HARRIS

[Frederick Reynolds, prolific English dramatist.] Autograph Letter Signed, informing ‘Mr. Raymond’ (manager of Drury Lane Theatre) that he has sold the copyright of a comedy to ‘Mr. Harris’ (of Covent Garden Theatre).

Author: 
Frederick Reynolds (1764-1841), English dramatist, author of more than a hundred pieces in his forty year career [James Grant Raymond of Drury Lane; Thomas Harris of Covent Garden; Tom Phillips]
Publication details: 
‘Thursday’. No date or place.
£56.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. On the recto of the first leaf of a bifolium, and addressed in autograph on the reverse of the second to ‘Mr. Raymond / Chester Street / Grosvenor Place / No. 3. / Hyde Park Corner’, with three postmarks and broken wafer. In fair condition, lightly aged, with spike hole through both leaves. Folded twice for postage. He is sorry Raymond had ‘so much trouble’ looking for him: ‘but the truth is I waited at home for you this morning till 12 -’. He explains that ‘the Copy Right of the Comedy’ is ‘purchas’d by Mr.

[Harry Roy, British dance band leader responsible for the 1931 classic 'My Girl's Pussy' ; Joe Daniels, Dixieland drummer.] Autograph Signatures of Roy and Daniels, the latter cut from letter describing himself as ‘One of the Drumming Fraternity.’

Author: 
Harry Roy [born Harris Litman] (1900-1971), British dance band leader and clarinettist; Joe Daniels (1909-1993), British Dixieland drummer, born in South Africa
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£32.00

See Roy’s entry in the Oxford DNB. He part-wrote and performed the perennially popular ‘My Girl’s Pussy’, with other songs with suggestive titles. The two men’s careers both began in the 1920s, and Daniels played in the band of Roy’s brother Sid Roy. The two signatures laid down on an 8.5 x 7 piece cut from the leaf from an autograph album. Somewhat discoloured, otherwise in good condition. ONE: Signature of ‘Harry Roy’. On 6 x 4.5 cm slip of paper. Large signature, with the downstrokes of the final letter y’s extending unusually far. TWO: Signature of ‘Joe Daniels’.

[Christopher Fry: the schoolboy diaries of his elder brother Charles Leslie Harris.] Four years of diaries, 1916-1919, covering his time at Bedford School.

Author: 
[Christopher Fry [born Arthur Hammond Harris] (1907-2005), playwright] his brother Charles Leslie Harris (b.1902) [Bedford School]
Publication details: 
1916 to 1919, each a ‘Charles Letts School-Boy’s Diary’. At front of diaries for 1916 and 1917 he writes: ‘C L. Harris / 120 Gladstone St / Bedford’.
£450.00

See Fry’s entry by Michael Billington in the Dictonary of National Biography. His brother survives as a rather shadowy figure: he was certainly alive in 1978, when Fry referred to him in the account of his family background ‘Can You Find Me / A Family History’ (OUP). In that volume Fry describes his ‘brother Leslie’ as a baby ‘growing sturdily’, noting that ‘though he was later called by his first name Charles, he was Leslie for many years to come’.

[John Harris Backhouse, classical scholar and antiquary, educated at the Manchester School.] Long Autograph Letter Signed ('J. H. Backhouse'), on matters relating to Richard Montagu, Bishop of Norwich, with reference to Sir Thomas Browne and others.

Author: 
John Harris Backhouse (1826-1882), Rector of Laverton, Somerset, classical scholar, editor and antiquary, educated at the Manchester School [Richard Montagu, Bishop of Norwich; Sir Thomas Browne]
Publication details: 
27 September 1881. Laverton Rectory, Bath.
£45.00

See his entry in J. F. Smith, 'The Admission Register of the Manchester School'. 6pp, 12mo. Written in a neat, close hand. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. A vivid example of the methodology of the nineteenth-century English clerical antiquary. The main subject is the controversialist Richard Montagu (1577-1641), Bishop of Norwich, about whom, in January of the following year (that of his death), Backhouse would publish a letter in 'The Academy' under the title 'The Abbreviations in Bishop Mountagu's [sic] Dedication'. The recipient is not identified.

