JOHN

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.

Autograph Letter Signed ('John Murray') from John Murray II to the Edinburgh publishers Bell & Bradfute, concerning his account with them for Thomas Thomson's 'System of Chemistry'.

Author: 
John Murray II (1778-1843), London publisher [Bell & Bradfute, Edinburgh publishers]
Publication details: 
11 July 1810; London.
£65.00

4to, 1 p. Fourteen lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. He has been 'extremely unwell', and is sending '3 bills for the account of Thomsons Chemistry £1100'. 'I trust that you will not be dis-satisfied with this as I can assure you conscientiously that I could not afford to give them shorter.' Reference to Longmans, and to his anxiety, 'as you left the settlement to my own conscience'.

[Alexander Knox, the sage of Bellevue] A very substantial Autograph Letter Signed Alex Knox, to a Mr [Mangen?], more an Essay than a letter, including a personal credo, comment on John Wesley, and on current politics (agitators; Castereagh)

Author: 
Alexander Knox (1757 – 1831), Irish theological writer.
Publication details: 
Bellevue, 7 Dec. [1819]. Note: The year seems to be in a different hand. Watermark obscured but could be1818.
£650.00

Eleven (11) pages, 12mo, 3 bifoliums, remnants of crude binding (sewing with paper spine), text complete, final page chipped with no loss, foxing and staining NOT obscuring text. More an Essay than a Letter. He asks that a packet that accompanied this letter should be forwarded (NOT present) and emphasises that he only wants a reply when it suits his correspondent who is not necessarily required to read his letters (!) until an interval of time leaves you at liberty. His correspondent has expressed his liking for the preface submitted to him.

[Thomas Gisborne, Anglican cleric and author, leading member of the abolitionist Clapham Sect.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to Archdeacon John Woodhouse, praising his edition of the Apocalypse, and discussing his own on 'Sunday Drilling'.

Author: 
Thomas Gisborne (1758-1846), Anglican cleric, leading member with William Wilberforce and Thomas Babington of abolitionist Clapham Sect [John Chappel Woodhouse (1749-1833), Archdeacon of Salop]
Publication details: 
All three from Yoxall Lodge. 24 February and 2 May 1806; and 25 June 1828.
£220.00

The three letters are in good condition, lightly aged and worn, with minor evidence of previous mounting in an album. ONE: 24 February 1806. 1p, 4to. Signed 'Thomas Gisborne.' The subject of the letter is Woodhouse's translation of the Apocalypse, prefixed by 'a dissertation on the divine origin of the book', published the previous year. Gisborne writes that on his 'return from Leicestershire' the previous Friday, he found Woodhouse's 'very obliging present'.

[ Pusey; Oxford Movement ] Thirteen (13) Pamphlets and Leaflets by or relating to Pusey and the Oxford Movement.

Author: 
E.B. Pusey [ Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800 – 1882), Churchman, one of the Promoters of the Oxford Movement ]
Publication details: 
All printed by Baxter, Oxford, and published in 1843.
£350.00

All in good condition, with occasional foxing and staining.1. [To Mr. Vice-Chancellor] Two pages, bifolium (second leaf blank), cr. 8vo, petition asking for Pusey to have a hearing. Multiple Signatories include H. Cary, Newman, Mark Pattison. List of signatories concludes with date, Oxford June 8, 1842. Baxter Printer.2. E.B. Pusey, Protest. Christ Church, June 2, 1843. No imprint or colophon.3. A Bachelor of Divinity, To the Reverend the Vice-Chancellor, two pages, cr. 8vo, bifolium, second leaf blank. Re the proceedings […] with regard to Dr. Pusey.

[John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham, general who commanded the Walcheren Campaign of 1809.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Chatham') to Rev. Dr H. Adams, sending an autograph of his brother William Pitt the Younger [not present].

Author: 
John Pitt (1756-1835), 2nd Earl of Chatham, British general who commanded the disastrous Walcheren Campaign of 1809; elder brother of William Pitt the Youngerq
Publication details: 
13 April 1829. Charles Street [London].
£80.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of mount adhering to blank second leaf of bifolium. Folded twice. He returned 'but very late from Brighton, and was afterwards very unwell, which added to a great deal of business', prevented him from finding for Adams 'an Autograph of my Brothers, which I promised you some time back'. He is now enclosing the autograph, but apologises that he has 'none of my Father's [i.e. William Pitt the elder] to send you, for among his letters, there are no copies preserved in his own hand writing.'

