SUSSEX

[Printed handbill poetical Christmas keepsake by Victor B. Neuburg, with wood engraving by 'O. W.']

Author: 
Victor B. Neuburg [Victor Benjamin Neuburg (1883-1940), poet and author, proprietor of the Vine Press, Steyning, Sussex]
Publication details: 
The Vine Press, Steyning, Sussex. Christmas, 1921.
£150.00

1p., 12mo. On piece of aged and lightly-creased laid paper. The engraving, at the head of the page, is 7 x 9.5 cm., is a stylised full-length depiction of a young man in eighteenth-century dress, wearing a cravat, with hands on hips, standing between two trees. The poem reads 'Dear He - / Or She - / This from me, / Victor B. / Neuburg, to thee.' Second stanza: 'Not me: we, / I forgot, you see.' In bottom left-hand corner, in italics, 'Christmas, 1921.' And in italics in bottom-right: 'The Vine Press, / Steyning, / Sussex.' No other copy found listed.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Willm. Murdin') from the historian William Murdin to Dr Samuel Johnson's friend the scrivener and author John Ellis, on the nature of friendship.

Author: 
Rev. William Murdin (c.1703-1760), of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, historian [John Ellis (1698-1790), English scrivener, author and friend of Dr Samuel Johnson
Publication details: 
St John's College, Cambridge. 19 November 1721.
£120.00

1p., 8vo. Bifolium. Twenty-seven lines of text. Good, on aged paper, with minor traces of previous mounting. Addressed, with black ink circular postmark ('20 | NO'), on reverse of second leaf, ''To Mr Ellis | att Mr Taverners in Thread-needle Street'. The letter begins: 'Nothing can yield Persons in our Stations greater Satisfaction, than to be entertain'd in our silent Retirement with some harmless amusements from a facetious & learned Correspondent.

Contemporary manuscript transcription (on paper watermarked 1818) of a satirical political poster from Brighton by 'Edward Thunder', produced for the Sussex election held at Chichester in 1820.

Author: 
'Edward Thunder' [satirical political poster for the Sussex election, held at Chichester, 12 March 1820; national debt]
Satirical political poster for the Sussex election
Publication details: 
[Watermark 1818; Circa 1820.] The original printed by 'Fleet, Printer, Brighton'.
£125.00
Satirical political poster for the Sussex election

Folio, 1 p. On paper watermarked 'J WHATMAN | 1818'.

[Printed pamphlet.] Cataclysm Has Begun! [With covering Typed Letter Signed from Williamson to George H. Brook.]

Author: 
J. J. Williamson [John Jacob Williamson], Founder-President, the Society of Metaphysicians Ltd, Hastings, Sussex [Nuclear proliferation; Cold War; Atomic Bomb]
 Cataclysm Has Begun!
Publication details: 
Pamphlet: 1955. The Society of Metaphysicians Ltd. Letter: 19 February 1955; on letterhead of the Society of Metaphysicians Ltd, Archers' Court, Stonestile Lane, Hastings, Sussex.]
£250.00
 Cataclysm Has Begun!

4to, vii + 21 pp. Stapled pamphlet, on two different paper stocks (white and grey), front cover detached Text clear and complete. Good, on aged paper, with crease to one corner of title-leaf. Title leaf printed, the rest mimeographed. Pp. v-vii consist of an appendix at the rear of the volume. Occult pseudo-science (the Society's logo is a pentacle), presaging the hippie 'retreat from reason' in the face of Cold War realities. Begins 'For ten years the Society of Metaphysicians has worked in the interests of human unity at all levels.

Printed circular, in facsimile of copperplate handwriting, with actual signature of 'Rd J. Collis', discussing the state of the hop market, with probable quantity, quality, and value of the growth of 1853', following the 'Hop season of 1852'.

Author: 
[English hop market report, 1853; Victorian Kent and Sussex agriculture]
English hop market report, 1853
Publication details: 
27 September 1853; 241 Borough, London.
£56.00
English hop market report, 1853

4to, 1 p. Twenty-six lines. Text clear and complete. On grey paper. Small spike hole. Aged and lightly-creased. Describes the 'forbodings' which have been realised following 'the heavy rains and floods of the previous Autumn'. 'From 2000 to 3000 Pockets have already come to Market, and these are making, in samples of Sussex £8 to £9, the Cut, and in Kents £8. 8/. to £10. 10/. to £12;- mouldy and blighted, much lower. | Nothing choice in East or Mid Kents has, as yet, made its appearance, [...]'.

Three printed reports of meetings held at the Council House, Chichester, of the West Sussex branch of the British 'War Agricultural Committee' (two from 1915 and one from 1916) and one report from the 'War Agricultural Executive Committee'.

