FEMINISM

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Sartoris, 27 Chapel Street, London.

Author: 
Mary Somerville (1780-1872), Scottish scientist after whom Somerville College, Oxford is named
Publication details: 
15 July [postmarked 1844, with Penny Red stamp]; 14 Lower Belgrave St, Eaton Square [London].
£100.00

16mo: 3 pp. A small bifolium (each leaf 10.5 x 9 cms) on aged paper. Discoloured strip at foot of first leaf, containing four lines of text and the signature, cut away and reattached with archival tissue, with damage to two words (not in signature). Second leaf with minor damage through breaking of seal. Good Penny Red stamp, postmarked in black, and second red postmark. The earliest she can accept the dinner invitation is the following Wednesday.

Autograph Signature ('Mary A. Ward.') on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Mary Augusta Ward (1851-1920, nee Arnold), English novelist 'Mrs. Humphry Ward'
Publication details: 
Docketed '1914' in pencil.
£15.00

On piece of lightly discoloured paper roughly 4 x 10 cms, with horizontal fold on left. Reads '[typed] Yours sincerely, | [signed] Mary A. Ward.' Docketed in pencil at foot 'Mrs Humphry Ward 1914'.

Cyclostyled signature ('Laura Knight') on receipt.

Author: 
Dame Laura Knight (1877-1972), English impressionist painter [The Artists' General Benevolent Institution]
Publication details: 
2 June 1937; 5 Vigo Street, London, W.1. [printed by Vacher & Sons, Ltd., Westminster House, S.W.1]
£56.00

On blue paper 10 x 18 cms. Good, with trace of previous white paper mount on reverse. Printed receipt, filled in in manuscript. Reads 'No. [32] 5, VIGO STREET, | W.1. | [June 2nd 1937] | Received a DONATION of [One Guinea] | from [The Misses Ruck] | for the ARTISTS' GENERAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. | £[1] : [1] | [-] | [next word deleted] Secretary | [next two lines cyclostyled in purple ink] most gratefully | Laura Knight'.

Typed Letter Signed ('Dorothy Black') to [Kathleen Cruise O'Brien] O'Duffy, the wife of the Irish writer Eimar O'Duffy.

Author: 
Dorothy Black (Delius) (1899-1985), English romantic novelist, travel and short-story writer [Ladies' Home Journal; Eimar O'Duffy]
Publication details: 
26 June 1925; La Chaumiere, Shillong, Assam.
£85.00

4to: 3 pp. Text clear and entire on creased, chipped airmail paper. A chatty, vivacious and entertaining letter, casting light on the state of mind of an English colonial wife. Thanks her for her 'kind remarks about my stories.

Autograph Note Signed ('Isa . Craig . Knox') to her publisher Alexander Macmillan (1818-1896).

Author: 
Isa Craig Knox (1831-1903), Victorian women's rights activist, social reformer, poet, novelist and journalsit [Alexander Macmillan, publisher]
Publication details: 
9 November [no year]; 14 Clyde Terrace, Brockley Road, New Cross [London].
£36.00

12mo: 1 p. Good. Since he 'liked the last little thing' she sent for his magazine, she ventures to think that he may approve of the piece she encloses (not present).

Autograph Letter Signed ('Eliza Hamilton') to Cecilia, wife of James Losh (1763-1833) of Jesmond.

Author: 
Mrs Elizabeth Hamilton [Mrs. Eliza Hamilton] (1758-1816), Belfast-born miscellaneous writer
Publication details: 
26 August 1810; Whitburn.
£150.00

Two pages, quarto. On aged paper, with several closed tears and loss at foot and remains of stub in margin, but with text clear and entire.

Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Ashby-Sterry') to 'Mary H. Tennyson' [pseudonym of Mary H. Folkard], 6 Saint George's Square, Regent's Park, N.W.

Author: 
Joseph Ashby-Sterry (1836-1917), English novelist, poet, journalist and painter ['Mary H. Tennyson', i.e. Mary H. Folkard]
Publication details: 
17 June 1904; on letterhead 8 Saint Martin's Place, Trafalgar Square, W.C. [London].
£28.00

Two pages, 16mo. Very good. Twenty-two lines, attractively written in purple ink beneath a letterhead printed in bright red. With postmarked envelope, addressed in autograph and carrying a penny stamp. He thanks her for sending him a copy of her book 'The Luck of John Seaton'. 'It reached me down in the country where, strange to say, I was already half way through it. I bought it at the railway station & had not arrived at the name of the author, when I received your letter. They ought to always put the name on the cover.' He enjoyed the story 'from beginning to end'.

