LANKA

[Ceylon Tea Plantation: Cymru Estate, Dimbula [Sri Lanka].] Manuscript containing detailed statistical tables (by British overseer) of every aspect of tea cultivation on the estate.

Author: 
Ceylon Tea Plantation: Cymru Estate, Dimbula [Sri Lanka]
Publication details: 
1964 to 1972. Cymru Plantation, Dimbula, Ceylon [Sri Lanka].
£450.00

The Cymru Estate in Dimbula was established in 1870. The invaluable ‘History of Ceylon Tea’ website only has data regarding the estate up to the year 1929. The present item provides a mass of statistical information for the years 1964 to 1972. It is entirely in manuscript, in several hands, and comprises 73pp, 16mo, written with portrait orientation in a 12.5 x 8 cm ruled notebook (with 69pp in blue and red ink at the front, and the other four pages in pencil at the back). In rough black cloth, with brown patterned endpapers, and cloth pencil-holder.

[Jinadasa Vijayatunga, English-language author from Ceylon [Sri Lanka].] Typed Letter Signed to Philip Dosse of ‘Books and Bookmen’ regarding a review, with reference to ‘Krishna Menon’s nervous breakdown’, ‘plagiarism’ by Mulk Raj Anand, Amita Malik

Author: 
Jinadasa Vijayatunga (b.1902), English-language author from Ceylon [Sri Lanka] in America, England and India [Philip Dosse (1925-1980); Krishna Menon, Mulk Raj Anand; Amita Malik]
Publication details: 
20 May 1974; Flat 8 King Edward Mansions, Grape Street, London WC2.
£120.00

The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The present item is 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded for postage. Signed 'J. Vijaya T'.

[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.

[ Bhikkhu D. Pannasara Thero (Pandit Dehigaspe Pannasara Thero), Sri Lankan Buddhist and Sanskrit authority and publisher.] Autograph Card Signed ('D. Pannasara'), an enquiry to the London oriental publsihers Arthur Probsthain & Co.

Author: 
D. Pannasara Thero [ Pandit Dehigaspe Pannasara Thero ], Sri Lankan Buddhist cleric, authority on Bhuddist and Sanskrit scripture, and publisher [ Arthur Probsthain & Co., London oriental booksellers]
Publication details: 
Galle, Ceylon [Sri Lanka]. 18 May 1939.
£56.00

On the back of a printed 'Ceylon | Post Card | For use to British countries'. With Galle postmark of 18 May 1939. Pannasara signs 'D. Pannasara' and gives his details as: 'Bhikku [sic], D. Pannasara Thero | Jayawardhanarama | Dangedara, Galle | Ceylon'. An enquiry in English regarding the 'Milinda Panha – translated from Pali by J. W. Rhys Davids Vol. I-ii'. Annotations in pencil and ink by the recipients.

[ Thomas Herbert Maddock ] Autograph Letter Signed "T H Maddock" to "Gladstone", presumably John Gladstone, merchant, politician, father of W.E. Gladstone.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Herbert Maddock (1792–1870), civil servant in India and a Conservative MP.
Publication details: 
Clarendon Hotel, 24 April 1850.
£220.00

Four pages, 12mo, good condition. "I have just received from Ceylon a formal evaluation of my coffee property. The sums stated ampount to £8471 & as there is upwards of 800 acres of uncleared forest which is valued at £2 peracre the whole amount will be upwards of £10,000. I send the paper in hopes it may enable your froiend [...] to effect a sale. His correspondent from Ceylon has enclosed a report "made by a Mr Simon Keir and Mr. George Hamilton Dundas" [Keir, Dundas & Co.

[Sir James Emerson Tennent, Irish politician and traveller. ] Autograph Note Signed ('J. Emerson Tennent') to Mrs J. R. McClean.

Author: 
Sir James Emerson Tennent (1804-1869), Irish traveller and politician, Colonial Secretary of Ceylon, 1845-1850
Publication details: 
66 Warwick Square, Belgravia [London]. 4 November 1861.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Reads: 'My dear Mrs McClean | Will you accept the accompanying Volume from me, as a slight token of my remembrance of old times & old friends | Faithfully Ever | J. Emerson Tennent'.

