foreign

[The man who coined the term ‘scientist’: William Whewell, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge.] Autograph Letter Signed to Rev. J. E. Dalton of the British and Foreign Bible Society, declining the position of chairman of the Cambridge committee.

Author: 
William Whewell (1794-1866), polymath who coined the word ‘scientist’, Master of Trinity College Cambridge and authority on the history of science [Rev. J. E. Dalton; British and Foreign Bible Society
Publication details: 
‘Trin. Lodge, [Trinity College, Cambridge] Oct 26 1849’.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, and the entry for ‘scientist’ in the OED. Whewell first used the word in 1834 in the Quarterly Review, stating that ‘some ingenious gentleman proposed that, by analogy with artist, they might form scientist, and added that there could be no scruple in making free with this termination when we have such words as sciolist, economist, and atheist’. It is probable that the ‘ingenious gentleman’ is Whewell himself. 2pp, 12mo. On first leaf of a bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with the blank second leaf slightly damaged by removal from mount.

[Sir Edward Grey [Viscount Grey of Fallodon, First World War Foreign Secretary.] Autograph Note Signed to Lady Ilbert, wife of the Clerk of the Commons.

£35.00

See the entries on Grey and Lady Ilbert's husband (who was Clerk of the Commons) in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. In an elegant hand. Reads: '15. 2. 15 / Dear Lady Ilbert / Many thanks: I shall be very glad to dine on Wednesday / Yours sincerely / E Grey.'

[Alaric Watts [Alaric Alexander Watts], poet and journalist, editor of the ‘Literary Souvenir’.] Autograph Signature on envelope elegantly addressed by him to ‘the Honble. Spencer Ponsonby’.

Author: 
Alaric Watts [Alaric Alexander Watts] (1797-1864), poet and journalist, editor of the ‘Literary Souvenir’ [Sir Spencer Cecil Brabazon Ponsonby-Fane (1824-1915), cricketer and civil servant]
Alaric
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£35.00
Alaric

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On the front cover of a 12 x 7 cm envelope, from which the seal has been torn away on the reverse. Otherwise in very good condition. A pleasing piece of calligraphy, with the word ‘Private’ centred and underlined at the head, and the address to ‘The Honble. Spencer Ponsonby. / Foreign Office’ across the central band, with the signature at bottom left: ‘Alaric Watts.’ See Image.

[Sir Edward Grey [Viscount Grey of Fallodon], Foreign Secretary during First World War.] Autograph Letter Signed to the ?Provost? [of Oriel College, Oxford, Sir David Ross], regarding what is probably not ?a matter for the head of a College'.

Author: 
Sir Edward Grey [Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon] (1862-1933), Liberal Party politician, Foreign Secretary for much of the First World War [Sir David Ross [W. D. Ross] (1877-1971)]
Publication details: 
30 November 1922; on letterhead of Fallodon, Christon Bank, Northumberland.
£45.00

See the entries for Grey and Ross in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Reads: ?My dear Provost / Probably you will not think that the enclosed requires any answer or that it is a matter for the head of a College but as it concerns a member of Oriel I send it on to you / Yours very truly / Grey of Fallodon.?

[A. J. Balfour [Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl Balfour], Conservative Prime Minister.] Lithographed Circular in facsimile of Autograph Letter Signed, urging Parliamentary attendance (of MPs) for ‘the discussion of important questions'.

Author: 
A. J. Balfour [Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl Balfour] (1848-1930), Conservative Prime Minister who as Foreign Secretary issued the 1917 Balfour Declaration
A. J. Balfour
Publication details: 
24 January 1896; on letterhead of First Lord of the Treasury, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, S.W. [London]
£60.00
A. J. Balfour

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. A lithographed document, in facsimile of an Autograph Letter Signed, on a genuine letterhead with embossed motif of First Lord of the Treasury, with mourning border. On aged paper, with the blank reverse carrying unobtrusive glue stains from previous mounting. Folded three times for postage.

[Sir Edward Malet, diplomat.] Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Robert Head, regarding a dinner engagement at ‘Countess Brockdorff’s’.

