HELENA

[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mrs. Thomas’, discussing the Duke of Wellington’s mode of pronunciation, elementary education, King Lear and Shakespeare scholar H. H. Furness.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author, husband of actress Helena Faucit [Duke of Wellington; Horace Howard Furness; William Shakespeare]
Publication details: 
18 November 1893. The Hotel, Sidmouth.
£180.00

A good letter, not the least of whose interest lies in the fact that it provides first-hand information about the Duke of Wellington. See Martin’s entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Begins: ‘Dear Mrs. Thomas, / Your variant of the King Lear story will, I am sure, delight Mr. Furness. Unfortunately King Lear has already been dealt with by him. It forms one volume of his magnificent Edition. But he loves every thing that concerns old England.

[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Two Autograph Letters Signed: one declining to contribute to E. B. Nicholson’s ‘proposed magazine’; the other to ‘Mr Lowe’, regarding a ‘vulgar’ response to Princess Mary’s bereavement.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author, husband of actress Helena Faucit [E. B. Nicholson; Lowe; Princess Mary of Teck, later Queen Mary]
Publication details: 
ONE: To E. B. Nicholson. 3 November 1881. On letterhead of Brintysilio, near Llangollen. TWO: To ‘Mr. Lowe’. 24 January 1892. On letterhead of 31 Onslow Square, S.W. [London]
£75.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Both items are in good condition, and each folded once. The second carries the merest trace of grey paper from a mount at one corner. ONE: To E. B. Nicholson, 3 November 1881. 2pp, 12mo. On first leaf of bifolium. Nicholson’s letter has been forwarded to him ‘here in my country house, where I am for a few days’. It is out of his power ‘to promise any assistance to your proposed Magazine.

[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Three Autograph Letters Signed: to A. M. M. Stedman of Methuen, ruling out writing his reminiscences; to Rev. Canon Moor of St Clements, on a misquotation; to E. J. Broadfield, on his wife’s letters.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author, husband of actress Helena Faucit [Sir A. M. M. Stedman of publishers Methuen; Rev. Canon Moor of St Clements, Cornwall; E. J. Broadfield]
Publication details: 
ONE: To Broadfield. 26 May 1885. 1 Cavendish Place, Brighton. TWO: To Moor. 22 April 1889. On letterhead of 31 Onslow Square, S.W. [London] THREE: To Stedman. 15 June 1897. On Onslow Square letterhead.
£90.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Both items are in good condition, and each folded once. The second carries the merest trace of grey paper from a mount at one corner. ONE: To E. B. Nicholson, 3 November 1881. 2pp, 12mo. On first leaf of bifolium. Nicholson’s letter has been forwarded to him ‘here in my country house, where I am for a few days’. It is out of his power ‘to promise any assistance to your proposed Magazine.

[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Autograph Letter Signed to Sylvain Van de Weyer, Belgian Ambassador, regarding a 'charming appeal' of ' M. Derôme to the Times', and his latest paper in the Quarterly Review.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author, husband of actress Helena Faucit [Sylvain Van de Weyer (1802-1874), Prime Minister of Belgium, Belgian Minister at the Court of St. James’s
Publication details: 
'31 Onslow Square [London] / 31st Decemr 1871'. With letterhead of his family crest.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Fifty-eight lines of text. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage. Begins: Dear M. Van de Weyer / Altho' I had been prudent enough to preserve the appeal of M. Derôme to the Times in its original form, not the less welcome was the glorified text which I found on my table yesterday on our return from a short visit to Brighton. That charming appeal acted as a mental Conserve alimentaire to me, when it first appeared, and it shall be placed with certain other valued opuscules, where I can offen turn it to the like account.

[Sir Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Autograph Letter Signed to Shirley Brooks, future editor of Punch, discussing his autograph and that of his wife the actress Helena Faucit, and portait photographs by Disderi and others.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author, husband of actress Helena Faucit [Shirley Brooks [Charles William Shirley Brooks], editor of Punch; Disdéri, Paris photographer]
Publication details: 
'31 Onslow Square [London] / 21 February 1864', embossed with his family crest.
£45.00

See the two men's entries, with that of Helena Faucit, in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. Addressed to 'Shirley Brooks Esq' and signed 'Theodore Martin'. Brooks has evidently asked for autographs and photographs of Martin and his wife, the celebrated actres Helena Faucit (1817-1898). The letter begins: 'My dear Brooks / Here are the autographs you wish. There is not in all The Lady of Lyons one line to which any reasonable being could wish to attach his name. It is only the situations which are good for anything.

