WORDSWORTH

[‘Silly Billy’: Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh.] Autograph Signature on frank addressed to Rev. Dr [Christopher] Wordsworth, his Vice Chancellor at Cambridge University.

Author: 
Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh ['Silly Billy'] (1776-1834), great-grandson of George II, nephew and son-in-law of George III
Publication details: 
Dated from London, 27 June 1827. With frank of same date.
£25.00

See his entry and Wordsworth’s in the Oxford DNB. The Prince was Chancellor of Cambridge University from 1811 to his death. Wordsworth was Vice-Chancellor twice: 1820-1821 and 1826-1827. On 13 x 7 cm panel cut from the cover of the envelope. In fair condition, lightly aged, laid down on brown paper cut from album, with slight wear to corner of letter just touching the initial ‘W’ of the Prince’s name. Laid out in the customary fashion, and reading: ‘London June Twenty seven 1827 / The Revd / Dr. Wordsworth / Vice Chancellor of the University / of Cambridge’.

[Mary L. Armitt, polymath] MANUSCRIPT: Draft of the Index (ONLY) to her book, The Church of Grasmere: a history, published posthumously..

Author: 
Mary L. Armitt [Mary Louisa Armitt (1851 -1911), polymath, teacher, writer, ornithologist and philanthropist, and founder of the Armitt Library, Ambleside.]
Grasmere
Publication details: 
Book published in Kendal, 1912. See scan of sample page.
£380.00
Grasmere

Sixteen pages (two are half pages), fol., some foxing, but text clear. The text is in a large hand, with additions and occasional corrections for example, the word out is written beside 'Eighteen, the see Sidesmen', itself crossed out.

[Edward Moxon, publisher and poet, son-in-law of Charles Lamb.] Holograph 'Sonnet' on William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy, beginning 'There is in Rydal's vale a river sweet', signed 'Edward Moxon'.

Author: 
Edward Moxon (c.1801-1858), publisher and poet, son-in-law of Charles Lamb, associated with Wordsworth, Tennyson and the printers Bradbury and Evans
Publication details: 
London. 5 January 1847.
£450.00

See Moxon's entry in the Oxford DNB, which describes his association with William Wordsworth as 'arguably his most important publishing relationship'. The present poem was published as 'The Two Streams' in the 'Literary Souvenir' of Alaric Watts in 1830, a year before Moxon published his first volume of Wordsworth's verse. The present item is 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, and laid down on a leaf removed from an album. Folded three times. Entirely in Moxon's autograph, titled 'Sonnet', and signed at the end 'Edward Moxon | London Jan. 5th | 1847'.

[George Dyer, poet and English Jacobin, writes to the Earl of Buchan following a visit to his seat, Dryburgh Abbey, Berwickshire.] Substantial Autograph Letter Signed ('G Dyer'), discussing the preparation of his volume of poems and other topics.

Author: 
George Dyer (1755-1841), poet and radical, leading English Jacobin, in circle of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Godwin, Lamb; David Steuart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan (1742-1829), Scottish antiquarian
Publication details: 
Cambridge. Undated, but written shortly before the publication of his poems in 1801.
£2,000.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin stub from mount neatly adhering. A long, closely written letter of 116 lines, including eight-line postscript at head of first page. Addressed by Dyer on reverse of second leaf: 'To Lord Buchan | Dryburgh Abbey | Berwickshire | Scotland.' Buchan has annotated the reverse of the second leaf: 'George Dyer | Characteristic | while I reasoned with George Dyer in my Library at Dryburgh Abbey on the Economy of Nature and the Providence of God, I said Heaven itself will one day bear witness to my Words.

[ Rotha Quillinan, daughter of Wordsworth's son-in-law Edward Quillinan, and granddaughter of Sir Samuel Egerton Brydges. ] Offprint of notice of the 'Death of Rotha Quillinan'.

Author: 
Rotha Quillinan (1822-1876), daughter of William Wordsworth's son-in-law Edward Quillinan (1791-1851), poet, and granddaughter of Sir Samuel Egerton Brydges
Publication details: 
From the Westmoreland Gazette, 12 February 1876.
£100.00

Galley proof with 69 lines of text in a single column of small type, on slip of paper laid down on leaf removed from album. At foot: 'Westmoreland Gazette, Feb. 12, 1876.' In good condition, lightly aged. The text begins: 'Another personal link between the present generation and the band of poets and writers whose memory hovers around the Lake district has been severed in the death, last week, of Miss Rotha Quillinan.