Author: 
Sir Edward Malet [Sir Edward Baldwin Malet, 4th baronet] (1837-1908), British diplomat, Consul-General in Egypt, 1879-1883 [Sir Robert Garnett Head (1845-1907), 3rd Baronet, of Rochester]
Publication details: 
14 January 1893; on letterhead of the British Embassy, Berlin.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, and folded once for postage. With the item’s worn envelope, with ‘British Embassy, / Berlin.’ printed on the damaged flap, addressed by Malet to ‘Sir Robert Head Bt. / 97 Zimmer Strasse’, and initialed by him at bottom-left, ‘R B Malet’. The letter, which is signed ‘Edward B Malet’, begins: ‘Dear Sir Robert Head, / My wife will be very happy to take you and Lady Head to Countess Brockdorff’s on Monday at 3 1/2.

[‘I have no desire to be a marked man’: Lord Simon, Liberal politician.] Two Typed Letters Signed to T. Lloyd Humberstone, on an ‘adverse vote’ at the National Liberal Club, and on prerogative, Parliamentary representation and ‘old Universities’.

Author: 
Lord Simon [John Allsebrook Simon, 1st Viscount Simon] (1873-1954), Liberal Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord Chancellor [Thomas Lloyd Humberstone, educationist]
Publication details: 
17 January and 8 November 1948. Both on government letterheads.
£75.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient, the educationist Thomas Lloyd Humberstone (1876-1957), was a prominent member of the Convocation of the University of London. Both items in fair condition, on lightly aged paper, the second with slight loss along one edge due to removal from mount. Both signed ‘Simon’. ONE: 17 January 1948. 1p, 12mo. Folded once. ‘I do not for a moment believe that the adverse vote carried at a depleted meeting of the General Committee represents the broad view of the Club [clearly the National Liberal Club] as a whole, but I have to take things as I find them.

[Coolie Immigration; Island of Reunion; Great Britain; Foreign Office; printed] Despatch respecting Coolie Immigration into the Island of Reunion from British India

Author: 
[Coolie Immigration; Island of Reunion; Great Britain; Foreign Office]
Publication details: 
London [1863]
£120.00

22 pages, sm. folio, disbound, part of edge nibbled (see image) without loss of text, minor staining. includes a lengthy report by Consul Hill and Inclosures by French Officials listing Livret d'Engagement, and (extensive) Convention sur l'Immigration de Traveilleurs Indiens dans la Colonie de la Reunion, etc.

[P.C. Wren] Autograph Inscription

Author: 
P.C. Wren [Percival Christopher Wren (1875 – 1941), writer, mostly of adventure fiction.]
Publication details: 
July 1926.
£80.00

Autograph Inscription on glossy page (perhaps from the prelims of a book), 12mo, with image of Wren. head & shoulders, two small closed tears, sl. grubby, good condition. Inscription as follows: [Image] || To | A.J. Richardson, Esq | with the Author's thanks | & best wishes. | PC Wren || Jy.'26. See image.

[Lord Bathurst, Tory politician.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Bathurst') [to the agent of the Marquis Wellesley, elder brother of the Duke of Wellington], regarding a dispute over the fittings to be left behind on quitting Apsley House.

Author: 
Henry Bathurst (1762-1834), 3rd Earl Bathurst [Lord Bathurst], Tory Foreign Secretary, friend and supporter of Pitt the Younger [Lord Wellesley; Duke of Wellington; Apsley House, Piccadilly, Mayfair]
Publication details: 
Piccadilly [London]. 22 September [1807].
£300.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The present item dates from 1807, the year in which Bathurst sold the celebrated Apsley House ('No. 1 London') to the Duke of Wellington's brother the Marquis Wellesley, who sold it on to the Duke ten years later. It is now the Wellington Museum. This item casts an interesting light on the initial sale. 2pp, 4to. Thirty-four lines of text. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded four times. He is disappointed that the unnamed male recipient (presumably Wellesley's agent) has not called on him.

[Harold Wilson, Labour prime minister.] Christmas card, signed by Wilson, his wife Mary and son Giles, together with his foreign secretary George Brown and his wife Sophie, who writes a message in German.

