Book Trade History

Autograph letter signed to Mr [Otto] Haas, dealer in musical autographs?]

Author: 
Ebenezer Prout
Publication details: 
26 February 1879, 12 Greenwood Road, Dalston.
£75.00

Musical composer, organist and theorist (1835-1909). Two pages, 8vo, minor defects fold mark (notoiceable fold marks on blank last page, one or two faint spots, white paper, black ink, original, mainly very good condition. In answer to a novel enquiry. "In reply to your letter I write to say that I have today made enquiries about a silent piano, and find that no such instrument as you describe is to be produced ready-made. There is no mechanism by which a silent piano could be made to give a faint sound; and what your customer wants is, I think, impossible.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr Gorton' of the Globe newspaper.

Author: 
Joseph Parker
Publication details: 
17 May 1832, '10 . o clock'.
£50.00

Oxford bookseller (c.1774-1850), described by the bibliographer Dibdin as 'the Corinthian pillar of Bibliopolism at Oxford'. Written in the year of his retirement in favour of his nephew John Henry Parker. The Globe was a London newspaper, founded in 1803. 1 page, 8vo. In good condition, slightly discoloured, creased and with some contemporary ink spotting. Remains of glue from stub along one edge. Concerns the radical meetings held during the passage of the Reform Bill. Reads 'Dear Sir - | Most important Meetings have taken place at Birmm.

3 Autograph Letters Signed and 1 Autograph Card Signed [to his publishers?]

Author: 
James Britten
Publication details: 
The letters, 21 and 31 May and 29 July 1883, all from Isleworth; the card, 20 [month?] 1890, stamped '18, WEST SQUARE | SOUTHWARK, S.E.'
£125.00

Botanist and Roman Catholic propagandist (1846-1924). All but the second letter, which is addressed 'Gentlemen', are addressed 'Dear Sirs'. The letters are all 12mo, and embossed at the head of the first leaf 'NOX VENIT QUANDO NEMO POTEST OPERARI'. In letter 1 (1 page) he asks that his 'Collecting book of Flowering Plants' be sent to him: he will mention it in his 'Journal of Botany' for June.

Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent (a contributor to a periodical).

Author: 
William Beattie.
Publication details: 
13 Upper Berkeley St, Portman Square, Wednesday 7pm [no date].
£85.00

Writer and M.D. (DNB) Two pages, 12mo, good condition. "I return the proofs herwith. It is much improved by the Editorial Notes and will [?] in this moment in the M. & N. Gaz [ Naval & Military Gazette?] It was very kind of you to admit it so promptly - & I feel assured it will be much read in Paris. A note from the author (Paris 17th) says - "Several officers here in the main agreed with me (in conversation) & others have sincerely thanked me for opening their eyes.

Autograph Letter Signed to Egerton Grey.

Author: 
Teresa del Riego
Publication details: 
12 January 1937; on letterhead '18, HOLLYCROFT AVENUE, N.W.3. | TEL: HAMPSTEAD 0055.'
£75.00

British composer (1876-1968) of light classical music and singer. 16mo. 2 pages. In good condition, with one neat vertical crease and one dog-eared corner. She thanks him for the 'charming lyrics'. 'I don't think I had better embark on any more at present, as I find it increasingly difficult to get things published, & my Store of MSS. is very large!' The two letters of his that she has are signed 'Grey' and she will be interested to see his 'real signature'. She wonders whether he has a spare copy of 'A recall'.

Autograph Letter Signed to "M. Holl"

Author: 
George Byrom Whittaker.
Publication details: 
1842
£40.00

George Byrom Whittaker (DNB), bookseller and publisher (BBTI). In the papers of J.T.J. Hewlett (described below). "I cannot acquiesce in your wish of sending copies of Books on Sale, it being contrary to our custom." Originally from a larger archive, the residue of which is described in #3157 (Hewlett's papers), this and other items appear in my ABE inventory in book id#s 3124-3156.

Autograph letter, third person, to [Ackermann].

Author: 
Lady Gray[?].
Publication details: 
Sanford [?] Park, Chipping Norton, 11 Nov. 1811
£50.00

Two pages, 4to, chipped, spike-hole, small loss, mainly readable.

Autograph Letter Signed to "J. Maclehose", publisher.

Author: 
Robert Buchanan.
Publication details: 
Chatsworth House, Great Malvern, 30 March 1874.
£60.00

Robert Williams Buchanan, Author (see Dictionary of National Biography). One page, 8vo, good condition, thanking his correspondent for a letter and a book (to come) which he will check, adding "Macmillan's edition was full of atrocious 'misprints', but I presume Mr Bell and Mr Nichol had read the proofs this time carefully?" In the Postscript he asks for "local help" for an edition of his collected poems just issued by King & Co.

