CENTURY

[ Lord Swinton, Scottish judge. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('John Swinton'), urging 'J. Cockburn' to accept the post of Commissioner for the sale of the Land Tax.

Author: 
John Swinton, Lord Swinton (1723-1799), Scottish judge
Publication details: 
11 October 1798.
£120.00

1p., 4to. On recto of first leaf of a bifolium, with autograph copy of Cockburn's reply on recto of second leaf. Addressed, with broken seal in red wax, on reverse of second leaf, to 'J. Cockburn <?> Esqr'. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He has had 'a very pressing letter from the Exchequer concerning the appointment of Commissioners for the sale of the Land Tax', and not having heard from him, hope that he will accept the post, 'which I really wish you to do as you have been accustomed to that kind of Business & I know you can be of infinite service on this occasion.

[ Harriet Willoughby, daughter of Whig politician Charles James Fox. ] Autograph Signature ('H Willougby') on part of letter.

Author: 
Harriet Willoughby (1786-1856), illegitimate daughter of Whig politician Charles James Fox
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£100.00

On 8 x 18 cm piece of paper cut from the end of a letter. In fair condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'And now my dear Mary Anne adieu With kind Regards to Mr T & love to yourself I remain ever | Your's sincerely & affectionately | H Willoughby | I shall leave directions With Mr Hyman to forward the Papers during my absence'.

[ Admiral Edward Thornbrough. ] Autograph Signature ('Edwd: Thornbrough') on part of letter.

Author: 
Edward Thornbrough (1754-1834), Royal Navy Admiral, who served with distinction in the American War of Independence
Publication details: 
No place. [ August 1816.]
£100.00

On one side of 13 x 9 cm. piece of paper cut from letter. In good condition, on aged paper. The date 'Augt: 1816' is at bottom right, apparently in another hand. Reads: '<...> the men all examined - | <...> their being sent out in | <...> are sad set to keep on board | <...>pose we shall soon see | <...>il for the distribution of | <...>to keep my Cruizers out | <...>way her Bowsprit but | <...> few Days Lieutt. Jewry is | <...>man | Yours most faithfully | Edwd: Thornborough'.

[ A. J. Webbe, England cricketer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('A J Webbe.') to 'My dear Crawfurd' [ the Irish cricketer John Crawfurd ], regarding rain at Lord's, an exciting match, and 'all the trouble' Crawfurd has had.

Author: 
A. J. Webbe [ Alexander Josiah Webbe ] (1855-1941), English test cricketer and Middlesex captain [ John Crawfurd [ John William Frederick Arthur Crawfurd ] (1878-1939), Irish cricketer ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 35 Eaton Square, S.W. [ London ] 16 July 1909.
£120.00

2pp., 16mo. In good condition. He is 'due at Woolwich the moment the rain stops as we have a day's match there today & tomorrow, but I don't suppose that you will be at Lords the ground must be under water.' He 'couldn't come out of the boys' room on Friday, the cricket was too exciting for words & it was cruel that we could not win'.

[ Thomas Wilde, 1st Baron Truro, Lord Chancellor of England. ] Autograph Signature ('Tho. Wilde').

Author: 
Thomas Wilde, 1st Baron Truro (1782-1855), Lord Chancellor of England
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

On 1 x 4.5 cm. slip of paper, cut from a letter. In good condition, lightly aged. A good clear signature, neatly underlined, with the cross-stroke of the initial T looping down in calligraphic style. A few words of text from the letter on the reverse.

[ William Edward Frost, English artist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. E. Frost') to Joseph B. Cooke, regarding family illness and the gift of a photograph.