Author: 
[Herbert Padwick, Chairman, War Agricultural Committee, West Sussex Branch; First World War; British farming; women and agriculture]
Publication details: 
The three 'War Agricultural Committee' reports: 16 November and 22 December 1915, and 9 February 1916. 'War Agricultural Executive Committee' report: 29 January 1917. All meetings held at the Council House, Chichester [West Sussex Committee].
£350.00

All four items clear and complete, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Item One: Report of WAC meeting of 16 November 1915. Folio, 6 pp. Includes 'Reports from District Sub-Committees' and section on 'Enlistment as to Skilled Agricultural Labourers'. Also section on 'Women's County Committee'. Item Two: Report of WAC meeting of 22 December 1915. Folio, 4 pp. Sections on 'Instruction in milking to women' and 'Employment of women on farm work'. Signed in type as Chairman by Padwick. Item Three: Report of WAC meeting of 9 February 1916. Folio, 4 pp. Signed in type as Chairman by Padwick.

Two Autograph Letters signed from the Sussex antiquary Mark Antony Lower (both signed 'M: A: Lower') to John Wickham Flower.

Author: 
Mark Antony Lower (1813-1876), English antiquary and local historian, founder member of the Sussex Archaeological Society [John Wickham Flower (1807-1873), Croydon geologist and archaeologist]
Two Autograph Letters signed from the Sussex antiquary Mark Antony Lower
Publication details: 
27 April and 9 November 1865; on letterheads of St Anne's House, Lewes, Sussex.
£125.00
Two Autograph Letters signed from the Sussex antiquary Mark Antony Lower

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Letter One (27 April 1865): 12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium. Seventeen lines. He is sorry not to have been able to accept Flower's hospitality: 'Let us hope to meet about Whitsuntide for the pilgrimage to Firle'. He is eager for information for his 'Sussex Worthies'. 'My eldest dau[ghte]r's marriage & the starting of my eldest son on his professional career cost money, & every 30s. [subscription) will help.' Letter Two (9 November 1865): 12mo, 1 p. 13 lines. He has received the 30s.

Printed folio handbill headed 'Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce. Adelphi, May 27, 1817. The Rewards adjudged by the Society will be presented this day [...] in the following order.'

Author: 
Arthur Aikin, Secretary, Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce [Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, President; Royal Society of Arts]
Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce
Publication details: 
Printed by T. WOODFALL, (Assistant Secretary to the Society,) 10, Taylor's Buildings, Chandos Street. [Adelphi, May 27, 1817.]
£85.00
Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce

Folio, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. The heading states that the presentation will take place 'at Free Masons' Hall, Great Queen Street, to the respective Candidates by His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, President, in the following order.' The text, laid out in double column, lists a total of sixty-four successful candidates, numbered under five headings: Agriculture, Chemistry, Polite Arts, Manufactures, Mechanics.

Autograph Note in the third person from Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, to Sir W. J. Newton, regarding a sitting.

Author: 
Prince Augustus Frederick (1773-1843), Duke of Sussex, sixth son of King George III [Sir William John Newton (1785-1869), artist and photographer]
Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex
Publication details: 
27 March 1840; Kensington Palace.
£85.00
Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex

12mo, 1 p. Six lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Suggests a couple of alternative days on which he 'will be at liberty to give Sir W. J. Newton a sitting'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('James Donnet') to Mrs Hollingworth, discussing autograph collecting.

Author: 
Sir James Donnet [Sir James John Louis Donnet] (1816-1905), inspector-general of hospitals and fleets [autograph collecting]
Publication details: 
24 March 1895; on letterhead of 5 Park Road, Bognor, Sussex.
£38.00

12mo, 4 pp. Text clear and complete. Very good on lightly-aged paper, with thin strip from stub still adhering. Thanking her for 'sending me the acceptable autographs you have. Though seemingly scraps of paper they possess for the initiated a value, for I believe every individual to be possessed of a romance which opportunity and occasion bring to the fore and make of him a personage whose writing is worthy of preservation. The diamond in its mine is of no value, but when found, cut, and set in its golden framework, it is prized and esteemed'. Defends 'the collector' against criticism.

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs [Cecilia] Perkins.

Author: 
Edmund Yates
Publication details: 
23 July [no year]; on letterhead of Moorhurst, Holmwood, Surrey.
£28.00

12mo, 1 p. The purple ink of the letter has bled, otherwise in good condition. He does not 'think it likely that we shall soon see this neighbourhood again'. They have had 'frequent bad weather, constant illness, & general discomfort'. The Yateses 'hope to meet you at Hamburg, where we expect to arrive on Wednesday 5th. August. So be it!' Mrs Perkins was the wife of the wealthy brewer Augustus Frederick Perkins.

