NINETEENTH

[ John Palgrave Simpson, Victorian playwright. ] Autograph Signature ('J Palgrave Simpson').

Author: 
John Palgrave Simpson (1807-1887), Victorian playwright
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 4 x 10.5 cm. strip of paper, cut from a letter, presumably in response to a request for an autograph. In fair condition, with light signs of age.

[ François Guizot, French politician and historian ] Autograph address, on cover of letter, to London bookseller Richard Bentley, with postmarks and seal in black wax.

Author: 
François Guizot [ François Pierre Guillaume Guizot ] (1787-1874), French politician and historian [ Richard Bentley (1794-1871), London printer and publisher ]
Publication details: 
With three postmarks, one from Paris, 13 February 1852
£45.00

Covering leaf of letter, 18 x 22.5 cm, folding into 7 x 15.5 cm packet. In fair condition, aged and worn. Addressed by Guizot to 'Mr. Bentley bookseller | 8 New Burlington Street | London | England.' Seal in black wax (without impression) and three postmarks, two circular French ones, including one from Paris, and an English one in red ink. Perhaps the cover of a communication relating to his book 'Corneille and his Times', published by Bentley in 1852.

[ Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Lansdowne') to the economist Nassau Senior (acting as his agent), directing him to arrange accommodation for him at Ilfracombe.

Author: 
Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice (1780-1863), 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne [ Lord Henry Petty ], British Liberal statesman [ Nassau Senior [ Nassau William Senior ] (1790-1864), economist ]
Publication details: 
Bowood [ Bowood House, Wiltshhire ]. 5 September 1837.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. On leaf with mourning border. With 7.5 x 12.5 cm frank cut from front of envelope, reading 'Calne September fifth 1837 | Nassau Senior Esq | Ilfracombe | Devon | Lansdowne'. In good condition, lightly aged. While Senior is known to have been a protégé of the Marquess of Lansdowne, this letter suggests that he acted as his agent. The Marquess asks him to 'secure me a lodging at the hotel at Ilfracombe or if full at any house in the town on Friday, when I expect to be there pretty early'.

[ William John Thoms, antiquary. ] Autograph Signature ('William J. Thoms.').

Author: 
William J. Thoms [ William John Thoms ] (1803-1885), English antiquary, founder and editor of 'Notes and Queries', and coiner of the word 'folklore'
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 1 x 5.5 cm. slip of paper. In good condition, with light signs of age. Presumably cut from a letter in response to a request for an autograph.

[ Macvey Napier, editor of Encyclopaedia Britannica. ] Autograph Signature ('Macvey Napier.').

Author: 
Macvey Napier [ born Napier Macvey ] (1776-1847), Scottish scholar, editor of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 1.5 x 6.5 cm. strip of paper. In good condition, with light signs of age. Presumably cut from a letter in response to a request for an autograph.

[ Francis Guest Tomlins, journalist, dramatist and founder of the Shakespeare Society. ] Autograph Signature ('F. G. Tomlins').

Author: 
F. G. Tomlins [ Frederick Guest Tomlins ] (1802-1867), journalist, dramatist and founder of the Shakespeare Society
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 1.5 x 6 cm. slip of paper. In good condition,, with light signs of age. Presumably cut from a letter in response to a request for an autograph.

[ James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps, Shakespeare scholar and folklorist. ] Autograph Signature ('J O Halliwell').

Author: 
James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps [ born James Orchard Halliwell; J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps ] (1820-1889), English Shakespeare scholar and folklorist
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated, but before his name change in 1872.
£23.00

On 1.5 x 5.5 cm. slip of paper. In fair condition, with light signs of age. Presumably cut from a letter in response to a request for an autograph.

[ Sir Edwin Landseer, painter and sculptor. ] Autograph Signature ('E Landseer.').

Author: 
Sir Edwin Landseer [ Sir Edwin Henry Landseer ] (1802-1873), English artist and sculptor, best known for his works depicting animals
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£20.00

Good, bold underlined signature in brown ink on 4 x 6 cm piece of paper. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Laid down on piece of thick paper, on the reverse of which are traces of grey paper mount. Presumably cut from a letter.

[ Thomas Colley Grattan, Irish writer and British consul at Boston. ] Autograph Signature ('T. C. Grattan') cut from letter.

Author: 
Thomas Grattan [ Thomas Colley Grattan; T. C. Grattan ] (1792-1864), Irish writer and British Consul at Boston
Grattan
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£28.00
Grattan

On 1 x 5.5 cm slip of paper cut from letter. In fair condition, aged, and with slight discoloration at one end. The signature is present in full, but the underlining flourish hs been truncated.

