KEEPER

[Sir Charles Holroyd, English engraver, first Keeper of the Tate Gallery.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Thomson'

Author: 
Sir Charles Holroyd (1861-1917), English engraver, first Keeper of the Tate Gallery, and Director of the National Gallery
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the National Gallery, British Art, Millbank, London, S.W. 28 February 1906.
£120.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He writes to apologise that he 'cannot get away to see the Holbein' at the previously arranged time, because he has a meeting with 'my accounting officer'. He suggests an alternative time, and apologises 'heartily for my mistake'.

[Valentine Green, Engraver.] Autograph Letter Signed ('V. Green') to an unnamed male recipient, regarding the removal of two paintings, including one by William Daniell.

Author: 
Valentine Green (1739-1813), English engraver and print publisher, Keeper of the British Institution, 1805-1813 [William Daniell (1769-1837), landscape and marine painter]
Publication details: 
British Gallery, Pall Mall [London]. 20 July 1807.
£120.00

1p., 4to. In good conditon, on aged paper. He begins: 'As both the pictures you bought are to be taken without the frames, I can't take upon me to displace them, without either you or the Artists were present, and more especially Mr. Daniell's, which is framed in a particular way.' Consequently he will keep the paintings, till either the recipient or artists take them away, 'and give me a proper discharge for them'. He ends with his hours of attendance.

Autograph Letter Signed ('F. Douce') from the antiquary Francis Douce to 'S. Turner Esq', regarding a matter of business, involving the sending of deeds 'to Walker'.

Author: 
Francis Douce (1757-1834), English antiquary, Keeper of Manuscripts in the British Museum, 1799-1811 [Bodleian Library Oxford]
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£100.00

1p., 12mo. On bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper with spike hole, and parts of the second leaf (addressed by Douce to 'S. Turner Esq') torn away. The letter begins: 'My dear Sir | I hope that you will have the goodness to write to Walker, unless otherwised arranged with Derby, on the subject of dispensing with his attendance, so as to prevent the business from going on till after Xmas as his letter indicated in case Thursday were not

Autograph Letter Signed ('S. Gibson') from the bibliographer Strickland Gibson of the Bodleian Library, Oxford, to Stephen John Aldrich

Author: 
Strickland Gibson (1877-1958), librarian, bibliographer, and Keeper of the Archives at the University of Oxford [Stephen John Aldrich; Bodleian Library; bibliography; typography]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Bodleian Library, Oxford. 27 October 1922.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and creased paper, unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. Signed 'S. Gibson | (Secretary)'. He explains that as the 'beginning of the Michaelmas Term is an unusually busy time' he has 'only been able just recently to find time to study your very interesting contribution to the history of the R-printer'. He is going to insert Aldrich's article 'in our copy of the Speculum Doctrinale'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('F. Palgrave') from Sir Francis Palgrave, Deputy Keeper of the Public Records, to his son Inglis, complaining of 'avalanches of business' and difficulties over a 'future residence' and helping 'Frank' [his son F. T. Palgrave]

Author: 
Sir Francis Palgrave [formerly Cohen] (1788-1861), English archivist and historian of Jewish descent, Deputy Keeper of the Public Records, 1838-61; his son Sir Robert Harry Inglis Palgrave (1827-1919)
Publication details: 
'Rolls [Rolls House, Chancery Lane] - | 15 June [no year]'.
£56.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Palgrave begins: 'My dear Inglis/ | I have had such avalanches [last word underlined] of business - and most of a confidential nature - that I have really been unable to write to you. By confidential business I mean business of a class which I cannot open to mhy clerks - and what must be either copied by my own hands or at home - If it had not been for Fanny Brown in addition to her sister I do not know what I should have done'.

Manuscript document relating to the Whittlewood Disafforesting Act of 1855, with 'Extract from Plan of the Forest of Whittlewood in the Counties of Northampton and Buckingham (In Three Parts) Part 2. Wakefield Walk and Hanger Walk'.

Author: 
T. R. Fearnside, Keeper of the Land Revenue Records; William Fry Channell; George Wingrove Cooke; Nathan Wetherell [The Whittlewood Disafforesting Act of 1855; Whittlewood Forest, Northamptonshire]
Publication details: 
Copy certified as correct by T. R. Fearnside, Keeper of the Records, 13 February 1860. Plan originally dated 'this 8th. day of July 1856'.
£120.00

Consisting of a manuscript transcription of a document allotting portions of the forest 'for the exclusive pasturage of the Commonable Cattle', and an accompanying coloured map or plan on cloth. The whole folded into a 34 x 12 cm. packet, within a covering leaf docketed: 'Dated 8th. July 1856 | Extract from Award of Commissioners under the Whittlewood Disafforesting Act of 1855 -'. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, but with the covering leaf heavily aged and discoloured. The transcription consists of 3pp., 4to, neatly written out on three stamped 41.5 x 34 cm.