[John Van Druten, dramatist.] Typed Letter Signed ('John van Druten') to W. J. Macqueen-Pope, discussing his memories of Ivor Novello, and his new play 'I am a Camera', based on Christopher Isherwood, and Julie Harris.

Author: 
John Van Druten [John William Van Druten] (1901-1957), English playwright and theatre director [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960),; Ivor Novello; Christopher Isherwood; Julie Harris]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the A. J. C. Ranch, Thermal, California. 15 January 1952.
£150.00

2pp, 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. A very good and informative letter. Written from the A. J. C. Ranch, which Van Druten had purchased with his former lover Carter Lodge (now his business manager) and the British actress Auriol Lee. Van Druten left his interest in the ranch to Lodge, together with the rights to his work, including the play discussed here, 'I am a Camera', an adapatation of Christopher Isherwood's stories. (For the relationship between Van Druten and Isherwood, see Peter Parker's biography of the latter.) This entitled Lodge to income from the film 'Cabaret'.

[Christopher Fry edits, as 'A. H. Harris': the Birth of a Literary Career] Thirteen numbers (1-11, 16, 17) of the 'Bedford Modern School Gazette', with 'B.M.S. Gazette Supplement'.

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright, [born Arthur Hammond Harris]; Bedford Modern School
Publication details: 
[Bedford Modern School.] Nos 1-11 (Feb. 1925 to July 1927): Printed by the "Bedfordshire Standard" Newspaper Co. (1913), Ltd, Bedford. Nos 16 (Oct. 1928) and 17 (Dec. 1928): Printed by the County Press (Bedford) Limited. Supplement: 30 March 1926.
£750.00

Fourteen items, all 8vo. Seven numbers (4-9 and 16) are 16pp; number 17 is 26pp; other numbers range from 8 to 12pp, except for the 'B.M.S. Gazette Supplement' (30 March 1926) which has 4pp. The first five numbers on cheap newspaper stock; from the sixth number onwards the paper quality improves. Number 17 ('Special Christmas Number') has lost its back cover. The other thirteen numbers are complete. A frail survival, in fair overall condition, on aged and worn paper. Numbers 4-11 with 'Eagle' masthead, otherwise no settled layout.

[W. H. Davies, Welsh poet, author of 'Autobiography of a Super-Tramp'.] Four Typed Letters Signed, encouraging the writing of 'Mr Harris', i.e. Christopher Fry. With Fry's copy of Davies's 'Ambition and Other Poems' and poem in Fry's autograph.

Author: 
W. H. Davies [William Henry Davies] (1871-1940), Welsh poet and author of 'Autobiography of a Super-Tramp' [Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright]
Publication details: 
The first two letters on letterhead of Malpas House, Oxted; the last on letterhead of The Crofts, Nailsworth, the third from Shenstone, Nailsworth. Between 23 March 1928 and 16 May 1935. Book: London: Jonathan Cape, 1929.
£850.00

The letters are in fair condition, lightly aged and worn, except for the third, which is damp-stained with closed tears at head and foot. The book is in fair condition, without dust wrapper. All four letters are signed 'W. H. Davies.' The first three are addressed to 'Mr Harris', and the last (an ANS rather than an ALS) to 'Mr Fry'. Each is 1p, 12mo. Letter One: 23 March 1928; Malpas House, Oxted. After reading his poem, Davies states, 'I begin to think you ought to take some step towards publishing, as soon as you have enough material.

[ Lord Harris of Belmont House. ] Autograph Note in the third person [ to his bookseller ], regarding two books sent to him.

Author: 
Lord Harris of Belmont House, Throwley, near Faversham, Kent [ Lieutenant General William George Harris (1782-1845), 2nd Baron Harris, British soldier under his father in Anglo-Mysore War ]
Publication details: 
'Belmont [ i.e. Belmont House, Throwley, near Faversham, Kent ] | 16th. Decr. 1841'.
£30.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, with central spike-hole and a few burn marks at foot. Reads: 'Lord Harris has just recd the Illustrations to Deserted Village, but retyrns Retsch's Othello by this night's Coach, having received a copy of it about a week since.'

