HISTORY

[Stephen King-Hall; Friends of Hansard; Hansard Society] Circular Letter sent to Friend[s] of Hansard with what looks like a stamped signature of Stephen King-Hall. See image

Author: 
Stephen King-Hall [William Stephen Richard King-Hall, Baron King-Hall of Headley (1893 -1966), naval officer, writer, politician and playwright, member of parliament for Ormskirk from 1939 to 1945.]
Hansard
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] The Friends of Hansard, War-time address: | 804 Hood | Dolphin Square | London, S.W.!, [Date handwritten] 18.5.44. With list of Officers inc. Margaret Bond and King-Hall himself.
£220.00
Hansard

Typed (cyclostyled or similar?) Letter Signed as above, three pages, 12mo. very good condition, apart from small rusty hole where formerly stapled.

[Thomas Babington Macaulay, historian] Autograph Letter to John sadly robbed of its signature by persons unknown, but concerning the contemporary success of his History, and other interesting matters.

Author: 
Thomas Babington Macaulay [Ist Baron Macaulay, (1800 – 1859), historian and Whig politician].
Macaulay
Publication details: 
Albany, 23 Oct.1849
£100.00
Macaulay

Formerly a four-page bifolium, but half a page cut off presumably including the signature, poor condition, with crude repair to a tear, but text clear and readable though the handwriting is a scrawl. A margin has been added, and the words Lord Macaulay. See Image of first page. Text: He thanks him for his letter. I have read it with much interest and pleasure. What you say of the Northern peasantry confirms the opinion which I have always held about them.

[A.B. Rendle, botanist; The Snowdrop] Autograph Letter Signed A.B. Rendle to Grinling [[C.H.] Grinling, socialist, editor of the Woolwich Pioneer, botanist], discussing the Snowdrop at length.

Author: 
A.B. Rendle [Alfred Barton Rendle (1865 – 1938), botanist].
Publication details: 
[Embossed] 28 Hollybush Raod, Putney, S.W., 14 March [1930?].
£80.00

Two pages, cr. 8vo, fold mark, minor repair to closed tear, text complete and legible. Text: I have no personal knowledge as to the seeding of Snowdrops in this country - the species is a very doubtful native & we are about the northern limit of its distribution. I have grown snowdrops for years but have never noticed seedlings among them & they only grow in the area where I have planted the bulbs. They would take probably several (I can't say how many off hand) years to produce flowering bulbs.

[Admiral Willian Sidney Smith; Paris Imprisonment] COPY Letter to Lady Camelford (his aunt) in detail about his imprisonment in Paris. Smith's name mispelt (Sydney)

Author: 
Admiral Sir William Sidney Smith (1764-1840), British maritime hero of whom Napoleon exclaimed 'That man made me miss my destiny'
Smith
Publication details: 
[Headed] Copy of a Letter to Lady Camelford, Tower of the Temple, Paris, 27 August 1796.
£500.00
Smith

One page, folio, good condition, laid down on part of an album page (verso has a newspaper clipping about Wilson, the Pedestrian c.1815 - possibly some indication of when the Copy Letter was made). Text: My dear Aunt, | The recollection of my Situation must occasionally present itself to my Friends with redoubled anxiety when brought to Mind by the Accounts from Paris of tumults at the prison doors, Assassinations within the Walls & the whole train of mischief which the Daemon of Sedition & discord is perpetually Waking in this ill fated City!

[Helmut Gernsheim; photography] Typed Letter Signed Helmut Gernsheim to Ronald Horton responding to a request for Lantern Slides for a lecture, referring to his latest book, and appreciative of comments on his latest work.

Author: 
Helmut Gernsheim [Helmut Erich Robert Kuno Gernsheim (1913 – 1995), historian of photography, collector, and photographer.]
Gernsheim
Publication details: 
[Printed] 19 St. Edmunds Court, Regents Park, London, NW8, 28 October 1951. Docketed 14 Nov. 51 (presumably the reply date).
£220.00
Gernsheim

One page, 8vo, Note: Ronald Horton (1902–1981), Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust, Brighton & Hove. See image. Text: I was very interested to hear about your forthcoming lecture of 'The inter-relationship of Art and Photography', but I am sorry I have not got any lantern slides at all.

