ENGLISH

Typed message (to departing employee?), on printed letterhead, with thirty-eight signatures (of work-colleagues?).

Author: 
Medici Society [Cobden-Sanderson]
Medici Society
Publication details: 
Without date; on the company's Grafton Street letterhead.
£100.00
Medici Society

Company founded in 1908 by Philip Lee Warner and Eustace Gurney, 'to bring artists' work to the appreciation of a wider public'. One page, quarto. Folded twice. Good, but slightly foxed and lightly creased. The typed message reads ' "The best of Prophets of the future is the Past" | With the best of wishes for future success.' The signatures are arranged in four columns. The inclusion of 'Cobden-Sanderson' is unexplained.

Autograph Letter Signed to T. E. Lea.

Author: 
Frederick Rowton
Publication details: 
26 November 1884; City of London Institution.
£56.00

Rowton edited a celebrated anthology of British female poets. One page, 12mo. Poor: grubby and with remains of stub from previous mounting adhering to edge of bifoliate. 'It will give me great pleasure to deliver my Lecture on Charles Dickens at the Southwark Institution during the next Season. - My terms will be eight Guineas for the Three. - | I may perhaps be allowed to say that I am now delivering these Lectures (the Second comes on tomorrow night) at this Institution, with very great success, to crowded audiences.

Two Typed Letters Signed, the first to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, the second to S. Digby, R.S.A.

Author: 
Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti
Publication details: 
12 January 1918, on letterhead 'HOLLINWOOD, | LANCASHIRE'; 23 August 1918, on letterhead 'FERRANTI LIMITED, | ELECTRICAL & GENERAL ENGINEERS, | HOLLINWOOD, | LANCASHIRE.'
£95.00

British scientist (1864-1930); patented the Ferranti alternator, 1882; chief electrician to the London Electric Supply Corporation. Both items one page, quarto. Both very good, though dusty; one with small pinholes in one corner. Both bearing the R.S.A. stamp, and one docketed. ITEM ONE: He has received Menzies letter of 11 January, 'from which I note that you are sending me one dozen copies of Mr.

Twenty-one Typed Letters Signed to the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Captain John Laurence Pritchard [The Royal Aeronautical Society]
Publication details: 
Between 1931 and 1934; all on letterhead of the Royal Aeronautical Society, of which Pritchard was secretary.
£100.00

Novelist and writer on aeronautics (1885-1968). All items one page, quarto. As a whole good, though grubby, but some items with pin holes, closed tears, etc. Most bearing the R.S.A. stamp and some docketed. Three items with enclosures. The items are dry communications relating to the arranging of R.A.S. lectures at the R.S.A.

Three Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed to Kenneth Luckhurst, Secretary, and G. P. Griggs, Assistant Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, together with four unsigned carbons of Typed Letters from them to him.

Author: 
Sir Charles Harvard Gibbs-Smith [AVIATION]
Publication details: 
1949-51; three on letterheads of the Victoria & Albert Museum.
£200.00

Historian of aviation (1909-81) at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Eight items, various formats. Very good. LETTER ONE (two pages, octavo, 14 January 1949, on V & A letterhead): 'As a very new fellow of the Society I hesitate to burden you with reading the enclosed [an article on 'Father Gusmao: the first practical pioneer in aeronautics', not present], but I thought there might be some chance of its appearing in the Journal. It is too historical for the Roy. Aeronautical Society's Journal and too aeronautical for the others, so I am stuck!

Etched portrait, by W (?) Burton

Author: 
William Ewart Gladstone [W. Burton]
Publication details: 
[1889].
£20.00

A clean copy, on good thick paper, of an engraving, three versions of which are in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG D8332, NPG D8333, NPG D8334), where they are dated 1889, and described as being etched 'after a photograph originally published in the Pall Mall Gazette 'Grand Old Man' extra'. Dimensions of paper roughly nine inches by six, dimensions of image roughly five inches by four. Burton's signature is faintly etched at the foot of plate, and the print is docketed in pencil 'W E G' at the foot of the paper, with 'Burton 1/-' on reverse.

Autograph Signatures on fragment of document.

Author: 
Henry William Pickersgill; Thomas Uwins
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£18.00

Pickersgill (1782-1875) and Uwins (1782-1857) were both English artists who exhibited at the Royal Academy. Very good, on a piece of grey paper roughly two inches by four. From a collection of Autograph Signatures cut from petitions to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Blank reverse.

Autograph Signatures on fragment of document.

Author: 
William Behnes; George Robins
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

Behnes (died 1864) was a sculptor, and Robins (1778-1847) a flamboyant auctioneer. Very good, on piece of paper roughly two inches by three and a half. From a collection of Autograph Signatures cut from petitions to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Blank reverse.

