Social history

[James F. L. Wood, Assistant Manager, Society for the Suppression of Mendicity.] Manuscript confidential report (signed 'Exd. R Ferguson') to A. J. B. Beresford Hope, on nine cases of begging letters sent from the Lisson Grove area of London.

Author: 
James F. L. Wood, Assistant Manager, Society for the Suppression of Mendicity [Mendicity Society] [Sir Alexander James Beresford Beresford Hope (1820-1887), Conservative politician; R. Ferguson]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Begging Letter Department, Mendicity Office, Red Lion Square. 3 April 1856.
£56.00

3pp., folio. Bifolium on grey paper. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'A. J. B. Beresford Hope | Esq | Arklow House', with Penny Red stamp and postmarks. In good condition, on aged paper, with some discoloration to the reverse of the second leaf. Printed in red at the head of the first page: 'THIS REPORT IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

['The Overseers of the Poor of Leeds' (near Maidstone, Kent).] Itemised manuscript bill to the Overseer Mr Bottle from Burr, Hoar & Burr, attornies, King Street, Maidstone

Author: 
Burr, Hoar & Burr, attornies, King Street, Maidstone, Kent [Mr Bottle, Overseer of the Poor of Leeds, near Maidstone, Kent]
Publication details: 
[Burr, Hoar & Burr, attornies, Maidstone, Kent.] Undated, but covering the period April 1817 to July 1821.
£220.00

3pp., folio. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr. Bottle | Overseer | Leeds', with Maidstone postmark, and docketted 'Burr's Bill | £24 14s 8d'. In good condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. Headed 'The Overseers of the Poor of Leeds'. Closely and neatly written, with the forty itemised entries going into unusual detail. The first entry, for 6s 8d, reads: '[April 1817] Att[endin]g. you on Stonham's Son in law hav[in]g. applied to a Magistrate for an Order for relief of his Grandchildren & aftwds upon the Magistrate with you & him & advis[in]g.

[The United Relieving Officers' and Masters' of Workhouses Superannuation Society.] Printed notice of a meeting to found the Society, describing its objects and rates of payment. Signed by temporary secretary William Scudding.

Author: 
The United Relieving Officers' and Masters' of Workhouses Superannuation Society [William Scadding or Scudding, 'Secretary, pro. tem.']
Publication details: 
Thame [Oxfordshire]. 6 November 1837. 'Bradford, Printer, Thame.'
£95.00

2pp., 4to. On first leaf of a bifolium, with reverse of second leaf addressed (with postmarks) to 'The Relieving Officers | Basingstoke Union | Hants'. In good condition, on aged paper. The document carries the signature of 'Wm.

[Sir James Graham, Home Secretary.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J R G Graham') to unnamed recipient, announcing his decision to remit the death sentence passed on Robert Sandys of Stockport, convicted of poisoning his children.

Author: 
Sir James Graham [Sir James Robert George Graham] (1792-1861), 2nd Baronet, Tory Home Secretary, 1841-1846 [Robert Sandys of Stockport, poisoner]
Publication details: 
Whitehall. 24 April 1842.
£120.00

The case was fully reported in The Times, with the issue for 14 April 1842 reporting the pronouncing of the sentence of death on 'Robert Sandys, a stout built Irishman, having a pale and haggard appearance, who was found guilty at the last assizes for this county [Chester] of the diabolical murder of his children by poison, in order to obtain a few pounds from a burial society of which he was a member'. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Headed 'Private' by Graham.

[Sir George Grey, Whig Home Secretary.] Autograph Letter in the third person to Rev. Reginald Smith, regarding 'the selection of a gentleman to fill the office of Chaplain at the Portland Convict Depôt'.

Author: 
Sir George Grey (1799-1882), Liberal Home Secretary, 1846-52, 1855-58, 1861-66 [Reginald Southwell Smith (1809-1896), Canon of Salisbury; Portland Convict Depot; transportation; penal servitude]
Publication details: 
Whitehall. 22 July 1847.
£80.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, with traces of mount adhering at head of reverse of leaf. Regarding Smith's 'note with reference to the selection of a gentleman to fill the office of Chaplain at the Portland Convict Depôt', he writes that he must 'defer the consideration of this question, as it must necessarily be yet some considerable period before the works at the Island are sufficiently advanced for the reception of Convicts'.