Author: 
W. E. Frost [ William Edward Frost ] (1810-1877), English artist specialising in female nudes, Royal Academician [ Joseph B. Cooke; Oscar Wilde ]
Publication details: 
46 Fitzroy Square [ London ]. 30 January 1875.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. On aged and worn paper. He regrets to inform him that 'we have still a sick house'. His 'dear Sister' has been 'very ill', but he trusts they are 'both mending'. He concludes: 'I have pleasure in enclosing a Photo of myself, and shll be pleased to be admitted to your collection'. Professor Joseph Bristow, in his paper 'Homosexual Blackmail in the 1890s', describes how, twenty years later (on 11 August 1894), at a party hosted at 46 Fitzroy Square by John Watson Preston, twenty men were arrested, including two dressed in women's clothing.

[ W. H. Smith, stationer and Conservative politician. ] Autograph Signature on cover of envelope, franking a letter to Thomas Thatcher.

Author: 
W. H. Smith [ William Henry Smith ] (1825-1901), stationer and Conservative politician, First Lord of the Admiralty and First Lord of the Treasury
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£20.00

Cover of envelope, 9.5 x 13 cm. Aged and discoloured. Partial official postmark in red. Addressed by Smith at centre to 'Thomas Thatcher Esqre | 44 College Green | Bristol.' Signature in bottom left-hand corner: 'W. H. Smith'.

[ Wilson Barrett, English actor-manager. ] Autograph Letter Signed to Lady Greville, thanking her for her 'good opinion' of a performance, and complaining of 'heavy pressure of work'.

Author: 
Wilson Barrett [ William Henry Barrett ] (1846-1904), English manager, actor, and playwright, successful in the field of melodrama
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Royal Princess's Theatre, London ('LESSEE & MANAGER, MR. WILSON BARRETT.'). 10 April 1884.
£30.00

2pp., 12mo. On first leaf of a bifolium, the blank second leaf of which is laid down on a leaf of yellow paper removed from an album. In good condition, lightly-aged. He thanks her for her letter, '& the good opinion you express upon the performance'. He hopes to accept her invitation when he no longer labours under 'the heavy pressure of work, now rather weighing me down'.

[ Philip West, English surrealist artist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Philip.') to 'Vieanne', regarding his newly-born daughter Sandra Mercedes.

Author: 
Philip West (1949-1997), English Surrealist artist based in Spain
Publication details: 
Zaragoza [ Saragossa, Spain ]. 8 March 1977.
£56.00

1p., 8vo. Signed in blue felt-tip pen. Letterhead illustration of drawing by West, picked out in blue and red felt-tip. A jokey letter beginning: 'ta very much for the dress - it didn't fit me so now Sandra wears it. We have called her Sandra Mercedes. Sandra, though perhaps not very evocative, is easily pronounced in both English and Spanish.

[ Irving Montagu of the Illustrated London News and Punch. ] Three Autograph Letters Signed (one 'Irving Montagu' and two 'Montagu') to Edward Draper

Author: 
Irving Montagu (1842-1901), war correspondent and artist of the Illustrated London News and Punch [ Edward Draper, London solicitor and writer on the theatre ]
Publication details: 
Two from Briar Cottage, Shepherds Bush, 2 and 7 January 1893. One on letterhead of 64 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square [ London ]. 'Saturday' [no date].
£56.00

The three items in fair condition, on aged and worn paper, the last two items with traces of grey paper from mounting adhering. ONE: From Charlotte Street. 'Saturday' (undataed). Signed 'Irving Montagu'. 2pp., 8vo. Arranging to dine at Draper's in the face of a clashing invitation. TWO: From Briar Cottage, 2 January 1893. 4pp., 12mo. Signed 'Montagu'.

[ Dinah Maria Craik ('Miss Mulock', 'Mrs Craik'), English novelist and poet. ] Autograph Note Signed ('D. M. C.') to 'A. E. W.', regarding 'a list of autographs'.

Author: 
Dinah Maria Craik [ born Dinah Maria Mulock; 'Miss Mulock'; 'Mrs Craik' ] (1826-1887), English novelist and poet
Publication details: 
Without date or place. On envelope with printed address 'Far Country | Kitchens Lane | Mt. Airy, Penna.'
£40.00

Written lengthwise on front of a 9 x 15.5 cm. envelope. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'A. E. W. | I had a list of the autographs in thy literary collection but unfortunately have mislaid it. If there is a duplicate it wont make any difference because this is an uncessary little note of | D. M. C.' The page also carries annotations in another hand in light pencil.

