Autograph Letters

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.

Divine (1809-1874). Total 7pp., 8vo (2) and 12mo (1). One letter (to "Foster") arranging a meeting, another (to "My dear Lady") about a meting, hoping she is recovered from illness ("We have all our ailments - some neuralgia - some palsy; - for my own part I suffer without intermission from the Revised Code". The other (to "Mrs Reeve") has a New Year's Greeting. Three items,

Artist and Poet (1845-1915). Two Autograph Letters Signed, 2 pages and one page respectively, 4to, staining and damage especially to 1910 letter, but texts clear. (1904) Crane outlines his understanding of "the terms under which 'The Golden Primer' was produced" based on his co-author's (Meiklejohn) letters - three fifths of the proceeds. He quotes relevant detail from two letters,on of which discusses a cheap edition for schools. "I find a dummy copy of this with a cover design of mine & Blackwood's imprint". He thinks a re-issue in the "original form" a good idea.

South African colonial administrator (1841-1909). 2 pp, 12mo. He and Lady Clarke would have been pleased had Mr and Mrs LanyonSigned "Marshall Clarke". "[...] had your stay allowed I would have made a point of going to Durban [...] Sir Owen Lanyon [Sir William Owen Lanyon, 1842-1887, colonial administrator] was my good and valued friend". With four pieces of gummed paper from previous mounting still adhering to the verso of the blank second leaf.

Actor-manager (1858-1923), knighted in 1922. He thanks her for her letter. "It was very sweet of you to remember me and I appreciate it very much indeeed - With best wishes to you for the New Year / Yours / Charles H. Hawtrey".

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. "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.

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.

Author. Two sides of card used, thanking Wilson for obtaining for him an invitation from John Buchan to be a guest at the National Book Trade Dinner and for the "splendid showing" he arranged for his book (probably "British Agent") at Bumpus's.

Actor-manager (1858-1923), knighted in 1922. One page, 12mo. "Dear Miss Sterling / Months ago you asked me for my autograph . . / Here it is at last. / Yours very truly / Charles H. Hawtrey".

English dramatist (1851-1929). The first, one page, 12mo, 2 December 1896, with letterhead Townshend House, North Gate, Regents Park. "If Macmillans have no objection I am quite willing for you to include Michael and His Lost Angel in your volume of plays. Will you see or write them?" The second, no date, Townshend House, Regent's Park, on deleted letterhead of the Queen's Hotel, Southsea, one page, 12mo. "I'll see Macmillan's when I am in town and will write you further - meantime I suppose you won't be publishing". Two items,

English comic actor and dramatist (1802-79). 2 pp, 12mo. Concerning the staging of a new play. "Yates has the first & 2d acts complete - It must be in 4 parts / I am now on the 4th.: when can I have the sheets & illustrations of the entire romance?" Details of the first two acts follow. "When I get your work complete a very few days will complete me, - I leave town on the 20th of this month for a fortnight and am anxious to (indeed I must) finish before I start / Rodwell is composing "Jolly Rose" for Bedford to sing at Woods party." Somewhat grubby, with browning in the margins.

English actor (1830-1904). One page, 12mo. "My dear Farquhar / Quite right! I had already written to Mr. Lumley on the subject & expect him to Rehearsal on Monday. Hope Coventry's trip has done him good."

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.

Actor and dramatist (1802-1879). Three pages, 8vo, some marking but good condition. He asks for a mention of his Benefit. It is his last night at the Haymarket before he joins Madame Vestris at the Lyceum. He names the play, "The Beaux Startagem", adds that "Mr John Reeve son of the late celebrated comedian will also make his first appearance in Public in one of his father's characters, while Mr Buckstone will follow in Mr Planche's highly successful Drama of "The Jacobite".m He encloses cards (for entry?).

Dean of Norwich (1818-97), and writer on religious matters. One page, 12mo. Recto: "<...> "The Homes for the Widows and Unmarried "Daughters of deceased Clergymen," and its object is to provide gratuitously for such Ladies clea and quiet Lodgings in a respectable part of Londo. The Instin is struggling on with fair success, and since its commencement one or two new Lodging Houses have been affiliated under Miss Reid's (the Foundress's) superintendence; but the last year was, for causes over which <...>".

Theatre producer (1908-1973). "Thank you so much for your letter. I entirely appreciate your difficulties and I am most grateful to you. I hope that L. E. Berman can let me have the original manuscript as I should be most grateful. / I am sorry you have not received the photographs as promised and I will look into this immediately." Not in the best of condition: creased and grubby.

English Catholic nobleman (1847-1917). One page, 12mo. "Madam, / I beg to comply with your request for my autograph. / I am / Your obedient servant. / Norfolk E[arl] M[arshal]".

British general (1838-1911). 2 pp, 12mo. "Can you tell me Miss Langham's address - / The <?> Hospital people say she has gone to K<?> / She has been appointed to the Ind. <?> Service".

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.

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.

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."

Statesman (1806-1863). Vestiges of its having been laid down in an album. Part of a letter as follows: " . . . chloroform, & with perfect success but she has since suffered much pain. Her recovery, I am happy to say, is . . ." and overleaf the following " . . . & therefore I conclude that it was quite groundless" Ever yrs truly/ GCLewis". Tantalising fragment but Queen Victoria was a well-known pioneer in the use of chloroform in child-birth, and is the likely subject for a letter by a member of her Government.

Politician and journalist (1831-1912). One page, 8vo, remains for page of album."The Executive of the Radical <?> by me to state that they are not at present disposed to meet the deputation that called upon me on Saturday. . . ". With (conjoined) a copy of the letter his correspondent sent in reply, one page, 8vo, outlining plans for a meeting at the Liberal Control Board and assuming that Labouchere would not "divide the Liberal interest".

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".

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".

Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer (1769-1844), the most successful advocate of his day. One page, 12mo. "My dear Sir / If you will excuse so short a notice & happen to be disengaged on Wednesday next pray do me the favour to join a small party which I have hastily made up with Lord Lyndhurst at dinner here at seven oClock/ Your truly / Abinger / Wednesday 16th. at 7." Scarlett had succeeded Lyndhurst as Lord Chief Baron at the end of the previous year. Discoloured and with heavy traces of mount adhering to blank verso.

Bohemian musician and pianist. One page, 8vo, sl. batterd but the text is unaffected, and clear. "My dear Mr Masson/ Every bottle drawn by your beautiful corkscrew shall be emptied to your good health and that of your sister [presumably Elizabeth Masson, vocalist and teacher, see DNB], and you will both live in our recollection as highly valued and long tried friends. With best thanks . ..... I. Moscheles