Social history

Typed Letter with cyclostyle signature to A. D. Snow of St Leonards-on-Sea.

Author: 
George Cadbury
Publication details: 
19 December 1911; letterhead 'BOURNVILLE. | BIRMINGHAM.'
£45.00

Quaker confectioner, social reformer and philanthropist (1839-1922). 1 page, 8vo. A little grubby and creased but in good condition overall, with the blank reverse attached to remains of another piece of paper. He thanks his correspondent for his letter and states that 'The Friends' Meeting House at Stirchley has been used for very many years by the Friendly Societies instead of the liquor shop. I believe that one society of 700 members [manuscript addition: 'the largest branch in the Midlands'] and another of 400 members have payments made in one of the rooms connected with it.

A Letter to the . . .Lord Bishop of Durham . . . on the Principle and Detail of the Measures now under consideration of Parliament for promoting and encouraging Industry and for the Relief and regulation of the Poor.

Author: 
Thomas Bernard.
Publication details: 
London, Printed for J. Hatchard, 1807.
£250.00

See DNB for Bernard's activites on behalf of the Poor. Half-title, blank, titlepage, imprint, pp. [1]-62, 8vo. Disbound, poor condition, frayed, soiled, worm-holed in parts, some pages detached or semi-detached, but text clear and complete. INSCRIBED "Geo. Vansittart Esq. from the author" i.e. Bernard. Note: see DNB for George Vansittart, nephew of theSecretary to the Treasury to whom Bernard addressed "Letter to the Right Hon. N. Vansittart on Repeal of the Salt Duties". A scarce pamphlet.

Autograph Signature in copy of The Collected Poems of John Masefield (London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1935).

Author: 
Marie Stopes
Publication details: 
1935; Norbury Park.
£85.00

Marie Carmichael Stopes (1880-1958), British paleobotanist and eugenicist, influential advocate of birth control. Clean neat inscription on recto of front free endpaper reads 'Marie C. Stopes | Norbury Park | 1935'. The volume is in good condition, in a grubby dustwrapper worn at the head and tail of the spine. Pages 324-5 and 339 have been marked up in soft pencil.

Printed handbill headed 'TABLES TURNED; | OR THE | Tories reduced to the Workhouse, | Being the First Examination of Paupert before the Commissioners of the New Poor Law'

Author: 
POOR LAW
Publication details: 
Without date or place, but circa 1834; printed by 'BIRT, Printer, 39, Great St. An- | drew St. Seven Dials. [London]'.
£100.00

In 3 columns on a sheet of thin unwatermarked wove paper, 10 inches by 7. Creased and grubby, but in good condition overall. Lightly attached at head to a sheet of paper. Satirical report of examination of a Beadle, Bob Orange Peel [Sir Robert Peel], Old Nosey [Wellington?], Cumberland Griffin from Kew [?], Jack Cobley [?], Winchester Rat (a mayor) [?], Sailor Bill [William IV], and Madame Addle-head [?].

Two Autograph Letters Signed to Charles B. Walker of Thirsk.

Author: 
Reverend Doctor T. Newton, Wesleyan Minister, on the administration of the poor law
Publication details: 
Both from Coxwold, the first 3 May 1824 and the second 10 March 1825.
£50.00

A newspaper cutting attached to the white paper folder in which these items are placed carries a short obituary of Newton, who died 30 April [1854]. The first letter is 1 page, 4to, addressed on reverse, and the second 1 page, 12mo, with address on reverse of second leaf of bifolium. Both grubby but in good condition. Letter 1: 'I am sorry the very stormy morning will not allow me to join my Brother Magistrates in answering the enclosed Queries.

Autograph Letter Signed to [R. N. Freakes].

Author: 
David Seth-Smith
Publication details: 
10 March 1934, on embossed letterhead 'CURATORS HOUSE | ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, N.W.8.'
£35.00

Presenter of 1930's show on BBC radio, 'The Zoo Man'. 1 page, 12mo. Folded twice. In good condition. 'All you can do for your parrot is to paint the jaws with iodine, but I am afraid the trouble may be with the kidneys & in that case you cannot do much. | Give quite simple food, nothing fattening | Yours truly, | D. Seth-Smith "The Zoo Man". Seth-Smith's book 'The Zoo Man Speaking' was published by Thomas Nelson in 1937. In grubby stamped envelope addressed in autograph to Freakes.

Signature only.

Author: 
Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence.
Publication details: 
No place [1930].
£20.00

Suffragette. "Yours affectionately, [typed] Emmeline Pethick Lawrence [autograph], c.4 x 1".Year added in another hand.

"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.

Autograph Letter Signed to Dr [?] Frazer.