[Robert Byron, traveller.] Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Strutt, discussing areas in Ceylon and South India that she should visit.

Author: 
Robert Byron (1905-1941), traveller and authority on Byzantine civilization, author of 'The Road to Oxiana'
Publication details: 
'as from 91 Bishopsgate | EC2 [London]'. 2 February 1938.
£1,200.00

2pp., 4to. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. In original envelope addressed to Mrs Strutt at the Galle Face Hotel, Columbo, Ceylon. He lists four locations in Ceylon, and six in South India, with brief comments including:'15 sq. miles of ruins - the oldest tree in the world'; 'lovely temple, Adams Houses, Flaxman monuments'. The regarding the last location he writes: 'Madras itself has charming classical buildings, & in the Old Durbar Hall is to be

[William Sibbald, MD, Deputy Assistant-Inspector to Ceylon [Sri Lanka].] Manuscript of folk tale titled 'The History of Santirakasem | a free translation from the Tamal [sic]'.

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: 
Without place or date. [Circa 1844?]
£400.00

30pp., 4to. On seven bifoliums and one single leaf, the bioliums stitched to one another. With several watermarks of J. Whatman, Turkey Mill, all dated to 1844. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Sibbald is not named, but the item is from his papers, and in his hand. Sibbald was in Ceylon between 1818 and 1833. There is no indication that this item has been published.

Typed Letter Signed ('Arthur') from the science-fiction writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke, sendng personal news to Arthur Bourne of the Academic Press Inc., including that he is 'happily retired with theh completion of my last and best novel.

Author: 
Sir Arthur C. Clarke [Sir Arthur Charles Clarke] (1917-2008), English science and science-fiction writer [Arthur Bourne of the Academic Press Inc, British science journalist]
Publication details: 
'Leslie's House', 25 Barnes Place, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka. 7 November 1978.
£150.00

1p., 12mo. Air mail letter on blue paper, addressed to Arthur Bourne, Academic Press Inc. (London) Ltd, 24-28 Oval Road, London, NW1 7DX, England. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. Clarke begins by thanking Bourne for his letter, and informing him that he has 'sent a card of thank [sic] to Dr. Allan Cottey'. 'I am now happily retired with the completion of my last and best novel "The Fountains of Paradise" (Playboy January and February - HBJ; Gollancz, January). I expect to be back in England in August to attend the World S. F.

Nine manuscript documents relating to the death and estate of Major Anthony Coane, 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot, who died in Kandy, Ceylon [Sri Lanka], in 1819, including an inventory and account, and a covering letter from Lieut. Minter.

Author: 
Major Anthony Coane (d.1819), 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot [Kandy, Ceylon [Sri Lanka]]
Publication details: 
The nine items all from Kandy, Ceylon [Sri Lanka], and dating from October 1817 to January 1819.
£180.00

The nine items in this collection provide valuable information regarding the management of the estate of a Georgian colonial British army office. Coane's battalion had served in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land between 1812 and 1814, and had been in Ceylon (under Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Giels) since 1814 by the time Coane died on 5 January 1819, his demise much regretted by his superiors. The nine items are on aged and worn paper with chipping to extremities. ONE: Autograph Letter Signed from 'G[eorge]. Minter' to unnamed recipient. Kandy; 29 December 1818. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium.

Official circular in secretarial hand, with autograph signature, to Captain Brock, Assistant Quarter Master General, Brighton.

Author: 
Sir Robert Brownrigg
Publication details: 
Horse Guards 31st. May 1808.'
£185.00

British soldier and statesman (1759-1833); Governor of Ceylon, 1811-20; conqueror of the Kingdom of Kandy, 1815. Two pages, large octavo. In his capacity as Quarter Master General, Brownrigg informs Brock that 'the Establishment of Entrenching Tool Carts, and Tools attached to the several Regiments in Great Britain, shall cease on the 24th of June next, and that the Horses, Harness, and Carts used for carrying the Tools shall be forthwith Sold by Publick Auction.' Gives instructions for delivering over the 'Horses, Carts, and Harness'.

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