HISTORY

Autograph Signatures of several members on printed keepsake.

Author: 
D Squadron
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£100.00

Presumably printed for a Royal Air Force regimental reunion. Card bifoliate, 16mo, with 3 pages printed in green ink and featuring crude vignette of men in action in black ink on recto of first leaf, and with verso of second leaf reserved for autographs. Discoloured but in good condition. Recto of first leaf headed '"D" Squadron | R.A.F. Regiment O.C.T.U., Sidmouth. | 29th October, 1942 - 23rd January, 1943.' Across the opening are listed the men of nos. 13, 14, 15 and 16 flights. Among around a dozen autograph signatures in pencil or pen are those of the Squadron Commander Major J.

Autograph Letter Signed to De V. Payen-Payne.

Author: 
Georges Lafourcade.
Publication details: 
a Negrepelisse, Tarn-et-Garonne, 22 June 1933.
£200.00

Poet and biographer (La Jeunesse de Swinburne, 1837-1867. [With a bibliography.]) Four pages, 8vo, good condition. A very detailed defence of his work on Swinburne. For example, "[I] want first to assure you that there is here some misunderstanding: in my opinion, you have no real justification for speaking of" the unfair treatment I have meted out to your Father". If I have had to quote contemporary documents in which unfavourable comments are made, it's always clear that I do not profess to share those views". He has in fact suppressed material in Swinburne's correspondence with W.M.

Autograph Notes Signed (2) to J.G. Wilson, Chairman of Bumpus's.

Author: 
Simon Nowell-Smith.
Publication details: 
Oxford, 3 Oct. 1931 and Exeter, 23 June [1932? - Lewis Carroll centenary?].
£50.00

Scholar and collector (1909-1996). Total 3pp., 8vo, good condition. (1931) "many thanks for your note enclosing cheque for "Farrago" [?]. I wish all my debtors were as prompt." Wilson or a member of his staff has put a pencilled line diagonally through the page. ([1932]) He asks to see "the Lewis Carroll catalogue and exhibits on Monday, with a view to reporting the exhibition in next weeks' [Times] Literary / Supplement . . . ". Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235). Two items,

One Autograph Letter Signed and one Typed Note Signed to Walter Jerrold.

Author: 
Arthur Waugh.
Publication details: 
Chapman & Hall Ltd, 11 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C., 22 Oct. 1915 (ALS) and ibid., 20 Oct. 1913 (TNS).
£100.00

Publisher. (TNS) One page, 4to, about the next Thackeray dinner. He has lost his "papers about the Titmarsh Club" and adds an apology in his hand. (ALS) Two pages, 8vo. He praises Ianthe Jerrold's latest poems effusively and at length, concluding that "I think we may expect her to take her place, and that no equivocal one, among the women-poets of her country." He goes on to how badly the Daily Telegraph has treated "us - you worse than me, of course, because I have still my office. He thinks they should rather have lost money in wartime than throw over loyal employees. Two items,

Autograph Letter Signed to [Martin] Tupper, miscellaneous writer (1810-1889)[?].

Author: 
R. Seeley (Robert Benton Seeley).
Publication details: 
54 Fleet Street, 20 Sept. 1871.
£65.00

Publisher, philanthropist and author (1798-1886). Two pages, 8vo, bifoliate, good condition. "Dear Mr. Tupper,/ I hope to send you a proof tomorrow./ I am afraid we shall have to throw Foley over altogether, as we shall probably begin a new series next year in place of the "English Artists"./ I almost think we are full for the next three numbers, but if there should be space for the short articles you mention [page 2] I will let you know . . ."

Typed letter signed to J.G. Wilson, Chairman of Bumpus's, booksellers

Author: 
G. Belton Cobb
Publication details: 
25/07/31
£45.00

Of Longmans, Green & Co. Ltd, publishers. Two pages, 4to, responding to Wilson's comments on prospectuses, discussing both Wilson's and Longmans' idea of who one should send them to, or how many.