Printed Memorandum of Agreement with Anthony Blond Ltd, signed 'Ellen Wright', for the English publication rights of her husband's 'Lawd Today'; with a typed agreement between Blond and Hamilton & Co. for the English paperback rights.

Author: 
Ellen Wright (nee Poplar) (1912-2004), second wife and widow of the American author Richard Wright (1908-60)
Publication details: 
Memorandum, London, 29 June 1964; paperback rights, London, 15 May 1964.
£56.00

The Memorandum is a four-page folio (leaf size roughly fourteen inches by nine and a half) bifolium. In very good condition, lightly creased and folded. It details Mrs Wright's royalties (as 'proprietor'), advance and percentages. The paperback rights agreement consists of four typewritten pages, on four leaves, each roughly thirteen inches by eight, stapled together at the head beneath green tape. Very good, though lightly creased and with some fraying to tape. It is signed by the Hamilton & Co. chairman Joseph and witnessed by his secretary E. M. Holloway.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Miss Lees'.

Author: 
Alice Law (born 1886), English poet
Publication details: 
No date (circa 1925?); on letterhead of the Lyceum Club, 128 Piccadilly, London.
£25.00

Two pages, 12mo. Very good on aged paper, with small closed tear at head not affecting text. Appears to concern an exhibition of women painters. Wants to 'personally thank' her for 'the privilege of having seen the International & in particular, your charming pictures. 'Early Morning' has quite carried away my heart! But the others are very fine. it must be so difficult, & so interesting to paint grey darkness. [...] Nothing of Miss Lister's there having in my opinion come up to her 'Builth Bridge' which we have. [...] Next to it I like 'A lonely Tree'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Florence Warden') to the actor and dramatist Wybert Reeve.

Author: 
Florence Warden (pseudonym of Florence Alice Price James, 1857-1929), English novelist
Publication details: 
17 May 1904; Beach House, Islandgate.
£36.00

Four pages, 12mo. Very good, with unobtrusive remains of stub along one edge. In interesting letter discussing the state of the English stage. Her tardy response is due to 'pressure of work". 'What you say about the present condition of the stage is only too true.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Adelaide Phillpotts') to 'Miss Hall'.

Author: 
Mary Adelaide Eden Phillpotts (1896-1996), English author (daughter of Eden Phillpotts)
Publication details: 
21 March 1927; Eltham, Torquay, South Devon.
£28.00

Two pages, quarto. Very good, with a little wear and light creasing. 'I often think of those days, & how timid & shy & stupid I was! Yet I enjoyed myself too, & shall never forget your great kindness, & the help you gave me. Since then I've had many adventures & experiences. I am not the thing I was!' She has been in London for the winter, and hopes they will be able to meet. 'We're so glad you like "Yellow Sands" - & I'm very pleased you like "Tomek". She has 'just finished another novel & play'. Asks what has become of a number of common acquaintances.

Printed Exchequer Receipt, with Manuscript insertions, and Autograph Signature, for three months' annuity.

Author: 
Lady Ann Sylvius [nee Howard] [Anne Sylvius] [wife of the English diplomat Sir Gabriell Silvius] [Gabriel de Silvius]
Publication details: 
22/01/17
£56.00

One page. Dimensions of paper roughly eight inches by six and three-quarters. Trimmed but with no loss to text. Very good on aged paper. 'Received by me [Lady Anne Silvius] Of the Honourable Richard Hampden Esq; One of the Four Tellers of His Majesty's Receipt of Exchequer, the Sum of [Fifty pounds] in full of all former Directions, and for Three Months Annuity, due at [Xmas] last past, of [200] Pounds per Annum'. Signed 'Ann: Sylvius', and with the signature [slightly trimmed] of 'Eliz Jones'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Locker.