'Box Office Return' for a production of 'She Stoops to Conquer' at 'The Arts Theatre Club Festival of International Comedy and Drama', filled in by hand on printed form by Mary Pupley, Box Office Keeper.

Author: 
The Arts Theatre Club, London [Mary Pupley, Box Office Keeper]
Publication details: 
The Arts Theatre Club, London. 1 May 1949.
£65.00

1p., 4to. On aged and lightly-creased paper. Giving breakdowns for different seats in matinee and evening productions, as well as for programmes, with the number of complimentary tickets. The Arts Theatre Club was founded in 1927, 'in an attractive building in Great Newport-street shaped somewhat like the House of Commons' (Times, 9 May 1927). On its relaunch in 1933, its stated aim was 'to select plays of theatrical merit [...] with an entire disregard for their commercial possibilities' (Times, 18 December 1933).

Autograph Letter Signed ('R. Garnett') from Richard Garnett, Keeper of Printed Books in the British Museum, to 'Mr. Colles', regarding a 'disagreeable' letter from the Italian librarian Guido Biagi concerning the writer Helen Zimmern.

Author: 
Richard Garnett (1835-1906), Keeper of Printed Books in the British Museum [Helen Zimmern (1846-1934), Anglo-German translator and author; Guido Biagi (1855-1925), Italian librarian]
Publication details: 
27 Tanza Road, Hampstead; 30 October 1900.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, stamped as received 31 October 1900, with a '6' in blue pencil. Garnett considers 'Signor Biagi's letter [...] indeed most disagreeable', but cannot see how it can be 'kept from Miss Zimmern's knowledge', as 'she has a right to know what he says of her'. 'Fortunately, however, I have by the same post a letter from her saying that she is coming to London to deliver lectures, and will [be] at 45 Porchester Terrace on Nov. 10'.

Autograph Letter Signed from Frederic William Madden ('F. W. Madden') to W. D. Jones

Author: 
Frederic William Madden (1839-1904), F.R.S., Chief Librarian, Brighton Public Library, numismatist and antiquary [son of Sir Frederic Madden (1801-1873), Keeper of Manuscripts at the British Museum]
Autograph Letter Signed from Frederic William Madden
Publication details: 
29 February 1880; on letterhead of The College, Brighton.
£28.00
Autograph Letter Signed from Frederic William Madden

12mo, 2 pp. Ten lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Jones's letter has been forwarded to him, but he cannot give him 'the information you are seeking', so he has sent to letter on to 'Mr. of the British Museum, asking him to reply to it'.

[Printed pamphlet; signed presentation copy.] Observations on the Public Records of the Four Courts at Westminster, and on the Measures recommended by the Committee of the House of Commons in 1800; For rendering them more accessible to the Public.

Author: 
William Illingworth (c.1764-1845), F.S.A., Deputy Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London, c.1805-1819
Observations on the Public Records of the Four Courts at Westminster,
Publication details: 
[One of fifty copies, privately printed.] 'For William Illingworth, of the Honorable Society of Gray's Inn, F.S.A. and Late Deputy Keeper of His Majesty's Records in the Tower.' [London: 1831.]
£450.00
Observations on the Public Records of the Four Courts at Westminster,

8vo, 67 pp. Signed by author 'W: Illingworth' at head of title page, with inscription in another hand: 'Presented to the Law Institution by me | 12th April 1838'. The blank reverse of the contents leaf carries the stamp of the Incorporated Law Society (also on blank verso of last leaf), and the withdrawal stamp of the Law Society. In modern calf half-binding, marbled boards, gilt. A good, tight copy on aged paper; with binding in excellent condition. Around 1805 Illingworth was appointed Deputy Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London; he resigned in 1819.

Autograph Note Signed ('R. Garnett') to 'Poole'.

Author: 
Richard Garnett (1835-1906), Keeper of Printed Books at the British Museum, 1890-1899 [Stanley Lane-Poole (1854-1931), British orientalist and archaeologist]
Publication details: 
6 February [no year]. On embossed British Museum letterhead.
£28.00

12mo, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper with remains of stub from mounting adhering to one edge. Reads 'We shall be very glad to accord Miss Rosamund hospitality on Saturday'. From a small archive of Lane-Poole material.

Printed Receipt, completed in manuscript and signed, for five works by Williamson legally deposited in the Library of the British Museum.