[John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley, Liberal politician after whom Kimberley in South Africa is named.] Autograph Note Signed ('Kimberley') to an unnamed peer.

Author: 
John Wodehouse (1826-1902), 1st Earl of Kimberley [Lord Kimberley], politician who held office in every Liberal administration from 1852 to 1895, and after whom Kimberley, South Africa, is named
Publication details: 
27 June 1867. On House of Lords embossed letterhead.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'My dear Lord, | I have fixed the Oath's Bills &c for Tuesday July 9. | Believe me | faithfully Yours | Kimberley'.

[Anthony McKenrot [Mackenroth; MacKenrot], lunatic who tried to serve subpoena on Napoleon Bonaparte.] Two Autograph Petitions Signed (both 'Anthony Mc:Kenrot') from Newgate to the Prince Regent and home secretary Lord Sidmouth, with covering letter.

Author: 
[Anthony McKenrot [Mackenroth; MacKenrot], lunatic; Prince Regent [George IV]; Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, Viscount Sidmouth]; John Beckett [Newgate Prison; Bethlem Hospital; Napoleon Bonaparte]
Publication details: 
The two petitions and the covering letter to John Beckett of the Home Office, Whitehall, all three dated from State Side Newgate [Prison], 24 May 1816.
£750.00

Anthony Mckenrot's attempt to serve a writ on the captive Napoleon Bonaparte is well-described by Colin Fox ('Napoleon Bonaparte: POW'), in The Journal of the Friends of St Helena, 2016. Mckenrot (also MacKenrot or Mackenroth) who was of German extraction, was a lawyer, merchant and prize agent on the Caribbean island of Tortola, who criticised Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane (1758-1832) for failing to act against a French squadron off the island in 1806. His obsession grew with the years, and his claims of Cochrane's cowardice and financial impropriety became increasingly extravagant.

[George III; Lord North; Lord Barrington; Earl of Onslow; Jeremiah Dyson; John Lloyd] King's Signature ('George R.'), with those of North, Barrington, Onslow, Dyson and Lloyd, to warrant placing Jacob Carnac of 84 Regiment of Foot on half pay.

Author: 
George III (1738-1820); Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford (1732-92); George Onslow, 1st Earl of Onslow (1731-1814); Jeremiah Dyson (1722-76); William Barrington, 2nd Viscount Barrington (1717-93)
Publication details: 
'Given at Our Court at St. James's this 27th day of September 1769 in the Ninth Year of Our Reign.'
£750.00

The present document carries the signatures of three central figures on the British side during the American War of Independence: King George III, his Prime Minister Lord North, and Secretary at War Lord Barrington, along with the signatures of the Earl of Onslow, Jeremiah Dyson and John Lloyd, Deputy Auditor of the Imprest. 2pp, foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Thin strip of paper from mount adhering to inner edge on first page.

[ Pictures; Sumners of Kelbarrow, Grasmere ] Typescript List of Pictures in Kelbarrow, Grasmere, former home of the Family of the Rev. J.H.R. Sumner, with prices in pencil.

Author: 
[ Rev. John Henry Robertson Sumner, son of J.B. Sumner, Archbishop of Canterbury, & Family; John Ruskin; Pictures ]
Publication details: 
Undated. Presumably sold (auctioned?) at the death of the surviving member of the family. Margaret L. Sumner, Ruskin's correspondent, who died in 1919.
£220.00

Nine pages, folio, fold marks, browning, sl. chipped, text complete and clear. It comprises a list of paintings, drawings, lithographs , prints in many areas and rooms of the house, from the Top of Staircase to Library to Best Bedroom to Dining Room, etc. Several items are associated with the Sumner Family: a lithograph of Archbishop Sumner on the Principal Staircase; a Pastel coloured drawing - Family Group of Mrs. John Bird Sumner (four daughters and son) by Hastings, 1827; Water colour drawing - The four Miss Sumners, by Geo. Richmond, R.A.

[John Harris Backhouse, classical scholar and antiquary, educated at the Manchester School.] Long Autograph Letter Signed ('J. H. Backhouse'), on matters relating to Richard Montagu, Bishop of Norwich, with reference to Sir Thomas Browne and others.

