AUTOGRAPH

[Blanchard Jerrold, journalist and author.] Signature and autograph paraphrase of passage from his ‘Life of Napoleon III - Vol 2.’, written out for an album.

Author: 
Blanchard Jerrold [William Blanchard Jerrold] (1826-1884), journalist and author
Publication details: 
No place or date, but after the book’s publication in 1874.
£56.00

Part of leaf from autograph album, cut into an irregular shape. In fair condition, on lightly aged and discoloured paper, with film of dried glue from mount on blank reverse. The passage, which curiously enough does not correspondend with the printed text, reads (with three mistakes scored through): ‘Life of Napoleon III - Vol 2. / The Government, it is true, endeavoured to prevail upon Queen Hortense to request him to give his word that he would remain in America for ten years; but she replied that Prince Louis was master of his own actions & she would not endeavour to influence them.

[Cecil King, Fleet Street press baron.] 47 Autograph Cards Signed to the publisher of ‘Books and Bookmen’ Philip Dosse, on various topics including the reviews he is writing for him.

Author: 
Cecil King [Cecil Harmsworth King] (1901-1987), Fleet Street press baron (Daily Mirror, Sunday Pictorial, IPC), nephew of Viscounts Northcliffe and Rothermere [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher]
Publication details: 
35 of the 47 cards with postmarks from between 1971 and 1977; the other 14 postmarks illegible. 29 of the cards from England (ten with his letterhead, The Pavilion, Hampton Court, Surrey); 17 from the Republic of Ireland [Eire]; one from Iran.
£1,200.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, together with those of his uncles and other members of the newspaper dynasty of which he was a member. The recipient Philip Dosse was the proprietor of the London publishers Hansom Books. Beginning in 1950 with ‘Dance and Dancers’, Dosse built up a stable of seven monthly arts magazines, produced from offices in Artillery Mansions, London, the most influential of which were ‘Books and Bookmen’, ‘Plays and Players’ and ‘Films and Filming’. An elusive figure, Dosse certainly merits a full-length study.

[‘Victoria Holt’, pseudonym of Eleanor Alice Hibbert [née Burford], prolific author of historical romances (also ‘Jean Plaidy’ and ‘Philippa Carr’).] Typed Letter Signed to Eileen Cond, sending a book plate and discussing Devon and Cornwall.

Author: 
'Victoria Holt’, pseudonym of Eleanor Alice Hibbert [née Burford] (1906-1993), prolific author of historical romances (also 'Jean Plaidy' and 'Philippa Carr') [Eileen Margaret Cond (1911-1984)]
Publication details: 
8 June 1961; 'c/o Messrs. David Higham Associates Ltd. / 76 Dean Street, / Soho, / London, W. 1.'
£80.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. She published around two hundred books under seven pseudonyms, and these are said to have sold a hundred million copies and been translated into twenty languages. The recipient Eileen Cond was an enthusiastic collector of autographs, and had the ability to draw a more than perfunctory response from her targets. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Folded for postage. Good bold signature: ‘Victoria Holt.’ Addressed to ‘Miss Cond, / Stream Cottage, / Sidbury, / Sidmouth, Devon.’ She has signed Cond’s bookplate and is sending it back.

[‘How brilliant of you’: ‘E. M. Delafield’, pseudonym of the novelist Edmée Elizabeth Monica Dashwood, author of ‘The Diary of a Provincial Lady’.] Autograph Card Signed (‘E. M. D.’) to Martin Bretherton, commending him for finding ‘Willow Brook’.

Author: 
‘E. M. Delafield’, pseudonym of novelist Edmée Elizabeth Monica Dashwood [née de la Pasture (1890–1943), prolific novelist, best known for ‘The Diary of a Provincial Lady’ (1930)
Publication details: 
15 January 1943. Printed at head: ‘From Mrs. DASHWOOD, Croyle, Cullompton, Devon.’
£35.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. On post card with red stamp printed on it, addressed to ‘Martin Bretherton Esq. / Wakefield / Mortimer / Berks.’ The message reads: ‘How brilliant [last word underlined] of you to have found Willow Brook! Please bring it to Whitchall at all costs, & let me see it. I never have. / E. M. D. / 15. 1. 43.’