[ George Harris Healy, Professor of English and curator of Rare Books at Cornell University. ] Typed Letter Signed to 'Mr. Duff', discussing the content of two letters by Daniel Defoe, their monetary value, auction houses, Dr. Rosenbach of New York.

Author: 
George Harris Healy (1908-1971), Professor of English and curator of Rare Books at Cornell University
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Department of English, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. 22 February 1949.
£50.00

1p., foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, aged and lightly creased, with some wear to extremities. Healy begins by thanking Duff for his letter, and 'for your generosity in sending me copies of the two letters of Daniel Defoe'. He explains that he has 'searched for their whereabouts for about ten years', and had finally become convinced 'that unless they were in your family they were lost'.

[ Mona Inglesby and International Ballet. ] Autograph Signatures of Inglesby and 23 members of her International Ballet troupe, including Moira Shearer, Nina Tarakanova, Claudie Léonard Algeranova, Anna Marinova, Joyce Graeme, Rex Reid, Jean Harris.

Author: 
Mona Inglesby (1918-2006), dancer, choreographer, founder of International Ballet [ Moira Shearer, Nina Tarakanova, Claudie Léonard Algeranova, Anna Marinova, Joyce Graeme, Rex Reid, Jean Harris ]
Ballet
Publication details: 
No place. Dated 1942.
£180.00
Ballet

There has been a recent resurgence of interest in Mona Inglesby and her International Ballet (1942-1951). In 2008 Kay Hunter published a study of the troupe, titled 'Ballet in the Blitz'; then in 2012 BBC Radio 4 aired a documentary about Mona Inglesby and International Ballet, titled 'Black-Out Ballet: The Invisible Woman of British Ballet'. The writer of the documentary, Ismene Brown, gave the following explanation of her motives: 'In 2006 an elderly dancer died in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex. She was 88, and had once been one of Britain's most recognised ballerinas.

[ Oscar Barrett, musical director. ] Autograph Letter Signed, a letter of condolence to the widow of composer Herman Finck

Author: 
Oscar Barrett (1846-1941), musical director of Augustus Harris, producer of pantomimes at the Crystal Palace and the Olympic Theatre, London [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939) ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 2 Coleherne Mansions, 226 Old Brompton Road, S.W.5. [ London ] 22 April 1939.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He writes that 'The passing on of such a dear man as Herman leaves a blank in many many peoples lives & those who had the priviledge [sic] of his friendship can the better realise all you must be suffering at the present time.' He concludes by telling her that her 'grief is shared' by Finck's 'countless friends', and that she must have a 'sweet solace' in the memory of 'the many joyous times spent in his company'. The word 'Answered' is written at the head.

[ Eileen Chandler, artist. ] Personal album relating to her portrait work, mainly in Hollywood, and including photographs of her portraits, and original photographs of children of celebrities.

Author: 
Eileen Chandler [ born Eileen Harris ] (1904-1993), English artist who worked in Los Angeles on portraits of Hollywood children [ Liza Minnelli; Mia Farrow; Deborah Kerr; Maureen O'Sullivan ]
Publication details: 
Undated [ 1950s and 1960s ]. Mainly relating to her time in Los Angeles, California.
£800.00

For more information about Chandler, see the appreciative obituary by Vy Reiners in the Independent, 5 February 1993, which describes how 'An article in the Illustrated London News launched her on a successful career that took her to Hollywood, painting sensitive, charming watercolour portraits of the children of the stars, and many of the stars themselves.' The present item contains 70 photographs in a 24 x 33 cm album. The photographs, ranging in size from 19 x 23 cm. downwards, are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear.

[ Rev. George Harris, Unitarian minister. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'George Harris') to James Yates of London and York, regarding the troubles of his previous congregation in Glasgow, under their new minister 'Mr. Taylor'.

Author: 
Rev. George Harris (1794-1859), Unitarian minister, author and editor
Publication details: 
Both from 2 Hope Park, Edinburgh. 22 February and 5 March 1844.
£120.00

Both on 4to biofoliums, and addressed, with postmarks, on the reverse of the second leaf. Both in fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. ONE (22 February 1844): Concerning the unfortunate state of 'the Glasgow congregation' since Harris's removal to Edinburgh. His successor 'Mr. T[aylor].' stated his 'present views' to 'Messrs C<?> & Smith', 'and they said at once he ought to resign the pulpit [...] The end cannot be far off. Mr. T. declared he would not quit the pulpit till he was dragged out of it'. The letter continues with references to 'Mr Taylor' and 'Mr Davidson'.