Invoice to J. Houlgate of the Yorkshire Society, 23 Davygate, York.

Author: 
[PUBLISHERS] Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co.
Publication details: 
6 November 1883; London.
£20.00

2 pages, 8vo. Creased and with several small stains in blue and red. A printed invoice, ruled with blue and red lines, filled in in manuscript with a claim for fourteen shillings, 'To advertising in | The "Live Stock Journal," | Nos. 448 & 449' [November 3 and 10 1882]. Payment details in red ink on reverse, which is docketed.

Typed Note Signed to J. G. Wilson of Messrs Bumpus of Oxford Street.

Author: 
[BOOKSELLING] Sir Basil Blackwell
Publication details: 
10 April 1930; on personalised letterhead of Basil Blackwell & Mott Ltd, 49 Broad Street, Oxford.
£45.00

Notable Oxford bookseller (1889-1984). 1 page, 16mo. In good condition though dusty. He thanks Wilson for sending 'The Yellow Dwarf', 'which shall be duly submitted to the editor of 'The Merry-Go-Round'. Thank you for thinking of it.' Signed 'B Blackwell'.

Typewritten Publishing agreement with Anthony Blond Limited, 56 Doughty Street, London, W.C.1.

Author: 
[PUBLISHING AGREEMENT] Al Alvarez
Publication details: 
05/06/67
£75.00

Poet and critic (born 1929), friend of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, now best known as a poker player. In good condition. On one side each of 3 4to pages, neatly stapled to a piece of card. '[...] concerning a work at present entitled: | THE IRON CURTAIN SPY | Edited and compiled | by | Al Alvarez | [...]'. The authors name corrected by him in manuscript from 'Al' to 'A.' The first two pages initialled by Alvarez and the last page signed by him.

CATALOGUE OF THE WELL-KNOWN COLLECTION OF BALLOONING AND AERONAUTICAL PRINTS AND DRAWINGS The Property of Col. R. L. Preston, C.B.E.

Author: 
[BALLOONING AND AERONAUTICAL PRINTS AND DRAWINGS] Sotheby & Co's auction catalogue of Col. R. L. Preston's collection
Publication details: 
[sale of 20 March 1962]; London: Sotheby & Co. 34 and 25 New Bond Street, W.1.
£50.00

8vo. Pages [2 +] 120. In good condition. Printed green wraps with crease along length of front wrap. Many illustrations. 'INDEX OF AERONAUTS' on verso of last leaf. An invaluable scholarly resource.

2 Typed Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Unsigned to Mary Delane, and a collection related material.

Author: 
Robert Maxwell
Publication details: 
1962 to 1964; Oxford and London.
£200.00

Politician, publisher and one of the greatest crooks of the twentieth century (1923-91). The recipient, Mary Delane, is described as 'sometime woman's editor for The Times'. A collection of drafts and letters mainly relating to negotiations for the publication by Maxwell's Pergamon Press of a series of cookery books. A fine example of his Maxwell's questionable business practices. Mainly consisting of typed correspondence and draft replies, mostly in 8vo, some creased and torn but generally in good condition.

Valuation of the literary properties of Anthony Hope, deceased.

Author: 
Anthony Hope
Publication details: 
1933 (death of Hope).
£150.00

Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins (d.1933)(DNB) From the archives of literary agents, A.P. Watt, letters, copy letters, listings of publishers, titles of books (inc. Zenda, etc) and contributions, royalties and valuations inc. literary estate, payments to Lady Hawkins c. 18 pages, 8vo and folio, most in manuscript.

Valuation of the literary properties of Baroness Orczy, deceased.

Author: 
Baroness Orczy
Publication details: 
1945- 1947 (death), 1969
£250.00

(Oxford Companion, ed. Drabble)) From the archives of literary agents, A.P. Watt, letters, copy letters, listings of publishers, titles of books (Pimpernel, Lady Molly etc) and contributions, films, translations, royalties and valuations inc. literary estate, foreign rights, c. 25 pages, 8vo and folio, most in manuscript.

One Autograph Letter Signed to "Gosse" and one Autograph Note Initialled to an unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Philip Sainsbury.
Publication details: 
The Cayme Press, 21 Stanhope Mews West, Kensington, S.W.7, no dates but the printed address (36 Queen's Gate Mews, S.W.7") has been replaced by handwritten "Stanhope Mews" address.
£200.00

Founder, with Humphrey Toulmin of the Cayme Press. Total 3pp., 8vo, minor defects, good condition, text clear and complete. (The ALS (2pp.) is addressed to [Edmund prob.] "Gosse", inviting him to dinner at the Double Crown Club and thinking he would be amused. "The members are mainly publishers & include such people as Sadleir, Sidgwick, Holbrook Jackson, Harold Monro, Albert Rutherston, Emery Walker & C".