[ Printed booklet ] On Coloured Books for Children. By Charles Welsh, Author of "A Bookseller of the Last Century," etc. Chapman to the Sette. Read before the Sette at Willis's Rooms, on Friday, May 6th, 1887, with a Catalogue of the Books Exhibited.

Author: 
Charles Welsh [ The Sette of Odd Volumes, London bibliographical club ]
Publication details: 
[ The Sette of Odd Volumes. ] Imprynted by Bror C. W. H. Wyman, Typographer to ye Sette, at hys Printing-hovse in Great Qveene Street, over against Lincoln's Inne Fields, within ye Parish of Saynt Giles in ye Fields. London, [ 1887 ].
£80.00

47 + [1] + [11]pp., 16mo. Internally in good condition, lightly aged, in worn grey printed boards with wear to spine.On cover: 'Privated Printed Opuscula issued to the Members of the Sette of Odd Volumes. | No. XIII. | Coloured Books for Children.' No. 167 of a limited edition of 255 copies, signed by 'Charles Welsh', and with recipient's name erased. Hand-coloured frontispiece. Pp.27-47 carry 'A Catalogue of the Coloured Books for Children; Past and Present.' The last eleven pages contain a 'Bibliography of Odd Volumes' and 'List of Members'. Five copies on COPAC.

[ Surrealism. ] Set of twelve photographic slides, with accompanying booklet in French, of work by Ernst, Miro, Arp, Malkine, Tanguy, Dali, Giacometti, Magritte, Masson and Man Ray, to accompany Patrick Waldberg's book.

Author: 
[ Patrick Waldberg (1913-1985), poet and expert on Surrealism; Ernst, Miro, Arp, Malkine, Tanguy, Dali, Giacometti, Magritte, Masson and Man Ray ]
Publication details: 
'Dossier 5-306 et 307 Juin-Juillet 1970'. 'Droits de reproduction reserves S. P. A. D. E. M., Syndicat de la Propriete Artistique, et A. D. A. G. P., Association pour la Diffusion des Arts Graphiques et Plastiques, Paris.'
£220.00

In very good condition, in transparent plastic waller. Accompanied by two booklets in French, containing extensive scholarly text on each painting. From the Philip West archive.

[ French numismatics. ] Anonymous Victorian manuscript lists, in English, of mainly French medals contained in the 'Largest Box'.

Author: 
[ Victorian French numismatics ]
Publication details: 
[ English, mid-Victorian. ]
£180.00

A total of 10pp., 12mo. Neatly written out in a close mid-Victorian hand. Accompanied by a slip of paper carrying a list of the eight sections into which the items in the 'Largest Box' were divided. Three of the eight are lacking. The five sections present are: '2 French Medals', '3 French Medals', '5 Medals of Various Countries', '7 French Sovereigns | Members of the Bourbon Family | French Statesmen.', and '8 Napoleon and his Family.

Victorian bookplate or label of 'ETON COLLEGE.'

Author: 
[ Eton College, Windsor ]
Publication details: 
[ English, mid-Victorian. ]
£35.00

6 x 9 cm. Printed in black ink. Laid down on part of a leaf, carrying on the reverse a part of an inscription in French from 'votre affectionée Eugénie'. Lightly-aged, and discoloured from the glue used in mounting. Within a decorative border characteristic of the period depicts a distant prospect of the college, with two boats rowing on the river, and a middle-class couple (she with bustle, he with top hat) with dog on bank in foreground.

[ Printed pamphlet. ] A Grammar of Socialism.