The Lettsomian Lectures, delivered at the Medical Society of London, 1879, on bronchial asthma: its causes, pathology, and treatment.

Author: 
John C[harles]. Thorowgood
Publication details: 
London: Baillière, Tindall, and Cox, King William Street, Strand. 1879.
£56.00

Small 8vo. Pages i-vi, 3-86 (nothing apparently lacking). Original publishers' catalogue for 1879 at rear. Good tight copy, in worn original brown cloth, gilt. PRESENTATION COPY 'For The Library of the Medical Society of London with The Authors Compts'. With stamps, labels, and other evidence of library provenance. From the collection of the Society's librarian Nehemiah Asherson, and carrying a note by him, over the Society's stamp on the half-title 'DISCARDED FROM THE LIBRARY | RESCUED FROM Pulping | 1971/2'.

Autograph Letter to 'Sir J. Phillepart' [i.e. John Philippart].

Author: 
Cyrus Redding
Publication details: 
Thursday [docketed 'Feb 1847']; [10?] Hill Road, St John's Wood.
£80.00

Editor and journalist (1785-1870). The recipient (1784?-1874) was a writer on military matters, and editor of the United Services Journal. Two pages, 12mo. Good, though grubby, and with docketing, rust from paperclip and biographical details typed in line at head. A formal letter, unsigned and in the third person. 'Mr Redding presents his Compts. to Sir J. Phillepart with but scanty recollections for it is many years since they met and wishes to remind him of an article sent to the U[nited]. S[ervices]. J[ournal]. thro' Mr Hunt.

Autograph Note Signed to unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Anne Benson Procter [nee Skepper] [Bryan Waller Procter, 'Barry Cornwall']
Publication details: 
14 February 1874; 32 Weymouth St, Portland Place, W.
£45.00

Wife (1799-1888) of the English poet Bryan Waller Procter ('Barry Cornwall', 1787-1874), and stepdaughter of the noted jurist Basil Montagu. One page, 12mo. Very good on slightly paper, and with closed tear to blank second leaf of bifoliate. Written on behalf of her husband during his final illness. 'Mr Procter desires me to say that you have his ready permission to print The Old Arm Chair | I regret to say that my husband is now too feeble to write to you.' Signed 'Anne B. Procter'.

Autograph Letter Signed ['to Pinkham'].

Author: 
Sir William Reynell Anson
Publication details: 
20 August 1902; on letterhead 'GLENTROMIE, | KINGUSSIE, N.B.'
£45.00

English jurist (1843-1914), Warden of All Souls college, Oxford. Two pages, 12mo. On discoloured, grubby, creased paper, with a small closed tear and some bleeding due to damp on the verso. Extensive damp damage to blank second leaf of bifoliate. Docketed as 'To Pinkham'. Before leaving Oxford the previous week he 'ordered a somewhat miscellaneous collection of books' to be sent to his correspondent's library. 'It was a small collection - a few biographies, some college histories and one or two books which chanced to be in the booksellers catalogue & which looked interesting.

Autograph Postcard Signed to 'Mrs. Black'.

Author: 
Eliza Lynn Linton
Publication details: 
Postmarked 8 January 1891; 'Queen Annes Mansions. St James's Park SW.'
£56.00

Novelist and miscellaneous writer (1822-98). Dimensions roughly five inches by three. Grubby and with minor fraying, loss and closed tears to edges (not affecting text). Printed halfpenny stamp and two postmarks in black ink. Addressed to 'Mrs. Black | 5 Hazlitt Road | W. Kensington | W.' 'I have not received ye Ladies Pictorial, but fine - all very well done with great sympathy & tenderness & so well written - I have begun by informal LSaturdays - & shall be very glad to see you if you could come'. Signed 'E: Lynn Linton'.

The hero of his time; a theme in Russian literature.

Author: 
Henry Gifford
Publication details: 
London: Edward Arnold & Co. 1950.
£25.00

Octavo. 224 pages. Very good, with light spotting to top edge, front endpapers and prelims. In worn, torn dustwrapper with some loss. INSCRIBED COPY 'To Alan | 'at his own request' | with friendly greetings from | Henry Gifford | 7th November 1950'.

Autograph Letter Signed to S[amuel]. Redgrave.

Author: 
Sir George Cornewall Lewis, 2nd Baronet
Publication details: 
Kent House | 4 April' [no year].
£56.00

Author and politician (1806-63). The recipient (1802-76) was author of a dictionary of English artists, and successively private secretary to several English statesman. Two pages, 12mo. An odd request. 'I have been asked by a friend to ascertain for him whether any person has ever been tried in England for suffocating a human being supposed to be affected by hydrophobia. If you shd. be in possession of any information which throws light upon the subject, would you have the kindness to enable me to answer the question'. signed 'G C Lewis'.