Author: 
John Harris Backhouse (1826-1882), Rector of Laverton, Somerset, classical scholar, editor and antiquary, educated at the Manchester School [Richard Montagu, Bishop of Norwich; Sir Thomas Browne]
Publication details: 
27 September 1881. Laverton Rectory, Bath.
£45.00

See his entry in J. F. Smith, 'The Admission Register of the Manchester School'. 6pp, 12mo. Written in a neat, close hand. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. A vivid example of the methodology of the nineteenth-century English clerical antiquary. The main subject is the controversialist Richard Montagu (1577-1641), Bishop of Norwich, about whom, in January of the following year (that of his death), Backhouse would publish a letter in 'The Academy' under the title 'The Abbreviations in Bishop Mountagu's [sic] Dedication'. The recipient is not identified.

[ 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.

[John Van Druten, playwright.] Typed Letter Signed to theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, with personal reminiscence and touching 'many points' including British 'old theatre' in Hollywood, Dodie Smith, J. T. Grein, his theatre library.

Author: 
John Van Druten [John William Van Druten] (1901-1957), English playwright and theatre director [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
5 October 1949. A. J. C. Ranch, Thermal, California.
£120.00

It is puzzling that Van Druten, one of the most successful British playwrights of the early 1930s, should not have an entry in the Oxford DNB. The present entertaining and informative letter is written from the A. J. C. Ranch in Coachella Valley, which Van Druten purchased with his then-lover Carter Lodge and the British actress Auriol Lee (it was named after the initals of their first names).

[Stanley J. Weyman, novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Stanley J. Weyman') regarding his forthcoming book 'Sophia'.

Author: 
Stanley J. Weyman [Stanley John Weyman] (1855-1928), popular novelist of historical romance
Publication details: 
19 February 1900. Plâs Llanrhydd, Ruthin [Wales].
£45.00

2pp, 16mo. In fair condition, on aged paper with ruckling caused by glue from mount, traces of the paper from which adhere to blank reverses of both leaves. In a crabbed difficult hand, addressed to 'Mrs [Pugh?]', regarding his forthcoming book 'Sophia', a copy of which he will be sending the recipient, with reference to his wife, 'anxiety', and something 'characteristic'.

[John Cumberland, London theatrical publisher.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Cumberland') to Charles Thompson, declining to take on his unpublished play, and discussing the question of copyright.

Author: 
John Cumberland (1787-1866), London theatrical publisher [Charles Thompson; Cumberland's British Theatre]
Publication details: 
27 October 1834. 'No. 2 Cumberland Terrace | Camden New Town' [London].
£180.00

1p, 8vo. Aged and worn. Four folds. Panel from envelope attached to reverse, with postmark and address to 'Chas. Thompson Esqr. | 34 Bedford Street | Covent Gard.' He has 'already so many unpublished Plays' in which he has 'the right of Representation', that he must 'decline making any further purchases at present'. But even if he were 'inclined to make further purchases, it would most certainly be in Copyright and not in rights to print - which I suppose is what you mean by the term Printing Copyright'. He is however still 'much obliged to you for the offer'.

[James J. Davis ['Iron Puddler', 'Puddler Jim'], Welsh-born United States Republican Party Senator from Pennsylvania.] Typed Letter Signed ('James J Davis') to Sir Arthur Cope, introducing journalist (and spy?) 'Mr. William Edward Cope of New York'.

Author: 
James J. Davis [James John Davis] (1873-1947), Welsh-born United States Republican Party Senator from Pennsylvania, nicknamed 'Iron Puddler' and 'Puddler Jim' [Sir Arthur Stockdale Cope, artist]
Publication details: 
21 December 1925. On embossed letterhead of the Secretary of Labor, Washington.
£45.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Addressed to 'Sir Arthur Cope | London'. The letter reads: 'My dear Sir Arthur: | This will introduce Mr. William Edward Cope of New York, a member of the National Press Club, who is going abroad to do some newspaper work. He desires a brief interview with you and I bespeak for him such courtesies as you may find it convenient to render him.' The subject of the letter W. E. Cope would appear to have been a government agent.

['John William Calcraft' (stage name of John William Cole), actor and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'J. W. Calcraft'), regarding debts and plans for productions.