[Mary L. Armitt, polymath] MANUSCRIPT: Draft of the Index (ONLY) to her book, The Church of Grasmere: a history, published posthumously..

Author: 
Mary L. Armitt [Mary Louisa Armitt (1851 -1911), polymath, teacher, writer, ornithologist and philanthropist, and founder of the Armitt Library, Ambleside.]
Grasmere
Publication details: 
Book published in Kendal, 1912. See scan of sample page.
£380.00
Grasmere

Sixteen pages (two are half pages), fol., some foxing, but text clear. The text is in a large hand, with additions and occasional corrections for example, the word out is written beside 'Eighteen, the see Sidesmen', itself crossed out.

[E. V. Knox [Edmund George Valpy Knox] (1881-1971, ‘Evoe’), editor of ‘Punch’.] Two Typed unpublished Talks on Punch, one dealing with the magazine’s place in social history, the other with its politics. With two drafts of the first, one in autograph

Author: 
E. V. Knox [Edmund George Valpy Knox] (1881-1971, ‘Evoe’), editor of ‘Punch’ 1932-1948, humorist, essayist and poet [son of Edmund Abruthnott Knox, brother of Ronald, Dillwyn and Wilfred Knox]
Publication details: 
[Hampstead, London.] 1948 and 1949.
£2,500.00

See Knox’s entry in the Oxford DNB, along with those of his father Edmund Arbuthnott Knox, his brothers Ronald, Dillwyn and Wilfred, his wife the ‘Mary Poppins’ illustrator Mary Shepard (daughter of Ernest Shepard) and his daughter the novelist Penelope Fitzgerald. At the time the present material was composed Knox had been involved with Punch for more than four decades (1904-1948), holding the editorship for the last sixteen, with the magazines circulation rising to a peak of almost 200,000 as he approached his retirement.

Autograph Manuscripts of two translations by John Curling: Count Rostopchine's 'The Truth upon The Great Conflagration of Moscow 1813' and 'Observation on the Campaign in the Netherlands', with printed version of latter.

Author: 
John Curling ['J*** C******'] (1784-1863), JP, of Offley Holes and Gosmore, Herts [Count Fedor Wassiljavitch Rostopchine, Governor of Moscow; Napoleon Bonaparte; Retreat from Moscow, 1812]
Publication details: 
Manuscript translation from Rostopchine dated 'Hitchin 1856', second manuscript translation undated. First pamphlet printed in Hitchin by C. Paternoster, Sun Street; 1858. Second pamphlet (by 'J*** C******') by C. & T. L. Paternoster; undated.
£850.00

The two translations, in the same original red leather notebook, totalling 226pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, in worn binding. The first translation in the volume is a fair copy, without corrections, of a work published in French in 1823 as 'La V?rit? sur l'Incendie de Moscou; par le Comte Rostopchine' (Paris: Ponthieu). Neither Curling's nor any other English translation appears to have been published. The second translation (the printed version of which is the first of the two pamphlets) is heavily corrected, with seven pages of additions loosely inserted.

[Louis Blanc] Autograph Letter Signed Louis Blanc to unnamed correspondent, 'Mon cher ami', in French about a friend's publishing an article about the melancholy of Albert [Albrecht] Durer.

Author: 
Louis Blanc, French politician, agitator and historian.
Publication details: 
No place or date, simply Mardi,
£65.00

Two pages, 12mo, bifolium, trimmed without loss of text, and remants on left margin of tipping in something like an album. Remerciez pour moi, je vous prie, l'auteur de la brochure que vous voulez bien me faire tenir. Charles, qui se propose de vous aller voir incessament vous envoie ce qu'il a écrit sur la mélancholie [underlined] d'Albert Durer, dans l'Histoire des Peintres [underlined]. Veuillez me renvoyer, quand vous en trouverez, l'occasion, ce numéro, qui fait partie de ma collection. | Charles se joint à moi pour vous serrer la main cordialement.

