Autograph Letters

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".

Orientalist and Cambridge Professor (1783-1852). Two pages, 4to, responding to a request for advice for the son of the correspondent who is engaged in preparing a Hebrew Lexicon. Lee gives some solid advice but finally points out that he is engaged on a similar task. WITH: the manuscript text with corrections, two pages, 4to, in Lee's hand, of the examination for the Crosse scholarship (presumably a Cambridge prize) involving Greek, Arabic, Hebrew and Syriac. WITH: an 8vo print of Samuel Lee. Three items,

Grocer and yachtsman (1850-1931). One page, 3 inches by 4 1/2. "Yrs faithfully / Thomas J Lipton". Slightly foxed. Attached to a page from an autograph album docketted with a biographical notice.

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "Dear Frank, / I am too busy to see you just now, but write me what the business is. - / Yours sincerely / J. Forbes-Robertson." Not in the best of condition: creased, torn and with evidence of previous mounting on blank reverse.

Politician and philanthropist (1787-1871). His correspondent has asked him if he will interest himself in the general Turnpike Act during the present session. He says that no interest has been shown in such a thing in Parliament.

Colonial administrator (died 1888). One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. "Pray accept my best thanks for the Botanic tickets you have so kindly sent me. -" With an obituary from "The Colonies and India" for 1 August 1888.

Novelist and politician (1765-1846). One page, 8vo. (He is writing to his former colleague in the Ordnance Office where he was a clerk from 1811 to 1823). He asks him to forward an important packet and recalls "pleasant remembrances of former intercourse".

The first, 6 October 1911, New Theatre London, 4 pp, 12mo: "I was very pleased to have your letter, and was most interested to read in it something of the inner life of the Manchester working-classes, and to hear the views of one who is in them, but not of them. I think you are quite right to seek recreation in art, as I am sure it does more than anything else to brighten existence, and to relieve one's mind from the drudgery and monotony. It is a great pity there are not more who think like you." He encloses a photograph (not present).

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 12mo. "My dear Mr Stewart / I am so sorry, but I am engaged next Sunday. I wish it were otherwise. With very kind regards / Believe me to be / Sincerely / J. Forbes-Robertson." Traces of glue and mount on blank reverse.

Agriculturalist (1799-1855). He is pleased that his correspondent's book is making its way (which is "a work of time"). He hopes it will be as useful as his correspondent "could wish".

Explorer in Japan. Good signature on pasaper, 3 x 1" approc. With: additional pencil note "Distinguished explorer in Japan made first ascents of many mountains" ascribed on the paper on which the signature is laid sown to "Dr [Howard] Somervell of Mt Everest Expedition" (1953 expedition, Somervelld.1975).

The younger. Quaker cocoa manufacturer and philanthropist (1836-1925). Both letters one page, 4to, and written by an amanuensis. The letters deal with a "proposed new siding", for which "Mr Copperthwaite & my Clerk of Works" think it will be necessary to "take down the bridge which connects the north & south portions of my land, & which is situated midway between the road to & the road to ." In the second letter he says he is leaving for Scarborough that morning, and that he fears his two days' absence "might delay operations with the branch line".

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.

Judge (1801-83), Baron of the Exchequer. One page, 12mo. "What is the true state of things at Belfast / Sam Martin". Martin was born in County Londonderry. Four pieces of gummed paper adhering from mounting adhering to the otherwise blank verso.

Politician (1750-1810), a favoured friend of Samuel Johnson in his last years, and a pall bearer at his funeral. 3 pp, 8vo. He apologises for misapprehending his correspondent's letter. "One circumstance which helped to mislead me was of a sort which it is not for me to reproach you with, though it may serve as my excuse. I mean the extreme kindness & delicacy which could think it necessary to consult me before Mr Lukin took the step of submitting a proposal for a tax to the Treasury.