Author: 
'John William Calcraft' [stage name of John William Cole (c.1793-1870)], actor, dramatist and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin
Publication details: 
4 March 1847 and 31 January 1848. Both from the Theatre Royal, Dublin.
£45.00

Both letters 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Cole's handwriting is difficult. The recipient is not named. The first letter, 34 lines long, concerns a bill which Cole has drawn on the recipient of the letter. It is coming due, and he is uncertain whether it is for £90 or £100. He asks him to withhold payment for a while, as 'Lent is always a dead time with me'. He is 'going to try the experiment of Mr Butter for 6 nights', and has 'good hopes of the result'. The second letter begins: 'My dear Sir | I have made most liberal offers to Farren, Mrs. Nesbitt & Mr.

[James J. Davis ['Iron Puddler', 'Puddler Jim'], Welsh-born United States Republican Party Senator from Pennsylvania.] Typed Letter Signed ('James J Davis') to Sir Arthur Cope, introducing journalist (and spy?) 'Mr. William Edward Cope of New York'.

Author: 
James J. Davis [James John Davis] (1873-1947), Welsh-born United States Republican Party Senator from Pennsylvania, nicknamed 'Iron Puddler' and 'Puddler Jim' [Sir Arthur Stockdale Cope, artist]
Publication details: 
21 December 1925. On embossed letterhead of the Secretary of Labor, Washington.
£45.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Addressed to 'Sir Arthur Cope | London'. The letter reads: 'My dear Sir Arthur: | This will introduce Mr. William Edward Cope of New York, a member of the National Press Club, who is going abroad to do some newspaper work. He desires a brief interview with you and I bespeak for him such courtesies as you may find it convenient to render him.' The subject of the letter W. E. Cope would appear to have been a government agent.

[Stanley J. Weyman, novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Stanley J. Weyman') regarding his forthcoming book 'Sophia'.

Author: 
Stanley J. Weyman [Stanley John Weyman] (1855-1928), popular novelist of historical romance
Publication details: 
19 February 1900. Plâs Llanrhydd, Ruthin [Wales].
£45.00

2pp, 16mo. In fair condition, on aged paper with ruckling caused by glue from mount, traces of the paper from which adhere to blank reverses of both leaves. In a crabbed difficult hand, addressed to 'Mrs [Pugh?]', regarding his forthcoming book 'Sophia', a copy of which he will be sending the recipient, with reference to his wife, 'anxiety', and something 'characteristic'.

[John Cumberland, London theatrical publisher.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Cumberland') to Charles Thompson, declining to take on his unpublished play, and discussing the question of copyright.

Author: 
John Cumberland (1787-1866), London theatrical publisher [Charles Thompson; Cumberland's British Theatre]
Publication details: 
27 October 1834. 'No. 2 Cumberland Terrace | Camden New Town' [London].
£180.00

1p, 8vo. Aged and worn. Four folds. Panel from envelope attached to reverse, with postmark and address to 'Chas. Thompson Esqr. | 34 Bedford Street | Covent Gard.' He has 'already so many unpublished Plays' in which he has 'the right of Representation', that he must 'decline making any further purchases at present'. But even if he were 'inclined to make further purchases, it would most certainly be in Copyright and not in rights to print - which I suppose is what you mean by the term Printing Copyright'. He is however still 'much obliged to you for the offer'.

['John William Calcraft' (stage name of John William Cole), actor and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'J. W. Calcraft'), regarding debts and plans for productions.

Author: 
'John William Calcraft' [stage name of John William Cole (c.1793-1870)], actor, dramatist and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin
Publication details: 
4 March 1847 and 31 January 1848. Both from the Theatre Royal, Dublin.
£45.00

Both letters 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Cole's handwriting is difficult. The recipient is not named. The first letter, 34 lines long, concerns a bill which Cole has drawn on the recipient of the letter. It is coming due, and he is uncertain whether it is for £90 or £100. He asks him to withhold payment for a while, as 'Lent is always a dead time with me'. He is 'going to try the experiment of Mr Butter for 6 nights', and has 'good hopes of the result'. The second letter begins: 'My dear Sir | I have made most liberal offers to Farren, Mrs. Nesbitt & Mr.

[Anna Eliza Bray, historical novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed to her nephew John Arrow Kempe, explaining that she wishes him to act as her literary executor, and discussing the 'revised copies' of her works.

