BRITISH

Artist. One page, 4to, tears on folds, but text clear and complete. He is annoyed at not meeting up and discusses his much-felt loss of a brother. "His death was as tranquil as his life." He sends good wishes to the Smiths.

English portrait-painter (1803-81; DNB). Piece of paper approximately three inches by five. Slightly discoloured but in good condition, and attached to piece of brown card. Reads 'Remember me very kindly to the Ladies, and after to your Sons, and believe me | Every yours most sincerely | John P. Knight'

Artist (DNB). Two pages, 8vo, fold marks but good condition, partly laid down alongside photograph, c.2" x 3". He expects Roberts to attend the same event and asks to share his "conveyance". He concludes that he "found Callcott in much the same state I left him."

Sculptor (1814-1877). 2pp. & one page, 8vo. He initially discusses the "distresses" of someone called Hone, presumably an artist, how £50 would enable him to provide for himself and his family. Advertisements about Hone's situation have been placed and presumably they hope for contributions. The second letter appears to concern contributions from Wigram and Tupper. 2 items,

English artist (1842-1921). 2 pages, 16mo, on the rectos of the two leaves of a bifoliate, the first leaf bearing a mourning border. In good condition, but with remains of mount adhering to blank verso of second leaf. 'Re candlesticks. | The dean does not want candlesticks for the Altar. | But, in the place of those hideous bronze things in fornt of the Altar I have designend, and Pegram the sculptor has modelled a sketch, a really fine thing.

Victorian landscape and genre painter. The conclusion of a letter cut away for the signature: 'the Silk covering with the Red but I believe they could be changed for blue if preferred | I have the honour to be | Madam | Your obedient Servent | J. J. Chalon'. Slightly discoloured by the glue with which it was stuck to the album.

Painter, essayist and critic (1841-1902). He explains why he cannot go on an excursion. He expects to have to paint a python on the point of shedding its skin.

2 pages, dimensions roughly five inches square. Grubby and discoloured. The heading 'Debentur -' is followed by six short lines of abbreviated Latin ("Annuitat", etc.) and 'Add Tow ye Civil List since Michas 1715 | Ex Recordr. 4o. Aug 1716.' Verso reads 'Augt 1716 | full Contents of this Debentur', followed by the five signatures: 'Edw. Hayman', 'J Jekyll', 'E Jekyll', 'Cha: Cocks' and 'Mary Cocks'. Joseph Jekyll (see DNB), Master of the Rolls, his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Lord Somers (family name Cocks as other signatories).

Turner (1815-85; DNB) was the son of the noted botanist and autograph collector. 4 pages, 16mo. Creased, stained and grubby. Odd cross between an offer of work and a begging letter. Marked 'Private'. From their 'former relations' Hamilton feels sure Turner will assist him as he did before, when he was 'engaged in bringing out the West-End'. He hopes 'it will not be long before I can again avail myself of your facile pen for a few more of your graphic sketches of what comes under your observation.

English ecclesiastic (1729-77; DNB). 2 pages, 8vo. On paper stained and discoloured, with several small closed tears. Amusingly bad-tempered missive.

Fifth Bishop of Calcutta (1778-1858). 2 pages, 8vo. In very good condition. Signed 'Daniel Calcutta'. Fisher's note reads 'I sanction the return of the Rev Mr Lincke back again to Burdwan his former station pending the confirmation of the Bishop on his return | Henry Fisher | Commissary | 22d. Sept. 1838'.

1 page, 8vo. Grubby but in good condition. 'In case you have not already seen it, I beg to enclose you a leaflet relating to my new book. | I shall be grateful for any help that you can give it.' Signed 'G. E. Manwaring'. The book was 'My Friend the Admiral. The life, letters, and journals of Rear-Admiral James Burney' (Routledge, 1931).

2 pages, 8vo. Creased and with several small stains in blue and red. A printed invoice, ruled with blue and red lines, filled in in manuscript with a claim for fourteen shillings, 'To advertising in | The "Live Stock Journal," | Nos. 448 & 449' [November 3 and 10 1882]. Payment details in red ink on reverse, which is docketed.

Peel (1829-1912) was a Liberal politician and Speaker of the House of Commons. Primrose (1846-1923) was a Privy Councillor, Secretary to Gladstone and Speaker of the House of Commons. Both items are 3 pages, on 16mo bifoliates. Both are creased and discoloured. Between 1873 and 1874 Peel was Patronage Secretary to the Treasury. The exchange apparently concerns an election or by-election in Exeter.

Whig politician (1782-1845). 2 pages, 16mo. Dusty but in good condition. 'Dear Sir, | I have stated to Mr. Grant your desire for a for your son. But I could not express myself to him so as to make the appointment a favour to myself because I had before applied to him to give such an appointment to a friend of mine for his son, & I could not in justice withdraw this application. I stated however to him that I considered that the service you did in the Boundary Commission gave you a claim upon the Government, which my friend had not.' Signed 'Althorp'.

Soldier and Tory politician (1893-1996), at 6 ft 7 inches the tallest ever Member of Parliament. 1 page, 16mo. Dusty but in good condition. He asks Landa to forgive him for not having thanked him earlier for assisting him with his lecture 'The Jew in Parliament'. He is grateful for 'the extremely valuable notes which you allowed Mrs. Knollys to take, and I feel that I can face my audience with equanimity and confidence.' Pencil notes on reverse giving addresses of W. A. Rutkowski, Samuel Lipman and Aaron Samuels.

