VENETIAN

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Fifty-six lines of neatly- and closely-written text. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and folded once for postage. Signed ‘A. H. Layard’ and addressed to ‘My dear Lister.’ He is sorry that Lister will be in Venice when he is absent, as he is not returning until May. ‘The Hotel de la Grande Bretagne is, I think, now the best in Venice - and very well situated.’ If Lister mentions his name he is sure the landlord ‘will do his best for you. The Grand Hotel is also good. I should not recommend Danieli’s.

1p, 16. On the recto of the first leaf of a bifolium of grey paper, with simple drawing in the same ink as the text of a straight plain walking stick stuck in the ground and running up the left-hand margin, with the handle hooked to the right at the top with the dating to its right. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: ‘le 25 Decembre 89.

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.

Postcard with painting of Rialto Bridge by Canaletto. Postmarked 1970. Ruckled with damp but entirely legible. An amusing communication, beginning 'Thought I would let you know that we were not involved in the great tornado that sunk a voporetto [sic] on Lirica 4, and that the Hotel alla Fava is still very comfortable.' Refers to the Lambs' 'self-contained eyrie' and 'the weak fast coffee which tastes of mud; but clearly and obviously isn't'.