Author: 
Charles Dibdin
Publication details: 
14, John Street, Adelphi, W. C., 24 November 1896.
£35.00

Charity administrator (1864-1938). Two pages, 16mo, on letterhead of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. 'This is the latest Chart published. It came out this month. We do not issue a larger copy or I would send it to you.'

two typed letters signed to Malcolm Mackenzie of the Empire Art Council

Author: 
David Eccles, later Viscount Eccles
Publication details: 
both 1p, one large and one small 8vo; the first (on Minister of Works letterhead), 25 April 1952; the second (on House of Commons letterhead), 1 June 1953
£50.00

In the first letter Eccles thanks Mackenzie for his congratulations on Eccles' 'scheme for forming a national collection of works of art'. Any help the EAC can give will be welcome, 'as the need for pictures and works of art for Government buildings, both at home and overseas, is really great'. In the second letter he thanks him for his telegram of congratulations 'on the Coronation decorations. Everyone in the Ministry of Works has tried hard to produce something worthy of the Queen and of our contemporary art'. Two items,

autograph letter signed to James Hartford

Author: 
Samuel Lambert, S. L. & Co., varnish makers [Pratt & Lambert?]
Publication details: 
2pp, 8vo, 17 August 1892, on printed letterhead headed 'From S. L. & Co.'
£100.00

Long and unusually entertaining account 'Re Varnish', addressed to an American correspondent. A fascinating insight into the nature of Victorian entrepreneurship. 'It has long been an idea of mine that of all the Trades the most profitable one is Varnish [...] the Germans, clever as they are, can't make Varnish at all [...] nor for that matter can the Americans'.

Two receipts signed, recipients "Messrs Herbert & Daniel"

Author: 
Tighe Hopkins
Publication details: 
Jan. and May 1912
£30.00

author. He has received royalties on account of his book "Wards of the State: an unofficial view of prisons and the prisoner" (1913). Two items,

ALS in autograph addressed envelope, to Charles Williams of 28 Theobald's Road

Author: 
Montagu William Lowry Corry, Baron Rowton (DNB), politician and philanthropist
Publication details: 
2 October 1892, on letterhead "Ardverikie, | Kingussie, | N.B."
£50.00

Grubby and stained envelope addressed to Williams with "With a bag." in top left-hand corner. "The proof of your remembrance of your kind promise to me reached me just as I was leaving London, for a few days in this region. | I place your volumes on the shelves of my humble library with real satisfaction: for I am very pleased to have such a Token of your approval of my enterprize, and of your willingness to cooperate in making it a success. I hope to open - without any "ceremony" - possibly even in this month". Before they begin work he will ask him to visit Rowton House again.

ALS, 1p, 4to to Clement Shorter, editor of the Sphere newspaper

Author: 
Viscountess Lee of Fareham (see husband's DNB entry) on Chequers, the British Prime Ministers' country house
Publication details: 
30 October [no year, but between 1917 and 1921], on Chequers letterhead
£45.00

Says that Chequers has been "thoroughly photographed twice since our alterations" (1910 and 1917), but that she would be glad to allow Shorter to have other photographs taken. Country Life does not give the Lees copies of these photographs, but does sometimes allow other newspapers to reproduce them. "I remember very well the luncheon at Lord Curzon's about a year ago - Would you care to come to see Chequers before we leave?" The Lees acquired Chequers in 1909, the Chequers Estate Act was passed in 1917 and the couple left in 1921.

ANS, 1 page, 16mo, addressed to "Mr. Williams | at [the wine merchants] Messrs. Clarke & Barlow's"

Author: 
Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd (DNB), judge and author
Publication details: 
Monday Morning [no date], 2 Elm Court Temple
£100.00

"Will you be so kind as to send me to this place, a dozen of the finest Champagne in the urse of the Morning? If you have any still Champagne I should prefer it provided it is of the best quality; but this, I fear is out of the question. Send the Bill with the Wine."

Hawaiian Grammar.

Author: 
Anon.
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£50.00

Typescript, 12pp., 4to, cover/title spotted, contents good.

Statistics of Crime in England and Wales for the Years 1842, 1843, and 1844.

Author: 
F.G.P. Neison.
Publication details: 
[1846].
£100.00

Read before the Statistical Section of the British Association at Southampton, 15 Sept. 1846. Pp.1-54, 8vo, disbound, some pages loose, some soiling particularly last page. INSCRIBED by the author: "To Alexander Robertson Esq / With [Mr?] Neison's Compts."

Autograph Letter Signed to W[illiam] Shackell, onetime owner, printer of "John Bull".

Author: 
Samuel Phillips.
Publication details: 
18 Sept. 1852.
£45.00

Glass manufacturer (1814-1854). 2pp., 8vo, good, admitting that he isinvolved with the Crystal Palace Company, but is not the secretary. He says that he has the interests of “Mr Woodfall” [the printer?] at heart, and his family is well. Phillips became literary diretor of the Crystal Palace Co. in 1853. He wrote Guide to the Crystal Palace and Park (1854).

