Military and Naval History

Presumably printed for a Royal Air Force regimental reunion. Card bifoliate, 16mo, with 3 pages printed in green ink and featuring crude vignette of men in action in black ink on recto of first leaf, and with verso of second leaf reserved for autographs. Discoloured but in good condition. Recto of first leaf headed '"D" Squadron | R.A.F. Regiment O.C.T.U., Sidmouth. | 29th October, 1942 - 23rd January, 1943.' Across the opening are listed the men of nos. 13, 14, 15 and 16 flights. Among around a dozen autograph signatures in pencil or pen are those of the Squadron Commander Major J.

Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon, British statesman who made Canada a confederation but failed to create a federation of South Africa; Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Interesting matter relating to South African affairs. He encloses (not present) a passage of Lanyon's from the Government Gazette.

Part of letter, c.4 x 4", laid down, good condition, last few lines in which he says "Princess Frederica has promised to dine with me. Could I induce you & Bradford to come & meet her here. I remain, / Yours most sincerely / George."

(British Army: Ist Volunteer Rifle Battalion (Devon) in 1901). A small collection of letters and printed ephemera relating to the Ist Volunteer Rifle Battalion, Exeter, comprising: ALS, 2pp., 8vo, William C.Richards to Colonel Sir Dudley Duckworth-King, 17 Sept.

Admiral. One page, 4to, tear not affecting text, discussing his travel plans and meetings.

Baron Taunton, statesman (1798-1869). 2pp., 4to, good. He has been sent some material relating to the Merchant Seamen’s Billand relates it to his own views on the matter.

French general (1815-1896). On visiting card, two sides, in French. He expresses regret at not being able to see or receive “Mr. Roumieu” inTouraine. He later describes himself as an old friend of England’s.

Inventor of a screw propeller (DNB). End of letter clipped, text "Yours very truly / Robt Griffiths", c. 3.5 x 1-1.5" (irregular), good condition.

Moncrieff, Sir Alexander 1829-1906, colonel and engineer (DNB). Bold signature and date on part of headed notepaper (Royal United Service Institution), paper, c.4 x 4", slightly stained from having been laid down but clear.

Banker. Bank to Bank transaction. One page, 4to, good condition. "Sir/ Since our last of the 2[0]th Inst we are favour'd with yours of the 23d agreeable to which we have this day bought the undermention'd Bills (listed with numbers, description, date and amount, three "Victualling Bills" and one "Navy Bill"; discount, total given "Charged to the Bank of Scotland £5062.18.10".

Diplomat. Three pages, 4to, poor condition but most of the text legible. "Private". Rumbold discusses the reception of a petition he sent to "Mr Fen[?]" saying that he is to get "immediate indemnification for the losses & expenses occasioned by the seizure of my Person, my imprisonment &c". Vincent is giving him support. He encloses his account, anticipates delay by the Treasury in paying but enlists his correspondent's help. His case was a cause celebre of the time, described in DNB as follows: "On the night of 25 Oct.

General (1773-1865), who distinguished himself as commander of the allied cavalry in the Peninsular War. One page, 8vo. "Although Captn: Martin did not serve under my Command in India, I venture to forward to you his Memorial, and trust you will take an opportunity of bringing his claim under the gracious & favourable consideration of Her Majesty - I have the honor to be / Sir / Yr. most obt. Hble: Sert: / Combermere. Genl. / late commr: in Chief / in India". Paper ruckled, and with glue stains from previous mounting. With biographical cutting adhering to head of recto.

British General (1856-1936). One page, 12mo. Cryptic, very. "There are many examples of dates in french in the paper. I fear Mrs Mary is very ill, very very ill indeed. / Yours v. sincerely / A Hunter". Slight "offsetting" from another letter over text of letter.

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo. "Glad to hear from you: <?> had told me that you were soldiering. I wish you could have been here with us but yours is a glorious job. Good luck attend you & our arms". Creased, and with traces of previous mounting on blank reverse.

English Admiral of the Fleet (1735-1823). The upper part of a letter on one 4to leaf. Recto: "Mortimer Street / the 18th of February 1807 / Sir / I have the honor to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter of the 10th Instant reporting the account communicated by Lieutenant Batt, of <...>". Verso: "I have the honor to be / Sir / Your most obedient / humble Servant / St. Vincent". Grubby and with loss to one corner.

English Admiral of the Fleet (1735-1823). One page, 12mo. "Lord St. Vincent will thank Mr Handley to convey the inclosed, to Mr. Willan, as soon as possible / Rochetts / 13th. June 1817".

4 pp, 8vo. A long letter discussing the restoration of the ship. "[...] I have always appreciated (and envied) your personal experience of sail in days when seamanship in the old sense really meant something. [...] No one is better qualified to speak with authority on the restoration of a historic sailing vessel than you are". Five points are discussed: "The position of the upper topsail yards. [...] royal yards [...] fitting sails [...] ropes [...] Maintenance."

Politician and art collector (d.1854). He thanks him for the tract on the Militia Bill, giving his opinion of its cogent argument against the measure.

General. One page, 8vo. He describes his enclosure of a banker's order to pay the rent on a property he is about to occupy.

Canadian lawyer and English Master of the Rolls (1752-1832). Part of ALS signed, referring to "Sir Alexr Cochrane's propositions as to prizes that may be taken in conjunct expeditions on the coast of America" on which he does not feel able to give directions.

Soldier (1783-1868). Stained and worn but contents intact and legible, responding to condolences on his wife's death. what it means to him, and what her last days were like.

one page, fol. He refers to a "Return of the Field and Garrison ordnance, with the ammunition for guns, howitzers . . ." which he has sent for the defence of North Britain.

Irish war correspondent. 2pp., 8vo. He produces some badinage about an invitation card, then comments on the situation in Egypt: "I wish the Powers - which they aren't by the by - had let our fat friend Ismail [Pasha] alone just tightening the bit a little & and then there would be none of this darkness over the land of Egypt . . . ", concluding with jocular mis-spellings of "poetical".

Admiral, 8vo. He hadn't the heart to wake him when he called but could send what he had offered.

Edward Levy-Lawson, Newspaper proprietor (1833-1916). He describes a variety of physical ailments to which he is prey but concludes that "My suffering has not diminished my belief in one popularly known as 'Jack Fisher'. . .". Burnham's relationship with Fisher is perhaps explained by his Newspaper, The Daily Telegraph's, support of a "strong navy" policy.