Author: 
Anna Eliza Bray [born Kempe, sometime Stothard] (1790-1883), historical novelist [her nephew, John Arrow Kempe (1846-1928) Knight Comptroller and Auditor General]
Publication details: 
18 August 1871; 40 Brompton Crescent, S.W. [London]
£550.00

4pp, 18mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. With envelope addressed 'To | John Arrow Kempe Esqre. | St James's Rectory | Piccadilly | W'.A long letter, with the words 'To be carefully kept' at the head of the first page. The letter begins with a light-hearted reference to her novel 'De Foix': 'My dear Godson/ | Accept the enclosed trifle - It may help you to make an excursion to the Casle of De Foix - and (vanity of authorship!) to tell me what it is like -'. After this she turns to the real theme, her will.

[Michael Ramsay, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cardinal Heenan, Archbishop of Westminster.] Autograph Signatures ('+ Michael Canuar:' and '+ John Card. Heenan') on Vatican first day cover. With covering Typed Note Signed from Rev. Michael Moore.

Author: 
Michael Ramsay [Arthur Michael Ramsay] (1904-1988), hundredth Archbishop of Canterbury; John Carmel Heenan [Cardinal Heenan] (1905-1975), Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster
Publication details: 
The first day cover with Vatican postmark dated 8 December 1965. Moore's note: 26 February 1968, on Lambeth Palace letterhead of the Church of England Council on Foreign Relations.
£50.00

Both items in good condition, lightly aged. The first day cover, celebrating the end of the second Ecumenical Council, is printed in brown, red and green, illustrated with photographic portraits of Ramsay and Pope Paul VI. It carries two Vatican stamps and a Vatican postmark. Towards the right of the cover, one over the other, are the signatures of '+ Michael Canuar:' and '+ John Card. Heenan'. Moore's Typed Letter Signed is addressed to Umberto Giorgi of Vicenza, Italy, and reads: 'The Archbishop of Canterbury was grateful for your letter.

[John James Rickard Macleod, Scottish biochemist who received a Nobel Prize for the discovery of insulin.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. J. R. Macleod') to the physiologist Luigi Luciani, proposing to translate his festschrift with G. A. Barricelli.

Author: 
J. J. R. Macleod [John James Rickard Macleod] (1876-1935), Scottish biochemist and physiologist, recipient of Nobel Prize for the discovery of insulin [Luigi Luciani (1840-1919), Italian physiologist]
Publication details: 
21 November 1904; from 'Physiological Laboratory', on letterhead of the Western Reserve University, Medical Department, Cleveland, Ohio.
£450.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, aged and creased. Folded twice. Headed by Macleod 'Physiological Laboratory' and addressed to 'Professor Luigi Luciani'. He begins by explaining that '[t]hrough Dr G. A. Barricelli [i.e. Giovanni Alfonso Barricelli (1873-1934)] of this city' he has received 'the most interesting collection of "researches on Physiology and allied Sciences" published in honour of your 25th year as Professor in Rome'.

[Richard Carlile, leader of the Rotunda Radicals.] Two Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mr. Teague', i.e. John Teague, Keeper of the Giltspur Street Compter where Carlile was incarcerated, regarding editing proofs and having his head cast by phrenolog

Author: 
Richard Carlile (1790-1843), publisher and writer, leader of the Rotunda Radicals, lover of Elizabeth Sharples (1803-1852), suffragist [John Teague (1779-1841), Keeper of the Giltspur Street Compter
Publication details: 
'Compter Decr. 29. 1834'. [Giltspurt Street Compter, London]
£450.00

For information on Carlile - described by E. P. Thompson as a 'Showman of Free Thought' - and his 'moral wife' the suffragist Eliza Sharples, see their entries in the Oxford DNB. At the time of writing Carlile was in prison for refusal to pay the church rates. The proofs Carlile asks to be allowed to receive in the first letter are presumably those of his journal 'The Gauntlet'. The phrenologist 'Mr. Hohn' referred to in the second of the letters - the 'Mr. Holme' of the accompanying slip - is the German-born physician and phrenologist John Diederick Holm (d.1856).

[J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps, Shakespearian scholar and antiquarian.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. O. Halliwell') to Messrs Dickinson & Co., settling a bill and praising the paper supplied by them for his 'folio edition of Shakespear now completed'.

