VICTORIAN

[ The Australian Wine Company, Limited, London. ] Printed notice and Autograph Receipt Signed, both by John Paterson, the firm's liquidator.

Author: 
The Australian Wine Company, Limited, London; John Paterson, Chartered Accountant, Liquidator
Publication details: 
John Paterson, Chartered Accountant, 35 Walbrook, London. [ Australian Wine Company, Limited, London ] Notice dated 20 February 1885; receipt dated five days later.
£45.00

12mo bifolium, with the printed notice on the recto of the first leaf and Paterson's autograph receipt on the reverse of the first leaf. In good condition, lightly aged. The notice states that as liquidator Paterson has 'sold the Goodwill and Stock-in-trade to Mr. C. H. Aylwin' The notice is completed in manuscript, asking 'G. Johnston, Esqre.' to remit the ten shillings owing by him to the company. On the reverse Paterson acknowledges receipt 'from James Johnston, Banker, 61 Irish Sreet, Dumfries, Ten Shillings Stg.

[ Andrew Varick Stout Anthony, American wood engraver. ] Autograph Note Signed ('A. V. S. Anthony') to W. E. Ambler.

Author: 
A. V. S. Anthony [ Andrew Varick Stout Anthony ] (1835-1906), American wood engraver
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the St Botolph Club, 2 Newbury Street, Boston. 8 January 1889.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'Dear Sir: | I have nothing at present except some note book sketches, otherwise I should be pleased to acceed to your request. | Yours truly | A. V. S. Anthony'.

[ William Newnham, medical practitioner and author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W: Newnham') to Dawson Turner, on reverse of printed handbill advertisement for his 'The Reciprocal Influence of Body and Mind'.

Author: 
William Newnham (1790-1865) of Farnham, Surrey, medical practitioner and author [ Dawson Turner (1775-1858), banker, botanist and antiquary ]
Publication details: 
Letter dated from Farnham, 27 November 1841. Undated prospectus by London publishers J. Hatchard and Son, 187 Piccadilly, and J. Churchill, Princes Street, Soho..
£100.00

On a 12mo bifolium of laid paper, with the printed advertisement on the recto of the first leaf, and the manuscript letter on the verso of the second. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper folded twice. The advertisement is headed 'Preparing for Publication, in One thick Volume, 8vo., Price 12s. Cloth,' and consists of a reproduction of the title-page. The letter, addressed to 'Dawson Turner Esq', states that, as a member of the Royal Society of Literature, Newnham has 'taken the liberty of addressing the present announcement to each one of my fellow members'.

[ Thomas William Webb, astronomer. ] Long Autograph Letter Signed ('T. W. Webb.') to Rev. Dr Thomas Dick, on William West's Clifton Observatory, the rings of saturn, and other scientific matters.

Author: 
Thomas William Webb (1806-1885), English astronomer and clergyman [ Rev. Dr Thomas Dick (1774-1857), Scottish science writer; William West (1801-1861), artist and builder of the Clifton Observatory ]
Publication details: 
Tretire [ Herefordshire ]. 5 March 1840.
£400.00

For more information on Webb see his entry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp., 4to. On bifolium. In good condition, with light signs of age. Around ninety lines of closely and neatly written text. Addressed (with postmark and red wax seal of smith at forge) on reverse of second leaf to 'Thomas Dick, Esq. L.L.D., | Broughty Ferry | near Dundee, | Scotland.' A highly interesting and informative letter.

[ John Baldwin Buckstone, actor-manager and playwright. ] Autograph Signature ('Jno. B Buckstone').

Author: 
John Baldwin Buckstone (1802-1879), English actor-manager and playwright, associated with the London theatres the Adelphi and Haymarket
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 4 x 9.5 strip of paper. In good condition, with light signs of age. Reads 'Truly Yours | Jno. B Buckstone | T. Q. H'. Presumably cut from a letter in response to a request for an autograph.

[ 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'.

[ Admiral Sir Charles Napier. ] Autograph Signature ('Chas Napier').

Author: 
Admiral Sir Charles Napier [ Admiral Sir Charles John Napier ] (1786-1860), Royal Navy officer and Liberal Member of Parliament
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£23.00

On 6 x 11.5 cm strip of paper. In good condition, with light signs of age. Reads: 'Yours truly | Chas Napier'. On the lower part of the page, in another hand: 'Signature of Admiral Sir Chas. Napier'. Presumably cut from a letter in response to a request for an autograph.