Author: 
Thomas Wodehouse, Curate of the Savoy [ Women's Printing Society, Limited, 21B, Great College Street, Westminster; English socialism; radical Anglicanism ]
Publication details: 
Second Edition. John Hodges, 13 Soho Square, London, W. 1884.
£56.00

32pp., landscape 12mo (8.5 x 13.5 cm). Stitched in grey printed wraps. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with front wrap detached and lightly marked. Wodehouse is named as author on front cover, but not on title-page. Laid out in the form of a fourteen-page catechism of 28 points, followed by 'Notes and Illustrations from Various Writers'. Pertinent as ever, in its criticism of 'excessive inequality in the partition of wealth'. COPAC only lists three copies of the first edition of 1878. Of the eight copies of the second 1884 edition on COPAC, six are listed as being printed by 'F.

[ Printed catalogue; Zoffany ] Loan Exhibition of 18th Century English Conversation Pieces.

Author: 
Philip Sassoon [ Sir Philip Sassoon (1888-1939), politician, art collector and social host ]
Publication details: 
[ 25 Park Lane, London. ] March 1930. [ At foot of back cover: 'M. W. D. N.' ]
£120.00

36pp., 4to. Stapled pamphlet. Aged and worn. Pencil annotations throughout. Four-page 'Foreword' by 'Philip Sassoon', followed by four-page 'Short Biography of Painters and Index Numbers'. The twenty-three page catalogue (with marginal pencil annotations) features 152 items, and is followed by a three-page 'Index to Exhibitors'. Loosely inserted is a duplicated typescript (1p., 12mo), giving the address, opening times, and prices. John Zoffany is well represented.

[ Printed pamphlet on 'the sin of self-abuse'. ] In Confidence: To Boys. By H. Bisseker, M.A., Formerly a Public School House-Master. Revised by The Council of the Medical Officers of Schools Association.

Author: 
H. Bisseker, M.A., Formerly a Public School House-Master [ The Alliance of Honour, London; The Medical Officers of Schools Association; masturbation; onanism; self-abuse ]
Publication details: 
'Copies of this Edition are to be obtained from The Alliance of Honour, 112, City Road, London, E.C.' London: Adlard and Son, Batholomew Close. 1904.
£120.00

[2] + 31 + [3]pp., 16mo. Stapled in plain green wraps. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with rusting staples, and light staining (of an indeterminate nature) to front cover. The first two pages give details regarding the Alliance of Honour, including a list of the organisation's officers (including thirteen bishops) and a statement of 'The Object' ('to impress upon men the necessity of leading pure lives', and so on).

[ Stratford-upon-Avon Tercentenary Celebration of the Birth of Shakespeare, 1864. ] Chromolithographic invitation to the 'Banquet', strikingly designed in vivid colours.

Author: 
Stratford-upon-Avon Tercentenary Celebration of the Birth of Shakespeare, 1864 [ Day & Son, Lithographers to the Queen, London ]
Publication details: 
By Day & Son, Lithographers to the Queen, London. [ Banquet at Stratford-upon-Avon on 23 April 1864 at 3p.m. ]
£56.00

On one side of a 12 x 16.5 cm piece of card. In good condition, with light aging and spotting. Printed in gold, red, light-brown and black. Ornate border in the Tudor style, incorporating Shakespeare's coat of arms within a circular band with quotation 'Take him for all in all I shall not look upon his like again'. The border encloses: 'SATURDAY APRIL 23, 1864. | BANQUET | ONE GUINEA. NO. 54 | At 3 P.M.' Added in manuscript: 'Table D'. The lithographers slug, very faded, is in small letters at bottom right.

[ Sir Henry Ellis, Principal Librarian of the British Museum. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Ellis') to Edward Magrath, thanking him for his good offices.

Author: 
Sir Henry Ellis (1777-1869), Principal Librarian of the British Museum [ Edward Magrath, founder member and secretary of the Athenaeum club, London ]
Publication details: 
No place. [ 3 December 1834. ]
£38.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for 'the promptness with which you placed my request on behalf of Mr. Tennent before the Library Committee'. Tennent will himself thank Magrath 'for the obliging offer of the use of your private Room'. In another hand at bottom right: 'Librarian British Museum'.