[ Robert Southey, Poet Laureate and friend of Wordsworth and Coleridge. ] Autograph Note Signed to the author Andrew Picken agreeing to subscribe 'willingly' to his 'volumes' ('The Black Watch'?).

Author: 
Robert Southey (1774-1843), Romantic poet, friend of Wordsworth and Coleridge, one of the Lake Poets, Poet Laureate [ Andrew Picken (1788-1833), author ]
Southey
Publication details: 
Keswick. 13 March 1833.
£250.00
Southey

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Addressed by Southey on the reverse of the second leaf, which has been overlaid top and bottom with grey paper, 'To | Andrew Picken Esqre | Gothic Cottage | Regents Park East.' The note reads: 'Keswick. 13 March 1833 [year possibly altered in pencil to '1835'] | Sir | I subscribe willingly to your volumes & wish you success with them | I remain Sir | Yr obedt servt | Robert Southey'. Southey is presumably referring to his last work, The Black Watch (1833), which appeared just as he died of a stroke. Suitable for framing.

[ George Huntly Gordon. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'D. Meran' of the Globe newspaper, offering him a revierw of '2 little books on the German Spas'.

Author: 
George Huntly Gordon of His Majesty's Stationery Office, friend of William Wordsworth
Publication details: 
'Stationery Office | Pimlico'. 4 August [ no year, on paper watermarked 1841 ].
£120.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair conditon, lightly aged and worn. He asks him 'to give insertion, among your literary notices, in the Globe, to the enclosed account of 2 little books on the German Spas, which I have just concocted. The author is a friend of mine, but I assure you, on my honour, I have not said one word more in praise of his Treatises than they deserve. To convince you of this I will send you the one on the “Homburg Spas” if you have time to read it – and you may give it to any friend going to Germany.

[Rolleston family, Rydal, Westmoreland. ] Typed transcription of 'Notes made by Anne Rolleston on a visit to her brother Robert Rolleston, Curate at Rydal', with seven 'Photographs, taken 80 years later. By Ellinor, daughter of Robert Rolleston'.

Author: 
Anne Rolleston, sister of Robert Robertson, curate at Rydal, Westmoreland [ Ellinor, daughter of Robert Rolleston; William Wordsworth; Edward Quillinan; the Lake District ]
Publication details: 
Transcription undated [but circa 1930 ]. Entries dating from between 10 October and 4 November 1850
£200.00

Typed transcript of 21pp., landscape 8vo, followed by six 9.5 x 12 cm. black and white photographs, captioned in pencil and detachable, with the seventh photograph on the front cover. In card landscape 8vo album with green cloth spine. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, except for the cover photograph which is heavily worn. In pencil at front: '1850 | Notes made by Anne Rolleston on a visit to her brother Robert Rolleston, Curate at Rydal.' The location of the original diary is unclear, and there is no record of its having been published. The first entry sets the tone: 'Thursday, Oct.

[ The Le Fleming family of Rydal Hall. ] 16 manuscript items from the family papers of Barbara Le Fleming Benson (sister of Sir Daniel Fleming), including material relating to a disputed will, miscellaneous correspondence and genealogical memoranda.

Author: 
[ The Le Fleming family of Rydal Hall, Cumbria, landlords of the poet William Wordsworth; Barbara Le Fleming Benson (1784-1862); Sir Daniel Le Fleming (c.1785-1821), 5th Baronet ]
Publication details: 
Carlisle; Kendal; Crosthwaite; New Mills, near Stockport; Douglas, Isle of Man; St Bees Grammar School, Cumbria. Between 1813 and 1874.
£300.00

The Le Flemings of Rydal Hall were a leading Cumbrian family, notable as the landlords of the poet William Wordsworth. The present collection of 15 items derive from the family papers of Barbara Le Fleming, eldest child of Roger and Ann Fleming, and sister of Sir Daniel le Fleming (c.1785-1821), 5th Baronet, who married John Benson (1780-1830) in 1809.