Typed Note Signed, Autograph Postcard Signed, and Autograph Letter Signed

Author: 
John Lehmann
Publication details: 
8/9 Sept. 1955 and 18 July 1956
£100.00

Publisher and editor (formerly Hogarth Press). Total 5pp. /sides, 8vo and 12mo (the card). The eqarlier items (TNS and APCS) thanks Sewell Stokes for a piece for "The London Magazine" about George Moore on which he comments ("I'm sure it's an improvement"0 wondering if the effect of an anecdote is diluted by "the part about Ford". In the latter he asks Daniel George, writer and publisher's reader, for suggetions who should get a "Travelling Scholarship" beyond Vernon Watkins ("favoured by the anonymous donor") and Maurice Cranston ("not particularly well off"). Three items,

typed note signed and typed letter signed to Elliott O'Donnell. author

Author: 
Allen Lane
Publication details: 
3 Sept. and 21 Dec. 1936
£150.00

Publisher (1902?-1970). One page each, 4to. In one he discusses someone's sighting of ghosts (about which O'Donnell has written and the possibility of reprinting O'Donnell's work on werewolves in Penguin. In the other he briefly gives information about his family and anticipates an announcement with regard to the Bodley Head "in the New Year". The letter has the stamp of the "Receiver", so the announcement may well refer to the company's financial difficulties (see W.E. Williams, "Allen Lane", p.41 "bankruptcy" of Bodley Head).

Autograph letter signed to R. Ackermann.

Author: 
W.H. Watts.
Publication details: 
21 Cecil Street, Strand, 12 June 1811.
£85.00

Journalist and miniature painter (1776-1842).

Printed Circular Autograph Letter Signed with Subscription Form)

Author: 
Comte Alexis de Saint Priest.
Publication details: 
August 1845, 124 Regent Street, London.
£75.00

French writer (1805-1851). Three pages, 8vo, bifoliate, good condition. "Sir,/ I have the honor to forward you the enclosed prospectus of the "Encyclopedie du XIXe Siecle" in which the high approbation given to this work by his Holiness, and also that of the R.R.

Autograph note, third person, to [Ackerman].

Author: 
Baroness Howe
Publication details: 
13/11/10
£50.00

Two pages, 7.5 x 4.5, page trimmed without obvious loss, spike-hole, text clear. "Instead of the Repository[underlined] of Arts[underlined] for November/ which is the Magazine which the Baroness Howe has taken from its first publication/ Mr Akerman [sic] has sent her a Magazine & a Bill for others of the same sort, which she has never had. She desires therefore that he will instead send her The Repository [underlined] of Arts [underlined] for November [underlined].

Autograph note, third person, to [James?] Carpenter, bookseller..

Author: 
Lady Anne Culling Smith.
Publication details: 
Hampton Court, Friday, no date (watermark 1798, bookseller note says 1800).
£65.00

One page plus address page conjoint, 8vo, grubby, spike-hole, small portion torn off with opening of seal not affecting text, text clear and complete. "Lady Anne Culling Smith begs Mr. Carpenter will send her down by the stage to:morrow Eveng Mrs. Riche's Nocturnal visit together with her Maid of the Hamlet & Vicar of Lansdown." Note on address page by bookseller "Lady A. Smith/ 1800".

(Printed circular) Autograph Note Signed.

Author: 
J. Cooke.
Publication details: 
Paternoster Row, London, 22 January 1780.
£50.00

(1731-1810 - Maxted). Maxted says he was an "Extensive publisher of works in weekly numbers", and refers to DNB, Plomer, Nichols, iii.719, and Timperley. One page, c.7.5 x 4", minor damage, text clear and complete, printed in italic. "Paternoster Row London/ I hereby promise if this Work shall exceed Eighty Numbers, to deliver the Bearer all above that quantity Gratis, on producing this Note/ J. Cooke/ January 22nd. 1780."

Autograph Letter Signed to J.H. Burn, bookseller and ephemerist.

Author: 
John Thomas Hope.
Publication details: 
37 Upper Seymour Street, 25 June 1829.
£150.00

"Mr Burne/ 20 King Street/ Covent Garden".Two pages, c.10 x 7", chipped, part torn off, small hole, text clear.

Autograph letter signed to J.H. Burn, Bookseller, King Street, Covent Garden, London.

Author: 
Daniel Terry.
Publication details: 
T[heatre] R[oyal], Cheltenham, 3 June 1827.
£150.00

One page, 4to, fold marks, text clear and complete.