[Hester Catherine Browne, Dowager Lady Sligo.] Autograph Letter in the third person soliciting the votes of 'Mr. Shewell [...] for Henry Jennings at the Election for the Idiot Asylum in April, 1854'.

Author: 
Hester Catherine Browne [nee de Burgh] (1800-1878), Marchioness of Sligo [Lady Sligo], wife of Howe Peter Browne (1788-1845), 2nd Marquess of Sligo [Shewell; Idiot Asylum]
Publication details: 
Portumna Castle, County Galway, Ireland. 12 December 1853.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'The Dowr. Lady Sligo presents her Compliments to Mr. Shewell, & begs earnestly to solicit his Votes for Henry Jennings at the Election for the Idiot Asylum in April, 1854 - | Lady Sligo can recommend Henry Jennings as a member of a very poor & industrious family -'.

[Ann Bill, daughter of Thomas Bill, Leeds china dealer.] Autograph Letter Signed to her mother, describing an excursion to Chester, with reference to the construction of the Manchester and Leeds Railway, and the Marquess of Westminster's Eaton Hall.

Author: 
Ann Bill, daughter of Thomas Bill, china dealer of Leeds [Robert Grosvenor (1767-1845), 1st Marquess of Westminster, of Eaton Hall, Cheshire; Manchester and Leeds Railway]
Publication details: 
'Chester Sept 15th. 1837', '1/2 Past two Friday afternoon'.
£120.00

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. 76 lines of closely and neatly written text, including a four-line postscript cross-written on the first page. Addressed, with Chester postmark, on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr. Bill | Boar Lane | Leeds | Yorkshire'. ('Bill Thomas, 7, Boar lane' is listed among the 'Glass, China, and Earthenware Dealers' in Haigh's 'General and Commercial Directory of the Borough of Leeds', Baines & Co., 1839). The reverse of the second leaf also carries the remains of the wax seal, stamped 'Ann'. In fair condition, on worn and aged paper.

[The Market Street Workhouse, Brighton, Sussex.] Manuscript titled 'A prayer for the poor in the poor House at Brighton'. With note by the author written 38 years later, lamenting the lack of improvement in conditions.

Author: 
[The Market Street Workhouse, Brighton, Sussex]
Publication details: 
Place not stated. February 1801.
£120.00

2pp., 8vo. The prayer is 39 lines long. In fair condition, on aged and worn laid paper with 'GATER' watermark. The prayer begins: 'O. Lord - O.

[Observations made at the Philosophical Society of London in 1815] Autograph Letter Signed "Thos Tucker" to Thos Winkworth (from address panel)

Author: 
Thomas Tucker, council member of the Philosophical Society of London in Coleridge's day.
Publication details: 
115 Chancery Lane, [London], 23 Sept. 1815 [the auctioneers, Hodgson's later occupied these premises, but perhaps the addres indicates Tucker was a lawyer]
£200.00

Three pages, 4to, fold marks, some chipping and closed tears, mainly discreetly repaired, but text complete and clear. He is responding to Winkworth's request for "an outline of the observations I had the honour to address to the PSL [Philosophical Society of London] on thursday last but fear [...]" Points made as follows. "Ist All philosophers agree that man is characterized as an improveable being [...] 2nd THere is no science that is not capabale of additions no Art that [...] 3rd.

[Duke of Devonshire] Autograph Letter Signed "Victor CW Cavendish" to F.H. Wrench [prob. relation of E.M. Wrench, personal physician to the Duke of Devonshire's household].]

Author: 
[Victor Cavendish], Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire (1868 -1938), known as Victor Cavendish until 1908, was a British politician who served as Governor General of Canada.
Publication details: 
[Headed] Chatsworth, Chesterfield, 17 Jan.1898
£45.00

Three pages, 12mo, fold marks, good condition. "I have the greatest pleasure in giving you a testimonial. Both from personal knowledge & from what I have always heard of you I can testify to your high & honorable character. | I have known you for some considerable time now & have not the least hesitation in thoroughly recommending you. | The fact that you belong to a family for which I have the greatest respect makes it an additional pleasure to write this."