Author: 
Harold Wilson (1916-1995), Labour prime minister; his wife Mary Wilson (1916-2018); his son Giles Wilson; George Brown (1914-1985), Labour politician; his wife Sophie Brown [Sophia Levene] (1911-1990)
Publication details: 
1966. Christmas card by Lum & Feher Press, Honolulu.
£100.00

In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Christmas card with unusual image of the three wise men (in Roman helmets) seen from behind, following the guiding star as it leads them across a Hawaian beach to the hut in which the birth of the messiah is occurring. Printed message in card in Hawaian and English. The reverse of the second leaf has nothing printed on it other than the publisher's slug, and at the head the prime minister has written 'Happy Christmas'. Beneath this, one above the other, are the five signatures: 'Harold Wilson | Mary Wilson. | Giles Wilson.

[Sigismund Goetze, English artist.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs. Poole', regarding a portrait of King Charles II, as prince and in Oxford robes, in his Grove House collection.

Author: 
Sigismund Goetze [Sigismund Christian Hubert Goetze] (1866-1939), English artist and art patron at Grove House, who painted the Foreign Office 'Empire Murals'
Publication details: 
20 October 1932; on letterhead of Grove House, Park Road, Regent's Park, N.W.8 [London].
£80.00

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with two smudges on second page. Folded once. With reference to her letter 'to Mr. Somerset of March 11th. re the portrait of Charles II (as Prince) in academic robes', he has had the picture by William Dobson photographed and encloses a copy (not present). He discusses Charles's dress in the picture in some detail, adding that 'The portrait (27 x 28 1/2 inches) has been in my possession since 1918 when it was bought at Christie's Nov. 29 lot.

[Lord Salisbury's Foreign Office and 1897 insurrection in Crete.] Five Autograph Items by Sir Martin Gosselin of British Embassy in Paris, including drafts of private despatches to Salisbury on meetings with French Foreign Minister Gabriel Hanotaux.

Author: 
Sir Martin Gosselin, diplomat [Cretan insurrection of 1897; Lord Salisbury; Crete; Ottoman Empire; Gabriel Hanotaux; International Squadron; Admirals' Council; Great Powers; Greece]
Publication details: 
The five items written by Gosselin between April and November 1897, from the British Embassy in Paris.
£650.00

In January 1897 an insurrection by the Greeks in Crete led to the Ottoman Empire, of which it was still part, declaring war on Greece. The following month, as Turkish rule over the island crumbled, six 'Great Powers', including Britain, France, Russia and the Germans, despatched an 'International Squadron' of their ships to Cretan waters.

[Lord Palmerston, Prime Minister at the height of Britain's imperial power.] Autograph Note in French in the third person to 'Monsr le Harivel', suggesting a time for his reception at the Foreign Office.

Author: 
Lord Palmerston [Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston] (1784-1865), statesman, twice Liberal Party Prime Minister
Publication details: 
'F. O. [Foreign Office] July 20 [1835]'.
£45.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, margins cropped, laid down on leaf removed from album. Annotated in ink with year. Reads 'Lord Palmerston presente ses Complimens a Monsr de Harivel et se fera l'honneur de le recevoir au “Foreign Office” Vendredi prochain a trois heures'.

[Thomas Pell Platt, orientalist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('T P Platt'), as Librarian to the British and Foreign Bible Society, to Rev. Charles Sumner [later Bishop of Winchester], Librarian to George IV at Carlton House, presenting a set of volumes.

Author: 
Thomas Pell Platt (1798-1852), English orientalist, Librarian of the British and Foreign Bible Society [Charles Sumner (1790-1874), Bishop of Winchester, librarian to King George IV at Carlton House]
Publication details: 
Bible Society's House | Earl Street, Blackfriars | March 30. 1825'.
£75.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, aged and worn, with creasing and heavy wear at head. Folded three times. Addressed to 'The Rev. C. R. Sumner'. Reads: 'Rev. Sir | As Librarian of the British & Foreign Bible Society, I have the honor to state to you that a Resolution has been passed by the Committee of that Society, requesting permission to offer to His Majesty as a mark of their dutiful homage a set of Copies of the Versions of Holy Scripture executed or reprinted at their expence.

[Thomas Pell Platt, orientalist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('T P Platt'), as Librarian to the British and Foreign Bible Society, to Rev. Charles Sumner [later Bishop of Winchester], on presenting a set of volumes to 'His Majesty's library'.