Scottish writer (1856-1930), biographer of Christina Rossetti. 2 pages, 16mo. Somewhat grubby and stained, and with minor glue damage. He thanks her for her letter 'which indeed I appreciate. | I have just come to the above address - now my permanent one - after a year's residence in Madeira; and, just at present, am much occupied, but later, I shall hope to come to see your treasures, telling you beforehand.'

Theologian and ecclesiastic (1818-91). 1 page, 16mo. In good condition although discoloured by the glue with which it is attached to a slightly larger piece of card. 'My Cambridge publishers are Deighton Bell & Co In London Bell & Daldy - | Yours truly | Henry Carlisle -'.

English architect (1856-1942). Slip cut from letter, dimensions approximately 1 1/4 inches by 4 1/4. In good condition. Reads 'Yrs sincy | Reginald Blomfield'. Docketed in pencil '1935' and with tidy strip with 'SIR REGINALD BLOMFIELD, M.A., R.A.', neatly stuck down beneath signature.

Maternal grandfather of Queen Mary (1774-1850). In very good condition. Paper dimensions approximately 1 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Reads 'Adolphus Frederick. | Lt: Genl: & Col. in Chief.'

Liberal politician (1873-1954). Both letters written while the Right Hon. Sir John Simon. Both letters dusty but in good condition. Letter to Hobman, 1 page, 4to. Thanks him 'for commissioning Mr Landa to come round with me on my Western Tour. He was a most excellent companion and we both enjoyed it. Since then I have been to Manchester and Colne Valley and Holderness, [& Bradford,] and everywhere I find Liberals in high [^ Spirits,] and thirsting for the fight.' Letter to Landa, 1 page, 16mo. He is writing for Lady Simon.

Lord Chief Justice of England (1820-94). 2 pages, 16mo. In poor condition. Stained, creased, discoloured and with damage to blank second leaf of bifoliate. Difficult handwriting. 'My dear - | The Broomfield is for Monday at 9.30. I go down to Winchester again for it tomorrow (Sunday) night & if you will come to my lodgings Westgate House near the Monument just before 9.30 I dare say I can get you in by myself a clerk. | In haste | Ever affectionately yours | J D Coleridge'.

George Canning (1770-1827), English Tory politician. The frank consists of only the central part of the front of the envelope, without stamp or postmarks, dimensions approximately 2 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Reads 'To D. O'Brien Esqre | 21 Craven Street | Geo: Canning'. Affixed at the foot of the recto of a letter written by his cousin Stratford Canning (1786-1880) in the third person (2 pages, 16mo, in good condition), reading 'Lord Canning begs that in the Votes distributed tomorrow morning the 2d. Reading of the Oxford University Bill may be fixed for Thursday the 6th. July.

British Liberal politician (1864-1932; DNB). 1 page, 4to. In good condition though dusty. 'My dear Landa, | Thank you very much for your kind note, which I greatly appreciate. [manuscript interpolation: '^ It was a difficult Parliamentary job.'] I also appreciate the [kind] note about the speech in your papers.' The reference may be to what the DNB calls Maclean's success in soothing the teachers, 'at that time furious at the cuts in their salaries'. He died of a heart attack brought on by overwork a few months later.

Politician (1776-1858; DNB), later Speaker of the Commons, later 1st Baron Dunfermline. The Committee investigated the riot which took place behind Cold Bath Fields Prison in London on 15 May 1833, during which three policemen were stabbed, one of them fatally. 1 page, 8vo. Not in the best of condition: grubby, worn and creased with several closed tears. Rear repaired with archival tape. Reads 'House of Commons. | Select Committee on Cold Bath Fields Meeting | Veneris, 26o die Julij, 1833. | Right Honble Jas. Abercromby in the Chair | Ordered, | That Mr.

Father of Queen Victoria (died 1820). On piece of paper roughly 3 1/2 inches square. In very good condition. Fragments of seven lines of letter on reverse. These, and the valediction ('<...> yours | most faithfu') are written in a secretary's hand, and the signature 'Edward' is deliberately written over the words '26 December 1808 | HRH The Duke | of Kent' which are lengthwise and downwards. Docketed 'Lr. to F. Marshal H. <...> | The Duke of Kent 29 D<...>'.

English Tory prime minister (1750-1830). On creased and grubby slip of paper, dimensions approximately 1 1/2 inches by 4 1/2, with three small glue stains from mounting on reverse. Reads 'Very faithfully yours | Robert Peel'.

Uncle (1773-1843) of Queen Victoria, notable book collector. Paper dimensions approximately 1 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. In good condition. Florid signature 'Augustus Frederick' above printed word '(Rank)' beside 'Lieutt. Coll. Com.' in manuscript, which in turn is above printed word '(Corps)' beside 'Loyal North Britons' in manuscript.

English Conservative politician (1799-1880). 4 pages, 16mo. Creased and somewhat grubby, with minor damage at head of one leaf caused by previous mounting, but in good condition overall. He has received his correspondent's note and will 'be glad to aid the objects of the conference in any manner in my power'. He cannot however 'comply with the request of the Committee that I will preside over Section B. on Tuesday next'. He has to 'present the prizes at the Society of Arts on that morning'. There is also 'important evidence in a Committee of the H. of Coms.

English sculptor (1788-1867)(DNB), responsible for the Nelson on Nelson's Column. Both letters are discoloured by age, but otherwise in good condition. The first letter is 1 page, 16mo, cropped and mounted on a larger piece of paper. 'My Dear Sir Martin | Absence from Town will I hope be a sufficient apology for my not sooner acknowledging the receipt of your card of invitation for Wednesday next - and to state that I shall have great pleasure dining with you that day.' The second letter is 2 pages, 16mo, heavily discoloured and with remains of four wax mounts in corners and elsewhere.