[Jane Dalgliesh.] Manuscript itemised laundry bill, made out by her for David Williamson [later Lord Balgray].

Author: 
Jane Dalgliesh [David Williamson (1761-1837), Lord Balgray]
Publication details: 
Place not stated [Scotland]. Entries dating from 7 April to 9 August 1780.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. Headed 'Mr David Williamson to Jane Dalgliesh'. Twenty items, each with separate charge, beginning with 'April 7th 9 Shirts - -

[Dr Robert Steavenson of Newcastle upon Tyne.] Manuscript copy of his bill to the trustees of Lieutenant James Boyd, itemising disbursements (mainly clothing). With signed note by David Williamson [later Lord Balgray] and signatures of two trustees.

Author: 
Dr Robert Steavenson (1756-1828) of Newcastle upon Tyne [John Dundas, WS, and James Bruce, Trustees of Lieutenant James Boyd; Lieutenant General Robertson]
Publication details: 
Dated from Northumber[land] Street [Newcastle upon Tyne]. With short signed note by David Williamson [later Lord Balgray], dated Edinburgh [Scotland], 4 August 1813.
£40.00

1p., foolscap 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Headed: 'Trustees of Lieut. J. Boyd or Executors of Lieut. Genl. Robertson on account of Mr. Boyd | To Dr Stevenson'. Docketted on reverse: 'Copy | Account | Due by the Trustee of Lieut: J. Boyd to Doctor Steavenson | 1813 | Compd. J.W.' and 'Genl. Robertsons Trustees Order | by you for Remitting

[Inventory of farming utensils.] Manuscript 'Inventory of Articles at Dollar Mains given up by James Scott after the death of Capt. J. Williamson'

Author: 
Captain James Williamson (d.1796) of Dollar Mains, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, and the 25th Regiment of Foot [inventory of farming utensils]
Publication details: 
[Dollar Mains, Clackmannanshire, Scotland.] 9 December 1796.
£65.00

1p., foolscap 8vo. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Docketted with title and date on reverse. The list is headed: 'Decr. 9th 1796 Inventory of farming utensels [sic] at Dollar mains belonging to Mr Williamson'. Listing, in two columns, 46 items from '2 Carls | 1 Pair of Cart wheels' to 'about 1000 Stones of hay' and 'about 8 Balls of oats unthreshed'. At foot of page: 'NB A number of the above articles purchased since Capn.Williamson came to Dollar'.

[Duncan Robertson, wig maker and perfumer.] Two Manuscript Itemised Accounts and one Signed Manuscript Receipt, with General Robertson of Lawers and his wife.

Author: 
[Duncan Robertson, wig maker and perfumer; Lieutenant-General Archibald Robertson of Lawers]
Publication details: 
The receipt dated from Edinburgh, 12 January 1810. The accounts for the periods December 1808 to April 1809, and January to December 1809.
£70.00

The three items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The accounts are both 1p., foolscap 8vo., and written in a sprawling uneducated hand. The first account is headed 'Genl Robertson to Duncan Robertson', and deals with the period from December 1808 to April 1809. Totalling £6 18s 2d, it includes 'two box Dubessons opiate', 'two bottles oil of rose', 'Two Crop wigs', 'Blacking', 'Riggs magnetic Tablet', 'a lib of old windsor soap', 'pott pomatum'. The second account is headed 'Mrs Genl Robertson to Duncan Robertson'.

[Anglo-Spanish author] Autograph Letter Signed "Telesforo de Trueba y Cosia" to an unnamed male correspondent (pencil note on second leaf says "To [William]Jerdan", the editor, about an article on "Spanish romance" for Colburn's "New Monthly".

Author: 
[Don Joaquín] Telesforo de Trueba y Cosio [Cozio/Cossio] (1798?-1835), Spanish (or Anglo-Spanish?) author.
Publication details: 
8 Leigh St, Burton Crescent, [London]1 Dec. (no year)
£750.00

Two pages, 12mo, bifolium, tipped on to larger piece of paper, substantial, good condition.

[Francis Almeric Spencer, 1st Baron Churchill.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Churchill') to unnamed male recipient, regarding Mrs Hyde's 'severe affliction', the loss of her husband, Churchill's 'highly respected & esteemed' friend' [Rev. John Hyde?].

