Book Trade History

Autograph Letter Signed to Charles Hogan; with printed prospectus of one of de Chatelain's works.

Author: 
Jean-Baptiste Francois Ernest de Chatelain, 'Le Chevalier de Chatelain'
Publication details: 
18 December 1862; on letterhead of Castelnau Lodge, Warwick Crescent, Westbourne Terrace Road, London.
£56.00

Anglo-French journalist (1801-81) and friend of Mallarme. Letter: two pages, octavo. Good, though on creased, discoloured and spotted paper. The verso of the second leaf of the bifoliate is ruckled and with glue stains showing through from the verso, which is attached to a piece of ruled paper. Reads 'Mon cher voisin | I enclose an order for the Westminster Play for to night, which may perhaps interest you or your son. If either of you are able to go, you should be there early.

Illustrated handbill for two of his publications.

Author: 
[CLAUD LOVAT FRASER]
Publication details: 
Without date or place [1916].
£85.00

Printed on unwatermarked tissue paper. Dimensions of paper roughly seven and a half centimeters by eleven and a half. A very good copy of a frail and ephemeral item. An attractive illustration by Fraser of an ivy-clad wall memorial topped by a cherub encloses the following 'There are Published | I. Farewell to the Faeries, by Richard Corbett. | II. Three Poems, by Kenneth Hare. | Decorated and Published by C. Lovat Fraser, and can be obtained from Everard Meynell, 46 Museum Street, W.C. | [short rule] | Price SIXPENCE each, net.'

Autograph Note Signed "J Mitford", to an unnamed correspondent (publisher?).

Author: 
John Mitford.
Publication details: 
No place, 6 June 1847.
£45.00

Miscellaneous writer (see DNB). One page, 12mo, good condition, printed slip with biographical detail laid down at base. "I have left a [retrospection?][undelrined] and there are four reviews, tied up [?] with the Landlord. Please send a boy for the ms . . . I go home on Wednesday & by Saturday will send up more reviews [underlined]: if you have any books, send them to Benhall."

Autograph Note, third person, to unknown correspondent.

Author: 
Lady Charlotte Bury.
Publication details: 
10/03/32
£56.00

Novelist (see DNB). Page trimmed with loss of correspondent's name etc., laid down on stiff paper. "Lady Charlotte Bury earnestly requests to have proof sheets sent ot her." Note: Perhaps proofs of ‘‘The Three Great Sanctuaries . . ." published in 1833.

Autograph Letter Signed to "Gentlemen" [ her publishers ]

Author: 
Mary C. Hay.
Publication details: 
Astley, [Hadwall] Salop, 28 March 187[2?].
£56.00

Novelist (see DNB). Two pages, 8vo, minor defects, text clear and complete. She asks them to republish some of her periodical work in book form. "The first story wd be a volume in itself (it is called 'At the Seaside'). The others wd be short ones from 'London Society', 'Tinsley', 'Belgravia', 'The Argosy', 'St. James' . . ." She will await a proposal and leave the terms to them.

Eleven (11) Autograph Letters Signed to Swan Sonnenschein, publishers.

Author: 
Charles Duke Yonge.
Publication details: 
1882-1883.
£600.00

Historian (DNB). Total thirty (30) pages, 8vo (10) and 4to (1). The subject is his book "Our Great Naval Commanders" published by his correspondents, Swan Sonnenschein, in 1884, from its inception to the proof stage. He begins (16 Dec. 1882) "It is not quite easy to decide whom it would be best to include in such a volume as you propose - Nelson of course stands at the head of all sailors. Next to him, I think, comes Rodney . . . but there are no materials to be procured for a sketch of Hawke . .

Autograph Note Signed to J.G. Wilson, Managing Director of Bumpus's, publishers and booksellers

Author: 
C.E. Lawrence.
Publication details: 
The Quarterly Review, 50 Albemarle Street, London, W1, 1 November 1932.
£26.00

Novelist and dramatist. One page, 8vo, good condition. "I was away yesterday - unwell, & today your Bombshell frightens me. Do spare me if possible [all from "Do" underlined] (& certainly if J.M. v. [John Murray V] is there, for he's the one to speak . ..); but Ican't refuse your request if you really want me. There is nothing new to say on the subject of Scott & Q.R."

