NINETEENTH

[ Princess Helena, daughter of Queen Victoria. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Helena') to 'Mrs. Lowther'

Author: 
Princess Helena [ Helena Augusta Victoria; Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein by marriage ] (1846-1923), daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Clouds, Salisbury. 8 April 1891.
£65.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. She agrees to give her 'name as Patroness' to Mrs Lowther's 'theatricals', but 'cannot promise to be present at them as I have so very many engagements in May'. She concludes by noting the weather: 'glorious sunshine & cloudless blue sky'.

[ H. H. Asquith, Prime Minister. ] Autograph Signature ('H. H. Asquith').

Author: 
H. H. Asquith [ Herbert Henry Asquith ] (1852-1928), Liberal Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1908-1916
Publication details: 
Without place and date.
£30.00

On 3 x 9 cm piece of card, cut from the end of a letter. Reads: 'Yours sincerely | H. H. Asquith'. In poor condition, heavily creased and marked.

[ Lord Russell of Killowen, Lord Chief Justice of England. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Russell of Kn.') to 'Mr. Williams', regarding the correct arrangement of dinner guests.

Author: 
Charles Arthur Russell, Baron Russell of Killowen (1832-1900), Lord Chief Justice of England
Publication details: 
On embossed letterhead of the Royal Courts of Justice. 'Monday' [ no date ].
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Reads: 'Dear Mr. Williams, | Pray arrange Guests in the correct order whatever that is. I shall have frequent opportunities I hope of meeting the good Bishop.'

[ Ivan August Turszky, Austrian Governor of Dalmatia. ] Printed decree ('Notificazione | Dell' I. R. Governo della Dalmazia'), in Italian, ordering the destruction of the fortifications of Spalato (Split, Croatia) to make it an open city.

Author: 
Ivan August Turszky (1778-1856), Austrian Governor of Dalmatia, 1841-1847 [ Spalato (Split, Croatia) ]
Publication details: 
'Zara [ now Zadar, Croatia ] 3 Settembre 1845.'
£180.00

Printed on one side of a 30 x 20 cm. piece of deckled-edge laid watermarked paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Hapsburg double-eagle at head, with 'N. 18205 | 2042' at top left. Fifteen lines of text, followed by 'Zara 3 Settembre 1845. | CAVALIERE DI TURSZKY GOVERNATORE. | NOB. de FLUCK | I. R. Consigliere di Governo.' The governor orders that in future the city of Split will be regarded as an open city rather than a walled one. 'Delle esistenti fortificazioni saranno soltanto da conservarsi il Forte Grippe e le due batterie di S.

[ Cuban slave trade, 1856. ] Document in Spanish, signed by both parties: 'D. Domingo Rodriguez' selling 'un negro nombrado Andres' to 'la Sra. Da. Conception de Velasco de la Forre' for 'cuatrocientos pesos'.

Author: 
[ Cuban slave trade, 1856 ]
Publication details: 
'Habana 28 de Octubre de 1856'. [ Havana, Cuba. 28 October 1856.]
£75.00

1p., folio. On aged and worn paper. In top right-hand corner: 'N. 4.' Twelve lines of text, followed by signatures 'Domingo Rodrigz.', 'Conception de Velasco de la Forre' and 'Pose Ma. de la Forre'. Begins: 'D. Domingo Rodriguez vende a la Sra. Da. Conception de Velasco de la Forre, un negro nombrado Andres de oficio calesero y cocinero [ by trade a coachman and cook ], sano y sin tachas [ healthy and without blemishes ]'.

[ Campbeltown Special Constables, 1823. ] Manuscript Document, signed by 71 men, by which they are 'Constituted and Ordained Constables' by 'The Magistrates of the Burgh of Campbeltown', with the text of the oath taken by them for the purpose.

Author: 
Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland [ Special Constables ]
Publication details: 
'At Campbeltown the Twenty first day of April Eighteen Hundred & Twenty three years' [ Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland. 21 April 1823. ]
£450.00

2pp., folio. A 41.5 x 33 cm. piece of wove paper folded three times to make a 20.5 x 8cm. packet. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Headed: 'At Campbeltown the Twenty first day of April Eighteen Hundred & Twenty three years'. Reads: 'The Magistrates of the Burgh of Campbeltown having this day Nominated and Appointed, the persons hereto subscribing, Special Constables in the Burgh of Campbeltown, They are hereby Constituted and Ordained Constables within the said Burgh accordingly, And in terms of Law have taken, and hereby take, and subscribe the following Oath Vizt.