[Thomas Burt, trade union leader and Radical Member of Parliament.] Three Autograph Letters Signed and one Secretarial Letter Signed to A.G.L. Rogers, Secretary of the Liberal Publication Department, regarding the composition of publicity leaflets.

Author: 
Thomas Burt (1837-1922), trade union leader and Radical Member of Parliament; General Secretary, Northumberland Miners' Association [A. G. L. Rogers, Secretary, Liberal Publication Department]
Publication details: 
2 June 1892; and 2 and 11 February, and 11 October, 1893. The first two on House of Commons letterhead; the third on letterhead of the Reform Club, Pall Mall; the fourth from Cromer, on letterhead of the Board of Trade [Whitehall, London].
£120.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Under Gladstone Burt served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, 1892-1895. From the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son of the editor of the economist Thorold Rogers, and written while Rogers was Secretary of the Liberal Publication Department (a sort of public relations department), a position to which he was appointed in November 1891. The four items, all addressed to ‘Dear Mr Rogers’ and signed ‘Thos Burt’, are all bifoliums in good condition, folded for postage. ONE (2 June 1892): 2pp, 12mo.

[Sir Edward Baines, editor of the Leeds Mercury and Liberal MP.] Autograph Letter Signed to James Silk Buckingham, regarding whether the latter’s son might lecture in Yorkshire, and Buckingham’s ‘immense service’ to ‘the Total Abstinence cause’.

Author: 
Sir Edward Baines (1800-1890), editor of Leeds Mercury, Liberal Member of Parliament, nonconformist, abolitionist [James Silk Buckingham (1786-1855); his son Leicester Silk Buckingham (1825-1867)]
Publication details: 
15 March 1853; Leeds.
£65.00

An interesting letter linking two similar individuals (like Baines, Buckingham had also served as a Yorkshire Member of Parliament, in his case for Sheffield as a radical between and 1835; and both men were newspaper proprietors). See the entries for Baines, with those for Buckingham and his son, in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage. Addressed to ‘J. S. Buckingham, Esq’ and signed ‘Edw Baines’. He begins by saying that he will try and promote Buckingham’s ‘son’s introduction to this part of the country, as a Lecturer’. (According to L.

[Sir Stafford Northcote, Conservative politician.] Two Autograph Letters Signed, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, giving instructions while away at Balmoral to his private secretary Sir John Arrow Kempe.]

Author: 
Sir Stafford Northcote [Stafford Henry Northcote, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh] (1818-1887), Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1874-1880 [his private secretary Sir John Arrow Kempe (1846-1928)]
Publication details: 
7 and 8 September 1876; from Balmoral [Scotland] on cancelled letterhead of 11 Downing Street, Whitehall [London].
£120.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The two items are in good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage. Both addressed to ‘Dear Kempe’. ONE (7 September 1876): 1p, 12mo. Signed ‘St N’. He asks Kempe to get him ‘Mr Gladstone’s pamphlet’, and would also ‘like to have Mr. Evans’ recent work about Bosnia and Herzegovina, published I think by Longman.’ He ends with news of his plans, and asks in a postscript: ‘What do you say to the Revenue returns?’ TWO (8 September 1876): 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Signed ‘Stafford H. Northcote’. He will be travelling from Balmoral ‘to Sir J.

[Gladstone and photography: ‘It is a process he particularly dislikes’.] Autograph Letter Signed from his private secretary Spencer Lyttelton [to A.G.L. Rogers, Secry, Liberal Publications Dept], conveying Gladstone's refusal to sit for a portrait.

Author: 
Spencer Lyttelton [George William Spencer Lyttelton] (1847-1913), private secretary to Liberal prime minister William Ewart Gladstone, outstanding cricketer for Cambridge University [A. G. L. Rogers]
Publication details: 
14 October 1893; on letterhead of 10 Downing Street, Whitehall.
£65.00

Lyttelton was Gladstone’s private secretary during three of his terms as prime minister. The recipient Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944, son of the editor of the economist Thorold Rogers) is not named, but the item is from his papers, and was written while he was Secretary of the Liberal Publication Department, a position to which he was appointed in November 1891. 2pp, 12mo. Signed ‘Spencer Lyttleton.’ In good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage.