Autograph Note Signed to [The Managing Director Messrs Bumpus].

Author: 
Godfrey Locker Lampson.
Publication details: 
Barlborough Hall, Chesterfield, 17 June 1932.
£23.00

Author son of Frederick Locker-Lampson (Rowfant). One page, 8vo, good condition. He is grateful for his kind letter about his book {"The Country Gentleman" was published in 1932]."

Autograph Letter Signed "RPWard" to an unnamed correspondent [publisher, John Murray?].

Author: 
Robert Plumer Ward.
Publication details: 
Gilston Park, Tuesday, no date [1838].
£95.00

Novelist and historian (see DNB). One page, 8vo, minor defects, brief annotation by another hand ("author of Tremaine"). He is discussing his progress with "An historical essay on the real character and amount of precedent of the revolution of 1688 / in which the opinions of Mackintosh, Price, Hallam, Mr. Fox, Lord John Russell, Blackstone, Burke, and Locke, the trial of Lord Russell, and the merits of Sidney, are critically considered" (Lodnon, 1838). He says "I avail myself of Mr.

Autograph Letter Signed to T. Gilks, prob. the printer and writer on wood-engraving, Thomas Gilks.

Author: 
Dudley Costello.
Publication details: 
Adelphi, 12 June [no year].
£56.00

Author and journalist (see DNB). Three pages, 8vo, some damage not affecting text. He acknowledges receipt of some proofs and asking him to hold on to the ones he has "until I can make sure of a publisher". He finds the times "bad" and the work would not necessarily be published immediately. They should wait to make their "mark". "I write this in order that you may not let the blocks which you have engaged to [?] for us interfere such pressing & I hope more immediately useful work."

Autograph Signatures on fragment of document.

Author: 
Paul Dominic Colnaghi, Samuel Carter Hall
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

Colnaghi was a member of the notable family of English printsellers. Hall (1800-89) was an author and editor. Paper dimensions roughly five inches by three inches. Good. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Reads '<...> Paul Dominic Colnaghi Esq | | S. C. Hall. | '.

Autograph Letter Signed "A. Fores" to George Cruikshank, caricaturist.

Author: 
Arthur Fores [George Cruikshank]
Publication details: 
41 Piccadilly, 3 December 1831.
£500.00

Partner in Fores & Co., publishers and print sellers, who published some of Cruikshank's work and presumably sold it. He therefore had a vested interest in dealing with the problem he outlines to Cruikshank.

Autograph letter signed to Robert Triphook, 23 Old Bond Street.

Author: 
Perceval.
Publication details: 
No place or date (wm 1819).
£100.00

Three pages plus address page, 8vo, some damage and small holes marginally affecting text (including loss of part of name of writer). "Your son addressed me in very unbecoming language this evening respectiie my Debt to you on which subject I can declare most solemnly my entire beleif [sic] up to the present moment that Mr Ranken my Solicitor had paid you in February last[.] I am particularly sorry to find it is not the case & I have not seen him since that time. He will obtain some money for me the end of next month and I hope will give you the amount of your Debt the first.

Autograph note signed to Robt Triphook, 21 Golden Square London.

Author: 
R.H. Clive.
Publication details: 
Welsh pool, postmark 20 Feb. 1829.
£45.00

One page, 4to, small piece chipped off, spike-hole, edges discoloured, text complete and clear. "I will thank you to send me a List of the Books you have purchased for me and also a List of late publications.

Autograph Note Signed to Mr. Robertson (not in Maxted - see address on verso).

Author: 
Thomas Hornsby.
Publication details: 
[Ox]ford, 22 Sept. 1784.
£50.00

Astronomer and Radcliffe Librarian (1733-1810). Became Librarian in 1783. One page, 4to, chipped and stained but text readable. "Mr. Hornsby presents his Compliments to Mr. Robertson, & begs the favour of him to deliver the two last Publications of the Royal Society {insert: Small Paper} , to the Bearer, if Mr. Wingrove [Wingrave in Maxted?] has not yet recd. them. As it is the Small Paper which Mr. H[ornsby] chooses to have on account of binding the late volumes of the same size with the preceding ones, Mr. H.

