Autograph Letters

The seventh Duke was born in 1885 and died in 1972. Two pages, 4to. In good condition although creased and dusty. He thanks the Mellershes for their hospitality during a lecture at Cheltenham. He also thanks Mellersh for 'the cutting from the "Echo": 'There are a good many inaccuracies in it some of which are fairly [rather] misleading, but I do not think it is worth while putting in a correction. They give me a very large space which is very kind of them.'

Pseudonym of the French writer Émile Salomon Wilhelm Herzog (1885-1967), author of the first Penguin, 'Ariel'. One page, 4to. Folded three times. In good condition although creased. Signed in pencil. Written in French. He does not intend to translate 'Rouen' into English. It is not interesting enough for 'un public anglo-saxon'. He thanks her for the thought.

Commissioner of Customs (circa 1775-1853), husband of Lady Anne Wellesley. The recipient is Emmanuel-Louis-Henri de Launay, Comte d'Antraigues (1753-1812). Two pages, 12mo. Folded twice. Somewhat grubby and discoloured with age, but in good condition overall. He was directed by the Marquess Wellesley to request that the Count call on him that day, in order to 'satisfy the object of your recent communications'.

Second baronet (1843-1911), politician and author. Three pages, 12mo. In good condition although grubby and with a few stains. 'My Coal Mines Prevention of Child Labour Underground Bill grew out of the Eight Hours debate and a challenge to the Coal Owners, so I did not put metalliferous mines in, and excluded them by any title. There are very few boys under 13 in them, but the principle might be the same'. He has been consulted on the matter by the Home Office, and has spoken to Lord Grey about it.

Head of celebrated firm of locksmiths (1848-1946) and philanthropist. Two pages, 12mo. Folded twice. Grubby but in good condition. An amusing letter of congratulation on Bowen's appointment as Chief Cashier of the Bank of England. 'I presume that the announcement in the Times means you have now a more important appointment and I heartily congratulate you. I suppose we shall often see your autograph now on those interesting thin bits of paper: if you've a large stock of them to be disposed of at a good reduction I'm a customer.' Signed 'George Hayter Chubb'.

Diplomat and administrator (1826-1902). Lanyon (1839-1900) was a surveyor, architect and engineer, partner in Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. Two pages, 8vo. Folded twice. In very good condition, with remains of mounts adhering to verso of blank second leaf of bifoliate. Marked 'Private'.

Diplomat and administrator (1826-1902). Lanyon (1839-1900) was a surveyor, architect and engineer, partner in Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon. One page, 12mo. Folded twice. In very good condition, with remains of mounts adhering to blank verso. Reads 'My dear Mr. Lanyon | I send you a map with the ground we examined enclosed within a red line, together with a short Memdm. on the scheme I submitted to gl. consideration: | I hope this <?> may go down before you cross: | Yours sincerely | Dufferin'.

Konody (1872-1933) was a well known art critic, and Art Director of the Canadian War Memorials from 1916 to 1919. He was also connected with the British Pavillon at the Venice Biennale. One page, 12mo, on grey paper. In good condition. Verso of blank second leaf of bifoliate attached to piece of paper. Now that he knows he will be in town the following weekend he can accept her invitation to lunch at the Whitefriars Club at 1.45. Signed 'P. G. Konody'.

Beechey (1753-1839) was a member of the Royal Academy, and portrait painter to Queen Charlotte. Young (1755-1825) was a mezzotint engraver. Paper dimensions roughly four inches square. Folded twice. In good condition on paper somewhat grubby at edges. Good clear signatures: 'W. Beechey R. A. - | Jno. Young.' Beechey was knighted and elected to the Royal Academy in 1798.

English historian of the Crimean War (1809-91). On piece of paper roughly 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/4 inches. In very good condition. Remains of mounts adhering to blank verso. Reads '<...> be of use in making the collection. | I have the honour to be | Sirs | faithfully yours | A W Kinglake.'

Burnand (1836-1917) was editor of Punch between 1836 and 1917. Paper dimensions roughly 4 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. In good conditon. Reads '<...> with you | faithfully | F. C. Burnand'. On verso '<...> be most <?> & happy & ought to get on well with his purser a straightforward <?> & gentlemanly <...>.

Behnes (died 1864) was a sculptor of high renown. Ross (1794-1860) was a miniature painter whose work includes portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Paper dimensions roughly 4 1/2 inches by 2 inches. In good condition. Reads 'William Behnes | W. C. Ross'. On verso 'my Apartments, should <...> | to the utmost of my hop <...> | be inadequate to extricat <...>'.

Piece of grey card, dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches. In poor condition: grubby and discoloured, and crudely mounted on a piece of card. Novelist and journalist (1841-1907). Clearly in reply to a request for an autograph, Hatton has written, in a large hand, 'With pleasure - | Yours very truly | Joseph Hatton | Dec 1901'. Neatly docketed with a number '30' in a circle.

Four pages. 16mo bifoliate. In poor condition: grubby, creased, stained and worn. Traces of previous mounting along top of two central pages, and of stub along one edge, removal of which has caused a small hole (not affecting text). A letter to the publisher of his 'Essays on various subjects' (3 vols, 1853): '<...> sermons, I have "50 Heaven" "Means of salvation" being "49." | Either therefore our lists do not agree, or one of us has made a mistake.

Commissioner (Office of the Master General of the Ordnance). Duncombe is instructing a Mr Sherborne of the Tower of London to go to Chatham, Gravesend and Woolwich to see "how many gunnes are mounted & of w[ha]t nature". He expects a report the following morning. The barbarian who cut the signature off also cut off the date, but this letter could well predate the Dutch raid up the Thames Estuary in June 1667 which particularly affected the fleet at Chatham, and indicate preparations.