[John Pyke Hullah, English composer and Professor of Vocal Music at King’s College, London.] Autograph Note Signed (‘John Hullah’), forwarding to ‘Mrs. Tail’ a note from ‘Mr. Otto Goldschmidt, about the Bach Choir’.

Author: 
John Hullah [John Pyke Hullah] (1812-1884), English composer and teacher of music, Professor of Vocal Music at King's College, London, and also at Queen's College and Bedford College
Publication details: 
18 May 1878; on letterhead of Grosvenor Mansions, Victoria Street, S.W. [London]
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, which quotes Gordon Cox as stating that Hullah was ‘the fountain head of music education in the nineteenth century’. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Handwriting and signature in a bold attractive hand. Reads: ‘Dear Mrs. Tail / I have the pleasure to send you a few lines fm Mr. Otto Goldschmidt, about the Bach Choir. / I am, dear Madam / Always Your’s [sic] Truly / John Hullah’.

[John Joy Bell, Scottish journalist and chronicler of Glaswegian working-class life.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr Keary’ [Peter Keary, editor of Pearson’s Weekly], explaining why the piece he is submitting for the ‘1000th Number’ is sub-par.

Author: 
John Joy Bell (1871-1934), Scottish journalist and author, noted for his accurate depiction of Glaswegian working-class life [Peter Keary (1865-1915), editor of Pearson’s Weekly]
Publication details: 
22 June 1909; on letterhead of Clyde Cottage, Craigendoran, Helensburgh.
£56.00

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded for postage. Reads: ‘Dear Mr Keary, / Enclosed is for 1000th Number of Pearson’s Weekly. It is not what I wanted to do for you, but illness and other interruptions have spoiled my work for the last two months. So please reject if necessary. / Faithfully yours / J. J. Bell’.

[Lady Hosie [Dorothea Hosie], amateur film maker and writer on China.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Dorothy [sic] Hosie’) to ‘Mr. Burdett’, describing reviews she is writing and the critical response to her ‘Portrait of a Chinese Lady’.

Author: 
Lady Hosie [Dorothea Hosie, née Soothill] (1885-1959), amateur film maker and writer on China, wife of the diplomat and explorer Sir Alexander Hosie (1853-1925)
Publication details: 
11 December 1929. 4 Bradmore Road, Oxford.
£90.00

For information about the Lady Hosie and her husband see his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage, and with a minor closed tear to edge of fold at head of leaf. Addressed to ‘Dear Mr. Burdett’ and signed ‘Dorothy [sic] Hosie’. Forty-one lines of closely-written text. The letter concerns a review she has written for a periodical whose title is difficult to decipher (‘The L[?]’). She was ‘going to type out a fair copy’, but thinks Burdett ‘may like it at once’. If he feels ‘portions of it unsuitable’, he ‘can then delete’. ‘Mr.

[‘A Princess instead of a Queen’: Randall Davidson, Archbishop of Canterbury, as Dean of Windsor and Queen Victoria’s domestic chaplain.] Long Autograph Card Signed and Secretarial Letter Signed, both to Canon Jacob, the card regarding a royal visit.

Author: 
Randall Davidson [Randall Thomas Davidson, Baron Davidson of Lambeth] (1848-1930), Archbishop of Canterbury [Philip Jacob (1804-1884), Archdeacon of Winchester]
Publication details: 
Secretarial Letter of 28 May 1887; Autograph Card of 18 July 1887. Both on letterhead of the Deanery, Windsor Castle.
£90.00

In 1883 Queen Victoria appointed Davidson Dean of Windsor and her domestic chaplain. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Both items in good condition, lightly aged; the letter folded for postage. Both addressed to ‘My dear Jacob’ and both signed ‘Randall T Davidson’. ONE: Autograph Card Signed. Marked ‘Private’. Eighteen lines of text, covering both sides. Begins: ‘I talked the whole matter over so fully last night with Sir H.