[William Angus Knight, Professor of Moral Philosophy, University of St Andrews.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Knight.') to James Dykes Campbell, expressing regret at revealing the existence of Wordsworth's 'Axiologus' sonnet, and attacking T. J. Wise

Author: 
William Angus Knight (1836-1916), Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of St Andrews, 1876-1902 [James Dykes Campbell (1838-1895), Coleridge biographer; Thomas James Wise. forger]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the 'University of St Andrew. N.B. [Scotland]'. 2 January 1892.
£120.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper. Written in a difficult hand. The letter begins: 'My dear Campbell. | You will find all I know about Axiologus, and Miss Maria Williams, in a prefatory note Vol I of my Edition of W[illiam]. W[ordsworth].s Poems (not Life).' He confirms that the poem is by Wordsworth, and expresses regret at 'letting it be known: for it led Tutin [John Ramsden Tutin (1855-1913)] of Hull to go & print the sonnet for private circulation some years ago.

[John Watkins, LLD, writer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Watkins'), offering to do his best regarding a review of 'Coleridge's Memoirs' [i.e. the 'Biographia Literaria'], but stating that he would 'as soon write the History of the Devil'.

Author: 
John Watkins, LLD (fl.1786-1831), Devon-born writer [Samuel Taylor Coleridge; William Wordsworth]
Publication details: 
No place. 'Monday Evg' [1817?]
£140.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on creased and aged paper, with one edge adhering to a mount from an album. The letter reads: 'Dear Sir | The Two Volumes of Coleridge's Memoirs were returned with the Life of Wordsworth. If they are send [sic] by to morrow any time - I will do my best - tho' to say the truth I would as soon write the History of the Devil. Inter nos. | Yrs truly | J Watkins | Monday Evg'. Docketted on reverse 'J. Watkins'. The letter may relate to a proposed review in the 'Monthly Review'. As his entry in the Oxford DNB states, surprisingly little is known about Watkins.

Typescript titled 'William Wordsworth. | his Books.' Divided into 19 'lots'.

Author: 
[The Library of William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Poet Laureate]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [1910s?]
£150.00

8pp., on eight leaves of foolscap 8vo, with a ninth leaf carrying the title (headed 'Library' in manuscript). Fair, on aged and creased paper. The first page carries four entries, all beginning in 'A', from W. P. Alison's 'Remarks on the Poor Laws etc of Scotland, 1844' to a total of 54 volumes of the Annual Register. The four items are attributed the lot numbers 1, 3, 2 and 4 in manuscript. The second page carries seven items beginning with 'B' (ending with 'Border Laws 1705.'), with the first and second given lot numbers in manuscript.

Holograph extract of a translation from the German of Wieland's 'Oberon' by the English poet William Sotheby, beginning 'Sweet Isle! methinks once more I hear'.

Author: 
William Sotheby (1757-1833), English poet and translator [Christoph Martin Wieland, German author of 'Oberon']
Publication details: 
No place. 26 September 1804.
£120.00

1p., 8vo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of previous mounting along two edges. Headed, in a contemporary hand: 'Given to Mrs. Richards by Miss Calhoun Fanshawe'. 22 lines of verse, in couplets. Signed in the bottom right-hand corner, apparently at a later date than the rest of the text: 'William Sothbey | Sepr 26 - 1804'. The extract - possibly written out by Sotheby for an acquaintance - begins: 'Sweet Isle!

Autograph Letter Signed from Godfrey Turner to [Edward] Walford, concerning the publication in the Daily Telegraph of an article on 'Our National Anthem'.

Author: 
Godfrey Turner [Godfrey Wordsworth Turner] (182-1891), journalist with the Daily Telegraph [Edward Walford (1823-1897); Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904), editor of the 'Daily Telegraph', 1873-1888]
Godfrey Turner
Publication details: 
24 June 1882.
£56.00
Godfrey Turner

12mo, 2 pp. 34 lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He received Walford's manuscript and 'did free my spirit, as I promised I would, without loss of time'. The matter is now in the hands of the printer of the Daily Telegraph, who, 'at the time of going to press, is master of of the situation, and often delays, from night to night, giving a place to our best-loved paragraphs.' Turner marked his copy with 'a mem to the effect' that it should be shown to 'Mr. Arnold'.