[Dodie Smith] Autograph Note Signed Dodie to Popie (W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian) about an unexpected lunch.

Author: 
Dodie Smith [Dorothy Gladys Smith], children's author and playwright, best known for 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians' .
Publication details: 
[Headed] The Barretts, Finchingfield, Essex, 4 September 1958.
£45.00

One page, 12mo, very good condition. I was so astonished to find I was lunching with you to-day, instead of with dear Marie Lohr. It was very naughty of you - but also very charming. Anyway, I enjoyed both your conversation and your courtesy. Such graceful acts are rare nowadays.

[Alphonse de Lamartine; printed] Prospectus des Oeuvres Choisies de M. de Lamartine

Author: 
Alphonse Marie Louis de Prat de Lamartine (1790 – 1869) French author, poet, and statesman.
Publication details: 
Paris, fevrier 1849. Typog. Benard et Comp, pass. du Caire, 2.
£120.00

Four pages, 8vo, bifolium, leaflet, fold marks (postal), good condition. P.[1] facsimile letter (see image); Pp. [2 & 3] the Prospectus; P[4] blank except words handwritten London Institution | Dulau & Co. (perhaps the booksellers Dulau making the London Institution aware of the publication?). Copy traced in British Library only (WorldCat); Bibliotheque Nationale appears NOT to have a copy.

[ J.L. Hammond; social history] Autograph Letter Signed J L Hammond to Harold [Docketed H.J. Massingham], concerning the Plumage Bill.

Author: 
J.L. Hammond [John Lawrence Le Breton Hammond (1872 – 1949), journalist and writer on social history and politics]
Publication details: 
at Ben Vista, Gorran Haven, Gorran, Cornwall, 4 May 1920.
£120.00

One page, 4t, lined paper, fold marks, small closed tear, good condition. difficult hand in parts. I must send you a line to say how bitterly disappointed I am that all your magnificent work on the Plumage Bill - for which my wife & I have unbounded admiration - has ended in this [??]. It is heart breaking. This [?] generation of profiteers will destroy all the beauty left in the world. We only found out late last night what had happened & I dreamt about it all night.

[ Ramsay Muir, historian, thinker] A very substantial Autograph Letter Signed Ramsay Muir to Davis, responding at length to criticisms of his recent publication [perhaps British History a survey of the history of all the British peoples (1929)]

Author: 
Ramsay Muir [John Ramsay Bryce Muir (1872–1941), historian, Liberal Party politician and thinker ].
Publication details: 
Park Lodge, Buxton, 13 Dec. [no year given]
£450.00

Four pages, 4to, fold marks, good condition, closely written, pages joined at top. He thanks Davis for writing at such length. But as you still attribute to me ideas wh[ich] I repudiate, you must put up with a rejoinder.

[ Stanley Morison; typographer ] Autograph Note Signed Stanley Morison to Orlo [Williams], about the pain & agony of [...] long illness.

Author: 
Stanley Morison [(1889–1967), typographer, printing executive and historian of printing].
Publication details: 
[The Times stamp] 2 July 1953.
£56.00

One page, 12mo, good condition. Text: I read the notice with the deepest feeling of sympathy, knowing how extreme, desperate, has been the pain & agony of this long illness & separation; and I have perceived & marvelled at, the courage with which you have borne your burden, the end of which cannot yet have been reached. But you have the prayers of [...] Note: Orlo Williams is described in one book as a gentle and musical civl servant, member of a coterie attached to 'The Times' (Tom Burns, 'The Use of Memory: Publishing and Further Pursuits', p.123).

[William Sibbald, MD, Deputy Assistant-Inspector to Ceylon [Sri Lanka].] Manuscript translations [from Tamil?] of folk tales titled 'The Origin of the Kandelay Tank', 'Story of Manderapaudey' and 'The History of Santiraksen'. With fourth tale.