Author: 
Thomas Pell Platt (1798-1852), English orientalist, Librarian of the British and Foreign Bible Society [Charles Sumner (1790-1874), Bishop of Winchester]
Publication details: 
Bible Society's House | Earl St. London. | Octr. 11. 1824.'
£200.00

2pp, 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with dogeared corners. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'The Rev. C. Sumner'. Begins: 'Rev. Sir | I have been encouraged by the advice of friends to propose to you confidentially a question, to which you would much oblige me by returning a reply. The Committee of the British & Foreign Bible Society have occasionally transmitted to different quarters, as presents, a set of Copies of the version of the Holy Scripture executed by their aid, and the new edition, which they have published.

[Lord Castlereagh, Tory Foreign Secretary at the Congress of Vienna, hated by Byron and Shelley.] Autograph Letter in the third person, as 'Lord Londonderry', asking him to present a book to the king from 'Monsieur de Martens'.

Author: 
Lord Castlereagh [Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry; styled Viscount Castlereagh, 1769-1821] (1769-1822), Tory Foreign Secretary at Congress of Vienna, hated by Byron, Shelley and radicals
Publication details: 
'St James' Square | 1 May /22 [1822]'.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Lord Londonderry presents his compliments to Mr Watson and begs to forward to him a letter and book which he has been requested by Monsieur de Martens to present to His Majesty'. Londonderry was considered a repressive figure by the radicals. In a poem Byron called on travellers to piss on his grave, and in 'The Masque of Anarchy' Shelley wrote: 'I met murder on the way, | He had a mask like Castlereagh.' Within months of the present communication Londonderry would commit suicide.

[UK Foreign Office view on US military bases in the Spain of General Franco; MI5.] Typewritten Foreign Office briefing document titled ('c) The purpose of the United States agreement with SPAIN.'

Author: 
UK Office, Information Research Department; General Franco; Spain; United States overseas military bases; Special Intelligence Service
Publication details: 
[United Kingdom Foreign Office, Whitehall, London. Circa 1953.]
£250.00

From a batch of Foreign Office documents, including material from the Information Research Department (for whose activities, financed from the budget of the Special Intelligence Service, otherwise MI6, see The Times, 17 August 1995; and also Michael Cullis's obituary of Sir John Peck in the Independent, 20 January 1995). Duplicated typescript headed: '(c) The purpose of the United States agreement with SPAIN.' 4pp, foolscap 8vo, paginated '(c) 1' to '(c) 4'. Complete, with catchwords to the first three pages. In good condition, lightly aged.

[Apartheid in South Africa and British Foreign Office] Foreign Office briefing document titled 'The measures which have been taken to establish the policy of APARTHEID in South Africa and its effect on the European, Indian and African communities'.

Author: 
Apartheid in South Africa and the British Foreign Office [Information Research Department; Special Intelligence Service]
Publication details: 
[United Kingdom Foreign Office, Whitehall, London. Circa 1953.]
£150.00

From a batch of Foreign Office documents, including material from the Information Research Department (for whose activities, financed from the budget of the Special Intelligence Service, otherwise MI6, see The Times, 17 August 1995; and also Michael Cullis's obituary of Sir John Peck in the Independent, 20 January 1995). Duplicated typescript. Headed: '(g) The measures which have been taken to establish the policy of APARTHEID in South Africa and its effect on the European, Indian and African communities.' 10pp, foolscap 8vo. Pagination on pp.2-10 preceded by '(g)'.

['Mau Mau terrorism' in Kenya, and the UK Foreign Office.] Typewritten Foreign Office briefing document titled: '(a) The political and economic effect of MAU MAU in KENYA.'

Author: 
'Mau Mau terrorism' in Kenya, and the British Foreign Office [Kikuyu tribe; Jomo Kenyatta; Sir Philip Mitchell; Sir Evelyn Baring]
Publication details: 
[United Kingdom Foreign Office, Whitehall, London. Circa 1953.]
£150.00

The Mau Mau uprising began in 1952, and the atrocities committed by the rebels were matched by those of the British, whose Attorney General in Kenya, Eric Griffith-Jones, wrote to Governor Baring in 1957 that the colony's detention camps for Mau Mau suspects were 'distressingly reminiscent of conditions in Nazi Germany or Communist Russia'.

[Sir Samuel Hoare, Tory 'appeaser' who negotiated the Hoare-Laval Pact.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Templewood') to 'Mr Brooks [Fleet Street editor Collin Brooks], 'on public opinion and foreign policy.