[ Richard Cobden-Sanderson, publisher. ] Typed Letter Signed ('R. Cobden Sanderson') to literary agents J. B. Pinker & Son, declining to publish three titles they have submitted.

Author: 
R. Cobden-Sanderson [ Richard Cobden-Sanderson ] (1884-1964), publisher, son of printer T. J. Cobden-Sanderson of the Doves Press, Hammersmith [ J. B. Pinker & Son, London literary agents ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 'R. Cobden-Sanderson: Publisher | 17 Thavies Inn, Holborn, E.C.1' [ London ]. 9 February 1925.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly-aged. He has 'given consideration to the following MSS.': 'THE WEB OF FATE by M. Garahan | ANTONY IN LOVE [by] C. E. Rose | THE NIGHT MOTH [by] Amy Miller'. As he cannot make any offer for their publication he is returning the manuscripts forthwith.

[ Rev. John White Chadwick, American author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('John W. Chadwick.') to 'Mrs. Ames', inviting himself to dinner.

Author: 
Rev. John W. Chadwick [ Rev. John White Chadwick ] (1840-1904), American writer and Unitarian minister
Publication details: 
624 Carlton Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. 16 January 1894.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper. Begins: 'Dear Mrs. Ames - | You know you invitted me to stay with you once on a time & I couldn't come. Now can you not square the accounts by inviting me to come next Tuesdayy Evening, Jan. 23!' He is reading a paper on 'Luria' at the Browning Club that afternoon, and would like 'a quiet evening with you & Charles & Edith'.

[ Lord William Seymour, son of the 8th Duke of Somerset. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Willm Seymour') and Autograph Letter in the third person, both to 'Mr. Pitman', linen draper of Devizes, regarding two works of natural history.

Author: 
Lord William Seymour (1724-1800), son of Edward Seymour (1694/5-1757), 8th Duke of Somerset [ Pitman, Devizes linendraper ]
Publication details: 
Both from Seend [ Wiltshire ]. 24 May and 11 August 1788.
£65.00

The two items in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear, and both laid down on part of a page from an album. ONE: 24 May 1788. 1p., landscape 12mo. Written in the third person: 'Lord William Seymour Presents his Compliments to Mr. Pitman Will be much Obliged to him for the lent [sic] of His Curtis's Flora Londinensis. Ld. Wwm will take great Care of them -'. TWO: 11 August 1788. 1p., landscape 12mo. Addressed on reverse to: 'Mr Pitman | Linnen [sic] Draper | Devizes'. He is obliged to him 'for a Sight of Barbut's English Fossils.

[ James Lothian, Scottish gardener. ] Autograph Letter Signed to Daniel Mctaggart of Kilkerran, sending a book on the 'Potatoe question'.

Author: 
James Lothian (1817-1871), Scottish gardener, author of the first English book on the cultivation of Alpine plants [ Daniel McTaggart [ Mactaggart ] of Kilkerran, Argyll, Scotland
Publication details: 
No place. 19 June 1854.
£56.00

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Daniel McTaggart Esq: of Kilkeran [sic]'. In fair condition, on lightly aged paper. He is sending him 'Keith' (i.e. a book by George Skene Keith), which contains 'some facts bearing on the Potatoe question'. He has other works on the same matter, but they are 'out', with the exception of 'Vol: 2 of the Gardener which I send down'. In his opinion 'Works on Forrest [sic] trees and Landscape Gardening throw no light on either disease or Longivity [sic] of Plants.

[ Lord Braybrooke, editor of Pepys's diary. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Braybrooke'), regarding the payment of a bill.

Author: 
Lord Braybrooke [ Richard Griffin [formerly Neville], 3rd Baron Braybrooke ] (1783-1858), politician and editor of the diaries of Samuel Pepys
Publication details: 
Audley End, Saffron Walden. 19 January 1875.
£50.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lighthly-aged paper. Reads: 'Dear Sir | I beg to enclose a cheque for the Sum of £10 . 10 . and shall feel obliged by yr returning to me a Receipt for the same | I remain | Yours truly | Braybrooke'. In another hand at top right: 'Answd'.