[‘Become an ambassador if you like’: H. A. L. Fisher [Herbert Albert Laurens Fisher], English historian and Liberal politician.] Autograph Letter Signed to Beresford-Hope, congratulating him on his ‘triumph in the Diplomatic Service examination’.

Author: 
H. A. L. Fisher [Herbert Albert Laurens Fisher] (1865-1940), English historian and Liberal politician; Virginia Woolf’s cousin [Harold Thomas Beresford-Hope (1882-1917)]
Publication details: 
9 June 1907; 34 Norham Road, Oxford.
£56.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. At his death in 1917, H. T. Beresford-Hope was Third Secretary at the British Legation at Athens; and he left the enormous sum of £67,167. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice for postage. Addressed to ‘My dear Beresford-Hope’ and signed ‘H. Fisher’. Twenty-eight lines of text. He begins a gently teasing letter by stating that he is delighted to hear of Beresford-Hope’s ‘triumph in the Diplomatic Service examination’, his wife joining him in sending congratulations.

[‘Everyone is holding on tight’: James Bone, Scottish journalist, London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian.] Typed Letter Signed to ‘Burdett’, explaining how ‘experienced men’ are ‘on the street’ (during the Great Depression).

Author: 
James Bone (1872-1962), Scottish journalist, for three decades London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, brother of Sir Muirhead Bone
Publication details: 
12 May 1932; on letterhead of the Manchester Guardian London Office, 43 Fleet Street, EC4 [London].
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged and folded for postage. Addressed to ‘Dear Burdett’ and signed ‘J Bone’. He will let him know if he hears of anything with regard to Burdett’s ‘young friend’, ‘but one hears so rarely now of newspaper openings, as everyone is holding on tight, and there are so many experienced men on the street’. He is sending Burdett’s note ‘on to Manchester in case there should ever be an opportunity there’.

[One Victorian painter writes to another.] Autograph Letter Signed from James Sant, RA, to George Lance, regarding a portrait over which he has been ‘going hard’.

Author: 
James Sant (1820-1916), RA, English portrait painter noted for his portraits of children [George Lance (1802-1864), English still-life painter]
Publication details: 
7 March 1856; [?].
£50.00

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. On the first leaf of a bifolium, the second leaf being blank, apart from the end of the signature ‘Jas Sant’, which has extended across from the bottom right corner of the reverse of the first leaf. In good condition, lightly aged, with the reverse of the second leaf laid down on a rectangle of grey paper cut from a leaf of an album. Addressed to ‘G. Lance Esqr.’ The letter begins: ‘My Dear Sir / My best thanks for your note. Depend upon it I will look to myself and in doing so look to yr.

[‘I think we must do something’: Augustine Birrell, author and Liberal Party politician.] Four Autograph Letters Signed and one Autograph Note Signed to A. G. L. Rogers, Secretary of Liberal Publication Department, regarding public relations plans.

Author: 
Augustine Birrell (1850-1933), author and Liberal Party politician, Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1907-1916 [A. G. L. Rogers, Secretary of the Liberal Publication Department]
Publication details: 
Letters undated: two on letterhead of The Pightle, Sheringham, Norfolk; one from The Pightle on cancelled letterhead of The Clyffe, Corton, Lowestoft; one on letterhead of 3 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn [London]. Note: 14 January 1894; from New Square.
£180.00

While his entry in the Oxford DNB notes that Birrell was a loyal supporter of Gladstone in the early part of his parliamentary career, it does not allude to his intimate involvement during that period in what would now be called the public relations of his party, as evidenced by this correspondence, which comes from the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son of the editor of the economist Thorold Rogers, and written while Rogers was Secretary of the Liberal Publication Department, a position to which he was appointed in November 1891.

[‘Mrs. C. W. Earle [Maria Theresa Earle], horticulturalist.] Autograph Letter Signed regarding the publisher Kegan Paul.