Author: 
Sir Samuel Hoare [Samuel John Gurney Hoare, 1st Viscount Templewood] (1880-1959), Tory Foreign Secretary who negotiated the Hoare-Laval Pact [Collin Brooks (1893-1959), Fleet Street editor]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the House of Lords Library. 31 May [no year, but 1944 or after].
£65.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Brooks may make whatever use he wishes of Templewood's speech. He agrees generally with 'Selby as to F[oreign]. O[ffice]. reorganisation', but is at present 'conentrating my attention to the points I raised in my speech. Whether we like it or not, we must now assume that public opinion will control our foreign policy. This being so, public opinion must be better instructed than it is at present.'

[ David Christie Murray, Victorian foregin correspondent and author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('D. Christie Murray') to Messrs Edward Gwyer & Son, regarding his plans for payment of a debt following the completion of a book.

Author: 
D. Christie Murray [David Christie Murray] (1847-1907), journalist and author, a noted foreign correspondent
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 10 Elmsworthy Terrace, Primrose Hill, N.W. [London] September 1893.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of paper from mount on reverse. Reads: 'Gentlemen, | My book was finished and handed in last Monday. I have written to Smedley's setting forth that fact. The document they hold forbids me to draw the money and sent it to them, but in the course of a few days Messrs Newnes will probably pay-up, and Watt on receipt of cheque will send Smedleys their due.' For information on Christie Murray, see his entry in the Oxford DNB.

John Simon [ John Allsebrook Simon, 1st Viscount Simon ], Liberal politician. ] Autograph Letter Signed and Typed Letter Signed (both 'John Simon') to Welsh Liberal politician Sir Courtenay Mansel.

Author: 
John Simon [ John Allsebrook Simon, 1st Viscount Simon ] (1873-1954), Liberal Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord Chancellor [ Sir Courtenay Mansel ]
Publication details: 
ALS: Castle Hotel, Brecon. 13 February 1921. TLS: on letterhead of 59 Cadogan Gardens, S.W.3. [ London ] 11 December 1923.
£50.00

At the time of the second letter Mansel was serving his only stint in Parliament, a brief period as Liberal MP for Penryn and Falmouth. ONE (ALS, 13 February 1921): 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. He expresses great disappointment regarding the misunderstanding which meant that he and his wife missed coming to lunch with the Mansels.

[ Robert Baker Girdlestone, Hebrew scholar and first principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. ] Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'R. B. Girdlestone'), with reference to the biblical scholars Constantin von Tischendorf and Samuel Prideaux Tregelles. ]

Author: 
Robert Baker Girdlestone (1836-1923), Hebrew scholar, first principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and Anglican cleric [ Samuel Prideaux Tregelles; Constantin von Tischendorf ]
Publication details: 
All three on letterheads of the British & Foreign Bible Society, Blackfriars, London. 5 and 7 August 1868, and 10 February 1869.
£100.00

The three items in good condition, on lightly aged paper. All three on bifoliums. ONE (5 August 1868): 2pp., 12mo. He thanks the recipient for his 'lecture', which 'gives a large amount of information in a small space'. If he would care to 'present a copy to our library, I am sure it would be valued highly'. He continues: 'One desideratum is that the libraries in Spain & at Paris should be ransacked in order if possible to find some further light as to the origin of the Rec: [sic]' He concludes: 'You have no doubt got Tischend[orf]:s. Edn. of the Cod. B. wh.

[ Poultney Bigelow, American journalist and author. ] Autograph Letter Signed describing his 'Canoe Voyage' on the Danube, and his future movements as guest of the Kaiser

Author: 
Poultney Bigelow (1855-1954), American journalist and author
Publication details: 
Addressed from 'Canoe "Caribee" - on the Danube - near Hungarian Frontier - July 21. 91.' [ 1891 ]
£320.00

1p., 8vo. Aged and worn. Bigelow was educated at a preparatory school in Potsdam, and was a childhood playmate of the Kaiser and his younger brother, and maintained a friendship with them throughout their lives. On his death at the age of 98 he was the oldest Yale alumnus, and the oldest member of the Athenaeum club in London.

