LETTERS

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent [Mr Blunt of Crewe].

Author: 
John Brown
Publication details: 
29 May 1859; 'Edinburgh 23 Rutland St'.
£35.00

Scottish essayist (1810-82). Two pages, 12mo. With mourning border. Good, but on discoloured paper, and with some glue staining to blank second leaf of bifoliate. Concerns the work for which Brown is remembered, 'Rab and his friends' (1859). If he is ever at Crewe he will 'certainly avail myself of Mrs. Blunt's & your very gratifying invitation. His wife is 'more delighted, I think, with your letter about "Rab" than by any other - & she has kept it - being like all good wives greedy of her husband's praise.' Signed 'J. Brown'.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent [Henry Petrie?].

Author: 
Patrick Fraser Tytler
Publication details: 
30 November 1840; 34 Devonshire Place.
£85.00

Scottish historian (1791-1849). Three pages, 12mo. In good condition, with second leaf of bifolium attached by blank verso to larger piece of docketed grey paper. An interesting, chatty letter relating to his 'History of Scotland' (1828-43), and the State Paper Office. He hopes his correspondent has received the seventh volume which 'cost me much labour - but if it is even an approach nearer to the truth the time has not been thrown away'.

Catalogue of Books, Manuscripts, Autographs and Drawings.

Author: 
Alexander Denham and Co. [Charles Whittingham; Chiswick Press; autographs; booksellers' catalogues]
Publication details: 
London: For Sale by Alex'r Denham and Co., 23 Haymarket, S.W.; 1902. [Chiswick Press: Charles Whittingham and Co. Tooks Court, Chancery Lane, London.]
£75.00

Quarto: 65 pp. Numerous plates. In original grey printed wraps. Internally good, with a little spotting and creasing to the ruckled edges; wraps worn and stained. A beautifully printed item, on thick laid paper. Among the printed matter are books of hours, breviaries, psalters, and letters (with facsimile plates) by Byron, Keats, Johnson and Sterne; and manuscripts of Fielding and Horace Walpole.

Autograph Letter Signed to Dawson Turner from his daughter Elizabeth ('E. Palgrave').

Author: 
Elizabeth Palgrave (nee Turner, 1799-1852), wife of Sir Francis Palgrave (1788-1861) [Dawson Turner]
Publication details: 
[Docketed by Turner 'Hampstead 21st June 1848.']
£80.00

One page, octavo. Good, on aged paper with some loss to extremities repaired with archival tape. Fifteen lines of text clear and complete. On learning of Dawson Turner's celebrated collection of autographs from her son, Elizabeth Palgrave's 'kind old neighbour' Lady Bentham asked her 'some questions which led to the enclosed note & the letters I send' (none present).

Three Autograph Letters Signed to 'Dear Mat'.

Author: 
Edward Dubois [Du Bois]
Publication details: 
Two without date or place; the third dated 'Gower Place | Euston Sq[uar]e | Wedn[esda]y.'
£200.00

English wit and man of letters (1774-1850). All three letters in octavo and skilfully mounted onto quarto paper. Two letters of three pages and one of two pages. All three in very good condition. Playful, witty communications to an intimate friend, characteristic of a droll, caustic wit, 'capital at the dinner table', who 'loved a joke, even in court' (Dictionary of National Biography). LETTER ONE (2 pages): Declines an invitation.

Character.

Author: 
Samuel Smiles
Publication details: 
London: John Murray, 1885. New edition.
£60.00

Victorian writer and social reformer (DNB), famous for his book 'Self-Help (1859)'. Inscribed by Smiles on the half-title 'To Dear Georgie | from the Author | S Smiles. | Christmas 1886'. Later ownership inscription on front free endpaper. 8vo, xii + 388 pages, followed by sixteen-page catalogue of publisher's advertisements. Original maroon cloth, with blindstamped bevelled boards. Not in the best of condition: cloth worn, stained and rubbed; spine frayed and faded with long tear along hinge; binding loose; paper somewhat discoloured with some foxing.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Alexander William Kinglake
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£18.00

English historian of the Crimean War (1809-91). On piece of paper roughly 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/4 inches. In very good condition. Remains of mounts adhering to blank verso. Reads '<...> be of use in making the collection. | I have the honour to be | Sirs | faithfully yours | A W Kinglake.'

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Joseph Hatton
Publication details: 
No place; December 1901.
£20.00

Piece of grey card, dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches. In poor condition: grubby and discoloured, and crudely mounted on a piece of card. Novelist and journalist (1841-1907). Clearly in reply to a request for an autograph, Hatton has written, in a large hand, 'With pleasure - | Yours very truly | Joseph Hatton | Dec 1901'. Neatly docketed with a number '30' in a circle.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Eden Phillpots
Publication details: 
February 1928; no place.
£15.00

English novelist, poet and dramatist (1862-1960), noted for his works on Devon. On piece of paper, 3 inches by 4 1/2. In good condition, and attached to a piece of blue card docketed with list of Phillpots works. Distinctive and attractive signature, 'Eden Philpotts | Feb: 1928'.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Morley Roberts
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

Novelist, journalist and travel writer (1857-1942). Dimensions: 1 1/4 inches by 4 inches. In good condition, although creased along its length, and attached to a larger piece of paper docketed 'Morley Roberts. | Novelist & Journalist.'

Autograph Letter Signed to [Mr] Bagnal.

Author: 
William Edward Hartpole Lecky
Publication details: 
8 January 1887; on letterhead 38, Onslow Gardens, S.W.
£35.00

Historian and essayist (1838-1903). 1 page, 16mo. In good condition, although grubby and glued to fragment of vellum 'Honorary Testimonial' to urice B. Blake, from internal evidence clearly from the Royal Humane Society, and signed by the President, the Duke of Argyll ('Argyll') and the Treasurer and Chairman, A. B. Hawes, 'for having on the 6th., <...> risk gallantly attempted to rescue <...> was unfortunately drowned in the River'. Letter reads: 'Dear Bagnal | I return inclosed with much pleasure.

ALS, 2pp, 16mo, to unnamed correspondent

Author: 
Henry Reeve (DNB), editor of the Edinburgh Review
Publication details: 
16 Oct [no year], on letterhead "Foxholes, Christchurch, Hants."
£20.00

"I am laid up from the effects of an accidental blow on the leg." Is only writing to postpone the visit to 9 November.

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