Author: 
‘Mrs. C. W. Earle’ [Maria Theresa Earle, née Villiers] (1836-1925), horticulturalist [Charles Kegan Paul (1828-1902), London publisher]
Publication details: 
5 February 1918; on letterhead of Woodlands, Cobham, Surrey.
£50.00

See her entry and that of Kegan Paul in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The recipient is not named. Reads: ‘Dear Sir. / Mr. Kegan Paul was a great friend of mine, & when it came out he gave me a book called “Rabbi Jeshua” 1881. published by the firm. I should be so much obliged if you might tell me the name of the writer if I am asking what is never done please forgive me. / Yrs truly / Maria Theresa Earle’. At top right, in her hand: ‘Mrs C. W. Earle’.

[Alastair Sims, much-loved Scottish character actor, star of the St Trinian’s films.] Typed Letter Signed to Adza Vincent, secretary to the playwright Christopher Fry, regarding ‘Christopher’s Bedford talk’.

Author: 
Alastair Sim [Alastair George Bell Sim] (1900-1976), much-loved Scottish character actor, star of the St Trinian’s films [Adza Vincent (1917-1995), secretary to playwright Christopher Fry]
Publication details: 
20 January 1956; on letterhead of Forrigan, Newnham Hill, near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
£50.00

A good firm signature, and not a common one. While hugely popular (see his entry in the Oxford DNB), Sims was an intensely private man, who refused to give autographs. 1p, landscape 12mo. In fair condition lightly aged and with slight rust spotting from paperclip; folded for postage. Reads: ‘Dear Adza Vincent, / My wife and I both thank you for sending Christopher’s Bedford talk. I have taken the liberty of typing a copy for own archives, and can now return the one you sent. / With renewed thanks, / Yours sincerely, / Alastair Sim’.

[‘Isobel English’ (June Guesdon Braybrooke), novelist.] Two Autograph Letters Signed, one to Margaret (‘Peggie’) and Derek Stanford and the other to ‘Peggy’ alone, including a discussion of her relationship with Muriel Spark.

Author: 
‘Isobel English’[June Guesdon Braybrooke, née Jolliffe] (1920-1994) novelist, wife of Neville Braybrooke (1923-2001) [Derek Stanford (1918-2008); Margaret Stanford [née Holdsworth; ‘Margaret Philips’]
Publication details: 
ONE: Letter to ‘Derek and Peggie’ Stanford: 26 September 1973; on letterhead of Grove House, Castle Road, Cowes. TWO: Letter to ‘Peggy’ Stanford: ‘Tuesday’ (no date or place).
£90.00

See her entry and that of her husband Neville Braybrooke in the Oxford DNB. ‘Peggy Stanford’ is Derek Stanford’s first wife Margaret (née Holdsworth), who wrote under the pen name ‘Margaret Philips’ (see his Guardian obituary, 26 March 2009). Two long letters, written in a neat close hand. Both in good condition and folded for postage. ONE (22 September 1973): To ‘Dear Derek and Peggie’ and signed ‘June’. 4pp, 12mo. With envelope addressed to the Stanfords at Seaford in Sussex. Having enjoyed their meeting the previous week she ‘kept saying to Neville: how I wished that you lived in Cowes'.

[John Roget [Jean Roget], Geneva-born pastor in London, father of Peter Mark Roget (of the ‘Thesaurus’) and brother-in-law of Sir Samuel Romilly.] Autograph Notebook in French, with apparently-original compositions and extracts from other authors.

Author: 
John Roget [Jean Roget] (1751-1783), Geneva-born pastor of two French protestant churches in London, father of Thesaurus compiler Peter Mark Roget and brother-in-law of Sir Samuel Romilly (1757-1818)
Publication details: 
Undated, but probably started after 1773, and in part written after his arrival in London from Geneva in 1775.
£800.00

See the entries in the Oxford DNB for his brother-in-law Sir Samuel Romilly and his son Peter Mark Roget, as well as Joshua Kendall’s 2008 biography of the latter, ‘The Man Who Made Lists’. From the Roget family papers, and certainly of later date than the two schoolboy commonplace books by Jean Roget offered separately. Roget is not named as the author, but the handwriting is his, and the spine bears the remains of a blue paper label with the words ‘MSS of the Rev. J. Ro[get]’ on it the same nineteenth-century hand (P. M. Roget's?) as the two commonplace books.