Judge (1734-99). One page, 12mo. "<...> George Murley / Sarah Martin / Given under my Hand the 10th. day of August 1780 pursuant to the Statute in that case made and provided. / [signed] James Eyre". Paper slightly discoloured.

Author. She asks where Frederic Whyte is. "I've long been wanting to meet him again, but he's unfortunately plunged out of my orbit . . . he's one of the men I should least like to lose sight of". She asks about Sladen's election to the Athenaeum.

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page, 8vo. Clearly in reply to a request for an autograph, "Yours truly / J. Forbes Robertson." Slight ink staining to one corner.

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.

Liberal politician and author (1829-1906). One page, 12mo. "Your bracelet is all safe and I have <?> it up." Negligible smudging to one word. With a biographical cutting attached at the foot of the note.

Baron C.C.J. Bunsen, Prussian diplomat and scholar (1791-1860). He helps the Lord Mayor with his plans for returning the visit of the King of Prussia in January 1842. He gives detailed information on the route and means of transport, including timings, instructs him on the protocol of contacting the Court, gives his plans for visiting the Norwich music festival, and asks for the draft of the Lord Mayor's speech to the King of Prussia. He will have prepared the paperwork for the Prussian Customs that same day.

Novelist (1860-1914). One page, 8vo. He excuses his delayed response by reference to illness and his travels "over central Europe with a knapsack". He is obviously sending a financial contribution of some sort despite not knowing where his bank account stands. In a postscript he says that he had given Norman an honourable mention in "The Bookman" earlier that year.

English actor-manager (1853-1937), knighted in 1913. One page 12mo. What is clearly a reply to a request for an autograph, "Yours very truly, / Johnston Forbes-Robertson. / Feb: 1928." Mounted, with slight ruckling, on a piece of pink paper, docketed "Sir J Forbes Robertson / great actor / studied under Phelp / Passing of the 3rd floor back / Knighted June 1913 / Published reminiscences 1925".

One page, 12mo. Only partially decipherable, due to Alexander's dreadful handwriting, which is reminiscent of that of his contemporary Charles Wyndham. "I shall be pleased to see you if you [...] one night next week. / Sincerely / George Alexander".

2 pp, 12mo. "My dear Archdeacon. / I thank God for your note. It is at least an anapneusis in one's deep anxiety at this moment. How very earnestly we ought to pray & long for our good & beloved Primate's recovery - if even but for awhile. I will write to the Bp. of Lichfield (is he in Town) Mr. Watson, & Jelf. naming 10 on Tuesday at King's College as the hour of meeting. / Should an opportunity occur, will you present my dutiful love to the Archbishop, and assure him, that he is remembered in my prayers. / Ever yours in haste.

Lord Chancellor of England (1751-1838). 2 pp, 12mo. An interesting sidelight into ecclesiastical preferment. "Sir / The Living in Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire is that, to which I propose to present you, if you are disposed to accept it. Its Value, I am informed, but a Chancellor's Information is seldom correct, is about 280l a year - / It will require much of Residence, as the Parish is populous, & contains very numerous Inhabitants. The Duty must, therefore, be considerable - After what my excellent deceased Friend, Dr Parsons, Bp.

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,

Nondescript Tory politician (1780-1858). 2 pp, 12mo. "I do not feel right & am naturally apprehensive! / Should it come on - am I - after so short an interval to take the <?> remedy? I am now going out & shall return before hour - / your faithful servt / Haddington".

English actor-manager (1858-1918), knighted in 1911. One page, 12mo. "We will call for you at about 10.30 tomorrow morning. It is very good of you."

English actor, vocalist and composer (1781-1848). On epage, 4to, creased and chipped with loss only of part of correspondent's name (which ends "...uin"). A significant letter about the Argyll Rooms, the major musical venue of its time. Letter as follows: "If the Licence formerly held by Col. Greville can thus [?] the interest of his family be obtained for the purpose of acting French plays at the Argyle Rooms.