Autograph Note signed with draft title page to [Bell & Daldy], publishers.

Author: 
Robert Bell.
Publication details: 
[1867].
£100.00

Author and editor (DNB). One page, 8vo, dusty edges but text clear and complete. Bell initially writes the text of the titlepage with extensive corrections and additions (text comes through close to the printed version). He then adds a note as follows: The word 'original' appears to me important, as so many illustrated works are made up of old plates. I would suggest that there is no punctuation in the title-page." An unusual item.

Autograph Note Signed to a "Mr Jones", bookseller.

Author: 
James Rendel Harris.
Publication details: 
54 Wood Rd, Whally Range, Manchester, 5 Jan. 1920.
£75.00

Biblical scholar, archaeologist, and orientalist (DNB). One page, 8vo, faintly stained but text clear and complete, as follows:"Your list to hand I can certainly take the little collection of tracts, beginning "England's Warning". You may also send me the two Portsmouth tracts, & the Lilburn tract, the Titus Oates sermon & the oath of the Kings of England". Harris was at this time at the John Rylands Library, Manchester and may well have been ordering on their behalf.

Five (5) Autograph Letters Signed to [John Russell Smith], publisher.

Author: 
William Chadwick.
Publication details: 
Arksey (mainly), 1858/9 and 1862.
£450.00

Author of "The Life and Times of Daniel Defoe, with remarks digressive and discursive" (J.R. Smith, London, 1859).Total 23pp., 8vo, minor damage, texts clear and complete. The letters concern this book about Defoe exclusively. He starts (29 Oct. 1858) "You have the whole manuscript complete now, with the Parcel sent yesterday", adding that entries (giving examples) can be struck out since they were part of library researches.

Eight Autograph Letters Signed "Stanley" to Messrs Routledge, publishers.

Author: 
Henry Edward John Stanley, 3rd Earl.
Publication details: 
1851-1871
£400.00

Diplomatist and orientalist (see DNB). Total 20pp., 8vo, good condition. The main subject is illustrations of animals and birds perhaps relating to a book (a "book" is mentioned) which I cannot trace in NSTC, etc., but perhaps multiple copies of pages of illustrations of monkeys, kangaroos, cats, dogs, birds, seals, squirrels, etc. His first letter is dated 27 July 1851 (signed "Stanley" by Henry had not yet succeeded to the title[?]) and he asks "Will you commence printing a thousand of the monkeys. How many thousand sheets would form a convenient parcel . . . 6000 . .

Autograph Letter Signed to Dr Dawson Turner.

Author: 
Ernest Abraham Hart
Publication details: 
13 September 1880; 38 Wimpole Street, W.
£35.00

Medical journalist and reformer (1835-98), editor of the British Medical Journal. 2 pages, 8vo, in good condition, docketed in pencil. The recipient is not the celebrated collector of autographs but a physician of 13 Salisbury Street, Strand. 'I am staying at Weybridge & shall expect to be in town only for an hour on Thursday & shall hardly be able to have the pleasure of seeing your friend, but if you or he should write to me I shall be very glad if I can in anyway be of service to you.'

Unpublished proof of illustration for "Henry Esmond".

Author: 
W.M. Thackeray.
Publication details: 
No date.
£125.00

C. 6 x 4", in envelope, on which a description has been written as follows: "With Mr E.L. Legatts kind regard. 2 proof copies [note: only one present] from an unpublished [underlined] wood block cut by Mr swain being an illustration to Thackary's [sic] "Esmond" shewing the boy being introduced to the Lord Castlewood by the Roman Catholic priest. 1 Copy for your sister please. / Novr 05". Postmak, 2 Dec. 1905, addressed to "Mrs Walker, 36 Elsworthy Road, London, NW".

"Sale of the Effects of Mrs Headon / Wansworth / Decembr 11th 1801(manuscript).

Author: 
Auction 1801.
Publication details: 
11 Dec, 1801.
£250.00

Auctioneer's Record of "Mrs Headon's Sale / December 11th 1801". 15pp., 8vo, in primitive wraps (sewn) created from a sheet of paper on which survives a proof (apparently) of a decorative advertisement (the size of a business card) for "James Graves / Tea Dealer & Grocer, / Putney / Surry / NB Dealer in British Wines". This proof straddles the spine and shows signs of wear and tear (e.g. fading), and the covers are slightly soiled.

One Autograph Letter Signed and one Typed Note Signed to Walter Jerrold.