[John Roget [Jean Roget], Geneva-born protestant pastor in London, father of Thesaurus compiler Peter Mark Roget and brother-in-law of Sir Samuel Romilly.] Two childhood Autograph Commonplace Books (‘Livres d'Extraits’ and ‘Fruits de mes Lectures’).

Author: 
John Roget [Jean Roget] (1751-1783), Geneva-born pastor of two French protestant churches in London, father of Thesaurus compiler Peter Mark Roget and brother-in-law of Sir Samuel Romilly (1757-1818)
Publication details: 
1766-1767 [Geneva]. Vol. 1: 27 June to 16 December 1766. Vol.2: Begun 17 December 1766.
£500.00

See the entries in the Oxford DNB for his brother-in-law Sir Samuel Romilly and his son Peter Mark Roget, as well as Joshua Kendall’s 2008 biography of the latter, ‘The Man Who Made Lists’. The two items were commenced while Roget was a fifteen-year-old schoolboy in Geneva, and nine years before his 1775 emigration to London. The two volumes of the same dimensions, but not uniform. Vol.1: 179pp, small 4to. Vol.2: 146pp, small 4to. Both tight and internally in good condition, lightly aged, in worn card wraps, each with a different stencilled design on the covers.

[Sir John Rothenstein, art historian and Director of the Tate Gallery, London.] Autograph Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, publisher of ‘Art and Artists’, regarding difficulties in his reviewing Holroyd and Easton’s books on Augustus John.

Author: 
Sir John Rothenstein [Sir John Knewstub Maurice Rothenstein] (1901-1992), art historian and Director of the Tate Gallery, London [Philip Dosse (c.1924-1980), publisher of ‘Art and Artists’]
Publication details: 
9 May 1974; on letterhead of Beauforest House, Newington, Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxford.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The present item is 2pp, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Signed ‘John Rothenstein’.

[‘100% Socialist but disrespectful to Marx’: Sir Richard Acland, Labour politician and a founder of CND.] Typed Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, publisher of ‘Books and Bookmen’, describing his self-published book ‘The Next Step’.

Author: 
Sir Richard Acland [Sir Richard Thomas Dyke Acland, 15th Baronet] (1906-1990), Common Wealth Party and Labour politician, a founder of CND [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher ‘Books and Bookmen’]
Publication details: 
8 February 1974; Sprydon, Broadclyst, Exeter.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. This item is 2pp, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with the two leaves attached by a slightly rusty staple. Folded twice for postage. Large sprawling signature ‘Richard Acland’ above typed name ‘Sir Richard Acland’.

[‘No British Government could afford the economic cost’: Stuart Hampshire, philosopher and Warden of Wadham College, Oxford.] Typed Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, publisher of ‘Books and Bookmen’, regarding boycotting South Africa over apartheid.

Author: 
Stuart Hampshire [Sir Stuart Newton Hampshire] (1914-2004), English philosopher and Warden of Wadham College, Oxford [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher ‘Books and Bookmen’; apartheid in South Afri
Publication details: 
9 April 1974; on his letterhead as Warden of Wadham College, Oxford.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. This item is 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and creased and folded twice for postage. Signed ‘Stuart Hampshire’.

[Sir Colin Coote, editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Typescript, with Autograph additions, of essay written in support of apartheid following a visit to South Africa in 1971, with particular reference to the economy, ending with 'White Man's Burdens'.

Author: 
Sir Colin Coote [Sir Colin Reith Coote] (1893-1979), editor of the Daily Telegraph and Liberal politician [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher ‘Books and Bookmen’; South Africa and apartheid]
Publication details: 
No place or date, but circa 1971.
£350.00

An interesting document on the South African situation at the beginning of the 1970s, written in support of apartheid by a leading British journalist. See Coote’s entry in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Philip Dosse, who was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. There is no indication where, if anywhere, the present item was published.