Author: 
Francis Almeric Spencer (1779-1845), 1st Baron Churchill of Whichwood [Wychwood], Whig aristocrat and politician, son of 4th Duke of Marlborough [John Hyde (1774-1838), curate of Witney, Oxfordshire]
Publication details: 
Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire. 23 December 1838.
£56.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on brittle lightly-aged paper, with closed tears along crease lines unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. Having received the recipient's letter he wishes 'to express my regret that Mrs. Hyde should have considered it necessary to send me any apology on an occasion like the present'. He condoles 'in the melancholy event', of which he 'heard with great regret, and it has deprived me of a Friend whom I highly respected & esteemed'.

[John Corrie, dissenting minister of Woodville, Birmingham.] Manuscript 'Biographical Sketch of John Corrie Esq.' by his widow, in the autograph of their daughter S. E. Hill, and with an Autograph Letter Signed by her filled with further information.

Author: 
John Corrie (1769-1839), dissenting minister of Woodville, Birmingham [his daughter S. E. Hill; Dr Samuel Parr; James Watt; Matthew Boulton; William Galton; Lunar Society]
Publication details: 
The account is dated to 1841. The letter is written from '<Stockley?> Rectory | Wedy. night'.
£200.00

Corrie was the son of Rev. Josiah Corrie (1725-1800) of Kenilworth. He was educated at Daventry Academy and New College, Hackney. He was a schoolmaster and a Unitarian minister at the Old Meeting House (1817-19), and president of the Birmingham Philosophical Society, to which, in 1819, he introduced Maria Edgeworth, who notes in a letter her admiration for his 'very agreeable benevolent countenance, most agreeable voice'. In William Field's memoir of Dr Samuel Parr he is numbered among the 'clerical friends' in whose company Parr 'delighted'.

[Nerot & Nandies, wigmakers.] Manuscript itemised receipt to Colonel Archibald Robertson, for '2 Natural Hair Curld Bob Wigs' and other items.

Author: 
Nerot & Naudies, wigmakers [Lieutenant-General Archibald Robertson of Lawers, Scottish soldier who participated in the Battle of Havana, 1762, and the American War of Independence]
Publication details: 
30 November 1797. [Scotland?]
£100.00

On a piece of 8.5 x 19 cm watermarked paper. In good condition, lightly aged. One side carries the receipt: 'Col. Archd. Robertson | To Jno. Nerot and A. Naudies | 1797 Novem 30th. To 2 Natural Hair Curld Bob Wigs . . . . 4. 4. 0 | Another do do Loose Curl Scratches . . . . 2. 2. 0 | 2 pairs of Silk wig Laced . . . . 0. 1. 0 | Boxes & Packing Case &c . . . . 0. 2. 6 | £6. 9. 6 - | Receivd the Contents for Self & Jno. Nerot By Me - A. Naudies'. The other side is docketted by Robertson: 'Receipt | Naudies for Wigs | Novr. 1797 | £6. 9. 6'.

[John Venn & Sons, London Public Notaries.] Request for Wiseman's help.

Author: 
John Venn & Sons, Public Notaries, 2 Pope's Head Alley, London [Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman (1802-1865), Archbishop of Westminster; Dr Moore, St Patrick's, London; Ellen Antonia Teresa Ann Garbayo]
Publication details: 
With stamp of John Venn & Sons, Public Notaries, 2 Pope's Head Alley, London. 25 November 1856.
£75.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, with Penny Red stamp, postmark and seal in red wax, to Wiseman at 8 York Place, Portman Square. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. The firm is writing at 'the special request of Miss Ellen Antonia Teresa Ann Garbayo, at present risiding abroad [...] It appears that the above Lady is desirous of contacting marriage, but cannot do so without the production of her Baptismal Certificate. She states that she was baptised about the year 1827, by a Doctr. Moore of St. Patrick's Church London'.

[Francis Spencer Churchill, 2nd Baron Churchill [Lord Churchill].] Autograph Note Signed ('Churchill'), giving permission to an unnamed recipient to fish at Cornbury Park.