[Three printed Home Office pamphlets.] 'Education in Reformatory and Industrial Schools', 'Disposal of Reformatory and Industrial School Boys to Farm Service in England and Wales' and 'Reformatory and Industrial Schools. Working of Financial Scheme'

Author: 
[S. W. Harris, Children's Branch, Home Office, Whitehall; Arthur H. Norris, Chief Inspector of Reformatory and Industrial Schools]
Publication details: 
All London. ONE: Printed under the Authority of His Majesty's Stationery Office, By Jas. Truscott & Son, Ltd., Suffolk Lane, EC. 1919. TWO: Printed by His Majesty's Stationery Office. 1920. THREE: Children's Branch, Home Office, Whitehall. 1925.
£80.00

All three with shelfmarks, stamp and labels of the Board of Education Reference Library, London. ONE: Arthur H. Norris, 'Home Office. Education in Reformatory and Industrial Schools. Circular letter of H.M. Chief Inspector of Reformatory and Industrial Schools, to the Managers and Staff of the Schools.' 1919. [2] + 8pp., 8vo. Stitched. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. London. The only copy on COPAC at the London Schooll of Economics. TWO: Arthur H. Norris, 'Home Office. Disposal of Reformatory and Industrial School Boys to Farm Service in England and Wales. Circular letter to H.M.

[Hon. William Torrey Harris, United States Commissioner of Education; Nicholas Murray Butler, Columbia University, New York.] Volume containing thirteen offprints and pamphlets on education, including eleven by.Harris and one by Butler.

Author: 
Hon. W. T. Harris [William Torrey Harris] (1835-1909), LL.D., United States Commissioner of Education, American educator and lexicographer; Nicholas Murray Butler (1862-1947), Columbia University, New
Publication details: 
All published in the United States, including seven offprints from the Education Review, New York. Dating from between 1892 and 1900.
£300.00

The thirteen items bound in a modern grey buckram binding with shelfmark and label of the Board of Education Reference Library. The pamphlets in good condition, on aged paper, in worn binding, with last item disbound. Each pamphlet numbered in red ink at head of title-page, the first with a shelfmark. ONE: [John W. Noble; William T. Harris.] 'In the Senate of the United States. Letter from the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting A report of the Commissioner of Education upon the conditions of the public schools in the District of Columbia.' 15pp., 8vo.

[Hon. William Torrey Harris, United States Commissioner of Education.] Volume containing twelve offprints and pamphlets on education,

Author: 
Hon. W. T. Harris [William Torrey Harris] (1835-1909), LL.D., United States Commissioner of Education, American educator and lexicographer
Publication details: 
All published in the United States (Washington, D.C.; Nashville, Tennessee; Asbury Park, New Jersey; Milwaukee; Chattanooga; Buffalo, New York; St Paul, Minnesota). Dating from between 1889 and 1898.
£400.00

The twelve items bound in a modern grey buckram binding. In good condition, on aged paper, in worn binding, with stamps, shelfmark s and labels of the Board of Education Reference Library, London. ONE: Presented by Wm. T. Harris. 'Report of the Committee on Pedagogics. The Educational Value of Manual Training.' A paper read before the National Council of Education, at Nashville, Tenn., July, 1889. 14pp., 8vo. TWO: W. T. Harris, Chairman; E. C. Hewett; John W. Cook; E. Oram Lyte; N. A. Calkins.

[Margaret Francis Harris, theatre designer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Margaret Harris') to 'Mr Rhodes', discussing the sale of her 'Motley designs' to the University of Illinois.

Author: 
Margaret Harris [Margaret Francis Harris] (1904-2000), English opera, costume and theatre designer [Motley Theatre Design Group]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Theatre Design Course at Riverside, Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith. 17 June 1982.
£80.00

2pp., 8vo. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. She apologises for not being able to be 'helpful on any of your questions'. She does not even possess a copy of her own 'Designing and Making Stage Costume'. 'I have no Motley designs at all, as every one which was in my possession has been sold to the University of Illinois, who have taken the whole collection of about 3000 swatches.' She is glad to hear that he has some of them, 'as it means that there are a few still in this country'.