[‘Nothing good can come out of Printing House Square’: Sir Colin Coote, editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Autograph Manuscript, signed ‘Colin R. Coote’, of review of ‘The Reigning Error’ by William Rees-Mogg, editor of The Times.

Author: 
Sir Colin Coote [Sir Colin Reith Coote] (1893-1979), editor of the Daily Telegraph and Liberal politician [Philip Dosse (1925-80), publisher, ‘Books and Bookmen’; William Rees-Mogg, editor, The Times]
Publication details: 
Not dated, but published in the London magazine ‘Books and Bookmen’ in 1974.
£180.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Philip Dosse, who was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. Rees-Mogg’s book was published in 1974, and the present item appeared in ‘Books and Bookmen’ in the same year. A late draft, neatly written out on 5pp, small 4to, with each page on separate leaf. Signed at end ‘Colin R. Coote’.

[Sir Arthur Bryant, historian and biographer of Samuel Pepys.] Signed Autograph Inscription to Philip Dosse, publisher of 'Books and Bookmen', on the half-title of his book 'A Thousand Years of British Monarchy'.

Author: 
Sir Arthur Bryant [Sir Arthur Wynne Morgan Bryant] (1899-1985), historian and biographer of Samuel Pepys [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher of arts magazines including ‘Books and Bookmen’]
Publication details: 
No date or place, but the book published in London in 1975.
£35.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, the revised version of which describes his pre-war Nazi sympathies. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. 1p, 8vo.

[Sir Arthur Bryant, historian and biographer of Samuel Pepys.] Seven Autograph Letters Signed and four Typed Letters Signed to publisher Philip Dosse, regarding reviews in ‘Books and Bookmen’, and his writing a multi-volume biography of Dr Johnson.

Author: 
Sir Arthur Bryant [Sir Arthur Wynne Morgan Bryant] (1899-1985), historian and biographer of Samuel Pepys [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher of arts magazines including ‘Books and Bookmen’]
Publication details: 
Between 12 May 1974 and 22 January 1976. On either of two of his letterheads: from 18 Rutland Gate, London SW7, or Myles Place, The Close, Salisbury.
£220.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, the revised version of which describes his pre-war Nazi sympathies. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The present collection of eleven items totals 17pp (fourteen pages in autograph and four typed), in various sizes from 4to to 12mo.

[Philip Dosse, proprietor of Hansom Books, publishers of a stable of arts magazines.] Six items, including corrected typescript (by Dosse himself) endorsing ‘Books and Bookmen’, and corrected draft of a press release on its merger with Argosy.

Author: 
Philip Dosse (1925-1980), proprietor of Hansom Books, publishers of a stable of seven arts magazines including ‘Books and Bookmen’ and ‘Films and Filming’ [The Argosy, London; IPC Magazines Ltd]
Publication details: 
Two items on merger with Argosy dating from 1974, both from IPC Magazines Ltd, London. The other material also from the 1970s.
£450.00

An elusive figure, Dosse is certainly a candidate for a full-length study. The novelist Sally Emerson gives an excellent account of her time as editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ in its last days in an article titled ‘Death of a Bookman’ (Standpoint magazine, October 2018). These six items are in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: 2pp, foolscap 8vo, second page numbered. Complete rough draft of typed letter, with manuscript corrections, endorsing ‘Books and Bookmen’.

[Simon Nowell-Smith, bibliographer, book collector and Librarian of the London Library.] Autograph Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, publisher of ‘Books and Bookmen’, expressing an unwillingness to review all but expensive books he wishes to possess.

Author: 
Simon Nowell-Smith [Simon Harcourt Nowell-Smith] (1909-1996), bibliographer, book collector and Librarian of the London Library [Philip Dosse (1925-1980), publisher of ‘Books and Bookmen’]
Publication details: 
13 January 1975; on letterhead of Quarry Manor, Headington, Oxford.
£56.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The present item is 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Signed ‘Simon Nowell Smith’.

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