RACING

See the entries of Bentinck and FitzRoy Somerset in the Oxford DNB. On approximate 11 x 6 cm rectangle cut from cover of letter. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of grey paper mount adhering to blank reverse. Addressed by Bentinck in the customary staggered way: ‘Lieut: Genl. / Lord FitzRoy Somerset G.C.B. / Horse Guards’. Bentinck’s signature ‘G. Bentinck’ is at bottom left, underlined but without the line above the signature. The merest slither of the bottom of the loop of the initial ‘G’ has been cropped. See image.

See Greville’s entry in the Oxford DNB, and Douglas’s in the History of Parliament, which explains the context: ‘Gambling losses, largely accruing from his turf accounting activities at Newmarket - Douglas laid the blame on ‘Peel and Huskisson ... tampering with the currency’, problems raising capital from his property and ‘keeping too large establishment of servants’ - had reduced his fortune’. 4pp, 4to. Bifolium. 44 lines of text. In good condition, lightly aged, with negligible remains of windowpane mount neatly adhering to reverse of second leaf. Folded three times for postage.

Parker was with the Wimbledon Dons between 1945 and 1953, during which time he won three national trophies (1950, 1951 and 1953). He also rode in several World Finals. Fynn came over to Britain from Australia, and Speedway Star, 7 May 2022, contains a biographical feature, with photograph, on the occasion of his hundredth birthday. A pair of black-and-white prints, each on 14 x 9 cm glossy paper. Each with stamp of ‘BCM/SPORTS PHOTOS’ on reverse, stating ‘SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHS 6d each’.

Printed Portrait, coloured, 25 x 17signed JW Southall in a scawl (see Image), fold marks, small closed tear on base fold line, remnants of glue etc on reverse from being laid down. This is the sort of item that was enclosed in Boys' Comics. Apparently it derives from 8 x 6 inch sepia toned photograph of Southall astride his racing cycle signed and dated Oct.24th 1934 (see this on Bristow and Garland's website).

1p, 8vo. In good condition. Laid down on part of leaf from album. Reads: 'Lord Albemarle presents His Compliments to the Mayor Elect, and is sorry to find that It is not in his power to have the Honor of dining with him at Yarmouth on Michaelmas Day next.'

The seven items in fair condition, on lightly aged paper. An interesting correspondence, casting light on the company's practices. Both the recipient, Sir Richard Harington of Ridlington (1835-1911), 11th Baronet, and his son 'The Judge' - Richard Harington (1861-1931), the future 12th Baronet - came from a legal background, adding an edge to the correspondence. The six letters total 9pp., 4to. The firm appears to have had a policy of retaining the original and sending out a carbon copy, as each of the letters consists of a carbon copy of manuscript.

118pp., of which the first 102pp. are in 4to, and the last 16pp. in folio. Stapled into red card wraps. Ownership inscription on inside front cover: 'Padraic Fallon, | Prospect, | Wexford'. Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in heavily-worn wraps. The story is set among race-horse trainers in Ballinasloe in 1936. There is a curious example of typewriter slippage in the last line but three on the last page: '[...] and the woods and 5h3 5o2nw in 2hifh h3 hqe wp3n5 hiw lir3. Qne [...]'.

[8]pp., fol., one blank leaf, fold mark down middle, good condition. The document gives the terms of the agreement, including (1a) the sale of "The shares and interests of the Vendors of and in the Companies set out in the Schedule [...] and/or other interests of the Vendors in all other foreign companies belonging to the Dunlop-Revere Emerge- Revere and Pirelli-Revere groups [...]" There are seven terms, and a schedule which lists various companies. The document has official stamps, and concludes with the Common Seals of both parties/companies, and the signatures of the seven witnesses.

2pp., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. In the letter the Duke of Edinburgh is referred to as 'the Sailing Master'. Addressed to 'The Director of the Operations Division, Ministry of Defence (Navy)', and beginning 'Dear Director of Operations Division (if indeed you are still called that!), | The Sailing Master (and I) are interested in whether we caused you any concern during Bloodhound's passage back from Brunsbuttel to this country.

Both photographs in black and white, and both 25.5 x 20.5 cm. One landscape and the other portrait. The two in good condition, showing light signs of age and wear. Both clearly taken at the same event, as in both Hawthorn wears the same suit. Both taken indoors. In the first (portrait) he is seen cutting a ribbon, while a group of smartly-dressed men and women look on approvingly behind him. Signs for 'Silver Exide' and 'Mobilgas Special' are mounted on a wall.

12mo, 4 pp. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to close relation or agent. He agrees to 'the two sales in Sheffield of £52,000 and £90,000', but does not consider 'under £200 an acre' a good price. He wonders 'whether Sandford is inclined to give a bit to get a deal through without much trouble'.

Printed handbill, c.20 x 24.5cm, possibly trimmed, faint foxing, small closed tear, one small stain, mainly good. We, who have hereunto subscruibed our names, do severally agree to unite in forming an Association to be entitled the NAVY CLUB, and to appoint a Committee to frame a Constitution and Laws ... For remaining contents, a scan of this item can be found on my website, richardfordmanuscripts.co.uk

The seven signatures are each cut from a letter. They are mounted in two columns on a page of grey paper, roughly 22.5 x 27.5 cm, removed from an autograph album. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper with occasional light spotting. At the head of the page is the word 'Horseman', with each individuals occupation in the same hand on the mount beneath his autograph. One (2.5 x 11 cm): '<...> delivery? | Yrs truly | Roderic Owen' ['Gentleman rider']. Two (5.5 x 11.5 cm): '<...> Yrs truly | Sam Darling' ['trainer']. Three (3.5 x 12 cm): '<...> Yours very sincerely | C. Morton' ['Trainer'].

35 pages, 8vo. In very good condition. In purple pebbled cloth binding with yellow endpapers. In a number of different hands. The first entry, dated 19 May 1861, reads 'A Meeting of the Club was held at the "Fox" E. Tipton Esqre in the Chair to arrange and form the crews to race for the 4-oar Challenge Cup and were chosen as follows: [crews' names]'. The last entry is dated 7 September 1864. The last eleven pages consist of detailed descriptions of various boats and boat types (e.g. 'Heavy Dinghy 15 ft (Viscount Boyne)', 'Heavy Fishing Punt (Sir G.