[‘Britain's first recorded broadcast comedian’.] Autograph Letter Signed and Typed Letter Signed from Helena Millais to W. Macqueen-Pope, with printed press release for her show ‘Songs and Laughter’.

Author: 
Helena Millais [stage name of Helena Catherine Marriott] (1886-1970), Britain's first recorded broadcast comedian, actress and writer.
Publication details: 
TLS: 8 August 1957. ALS: 14 August 1959. Both from 5 Riverview Gardens, Barnes, SW13 [London].
£150.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) On 20 October 1922 Millais broadcast on 2LO radio, becoming the first comedian on what was later to become the BBC. In a performance on 21 November 1922 she became the third entertainer to appear on the week-old BBC. All three items in good condition, lightly aged, though the autograph letter has pin holes to a corner, and the typed letter rust from a paperclip. Both letters signed ‘Helena Millais’. ONE: TLS. 3pp, 12mo. Having met him ‘at various C.A.A. evenings, she asks him for advice about several books.

[Queen Victoria’s third daughter Princess Helena, later Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Helena’), explaining the delay in thanking ‘Col: Colville’ for sending an ‘excellent’ sketch.

Author: 
Princess Helena [Helena Augusta Victoria] (1846-1923) of the United Kingdom, later Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, daughter of Queen Victoria [Colonel Sir William James Colville (1827-1903)]
Publication details: 
24 January 1898; on letterhead of Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park.
£45.00

The princess was the third daughter and fifth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. See her entry in the Oxford DNB. Colville, who was ‘Master of the Ceremonies’ to Queen Victoria, was a talented amateur watercolourist. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. She apologises for the delay in thanking him for ‘the Sketch you so kindly have sent me. Believe me I am not ungrateful. I have had the house full for the last 10 days have not had a moment to myself.’ She considers the sketch ‘excellent’.

[James Robertson Anderson, Scottish actor and dramatist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J R Anderson') to Charles Perkins, Bath stage manager, sending news of the actress Helena Faucit, and giving 'a list of plays to select from' (half by Shakespeare).

Author: 
James Robertson Anderson (1811-1895), Scottish actor and dramatist [Charles Perkins [Christopher John Perkins], 'comedian', of the English Opera House, stage manager in Bath; Helena Faucit, actress]
Publication details: 
6 August 1843. Elm Cottage, Wellington Road, Bristol Road, Birmingham.
£80.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 12mo bifolium, with the two-page letter on both sides the first leaf, and the list of plays on recto of second leaf. In fair condition, aged and worn, with closed tear. Folded three times. Addressed: 'To/ | Chas. Perkins Esqr. | 2 North Place | Hampstead.' The letter begins: 'My dear Perkins, | I have not been able to reply to your last earlier - having been confined to my bed-room ever since the 31st. of July by a most severe attack of inflammation.' He has been obliged to postpone his 'Cork engagement on account of this unseen misfortune'.

[Princess Victoria of Schleswig Holstein, granddaughter of Queen Victoria.] Autograph Signature ('Victoria of Schleswig Holstein').

Author: 
Victoria of Schleswig Holstein [Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein; Victoria Louise Sophia Augusta Amelia Helena] (1870-1948), granddaughter of Queen Victoria
Publication details: 
Dated by her to 2 August 1902.
£25.00

Written within one of three red rectangular squares on a page on one side of a leaf detached from 'The Meredith Birthday Book'. In good condition, lightly aged. The Princess's inscription reads 'Victoria of Schleswig Holstein Aug. 2. 1902', and the rest of the page is blank. The word 'Victoria' is underlined, and the upper part of the flourish to the 'V' extends over the top of the rectangle, and the date projects into the margin. On the reverse to the leaf are printed quotations from Meredith for the days 4 to 6 May.

[Rosa Hollay, Helena Rubinstein's London manager, successor of Suzanne Verdi, 'Beauty Specialist', Old Bond Street, London.] Typed Letter Signed ('Rosa Hollay | Suzanne Verdi') to journaist 'Miss Coury', with Autograph Postscript,

Author: 
Rosa Hollay [née Bird] (c.1886-1979), London manager of Helena Rubinstein from 1914 [ Suzanne Verdi, 'Beauty Specialist', Old Bond Street, London]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 44 Old Bond Street, W.1. [London] 30 September 1931.
£50.00

The Sunday Times, 20 March 2002, carries an article by Ann Treneman, 'The real face of Rubinstein', discussing the discovery among Hollay's papers of her correspondence with Helena Rubinstein. The correspondence was made use of by Lindy Woodhead in her 2017 book 'War Paint: Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein: Their Lives, their Times, Their Rivalry'. Hollay was Rubinstein's London manager from 1914.

