LONDON

Bentley is without a doubt the author of this anonymous work, and the present copy comes from the Bentley Archives. viii + 67 + [1]pp., 8vo. In attractive paper-vellum quarter-binding, with red cloth boards on the cover of which the title is stamped in gilt. In good condition, lightly aged. Attractively printed, with title-page in black and red. Divided into six parts: 'Events in the Reign of Edward III', 'English Governors of Brittany'; 'Introductory: The Attack on Vannes', 'The Battle of Saintes', 'The Battle of Mauron' and 'After Mauron'.

Half-penny postcard printed in purple. In fair condition, lightly aged, with thin strip along one edge from former mounting obscuring parts of a few words. Addressed to 'F. Davis Esq. | 4 Upper Phillamore [sic] Place | W.' The communication reads: 'Sir, | I beg to inform you that we have bought out Maltons Gt. Treatise on Perpective in the columns of the Forge & Lathe a fortnightly Journal devoted to Practical Mechanics &c. The Preface appeared in our No. Published yesterday price 6d by post 7d Terms for Subscribers 16/- Yearly 8/- ½ Yearly 4/- Quarterly. | A. Absolon | Publisher'.

The two volumes of diaries of Jean Kilgour Hart cast light on the interesting wartime crossover between the Universities of London and Cambridge. On the evacuation of Queen Mary College to Cambridge at the beginning of the Second World War, both the College administration and male staff and students were accommodated at King’s College. Women staff and students were initially provided with accommodation at Girton College, but from 1940 they were housed in two private houses in Hills Road.

The first letter has the damaged signature 'William: Roupe', the second is signed 'W: Roupell'. ONE (March 1857): 1p., 8vo. Signed autograph draft of a circular Roupell made for his election agent at the time of his first parliamentary contest. On the reverse of a letterhead of 4 Wolsingham Place, Lambeth, which was the office of solicitor R. C. Barton, who was Roupell's election agent (see George Hill, 'Electoral History of the Borough of Lambeth', 1879). In poor condition, heavily worn, with loss to the outer edges and text, including the end of Roupell's signature.

Five items. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. ONE: Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'E. L. Pollock') to W. H. Prince. A total of 6pp. The writer, 'Miss E. L. Pollock', is Benjamin Pollock's daughter Louise, who with her sister Selina managed the shop after his death. All three letters are written in 1944, the year in which the sisters sold the stock to the bookseller Alan Keen. The letters respond to enquiries regarding the stock, and one (12 May 1944) includes an itemised bill of twelve items 'Bought of Pollock's late B Pollock | 73. Hoxton St. London.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with light pencil line by Forsyth through first page. She hopes that she is not 'asking too much' in requesting 'two stalls or a box for the premiere of “Eugene Oneghin” - Friday evening'. If 'not impossible', he would like 'a lunch to be present that night. He asks to be sent word to the Garrick Club.

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. With neat central vertical and horizontal folds. Reads: 'My dear Seymour | Will you direct an early copy to be sent to Lady Herbert. | Ever truly yours | A. Hayward'.

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He begins by stating his great appreciation of 'the kindness of the Committee – I have had a long and sympathetic experience of the Club and the relationship has been to me a happy one from first to last'. Were he able to 'fulfil the duties of the President's office' he would be 'strongly tempted to accept their generous inviation and stand for re-election.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The year of writing is supplied in a contemporary hand. Beside his address at the head if the ketter Tayler writes: 'This will sound tarnation rural in the catalogue.' He begins the letter by explaining that he is 'dating from my little Cottage here', and that he has let his house in town, 'reducing my Rent to less than half and I can paint to more purpose and without interruption of idle Callers here'. The delay in replying has been occasioned by 'so much of bustle and packing'.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with tissue labels from mount adhering to the blank reverse. Tinsley Brothers of 8 Catherine Street, Strand, were Ainsworth's publishers during this period. The letter begins: 'Dear Mr. Tinsley, | You are quite incorrigible.' Ainsworth complains that Tinsley has sent him a letter, 'delayed since Novr. 11th. last', and that he has 'been obliged to write a long letter of explanation and apology'. He hopes that 'the lady – for the writer is a lady – will be satisfied'.

Written on both sides of a 13 x 11 cm piece of paper. Cropped, resulting in loss of text from both sides, and with the front of the letter (i.e. the side not bearing the signature) bearing traces of glue from mount. Otherwise in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Ford begins by stating that Colville's 'letter of the 7th has been to Heavitree [his country house near Exeter] & back, & only reached me this morning'. He continues by explaining that 'The Manzanilla is to be had at Gormans 16.

The forty cards are printed in black on one side, engraved in the customary copperplate, and laid out in the conventional way. Dimensions 5.5 x 8.5 cm. In good condition, lightly aged. Most are arranged in pairs, separated with tissue leaves. In 'drawer' inside 9.5 x 6 x 2 cm box, printed on all sides with the firm's details. On front: '50 Finest Quality De La Rue's Thin Ivory Visiting Cards' and the firm's address. Written on the front, presumably by Jamison is 'Lady Margaret Hall Oxford'.

