Literature

letter [by amanuensis?] to H. A. West,

Author: 
Sir Francis Cowley Burnand
Publication details: 
no date, on letterhead addressed Hale Lodge, Edgeware.
£20.00

Dramatist (1836-1917) and editor of Punch from 1862-1906. One page, 12mo. The printed part is laid out like a telegram, with a reference number, and the letter, although signed "FCB" does not appear to be in Burnard's hand. "Dear Sir / I am head over ears in engagements & business next week. [...] to you ce qu'arrivera." With postscript "Just come from Germany". In parlous condition, frayed, and with holes and tape marks from previous mounting.

Typed Agreement on the production of Christie's "Appointment with Death".

Author: 
Bertie Alexander Meyer and Derrick de Marney.
Publication details: 
London, 5 May 1944.
£150.00

Agreement "to be associated in the exploitation of the said Play", 4pp., folio, manuscript correctionsand additions initialled throughout by the above parties, and finally signed by both. WITH: Typed copy of the agreemen,t5 May 1944, between Agatha Mallowan (Christie) and Bertie Alexander Meyer for the rights to produce a play, 4pp., folio, NOT signed; AND: Typed copy of agreement, 30 Sept. 1942, between the same parties for the rights to "Ten Little Niggers", 4pp., folio, some pencilled annotation, NOT signed; AND: Typed copy agreement, 9 Sept.

autograph notes signed (x 3) to G.F. Troup Horne

Author: 
W.W. Jacobs
Publication details: 
1929-1934
£120.00

Humorous writer (1863-1943), one large 8vo page each. (1929) He is returning some "sketches", commenting on the difficulty of a beginner to get published despite merits, and the need for a little revision. (I have found nothing by Horne in the BLCat.)(1930) His handwriting is even more difficult than usual, but he is responding to a card and appears to be annoyed at a suggestion ("disgraceful"). His postscript runs "If I wrote like that I would take a few lessons".

Autograph note signed on card to [the Rev. E.J.F. Davies, autograph-collector)

Author: 
Maud Diver
Publication details: 
31 July [1931].
£45.00

Novelist (1867-1945). Two sides of card, 3" x 3". She says he is welcome to her autograph "for what it is worth, to add to [his] distinguished collection. She adds a postscript saying that she has enclosed her signature on a separate piece of paper in case that is what he requires. She points out that she "is not Miss Diver & never was. My husband Colonel Diver, was in the Royal Warwickshire Regt. I am a mother - & a grandmother! My new book "Ships of Youth [A study of marriage in modern India]" was published a week ago". With: separate piece of paper with her signature and a date.

Autograph phrases signed "William Sharp"

Author: 
William Sharp ("Fiona Macleod")
Publication details: 
n.d.
£100.00

n the 4to page (12 September, Sharp's birthday) extracted from "A Birthday Book designed by her Royal Highness the Princess Beatrice" (1881). Sharp has written six Gaelic phrases with English translations E.g. "Mar a bha As it was/ Mar a tha As it is .......". . The book comprises one day to every page.The book has the bookplate of N. Hardy Wallis (see BLC).

Autograph Quotation Signed "Marie C. Stopes

Author: 
Marie Stopes
Publication details: 
n.d.
£100.00

Stopes has written lines headed "Marriage" on a 4to page (her birthday, 15 October) extracted from "A Birthday Book designed by her Royal Highness the Princess Beatrice" (1881). The book comprises one day to every page. The book has the bookplate of N. Hardy Wallis (see BLC). Stopes says "Marriage:-/ A stream of sweet content whereon do float/The jewelled flowers of passion to the sea / Of deep and everlasting memory./ Marie C. Stopes.

One autograph postcard signed and two autograph letters signed to Clement Shorter

Author: 
Sir Sidney Low
Publication details: 
1904-1906
£75.00

Author. The letters total 5 pages, 8vo. He anticipates the publication of his "Governance of Britain", giving his view of the book. He thanks Shorter for as review (presumably in "The Sphere"), expresses admiration for Mrs Shorter's work (Dora Sigerson), discusses public reaction to his "Vision of India". He is thinking of writing a "Vision of Ireland". Three items,

Two typed notes signed to J.G. Wilson, Chairmand of J & E Bumpus, booksellers.

Author: 
Norman Collins
Publication details: 
14 and 18 July 1947
£40.00

Novelist. One page each, 8vo. He is responding to an invitation and outlining a busy schedule. 2 items,

Autograph letter signed to Rev. W. Tuckwell.