[ Louis Napoleon Parker, dramatist and composer. ] Five Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Louis N. Parker') to 'Mrs. Whitley' of the Pall Mall Gazette, regarding her interviews of him, one jokingly giving the opinion of 'Percy- the cat'.

Author: 
Louis N. Parker [ Louis Napoleon Parker ] (1852-1944), English dramatist and composer
Publication details: 
Four on letterhead of 75 Gunterstone Road, West Kensington, W. [ London ], and the fifth from the same address. Between 15 June 1898 and 4 October 1899.
£180.00

A total of 6pp. (5pp. in 12mo and 1p. in 4to). The five items in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. In the first letter, 15 June 1898, he says he is posting 'the MS. (untouched: it is excellent) to Sir Douglas' (i.e. Whitley's editor, Sir Douglas Straight). The following day he informs her that 'the interview reads charmingly', and that 'everybody in the theatre is delighted with it', adding that he has 'just posted it to the Poet'.

[ Thomas Longdon Greenwood, lessee of Sadler's Wells Theatre? ] Manuscript of the opening of a Victorian pantomime, lacking title (featuring 'Hans' and 'Gretchen'), with note stating that it is 'in Greenwoods Hand Writing of Sadlers Wells'.

Author: 
[ Thomas Longdon Greenwood (1806-1879), lessee of Sadler's Wells Theatre, London? ]
Publication details: 
Without place or date, but with 'Adelphi' (i.e. the Adelphi Theatre, London) written inside the front cover.
£200.00

16pp. (of which 12pp. in 8vo and 4pp. in 4to). In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Neatly written out, with underlinings in red ink. Loosely inserted in the marbled wraps of an exercise book, with 'Adelphi' in pencil on the inside of the front cover. The first scene is written out complete on ten leaves from the exercise book (now loose), with the main text on ten pages, and additions on two versos. In addition to this is a grey paper bifolium, carrying over 4pp., 4to, additional matter to be inserted at the beginning of the second scene.

[ Mark Hambourg, classical pianist. ] Autograph Card Signed to 'Cyril' [ English actor Cyril Maude ], regarding arrangements for his performance at Maude's 'grand benefit'.

Author: 
Mark Hambourg (1879-1960), Russian-born English pianist [ Cyril Maude [ Cyril Francis Maude ] (1862-1951), English actor-manager
Publication details: 
Card with letterhead 5 Langford Close, Langford Place, NW8 [ London ]. 24 February [ 1942 ].
£30.00

In good condition, lightly aged, with one vertical crease. Stamped and postmarked, and addressed to 'Cyril Maude Esqre. | Redlap | Dartmouth. | Devon'. For more about Hambourg, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. He writes: 'My dear Cyril | I'm afraid the Chappell Piano is necessary for me, as however good a theatre piano, it would not be good enough for a performance at your "Grand Benefit." | Yours with best wishes | Mark Hambourg'. Maude's 'Birthday Benefit Matinée' took place for charity at the Haymarket Theatre, 24 April 1942.

[ Lord Nugent, Irish politician and writer. ] Original Autograph Manuscript of the commencement of his tale 'The Confessions of A Suspicioius Gentleman. | by Lord Nugent'. With numerous emendations and deletions,

Author: 
Lord Nugent [ George Nugent-Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent of Carlanstown ] (1788-1850), Irish Whig politician and writer
Publication details: 
Without place or date. On paper watermarked 'P EVERITT | 1827'. First published in London in 1830.
£250.00

9pp., folio. On five leaves of aged and worn paper. Heavily reworked, with numerous deletions and additions. Headed 'The Confessions of A [amended from 'The'] Suspicious Gentleman. | by Lord Nugent'. The present short story was first published in 'The Musical Bijou' for 1830, and was reprinted in 'The Polar Star' (abridged) and 'New York Mirror', before being collected in an anthology by Nugent and his Wife, 'Legends of the Library at Lilies, by the Lord and Lady there' (London: Longman, 1832), pp.51-91.

[ 'Mrs. Oliphant', novelist. ] Autograph Signature ('M. O. W. Oliphant').

Author: 
'Mrs. Oliphant' [ Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant (1828-1897) ], English novelist
Oliphant
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£15.00
Oliphant

On 2.5 x 6.5 slip of paper cut from the end of a letter. Laid down on a small piece of black card. In good condition, lightly aged. In a small tight hand. Reads 'Very truly yours | M. O. W. Oliphant'. With cutting of part of an article. featurinng a photograph of the novelist.