Autograph note, third person, to Jeffries[sic for Edward Jeffery] Bookseller, Pall Mall.

Author: 
Lady Charlotte Lennox
Publication details: 
Harley St, 11 March 1806 [1800?]
£75.00

wife of the 4th Duke of Richmond and Kennox (DNB).One page, 8vo, spike-hole, scissor cut, bottom torn off, but text clear and complete. "Lady Charlotte Lennox begs Mr. Jeffries will send her some English Bibles to Morrow at 12. OClock. & an Edition of Sir Charles Grandison if he has it seperate[sic]."

Receipt, text by publishers (Grant & Griffith), signed by Jerrold.

Author: 
W. Blanchard Jerrold.
Publication details: 
London, 2 Dec. 1851.
£45.00

One page, 7.5 x 4.5, fold marks, minor staining, text clear and complete. "London Decr 2nd. 1851/ Received of Messrs Grant & Griffith the sum of five pounds <?> for the second Edition of 'Wonders of Home' and completing the sum of twenty pounds to be paid me as per agreement for the Copyright of that Book./ Received,/ W. Blanchard Jerrold// £5.0.0".

Autograph letter signed to R. Triphook, 23 Old Bond Street.

Author: 
R.P. Cruden.
Publication details: 
[Gravesend, 2[?] July [wm 1808].
£100.00

Author. Two pages, 4to, bottom portion torn off with minimal loss, spike-hole, hole in conjoint blank leaf (blank save address), discoloured but text readable. "I received yours of the 27th ulto respecting the Sale of the S[?] Hill Books on Saturday next, & soon afterwards I received a Copy of the Sale Catalogue.

2 Notes signed, third person, to "Mr Bohte", bookseller

Author: 
Dr Samuel Parr, divine, schoolmaster and scholar
Publication details: 
15 April 1824 and to "Mr Jones", 23 April [1824].
£125.00

12mo. In a quavering hand (he died the following year), he is returning two volumes of Terence to Bohte with a payment and inviting a visit from Jones. Two items,

Autograph Letter Signed to J.C. Loudon c/o Longman & Co., Paternoster Row, London".,

Author: 
Samuel Taylor.
Publication details: 
Whittington Stoke Ferry, 15 Nov. 1833.
£100.00

Four pages, 4to, fold marks, discoloration, some damage with minor loss of text.

One Autograph Note Signed and one Autograph Note, third person, to Mr Wilks [printer, bookseller] and another [publisher]

Author: 
Major C. Muller.
Publication details: 
232 Piccadilly 18[1?]0 and no place or date (same year).
£80.00

Muller published "Relation of the Operations and battles of the Austrian and French Armies, in the year 1809, with three plans by Muller (Printed for T. Goddard, Military Library, no. 1, by R. Wilks, 1810). A. (Dated) One page, 8vo, third person, spike-hole, trimiing, staining but text redable but for a few letters. "Dr Mullers Compliments to Mr Wilks, & sends him the proof sheet back.

Autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent [Jeffery re. Lowndes].

Author: 
Edmund Boehm.
Publication details: 
<?> Sidmouth, Devon, 20 Oct. 1810.
£45.00

One page, 4to, grubby, repaired (after being torn in two), text clear and complete. "Sir/ Having received your advertisemt. of the Antiquarian Repertory published by you in 4 Vol. at 12 Gs. a few copies of which remain on large Paper at 20 gs. I should like to purchase one or the other if you would send them to my House in St. James Square or keep them untill my return to town which will not be untill after Christmas perhaps not untill February---". Lowndes says of thenew edition (4 vols., 1807-1809 "Published and edited by Jeffery the bookseller . . .).

Autograph note, third person, to an unnamed correspondent. (publishers Harding, Lepard & Co., prob.).

Author: 
James Henry Arnold.
Publication details: 
Lincolns Inn Fields, 7 March 1821
£45.00

One page, 8vo, good condition, text clear and complete. "Dr. Arnold desires his name may be set down as Subscriber to the history of Shrewsbury by Rev. H Owen & Rev. JB Blakeney . . ./ Large paper". Not in Bent. Not in Besterman. Published 1825, 2 vols. (i.e. much later).

Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent [Triphook].