Author: 
J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps [James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps, born James Orchard Halliwell] (1820-1889), Shakespearean scholar, antiquarian, and folklorist [John Dickinson & Co, papermakers]
Publication details: 
5 May 1866; on letterhead of No. 6, St Mary's Place, West Brompton, London, S.W.
£150.00

For the context see Halliwell-Phillipps's entry in the Oxford DNB, which states that in 1852 he 'offered by subscription the most elaborate Works [of Shakespeare] ever attempted: published between 1853 and 1865 in sixteen thick folio volumes, lavishly illustrated by F. W. Fairholt and limited to 150 copies, it was initially priced 2 guineas a volume.

[Lord John Russell, Whig Prime Minister, to William Ewart Gladstone, Liberal Prime Minister.] Autograph Signature 'J Russell', to Autograph address of letter to 'Right Hon | W. E. Glastone', cut from cover of envelope.

Author: 
Lord John Russell [John Russell, 1st Earl Russell] (1792-1878), Whig Prime Minister [William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), Liberal Prime Minister]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£50.00

On one side of 8 x 13 cm piece of wove paper, cut from front of envelope. In fair condition, lightly aged, with minor offsetting from another document on the reverse. Reads: 'Private | Right Hon | W. E. Gladstone | J Russell'. Before 1861, when Russell was elevated to the peerage.

[John Maddison Morton, playwright.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (one 'J. M. Morton', the other 'John M Morton') to comic actor John Pritt Harley, in one discussing a piece he has written for Mrs Humby, in the other complaining of 'disappointments'.

Author: 
John Maddison Morton (1811-1891), playwright noted for his farces, in particular 'Box and Cox' [John Pritt Harley (1786-1858), comic actor and singer; 'Mrs Humby' [Anne Humby (1817-1863), actress and
Publication details: 
Neither dated. One from 13 North Crescent [Bedford Square, London]; the other from Briar Lodge, New Road, Hammersmith.
£120.00

The two letters in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Both with contemporary annotation at head of first page. ONE: From 13 North Crescent, and signed 'John M Morton'. 2pp, 12mo. Addressed, with a second signature, to 'J. P. Harley Esq'. Begins: 'Tho' not quite finished, you will see enough of the drift of the piece, to enable you to say whether you fancy it or not. I have written it out without amendments, which are rarely made, if you approve - I began Dainty (you remember the name?) for Mr. [Humby?], but broke down'.

[John E. McDonough: an American tragedian in Victorian London.] Five Autograph Letters Signed

Author: 
John E. McDonough [John Edwin McDonough] (1825-1882), American actor; D. S. Winebrener of Philadelphia, attorney [John Jabez Stocken (d.1892), London tobacconist, father of actor 'Frank Lacy']
Publication details: 
McDonough's five letters from 1873; one on Stocken's letterhead, 10 Gracechurch Street, E.C. [London]; two on letterheads of Haxell's Royal Exeter Hotel, West Strand, London. Winebrener's letter and obituary from Philadelphia, 1882.
£250.00

A nice collection of material, including five letters in which an American actor writes to a London friend while on a visit to England. The recipient of McDonough's letters is John Jabez Stocken (d.1892), head of a leading City of London firm of tobacconists, and an antiquary. (His son Frank Lacy Stocken (1867-1937) was later an actor under the name 'Frank Lacy'.) From the correspondence it is clear that McDonough stayed with Stocken during his stay in England.

[Charles Kean, actor.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Charles Kean') [to the actor Leigh Murray], regarding the securing of a Drury Lane theatre box from the doorkeeper 'Mr. Massingham'.With biographical item

Author: 
Charles Kean [Charles John Kean] (1811-1868), English actor born in Ireland, son of the celebrated Edmund Kean (1787-1833) [Henry Leigh Murray (1820-1870); 'Mr. Massingham', Drury Lane doorkeeper]
Publication details: 
'Thursday' [no date or place, but written from London, while performing at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane].
£75.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with traces of grey-paper mount on blank reverse, and minor discolouration at one edge from glue used. The actor Henry Leigh Murray (1820-1870) is identified in pencil as the recipient. The letter begins: 'My dear Sir, | You are quite welcome to a P[rivate]. Box if there is one to spare'. He asks him to 'call or send to Mr. Massingham at the Box Office at 1/2 past 4 o'clock who has received instructions to attend to your wishes, if all the Boxes are not let by that time'.

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