On small square of laid paper. In fair condition, aged and worn, with loss to one corner from opening of the wafer, and tape staining to two edges. Received 19th June 1814 of Messrs. Snow & Co a Box of Jewells [sic] The Property of Lady Elizabeth Palk which was deposited with them about the latter End of June, last year - | Shaftesbury'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of glue on reverse of blank second leaf. He thanks him for his 'kind remembrance', and undertakes to 'come with much pleasure to Clarence House, a little before the time of Inspection and bring two friends'. The letter concludes: 'Meantime we must not forget that you and I are going to set apart some afternoon to make a sentimental pilgrimage into the Past in some corner of old London!'

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Letterhead in black and red ink. In fair condition, aged and worn, with creasing at head. A sensitive letter of condolence, beginning: 'Dear Willy | I was so shocked to hear on Thursday of the great loss you have sustained, and I hesitated to write to you, for letters of condolence are such empty useless things. But on the other hand I dont want you to suppose that I feel indifferent to anything that touches you so closely & deeply.

Written (perhaps appropriately) in a somewhat childish hand.

Six items from the Rothermere papers, on disparate subjects, casting light on the workings of 1930s Fleet Street. In good condition, lightly aged. The six are described below in chronological order. ONE: Typed Copy of letter, '(sgd) ROTHERMERE', to Donald. Hotel Splendide, 105 Piccadilly, W.1. 12 November 1929. 1p., 4to. The letter begins: 'My dear Donald, | I quite understand all the peculiar difficulties with which you are surrounded in connection with the Anglo-Foreign Newspapers Ltd.

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Will. Jerdan Esq | Grove House | Brompton', with second signature 'Allan Cunningham' at bottom left of address. Docketed on the same page, presumably by Jerdan: 'A Cunningham | Introduction of Mr Bell | Ed. Of Edinh. Lit. Journal'. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The author, recipient and subject of the letter are all Scottish. A spirited and amusing letter: 'My dear friend. | Peace and health be with you in spite of captious authors and high-trotting horses.

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.

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of tape adhering to one edge from mount. He is 'requested by the Committee of our Auxiliary in aid of the London Missionary Society to ask for your presence and assistance at our approaching anniversary in aid of that Institution'. He gives the date and details of the event, to be held at Salem Chapel, including 'a public breakfast in the school room in the morning, and a meeting in the evening'. He names two individuals from whom help is expected, with mention of 'two of the native refugees from Madagascar'.

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. The main topic of the letter is Marshall's work preparing his book 'Prepare to shed them now. The Ballads of George R. Sims' (London: Hutchinson, 1968). A long and characteristic letter. After references to their meeting at the British Museum and to 'that excellent bookseller, Mr Wallace of The Guild Hall Bookshop' ('he showed me a selection of the Dagonet Ballads – nothing like as good as the copy you saw'), he turns to a 'Sims letter' which Spilstead sent him: 'I cant at the moment date it.

On 10.5 x 19.5 cm piece of paper. in good condition, laid down on part of a leaf removed from an album. Good firm signature and strong handwriting. Reads: 'Dear Mr. Bull | It is a pleasure to accede to your request | Truly yours | A: Pearse'.

1p., foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn laid paper, 1.5" closed tear. A printed form which has not been completed in manuscript. At top right: 'No. 40.', and the royal coat of arms at head. A rare and interesting piece of pacifist and Quaker ephemera, and a testament to nonviolent resistance.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. A spirited and characteristic letter. He begins by explaining that he has been 'exceedingly tormented with neuralgia for the last week' and is 'still very ill at ease'. He has not been 'out of doors for some time - & tis quite impossible just now'. He regrets 'missing Dear Old Mozart - & seeing you all', but hopes to 'make up for the loss by being most dreadfully pleasant'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium printed in black on light-blue paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Neat ownership signature at head of first page of Evelyn Parkes of 'Petronella'. Attractive illustration, with Gammon's facsimile signature at bottom right, of a 'wallpaper' of cyclists on front cover, with title. The reverse of the first leaf is headed 'There are Millions of Cyclists' Formed as the Bicycle Touring Club in 1878, it changed its name to the Cyclists' Touring Club in 1883, and was rebranded Cycling UK in 2016.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Addressed to 'W. H. Allchin Esq'. The 'arrangements for the intended Exhibition of the works of the old Masters have already progressed too far' for 'any further works offered [...] on loan' to be considered for acceptance.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. The recipient is an unnamed man and the subject is Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee Procession, London, 21 June 1887. Asking for tickets, if there are 'any good places left', 'to view the procession of the 21st.'

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The male recipient is unnamed. He does not wish him to think that he is indifferent to his application for 'the Volume of <?> life which you have written for'. He continues: 'My Son has got it, and he is away from home. But he is returning shortly and I shall be able to send it to you'. Brown was Minister in Derby, in 1843; at Claylands Chapel, Clapham Road, in 1846; and at Brixton Independent Chapel, Brixton Road, from 1870 until his death.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. She apologises for having missed Mrs Allchin's 'party at the Prince's Hall', as she had to meet her husband 'in Paris on his way home from Italy, and we were detained there longer than we had expected'. She had hoped that they both could have attended the party, but they were 'detained there longer than we had expected'. Louisa Starr married the civil engineer and industrialist Enrico Canziani (1848-1931) in Dover in 1882.

On 22.5 x 6.5 cm slip of paper, ruled in red and blue. In good condition, lightly aged. Beneath the line of sheet music and the accompanying words 'Unless you can think when the Song is done,' is the good firm signature: 'Alfred J. Caldicott | Mus. Bac Cantab'.