Letter Signed to Chevalier Dr Karl de Scherzen

Author: 
[H] Evans Darby [Peace campiagner]
Publication details: 
13/12/93
£45.00

(Peace Society (1893)). 2pp., 8vo, H.(?) Evans Darby to the Chevalier Dr Karl de Scherzer, He informs his correspondent that the last “universal Peace Congress” in Chicago decided to invite eminent jurists “to form a Committee for thepurpose of considering the question of an International Court of Arbitration”. As a member of the provisional committee, he has beenasked to prepare a list for this committee for Europe. He invites hiscorrespondent to join it (“I should not think that it would involve muchlabour or responsibility”).

Autograph Letters Signed, quantity.

Author: 
Samuel A. Barnett
Publication details: 
1886-1905.
£100.00

Founder of Toynbee Hall (1844-1913). 4 ALSs, 2pp. ea., 8vo,good, three to C.H. Grinling, socialist, , the fourth to “Trevelyan”. He describes a model of a curate, invites Grinling to a retreat of sorts,discusses a conversation he had had with Ramsay Macdonald on booksand workmen and how Macdonald wants to discuss the matter withothers.

Autograph Note Signed.

Author: 
Henrietta Barnett
Publication details: 
[1913]
£45.00

Social reformer, founder of Hampstead Garden Suburb (1851-1936)(DNB).ANS, on a scrap of packing paper, saying “Given to Ernest Aves[?] inever grateful memory of all he did to and for me. June 17th-21st 1913.Henrietta Barnet”. Her husband, Samuel A. Barnet, has signed another part.

Probate of the Will of Emanuel Deutsch.

Author: 
Emanuel Deutsch
Publication details: 
12/06/73
£35.00

Semitic scholar (1829-1873). 2pp., 13 x 19” and 13 x 10”, vell., folded. Deutsch leaves all his books, papers and manuscripts to Lady Strangford (DNB) who is to handle the distribution of the rest of his property. The Registrar signs the Probate which is a simple statement copies from his will.

Document Signed to the Army and Navy Co-op Society

Author: 
Count Gleichen.
Publication details: 
St James Palace, 29 March 1883.
£45.00

Prince related to Victoria (DNB). Piece of paper, c.6 x 4", sl. soiled but clear, missing top left corner (and a word or two), text as follows: " . . . [end of word] 13123 / [P]lease give the Bearer 2 Gal: Brandy No. 2. at 24/6 the Gal: --- / Gleichen/ St James Palace / March 29/83/ The Secretary / A & N. Co:Op: Socty"

Autograph Letter Signed to "The very Revd Principal Mcfarlane" (presumably of Glasgow University (DNB).

Author: 
Charles Macintosh.
Publication details: 
Dunchattan, 28 Dec. 1836.
£75.00

Chemist, Inventor of water-proof material. See DNB. Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He asks for news about the Duke of Montrose. He describes his current illness, caused by the rupture of of a small artery in the lung - "we have got it soldered up however, but I am leaft weak from very copious bleeding".

Signature only.

Author: 
Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence.
Publication details: 
No place [1930].
£20.00

Suffragette. "Yours sincerely, Emmeline Pethick Lawrence"], c.4 x 1".

Typed Note Signed to Malcolm Mackenzie, The Empire Art Council.

Author: 
Charles Forte.
Publication details: 
London, 12 January 1956.
£25.00

Restaurateur/entrepreneur. One page, 4to, "Please forgive me for not having answered your letter earlier. It eally is most generous of you to promise to make our plans widely known, and I shall of course be very grateful for anything you will do in this respect."

Autograph letter signed to J. Dixon Spain,

Author: 
William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire (1808-1891)
Publication details: 
19 September 1885, with letterhead Holker Hall, Carke-in-Cartmel, Carnforth.
£80.00

One page, 12mo, with mourning border. "Sir / I enclose a cheque for 3£ the amount which I have subscribed during the last 2 or 3 years to the Lichfield Diocesan Church of England Temperance Society. As however Derbyshire is no longer in the diocese of Lichfield I cannot undertake to subscribe to the Society in future. / Yr obedt Servt / Devonshire".

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 signed to Sir John Coxe Hippisley

Author: 
Duke of Somerset
Publication details: 
Maiden Bradley, 12 Sept. 1821.
£100.00

Edward Adolphus Seymour, eleventh Duke of Somerset (1775-1855), agriculturist, etc. Three pages, 4to. His correspondent was Sir John Hippisley who, among many avocations, pursued agricultural science which is the main topic of this letter. Somerset is pleased to see the books of General Beatson, former lt gen in the East India Company and Governor of St Helena, but also an experimental agriculturist.

Autograph Note Signed to "J. Minshull(?)"

Author: 
Edward Baines.
Publication details: 
1 July (n.y.)
£35.00

Anti-slavery editor. One page, 8vo. Thanks for "pacquets of envelopes bearing an anti-slavery device".

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