HISTORY

[ Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Westminster') to the Earl of Gainsborough, regarding the 'competency for the situation of House Steward' of Charles Seammen.

Author: 
Richard Grosvenor (1795-1869), 2nd Marquess of Westminster [ Charles George Noel (1818-1881), 2nd Earl of Gainsborough ]
Publication details: 
Grosvenor House, W. [ London ] 15 July 1867.
£38.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, but with damage at head of outer sides caused by removal from grey paper mount. While Seammen worked for him he found him to be 'good tempered, obliging & trustworthy - He left me last year owing to an illness which, at the time, precluded his having the same efficient control over the Household that he had hitherto exercised'. He explains the reason for making 'a change', and is sending 'an excellent Character with him, of 14 years, from Lord Ravensworth'.

[ Hon. Henry Erskine, Lord Advocate for Scotland. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Erskine') to Mrs Cockburn Ross, dissuading her from hiring Archibald Black.

Author: 
Henry Erskine (1746-1814), Lord Advocate for Scotland [ Mrs Cockburn Ross of Rowchester, Berwickshire; Archibald Black ]
Publication details: 
Princes Street [ Edinburgh ]. 30 January 1804.
£120.00

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn. Addressed, with red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Mrs. Cockburn Ross | Pooles Hotel'. He begins by explaining why he has not replied to her letter sooner, his clerk having placed it 'with some Letters of Business'. Archibald Black, who was formerly in his service, is 'a good natured honest Creature', but he cannot advise her to hire him. On the poor mans account I would not wish to be more particular than just saying that it is not owing to any objection to his moral Character that leads me to dissuade you from engaging him'.

Sixty-five black-and-white pencil portraits by Antony Brett-James, 5th Indian Division Royal Signals, of Indian soldiers who served under him and his fellow English officers, including the fifteen reproduced in his book 'Report My Signals' (1948).

Author: 
Antony Brett-James (1920-1984), 5th Indian Division Royal Signals, military historian and Sandhurst lecturer
Publication details: 
Executed while on duty with the British Army in Africa and Asia between 1942 and 1945.
£600.00

A feature of Brett-James's well-received war memoir 'Report My Signals' (1948) was the fifteen reproductions of his pencil drawings of Indian men who served under him, the originals of which are present here, together with a further fifty. These indicate Brett-James's skill at conveying character in well-executed pencil sketches. The sixty-five black-and-white pencil drawings in this collection are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper with occasional creasing. They consist of: ONE. The original fifteen portrait heads of men of the Fifth Indian Division reproduced as illustrations in RMS.

Sixty-five black-and-white pencil portraits by Antony Brett-James, 5th Indian Division Royal Signals, of Indian soldiers who served under him and his fellow English officers, including the fifteen reproduced in his book 'Report My Signals' (1948).

Author: 
Antony Brett-James (1920-1984), 5th Indian Division Royal Signals, military historian and Sandhurst lecturer
Publication details: 
Executed while on duty with the British Army in Africa and Asia between 1942 and 1945.
£600.00

A feature of Brett-James's well-received war memoir 'Report My Signals' (1948) was the fifteen reproductions of his pencil drawings of Indian men who served under him, the originals of which are present here, together with a further fifty. These indicate Brett-James's skill at conveying character in well-executed pencil sketches. The sixty-five black-and-white pencil drawings in this collection are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper with occasional creasing. They consist of: ONE. The original fifteen portrait heads of men of the Fifth Indian Division reproduced as illustrations in RMS.

[ John Caley, English antiquary. ] Autograph Letter Signed to Dr Adam Clarke, admonishing him regarding engravings for a new edition of Rymer's 'Foedera'.

Author: 
John Caley (1760-1834), English antiquary, Secretary to the First Record Commission [ Dr Adam Clarke (1760-1832) of Milbrook, Lancashire, Methodist minister and antiquary ]
Publication details: 
Grays Inn [ London ], 19 March 1811.
£40.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, with negligible traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse of the leaf. Addressed to 'Dr Clarke | Harper St.' After explaining that the Commissioners of the Public Records want lists of the new plates for the first volume of 'Foeder', and another list of 'the old ones necessary to be re engraved', reminds him that he promised the latter list 'in September last'.

[ B. F. Stevens of Vermont, London bookseller. ] Stevens' Historical Collections. Catalogue of the First Portion of the Extensive & Varied Collections of Rare Books and Manuscripts relating chiefly to the History and Literature of America [...]'.

