VOLTAIRE

1p, landscape 12mo. In fair condition, aged and worn, laid down on part of a leaf from an album. The letter begins in lighthearted fashion, but soon turns sombre, with a list of Rickman's friends who have recently died. Reads: 'My dear Sir! Truth will out – The lady has been trying Bargain Tea all entire at 8s/. - this pleases me – so look to it! - I am confined to my room not so ill in health but I have lost great friends – Mrs. Hobson my best, dead – Mrs Thos. Rickman, dead – Mr. Gray dead, & some living ones have flown off, & all this cuts me up! - God bless you, & yours! | Clio'.

Broadsheet, one page, 44 x 21.5cm, fold marks, two small closed tears, staining at top not affecting text, mainly good condition. The item has introductory remarks on the verses, presumably manuscript, being sent by Keate with a gift, reminding readers of Keate's work on the Pellew Islands and patronage of Lee Bow (another Marcellus). These are followed by 34 lines of verse, offering support and help, with complimentary phrases. It commences, 'Tis not, I readily confess, | My virgin hue or silv'ry dress , concluding, My last drop will flow for you.

Handbill, four pages, 8vo, bifolium, minor staining, mainly good condition. The item has introductory remarks on the verses, presumably manuscript, being sent by Keate with a gift, reminding readers of Keate's work on the Pellew Islands and patronage of Lee Bow (another Marcellus). These are followed by 34 lines of verse, offereing support and help, with complimentary phrases. It commences, "'Tis not, I readily confess, | My virgin hue or silv'ry dress" , concluding, "My last drop will flow for you.

Disbound, pp.[101]-108, some staining mainly good condition, account of funeral pp.107-108.

Octavo: ii + 51 + [1] pp. Stitched and unbound. Grubby, and with loss to final leaf, affecting a couple of lots and an advertisement, from removal of label. 521 lots. Postmarked penny red postage stamp. Letters of Burns, Byron, Coleridge, Frederick the Great, Haydn, Rousseau, Voltaire. The high point of the sale undoubtedly three letters from George Washington to Sir Edward Newenham.

12mo: 45 pp. In original light-green printed wraps. Very good on lightly aged paper, with some sunning to wraps. Inscribed by the author "For Mary | with love & all good wishes for Christmas and the New Year, especially the show' | Th." Besterman attempts to demonstrate that the taste for autographs, 'tres loin d'etre malsaine, est au contraire pure et bienfaisante'.