Author: 
Henry Reeve.
Publication details: 
62 Rutland Gate, London, 1 December 1869.
£100.00

Litterateur and Journalist, editor of the "Edinburgh Review" (1813-1895). Four pages, 8vo, foxing, text clear. Reeve has received an article by Tuckwell on "the Literature of the 18th Century . . . Its defect seems to me to be that in title, in spirit, & in substance, it is somewhat too wide & vague - an article more appropriate for an Encyclopaedia than to a Review." He would have preferrd a paper of 20-25 pages on a specific topic such as Latimer's prose. "In writing for the Reviews there is no greater mistake than to embrace too large a field" resulting in a lack of "point".

Autograph letter signed to the "Lord Bishop of Winchester"

Author: 
Henry Taylor
Publication details: 
18/07/80
£150.00

Poet and playwright (1800-1886). 8 (eight) pages, 8vo. He writes concerning a local (Bournemouth) religious controversy and "lay advowsons", giving considerable detail, expressing opinions, and requesting the Archbishop's opinion.

Autograph letter signed to [the Rev. E.F.F. Davies, autograph-collector]

Author: 
Jane H. Findlater
Publication details: 
17 July (no year)
£35.00

Novelist. She assures him that she is "still in the land of the living, and is initially flattered that he is showing an interest (in her autograph). Then she realises that he has mentioned books by her sister (M. Findlater) and has confused her with her sister - "but it is all the same to us!". She mentions that she enclosed an advertisement for "the last edition of my best-known book, suggesting he would find it an interesting read.

Autograph inscription to A.J.A. Symons

Author: 
Holbrook Jackson
Publication details: 
31/07/25
£50.00

Loose leaf, presumably formerly endpaper of book, 8vo, inscribed "For A.J.A. Symons from Holbrook Jackson" with address and date.

Part of an autograph letter signed to Sir M.A. Shee (see DNB, artist, novelist, etc.))

Author: 
Jane Porter
Publication details: 
no date
£45.00

Novelist (1776-1850). Text as follows: "Ever yours most faithfully/Jane Porter/ I shall return it to your care before I leave /<?>/ Sir M.A.Shee.

Typed letter signed to Sybil Rosenfeld,

Author: 
John Drinkwater
Publication details: 
27 March 1924, with letterhead 4 Ashburn Gardens.
£25.00

Playwright, biographer, actor and poetaster (1882-1937). One page, 12mo, in stamped addressed envelope. "In reply to your letter, I am afraid I cannot manage to come just at present as I am going abraod [sic] early in April and shall be away for some weeks, but if later on we can arrange a date I will try to do so."

photograph,

Author: 
Andrew Halliday [full name Andrew Halliday Duff]
Publication details: 
1873
£20.00

Essayist and dramatist (1830-1877). Portrait photograph, 3¾ inches by 2½, from the studio of Charles Watkins, 54 Chancery Lane, of a heavily-bearded Halliday looking to the right in jacket, coat and striped tie. The photographer's details and device are printed on the reverse of the mount, which is docketted "Andrew Halliday / 1873", and carries traces of glue and paper. Somewhat grubby.

Autograph notes signed (x 3).

Author: 
Charles James Mathews
Publication details: 
one undated, the others 1874 and 1875.
£60.00

Actor-manager (1803-78) at the Adelphi and Covent Garden Theatres.The first two, dinner invitations addressed to "My dear Pal", dated 22 January 1874 and 2 May 1875, both with letterhead 59 Belgrave Road, South Belgravia. The first, one page, cropped, 16mo., the second, one page, 12mo. The third, to "My dear Lane", one page, 12mo. " "One hour" is played for you all next week. What would you have more?" All three show traces of mounts. Three items,

Autograph card signed to Mr [Spencer Cecil Brabazon?] Ponsonby-Fane,

Author: 
Edmund Yates
Publication details: 
6 October [no year], with letterhead Thames Lawn, Great Marlow.
£25.00

Journalist and playwright (1831-94). One page, 12mo. "Very many thanks for your kindness in sending me the records. I knew Bolland well, and many of the others who have 'gone over'. So the book is very interesting to me. "

typed letter signed with manuscript addition, and one autograph letter signed, to Walter Jerrold and Mrs Walter Jerrold respectively.

Author: 
Alfred Noyes
Publication details: 
2 Oct. 1919 and 28 Oct. 1929
£40.00

Poet (1880-1958). One and 4pp., 4to and 8vo. The typed letter has a hole not affecting text. It concerns a book Noyes has sent under separate cover, hoping to arrange a meeting. In the letter to Mrs Jerrold, he is commiserating with her on the death of Walter Jerrold ("one of the most lovable men I have ever known", etc.). Two items,

Autograph note and pen and ink drawing signed to an unnamed correspondent

Author: 
Anna Caroline Steele
£100.00

Authoress. 2pp., 8vo, some staining marginally affecting text. She has drawn a devil carrying a book engulfed by flames with a woman hand on head saying "What & leave the world no copy". She adds a "Quotation by the Saturday Review" "Go go to H- & say I sent thee thither". She apologises for using half sheets and signs.