Author: 
Francis Spencer Churchill (1802-1886), 2nd Baron Churchill [Lord Churchill], of Wychwood and Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
Publication details: 
Cornbury Park [Oxfordshire]. 15 October 1870.
£50.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. The note reads: 'My dear Sir | You and your Brother are quite welcome to come and fish here, on any day that you like; and I only hope that you may find any sport. | Believe me| Very faithfully Your's [sic] | Churchill'.

[Arthur West Haddan, ecclesiastical historian.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Arthur W. Haddan'), to '<Cassam?>', asking for information regarding 'Mr. Burnett Stuart of Wesley [Vicarage]', which will help him place 'a lad'

Author: 
Arthur West Haddan (1816-1873), Church of England clergyman and ecclesiastical historian, co-editor with William Stubbs of 'Councils and Ecclesiastical Documents relating to Great Britain and Ireland'
Publication details: 
Barton Rectory, Moreton in Marsh. 18 January 1866.
£40.00

3pp., 12mo. 35 lines of text. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper. Written in a difficult hand. He begins by asking: 'Can you tell me anything about Mr. Bennett Stuart of Wesley? This is <...> servants asking for their master's characters. But I have a lad to place out & he is offered a place at Mr. Stuart - Wesley Vicarage - & I am rather disgusted at having already made an abortive attempt with another Clergyman, to me previously unknown, who wanted as it turned out a groom, coachman, valet, &

[The Catholic Standard, London newspaper.] Manuscript document proposing thirteen terms by Richardson & Sons 'for carrying on the Catholic Standard Newspaper'. With covering note to Cardinal Wiseman by H. R. Bagshawe of Lincoln's Inn.

Author: 
[The Catholic Standard, London newspaper; Thomas Richardson (1797-1875), publisher; Richardson & Sons; Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman (1802-1865), Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster]
Publication details: 
Terms: without date or place. Bagshawe's Note: 13 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn. 12 January 1853.
£250.00

Terms and note: 3pp., foolscap 8vo. Bifolium. Docketted by Wiseman on reverse of second leaf 'Cath Standard', with 'Bagshawe Correspondence 1837-64' in another hand. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. The thirteen terms are headed: 'Mr Richardson on behalf of his firm of Richardson & Sons proposes as follows'. The first two terms read: '(1.) Mr. Richardson To supply (including what he has already paid) £1000. as part of the capital for carrying on the Catholic Standard Newspaper. | (2) £2000. Capital to be supplied in addition to his £1000.

[John Campbell, 4th Earl and 1st Marquess of Breadalbane.] Nine Autograph Letters Signed to him, from various parties, most on estate matters, including five from his agent Duncan Campbell, several showing the hardships suffered by his rural tenants.

Author: 
John Campbell (1762-1834), 4th Earl and 1st Marquess of Breadalbane, Scottish landowner [Duncan Campbell; William Stewart; the Highland Clearances]
Publication details: 
From Ardvorlich, Edinburgh, Killin and Rockhill in Scotland, and one from London. Between 1803 and 1833.
£380.00

Eight of the items are in very good condition, on lightly aged paper, the ninth (Item Four) is damp-stained. One letter (Item Five) is incomplete. Five letters (Items One to Five) are from Breadalbane's estate manager (and kinsman?) Duncan Campbell, and there are other letters from the latter's family.

[William Maynard, 2nd Baron Maynard.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Maynard') to Sir Richard Bulstrode, expressing puzzlement that his grandson should have visited Brussels without calling upon him, and asking him to show the boy favour.

Author: 
William Maynard, 2nd Baron Maynard (c.1623-1689) [Sir Richard Bulstrode (1617-1711), British ambassador at Brussels]
Publication details: 
'Windzor' [i.e. the Royal Court at Windsor]. 25 June 1686.
£180.00

2pp., 12mo. 49 lines of text. Bifolium. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed, on reverse of second leaf (which also carries his seal): 'For Sr Richard Bulstrode | Envoy from his Matie of greate Brittaine Att ye Court | Att Bruxells | these'.

