HISTORY

[ 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.

[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.

[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'.

[Pasquale Villari, Italian historian and politician.] Autograph Signature with greetings.

Author: 
Pasquale Villari (1827-1917), Italian historian and politician
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

On 18 x 9 cm piece of paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Laid down on part of leaf from album. In response to a request for an autograph he has written at the head of the page: 'Con molti saluti | Pasquale Villari'. No other writing.

[Gilbert White, naturalist.] Original Manuscript, said to have been dictated by White himself, of 'Gilbert White's statement' on the venomous properties of the toad, with eleven authorial emendations. Together with a series of thermometer readings.

Author: 
Gilbert White (1720-1793), naturalist and ornithologist, author of the celebrated 'Natural History of Selborne' (1789) [Thomas Bell (1792-1880), zoologist]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£350.00

A very nice artefact of one of the best-loved books in the England language, Gilbert White's 'Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne', which at one point was claimed to be the fourth most-printed book after the Bible, Shakespeare, and Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress'. White's entry in the Oxford DNB concludes by describing the book as 'an expression of universal thanksgiving, treasured by all'.

[Spelling Bee competitions in Victorian Kennington and Guildford.] Eleven items, including an advertisement, a programme, tickets of entry and competitor's ticket, newspaper cuttings, compiled by T. W. Williams, manager of Kennington competitions.

Author: 
Spelling Bee competitions in Victorian Kennington and Guildford [T. W. Williams, manager; The Impartial Spelling Bee Association, Williams & Rhodes, Kennington; F. Ridgway; J. Irving Dixon]
Publication details: 
Competitions in Kennington and Guildford, 1876. Manager of Kennington competitions: 'Mr. T. W. Williams, 149, Lower Kennington Lane, S.E.'
£220.00

The eleven items are in fair condition, lightly aged and worn, laid down on two heavily-worn leaves removed from an album. An interesting slice of social history, relating to introduction into England of a phenomenon which began in the Unites States in the 1850s. Nine of the items relate to spelling bees in Kennington, managed by the compiler of the material T. W. Williams, and one to a 'Grand Spelling Bee' in Guildford.

[Richard Lambart, 7th Earl of Cavan, head of the British Army in Egypt.] Autograph Signature ('Cavan') to part of manuscript document addressed to the Duke of York, Commander in Chief of the British Army.

Author: 
Earl of Cavan [Richard Ford William Lambart, 7th Earl of Cavan; in youth Viscount Kilcoursie] (1763-1837), Irish peer, Napoleonic era military commander, head of the British Army in Egypt
Publication details: 
1 March 1804; Cowes [Isle of Wight].
£35.00

On one side of 8 x 19 cm piece of paper, torn from the end of a document. In fair condition, lightly aged, with strip of paper from mount adhering to the reverse. Two folds. The signature 'Cavan' is between two horizontal lines. The rest of the document would appear to be in a secretarial hand, but the matter is not quite certain. It reads: '[...] | I have the Honor | to be | Sir | Your Royal Highness's | Most Obedt. Faithful | & Much Obliged | Humble Servt. | Cavan'. It is dated 'Cowes. | March 1st 1804' and addressed to 'His Royal Highness | The Duke of York'.

[Edinburgh, 1832: 'The first voting which took place on the Reform Bill'.] Manuscript 'Copy of Entry in the Register of Qualified Voters for the City of Edinburgh', signed by Carlyle Bell, Conjunct-Clerk, on George Berry of Antigua Street.

Author: 
Carlyle Bell (c.1779-1850), Conjunct-Clerk [joint town clerk] of the the City of Edinburgh [Great Reform Act, 1832]
Publication details: 
Entry dated 13 September 1832.
£250.00

A nice piece of Edinburgh historical ephemera. See the entry on George Berry (1795-c.1874), the first man to register to vote there following the passing the Great Reform Act, in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1874-1875, where he is described as 'an enthusiastic "Free Trader"'. 40 x 10 cm slip of laid paper, with printed form on one side, headed 'COPY of ENTRY in the REGISTER of QUALIFIED VOTERS for the CITY of EDINBURGH.' In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with clean vertical cut unobtrusively repaired with archival tape.

[Royal Mail; General Post Office.] Six items in Postal History: subscription form for Post Office Relief Fund, 1914; circular from E. W. Walker of National Federation of Sub-Postmasters; article on 'A Postal Anniversary'; three Glasgow District items

Author: 
[Royal Mail; General Post Office; postal history; Post Office Relief Fund, 1914; National Federation of Sub-Postmasters; Glasgow District Manager; George Ritchie of Linlithgow]
Publication details: 
[Royal Mail; General Post Office; Glasgow District Manager] 1914, 1916 and 1940.
£220.00

Six items. The collection in fair condition, apart from Item Two. ONE: Printed form, a 'List of Subscribers' for the 'Post Office Relief Fund. | Second Appeal.' Dated '11/14T', i.e. November 1914. (In 1914 the Post Office set up a relief fund to help relatives of GPO staff who had gone off to fight.) 1p, folio. Eleven lines of text are followed by the 'List of Subscribers', in three columns headed: 'Name', 'Rate for every complete 10/-' and 'I hereby authorise the deduction of my Subscription from my salary', the last subdivided into 'Signature' and 'Rank'.