Author: 
Henry Stevens (1819-1886) of Vermont, American bibliographer based in London, brother of the London bookseller Benjamin Franklin Stevens (1833-1902) [ Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, London auctioneers ]
Publication details: 
Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 13 Wellington Street, Strand, W.C., London. On 11 July 1881 and four following days. [ J. Davy & Sons (The Dryden Press), 137 Long Acre, London. ]
£220.00

vi + 229 + [1]pp., 8vo. Frontispiece facsimile letter from Benjamin Franklin. In original printed wraps. In blue cloth binding with title in gilt on front cover and spine. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in worn binding. Full title: 'Stevens' Historical Collections.

[Publisher's Catalogue] General Catalogue 1935

Author: 
Cobden-Sanderson [Richard Cobden-Sanderson, publisher]
Publication details: 
1935
£35.00

25pp., 8vo, printed paper wraps (monogram "CS" round urn), edges sunned, staples rusted, other minor damage, contents good.

[Publisher's List] Hodder & Stoughton's Booksellers' Red Cross Week

Author: 
[Hodder & Stoughton, publishers]
Publication details: 
May 3rd to May 12th, 1915
£120.00

Four pages, folio, bifolium, unbound as issued, folded. An extensive list containg the usual suspects, Bennett, Doyle, Quiller-Couch , Macaulay, Winston Churchill, etc etc- classics also. The publishers say that "3d in every shilling you spend given ...

[Booksellers Stock 1880-1] A General Catalogue of the Stock of C.J. Stewart. 1880[1881]

Author: 
C.J. Stewart [Charles James Stewart], Bookseller (theological)
Publication details: 
C.J. Stewart, 11 King William Street, West Strand, London, WC, 1880-1.
£280.00

584pp., 8vo, utilitarian cloth binding, sl. hinge strain, for the sections as they were published (A-Calvin, Calvin-Fulke,Fulke-Zaccaria), with original wraps of the three original parts bound in, in good+ condition. Small stamp on spine "Trin.Coll. Camb.."His stock has a theological bent, for example the section on BIBLES runs from pp.106 -165, nos.1312-1912, Biblio polyglotta (1586) to Biblia Maxima Versionum ex Linguis Orientalibus (1660).

[Donnadieu, Autograph Collector; Auction Catalogue] Catalogue of Highly Interesting and Valuable Autograph Letters and Historical Manuscripts, Being the Well Known Collection of Mons. A Donnadieu

Author: 
[A. Donnadieu, Collector, Autograph Letters]
Publication details: 
[London]: Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, 1851
£160.00

[6], 166 pp. , 8vo, many blank pages interspersed for notes (unused), catalogue crudely bound into beige boards, title handwritten on spine, damaged at spine and grubby, contents preserving the front paper wrap only, pages sl. soiled, annotated throughout with prices (many items, not all by any means) and (reflecting a MS. note in the front, "Those mrked BM were bought by the British Museum"), the initials "BM" appear beside many items. Note: No plates. With note about collation inside back cover, " Complete [pp?] Bernard Quaritch [P[...?]]

[London School of Printing and the Royal Society of Arts] Fourteen (14) Typed Letters and Notes Signed "J R Riddell,"to G.K. Menzies, Secretary, RSA, about meetings and exhibitions.

Author: 
J.R. Riddell John Robertson Riddell], Principal, London School of Printing and Kindred Trades (formerly St Bride Printing School).
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] London County Council | London School of Printing [...] 14 May 1925 to 16 Feb. 1928
£145.00

Fourteen letters, all one page, most 4to, all in good condition. All stamped RSASubjects: A meeting that clashes with the Joint Industrial Council Convention of the printing trades; judges should be selected from "those whose business is to produce books" not "amateur highbrows"; he accepts role of adjudicator in the competition for Book Production; he promises a relevant proof; asks for proof-reading; announces the 300 copies of the particulars of competitions 'Book Production'"; re. proof of a card; re, reet proof of invitation card; re.

[International Stores; manuscript] Minute Book No. 1.

Author: 
International Tea Company's Stores Ltd [ International Stores ]
Publication details: 
May 1895 to Oct. 1899
£450.00

Pp.1-366 (paginated),[4], leather binding, bumped and worn, contents sound and in good condition. Registered number of theCompany given on endpaper. Minutes recorded from the beginning of the Company, first meeting of the Directors, Including Kearley and Tonge - a purchase agreement) 17 May 1895 (Contract for purchase, £10,000, etc.). Subjects include: appointment of secretary, Bankers, auditors, allotment of shares, Bank balances, properties (development and expansion), shares, transfers, shop facias ("International Stores"), purchase of peoperties, repairs and renovations.

[ Sir Humphrey Sumner Milford, publisher to the University of Oxford. ] Duplicated typed circular, with facsimile signature of 'Humphrey S. Milford', describing the economic situation which has resulted in an increase in prices.