Author: 
Arthur Waugh.
Publication details: 
Chapman & Hall Ltd, 11 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C., 22 Oct. 1915 (ALS) and ibid., 20 Oct. 1913 (TNS).
£100.00

Publisher. (TNS) One page, 4to, about the next Thackeray dinner. He has lost his "papers about the Titmarsh Club" and adds an apology in his hand. (ALS) Two pages, 8vo. He praises Ianthe Jerrold's latest poems effusively and at length, concluding that "I think we may expect her to take her place, and that no equivocal one, among the women-poets of her country." He goes on to how badly the Daily Telegraph has treated "us - you worse than me, of course, because I have still my office. He thinks they should rather have lost money in wartime than throw over loyal employees. Two items,

Autograph Notes Signed (2) to J.G. Wilson, Chairman of Bumpus's.

Author: 
Simon Nowell-Smith.
Publication details: 
Oxford, 3 Oct. 1931 and Exeter, 23 June [1932? - Lewis Carroll centenary?].
£50.00

Scholar and collector (1909-1996). Total 3pp., 8vo, good condition. (1931) "many thanks for your note enclosing cheque for "Farrago" [?]. I wish all my debtors were as prompt." Wilson or a member of his staff has put a pencilled line diagonally through the page. ([1932]) He asks to see "the Lewis Carroll catalogue and exhibits on Monday, with a view to reporting the exhibition in next weeks' [Times] Literary / Supplement . . . ". Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235). Two items,

Autograph Note Signed to R. Sunter, Bookseller, Stonegate, York.

Author: 
<?> Hearn.
Publication details: 
Salisbury, 30 March 1844.
£45.00

One page, 4to, spike-hole, fold and other marks, text cleaar and complete. "Sir,/ Some months back, you informed me that "The Monastic Ruins of Yorkshire would be shortly ready, and you engaged to send me a copy to my Town Agent, (Jas. [underlined] Gilbert, 49 Paternoster Row) as soon as the new Edition appeared. I trust that it is now ready; and I will thank you to send me two [underlined] copies (instead of one) of the cheapest [underlined] edition, as I have no doubt I shall get a second subscriber as soon as the work can be seen . . . [signature] . . . P.S.

Autograph letter signed to Triphook, 21 Golden Square.

Author: 
[...Thoms?]
Publication details: 
Tenby, 2 Feb. 1829.
£45.00

One page, 4to, small tears, small piece missing, dulled, fold marks, spike hole, but text readable. "If you will go to Cockburn & Cos branch at Whitehall they will pay you £5.8- I am sorry it escaped my memory. I enclose you a list of the contents of 5 vols of Old Plays which I am offered - & I wish you would tell me what they are worth./ There is also here a book dedicated to Lord with the following title Page of which I wish you would tell me the probable value[.] Englands Improvements by Sea & Land &c. By Andrew Yarranton Printed by R.

Autograph Letter Signed to [Martin] Tupper, miscellaneous writer (1810-1889)[?].

Author: 
R. Seeley (Robert Benton Seeley).
Publication details: 
54 Fleet Street, 20 Sept. 1871.
£65.00

Publisher, philanthropist and author (1798-1886). Two pages, 8vo, bifoliate, good condition. "Dear Mr. Tupper,/ I hope to send you a proof tomorrow./ I am afraid we shall have to throw Foley over altogether, as we shall probably begin a new series next year in place of the "English Artists"./ I almost think we are full for the next three numbers, but if there should be space for the short articles you mention [page 2] I will let you know . . ."

Autograph note signed to Jeffery, Pall Mall.

Author: 
Lady Midleton.
Publication details: 
Peper Harow, 12 Nov. 1815.
£45.00

d.1852 (Burke). Maria Benyon m. 4th Viscount Midleton 13 June 1797 (second wife). One page, 8vo, some marking and chipping but text clear and complete. "Lady Midleton wishes to know whether Mr. Jeffery [sic] has any number of the Quarterly Review published since <"that" excised> Janry. 1815 as she has not received any - the 24th. Number completes the volume---"

Autograph Note Signed to J.G. Wilson, Chairman of Bumpus's.

Author: 
Bernard Watson (of Ivor Nicholson & Watson Ltd).:
Publication details: 
44 Essex Street, London, WC2, 11 Nov. 1931.
£75.00

Publisher. One page, 8vo, bery good condition. "Dear Mr Wilson, / You were indeed kind to give me so much of your valuable Time today, and to take so much Trouble over our projected list. I learnt a great deal on how to write 'copy' for books, and advice from you with your store of experience is immensely valuable to a young beginner like myself, I am indeed grateful . . ." This must have been in the publishing company's early days. They later learned enough to reject "Animal Farm"(!) Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235).

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