Author: 
Mrs Elizabeth Charles [nee Rundle] (1828-1896), English author
Publication details: 
Thursday | Combe Edge | Hampstead Heath'.
£28.00

Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with some light glue stains on reverse, to which a small printed strip giving a printed list of Mrs Charles's works is attached. 'I was hoping to hear your boy was better - & I am very glad he is - thanks - but I am engaged on Thursday, & for some little time to come - so many people from all quarters coming just now & I hope you may be able to come & see me before very long'. Signed 'Bettie Charles'.

Six Typed Letters Signed and two Autograph Letters Signed to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Margaret Fishenden (nee White)
Publication details: 
1925-6; all items on embossed government letterheads, from various locations including the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Fuel Research Bord.
£160.00

English scientist (1889-1977), who worked with Rutherford in Manchester. All eight items quarto and very good. Most carrying the Society's stamp and some docketed. All signed 'Margaret Fishenden'. Mostly concerning the delivery and publication of a lecture on 'Domestic Heating'. Letter of 11 January 1926 suggests a number of people who should be invited.

Two Autograph Letters Signed to [the Hon.] Mrs [Alicia Margaret Tyssen] Amherst.

Author: 
Augusta Noel (nee Keppel)
Publication details: 
9 May [no year] and 'Friday' [no date] [but both 1885]; on 29A Grosvenor Square letterheads.
£45.00

English author (1838-1902). The recipient was later Baroness Rockley. Both items are very good. They can be dated from the reference to the Noel's mother (nee Susan trotter, died 1885) and the mourning border. ITEM ONE (three pages, 12mo): 'I send you a very rough little story, for the Children's Hospital book. I do not know whether it will suit your purpose, but I must just let it go as it is.

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'.

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 unnamed male publishers.

Author: 
Harry Furniss [Punch, or the London Charivari]
Publication details: 
Thursday' [docketed 7 May 1885]; on Garrick Club letterhead.
£45.00

Anglo-Irish journalist and caricaturist (1854-1925), best known for his work for Punch. Three pages, 12mo. Very good, but with slight wear and discoloration to recto of first leaf of bifoliate. Asks to 'know the fate of Miss Lyster's M.S.' 'You will recollect I called & saw you about it some months ago. She is anxious you should understand you can have the M.S. without the drawings as you did not seem <?> for the latter | An answer will much oblige | Yours very truly | [signed] Harry Furniss'.

Fragment of Autograph Letter Signed to her 'Cousin'.

Author: 
Barbara Hofland
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£23.00

Author (1770-1844) and friend of Miss Mitford. Paper dimensions roughly three and a half inches by one inch. Slightly discoloured, creased, and with one small closed tear. Read 'Believe me dear friend, | your truly affectionate Cousin | B Hofland'.

Fragment of Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs. Randolph'.

Author: 
James Hain Friswell
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£28.00

English novelist and miscellaneous writer (1825-78). Dimensions five inches by four and a half. Good. Mounted along one edge to piece of grey card. Cutting from Times, 15 March 1879, mounted on reverse of letter (giving Friswell's dates as 1827-79), and partly obscured by gum. Reads: '<...> I cannot say that the picture of life as you draw it is charming & only hope it is not true - illusions! | Your cursory remarks on us poor Men are written with a copper pen & sulphuric acid. Mr Randolph, who is of course the noble exception, must be delighted with them.

Autograph Letter Signed to unknown male correspondent.

Author: 
Maria Acland [Sir Charles Abraham Elton; POOR LAW]
Publication details: 
Gloucester Row Clifton Feby 10th 1823'.
£56.00

Docketed in pencil at foot of page 'Authoress of book on Poor Laws &c'. One page, quarto. Creased, discoloured and stained, with the rear repaired with tape. Interesting letter, referring to the publication of an essay. She is gratified by her correspondent's approbation of her 'attempt' and accepts his offer. Had the essay been published she would have asked for proof-sheets. 'I believe I have made a mis-quotation about the 8th or 9th page, & have written "Whosoever hath not &c" instead of "If any man have not".

Typed Letter Signed to [Morley Stuart, editor of the Cambridge Daily News].

