh poet.

Author: 
Eden Philpotts (1862-1960), English novelist, author of many works about Dartmoor and his native Devon [Helen Allingham]
Publication details: 
Torquay, 9 and 19 Feb. 1929.
£60.00

Postcards, c.11 x 9cm, some smudging but mainly good condition, text clear and complete. Postcard One: "Dear Mr Wynne, | Very best thanks for your valued gift: a fine & distinguished poem."; Postcard 2: "[...] | The books can be got separately & there are cheap editions of those two books any bookseller can secure for you for 2/- & 2/6 each. | I'm afraid London has had enough of my plays. My daughter's paly is not about [?] folk." Two items,

[Eden Philpotts] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Wilfrid C. Mosley', regarding Mosley's poor choice of a piece of his prose for an anthology. [not traced]

Author: 
Eden Philpotts (1862-1960), English novelist, author of many works about Dartmoor and his native Devon [Helen Allingham]
Publication details: 
Torquay | 14 March 1913.
£45.00

4to, 1 p. Ten lines, edges a little damaged but text clear and complete, on flimsy paper. "You are welcome to the quotation from my school-boy story - if it is worth while. I could have wished, however, that in an anthology of serious prose you had given me credit as a serious writer & chosen something more interesting. With compliments [...]"

[Thomas Webster, RA.] Autograph Note in the third person to 'Mr. Gotta'.

Author: 
Thomas Webster (1800-1886), RA, English genre painter and etcher [Royal Academy of Arts, London]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Cranbrook, Staplehurst. 10 May 1877.
£35.00

1p., 16mo. On bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-spotted paper. The note reads: 'Mr. Webster in reply to Mr. Gotta's note desires to say, with his compliments, that his Picture, in the Royal Academy, is engaged.'

[Peltro William Tomkins, drawing master to the royal family.] Autograph Letter Signed ('P W Tomkins') to 'Gentlemen' [booksellers] regarding 'Dr Clarkes Plates' and the desire of the bearer of the letter to be employed as an engraver.d

Author: 
Peltro William Tomkins (1759-1840), engraver and draughtsman, drawing master to the family of King George III
Publication details: 
53 New Bond Street [London]. 14 March 1809.
£60.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, on aged paper, laid down on a grey-paper mount. The letter is addressed 'Gentlemen'. In the first paragraph he explains that having received their letter, he sent 'Dr Clarkes Plates [...] to the Writing Engravers but have not as yet received them back'. He has sent the bearer of the present letter to find out when they will be done, and he has been told to tell them the answer he receives. The second paragraph reveals that the bearer of the letter is himself an engraver: 'I understand that he applied to you for the engraving of one of your Portrait Plates.

[Niccolò Schiavonetti, printmaker.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Nichs. Schiavonetti') to 'Mr. Scott', sending '4 sorts of french paper', and giving instructions on how it is to be prepared.

Author: 
Niccolò Schiavonetti [Nicholas Schiavonetti] (c.1771-1813), printmaker, brother of Luigi Schiavonetti (1765-1810)
Publication details: 
Brompton; 15 April 1811.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper with damp stain along one edge. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr. Scott'. He is sending 'by Bearer 4 sorts of french paper, 2 sheets of each, which you will be so good as to see that it is properly prepared before it is used - The grand Eagle with the watermarks will require a great deal of brushing with a hard brush as I think that many of the specks will brush off they being chiefly superficial'.

[Frederick William Fairholt, artist and antiquary.] Autograph Letter Signed ('F. W. Fairholt') to unnamed male recipient, reporting that he has done an engraving for him, and commenting adversely on the increasing 'taste for hard words'.

Author: 
Frederick William Fairholt (c.1813-1866), artist and antiquary
Publication details: 
11 Montpelier Square, Brompton. No date.
£45.00

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. 21 lines of text. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. As Doubleday has not 'sent the last', he has 'done your 3rd Cut of "glorious Apollo" from the print alone endeavouring to give the antique style as faithfully as I could.' He thanks him for his 'bit about the "archaic" term', and is certain 'that that [last word underlined] - like many other derivations from Greek & Latin roots, are most frequently used improperly[. T]he taste for hard words is certainly on the increase among all classes - from the advertising tailor upwards.'

[William Pengree Sherlock, watercolour artist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W P Sherlock') to an unnamed recipient, sending his 'last little Effort' in engraving, as proof of his abilities.

Author: 
William Pengree Sherlock (b.1775), watercolour artist and engraver, son of the artist and engraver William Sherlock (1738-1806)
Publication details: 
Cumberland Place, Shepherd's Bush. 21 July 1817.
£120.00

1p., 4to. Good, on aged paper. The letter begins: 'Sir | I shew to you my last little effort which is a Copy from Vertues large Print after the Picture by Holbein now hanging in the Council Chamber of Bridewell Hospital'.( A note at the foot of the page reads: 'The above was engraved for the Purpose of Illustrating Pennant Walpole &c'. He notes that the print (not present) was 'engraved as the companion to the last Print I sent you.

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