[ 'Winifred Emery', actress and wife of Cyril Maude. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Winifred Maude') to 'Mrs. Wead'

Author: 
'Winifred Emery' [ stage name of Maud Isabel Emery; later Maud Isabel Maude ] (1861-1924), actress, wife of the actor-manager Cyril Maude [ Cyril Francis Maude ] (1862-1951)
Publication details: 
One from 33 Brompton Crescent [ London ], on cancelled letterhead of Bolingbroke, Mostyn Road, Merton Park. 11 September [1891]. The other on letterhead of 33 Egerton Crescent, SW [ London ]. 9 September, [ no year ].
£30.00

Both items in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. ONE: ALS of 11 September [1891]. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. With stamped envelope addressed to 'Mrs. Wead | Buckingham | Old Shoreham | Sussex', with postmark supplying year. She thanks her for 'the kind invitation Cyril brought me to stay with you on our return from Switzerland', but cannot accept, 'as I may at any time be called for rehearsals after next week & the intervening few days I really must spend at home.

[ Sir Thomas Brassey, Liberal politician and sailor. ] Autograph Letter in the third person

Author: 
Sir Thomas Brassey [ Thomas Brassey, 1st Earl Brassey, ] (1836-1918) British Liberal politician, Governor of Victoria [ his wife Anna "Annie" Brassey (née Allnutt), Baroness Brassey (1839-1887) ]
Publication details: 
Marseilles; 12 March 1883. On letterhead of the Sunbeam, Royal Yacht Squadron.
£28.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Illustrated letterhead, printed in gold, red, blue and purple. Writing on behalf of his wife as well as himself, he explains that 'absence from England will prevent them accepting the kind invitation of Ms. Harrison Blair for Easter Sunday'.

[ Mrs. Humphrey Ward, novelist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Mary A. Ward') [ to W. J. Fisher ], regarding 'the fund to be raised for Mr. Harold Frederic's widow & children', expressing disquiet over 'circumstances disclosed' at .Frederic's inquest.

Author: 
Mrs. Humphrey Ward [ Mary Augusta Ward, nee Arnold ] (1851-1920), English novelist [ Harold Frederick (1856-98), London correspondent of New York Times; W. J. Fisher ]
Publication details: 
25 Grosvenor Place, London SW, on cancelled letterhead of Stocks, Tring. 5 December 1898.
£50.00

An interesting letter regarding a celebrated Victorian scandal. In 1884 Frederic had come to England with his wife and five children as the London correspondent of the New York TImes. He set up a second household with Kate Lyon, with whom he had a further three children. Lyons was a Christian Scientist, and when Frederic suffered a stroke in 1898, she tried to cure him by faith healing, but he died. At the instigation of Mrs Frederic, Lyon was tried for manslaughter, but was acquitted. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border.

[ Henry Melvill, religious writer. ] Autograph Letter Signed to Thomas Appleby Stephenson

Author: 
Henry Melvill (1798-1871), religious writer, Principal of the East India Company College, 1844-1858, and Canon of St Paul's Cathedral [ Thomas Appleby Stephenson (1832-1908) ]
Publication details: 
Haileybury College, Hertfordshire. 3 November 1853.
£30.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border and armorial letterhead. In fair condition, on aged paper, with slight traces of glue from mount on blank reverse of second leaf. His reply has been delayed by the fact that Stephenson's letter was misdirected to 'Highbury College'. He thanks Stephenson for his letter, and feels 'so much pleasure' at 'time passed in Edinburgh', regarding 'that great city with so sincere an affection, that it is very pleasing to [him] to receive so kind a letter from one of its inhabitants'.

[ J. R. Planché, English dramatist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J: R: Planche') to William Jerdan, editor of the Literary Gazette, thanking him for a notice of his wife's death.

Author: 
J. R. Planche [ James Robinson Planché ] (1796-1880), English dramatist [ his wife Elizabeth Planché (1796-1846) born Elizabeth St George; William Jerdan (1782-1869), editor of the Literary Gazette ]
Publication details: 
'Garrick Club | Tuesday' [ 1846 ].
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and lightly-creased. The letter begins: 'Four thousand thanks for the very kind manner in which you have given the notice of my dearest wife in your last number.' The notice will be extremely gratifying 'to her family and any of the many who loved her'. Mrs Planché was also a playwright, and is thought to have collaborated with her husband on a number of works.