[ George Hudson, 'The Railway King'. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo Hudson'), complaining to an unnamed party within a few months of his death of the non-arrival of a portmanteau at Kirkham Railway Station.

Author: 
George Hudson (1800-1871), 'The Railway King', railway promoter and fraudster
Publication details: 
Kirkham Station [ Yorkshire ]. 9 October 1871.
£180.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly aged paper, tipped in onto part of a leaf from an album. The main body of the letter reads: 'I am sorry to say the portmanteau has not arrived - will you enquire about it - I hope you addressed it to the Kirkahm Station on the North Eastern railway.' In a postscript he gives the full address as 'Mr Hudson Kirkham Station on the North Eastern railway York', adding that he will pick it up 'in a few Days when we return'. The letter may result from a mix-up with Kirkham Station in Lancashire.

[ Sir George Otto Trevelyan, historian. ] Autograph Note Signed ('G O Trevelyan') to 'Herbert' [ Sir Robert Herbert ], describing his canvassing activities in the 1892 General Election, and his longing for 'society'.

Author: 
Sir George Otto Trevelyan (1838-1928), historian and liberal politician [ Sir Robert Herbert (1831-1905), Premier of Queensland ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Central Station Hotel, Glasgow. 5 July 1892.
£45.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-ruckled paper. The letter begins: 'Dear Herbert, | My address will show you why I cannot have the pleasure of breakfasting with you. My poll is tomorrow [Trevelyan was MP for Glasgow Bridgeton], and the evening of the 7th. I am to speak in Inverness, and then have to come South to take part in our two South Northern Ireland contests'. He will be 'from 3 to 600 miles from London for some time to come', and will 'miss the sort of society of which the breakfast club is the quintessence'. From the papers of Sir Robert Herbert.

[ Florence Warden ('Mrs. G. E. James'), novelist. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Florence James'), an invitation to dinner.

Author: 
Florence Warden [ 'Mrs. G. E. James', née Florence Alice Price ](1857-1929), novelist
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 21 Addison Road North, Kensington, W. [ London. ] 26 March 1889.
£45.00

On one side of a 9 x 11 cm piece of grey paper. In a minuscule hand, with the recipient's name has been scored through: 'Dear Mr. <?>, | Will you come to supper on Thursday? | Yours sincerely, | Florence James'.

[ Walter John Coulson, urologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Walter J Coulson'), a sick note for 'Mr. Turner'.

Author: 
Walter John Coulson (1834-1889), FRCS, urologist
Publication details: 
On his embossed letterhead, 2 Frederick Place, Old Jewry. 27 June 1869.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The note reads: 'This is to certify that Mr. Turner has been under my care; and will be unable to return to business for the next ten days. | Walter J Coulson | Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.' For more on Coulson, see his obituary in the British Medical Journal, 14 September 1889.

[ Thomas Noon Talfourd, judge and author. ] Autograph draft of part of his opening speech to the jury on behalf of the defendants in the Court of Exchequer libel case 'Richmond versus Marshall and Miles'.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd (1795-1854), English judge and author, friend of Charles Dickens [ Alexander Baillie Richmond ('Richmond the Spy'); Tait's Edinburgh Magazine; Simpkin and Marshall ]
Publication details: 
[ Court of Exchequer, London. December 1834. ]
£600.00

The background to this document is ably explained in an article in the Spectator, 27 December 1834, 'The Spy System: Richmond versus Marshall and Miles', which begins: 'The Court of Exchequer was occupied the whole of Saturday and Monday last with the trial of an action of libel, brought by Alexander Baillie Richmond, the individual for many years known in Scotland by the title of "Richmond the Spy," against Messrs. Simpkin and Marshall, the London publishers of Tait's Edinburgh Magazine.

[ Sir Henry Irving. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H Irving') to 'Lord Gray', regarding a theatre box.

Author: 
Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905), eminent Victorian actor-manager
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 15A, Grafton Street, Bond Street, W. [ London ] 15 February [ no year ].
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. In a difficult hand. He hopes there is 'no misunderstanding about the box for tonight', which is reserved in the recipient's name at the theatre: '& you have only to ask for your box'. He ends: 'We shall meet tonight I hope after the play.'

[ Robert Scott Moncrieff of Fossaway, Perth, advocate, illustrator and caricaturist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('R S M') to his mother, announcing in high-spirited terms the birth of his daughter Joanna.