[ Princess Helena, daughter of Queen Victoria. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Helena') to 'Mrs. Lowther'

Author: 
Princess Helena [ Helena Augusta Victoria; Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein by marriage ] (1846-1923), daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Clouds, Salisbury. 8 April 1891.
£65.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. She agrees to give her 'name as Patroness' to Mrs Lowther's 'theatricals', but 'cannot promise to be present at them as I have so very many engagements in May'. She concludes by noting the weather: 'glorious sunshine & cloudless blue sky'.

[ Helen Faucit, English actress. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Helen Faucit Martin') to John Coleman, explaining why an engagement in Sheffield would be inconvenient to her.

Author: 
Helen Faucit [ Helena Saville Faucit, latterly Lady Martin ] (1817-1898), English actress
Publication details: 
42 Albany Street, Edinburgh. 20 February [no year].
£40.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Her engagements will keep her in Scotland for three weeks, after which she intends to 'return direct to London'. Sheffield is too far out of her way, and would 'prove tiresome & expensive'. Should she visit Manchester 'at Easter or Whitsuntide' she would have no objection to performing in Sheffield for a couple of nights.

[ Helen Faucit, English actress. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Helen Faucit') requesting a private box for a performance of James White's 'John Savile of Haysted'.

Author: 
Helen Faucit [ Helena Saville Faucit, latterly Lady Martin ] (1817-1898), English actress
Publication details: 
55 Brompton Square [ London ]. 15 November [ 1847 ].
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. She asks for a 'Private Box at your Theatre on Wednesday evening if your new play of "John Saville" [sic] is acted.' Rev. James White's 'John Savile of Haysted' was performed in London in November 1847.

[ Helen Faucit, actress. ] Autograph Signature ('Helena Martin') on part of letter.

Author: 
Helen Faucit [ Helena Saville Faucit, latterly Lady Martin ] (1817-1898), English actress
Publication details: 
31 Onslow Square [ London ]. No date.
£20.00

On 6 x 11 cm piece of paper., torn from the foot of a leaf. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Mr Martin sends kind wishes with Yours | Very affectionately | Helena Martin. | 31 Onslow Square.' The reverse reads: '[...] attend to <?> William's little ones are all laid up with scarlet fever, so there is no [...]'.

[Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, granddaughter of Queen Victoria.] Autograph signature.

Author: 
Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein [Franziska Josepha Louise Augusta Marie Christina Helena] (1872-1956), member of the British Royal Family, granddaughter of Queen Victoria
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Ambassadors' Court, St. James's Palace, S.W. No date.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Folded twice, with vertical closed tear along crease at head, unobtrusively repaired on reverse with archival tape. Clearly in response to a request for an autograph. Reads, in a bold hand, 'From | Princess Marie | Louise'.

[Gaspar, Baron Gourgaud.] Typescript of 'Napoleon The Prisoner of St. Helena. By General Baron Gourgaud' (published with deletions as 'The St. Helena Journal of General Baron Gourgaud'). With autograph notes by Edwards and ALS from a later Baron.

Author: 
Gaspard, Baron Gourgaud [Gaspar Gourgaud] (1783-1852), French soldier who accompanied Napoleon Bonaparte to St Helena; Sydney Gillard; Norman Edwards; Napoléon Gourgaud (1881-1944), connoisseur
Publication details: 
The typescript is undated, but precedes the publication of the book by John Lane The Bodley Head Ltd in 1932.
£1,500.00

732pp, 4to, with the translation proper (paginated to 654), preceded Edwards's introduction (35pp, including five pages of 'references') and a section on 'The Gorgaud Problem' (42pp), the later featuring as an appendix (pp.337-356) in the printed version. Each page is typed on a separate leaf, and the whole is bound in a substantial red half-calf binding, with strengthened inner hinges. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with some wear to the binding.

[Dr James Roche Verling, Napoleon's personal physician on St Helena.] Typescript: 'The St. Helena Journal of Dr. James Verling. A typewritten copy of the original manuscript presented to Napoleon III and now in Les Archives Nationales at Paris.'

Author: 
James Roche Verling (1787-1858), Irish physician in the British Army, personal surgeon to Napoleon Bonaparte on St Helena, 1818-1820 [Norman F. Edwards]
Publication details: 
Note: 'This copy, one of six, belongs to - | Norman F. Edwards. | March, 1934.'
£850.00

[4] + 172pp., 8vo. Attractively typed up with the greatest skill and care in black, with underlining in red, on 176 leaves, interleaved and bound in an attractive red morocco leather half-binding, with cloth boards and marbled endpapers, spine in six compartments tooled in gilt with title 'THE VERLING JOURNAL', and red ribbon bookmark. In very good condition, lightly-aged in binding with the slightest wear and fading to the cloth. The text is preceded by a typed title page, a one-page 'Note' and a two-page introduction by 'Mr.