[British Army Regimental Colonels during the reigns of William and Mary and Queen Anne.] Contemporary Manuscript of Regimental Colonels in Britain, South Britain, North Britain [Scotland], Ireland, Gibraltar and Port Mahon (Minorca), with emendations

Author: 
British Army Regimental Colonels during the reigns of William and Mary and Queen Anne
Publication details: 
No date but circa 1715, and amended until the mid-1720s. No place [War Office, London?]
£280.00

The present early eighteenth-century document lists the heads of British Army regiments from the period of the Glorious Revolution to the accession of George I. Internal evidence suggests that it was compiled around 1715, and that it was amended until the mid-1720s. The care with which it was compiled, over a decade and in a number of hands, would appear to suggest some sort of official standing. It is on nineteen 18 x 7.5 cm leaves of laid paper, formed in ten bifoliums, now loose but originally bound together, and with traces of thread still present.

[General Sir William Napier, Irish soldier, historian of the Peninsular War.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W N') to 'Macdonald', declining to ask for rank of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, with resentment towards Admiral Sir William Parker.

Author: 
Sir William Napier [General Sir William Francis Patrick Napier] (1785-1860), Irish soldier in British Army and military historian of the Peninsular War [Admiral Sir William Parker]
Publication details: 
'Rotterdam Dec 13' [on paper with watermark date 1830].
£100.00

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of tape from mount adhering along one edge. Endorsed 'Genl. Wm. Napier'. On wove paper with watermark 'CANSELL | 1830'. The letter - written with energy and some resentment - refers to Admiral Sir William Parker (1781-1866), who was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1815.

[Sir Francis Palgrave [born Francis Ephraim Cohen], archivist and historian.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Francis Palgrave'), regarding a statement which the recipient may wish to make to 'the Speaker' [of the House of Commons].

Author: 
Sir Francis Palgrave [born Francis Ephraim Cohen] (1788-1861), archivist and historian, Deputy Keeper of the Public Record Office from its foundation in 1838 to his death
Publication details: 
[Commission for Historic Manuscripts, London.] No date [on paper with watermarked date 1832].
£50.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. From the celebrated manuscript collection of Richard Monckton Milnes (Lord Houghton). The recipient is not named. Reads: 'My dear Sir/ | I have no doubt but that any statement which you may make to the Speaker will be in strict accordance with the facts; and I shall be always ready to bear testimony to your services during your connection with me - but for that very reason, I should not wish to impute [last word underlined three times] any document which you may have to present to him. Yrs ever faithfully | Francis Palgrave'.

[Samuel Goodenough, Bishop of Carlisle, botanist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Saml. Carlisle') to Rev. Gilbert Ford of Ormskirk, regarding the 'Grey Pill' of his father, the Chester physician John Ford.

Author: 
Samuel Goodenough (1743-1827), Bishop of Carlisle, botanist [Rev. Gilbert Ford of Ormskirk; Dr John Ford of Chester]
Publication details: 
22 April 1808. Berners Street [London].
£56.00

See Goodenough's entry in the Oxford DNB. At the time of writing he had not been long in place: he had been consecrated in the Chapel Royal, Whitehall on 13 February 1808, having been nominated by the Prime Minister the Duke of Portland. The recipient is Rev. Gilbert Ford (1768-1835) of Ormskirk, son of the eminent Chester physician and botanist John Ford (1731-1807). (Ford was possibly related to Goodenough by marriage: the latter's wife was a daughter of Dr James Ford, sometime physician to Middlesex Hospital and to Queen Charlotte.) 2pp, 4to. On bifolium.

[Richard Kearton, pioneer wildlife photographer; plus ANS] Printed advertisement w. list of works and fourteen photographs, carrying Autograph Note Signed ('R. Kearton'), directing the admittance of 'bearer and friend' to 'my lecture | Muswell Hill'.

Author: 
Richard Kearton (1862-1928), naturalist and pioneer wildlife photographer with his brother Cherry Kearton (1871-1940)
Publication details: 
Advertisement undated. Kearton's note dated 15 January 1906.
£120.00

Printed in black ink on both sides of a 26 x 30 cm piece of thick shiny art paper. Worn and folded twice. One side carries a priced list of eleven 'Natural History Works by R. KEARTON, F.Z.S.

Syndicate content