[ Henry Austin Bruce, 1st Baron Aberdare, Liberal politician. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Aberdare').

Author: 
Henry Austin Bruce, 1st Baron Aberdare [ Lord Aberdare ] (1815-1895), Liberal politician, British Home Secretary, 1868-1873
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Duffryn, Mountain Ash, South Wales. 10 March 1891.
£25.00

On letterhead, cropped down to 7.5 x 9 cm. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'March 10. 91 | B. C. | Alas! I am rusticating! | Aberdare'.

[ Charles Kenney and Charles Kean. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('<Eleyn?> Zahn') by a half-sister of Kenney, requesting a private box for her sister and herself.

Author: 
Ellen Zahn [nee Holfcroft ] (b.1808), half-sister of playwright Charles Kenney [ Charles Lamb Kenney ] (1821-1881) [ Charles Kean [ Charles John Kean ] (1811-1868), actor-manager ]
Publication details: 
11 Hart Street, Bloomsbury [ London ]. No date.
£30.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with unobtrusive spike hole through both leaves. The signature is unclear, and appears to read 'Eleyn Zahn', but the only one of Charles Kenney's sisters with a name beginning in 'E' was Ellen. She asks for a private box for the following Thursday on behalf of her sister 'V. Kenney [ Virginia Kenney, born 1821]and self'. She refers to his 'long and prosperous reign', and fears that it will be 'long before we shall enjoy the gratification of seeing both you and Mrs. Kean again, as we leave for Paris in a few days'.

[ Eden Phillpotts,novelist. ] Photographic portrait, with signed inscription.

Author: 
Eden Phillpotts (1862-1960), English writer, author of many works about Dartmoor and his native Devon
Publication details: 
Dated 'May 1950'.
£45.00

The inscription is on a 22.5 cm square piece of card, and reads: 'Eden Phillpotts - somewhat battered, but still telling stories. | May 1950.' Laid down on the card, above the inscription, is a 14 x 18 cm black and white photograph, depicting Phillpotts, book in hand, standing in front of a bookcase, which has apparently been cut by Phillpotts from a magazine. The item is in fair condition, lightly-aged and worn.

[ Edward Loomis Davenport, American actor. ] Autograph Letter in the third person, to T. F. D. Croker, praising his 'Dramatic Register'.

Author: 
Edward Loomis Davenport (1816-1877), American actor [ Thomas Francis Dillon Croker (1831-1912), son of Irish antiquary Thomas Crofton Croker (1798-1854) ]
Publication details: 
'T[heatre] R[oyal]. D[rury] Lane | Mar 19 [ 1853 ]'.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on aged paper. In envelope with Penny Red stamp and postmarks (including one dated 21 March 1853), addressed by Davenport to 'J F. D. Croker Esq | 3 Gloucester Road | Old Brompton'. He thanks him for sending 'his Dramatic Register of 52 (& one also 51 while in Scotland)', and congratulates 'Mr C upon the very excellent style in which he has put the facts together'. Also present are a cutting relating to Davenport, from the New York Albion, 24 February 1855, and a small engraved portrait of 'MR.

[ Daniel Frohman, American theatre produced. ] Autograph Letter Signed, inviting General Townshend to 'the Famous Playerrs Ball', where he will met 'some of our leading lights in the picture world', including Elsie Ferguson.

Author: 
Daniel Frohman (1851-1940), American theatre and film producer and manager [ Elsie Ferguson (1883-1961), American stage and screen actress ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Lyceum Theatre, 43rd Street, New York. Undated, but circa 1921.
£40.00

2pp., 12mo. On tinted paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The letter begins: 'Dear Gen. Townshend | Won't you come with me to the Famous Players Ball on Wed. eve? | I am going to ask Miss Balfour. We can all dine here at my office at 7 on that eve - & have time to see later a litttle entertainment prior to the dancing.' He offers to present him to 'some of our leading lights in the picture world especially Elsie Ferguson who is now playng in Arnold Bennetts "Sacred & Profane Love' (which appeared in 1921).

[ The Vestris Family. ] Printed receipt to 'M. Gye', on letterhead, signed over tax stamp by 'G Vestris' (;Mad[moisel]le Vestris'.

Author: 
[ The Vestris Family, dancers on the London stage; Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden. 6 June 1866.
£56.00

1p., landscape 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads, with manuscript text in square brackets: 'Royal Italian Opera, | Covent Garden. | [Madle Vestris] | Londres, [Le 6 Juin] 18[66]. | Recu de M. Gye la somme de [£40 - -] | [G Vestris | B.V, | £[40 : - : -']'.

