Autograph Letters

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.

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'.

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 -'.

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.

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.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper with small spike-hole to one leaf. The letter begins: 'A hare and a pheasant delivered here the other day with F.A.B. Reading upon the parchment card - the initials, I immediately concluded of my old friend Mr. Bulley and the first information that he still lives after a certain bloody deed performed upon him many months ago.

1p., 12mo. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. 'If you would ever care to look round King Edward's very archaic Oxford abode, I can shew you it, with engravings of its details in his day - coloured and otherwise. It is a nice old house - half Elizabethan, half Queen Anne.' He concludes by explaining that he is 'at Westminster all the middle days of the week, save in the recess', and so requires notice. From the H. E. Wortham papers.

2pp., 4to. Aged and creased, mounted in windowpane on leaf removed from album. Liscard Hall was built for the former Mayor of Liverpool and slave-ship captain Sir John Tobin. Allen writes that since arriving there he has 'painted too little subjects', and that he has 'a wish' to 'leave them behind me - but not unframed - size of Pictures 16in: x 12in:' If Cobbett does not have 'two tolerable frames of that size' he asks him to order two: 'I do not require the "best double distilled - extra hyper - superfine" - but something tolerably good looking'.

Part of a page, 20 x 12cm, foxed, mainly good condition. Surviving text as follows: "I have the honor to be | Sir, | Your most obedient Servant | Palmerston". Subscription probably secretarial.

One page, 12mo, good condition. "Thank you very much for your kind letter & I am delighted that you have elected me. | Gunn had telephoned to me with the good news which was very considerate of him. [...]"

One page, 12mo, crupled but text clear and complete: "I shall have very great pleasure in diding with your Ladyship on Monday next - & some of the Ladies will be most happy to follow me in the evening. [...]" Note: joint author of 'Rejected Addresses'.

Four pages, 12mo, closely written, good condition. "Your approval of my criticism on the '[?] of Hector' has greatly gratified me. Gladstone is twenty fold a better Grecian than S.C.M., but he is crochetty, and a crochetty man sees what no one else sees, and refuses to see the palpable. I have not seen his colour blindness paper: but ifd he says there is no 'blue' in the Iliad he is distinctly wrong.

Postcards, c.11 x 9cm, some smudging but mainly good condition, text clear and complete. Postcard One: "Dear Mr Wynne, | Very best thanks for your valued gift: a fine & distinguished poem."; Postcard 2: "[...] | The books can be got separately & there are cheap editions of those two books any bookseller can secure for you for 2/- & 2/6 each. | I'm afraid London has had enough of my plays. My daughter's paly is not about [?] folk." Two items,

4to, 1 p. Ten lines, edges a little damaged but text clear and complete, on flimsy paper. "You are welcome to the quotation from my school-boy story - if it is worth while. I could have wished, however, that in an anthology of serious prose you had given me credit as a serious writer & chosen something more interesting. With compliments [...]"

A Collection of Autograph Letters In Russian, and typed descriptions, transcriptions and translations in English which derive from previous owner. They concern a major literary periodical in Russia (Chekhov was a contributor), Severnyi Vestnik (Northern Herald) which was run by Nina Evreinova and, later, by Anna Mikh. Evreinova (a founding member of the Union for Women's Equality, etc - see further note below). The later history of this periodical emerges from this correspondence.A. Evreinova, Anna Mikh. (1844 - 1919*)DRAFT Autograph Letter Signed. 5 quarto pages, 27 September, 1888.

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."

The three items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, the second letter having a few very short closed tears on fold lines. The first two signed 'W F Hook' and the third 'Walter Farquhar Hook'. ONE (26 July 1828): 2pp., 12mo. Apologising because 'waiting upon' the Corries will now be impossible, as 'Sir Robert and Lady Wilmot intend to come on a Visit': His Mother will not be able to see Sir Robert, so Hook will be 'compelled to stay at home to entertain him'. TWO (16 April 1829): 2pp., 4to. On gilt-edged bifolium.

3pp., 4to. On bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight damp-staining to one corner. '[...] The measure of applying to the English counties was proper & indeed necessary - and I doubt not that, as the evil complain'd of is very general, we shall find a very general & ready cooperation on their part in our endeavours to procure redress.