[ 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.

[ 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.
£520.00

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.

[ William Powell Frith, English painter. ] Printed 'Vanity Fair' 'Spy' cartoon by Leslie Ward, of W. P. Firth ('No. 236. Men of the Day, No. 63. | "The Derby Day."'), with Autograph Note Signed by Firth ('W. P. Frith') to 'The Misses Savage'.

Author: 
William Powell Frith (1819-1909) [ Sir Leslie Ward [ Sir Leslie Matthew Ward ] (1851-1922), English cartoonist for 'Vanity Fair', under the name 'Spy'
Publication details: 
'Spy' cartoon from 'Vanity Fair' (London), 10 May 1873. Autograph Note Signed on letterhead of 114 Clifton Hill, [ London ] NW. 12 May 1887.
£90.00

ONE: Printed 'Spy' cartoon. 35.5 x 23 cm. Coloured. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. A placid Firth is shown before an easel, with brush in one hand and pallette in another. TWO: ANS. 2p., 12mo. With mourning border. 'Dear young ladies | I have pleasure in complying with your request for an autograph. | Faithfully yours | W. P. Firth. | To | The Misses Savage'.

[ 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'.

[ Henry Russell, song writer and entertainer. ] Printed ticket of admission to 'Mr. Henry Russell's Entertainment' at the Lyceum Theatre, signed 'Henry Russell'. With newspaper cutting of letter from Russell concerning reports of his death.

Author: 
Henry Russell (1812?-1900), English song writer and entertainer [ The Lyceum Theatre, London ]
Publication details: 
Lyceum Theatre [ London ]. 7 September 1858.
£35.00

On one side of a 7.5 x 10.5 cm piece of grey paper. Laid down on a piece of cream paper cut from an album. In fair condition, aged. Reads (with manuscript additions in square brackets): 'LYCEUM THEATRE. | Mr. Henry Russell's Entertainment, | ADMIT [Four Dress Circle] | On [ Wed ] day, September [ 7th ] 1853. | [Henry Russell.] | Not admitted after a quarter to 8.' Also included is an undated newspaper cutting of a letter from Russell 'To the Editor of the Daily News', from '74, Kensington-gardens-square, Bayswater, Nov.

[ Henry Russell, song writer and entertainer. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Massingham' [ W. W. Massingham of the Princess's Theatre ], requesting complimentary tickets to 'the Pantomime'.

Author: 
Henry Russell (1812?-1900), English song writer and entertainer [ William Wright Massingham, essee of the box-office at the Princess's Theatre, London ]
Publication details: 
Without date or place. On paper watermarked 'A PIRIE & SONS | 1852'.
£30.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged paper, with minor traces of glue from mount on reverse. Reads: 'My ydear Massingham. | Will you give me an admission for myself & friend to see the Pantomime - I hear it is great - how are you - can I do any thing for you! - | Thine sincerely | Henry Massingham'. 'Old Massingham' was well-known in his day as 'the lessee of the box-office at the Princess's Theatre during the reign of Keeley and Charles Kean'. His collection of theatrical material was auctioned after his death.

[ 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'.

[ Frank Wilson, Premier of Western Australia. ] Typed Letter Signed to Walter Bramall, declininng an invitation to a meeting of the Diggers' Club.

Author: 
Frank Wilson (1859-1918), ninth Premier of Western Australia, serving two terms, 1910-1911, 1916-1917 [ The Diggers' Club, London; Walter Bramall ]
Publication details: 
15 Victoria Street, SW [ London, England ], on deleted 1890s letterhead of the Premier's Office, Perth [ Australia ]. 31 May 1911.
£100.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Brammall's address is given as Cheetwood, 123 Dartmouth Road, Brondesbury, NW. Note Wilson's parsimonious or thrifty use of his old Premier's letterhead despite his return to England. He regrets having to decline Brammall's invitation 'relative to the Dinner of the Diggers' Club to be held on the 8th June', due to his 'being absent in the North of England on that date'. A manuscript list of attendees (presumably by Bramall) is on the reverse, with the note: 'I should like a small table in the room for the artistes after dinner'.

[ 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.

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