Autograph Letter Signed to [Thomas] Attree.

Author: 
Robert Plumer Ward
Publication details: 
24 September 1834; Gilston Park, Harlow.
£56.00

English novelist and politician (1765-1846). The recipient (c1778-1863) was an influential Brighton solicitor, owner of Queen's Park. One page, octavo. On discoloured and lightly creased paper, with fraying and several small closed tears, but with no loss to text. An affectionate letter inviting Attree to Harlow. 'Fred.

Autograph Note Signed to 'Mr. Wilson' [the bookseller John Gideon Wilson of Bumpus?].

Author: 
Edmond Xavier Kapp
Publication details: 
1 April 1930; on letterhead '2 Steele's Studios | Haverstock Hill N W. 3'.
£75.00

English artist (1890-1978). His wife, Yvonne Kapp, published four novels under the pseudonym Yvonne Cloud. One page, octavo. Very good, though a little creased and with dogeared corners. Reads 'Dear Mr. Wilson, | It is good of you to have taken so much trouble - I am greatly obliged to you. The lists have gone off to Berlin to-day. | All my thanks - & good wishes for a restful holiday'. Signed 'Edmond X. Kapp'.

Autograph Letter to the printseller [Dominic Paul] Colnaghi.

Author: 
Lady Charlotte Susan Maria Bury
Publication details: 
Tuesday 29th April. [no year] | No 3. Park Square | Regent Park'.
£45.00

English novelist (1775-1861). One page, 12mo. A frail item in poor condition: on discoloured, frayed paper, with several closed tears and some loss to edges. A formal letter in the third person. 'Lady Charlotte Bury presents Her Comp[limen]ts. to Mr: Colnaghi and would be obliged to Him if He could make it convenient to call upon Her any time this Day, as she wishes to speak to Him respecting Some Drawings which she intends to publish'.

Autograph Letter Signed to J[oseph] Swain.

Author: 
Thomas Robert Macquoid
Publication details: 
25 July 1873; Stanley Place, Chelsea.
£95.00

English artist and illustrator (1820-1912). Swain (1820-1909) was a noted wood-engraver, and the letter concerns his possible employment by Macquoid. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but on discoloured paper, heavily sunned along one edge and browning in one corner, with small closed tear at top of fold. Swain's price 'for Blocks will do - £8. 8. 0 for full page & £6. 6. 0 for front page -'. He has seen Williams 'who was very polite & promised me some work'. Williams is 'going to be married soon - wh: he said wd. "come in the way" of drawings at present'. Signed Thos. R. Macquoid'.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Frederic Harrison
Publication details: 
14 October 1879; on letterhead '38, Westbourne Terrace, W.'
£45.00

English positivist philosopher (1831-1923). Two pages, 12mo. In poor condition: on discoloured paper with remains of stub still adhering along one edge, and with slight damage to blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. He is obliged for the 'invitation to contribute to the pages of the International Review; & I only wish that it was in my power to accept it.' He has 'a limited amount of time for literary work' and cannot at present make 'any further engagement', but may do so in the future. Signed 'Frederic Harrison'.

Signed Autograph Song Lyrics.

Author: 
Joseph Williams Comyns Carr
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£42.00

English art critic and dramatist (1849-1916). One page, octavo. Very good. On grey Truslove, Hanson & Comba paper. Entitled 'Sailor's Chorus', the piece consists of two stanzas of eight lines each. It begins 'Above the mast one single star, | Still loiters in the dawn!' and ends 'Ere the swallows keel shall touch the shore | Yeo Ho! Hearts Ho! Yeo Ho! Haul away!' Signed 'J. Comyns Carr' in bottom left-hand corner.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs Valentine'.

Author: 
Victor Sawdon Pritchett
Publication details: 
16 December 1985; on letterhead '12 REGENTS PARK TERRACE | LONDON N.W.I'.
£28.00

English novelist (1900-96). One page, octavo. Good, but with slight marking from staple in top left-hand corner. He is glad his correspondent is 'having therapy for your bad back for, hard work though it is, and must be in your case, I'm sure you will find it helpful. | About author's proofs, they of course usually go back to publishers; but what I am glad to be able to send you is the jacket of my latest book which at least has a picture and my signature, and I hope it will, at least, be decorative in your study.' Signed 'Victor S Pritchett'.

Typed Letter Signed to Betty Ross.