[ Printed volume. ] The Spirit of the Doctor; comprising Many Interesting Poems; selected from the original manuscript of the Late Mr. James Watson, Formerly Librarian of the Portico, in Manchester; and commonly called Doctor Watson.

Author: 
'The Late Mr. James Watson, Formerly Librarian of the Portico, in Manchester' [ The Theatre Royal, Manchester ]
Publication details: 
1st part ('The Spirit of the Doctor'): Manchester: Printed for the Editors, by George Cave. 1820. 2nd part ('The Humors of Trim').Printed by J. Phenix, Manchester, in the Year 1820, and First Year of the Reign of His Majesty, King George the Fourth.
£220.00

The full title reads: 'The Spirit of the Doctor; comprising Many Interesting Poems; selected from the original manuscript of the Late Mr. James Watson, Formerly Librarian of the Portico, in Manchester; and commonly called Doctor Watson. [Four-line quotation in Latin from Terence.] To which is prefixed A Lithographic Portrait of the Doctor; with a short memoir of his life: And various Anecdotes relative to Him - After, and to which are subjoined The Humors of Trim, [Two-line quotation from Sterne].;151pp [xxxvi + 51 + 64]., 8vo. Lithographic portrait of author as frontispiece.

[ Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, as Commander at Aldershot. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Arthur') to 'Lloyd', strongly urging the suit of 'Lt: Col: Hay'.

Author: 
Prince Arthur (1850-1942), Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, son of Queen Victoria, Governor General of Canada and Commander at Aldershot, 1893-1898
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Head-Quarter Office, Aldershot. 13 July 1897.
£60.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, with traces of tissue mount running along one edge. Addressed to 'My dear Lloyd'. He is sending on Mrs Hay's letter, and asks his 'intentions with regard to Lt: Col: Hay - when he left Aldershot it was understood that the Command of the 2nd. Bde. Divn. Field Artillery would be kept open for him, but now Major Hall has been appointed Hay has lost his command here'. He praises Hay as 'so good an officer & has done such good work here that I am very anxious to help him' He suggests him for another appointment at Okehampton.

[ Sir Francis Seymour Haden, etcher. ] Autograph Note Signed ('F. S. H'), thanking an unnamed recipient in warm terms.

Author: 
Sir Francis Seymour Haden (1818-1910), etcher and surgeon
Publication details: 
Place not stated. Dated '9th.', with 'January 1906' added in another hand.
£35.00

1p., landscape 12mo. On aged, worn and creased paper. Written in a shaky hand. Reads: '9th. | This was just going out as your Letter came in yesterday. So thought it better too keep back till I had mastered the contents of yours which was most satisfactory and told me all I wanted to know - | A thousand thanks for all you have done | F. S. H.'

[ G. D. Leslie, artist. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'G. D. Leslie') to 'Grant'

Author: 
G. D. Leslie [ George Dunlop Leslie ] (1835-1921). RA, English genre painter
Publication details: 
Both on letterheads of Riverside, Wallingford [ Berkshire ].16 and 23 December 1883.
£80.00

Both items in fair condition, bifoliums on lightly aged paper. ONE: 16 December 1883. 3pp., 12mo. Telling the story of the 'Wallingford Belles', beginning with the family of 'Thomas Clark [...] landlord of the Lamb Hotel, formerly called the Bell' When Grant visits him the following summer he will give him 'lessons in painting & as much Lawn Tennis as you like and there is no end to the Archaeology of the neighbourhood'. TWO: 23 December [1883]. 4pp., 12mo. He begins by offering to aid Grant's researchehs by search the parish registers.

[ John Pye, landscape painter. ] Manuscript Letter to fellow-artist Walter Field, written by an amanuensis and signed 'John Pye', giving his opinion of a copy of Turner's 'England and Wales' being offered for sale at Christie's.

Author: 
John Pye (1782-1874), English landscape painter [ Walter Field (1837-1901), artist ]
Publication details: 
17 Gloucester Crescent, NW [ London ]. 3 March 1871.
£135.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, laid down on part of a leaf from an album. He writes that he has 'carefully looked over the Copy of "Turner's England and Wales," that will be offered for Sale at Christies rooms on Tuesday next', and that while he finds it 'in all respects good of its kind, and applicable to the Library of a gentleman', it is 'not so well applicable to the Studio of an Artist, whose aim is to acquire from it, all the knowledge that a more refined class of impressions of places might impart to him'.

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