VICTORIAN

Thomas Wilkinson Wallis was the greatest wood carver of Victorian England. Born in impoverished circumstances in Hull, by 1844 he had established his own business in Louth Lincolnshire, and for the 1851 he submitted seven carvings, 'of which ‘Trophy of Spring’ was awarded a medal. It was his most intricate carving, it took him 8 months to complete and was considered to surpass the work of Grinling Gibbons.

A scarce piece of Liverpool printing ephemera. Dimensions approximately 63 x 51 cm. Both sides printed in light blue. Text and illustrations complete. In need of expert cleaning and repair: grubby and stained, with chipping to extremities and some closed tears. At the head of the one side is the masthead of 'The Employment Exchange | Edited by Charles H. Megson' ('The only recognized medium for speedy Employment. Absolutely without rival.') with illustrations of figures at work.

ONE: Letter. 1 November 1901. On letterhead of 56 Wimpole Street, London. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition. With blank reverse of second leaf laid down onto a flyleaf of the book. Benson is not named, but is without doubt the recipient.

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'.

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.'

16mo volume. In printed card covers with green cloth spine. The 'Staff-Kalendar' proper unpaginated (circa 200pp.). Title on cover. The supplement, 111pp., printed upside-down at the back of the volume, with its own cover bearing the title. Internally in good condition on aged paper; binding somewhat worn and aged. In small type. Gives a charming insight into the running of a historic institution. As an example, the entry for 1 July commences: 'Dusting begins. | Accession-register for June to be made up. | Fire-buckets to be refilled. | To be cleaned out: - | 1. Hot water channels in Bodley.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, and wrapped in a leaf carrying the name 'Miss Sandham' (possible recipient?). Neatly and closely written out over the whole four pages. Beneath the heading: 'May be easily made out in three weeks'.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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'.

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.'

[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.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. On two occasions, despite the urgings of his friends, he has declined to apply for 'the Curatorship at Sir John Soanes', but he has since 'thought my friends might be right, and that the appointment would afford means of study and relaxation'. He has been 'over worked lately', and is 'suffering from boils and nervous headaches, which came on the very day I had intended to leave for Paris and Berlin'.

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. He asks him to 'delay sending in the Piano Forte until 1/2 past Five o Clock on Monday', as 'our General Annual Meeting of Proprietors takes place on that day, and very possibly they may not break up until Five, or a little after'. He asks him what tickets to 'send to Mr. Wornum', adding 'Whatever you think right shall be done for him'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight rust spotting around date at head. He explains that it is 'under a mistake' that he has been 'proposed as an Associate of the Central Committee of the British Archaeological Association', and he declines the 'honor intended' with 'sincere thanks'.

3pp., 4to. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr Offor | NB Please to pay the Twopenny Postage of the Letter to 169 Fleet St & charge it in my account.' Docketted 'Mr Keyworth. | Sleaford'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly-aged. He does not think the recipient's 'young Friend' would stand much chance gaining 'the Appointment', but does not see why 'he should not try & make himself known'. He continues: 'We want an experienced Man up to all the workings of the Acts for compulsory Purchases & the Tricks of fradulent Claimants'. Tite is afrait that the 'young Friend has this unpleasant Part of his Profession yet to learn'. He concludes by stating that there is 'but little Chance of my being in London at the Election'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of mount still adhering to reverse. From the context a response to a request for an autograph. Reads. 'Sir / | I beg to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter & thus to answer it. | I am | Sir | Your obed Servant | William Tite'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition. He thanks him for his 'very kind note', but regrets that 'owing to my being engaged on a lecturing tour for some time to come I am at present unable to fix a date to avail myself of your invitation'. He hopes to be able to do so when 'free from my appointments'. For information on de Rougemont', see B. G. Andrews's entry on him in the Dictionary of Australian Biography. Born in Switzerland, at around the age of sixteen 'he became a footman to the actress Fanny Kemble, touring extensively and learning fluent English.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He begins by stating that, as he takes the Eagle newspaper, he has 'seen your poem & Bowling's version', before continuing: 'The only comfort that I can find in the smoling - excessive smoking - of the present day is that the Tobacco is less disagreeable and (I hope) less noxious than the weed of my youth'. He is not himself a smoker, 'but my boys smoke, to excess I think'.