Author: 
Edward Verrall Lucas
Publication details: 
12 February 1936; on letterhead of the publishers Methuen & Co Ltd.
£38.00

English essayist and biographer of Charles Lamb (1868-1938). One page, quarto. Good only, on discoloured and creased paper. Lucas finds Ross's 'Heads and tales, etc.' (London: Rich & Cowan, 1934), a collection of interviews with the famous, 'incorrigibly lively'. 'I do not share all your sympathies but you have made a very entertaining thing out of question and answer. While I was reading, it occurred to me that a new kind of interview might be based on the "Questions I should not put to So-and-so". To G[eorge]. B[ernard].

Typed Letter Signed to R[ainforth]. A[rmitage]. Walker of the Print Collector's Quarterly.

Author: 
Edward Verrall Lucas
Publication details: 
28 February 1935; on letterhead of the publishers Methuen & Co.
£56.00

One page, quarto. Poor, on creased, discoloured paper, with two punch holes in left-hand margin and short closed tears along the central fold. 'It is as well that you underlined your name in print, for I cannot detect the faintest resemblance between it and your signature. Is this the fault of my imperfect eyes or your powerful hand? | As to your humorist - I think the Forceps Saga is funny, but Punch has a number of people who do things rather like it. Still, he should certainly let the Editor see this specimen together with something new.

Autograph Letter Signed to [Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co, publishers].

Author: 
James Grant
Publication details: 
20 December 1850; on letterhead of the 'Morning Advertiser Office, 127, Fleet Street, London.'
£28.00

Journalist (1802-79). Three pages, 12mo. Good, but on slightly discoloured grey paper, with some staining from previous mounting to one edge. 'Dear Sirs, | You will see some of your publications noticed in the Morning Advertiser of to-day. As we mean to make literary notices a feature in our paper, any publications you may send us will meet with every attention. Mrs Hall's "Pilgrimages" [published by Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co] has not reached me, otherwise, being a Christmas book it would have met with an immediate notice.' Asks to be sent 'all the advertisements you can.

Two Autograph Letters Signed to Sir William Charles Ross.

Author: 
Thomas Carrick
Publication details: 
August 9 and 30; both from 43 Upper Seymour St, Portman Square, London.
£65.00

Miniature painter and chemist (1802-75) with Carlisle and Newcastle connections. The recipient (1794-1860) was a miniature-painter and member of the Royal Academy. Both letters in poor condition, on discoloured, worn and stained paper, but with no loss to text. In LETTER ONE (two pages, 12mo) he states his willingness to meet Ross 'to talk over the matter to whicy your letter of yesterday refers', undertaking to 'enage with Mr. Thorburn to meet us'.

Autograph Letter to the Duchess of Beaufort.

Author: 
Frederick William Hervey, 5th Earl and 1st Marquis of Bristol
Publication details: 
St. James's Square | June 23rd. 1853'
£35.00

English aristocrat (1769-1859). Apparently cropped, but with no loss to text. Dimensions of paper roughly four inches square. Grubby and lightly stained. Docketed in pencil. A formal letter in the third person. Reads 'Lord Bristol presents his Compliments to the Duchess of Beaufort, & sends her Grace the enclosed Paper which came directed by mistake to him this Morning -'.

Autograph Note Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Henry De Vere Stacpoole
Publication details: 
24 April 1930; on letterhead of the Royal Marine Hotel, Ventnor.
£25.00

Irish novelist (1863-1951). One page, 12mo. Good, but with some rust stains from staple. Reads 'Dear Sir | I enclose autograph with much pleasure | Believe me | yours truly | H De Vere Stacpoole.'

Letter <in secretarial hand?>, signed in autograph, to 'Mr <Dubarry?>.

Author: 
Sir Walter Besant
Publication details: 
27 April 1889; on letterhead '12, GAYTON CRESCENT, | HAMPSTEAD'.
£36.00

English novelist (1836-1901). Two pages, octavo. Some discoloration in margin from previous mounting. His silence is due to the fact that he has been 'out of town for Easter'. He is grateful to his correspondent for thinking of him 'in connection with the Garrick. But I am afraid I must not consider it. You see by the address that I live out of the way of clubs - This is for the sake of certain small children <?> to be considered'. He is already a member of three clubs: the Athenaeum, the Old University and the Savile ('wh: I do frequent').

Autograph Letter Signed to Major General Sir John Murray.

Author: 
Charles Arbuthnot
Publication details: 
Docketed '25th Septr 1811'.
£95.00

Arbuthnot (1767-1850) was a diplomat and statesman; Murray (c.1768-1827) was a soldier. Three pages, quarto. Good, but creased and grubby on discoloured paper. Rust stain from paperclip and traces of previous mount on blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. He has received Murray's letter.

Syndicate content