Author: 
[William Sibbald (1789-1853), Scottish British army physician [in the Peninsular, at New Orleans, Mauritius, and Maidstone, Kent] and Deputy Assistant-Inspector to Ceylon [Sri Lanka]]
Publication details: 
[Ceylon [Sir Lanka]?] One item on paper watermarked 1827, the other items undated.
£500.00

Sibbald was in Ceylon between 1818 and 1833. There is no indication that any of these four items have been published. One: 'The Origin of the Kandelay Tank'. 8pp., foolscap 8vo. On two bifoliums of paper with Gater watermark dated 1827. In good condition, on aged paper.

[Printed work of sensational popular fiction.] The Mysterious Avenger; or, The Trials of Love. [Followed by a reprinting of De Quincey's translation of 'Der Freischütz', under the title 'William, the Fatal Marksman; or, The Seven Charmed Bullets'.]

Author: 
[Thomas De Quincey; William Walker, printer, Otley, Yorkshire]
Publication details: 
London: Published by the Booksellers. William Walker, Otley. 1847. [Slug: 'WILLIAM WALKER, PRINTER, OTLEY.']
£250.00

256pp., 12mo. With frontispiece engraving and vignette on title. In original brown cloth binding, with blind-stamped decorative pattern on the boards, and title and design on the spine. Ownership inscription of 'Arthur Baxter | Runcorn | 1861' on piece of paper laid down on front pastedown. A tight copy, on stained paper (particularly the last few leaves) and aged paper, in worn binding with gilt almost dulled. An interesting production, reminiscent of previous Minerva Press publications, and looking ahead to the yellow-back.

[Battle of Normandy, 1944.] 'Secret' British Army pamphlet titled 'OPERATION “OVERLORD” - 1944 | Report by AQMG (Ops) EASTERN COMMAND', describing 'the part played by Eastern Command in the preparations for and launching of the operation'.

Author: 
[Operation Overlord (Battle of Normandy), 1944] 'AQMG (Ops) EASTERN COMMAND' [i.e. Lieut.-Col. Colin Thornton-Kernsley (1903-1977)]
Publication details: 
[Operation Overlord, Eastern Command, 1944] On final page: 'D 53664-1 175 D/d E.C.2144 11/44 70'. '11/44' signifies the date of the pamphlet, November 1944, and '70' the number of copies printed.
£600.00

Sir Colin Thornton-Kernsley is identified as author from the first of the pamphlet's seven appendices ('Eastern Command | List of officers principally concerned with plans for the mounting of Overlord'), where he is described as: 'Chairman: AQMG(Ops) Lt. Col. C. N. Thornton Kernsley MP-RA'.

Four albums of typed memoranda, reports, and newspaper cuttings, relating to the stock market and economic situation, assembled by a firm of Anglo-German City of London stockbrokers, with memoranda of 'Things to be Kept in Mind' and other matter.

Author: 
[Reports and printed material relating to the stock market, assembled by an Anglo-German firm of City of London stockbrokers between 1918 and 1934]
Publication details: 
The material in the albums dates from and relates to the periods 1918-1919, 1929, 1931 and 1933-1934. Two of the albums are supplied by London stationers.
£500.00

The collection of seven items is in fair condition, lightly-aged and with slight rust staining to a few pages. The material is from the archives of an Anglo-German firm of City of London stockbrokers (see the list of clients in Item One below, all with German names), and is valuable for the material it contains revealing the impact of the First World War on the firm's own business (see Item Two below, regarding the 'Enemy [i.e.

[ Plantagenet Somerset Fry; historian ] Typed Letter Signed Plantagenet Somerset Fry to Lord Elibank (James Alastair Frederick Campbell Erskine-Murray, 13th Lord Elibank) who has written his reply in the margins and spaces.

Author: 
Plantagenet Somerset Fry [ born Peter George Robin Fry (1931–1996), historian ]
Publication details: 
St. Catherine's Society, Oxford, 9 Dec. 1955.
£56.00

Two pages, 8vo, very good condition, with a few holograph corrections. He thanks Lord Elibank for the loan of pamphlets, naming the one on Bismarck that he is returning. He agrees with most of what Elibank says about the Armada, finding the key question whether there was 'a strike of not'. He continues, With regard to Lucy Walter. I have indeed read the late Lord George Scott's book and discovered the facts to which you refer. It seemed to me a delicate subject on which to write and this is the reason why I answered the question in such a general manner.