Satirical handbill for work entitled 'Popular characters of Worthing'.

Author: 
Worthing, Sussex [Victorian humour, satire, Spottiswoode & Co]
Publication details: 
Without date; London.
£125.00

Dimensions of leaf roughly seven and a half inches by ten. Good, though grubby and with archival repair to verso. That the piece is a spoof is indicated by the printers slug, in the bottom right-hand corner: '[Spottisnotwood & Co, Printers, London.', the reference being to the leading London printers Spottiswoode & Co.

Autograph letters signed (x 6) to Ralph Lewis, author of "Scene in Sussex: a fresh look at the county" and others

Author: 
Esther Meynell
Publication details: 
1943-1944.
£100.00

Author. She discusses work in progress (the County Book Sussex), past work (on Lincoln), Lewis's writings and activities, the effects of the War, and life in Ditchling, especially her "new-old cottage". In the final letter there is a postscript: "Yes, Edward Johnston is a loss - he wrote the best book there is on Lettering & was a real master-craftsman in his own line". [Johnston had followed his pupil , Eric Gill, to Ditchling.] Six items,

Autograph Signature ('J B. Hobbs.').

Author: 
Jack Hobbs [Sir John Berry Hobbs, 1882-1963], English cricketer
Hobbs
Publication details: 
Date and place not stated.
£18.00
Hobbs

On piece of paper roughly 2.5 x 5 cm. Laid down on leaf of cream paper, 8.5 x 12 cm, from an autograph album. In slightly faded blue ink, and with a crease to the bottom left-hand corner, affecting the lower loop of the 'J'.

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'.

Typed Letter Signed to Miss Scott Rogers of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Author: 
Ernest Alfred Sallis Benney
Publication details: 
9 May 1946; on Brighton School of Art letterhead.
£26.00

Artist (1894-1966) and principal of Brighton School of Art. One page, octavo. Good, but lightly creased and with staple holes in the top lefthand corner. Date stamps in grey and red ink. Letter concerns the suitability of Alfred Charles Hull as a member of the Academy. Benney knew Hull 'for many years as a master at Shoreham Grammar School' and elsewhere. 'Mr. Hull is an extremely charming fellow and would socially fit in very happily with the Society. It is a little difficult, however, for me to say whether he is of fellowship standard.

Autograph Postcard Signed to Kenneth Bredon, of Bredon's Bookshop in Brighton.

Author: 
Nicolas Bentley
Publication details: 
Postmarked 24 September 1974; 'The Old School, Downhead, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.'
£35.00

One page, very good. Postcard illustration of Marie Taglioni. In Bentley's distinctive neat hand. 'If & when Angus & Robertson's traveller shows you a book called Dead Funny, illus. by Bill Tidy, pubs. Ask & Grant, I hope you'll feel compelled to place a huge order: The Grant is Arabella's husband, just breaking into publishing (mad!) How are you & Billie? We should love to see you both, but I doubt that you ever come this way. If you do, you can count on a warm bed & reception. Try & make it sometimes.' Signed 'Nick'.

1 Autograph Card Signed; 1 Typed Letter Signed. Both to 'Mr Wilson'.

Author: 
W. H. Shelford
Publication details: 
Card, 1 August 1929, on letterhead 'Horncastle, | Sharpthorne, | East Grinstead, | Sussex.'; letter, 27 December 1930, on letterhead 'HORNCASTLE, | SHARPTHORNE, | SUSSEX.'
£45.00

On 1 June 1935 Shelford bowled the first jack at the opening of West Hoathly Bowls Club. The card, dimensions roughly 4 inches by 5 inches, is 2 pages. The letter, 2 pages, 4to. Both somewhat grubby but in good condition. The card thanks Wilson for sending a copy of Francis Hackett's 'Henry VIII'. 'I dipped into it in the train this morning & it so <?> me that I had to skim my newspaper'. The letter begins with some Christmas chitchat, before discussing a lecture given by Shelford, a copy of which he encloses (not present).

autograph letter signed to W. D. Cooke

Author: 
Lord Cleveland on Battle Abbey, Sussex
Publication details: 
4pp, 8vo, Battle Abbey, 11 November 1869
£100.00

Is not sure whether he can find a ground plan of the Abbey before his alterations, but provides a detailed description of them, e.g. 'I took down some parts which were not old but added by Sir Godfrey Webster, built very badly of brick & cemented over to look like stone, and have rebuilt it of stone with a slight alteration so as to render it more in character'. He refers in detail to the rebuilding of the library 'which is 76 feet long is substantially the same building as the former one erected by Sir Anthony Brown after the dissolution of the monastery and its cession to him'.

Syndicate content