Latest additions

Author, Title, Summary	Price
William Whewell (1794-1866), polymath who coined the word ‘scientist’, Master of Trinity College Cambridge and authority on the history of science [Rev. J. E. Dalton; British and Foreign Bible Society [The man who coined the term ‘scientist’: William Whewell, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge.] Autograph Letter Signed to Rev. J. E. Dalton of the British and Foreign Bible Society, declining the position of chairman of the Cambridge committee. See his entry in the Oxford DNB, and the entry for ‘scientist’ in the OED. Whewell first used the word in 1834 in the Quarterly Review, stating that ‘some ingenious gentleman proposed that, by analogy with artist, they might form scientist, and added that there could be no scruple in making free...	£50.00
Ted Noffs [Theodore Delwin Noffs] (1926-1995), Christian minister, laterly with the ‘Uniting Church’, founder of the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross, Sydney, and campaigner for aboriginal rights [Ted Noffs [Theodore Delwin Noffs], ‘Uniting Church’ minister and social activist.] Typed Letter Signed, informing the editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ Sally Emerson that the Charles Prince of Wales described it as ‘the best magazine in the world’. See his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography. Despite the Prince of Wales’s endorsement, the novelist Sally Emerson (b. 1954) proved to be the last editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’, which followed the suicide of the proprietor Philip Dosse of Hansom Books. (See her article ‘Death of a...	£65.00
Sydney Buxton, 1st Earl Buxton [Sydney Charles Buxton], British Liberal politician, the second Governor-General of South Africa [Sydney Buxton, 1st Earl Buxton, Governor-General of South Africa.] Autograph Signature cut from letter. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Slip of grey paper, 11 x 4 cm, cut from letter. In good condition, lightly aged, with central vertical fold and spotting on reverse (a few dots of which show through) from glue. Bold signature ‘Sydney Buxton’. Text on reverse: ‘[…] paper you thought [?] […] / or...	£20.00
Sybil Thorndike [Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike] (1882-1976), distinguished English actress whose career spanned six decades [Sybil Thorndike [Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike], distinguished English actress.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr. Bagnall’, and Autograph Card Signed to Victor Jones, both expressing thanks. See her entry in the Oxford DNB. ONE: ALS to Bagnall. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Reads: ‘Dear Mr. Bagnall. / How very kind of you to write me such a charming letter. I did appreciate all you said – thank you very much / Sincerely yrs / Sybil Thorndike’. TWO: ACS...	£45.00
Sir John Summerson [Sir John Newenham Summerson] (1904-1992), architectural historian and director of Sir John Soane’s Museum [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), proprietor of Hansom Books] [Sir John Summerson, architectural historian.] Two Autograph Letters Signed and Autograph Note Signed to the proprietor of ‘Books and Bookmen’, with two Autograph reviews written by him. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse (Summerson spells it ‘Dossé’) was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. The five items are in good condition, lightly aged. The three letters signed...	£120.00
Selwyn Lloyd [John Selwyn Brooke Selwyn-Lloyd, Baron Selwyn-Lloyd; Lord Selwyn-Lloyd] (1904-1978), Conservative Foreign Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Speaker of the House of Commons [Selwyn Lloyd [John Selwyn Brooke Selwyn-Lloyd; Lord Selwynd-Lloyd], Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer; Speaker of the House of Commons.] Typed Letter Signed to V. H. Collins, pleading guilty to ‘“usage and abusage” of the English language’. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged, with light ink mark beside date. Folded for postage. The recipient’s Hampstead Garden Suburb address at foot. He thanks him for his letter ‘about my “usage and abusage” of the English language’. All he can do is ‘plead guilty, and...	£35.00
Samuel Cooper (1780-1848), FRS, Professor of Surgery at University College Hospital, London, surgeon and author of a celebrated medical dictionary [Samuel Cooper, FRS, surgeon and author of medical dictionary.] Autograph Signature on part of form signed as Professor of Surgery at University College Hospital, London. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Slip of paper, roughly 15 x 2.5 cm, cut from form. Somewhat discoloured by the glue with which it is laid down on irregularly-cut backing card. Good firm signature ‘Samuel Cooper’, followed by the lithographed word ‘Professor.’ in gothic script. See IMage.	£25.00
Sally Emerson (b.1954), novelist and author, editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’, whose proprietor was Philip Dosse (1925-1980) of Hansom Books [Sally Emerson, novelist and author.] Autograph Letter Signed and Two Typed Letters Signed to Philip Dosse, regarding her work as an assistant on ‘Books and Bookmen’, a magazine she would later edit. Emerson’s novels have undergone a re-evaluation in recent years. The first six were republished by Quartet Books as ‘Rediscovered Classics’ in 2017, and in 2021 by Quadrant Books. ‘Books and Bookmen’ was one of a stable of seven London arts magazines owned by Philip Dosse (1925-1980) of Hansom...	£75.00
Sir Ernest Gowers [Sir Ernest Arthur Gowers] (1880-1966), author of the guide to correct English usage ‘Plain Words’, and the revision of Fowler’s ‘Modern English Usage’ [V. H. Collins, grammarian] [Sir Ernest Gowers, author of the guide to correct English usage ‘Plain Words’.] Three Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed to fellow-grammarian V. H. Collins, discussing a crux and the perils of being an authority in the field. See the entry what was wrote about him in the Oxford DNB. The archives of the recipient, Vere Henry Collins (1872-1966), are now housed in the library at Yale. All four items signed ‘Ernest Gowers’ ONE: ALS, 27 June 1952. 2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, worn and spotted, with pin holes to one...	£120.00
Sir John Michael de Robeck (1862-1928), Admiral of Patrols in the Royal Navy [Sir John Michael de Robeck, Admiral of Patrols in the Royal Navy.] Autograph Note Signed with aphorism. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On 11 x 7 cm piece of grey paper, presumably cut from an album. In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of glue from mount on reverse. Reads: ‘Try & trust will move mountains - / J. M. de Robeck / 1919’. See Image.	£45.00

Advanced Search

Email enquiry

View your shopping cart.

Newsletters

Email updates