BRITISH

One page, 12mo. Very good. Neatly mounted on piece of orange paper. In Dilke's difficult hand. Concerns a 'Report': 'The only specific fact is that the misprints <?> cost to each of one shilling. [...] The enormous cost of about £12 per draft is to the Fund. How much the <?> cost to the <?> is not stated - <?> as 'almost too small to be noticed' - which is <?>. Why do they not publish the <?> expenditure. Then we should know what is the amount of an 'almost too small'. If you ever get an Acct with that fact set forth I should be glad to look at it.' Signed 'C W Dilke'.

British journalist and Conservative politician (1873-1974). The typed text is entirely legible, but the collection is in extremely poor condition - badly damp-damaged and frayed, and with much of the menu consumed by insects. ITEM ONE: TLS, 4 May 1944, 'KIRKLANDS, | HEADLEY, HANTS.', on letterhead of the Incorporated Sales Managers' Association, one page, 4to. Green-ink signature severely faded by damp. He has returned 'after a very successful three weeks' mission with Western Command'.

Judge, ecclesiastical lawyer and international jurist (1845-1929). One page, 12mo, in self-sealing stamped addressed envelope with postmark. In very good condition. 'Many many thanks for the tree-plants. They have arrived in beautiful and your directions shall be carefully followed.' Signed 'Walter G. F. Phillimore'.

Inchbald ran a 'gentleman's boarding academy'. The recipient Ward (1781-1871) was a master cutler and diarist, and one of the founders in 1822 of the Sheffield Literary and Philosophical Society. Three pages, 4to. Dusty but in very good condition, with small piece of second leaf of bifoliate cut away in opening the red wax seal. '[...] I write to you [...] to impose upon you some possibly irksome task. - Things are here in a Train towards the establishing [of] a public library & reading room.

Conservative politician (1798-1890). Both stained by glue from mounting, and with traces of mount adhering to reverse. The first, on paper roughly two inches by half an inch, reads 'Thos. F. Fremantle'. The second, on paper roughly four and a half inches by one inch and a quarter, reads ' | Sir, | Your obedient Servant. | Tho F Fremantle | J. J. Kaune Esq.'

Collins (1788-1847) and Ward (1769-1859) were all artists. Finden (1791-1857) was an engraver. Paper dimensions roughly five inches by four and a half inches. Folded once and with slight discoloration, but in good condition overall. Reads 'James Ward RA. | Edwd. F. Finden | William Collins. | Geo Hyde | Upper Norton St | Philip Hill | 6. Greek Street'.

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.

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.'

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.

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'.

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 <...>'.

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 <...>.

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.'

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.

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.

According to the British Library Bisset's Directory was published in 1800. Paper dimensions roughly 5 1/4 inches by 9 inches; print dimensions roughly 4 1/4 inches by 7 inches. In very good condition although somewhat grubby. Paper watermarked '<179?>9 | TMAN'. At head of plate: 'M'. At foot of plate: 'Reynolds. Sct. Birm'.

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.

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.'

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 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<...>'.

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.'

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.

Cousin (1690-1740) of the poet of the same name. Both fragment and bookplate are pasted to a piece of thin, discoloured card. The fragment, which is roughly 5 inches by 2 inches, is grubby annd rubbed. It reads, in Cowper's hand '13th July Exhibited to us under the Commission agt. Thomas Park | Wm Cowper'. Beneath this the signatures of 'Fr. Rookes' and 'Rd Maddock'. The bookplate (roughly 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2, in good condition although somewhat grubby) is armorial, with the motto beneath reading 'FAX . MENTIS. HONESTAE. GLORIA | William Cowper Esqr.

Dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Must predate 1887, when the prefix 'Royal' was added. Amusing modern-looking cartoon-style illustration by 'F C' of furious pipe-smoking pianist jumping up to hammer the keys, with his hair forming into the 'S' of 'Society', with moustachioed cigar-smoking tweedy individual in front of piano being hit in face by whisky tumbler.

Journal editor and writer (1800-89). 1 page, 8vo. Creased and slightly discoloured, but in good condition overall. Cover of envelope pasted to back, reading 'for | Rd Lehman Esq | Newmarket Road | Norwich'. Reads 'Dear Sir. | I much regret that I have been unable to avail myself of your kindness: I have been so over-run with Matter at this, the concluding, month of the year. | Sincerely | S C Hall.'

1 page, on paper approximately 8 inches by 10. Grubby, creased and frayed, with several closed tears. Some loss at head caused by breaking of seal. Informs George Stuart that 'a Remittance for Interest on American Stock' has been received from the Bank of the United States, and that 'we are ready to pay to you any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday, betwixt the Hours of Ten and One'. Signed (according to pencil note at head of letter) by Thomas Baring 'Fran Baring & Co'. Six lines of manuscript calculations at foot of page, giving interest of £141 12s 1d.

Neapolitan Minister in London (died 1839). 2 pages, 16mo. In good condition, although creased and grubby. Crabbed handwriting. Formal letter, written in the third person. States that he received from Slade, in 1826, 'Two hundred and odd Pounds sterling as part of Prize money for the capture of in 1806, allowed to the Crews of Two Sicilian gallys the Vespa, the , and a gun Boat No. 12. who acted in conjunction with the British forces'. Complains that 'Mr. Slade did not send to C.