Author: 
Humphrey Milford [ Sir Humphrey Sumner Milford ] (1877-1952), publisher to the University of Oxford [ Oxford University Press ]
Publication details: 
On his Oxford University Press letterhead ('Manager: HUMPHREY MILFORD | Head Office: Amen Corner, London, E.C. 4'. 16 August 1919.
£100.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and spotted paper. A convincing copy of a genuine typed letter, with Milford's signature and the letterhead in black ink, and the typewritten text in purple. 25 lines of text in three paragraphs. An interesting glimpse into the state of the British publishing industry in the period immediately following the First World War.

[Ornate engraved advertisement for 'James Salmon Cambridge Carrier, Sets out from the Green Dragon Inn Bishopsgate Street London [...]'.

Author: 
James Salmon, Cambridge Carrier [Eighteenth-century transport; Norfolk; East Anglia]
Publication details: 
Without publication details or date. [1780s?]
£90.00

12.5 x 16 cm. Irregularly-cut and laid down on paper backing. Lightly-aged and worn. Slight loss to extremities. Crisply printed, with characteristic eighteenth-century engraved border of floral and architectural details. Text reads: 'James Salmon | Cambridge Carrier, | Sets out from the Green Dragon Inn Bishopsgate street | London | evry [sic] Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, in ye. Forenoon, & carry Goods as usual For | [list of places in four columns] Cambridge Ely Lynn Wisbeach Holbeach March Downham Dereham Watton Fakenham Swaffham Walsingham | And all other adjacent Places.

[ Offprint, inscribed by one of the authors. ] The perspective of Piero della Francesca's "Flagellation" | By R. Wittkower and B. A. R. Carter.

Author: 
R. Wittkower and B. A. R. Carter [ Rudolf Wittkower (1901-1971), German-American art historian; Bernard Arthur Ruston Carter (1909-2006), painter of the 'Euston Road School' and art historian ]
Publication details: 
'Reprinted from the Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes. Vol. XVI, Nos. 3-4, 1953.'
£120.00

11pp., 4to. With three plates and five figures in text. Paginated 292-302. Stapled in card wraps. Inscribed on front cover: 'with best wishes | B.A.R.C.' The only copies on COPAC at the Warburg Institute and V & A.

[Archive; unpublished history] Papers and correspondence relating to an intended history of the early years of the Daily Express

Author: 
John Gordon, editor of the Sunday Express [Lord Beaverbrook]:
Publication details: 
No particular place or date.
£2,000.00

For more about John Rutherford Gordon (1890-1974), editor of the Sunday Express between 1928 and 1952, see his entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.Although the volume for which the present material was amassed did not materialise, there is no doubting the seriousness of the project. Working with Beaverbrook's approval and encouragement (the nine memoranda by him present in the collection indicate his interest), Gordon employed Sunday Express news editor Jack Garbutt (John Lambert Garbutt, 1907-1973), John ('Jock') Selby Bradford and 'T. N. Shane' (i.e. H. A. H.

['Restricted' printed pamphlet.] Air Power. Three Papers by Marshal of the Royal Air Force The Viscount Trenchard, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., D.C.L., LL.D.

Author: 
The Viscount Trenchard [Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard (1873-1956)], G.C.B., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., D.C.L., LL.D., Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Publication details: 
Published by the Directorate of Staff Duties, Air Ministry, London. December, 1946.
£150.00

43pp., 12mo. In grey printed wraps. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. The three papers are titled: 'The Effect of the Rise of Air Power On War (October 1943)', 'The Principles of Air Power in War (May 1945)' and 'Air Power and National Security (August 1946)'. Scarce. No copy at the British Library, and the only copy on COPAC at Cambridge University, with a further two copies on OCLC WorldCat.

[Richard Rathbun, Assistant Secretary, the Smithsonian Institution.] Typed Letter Signed ('R. Rathbun') to Charles Anthony, Junior, in Argentina, regarding 'the sending of packages [...] through the International Exchange Service'.

Author: 
Richard Rathbun (1852-1918), 'Assistant Secretary, in charge of the National Museum' [The National Museum of Natural History (The Smithsonian Institution), Washington, U.S.A.]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, U.S.A. 28 September 1909.
£80.00

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on aged paper, with minor staining from paper clip at head of first leaf. Anthony's letter to Dr L. O. Howard, Secretary of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 'has been referred to the Smithsonian Institution for reply concerning the sending of packages to you through the International Exchange Service'. He sets out the state of affairs regarding the sending of 'three packages, contents unknown' to Anthony at the Town Hall, East London, Cape Colony. The final paragraph concerns publications sent to Anthony in Argentina.