Author: 
Rose Macaulay
Publication details: 
13 April 1934; on letterhead '7, LUXBOROUGH HOUSE, | NORTHUMBERLAND STREET, | W.1.'
£53.00

English novelist (1881-1958). One page, roughly six and a half inches by five. Good, but on high-acidity paper discoloured with age. Attached to folio page from cuttings album. She thanks him for 'the cutting from the Cambridge Daily News about your lecture on Cambridge novels, which interested me. I do not suppose I could have said anything useful if you had written to me, as I can never think of anything to say in letters. I was interested in your comparison of Oxford & Cambridge novels.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Jean Morison [Mrs Jean Morison Campbell]
Publication details: 
Without date; on embossed letterhead 'MORISON HOUSE. | HETLAND. | RUTHWELL.'
£20.00

Scottish author. Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by one and a quarter. Very good, with some light glue staining. From autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of blue paper. Reads '[...] your welcome letter which | [...] | [...] your loving friend Jean M. C. Miller Morison'. Docketed in pencil 'Poet & Critic - "The Purpose of the Ages" etc'.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Emily Taylor
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

Victorian novelist and hymn-writer (1795-1872), author of 'Tales of the Saxons'. Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by two. Very good though somewhat grubby. Folded once (not affecting signature). From autograph album. Mounted on piece of green paper. Reads '[...] I heard - remember me very kindly to him & to your sister & daughters. | I am, as ever, | faithfully yours | Emily Taylor.'

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Edna Lyall (Ada Ellen Bayly)
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£18.00

English novelist (1857-1903). Paper dimensions roughly four and a quarter inches by two and a quarter inches. Very good, but grubby and with a few light glue stains. From autograph album and mounted on larger piece of light blue paper. Reads '[...] | it will save confidencce. | In gt. haste | Yrs. truly | A. E. Bayly.' Docketed '(Edna Lyall)' in pencil beneath signature.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter

Author: 
Eleanor Catharine Price [E. C. Price]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£18.00

Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by two and a half inches. Very good. Folded once (not affecting signature). From an autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of blue paper. Reads '[...] | It was a real pleasure | to see you again the other | day. | Yours afftely | E C Price -'. Docketed in pencil at foot.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Annie S. Swan [Annie Shepherd Swan Burnett-Smith]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£18.00

novelist (1859-1943). Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by two inches. Very good. From autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of pink paper. Reads 'Yrs sincerely | Annie S. Swan.'

Signed Typed Memorandum of Agreement between Lindsay and the publisher Anthony Blond Limited, for 'a contribution to THE NEW LONDON SPY edited by Hunter Davies on the subject of Lesbianism'.

Author: 
Cressida Lindsay [Anthony Blond Ltd; The New London Spy]
Publication details: 
1965; no place.
£85.00

One page, A4. In poor condition: creased and dogeared with several closed tears and a staple in the top left-hand corner. With 'not valid' in ms in top right-hand corner. The contribution, to be delivered by 1 August 1965, was to have been five thousand words in length, 'at the rate of 10 guineas for each thousand words of the contribution'. In the event it was replaced by Maureen Duffy's piece on 'Lesbianism in London'. Signed by 'Cressida Lindsay' and by 'Desmond Brian' on behalf of Blond.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs. Ford'.

Author: 
Emily Anne Smythe, Viscountess Strangford
Publication details: 
25 November [no year, but presumably before 1869, the date of her husband's death]; on letterhead '58, Great Cumberland Place, | W'.
£45.00

English writer (died 1887), traveller in the Middle East, and philanthropist. Four pages, 16mo. Good, but with traces of grey-paper mount adhering to verso of second leaf of bifoliate, to which adheres a cutting relating to the circumstances of Lady Strangford's marriage. She has been in bed for ten days, and although 'still in a state of great weakness - and non-writingness', writes to apologise for Lord Strangford's mistake: 'as he was expecting to be accosted by a lady much of your size he answered accordingly with an enquiry for her husband.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Miss Graham'.

Author: 
Elizabeth Jane Oswald
Publication details: 
4 February 1903; on letterhead 'Southank | Edinburgh'.
£33.00

Author (died 1905) of the Icelandic travel guide 'By fell and fjord'. Two pages, 12mo. In good condition although grubby and with traces of mount adhering to verso and stub adhering along one edge. 'I am glad to say that I find the tickets in the row we are in - for the Reid Concerts on Friday, are not all gone - & excellent places - I enclose 2 - at 8/ each - 16/-. I expect it will be a lovely concert - I shall be glad to meet you thereX - | Yours truly | E J Oswald | X So dont send the money - as we shall be quite near each other'.

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