[ H.D. Traill ] Autograph Letter Signed H.D. Traill to [George Townsend Warner] somewhat testily about Warner's contribution to Traill and Mann's Social England.

Author: 
H.D. Traill [ Henry Duff Traill (1842 – 1900), author and journalist.]
Publication details: 
The Mulberries, 21 October 1893.
£56.00

Three pages, 12mo, bifolium, good condition. Herewith I send your formal letter of agreement [not present] with respect to the contribution kindly forwarded by you to Social England [Traill and J.S. Mann's Social England: A Record of the Progress of the People in Religion, Laws, Learning, Arts, Industry, Commerce, Science, Literature and Manners, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day]. | I note the wish you have expressed to Mr. Mann that you may be put into communication later with the authors of other sections and will see that it is attended to.

[Edward Walford, writer etc; Buckle of 'The Times'] Autograph Note Signed E Walford to [G.E. Buckle, editor of 'The Times'] about Mill Hill and Harrow Speech Days. WITH: Buckle's Autograph Note Signed G.E.Buckle, responding.

Author: 
Edward Walford [ (1823–1897), magazine editor and a compiler of educational, biographical, genealogical and touristic works]
Publication details: 
17 Church Row, Hampstead, 14 June 1882.
£56.00

One page, 12mo, dusted but text clear and complete. Walford asks May I represent you, as hitherto, at the Speech Day [underlined] at Harrow on the 6th of July [underlined from 'Harrow'] and also at Mill Hill School on the Prize Day, the 28th inst. [underlined from 'day'], when the prizes are to be distributed by Lord Aberdeen? Buckle replies on the same page's base, Please report these two speech days shortly for us, as you suggest. Quite a short paragraph. | G.E. Buckle.

[Sir Charles Oman, military historian, and the English archers at Agincourt.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'C. Oman') to George Townsend Warner, summing up the battle and giving a detailed description of the set up of the English archers.

Author: 
Sir Charles Oman [Sir Charles William Chadwick Oman] (1860-1946), military historian [George Townsend Warner (1865-1916), historian; Battle of Agincourt; archery; toxophily]
Publication details: 
One: 17 October 1902. On letterhead of 39 St Giles', Oxford. Two: 12 March [no year]. 39 St Giles, Oxford, on letterhead of New College, Oxford.
£100.00

Both letters annotated in pencil in contemporary hand 'To Townsend Warner Historian'. (Warner was a history master and head of the ‘modern side’ at Harrow School, and co-editor of one of the most popular British history textbooks of the period. His only child was the novelist Sylvia Townsend Warner.) Both letters in good condition, each with pin hole from former attachment.

[ J.O.; Book ] The Story of the Mhow Court-Martial with Notes and an Appendix

Author: 
J. O. [Jacob Omnium, pseud., i.e. M. J. Higgins.]
Mhow
Publication details: 
London: Smith, Elder and Co., 65 Cornhill, 1864
£120.00
Mhow

[iv].80pp., 8vo, beige paper wraps, dusted, good condition. Reprinted from the Cornhill Magazine of November 1863. This edition scarce, copies recorded in BL, North Carolina and Australia.

[ Edward Jesse ] Autograph Note Signed Ed Jesse to My dear Professor [not named], inviting him to dine with General Jones [...] head of the Rifles as the other guest.

Author: 
Edward Jesse [ (1780–1868), writer on natural history].
Publication details: 
East Sheen - Tuesday Ev[ening]. No date.
£35.00

One page, fold marks, very good condition. Would he dine with us next Thursday at 7 o'clock, to meet Genl Jones who distinguished himself so much in India [during the Indian Mutiny presumably] at the head of the Rifles. I have asked [?] shall play at [Cheat?] or Whist.

[ John Harland; The Guardian newspaper ] Autograph Letter Signed J Harland to Rev W. Thornber, wearing his antiquary's hat.