[ George Cruikshank, English caricaturist. ] Cabinet card photographic portrait of 'Mr George Cruikshank' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.

Author: 
George Cruikshank (1792-1878), English caricaturist and illustrator [ The London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company ]
Publication details: 
The London Stereoscopic Company, 110 & 108 Regent Street and 54 Cheapside [ London ]. Undated [ circa 1873? ].
£50.00

Albumen print photograph, dimensions 15 x 10 cm. Mounted on 16.5 x 10.5 cm card. Printed in red ink on the reverse of the card are the firm's illustrated details ('Photoraphers to the Queen the Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family' and 'Prize Medal For Portraiture Vienna Exibitiion 1873.' In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The National Portrait Gallery lists four versions of this image, but not within an oval, as here.

[ John William Cole ('J. W. Calcraft'), actor and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin. ] Autograph Note Signed ('J. W. Cole')

Author: 
J. W. Cole [ John William Cole, pseudonym John William Calcraft ] (c.1793-1870), actor, dramatist and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin
Publication details: 
No place. 23 October 1858.
£30.00

1p., 12mo. On aged and stained paper, with small spike hole. Reads: '23rd Oct. 1858 | My dear Sir | I have given Sergeant Glover of the M[orning] Chronicle a Private Box for Monday. | Yours entirely | J. W. Cole'.

[ Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Liberal politician. ] Commencement of Autograph Letter to Lady Monteagle, expressing his distress and that of his wife [ over a death in her family ].

Author: 
[ Sir George Cornewall Lewis (1806-1863), Liberal politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer. ] [ Marianne, Lady Monteagle, wife of Thomas Spring Rice (1790-1866), 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon ]
Publication details: 
Grove Mill, Watford, Hertfordshire. No date.
£60.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. Ends abruptly at the end of the fourth page, and without signature. For the period an unusually frank expression of distress, apparently over the death of his wife's elder daughter He thanks her for calling on him with books - 'when you so kindly came to that House though I had intended so very much to see you I felt all my courage fail - & that I s[houl]d. only distress you & do myself harm if I saw you'.

[ Professor William Thomas Gordon of Kings College London, Scottish geologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. T. Gordon') to 'Mr. Joy', expressing condolences on the loss of a daughter, and grief at the recent death of an uncle.

Author: 
W. T. Gordon [ William Thomas Gordon ] (1884-1950), Scottish geologist, Professor of Geology at Kings College London
Publication details: 
On leterhead of the University of London, Kings College. 5 May 1930.
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. 29 lines of closely-written text. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. 'Such a calamity must be a terrible blow for you all but more especially to Mrs. Joy and yourself. To lose a daugher just blossoming out into womanhood is tragic indeed, the more so, if that were possible, in that she was such a bright girl.' He continues 'By the same post I have word that one of my uncles has just died, and that another has been given up by the doctors. They have both lived full lives, and, in their way, interesting lives, so that, there, one can hardly talk of a tragic end.

[ John George Wood, naturalist and author. ] Autograph Signature ('J. G. Woods') on conclusion of Autograph Letter

Author: 
Rev. J. G. Wood [ John George Wood ] (1827-1889), English naturalist and author
Publication details: 
Date and place not stated.
£30.00

On one side of piece of 13.5 x 8.5 cm piece of paper. Aged and worn. Reads: 'know when I shall have an evening to myself, for in the last fifteen days or so, I have only dined at home twice, and as far as I see, that much of vagrant life seems rather on the increase than otherwise. But the first evening that I have, I will dedicate to you, & give you notice thereof | Best remembrances to your family - | Yours very sincerely | J. G. Wood'. On reverse, in another hand: 'J. G. Wood | the great naturalist'.

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