[Rev. R. H. Barham's autograph antiquarian notes in William Courthope's book:] Synopsis of the Extinct Baronetage of England; Containing the Date of the Creation, with the Succession of Baronets, and their respective Marriages and Time of Death.

Author: 
William Courthope; Rev. R. H. Barham [Rev. Richard Harris Barham, 'Thomas Ingoldsby'] (1788-1845) [William Hardy]
Publication details: 
Book published by J., G., and F. Rivington, St. Paul's Church Yard, and Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, London. 1835.
£220.00

xii + 256 pp. Autograph inscription on title-page: 'William Hardy | Nov. 5. 1850 - | N.B. the corrections are by the hand of the Revd. R. H. Barham | The extinct Peerage at the end is not part of this Synopsis'. (Bound in at the end of the volume is a sixteen-page printed list of 'The Dormand and Extinct Peerages of England'.) Barham is listed (p.vii) among the subscribers to the work. In fair condition, on aged paper, in worn red leather library half-binding, with front hinge sprung and front free endpaper and half-title detached.

[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]'.

[Printed London bookseller's advertisement.] For the Christmas Holidays. New Publications, And other Contrivances to disseminate Useful Knowledge among the Rising Generation, [...].

Author: 
John Harris (d.1856), Successor to Elizabeth Newbery (1745/6-1821), The Original Juvenile Library, At the Corner of St. Paul's Church-Yard
Publication details: 
To be had of John Harris, Successor to E. Newbery, The Original Juvenile Library, At the Corner of St. Paul's Church-Yard. 'Bryer, Printer, Bridewell Hospital, Bridge Street.' [1802.]
£120.00

4pp., 12mo. Paginated bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged laid paper; stabbed as issued. The full heading reads: 'For the Christmas Holidays. New Publications, And other Contrivances to disseminate Useful Knowledge among the Rising Generation, To be had of John Harris, Successor to E. Newbery, The Original Juvenile Library, At the Corner of St.

Autograph Letter Signed ('C H A B') from Rev. Charles Harris Alured Barling of Brook Lodge, Norfolk, to 'My Dear Beevor', expressing dismay at the result of a visit by the auctioneers Christie's to view the pictures of Clarke Stoughton of Bawdeswell.

Author: 
Rev. Charles Harris Alured Barling (1807-1880) of Brook Lodge, Norfolk [Clarke Stoughton of Bawdeswell; Christie's auctioneers, King Street, London, founded by James Christie (1730-1803)]
Publication details: 
Letter: Brooke, Norfolk. 8 April [no year]. List of pictures with reference to a letter of 25 April 1868.
£180.00

Letter: 6pp., 12mo, on bifolium and single leaf. An vivid and entertaining letter, shedding light on Victorian valuation and auctioneering practices. Barling wastes no time in passing on the bad news. 'I am very glad you have written to me about the B[awdeswe]ll. pictures & I can tell you [last world underlined] plainly what the 2 Christie's opinion was which I cd. not do to poor old C[larke]. S[toughto]n. The inspection in issue was a grievous disappointment. So far worse than I cd. have possibly believed, and then coming the question cd. two such Men as the Christies be wrong?

Signed Letter ('C. Bradlaugh'), in a secretary's hand, by the freethinker and Liberal Member of Parliament Charles Bradlaugh, to Frank Harris, editor of the Fortnightly Review.

Author: 
Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891), Liberal Member of Parliament for Northampton, freethinker and founder of the National Secular Society [Frank Harris (1856-1931), editor of the Fortnightly Review]
Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891), Liberal Member of Parliament
Publication details: 
8 January 1891; on letterhead of 20 Circus Road, St John's Wood, London.
£85.00
Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891), Liberal Member of Parliament

12mo, 1 p. Fifteen lines. Text clear and complete. Very good on lightly-aged paper. The valediction ('Yours sincerely | C. Bradlaugh') in Bradlaugh's hand, the rest in a secretary's. Addressed to 'F. Harris Esq'. Docketed by Harris: '18 or 20th of Feb. or March. Length unlimited: but more valuable short.' Bradlaugh is working on the article, but 'must not send it' before the report is presented to parliament, which Lord Derby assures him 'will be within fourteen days of the Reopening of the House'. He asks about length and deadline.