[ Edward Morris Erskine, diplomat. ] 'Private' Autograph Letter Signed ('E. M. Erskine') to the Hon. George Elliot, regarding the death of his father the Earl of Minto, his 'grievance' against Lord John Russell, and the Risorgimento.

Author: 
Edward Morris Erskine (1817-1883), diplomat [ George Elliot [ George Francis Stewart Elliot ] (1822-1901), son of Gilbert Elliot (1782-1859), 2nd Earl of Minto ]
Publication details: 
Stockholm; 3 September 1859.
£150.00

7pp., 12mo. On two bifoliums. In good condition, on aged paper. First page headed 'Private'. Docketed by Elliot 'My Father's death'. An excellent letter casting interesting light on the machinations of the Liberal government. Erskine is attempting something requiring all of his diplomatic tact: sending appropriate condolences to Elliot on his father's death before turning to his 'own concerns': the putting of his case to Elliot as the brother-in-law of the Foreign Secretary Lord John Russell, on the question of his 'grievance' against Russell and the Foreign Office.

[ Lord John Russell's private secretary, Hon. George Elliot; Italian Independence; Risorgimento ] Autograph Manuscript memorandum regarding 'Austrian Emigrants'.

Author: 
Hon. George Elliot [ George Francis Stewart Elliot ] (1822-1901) [ John Russell, 1st Earl Russell [ Lord John Russell ] (1792-1878), Prime Minister ]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [ London, 1850s or 1860s. ]
£220.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. With a couple of minor emendations. At top left of first page Elliot has written 'Copy'. Docketed on reverse of second leaf: 'Austrian Emigration'. Begins: 'In the Austrian Code (Decree of 1832) Emigration is treated of under a distinct head. | Every Austrian Subject removing to a foreign state or remaining abroad sine animo revertendi, as the Scotch wd. express it, is held to be an Emigrant.' Most of the third page is taken up with a precis of two points 'From Proclamation of Feb.

[ Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace, foreign correspondent of The Times. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Donald M Wallace') to 'Sir Robert' [ Sir Robert Herbert ] regarding a meeting of the Breakfast Club.

Author: 
Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace (1841-1919), foreign correspondent of The Times of London [ Sir Robert Herbert (1831-1905), first Premier of Queensland ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of St. Ermins Mansions, Caxton Street, SW [ London ]. 11 June [ no year ].
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, with light signs of age. He hopes to make his Breakfast Club 'debut' the following Saturday morning.

[ Henry Noel Brailsford, journalist and socialist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. N. Brailsford') to 'Dear Watson' [ Francis Leslie Watson ], fulsome in praise of his BBC Radio programme on Mahatma Gandhi.

Author: 
H. N. Brailsford [ Henry Noel Brailsford ] (1873-1958), journalist and socialist, foreign correspondent of the Manchester Guardian [ Francis Leslie Watson (1907-1988), biographer; Mahatma Gandhi ]
Publication details: 
Greylands, London Road, Amersham. 18 November 1956.
£80.00

2pp., 12mo. 33 lines of text in blue ink. In good condition, lightly-aged. He writes that his family have 'all been listening to your third broadcast on Gandhi with pleasure and admiration'. He cannot imagine 'a better treatment of the subject', and is 'lost in admiration for the skill with which you pieced all these fragments together, and wove out of them a thrilling and convincing narrative [...] The old charwoman at Bow was a delight, and how sympathetic & interesting was Lord Templewood! But there wasn't a "dud" among all your many contributors, both the Indians & the English.

[ Philippe François Lasnon de La Renaudière, French geographer and traveller. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Larenaudiere'), in French, to 'Monsieur Bennis a la librairie Anglaise', Paris

Author: 
Philippe François Lasnon de La Renaudière (1781-1845), French geographer and Anglophile book collector praised by Thomas Frognall Dibdin [ Bennis, Paris bookseller ]
Publication details: 
Paris. 25 January 1831.
£56.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Monsieur Bennis a la librairie Anglaise Rue Neuve St Augustin No 99'. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper. He had believed that he had a reciprocal agreement with Bennis, allowing him to borrow 'quelques volumes du Cabinet Cyclopedia', but he has now learned that Bennis has, 'contre ordre', cancelled his 'demande de Carnets'. As a consequence, 'par reciprocité également', he is returning the four volumes that he last borrowed, and he asks him to close his account.

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