Author: 
John Harland [ (1806–1868), newspaper (Guardian) reporter and antiquary ]
Publication details: 
[ Printed heading ] Guardian Office, Manchester, 12 May 1852.
£45.00

Two pages, 8vo, battered and two small closed tears and fold marks, but text legible. Your packet was most welcome. What you have sent will suffice for one article. I will send a proof & the MS. when in type. You can then send me the 2nd portn. As to [Diculares?] Abbey Chartulary you are under a mistake.

[Dodie Smith, children's writer, author of 'The Hundred and One Dalamatians'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Dodie') to 'Popie' [the theatre historian W. J. MacQueen-Pope], praising his writing, theatre work and latest book, discussing Vivien Leigh.

Author: 
Dodie Smith [Dorothy Gladys Smith] (1896-1990), children's writer and playwright, author of 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians' (1956) and 'I Capture the Castle' (1948) [W. J. MacQueen-Pope (1888-1960)]
Publication details: 
5 March 1958. On letterhead of The Barretts, Finchingfield, Essex.
£150.00

2pp, 18mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded once. Written in a close, elegant hand. Written on receipt of a presentation copy of MacQueen-Pope's latest book, the letter begins: 'My dear Popie, | Thank you so very much for St James's, Theatre of Distinction. I think I am enjoying it even more than I usually enjoy your individual-theatre books, because the St James's meant so much to me. It was the first London theatre I ever went to - long before I could read or went to a school.

[Noel Streatfeild, children's writer and author.] Typed Letter Signed to W. J. MacQueen-Pope - 'the horse's mouth as regards theatre history' - with queries for her 'book on ballet' relating to theatres in the Haymarket.

Author: 
Noel Streatfeild [Mary Noel Streatfeild] (1895-1986), children's writer and author [W. J. MacQueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
24 January 1958. On letterhead of 51A Elizabeth Street, Eaton Square, SW1 [London].
£65.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, on aged and creased paper. The letter begins: 'Dear Mr. MacQueen Pope, | Please forgive me for bothering you, but you are I know, the horse's mouth as regards theatre history.' She explains that she is 'in the throes of a book on ballet' for her publishers William Collins, and she asks him to help her with 'a problem in the section on early ballet in England'. The problem concerns 'the King's Theatre Haymarket' and 'the Italian Opera House'. She gives a facts and dates, asking 'was it all one and the same theatre?

[Theobald Mathew ['Father Mathew'], Irish Catholic priest and temperance reformer.] Autograph biblical quotation against the drinking of wine, signed 'Theobald Mathew' and dated.

Author: 
Theobald Mathew ['Father Mathew'] (1790-1856), Irish Catholic priest and temperance reformer
Publication details: 
12 September 1843. No place.
£50.00

Rectangle of paper, cut down from a larger page, with corners trimmed at the diagonal. In fair condition, lightly aged. Laid down on a piece of card. Reads: 'It is good not to eat Flesh, or Drink Wine, or do anything whereby a Brother may be caused to stumble or be made weak. Romans C. 14. V. 21. | Theobald Mathew | September 12 1843'.

[Printed British Parliamentary paper.] Report of the British Delegates to the International Opium Conference held at the Hague, December 1911-January 1912. Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty. November 1912.

Author: 
[1912 Report to the British Parliament of the British Delegates to the International Opium Confer.ence, the Hague, 1911-1912] [HMSO]
Publication details: 
'Miscellaneous. No. 11 (1912).' London: Printed by His Majesty's Stationery Office.
£45.00

Folio, [ii] + 39 + [i]. Stitched. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with slight staining to fore-edge. Title-page bearing stamp and withdrawal stamp of the University of Hull.

[Printed British Parliamentary paper.] Report of the British Delegates to the International Opium Conference held at the Hague, December 1911-January 1912. Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty. November 1912.

Author: 
[1912 Report to the British Parliament of the British Delegates to the International Opium Confer.ence, the Hague, 1911-1912] [HMSO]
Publication details: 
'Miscellaneous. No. 11 (1912).' London: Printed by His Majesty's Stationery Office.
£45.00

Folio, [ii] + 39 + [i]. Stitched. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with slight staining to fore-edge. Title-page bearing stamp and withdrawal stamp of the University of Hull.

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