Author: 
Robert Scott Moncrieff (1793-1869) of Fossaway, Perth, advocate, illustrator and caricaturist, grandfather of General John Archibald Ballard (1829-1880)
Publication details: 
'Dalkeith | Saty Morning 27 July [ 1833 ].
£56.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight damage to second leaf from breaking of wafer. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mrs. Scott Moncrieff | 7 Fores Stt. | Edinb.' Docketted on same page: '27 July 1833 | R S M | announcing Joanna's birth'. The letter begins: 'My dearest Mother | I beg that you wd.

[ Renn Dickson Hampden, Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford and Bishop of Hereford. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'R. D. Hereford') to Dr Travers Twiss, the first concerning Dr Edward Thompson, Vicar of Kington, the second to a 'Mr. Reed'.

Author: 
Renn Dickson Hampden (1793-1868), Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford and Bishop of Hereford, subject of the Hampden Controversy of 1836 [ Sir Travers Twiss (1809-1897), jurist ]
Publication details: 
The first from 'The Palace' [ Hereford ], 3 November 1856. The second from Eaton Place [ London ], 15 March 1865.
£56.00

The first letter 4pp., 12mo, with cross writing on frist page, and the second 3pp., 12mo. Both bifoliums. The second letter with its envelope, with penny red and postmarks, addressed by Dickson to 'Travers Twiss Esq D. C. L. | No. 19 Park Lane | London'. Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. The first letter concerns Dr Edward Thompson, Vicar of Kington, who has been complained about by his curate 'Mr. Clelan', resulting in a report in a newspaper. Dickson writes: 'Kington, you may remember, rejoices in the notorious Dr.

[ John Caley, antiquary. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J: Caley.') to Joseph Planta of the British Museum, regarding a payment of money, and his temporary removal from town.

Author: 
John Caley (1760-1834), Secretary to the Record Commission, antiquary and archivist [ Joseph Planta (1744-1827), Principal Librarian at the British Museum ]
Publication details: 
'Folkstone. | 5 Septr. 1802.'
£300.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, with slight damage to corners from removal from mount. 20 lines of text. Regarding 'a Dr[af]t. on Snow & Co for twenty five pounds', he would 'willingly have put down the little trouble I had to the account of our mutual friendship in which I stand considerably your debtor but as you will have it otherwise I beg you will accept my sincere thanks for the inclosure, assuring you I consider it far beyond what I ought to have had'.

[ Henry Larkin. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed, advising the engraver F. Chapman how to receive payment for a woodcut for Carlyle's 'Frederick the Great' from the publishers Chapman and Hall.

Author: 
Henry Larkin (1820-1899), friend and biographer of Thomas Carlyle [ Frederick Chapman of Chapman and Hall, London publishers ]
Publication details: 
Both items from 6 Farriano Cottages, Leighton Road, NW. [ London. ] 23 January and 1 February 1865.
£180.00

Both letters are 3pp., 12mo, and both bifoliums. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. An interesting couple of letters, with Larkin advising the engraver on how to extract payment from the publishers, while stressing in both letters that he does not wish his own name mentioned. The first letter begins: 'The Printer has had the Woodcut and printed it, so you can go ahead!

[ James Spencer Northcote, Roman Catholic convert. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Spencer Northcote.'), as editor of 'The Rambler', to contributor Richard Simpson, discussing items for review, Daniel William Cahill, and the Oratory, Edgbaston.

Author: 
James Spencer Northcote, Roman Catholic convert, President of Oscott College [ Richard Simpson (1820-1876); Daniel William Cahill (1796-1864); Oxford Movement ]
Publication details: 
The Oratory, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Undated [ 1854 ].
£120.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. The Rambler was hugely unpopular with the Roman Catholic hierarchy in England for its liberal attitude and satirical emphasis. According to his entry in the ODNB, Northcote edited the journal between June 1852 and September 1854. Simpson (whose ODNB entry also see), under co-proprietor Sir John Dalberg Acton, would take over the editorship before turning it over to John Henry Newman, who would resign after a few months due to pressure from the hierarchy, and the magazine would be discontinued in 1864.

[ Printed item. ] Annual Circular To the Churchwardens, Overseers, and other Officers required to account for the Expenditure of Poor Rates. 1840.

Author: 
Edwin Chadwick, Secretary, Poor Law Commission [ London ]
Publication details: 
Poor Law Commission Office, Somerset House [ London ]. 1840. [ 'By Authority: - J. Hartnell, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street.' ]
£280.00

7pp., folio. An unbound and unopened half-sheet. Facsimile of Chadwick's signature at end. An interesting document, in twenty-six numbered sections, laying out the duties of the parish officers with regard auditing of the quarterly Poor Rates accounts.