Author: 
Thomas Pindar Pantin
Publication details: 
Lutterworth, 4 Sept. 1828.
£80.00

Theological writer (1792-1866). Two pages, 4to, chipping and discoloration slightly affecting text, mainly good. "Sir/ I am obliged to you for affording me a sight of Bede. I should be glad however to know the price [small excision "t"] you intend to set it down at- because looking at your list No 66 the copy there is said to be neat [underlined] 3.13.6. which I suppose cannot be the one now sent as the binding is in a very indifferent state, & the leaf (pages) 33[3?]-334 - is torn almost in two.

Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent (prob. bookseller).

Author: 
[J.?] Wint.
Publication details: 
Idle, 25 February 1832.
£50.00

Two pages, 4to, tears, chipping, text legible and complete. "My Dear Sir,/ Not being acquained with any Bookseller in Manchester I wrote to a relation of mine to get the Dissenters' Magazine advertised in the Manchester Gazette & to request [excision] Mr. Prentice to take a few Copies of the Ist. No. on sale but [sic] a few days ago I recd a Letter from Mr. Ellerby informing me that the Advertisement would appear in the Manchester Times & that the Magazine would be sold at his shop in Piccadilly[.] Now I have no [inserted] personal disrespect for Mr.

Autograph Letter Signed to Longmans.

Author: 
Richard Duppa.
Publication details: 
No place or date (watermark 1823).
£125.00

Artist and author (1770-1831).Three pages, 8vo, bifoliate, tears, fold marks but text legible and complete. "My Dear Sir/ You will have a hundred copies of my book delivered to you in boards on Friday morning.

Autograph Note Signed to unnamed correspondent (poss. Cadell).

Author: 
Coventry (Earl of).
Publication details: 
Piccadilly, 13 June 179[?].
£50.00

One page, 4to, some discoloration, but text readable. "Sir,/ Please to deliver to the Bearer, Mr Clarke, the Evidence on Mr Hasting's Trial from page 1204 to page 1244 so much being wanting to compleat my Numbers." Note (for dating purposes and identification of correspondent = publisher): prob. Minutes of the evidence taken at the trial of Warren Hastings ... upon an impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors, etc. [London,] 1788[-94]. fol.

Autograph note, third person, to de La Rue, Library, Soho Square.

Author: 
Lady Perceval.
Publication details: 
Curzon St, 10 July [1805 (postmark and librarian's[?]note).
£45.00

One page, 4to, minor defects, text clear and complete. "Lady Perceval's Compts. to <. de La Rue, & requests he will send the following Books, or, if he has them not in the Library that he will be so good as to write for them to Paris./ Gradus ad Parnassum - bonne Edition francoise-/ Les opuscules Latins[sic] de M. Le Bean/ 2 Vols./ Praed[i]um Rusticum de Vaniere [Jacobi Vanierii Praedium rusticum.. Jakob Vaniers Gedichte von der Landwirthschaft.

Autograph letter signed to R. Triphook, St James Street London.

Author: 
Henry Whittington.
Publication details: 
Theberton, Yoxford postmark 26 Aug. 1811[?]
£75.00

One page, 4to, chipped, creased, small holefold marks, other damage but text minimally affected and readable as follows: "I have recieved[sic] Puttenham and Spencer safe and must request you to send me immediately "The secret history of the court of James Ist, 2 vols demi-octavo [underlined]," and two copies of Gilchrist's letter to Gifford" which I see advertised as just published. The former, and one copy of the latter are to be put <?> down to the account of Mr Mitford of Benhall [John Mitford, misc. writer, see DNB]. I hope to recieve[sic] them soon, direct as before.

Autograph Note Signed to "Mr Wilkinson" (Robert? see Maxted).

Author: 
Duchess of Rutland.
Publication details: 
Sackville Street, 8 Oct. 1801.
£50.00

See also her letter to Triphook (#2031). One page, 4to, spike-hole reaired, usual condition, text clear and complete: "The Dss of Rutland desires Mr. Wilkinson will be so good to send her a Print of herself, from Sir Joshua Reynolds's Picture the full length, & to bring it to her House No. 28 Sackville St. in the course of this [excision] day, as she is going out of Town,[.] when the Print comes the Dss desires the Person will make a Bill of it & wait for the money -"

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