Author: 
Department of Printed Books, British Museum, London [George Charles Williamson (1858-1942), writer on art and historian of Guildford; George Bell & Sons]
Publication details: 
6 October 1904; Department of Printed Books, British Museum, London.
£25.00

On one side of piece of paper 23.5 x 16 cm. With perforated edge. Good, on aged paper, with traces with strip of glue from previous mount on reverse. Printed in copperplate. The deposited works are 'Notes on the Maces, Insignia of Office, and Town Plate of the Town of Guildford', 'Progress of Catholic Work', 'Token Pamphlet', 'Guildford Shakespeare' and 'County Town'. Ostensibly signed by the 'Keeper', but the signature is not decipherable (''). In his obituary in The Times, 6 July 1942, Williamson was praised as 'a highly industrious and versatile writer on art'.

Stamped, sealed document appointing Robert William Hopkins of Preston 'to be my Sealer and Deputy Keeper of the Seal [of the Duchy of Lancaster]'.

Author: 
James Graham, 7th Marquis and 4th Duke of Montrose
Publication details: 
26 February 1858[; London].
£45.00

Scottish noble (1799-1874), Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. 1 page, 4to, on blue paper. In good condition despite a number of closed tears. Signed 'Montrose' and with his heavily-smudged red wax seal. Witnessed by 'F. Dawes Danvers | Duchy of Lancaster Office | London'. Decorative blind stamp 'ONE POUND FIFTEEN SHILLINGS', and with ink stamp 'LONDON | 27 . 2 . 58 | D'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Forshall') to Bishop Coleridge.

Author: 
Josiah Forshall (1795-1863), Keeper of Manuscripts and Secretary of the British Museum [William Hart Coleridge (1789-1849), bishop of Barbados and the Leeward Islands]
Publication details: 
B[ritish]. M[useum]. Oct: 2. 1848.'
£35.00

12mo: 2 pp. 11 lines of text. The Bishop's note has reached him 'just as I am about to set out for Cambridge to spend the week there'. When he returns he will 'search for any papers we may have relative to Dr. Walker'. He will let him 'know the result of my enquiries'.

Lithographic caricature of Panizzi by 'Ape' ['Men of the Day. No 77'], with letterpress.

Author: 
Ape' [Carlo Pellegrini (1838-89)], Victorian caricaturist; Sir Anthony Panizzi (1797-1879), Chief Librarian at the British Museum
Publication details: 
[London]: published in 'Vanity Fair', 17 January 1874.
£80.00

Paper dimensions roughly fifteen inches by ten and a half wide; print dimensions twelve inches by seven and a quarter wide. Good clear image with border a little dusty and aged. Full-length image of a dour Panizzi standing at a desk holding a book. Page of letterpress on separate leaf of same dimensions, containing spirited account ['he sought refuge in Switzerland, but he was expelled discreditably from that country, [...] Keeper of the Printed Books [...] the man in all Europe most competent to fill it.

Autograph Signature on slip of paper.

Author: 
Philip Bliss
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£45.00

Antiquary (1787-1857) and Keeper of the Archives at Oxford, 1826-57. On slip of grey paper roughly two and three-quarter inches by three-quarters of an inch, neatly mounted on larger slip of thicker paper. Reads, in Bliss's distinctive and disciplined hand, 'a true Copy | Philip Bliss.' Presumably found inside a volume from Bliss's extensive library.

Printed governmental circular (in form of facsimile of manuscript) addressed to 'The Town Clerk' (with 'Town of Maidstone' in manuscript).

Author: 
Henry Hobhouse [MAIDSTONE, KENT]
Publication details: 
Copy | Whitehall July 1827.'
£56.00

Hobhouse (1776-1854) was a Privy Councillor in 1828, and Keeper of the State Papers, 1826-54. Quarto. One page. Very good, on first leaf of bifoliate. Folded twice. On watermarked Whatman paper of 1827. Facsimile signature 'H. Hobhouse'. Begins 'The King having been pleased to comply with the prayer of an humble Address presented to His Majesty in pursuance of a Resolution of the House of Commons [...] for a Return of all Towns Cities Places of Jurisdiction within England & Wales' and ending 'I am directed by Mr.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Campbell Dodgson
Publication details: 
23 January 1929; on letterhead of the Department of Prints and Drawings, British Museum.
£100.00

Art historian (1867-1948) and Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum, 1912-32. Four pages, 12mo. Good, but somewhat grubby with a few small stains. Interesting, and characteristically subtle solicitation. He has been examining the book of drawings his correspondent sent the previous week, but is unable to say who formed the collection: 'my colleagues in the library cannot tell anything from the elephant stamped on the binding'. 'The little drawings are mostly old but not of any great merit'.

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