[Sir Thomas Dyke Acland.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos. Dyke Acland') to an unnamed recipient, explaining how he has ceased to make charitable payments to the widow of an artist 'labouring under loss or decay of sight'.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Dyke Acland (1787-1871), successively Conservative Member of Parliament for Devonshire and North Devon
Publication details: 
From the Waterloo Hotel, on his crested letterhead. 10 June 1863.
£56.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight traces of glue from mount along one edge. A hurried letter, illegible at points. 'You will see the name of yr. respectable at the end of the enclosed Petition from My Own Hand. She has no right to refer to me for any further knowledge of herself and her husband, or his position of art - than that of my having understood him to be an artist in a state of much distress, labouring under loss or decay of sight, & that I for some years I might almost , I gave him occasional relief.

['Public Baths for the Working Classes' in Nicolson Square, Edinburgh.] Three items relating to the project, two in manuscript (long circular letter, and accounts with 'Remarks') and printed prospectus.

Author: 
'Public Baths for the Working Classes' in Nicolson Square, Edinburgh; Charles Gardner, Secretary to the Committee; D. McLaren and William Johnston]
Publication details: 
Printed prospectus dated Edinburgh, 14 July 1847. Circular letter from Committee Rooms, Cranston's Temperance Coffee House, High St, Edinburgh; 1 August 1844. Accounts at 12 August 1844.
£450.00

Surprisingly little appears to have been written about the public baths at 12 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh; with no references to it on the Scottish Archives Network. There is however an informative reference to the subject in Francis H. Groome's 'Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland' (1884): 'Good public baths, of various kinds and various extent, for the upper and the middle classes, are in several parts both of the city and its environs. Public baths for the working classes were long a desideratum, though earnestly desired by many of the working classes themselves.

[James Dickson of Edinburgh, inventor.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Jas Dickson') [to the Bank of Scotland], requesting funds in order to capitalise on the successful trial [of his 'Patent Water Engine'].

Author: 
James Dickson (1738-1822) of Edinburgh, Scottish inventor, engineer and lapidary [Bank of Scotland; Patent Water Engine]
Publication details: 
29 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh. 14 August 1820.
£165.00

1p., 4to. 26 lines, closely and neatly written. Good, on disbound leaf of aged and worn paper.

[The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen.] Album compiled by Howard Fuller of Hove, filled with material (mainly Edwardian) relating to the Fisherman's Mission, including photographs, pamphlets, newspaper and magazine articles and ephemera.

Author: 
The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, London [Fishermen's Mission], British charitable organisation founded by Ebenezer Joseph Mather in 1881 [Howard Fuller of Hove; Sir Wilfred Grenfell]
Publication details: 
The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, Bridge House, 181 Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C. The body of the collection dating from around 1906 to 1914, but containing items from 1938 and 1952.
£450.00

Around 150 items, tipped in or laid down on 88pp. (on 59 leaves) of a 4to album. In good condition, on aged paper, with workmanlike repairs to the spine of the volume. An attractive and informative volume, gathering together material from before the Great War relating to a significant organisation in the British cultural landscape, profusely illustrated and with manuscript additions and captions.

[Chandos Leigh, 1st Baron Leigh.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Leigh') to 'Mr. Brodie', regarding a 'rather singular letter' he has received from one of his parishoners, offering his services as a shoemaker at a prison.

Author: 
Chandos Leigh (1791-1850), 1st Baron Leigh, of Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire, minor poet, cousin of Jane Austen and friend of Byron and Leigh Hunt
Publication details: 
57 Portman Square, London. 14 July 1849.
£150.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. The recipient presumably held a living near Leigh's Warwickshire mansion Stoneleigh Abbey (said to be the model for Sotherton Court in his cousin Jane Austen's 'Mansfield Park'). Leigh apologises troubling Brodie 'with the enclosed rather singular letter which I have received from one of your Parishioners'.

[Canals; printed report] To the Company of Proprietors of the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal Navigation.

Author: 
[Canal History]
Publication details: 
j. Wm. Morgan, Printer, Ship Street, Brecon, [1825]
£75.00

Four pages, bifolium, folio, 1" tears on fold marks, staining, loss of small amount of margin, text complete and clear. It includes: a statement of the Company's affairs "to the 27th of April, 1825 (expenditure, payments, debts, salaries etc.); "Abstract Account of Tonnage and Rent [...]" (Timber, lead, iron etc). Submitted by B.A. Griffith, and concluded by the "Orders" (dividend, etc.). Final page has manuscript address to "Richard Griffith Esq. M.D. | Cardiff."

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