The Poetry of Love from the most celebrated authors with Several Original Pieces

Author: 
Anon.
The Poetry of Love from the most celebrated authors with Several Original Pieces
Publication details: 
London: Darton and Clark, Holborn Hill, [1842?]
£350.00
The Poetry of Love from the most celebrated authors with Several Original Pieces

xvi.208pp., 16mo, one foxed plate, very attractive red leather, gilt decorated binding, corners bumped, 2 or 3 small spot, aeg. Conclusion of Preface, "The Editor would take this opportunity of acknowledging the kindness of those of his poet-friends who have furnished him with pieces hitherto unpublished; and forming not the least attractive feature of the present selection. | Bedford | Feb.19th, 1842". Poets include Wordsworth, LEL, Felicia Hemans, etc, etc.ViaLibri site ascribes the one copy (but published by T.

Autograph Signature of Samuel Rogers ['Saml Rogers'], 'the Banker Poet', on cheque drawn on his own bank, Messrs Rogers, Olding, Sharpe & Co.

Author: 
Samuel Rogers (1763-1855), 'the Banker Poet', friend of Wordsworth, Coleridge and Byron
Autograph Signature of Samuel Rogers ['Saml Rogers'], 'the Banker Poet'
Publication details: 
30 July 1849. Messrs Rogers, Olding, Sharpe & Co, 29 Clements Lane, Lombard Street.
£125.00
Autograph Signature of Samuel Rogers ['Saml Rogers'], 'the Banker Poet'

Around the size of a modern cheque. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. A nice item, considering Rogers' background. A printed cheque for £40 cash, written out to himself (as 'S R'). With a lattice of five lines over Rogers' signature ('Saml Rogers') indicating payment. Denominations to be paid indicated on back.

Two Autograph Letters, one "Anonymous" the other signed, to the Bovey Coal Pottery Company

Author: 
Joseph Cottle, bookseller and publisher (of "Lyrical Ballads", etc)
Publication details: 
Bristol and Fairfield House near Bristol, 1850 and 20 Dec. 1850.
£250.00

One page and two pages, both 8vo, bifolia, some staining but text clear and complete. In the first letter to which (as he explains in the second letter) he didn't add his name, he says that he visited "your Bovey Coal Pits" as a geologist (!), made observations and concluded that it was a "real Coal district, the current coal mined [an internet site informs me of poor quality] being of a "comparatively recent formation". Real coal was produced in an earlier period.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Godfrey Turner') from Turner to [Charles Henry] Ross (1842?-1897).

Author: 
Godfrey Wordsworth Turner (1825-1891), English art critic and journalist, connected with the 'Daily Telegraph'
Publication details: 
15 December 1880; on letterhead of the Daily Telegraph.
£38.00

Three pages, 12mo. On aged paper, with some foxing, a few closed tears and wear to extremities. Glue and strip of mount adhering to blank verso of second leaf of bifolium. Text clear and entire. He is in 'a maelstrom of work and worry' and asks Ross 'a question which you are almost certain not to be able to answer!' Asks if he has 'seen Tom Smith's crackers', and if so, whether he observed 'anything specially and eminently notable'.

Five Autograph Letters Signed ('Godfrey Turner') to [Edward] Draper.

Author: 
Godfrey Wordsworth Turner (1825-1891), English art critic and journalist, connected with the 'Daily Telegraph'
Publication details: 
1865-1887; various locations (see below).
£120.00

All five items good, on lightly aged paper. All five bifoliums, bearing traces of previous grey paper mount on the verso of the second leaf. LETTER ONE (one page, 12mo, 30 May 1865): He is 'very poorly', with a 'bad bilious attack which has threatened to turn into jaundice'. 'Yesterday I met Mr Herbert in Regent Street. We talked for a few minutes at cross purposes, my thoughts running on his journalistic prospects and projects, while he was thinking and speaking about his election at the Savage Club.

Autograph Note.

Author: 
Christopher Wordsworth, Bishop of Lincoln, when Archdeacon of Westminster.
Publication details: 
October 1867; on blindstamped letterhead 'Stanford in the Vale, | Faringdon, Bucks.'
£25.00

Wordsworth (1807-85) was made Archdeacon of Westminster in 1865 and Bishop of Lincoln four years later. 1 page, approximately 3 inches square. In good condition. Neat tight handwriting. 'With Archdeacon Wordsworth's compts. requesting a receipt for 5 - 13 - 0. | enclosed'.

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