Printed handbill timetable headed on one side '1837. Irish Mails. DOWN' and on the other side 'Western and Foreign Mails. - 1837. - Up and Down.' With contemporary manuscript note.

Author: 
[British West Country locomotives; early nineteenth-century Irish railways; 1837.]
Publication details: 
[London or Dublin? 1837.]
£45.00

2pp., 8vo. On aged and worn paper. The side headed '1837. Irish Mails. DOWN' with timetable arranged in two columns, under headings: 'To Kingston via Holyhead', 'To Waterford (P) via Gloucester and Milford', and 'To Waterford (P) via Bristol and Pembroke'. Footnote reads: 'It may be curious to note that the present train mail service is under the liability of a penalty of £1 14s. for each minute it is after time through any avoidable cause.' The table on the other side arranged lengthwise on the page, with one section relating to the service from St.

[Printed booklet.] The Business Woman's Investment Prospectus. Endowment Assurances, with and without Participation in Profits. [The Business Woman's Investment Policy.]

Author: 
The Liverpool Victoria Insurance Corporation, Limited, London [women's economic history in Britain]
Publication details: 
The Liverpool Victoria Insurance Corporation, Limited. Head Office: 45-49 Holborn Viaduct, London, E.C. 'November 1st, 1910.'
£100.00

20pp., 12mo. Stapled, in grey wraps, printed in purple and green. An interesting artifact indicative of women's growing economic power in Britain at the beginning of the nineteenth century. An elegant little production, including six full-page tables, 'Press Notices' (two pages, on inside covers) and a section of 'Other Features attaching to "The Business Woman's" Investment Policy', including 'Advances on House Property' and 'Temperance Section'. Scarce: no copies traced, either on OCLC WorldCat or on COPAC.

[Pamphlet] The Shells of Ackworth and Went Vale

Author: 
Hugh Richardson
Publication details: 
York: William Sessions, Printer, 15 & 16 Low Ousegate, 1887.
£120.00

"Reprinted from the 'Natural History Journal', February, March [...] 1887", 30 leaves paginated on recto, folding map of Ackworth (frontis.), light grey-green printed wraps, foxed, sunned and sl. grubby, wear and tear, contents good. ENCLOSED: Autograph Letter Signed from Hugh Richardson, The Gables, Elswick Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne, to "Mr J.H. Nodal" Stockport [co-writer of 'A glossary of the Lancashire dialect', etc., 11 Sept.1888.

[Free Public Libraries] Notes on Free Public Libraries and Museums Edited by James Hibbert.

Author: 
James Hibbert, editor
Publication details: 
Preston: The Guardian General Printing Works, Fishergate, 1881.
£180.00

"Privately Printed for Distribution". Pamphlet, xiii.110pp., 8vo, with detached folding plan (described below), disbound, library marks and some foxing on title page, good condition. Label on verso of title "Presented by James Hibbert Alderman of the Borough of Preston"; Preface (the origins and purpose of the pamphlet); Contents; Report to the Free Library Committee of a scheme for the foundation of a free public library [...]"; Corrections.

[Thurston, novelist] Autograph Note Signed "E. Temple Thurston" to "MIss [Carry?] W. Hay".

Author: 
E. Temple Thurston, novelist
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] 1 Adelphi Terrace House, Flat B., W.C., 10 Nov. 1908.
£56.00

One page, 12mo, minor marking, good condition. "I hope that this will be as useful for your purpose as 'Sally Bishop' [his novel- see note below]. The motive of Sally has been so misunderstood that I should be glad if I could stop the sale of it altogether - for which reason I preferred to give you 'Mirage'. Note: it appears that the Englsih edition of 'Sally Bishop' was published in 1910, the American in 1908 (the year of this letter). 'Mirage' was published in 1908.

[Charles St John, sportsman and naturalist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Charles St. John') to 'Miss Orret', regarding the rescheduling of an engagement.

Author: 
Charles St John [Charles George William St John] (1809-1856), sportsman and naturalist
Publication details: 
19 Rutland Street [Edinburgh, Scotland]. 'Tuesday' [no date].
£56.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with closed tear along gutter and traces of mount on black reverse of second leaf. He fears she will think him 'but faithless' when he asks that she does not wait for him that day, 'as if Lord B. comes in to Edinbh. as I expect him to I cannot depend on getting away from home as early as 2'. He suggests that they go to Arthur's Seat the following day, and in a postscript explains that his sons have delivered the present letter 'en passant to school', and that they will wait 'for a verbal answer' on their way home.