[ George Isaac Huntingford, Warden of Winchester College and Bishop of Hereford. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('G. I. Hereford.') to an unnamed recipient.

Author: 
George Isaac Huntingford (1748-1832), Warden of Winchester College, and successively Bishop of Gloucester and Bishop of Hereford
Publication details: 
Winchester College. 6 January 1830.
£150.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He is 'greatly obliged [...] for the purpose' with which he has been 'favour'd [...] with intimation', but it 'never was in my thoughts to be an Annual Subscriber to the Pension Fund'. He will pay any expense 'the Conductors of the Institution have incurred in expectation of his being a subscriber.

[ Napoleon Bonaparte. ] Autograph Letter Signed from 'J Thompson | late Capt. 4th East York L[ocal]. M[ilitia].', presenting John Crossley of Scaitcliffe with 'Bonaparte's Star of the Legion of Honour'.

Author: 
Captain J. Thompson, 'late Capt. 4th East York L[ocal]. M[ilitia].' [ John Crossley of Scaitcliffe, near Rochdale, Lancashire; Napoleon Bonaparte ]
Publication details: 
Manchester. 12 December 1822.
£220.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. The reverse of the second leaf, with seal in black wax, is addressed to 'Capt Crossley | &c &c &c | O L M', and the foot of the letter to 'John Crossley Esqre | Capt: Oldham L: M:' (Crossley, the commanding officer of the Oldham Regiment of Local Militia, built up a notable collection of military memorabilia, which was dispersed after his death.) The letter begins: 'With this you will receive the interesting little "Bijou" - Bonaparte's Star of the Legion of Honour for which I beg a place in your curious Collection.

[ The Crossley Collection. ] Autograph Letter Signed from 'Thos Hampson', presenting John Crossley of Rochdale with a snuff box made by 'the French prisoners confined in this country during the late war'.

Author: 
[ John Crossley of Scaitcliffe, near Rochdale, Lancashire, collector; Napoleonic Wars ] Thomas Hampson of Rochdale
Publication details: 
Drake Street, Rochdale. 14 October 1822.
£45.00

1p., folio. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly-aged with strip from stub adhering to one edge. Addressed on reverse of second leaf 'To | John Crossley Esqr. | Rochdale.' Crossley, the commanding officer of the Oldham Regiment of Local Militia, built up a notable collection of military memorabilia, which was dispersed after his death.

[ Seraphin Weingartner, Swiss artist and designer. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Seraphin'), in English, to 'Cyril', writing in affectionate terms on a number of topics, including his studies at the industrial school at Rosswein, Saxony.

Author: 
Seraphin Weingartner (1844-1919) of Lucerne, Swiss artist and designer, founding Director of the Kunstgewerbeschule Luzern [ Rosswein, Saxony, Germany ]
Publication details: 
Both letters from Rosswein [ Saxony, Germany ]. 27 December 1908 and 19 April 1909.
£150.00

Both letters in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Both addressed to 'Dear Cyril!' Weingartner's grip of English is shaky. ONE (27 December 1908): 8pp., 8vo. He is working hard, making his own suppers, and reminisces about their time together in Paris. The girls in Rosswein are '(some of them) the finest I have ever seen. There is a lot of Balls here, every forth nighth dansing amusement all over. I was surprized to find that here, as well you find real cafe parisienne.' He describes his fellow-students: 'They come here from all parts of Germany.

[ Admiral William Parry, Arctic explorer. ] Autograph Note Signed ('W E Parry') to 'Mrs. Martineau' ('Caro' = sister?), explaining why he cannot accept an invitation.

Author: 
William Parry [ Rear Admiral Sir William Edward Parry, RN, FRS ] (1790-1855), Arctic explorer
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£180.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight loss to one corner. Reads: 'My dear Caro | I cannot go, having an engagement at Greenwich - I will answer for you also. | In haste, | but ever yrs, | W E Parry'. Note: A letter from Parry to "Joseph Martineau, brother-in-law" appears in a Parry archive - perhaps Caro was his sister.

[ William Carruthers, Scottish botanist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm Carruthers') to 'Dr Miller', regarding paying a visit with 'our stones'.

Author: 
William Carruthers (1830-1922), Scottish botanist, Keeper of the Botanical Department at the Natural History Museum, London
Publication details: 
British Museum [ London ]. 5 July 1870.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He will have 'much pleasure in breaking our stones o'er again on Thursday', and will 'try & bring some sections with me - several specimens are in the lapidary's hands'. He ends by asking for confirmation of the hour at which he should call on him.