Autograph Note Signed to publisher [?] of "Aikens Chem Dict." [= J & A. Arch & William Phillips].

Author: 
Alexander Tilloch.
Publication details: 
Star Office, 26 Oct [1814 - appendix pubd then].
£125.00

Scottish journalist, editor of The Star, Biblical writer and inventor (of the stereotype) (1759-1825). One page 8vo, trimmed, text clear and complete. "Dear Sir/ Have the kindness to lend me the Appendix to Aikens Chem. Dicy. for about a week - I wish to give some Notice of it in the Phil. Mag. . . ."

autograph letter signed to James Hartford

Author: 
Samuel Lambert, S. L. & Co., varnish makers [Pratt & Lambert?]
Publication details: 
2pp, 8vo, 17 August 1892, on printed letterhead headed 'From S. L. & Co.'
£100.00

Long and unusually entertaining account 'Re Varnish', addressed to an American correspondent. A fascinating insight into the nature of Victorian entrepreneurship. 'It has long been an idea of mine that of all the Trades the most profitable one is Varnish [...] the Germans, clever as they are, can't make Varnish at all [...] nor for that matter can the Americans'.

frank to John Browning

Author: 
John Charles Spencer, Viscount Althorp [later 3rd Earl Spencer]
Publication details: 
envelope with two postmarks and seal in red wax, 16mo, 26 October 1836, Leamington
£35.00

English Whig statesman, relation of Princess Diana and of Prince William. The envelope is in very frail condition, torn, frayed and discoloured, with some loss. Addressed 'Leamington Oct twenty six | 1834 | John Browning Esq | Viscount Althorp | Downing Street | London | Althorp'. The postmark on the front is in red ink, with a crown topping a circle containing 'FREE | 27OC27 | 1834'; the postmark on the reverse is in black ink, with 'LEAMINGTON' in a circle containing 'OC26 | 1834'. Red wax seal bearing Althorp crest on reverse.

two typed letters signed to Malcolm Mackenzie of the Empire Art Council

Author: 
David Eccles, later Viscount Eccles
Publication details: 
both 1p, one large and one small 8vo; the first (on Minister of Works letterhead), 25 April 1952; the second (on House of Commons letterhead), 1 June 1953
£50.00

In the first letter Eccles thanks Mackenzie for his congratulations on Eccles' 'scheme for forming a national collection of works of art'. Any help the EAC can give will be welcome, 'as the need for pictures and works of art for Government buildings, both at home and overseas, is really great'. In the second letter he thanks him for his telegram of congratulations 'on the Coronation decorations. Everyone in the Ministry of Works has tried hard to produce something worthy of the Queen and of our contemporary art'. Two items,

autograph note signed to unnamed female correspondent (wife of Sir Robert Hardy?)

Author: 
Robert Alfred Cloyne Godwin-Austen
Publication details: 
1p, 16mo, on mourning paper, 3 February 1869, Chilworth Manor
£35.00

Victorian geologist (DNB). 'Amongst the many pleasant recollections which the Members of the British Association will retain of their visit to Norwich will be that of their hospitable reception by Sir Robert Harvey. The Lecture over which I had the honor to preside (C.) has to be directly grateful, for we were twice guests at Crown Point.'

autograph letter signed to the artist Shirley Slocombe

Author: 
Beatrice Mildmay
Publication details: 
2pp, 16mo, 17 March 1898, on letterhead 46 Berkeley Square, W.
£20.00

Sister of the M.P. Francis Bingham Mildmay. 'I am afraid we shall not be able to avail ourselves of your most kind invitation to view your portraits as we leave town for good on Friday. I shall hope to see your Portrait of Lady Milton, later on.' In a letter of 9 January 1898 F. B. Mildmay refers to Slocombe's 'most kind invitation to view your portraits'.

Autograph postcard signed to H. Tuckwell.

Author: 
John O. Westwood.
Publication details: 
Oxford, 26 June 1891.
£40.00

Entomologist and palaeographer (1805-1903). As follows: "Mrs Doncaster 36 Strand London, W.C. near Charing Cross sells Insect Pins [?] & all other apparatus of the like character, as well as British & foreign Insects, Caterpillars, Eggs, &c."