One page, 4to, grubby, small pieces torn out with loss of two words and the "B" of the Bath address. "Some person having (I suppose with a view to turn my Novel into ridicule) circulated a great many Printed Letters of which I <?> one; I beg the favor[sic] of you to get the advertisement on the other side inserted in the Sun, which will be of more effect than the Bath [? prob. local paper.] / I am sorry to be so often troublesome to you [?.] I hope however you will have the goodness to excuse and am . . ." Verso has address and a note by bookseller, "Mr[s] Mathew".

Liberal statesman (1792-1861). One page, 12mo. In good condition despite slight discoloration and traces from previous mounting on reverse. Folded twice. Marked 'Private'. Reads 'I accept with much pleasure and many thanks your obliging Present of the Photograph of the Great Ship. I shall not cease to take the most lively Interest in the success of this stupendous Enterprize. [sic]' Signed 'J R G Graham'. Brunel designed the Great Eastern steamship between 1852 and 1858.

Laird (presumably the 'Francis Laird of Peterborough Court Fleet Street' whose will was proved in May 1825) was the author of 'A topographical and historical description of the County of Rutland' (1815) and 'A topographical and historical description of the County of Worcester' (1818). Upcott (1779-1845) was a noted aniquary and collector of autographs. One page, quarto. In poor condition, grubby and creased, with fraying to extremities and traces of mount and some loss to one edge (affecting one word of text). Repaired loss of triangular fragment from breaking open wafer.

Architect, teacher and antiquary (1872-1955). One page, 4to, folded twice, in very good condition. He thanks him for sending 'the drawing of your commercial buildings'. He is working from it, and will return it shortly. Those at the school appear 'satisfied with the new gymnasium'. 'Good progress is being made with the main building.'

English essayist and biographer (1868-1938). Plain postcard, dimensions roughly 4 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. Grubby and smudged, with central vertical crease. Deleted printed letterhead '176, VICTORIA STREET, | (CORNER OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROAD.) | S.W.1.' Reads '41 Sloane St | Many thanks | E. V. Lucas'. Addressed by Lucas to 'R. S. McMinn Esq | 35 Birdhurst Rd | S. Croydon'.

Clergyman and theologian (1844-1930), Canon of St Paul's Cathedral, London. One page, 16mo, on grey paper. In good condition. Possibly referring to a volume in the 'Oxford library of practical theology' of which he was co-editor. 'I am sorry to hear that a proof is coming. It is worse than preaching the Sermon. I hope to be here all August - I hope you are havinng a holiday.' Signed 'W Newbolt'.

English essayist and biographer (1868-1938). Attractive printed cheque in black and blue ink on light blue paper: dimensions roughly 7 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. The cheque is for sixpence, and a pencil note (presumably by Thorpe) on the reverse explains how it results from a lost wager: 'Bet | Whether Geo A Birmingham wrote a Gen[era]l knowledge book. | He did.'

English sculptor (1791-1864). Dimensions of paper roughly 4 inches by 1 inch. In very good condition. Large, slightly smudged signature on one side in blue ink. Reverse, in different ink and apparently in another hand, reads '<...> may I presume to solicit your favour fo<...> | as increasing Age naturally brings on in<...>'.

Lords of the Admiralty, the Treasury and of the Bedchamber under George III (1764-1831). On front of envelope, cut down to roughly 4 1/2 inches by 3 inches. Good only: ruckled and with one closed tear not affecting signature. Blank reverse docketed in pencil and with remains of paper from previous mounting. Difficult handwriting. Reads '<?> Twenty Seventh of January | 1823 | Richd <?> Esq | Queen Street | May Fair | London | Sydney'. 'FREE | 28JA28 | 1823' stamped in red ink in circle cropped at head.

English sculptor (1775-1856). Dimensions of paper roughly 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. In good condition. Reads '<...> I am Gentlemen | Your obt. & humble St. | Richd Westmacott'.

English sculptor (1775-1856). Dimensions of paper roughly 5 inches by 1 inch. In good condition. Reads '<...> | Recommended /on unexceptionable testimonials/ by | Richd Westmacott: | Nov 26/1844.'

Author and musician (1826-1906), described by Louise Jopling as 'a rich bachelor' and 'a noted figure in the seventies'. 1 page, 16mo. In good condition despite slight creasing and discoloration. Letterhead in green and black ink. Reads 'My dear Locker, | Many thanks - I will meet you at the Athenaeum at 3 o'Ck. on Tuesday - I have done, & shall do nothing till then. | Every yrs. | Hamilton Aïdé'.

English physician specialising in tropical medicine (1881-1966). Both 1 page, 16mo. Both dusty but in good condition. The first on blue paper the second on light green. In the first letter he says he is 'glad to be able to report that my paper has been written & is now being typed out. It has taken me many hours to do so in order to make it interesting & attractive to the non-medical reader. Whether I have succeeded in doing so I must leave to you to decide.' He says the paper 'should be in your hands by Monday next.

President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (DNB). 1 page, 8vo, in good condition with remains of stub adhering to blank verso. Doctor's handwriting. 'I am quite sure theh bleeding is of no consequence. Please let Geoffrey batter two fingers with the old <?> lotion & put a little bit of cotton wool <?> in the lotion in the end of the finger- - | Yours truly | C. Heath'.

Cartoonist. Subscription of letter as follows: "Believe me / yours faithfully / Will Owen", c.3.5 x 1".