[ William Chambers, publisher and editor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Chambers') to unnamed individual, asking for information regarding a 'Polish periodical'.

Author: 
William Chambers (1800-1883) of Glenormiston, Scottish publisher and editor, and Lord Provost of Edinburgh [ W. & R. Chambers ]
Publication details: 
Edinburgh. 7 February 1843.
£120.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, with a couple of short closed tears along fold lines at foot. He is 'interested in the Polish periodical', and hopes to notice it in the magazine, and asks for information regarding six numbered points. 'If to the above could be added a translation of "A Scottish House" I think I could make an interesting article on the work.' He offers to 'give the use of any of our cuts with much pleasure'.

[ Sir William Henry Flower, anatomist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. H. Flower') to 'Miss Buchanan'

Author: 
Sir William Henry Flower (1831-1899), anatomist and surgeon, Director of the Natural History Museum, London
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, London. 13 April 1896.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper, with traces of glue from mount at head of second page. Annotated at head in a contemporary hand. If mention of his name 'can in any way help you for the Welsh University or for any other post, by all means use it'. Regarding the 'next years cataloguing', plans are only in consideration, 'with the preparation of the estimates at end of the summer'. He explains that in the previous year these were 'framed by Dr. Smith', and that her application 'came just too late'.

[ Sir Henry Ellis, librarian. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Ellis') to Nicholas Carlisle, asking on behalf of Daniel Lysons what became of a number of Chichester antiquities forwarded to the Society of Antiquaries.

Author: 
Sir Henry Ellis (1777-1869), Principal Librarian at the British Museum [ Nicholas Carlisle (1771-1847), Daniel Lysons (1762-1834), Samuel Lysons (c.1763-1819), James Dallaway (1763-1834), antiquaries]
Publication details: 
'B. M. [ British Museum, London ] | Sept. 8th 1819.'
£56.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, with postmarks, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Nicholas Carlisle Esqr. | Society of Antiquaries Apartments | Somerset Place.' In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He has received 'a Letter from Mr. Daniel Lysons 'respecting "some fragments of brass belonging to a sacrificial Vessel found near Chichester," which were entrusted by Mr. Dallaway to the care of Mr. S.

[ Richard Oastler, factory reformer. ] Autograph Letter Signed to his daughter Maria, wishing her a happy new year from the Fleet Prison, and describing the meal he has eaten there.

Author: 
Richard Oastler (1789-1861), abolitionist, factory reformer ('The Factory King') and Tory radical
Publication details: 
'The Queen's Prison [i.e. the Fleet Prison ] | Jany. 1. 1843.'
£150.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with slight damage to corners caused by removal from album. For the context of the letter, see Oastler's entry in the Oxford DNB, which explains that he was nearing the end of a three and a half year sentence at the Fleet Prison, for 'debts accumulated during his stewardship at Fixby', the charge being a 'Pretext', his 'campaign against the new poor law' having proved 'incendiary'. The letter begins: 'Maria! | This comes from thy own Papa, to wish thee a Happy new Year.

[ Richard Garnett, Assistant Keeper of Printed Books in the British Museum. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('R. Garnett.') to unnamed recipient, presumably a bookseller, thanking him for pointing out 'unusual books'.

Author: 
Richard Garnett (1835-1906), Assistant Keeper of Printed Books in the British Museum, scholar and poet
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the British Museum, London. 17 December 1895.
£40.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dear Sir, | I am much obliged by your letter, and shall always be glad if you will point out unusual books. We have, however, both those which you mention, and must not buy duplicates.'

[ The Soakers' Club, a 'convivial club' in Covent Garden. ] Club rules and 'Promoter's Address' by Julian Sharman, printed by the Chiswick Press.

Author: 
Julian Sharman, 'Promoter' of the Soakers' Club, Covent Garden, London [ The Chiswick Press, London ]
Publication details: 
'Printed at the Chiswick Press' [ Chiswick Press: - Printed by Whittingham and Wilkins, Tooks Court, Chancery Lane ]. 1874. [ Sharman's address dated from 'Covent Garden, | May, 1874.'
£50.00

[1] + 13pp., 12mo. Stitched. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. A tasteful production in grey printed wraps. Elaborate pseudo-seventeenth-century design to title-page replicated on front cover. Five-page 'Promoter's Address'' to 'My Friend and Pitcher', signed in type by Sharman, followed by a page listing the five members of the 'Committee, 1874-5' (Julian Sharman; Henry S. Leigh; Bourchier F. Hawksley; Jas. J. Railston; F. W. Robinson), and five pages carrying the club's fourteen rules.

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