ALS, 1p, 4to to Clement Shorter, editor of the Sphere newspaper

Author: 
Viscountess Lee of Fareham (see husband's DNB entry) on Chequers, the British Prime Ministers' country house
Publication details: 
30 October [no year, but between 1917 and 1921], on Chequers letterhead
£45.00

Says that Chequers has been "thoroughly photographed twice since our alterations" (1910 and 1917), but that she would be glad to allow Shorter to have other photographs taken. Country Life does not give the Lees copies of these photographs, but does sometimes allow other newspapers to reproduce them. "I remember very well the luncheon at Lord Curzon's about a year ago - Would you care to come to see Chequers before we leave?" The Lees acquired Chequers in 1909, the Chequers Estate Act was passed in 1917 and the couple left in 1921.

Autograph Notes Signed (x 2), one page each, 4to, to Sir Robert Wilmot

Author: 
Richard Rigby
Publication details: 
19 Dec. 1760 and 1 April 1761
£120.00

Politician (1722-1788). He died "leaving half a million of public money" (quoted in DNB). The signatures appear by the superscription, one is initialled. (1760) He has heard that there are "letters in Town from Ireland which say, That Volumes are writing there against transmitting a money Bill". He wonders if Wilmot has heard anything. (1761) He would "be glad our Letters & Bills and all our business was despatched in due time" since he wishes to make up a party with some Ladies to play at Loo. 2 items,

Autograph Note Signed to an unnamed correspondent

Author: 
Edward Jesse.
Publication details: 
25/02/58
£25.00

Writer on natural history (1780-1868). One page, 8vo, good. He thanks his correspondent for his “interesting pamphlet” and discusses rough drawings of swans he is sending him.

James Anderson, editor of 'Diplomata Scotiae'] Holograph document.

Author: 
James Anderson, Editor of "Diplomata Scotiae", antiquary
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£200.00

Editor of "Diplomata", antiquary (DNB). Sixteen lines on one page, small folio, some damage, but text complete and clear. Not signed.

Autograph Letter Signed to Acton Chaplin.

Author: 
Lord Carrington.
Publication details: 
Wycombe, 11 Jan. 1809.
£35.00

Robert Smith, Ist Baron Carrington (DNB). Two pages, 4to, good condition. He welcxomes news of a marriage, shows a disinclination to pursue a property for wwhich there is competition, and discusses the enclsure of Bledlow.

Autograph Letter Signed "Thomas Coutts & Co" (Coutts's hand) to Thomas Steuart, The Secretary, Bank of Scotland.

Author: 
Thomas Coutts.
Publication details: 
London, 28 Nov. 1780.
£250.00

Banker. Bank to Bank transaction. One page, 4to, good condition. "Sir/ Since our last of the 2[0]th Inst we are favour'd with yours of the 23d agreeable to which we have this day bought the undermention'd Bills (listed with numbers, description, date and amount, three "Victualling Bills" and one "Navy Bill"; discount, total given "Charged to the Bank of Scotland £5062.18.10".

Autograph Letter Signed to [Samuel Christie-Miller].

Author: 
B.B. Woodward.
Publication details: 
Buckingham Palace, 10 Sept. 1869.
£50.00

Librarian at Windsor Castle. Three pages, 8vo, good condition. "I am one of hte unfortunates of the earth . . ." He is unable to accept an invitation to Britwell (hence the identification of Samuel Christie-Miller as the correspondent) because he "cannot keep off the demands of the printers any longer, & I must work." He hopes, however, to welcome him to the Library (Windsor) and to have the invitation to Britwell repeated. He adds a paragraph about "the great loss all Bibliophiles have experienced in the death of Mr Thomas Watts of the British Museum.

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs de Salis.

Author: 
B.B. Woodward.
Publication details: 
Windsor Castle, 18 May 1866.
£45.00

Librarian at Windsor Castle (DNB). Three pages, 8vo, good condition. He has received a reply to his letter to publishers, Chapman & Hall who claim to have sent "No.II" (prob. of ‘The Fine Arts Quarterly Review,’ which appeared from May 1863 to June 1867, which Woodward founded and edited) at the "proper time" but they have sent another copy. The titlepage, index &c will be given when the new number comes out." He discusses his excessive "mental work" and current "idling", and requirement of a "real holiday".

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