Verses to Order.

Author: 
A.G. (A.D. Godley).
Publication details: 
Methuen & Co., 1892.
£50.00

Quarter vellum, mottled, blue boards, bumped, endpapers browned, mainly good. "Most of the verses in this volume have appeared in the "Oxford Magazine". It includes an early poem involving Golf, "Love and Golf": Hear me swearing, fairest Phylliss!/-Golfers all know how to swear- . . . Links were ne'er designed for lovers . . . Lips like yours should never utter/ Ugly words that golfers speak -/ "Dormy", "stimy", "mashy", "putter",/ . . . ". Five verses, eight lines each.

autograph letter signed to [Edward] Draper,

Author: 
Augustus Mayhew
Publication details: 
no date, 1 Leigh Street Burton Crescent.
£20.00

Author (1826-1875). 2 pp, 12mo. "[...] You got me into a d - d mess with Nicholson but I promised him to say nothing about it so Mum's the word / Yours in expectation of a True Hoodian morceau". Traces of mount stuck to reverse.

autograph note signed to Clement Shorter

Author: 
Austin Brereton
Publication details: 
17/10/06
£25.00

Stage historian. One page, 8vo.He thanks Shorter for the loan of some books and asks for another.

Manuscript poem signed

Author: 
C.E. Maurice
Publication details: 
No date.
£45.00

Philanthropist and author (of the Life of Octavia Hill). One page taken from an album. On the page for his birthday (29 June) Maurice has written out part of Tennyson's "Oenone" (commencing "Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control"). Maurice involved himself in many causes, including the preservation of Parliament Hill Fields, Bulgaria when devastated, Boer women and children, Georgian independence, etc., etc. (With offprint of his obituary from the Ham and High.)

Autograph letter signed to Geo. R. Ward, engraver of portraits.

Author: 
Allan Cunningham.
Publication details: 
Belgrave House, 7 June 1831.
£45.00

Poet and man of letters (1784-1842). He reports that Chantrey (presumably the sculptor) left home and had "professional matters" to keep him away for some time. Asker[Asher?] might not be contactable, though he will"chance" a letter to him.

Autograph letter signed to "Joyce"

Author: 
Charles C. Darton
Publication details: 
20/05/14
£50.00

Boys' story writer. 2pp., 8vo. He is pleased that she and her brother enjoyed "The King's Scout" (the "nicest women" enjoy their brother's books), and that she would like his autograph. He is sending her another book with autograph letters from himself and the illustrator, "Mr Masefield". "Mr. Masefield's is not a very good specimen but it is the only one I can find at present."

Autograph letter not signed to The Editor of the Quarterly Review (Lockhart).

Author: 
Rev. Arthur Hudleston.
Publication details: 
11/02/33
£45.00

Two pages, 8vo, good condition. With a note identifying the writer who simply describes himself in his letter as "The Author of the accompanying volume of sermons" of which he asks the Editor to give an early notice. He offers the "accustomed remuneration [!] for this trouble through his publishers." He asks for the book to be returned to his publishers (Rivington) if no review is contemplated. N.B. Rivington published Hudleston's "Discourses on Religion and Morality".

autograph letter signed to Edward Draper,

Author: 
Andrew Halliday [full name Andrew Halliday Duff]
Publication details: 
21 October 1872, with embossment 122 Camden Street.
£25.00

Essayist and dramatist (1830-1877). 1 page, 12mo. "If you should be in the neighbourhood of the T. R. D. L on Saturday about 3 o'clock, I should like to see you, with any of your quaint music books in your pocket. Have you still got "the ", & "the Vicar still preaches that Peter & Poule." For the latter see "Guard Room" Canto VI." Remains of mount glued to reverse of blank second leaf.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed correspondent

Author: 
Walter G.F. Phillimore
Publication details: 
20/02/81
£25.00

Judge, jurist, and ecclesiatical lawyer (1845-1929). 3pp., 12mo, giving thanks for valuable information, describing his researches ("Rimbault's book" and correspondence), alluding to cheque books which he has inspected and others he wishes to inspect. He anticipates calling and seeing his correspondent's "Patents or Warrants"

Autograph Note initialled to "Catalina"

Author: 
Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer
Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer ANS
Publication details: 
No date.
£30.00
Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer ANS

Diplomat. One page, 8vo. He asks for a pair of Chinese slippers to be added to her brother's account and warns her against a "maddish charlatan" with whom he has crossed swords.

Signature from document

Author: 
Robert Howard
Publication details: 
29 Feb. 1675
£125.00

Dramatist, historian and poet (1626-1698). Signature cut from a document (Howard was an auditor of the Exchequer) with above date and a few words from the text, laid down.

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