[Edmond de Sélys Longchamps, Belgian scientist and politician.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edm. de Selys Longchamps'), in French, to 'Monsieur Stevens', regarding a collection of specimens he has offered him.

Author: 
Baron Michel Edmond de Sélys Longchamps (1813-1900), Belgian liberal politician and scientist, a great authority on dragonflies
Publication details: 
Liege. 26 March 1866.
£140.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. He writes that he has received the collection of specimens safely, and that there are several that are new to him. He would like to make a selection, but pressure of work makes that impossible, so he is taking the lot at £8 18s 0d. He concludes by expressing pleasure at the news that 'Monsieur Dale' still enjoys good health.

[Georgian London.] Two lithographic engravings: companion pieces both headed 'Casualties of London Street Walking', and titled 'A Faint Impression' and 'A Strong Impression', showing the fine clothes of fashionable figures sullied by street hawkers.

Author: 
S. & J. Fuller, printsellers, 34 Rathbone Place, London [English social history; Georgian fashion; Regency London]
Publication details: 
Both engravings published on 2 October 1826 by S. & J. Fuller, 34 Rathbone Place, London.
£240.00

The two engravings in good condition, with light signs of age, and with 'A Faint Impression' with some offsetting in light pink (not entirely displeasing). Both headed above the image 'Casualties of London Street Walking', with the title and publication details below the image. ONE: 'A Faint Impression.' Dimensions: image, 23.5 x 18.5 cm; plate, 27 x 20 cm; paper, 29 x 22 cm.

[Bonamy Price, political economist.] Autograph Note Signed ('B Price').

Author: 
Bonamy Price (1807-1888), Drummond Professor of Political Economy at Oxford
Publication details: 
Norham Gardens, Oxford. 28 February [no year].
£75.00

On slip of paper, 7 x 13 cm. Reads: 'Norham Gardens. Oxford | Feb 28. - | I send a second article on Free Trade. | B Price'. In purple pencil on reverse: 'Bonamy Price | Professor Poll. Economy | Oxon.'

[Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, first Baron Redesdale.] Autograph humourous 'verses on the Battle of the Sunflower on "The Batsford Nondescript"', in the form of a dialogue between botanists A. H. Wolley-Dod and Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer.

Author: 
Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, first Baron Redesdale (1837-1916), diplomatist and author, grandfather of the celebrated Mitford sisters [Anthony Hurt Wolley-Dod; Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Batsford Park, Moreton-in-Marsh. Dated in another hand 28 September 1896.
£180.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip from stub adhering to edge of second leaf. The page is headed 'Private & Confidential', and the poem is preceded by the following note: 'I must send you the verses on the Battle of the Sunflower on "The Batsford Nondescript". A twenty-four line poem, in six four-line stanzas, on the theme of a disagreement over the naming of a specimen, between the botanist Anthony Hurt Wolley-Dod (1861-1948) and the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer (1843-1928).

A complete run of the 14 numbers of 'Cinema Studies The Journal of the Society for Film History Research'.

Author: 
Neville March Hunnings and John Gillett, editor [The Society for Film History Research, London]
Publication details: 
The Society for Film History Research, London. Between March 1960 and September 1967 (all published).
£450.00

[8] + 344 + [7]pp., 12mo, and four pages of plates (vol.2, no.2). Fourteen issues, loose, with volume 1 (issues 1-9) continuously paginated to 244; and volume 2 (issues 1-5) paginated to 90; with the volume's separate prelims (8pp.) and index (7pp.) ready for binding up. Two identical fliers for the society (giving its 'Purpose') loosely inserted. The collection is in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, but with rusted staples to all volumes. Hunnings and Gillett are named as editors of the first four volumes, thereafter Hunnings alone.

[Sir Robert Graham, merchant banker.] Two letters from the firm of Sir Robert Graham & Co to an unnamed recipient, the first regarding a dishonoured draft and the second on the payment of two approaching bills.

Author: 
Sir Robert Graham, merchant banker [Sir Robert Graham & Co., 2 Walbrook, City of London]
Publication details: 
[Sir Robert Graham & Co., 2 Walbrook, City of London.] Both from London, the first dated 30 March 1829, and the second 28 April 1829.
£45.00

Both items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Both 1p., 4to, and both signed 'Robert Graham & Co.' ONE (30 March 1829): Docketed on reverse: 'Letter from Sir R Graham respg Hunts Bill'. They have already informed him that his 'draft on Hunt of £20 was dishonoured & noted for nonpayment', and now 'have now to intimate that your draft on Foreman for the same amount has met the same fate'. Consequently they request a remittance. TWO (28 April 1829): They are 'rather surprised' that they have received no reply to their letter of 14 April.

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