The piece of vellum an irregular rectangle of about 4 x 17 cm. Smudged signature, with crumbling red wax seal to its right, beneath fragment of Latin text ending with date 1841. The engraving, with facsimile of signature, 'From a picture in his Lordship's possession | This plate, 28 x 19 cm on 4to leaf, is by express permission dedicated most respectfully to the Members of the Reform Club by their faithful Servant Thomas Collins'. It is in fair condition, aged and with strip of discoloration in margin at head.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'Sir | I have been requested by the Earl of Wilton, who is indisposed, to say that he shall be glad to contribute fifty Pounds to the Metropolitan Society & I shall be happy to do the same, & am, Sir | Yr obedt. Servt. | Grosvenor'.

3pp., 4to. On bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with closed tears along fold lines. He begins: 'Dear Sir Edward | I owe you & the Council of the "Artists General Benenvolent Institution" a most humble &

1p., 4to. In very good condition, neatly placed within a windowpane mount. Addressed at head to 'Mr. John Martin'. Laying out, in detail, the 'Terms on which I agree to engrave the Game Keeper after W. Hunt'. The terms are described over twelve lines, beginning: 'The Engraving to be 7 by 5 inches in my best manner, the charge to be seventy Guineas, one third to be paid on the Etching, the remainder on delivery of the work, which I undertake to do in about four months.'

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with slight discoloration and repair on reverse. Giving his address as 'Cary Tuttyt, Charlotte Town, Prince Edwards Island, B. N. A.' With black rectangular stamp: 'RECEIVED IN | 29 AUG. 1846 | MILY. DEPARTMENT.' Docketted on reverse 'Does not appear to have enlisted 1839'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on aged paper, with a closed tear along a fold line unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. Addressed at foot to 'F. Palgrave Esqr' (he would not be knighted until 1832), beside which Palgrave has written: 'Mr. Crofton Croker. | Author of Fairy Legends of the South of Ireland &c.' The text of the letter reads: 'My dear Sir | I ought to apologize for not replying to your invitation for Wednesday evening last. - My excuse must be that I did not return to town until yesterday and that your note reached me on Friday at Brighton.'

1p., landscape 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. He begins: 'This is just a line to say how very good I thought your answer to Quintin Hogg.' He next turns to his desire for a meeting and 'walk in the afternoon', although he knows 'this is a long way off and you are very busy'. He ends with transport information and the news: 'However I am going away on Monday for 3 weeks.' The valediction is in Murray's autograph: 'Yours sincerely, | G. M.'

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Daffarn | I will be in any time in the afternoon after 2.30 on Friday, & will be pleased to see you and your friend Watson. | The work goes on slowly but I think I will finish in time.'

1p., 16mo. On bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-spotted paper. The note reads: 'Mr. Webster in reply to Mr. Gotta's note desires to say, with his compliments, that his Picture, in the Royal Academy, is engaged.'

1p., 4to. In good condition, on aged paper, laid down on a grey-paper mount. The letter is addressed 'Gentlemen'. In the first paragraph he explains that having received their letter, he sent 'Dr Clarkes Plates [...] to the Writing Engravers but have not as yet received them back'. He has sent the bearer of the present letter to find out when they will be done, and he has been told to tell them the answer he receives. The second paragraph reveals that the bearer of the letter is himself an engraver: 'I understand that he applied to you for the engraving of one of your Portrait Plates.

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper with damp stain along one edge. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr. Scott'. He is sending 'by Bearer 4 sorts of french paper, 2 sheets of each, which you will be so good as to see that it is properly prepared before it is used - The grand Eagle with the watermarks will require a great deal of brushing with a hard brush as I think that many of the specks will brush off they being chiefly superficial'.

The two items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: 1p., 4to. Regarding the loan by him to Hubbard of drawings, and delivery options for them. TWO: 1p., 12mo. 'You vanished very suddenly after our Meeting and I did not have the chance of discussing arrangements with you. Will you please let me know what time it passes through Tonbridge on the following Monday.' He hopes to bring two more pictures 'straight to Albany from Charing Cross, arriving about mid-day? If you are not to be there I will take them to the Royal Academy and deliver them in the afternoon.'