[Sir William Grey-Wilson, colonial governor.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Grey Wilson'), writing to an unnamed female correspondent on his return to England from the Bahamas.

Author: 
Sir William Grey-Wilson (1852-1926), KCMG, Governor of St Helena, 1887-1897; of the Falkland Islands, 1897-1904; and of the Bahamas, 1904-1912
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Midland Grand Hotel, London. 12 June 1912.
£35.00

1p., 8vo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The letter begins: 'Dear Madam | As I only landed in England yesterday your two letters of May 31st: and June 9th. have only just reached me.' He thanks her for forwarding photographs, which he is returning, and informs her 'that the Isle of Wight is at present not considered a suitable climate for my wife'.

Autograph manuscript of the poem 'To Helena on her Birth day' by the English author Thomas Haynes Bayly, addressed to his wife, and apparently unpublished.

Author: 
Thomas Haynes Bayly (1797-1839), English poet, after Thomas Moore the most popular songwriter of his period in England
Publication details: 
Without place. [1830]
£120.00

1p., 4to. On laid paper watermarked 'G & R TURNER | 1829'. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Docketed on the reverse 'Bayley [sic] | 1830' and 'By Thomas Haynes Bayly, Poet | Author of "I'd be a butterfly etc etc'. The poem is sixteen lines long, and begins: 'My own Love! my true Love! here's health & joy to you Love, | A happy year without a tear & sweet smiles not a few Love! | Of all my anniversaries, I prize your Birth day best.

Autograph Letter Signed from the Scottish poet Sir Theodore Martin to John T. Baron of Blackburn, agreeing to a request for his own and his wife's autograph, and explaining the circumstance of one of his Bon Gualtier Ballads.

Author: 
Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet, biographer and translator, author of the 'Bon Gualtier Ballads', husband of the actress Helena Faucit [John T. Baron of Blackburn, autograph hunter]
Publication details: 
31 Onslow Square [London], on his crested letterhead. 15 December 1882.
£65.00

2pp., 12mo. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. In worn envelope, with stamp and postmark, addressed by Martin to 'John T. Baron Esq | 48 Griffin Street | Witton | Blackburn'. He begins by explaining that he has 'had every minute so fully occupied of late', that he has not been able to comply with Baron's request. 'Lady Martin has done what she is now most reluctant to do - written the name she once bore with a few lines from Cymbeline. I have copied the verse you wish from the little Bon Gaultier Poem'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Helen F. Martin') from the English actress Helen Faucit Martin, Lady Martin, to Mrs Paget, arranging a visit.

Author: 
Helen Faucit Martin [born Helena Faucit Saville] (1817-1898), Lady Martin, English actress, wife of Sir Theodore Martin (1816-1909)
Publication details: 
31 Onslow Square. 27 May [no year].
£35.00

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. On monogrammed letterhead. In fair condition, with traces of glue from mount still adhering. She proposes a date for a meeting, adding: 'Will Miss Paget come in the evening & bring a young friend with her if she pleases?'

Manuscript account of 'Revenue as calculated to end of Charter', including reference to St Helena.

Author: 
East India Company [St Helena; Charter of 1833]
Publication details: 
Dated at foot '1845'.
£150.00

On one side of a piece of laid watermarked paper, 14 x 8 cm. On aged and creased paper. The accounts are brief, and neatly written in an unidentified hand. At foot '1845'. Headed 'Revenue as calculated to end of Charter', and featuring a total of £17,936,217 against itemised charges of £18,763517, including those incurred 'in India', 'Esp: St Helena', 'Political Chges in England' and 'Cost of '. Beneath this a section headed 'Of ye above charges may be pble in Engd'.

Signed bookplate (one of edition of fifty), 'EX LIBRIS | Attilae Secundi'.

Author: 
George Algernon Fothergill [BOOKPLATES]
Publication details: 
1914
£56.00

Paper dimensions roughly five inches by seven. Dimensions of illustration four and a half inches by five. Very good. Dated '1914' within body of illustration above the word 'Frightfulness' in gothic. With 'GAF' beneath body of illustration, above 'EX LIBRIS | Attilae Secundi | The Nook | St Helena'. Signed in pencil, next to 'GAF', '(one of fifty) G A Fothergill'. The "Second Attila" is obvioulsly Wilhelm II.

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