Engraving ('J. Harris Sculpt'), reproducing a mediaeval illustration, titled 'The Expedetion [sic] of Africa, undertaken by the Duke of Bourbon, as General in Chief, with several other English & French Knights, at the entreaty of the Genoese.'

Author: 
J. Harris, engraver [The Expedition of Africa, 1390; Louis II (1337-1410), Duke de Bourbon]
Expedetion
Publication details: 
Undated. [London, circa 1810?]
£110.00
Expedetion

On paper 25 x 20 cm. Plate size 14 x 18.5 cm. Uncoloured. Title beneath print and engraver's details beneath bottom right-hand corner. Image and text clear and intact. On aged, creased and foxed paper with wear and slight loss to extremities. The illustration shows a number of galleons at sea with wind-filled sails. Each is filled with knights whose flags and shields, each bearing different designs and coats of arms, are ranged along the sides. The National Maritime Museum possesses a coloured copy of this uncommon print, which also featured in the Hennin Collection.

Prospectus for 'The Gehenna Shakespeare'.

Author: 
The Gehenna Press [Leonard Baskin]
Publication details: 
[Northampton, Massachusetts, 1972 or 1973.]
£45.00

Folio bifolium (leaf dimensions approximately 50.5 x 34 cm). Unbound. Creased, with worn central horizontal fold, and somewhat dogeared at head and foot. Four pages, printed in black, with the first and fourth pages carrying a few words in red.

Handbill headed 'An Account of a Grand Fete at St. Ives, On 23rd of April, 1702, in honor of Queen Anne's Coronation; Taken from a Manuscript Book compiled by Edmund Pettis, at the time.'

Author: 
Joseph Harris [St Ives, Cornwall; printed ephemera; handbill]
Publication details: 
Note by Harris at foot dated 'St. Ives, 29th June, 1814.'; 'CROFT PRINTER, &c. ST. IVES.'
£150.00

On one side of a piece of wove paper, dimensions roughly 365 x 255 mm. Laid down on a larger leaf. Lightly creased and a little spotted, but good overall, and with the text entirely legible. The upper part of the item consists of the quotation from Pettis's manuscript book, consisting of nineteen lines in single column and twenty-six lines in double column. It begins 'The day was usher'd in with Ringing, Music, and Versing from door to door. At Eleven o'Clock a Cavalcade was formed in the Court Yard, West of the Church, which made a gallant appearance, in manner and form following'.

Manuscript Signed Indenture Mortgage and Surrender of Leasehold premises 'Between Louis Schnabel of No.79 North End Croydon [...] Watchmaker [...] and Alfred Marden Nicoll of No. 8 Surrey View Villas Ross Road Wallington [...] Painter and Decorator'

Author: 
Alfred Marden Nicoll; Louis Schabel [Croydon, Surrey], watchmaker.
Publication details: 
Mortgage dated 3 April 1891; Surrender dated 6 May 1898.
£56.00

Seven pages. On four skins of vellum, each roughly eleven inches by nine wide. Attached with green ribbon, and with various stamps and two wax seals. Good: lightly aged and creased. The premises are at 77 and 79 North End, Croydon.

Autograph Letter Signed by 'Handley'

Author: 
149 SQUADRON, ROYAL AIR FORCE, BOMBING OF THE RUHR VALLEY, SECOND WORLD WAR
Publication details: 
No date [c.1940-1]; Sgts. Mess, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
£50.00

2 pages, 8vo, both with Royal Air Force letterhead bearing the motto 'PER ARDUA AD ASTRA'. Not in good condition - creased, frayed, torn and discoloured - but a marvellous and immediate piece of history, regarding what one authority describes as the 'strategic bombing [...] principally against the Ruhr, on which No.149 concentrated during the winter of 1940-1'. The letter begins 'Dear Mum, | Just a line to thank you for the photographs, I think that one of you is very good.

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