LONDON

1p., 4to. On aged and worn paper. Thirty-eight lines of text. Written with the forced Wodehousian bonhommie of a desperate man. He has had an operation at a nursing home, so the beginning of the letter needs to be taken metaphorically: 'My dear Finck, | This is a nice kettle of Fish and no mistake! | Came out of jail day before yesterday, but only on ticket-of-leave. Strict police supervision for two years - finger-prints - strawberry-marks - nothing kept secret! | However, they say they can make a job of it and my tail, such as it is, remains vertical.

Constant Lambert referred to 'In the Shadows' as 'that rightly renowned piece'.For the playing of the song as the Titanic sank, see Ian Whitcomb, 'The Titanic Songbook' (2011) and Steve Turner, 'The Band Played On' (2011). The three items of sheet music are from Finck's papers, and their condition bears testimony to their having been working copies. ONE: 'In the Shadows'. 8pp., 12mo. In poor condition, with outer leaves detached from one another. At head of first page: 'In the Shadows. | Dance. | Piano-Conductor. HERMAN FINCK.' Rest of page blank. Two sections deleted in blue pencil.

[1] + 6pp., folio.Two bifoliums with printed staves, stitched together. A working score, worn and aged, and with the outer leaves detached from one another. Ink blot on front page which only bears the title 'Duet | "Optimist & Pessimist" | Herman Finck'. The score is six pages long, signed at the head by Finck. Neatly written out, with a couple of notes by Finck in blue pencil. On the first page: '"You is a Pessimist" | 3 verses', and on the last: 'Encore Sym & Chorus only'. A new edition of the piece, with words by Adrian Ross, was published in London by Cavendish Music Co.

All three items in good condition, lightly aged and worn, and all in envelopes addressed by him to her at 48 Hogarth Road, South Kensington (the third 'Earls Court'). ONE: 10 June 1916. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He begins by expressing a desire to visit the family, and then gives directions for the use of field glasses which he is sending his father. 'They are German I am sorry to say, but the best.' TWO: 28 December 1917. 2pp., 12mo. He found her 'beautiful drawing' on his return home, and 'Auntie Gertrude will see it today. - I was thirteen days at sea, the ship having to go up to Halifax.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. In envelope addressed by Forbes-Robertson at 79 Netherwood Road, Shepherd's Bush. He thanks him for letting him have his address, and requests a pass for his servant for the following evening's performance of the play 'Mice and Men'. He hopes the servant will return with 'the news I desire viz that you will consent to being pro tem - one of the Hon Secs of the Te Deum Committee.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He expresses the 'deepest regret' at his 'dear friend's death [...] His passing will mean a great loss both to his friends & the world of music.' The word 'Answered' is written at the head. Percy made his in Australia in the productions of J. C. Williamson. He toured America before settling in England. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last pieces played by the orchestra on the Titanic.

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p., 12mo. On aged and worn paper. She has pinned a short newspaper cutting regarding Major Matthew Nathan at the head, and drawn a hand pointing to it. A dinner invitation, concluding 'You had better begin to look out for second hand copies of ""' From the papers of the Harington baronets of Ridlington.

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Collinson is named as Honorary Secretary of the Association on the letterhead. He begins by explaining that he has waited until after the previous day's meeting of the Association to write to her, so that he can convey 'the tributes to your late husband's memory which I felt sure would be shown at this gathering of his friends and colleagues'. 'Mr Frederick Austin as chairman referred to the great loss which we all felt in the passing of Herman Finck, and spoke of his great qualities both as a friend and as a musician.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. 'Your dear husband was one of my oldest and most valued friends in my Savage Club circle; his place can never be filled as you, more than any of us, know and with deep sorrow.' Wareing joined Sir Frank Benson's company in 1900. In 1909 he founded the first Citizens' Theatre in an English-speaking country. On his death The Times (13 April 1942) referred to him as 'a repertory theatre pioneer'. The word 'Answered' is written at the head. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last pieces played by the orchestra on the Titanic.

First proposed by Thomas Horner in 1802, the Regent's Canal was incorporated by John Nash in 1811 in his plans for the development of Regent's Park. Hugely-successful in the nineteenth century despite the rise of the railways, it fell into decline in the early twentieth, but is now firmly established as an amenity of London. The seven items in the present collection are in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Items ONE to FOUR are printed circulars from Snee, transmitting copies 'of the Resolutions this day passed at the General Assembly of Proprietors of the Regent's Canal'.

12pp., 12mo. Stapled pamphlet. On aged paper, with rusted staples. The first report is on pp.2-4, the second on pp.5-8, signed in type (p.8) by Roberts; pp.9-11 carry the 'Report of the Committee', signed in type (p.11) by Roberts and dated 3 November 1905; p.12 carries financial accounts by Roberts for the year 1905. A point of discussion is 'the Bill relating to County Courts, now before Parliament'. From the papers of Sir Richard Harington of Ridlington, 11th Baronet, who is listed among those present at the first meeting, at the beginning of which he made a couple of contributions.

6 + [1]pp., 8vo. In fair condition, aged and worn, with slight damp staining at head. The report, by 'G. R. Dawson, Chairman', is on pp.1-5; p.6 carries resolutions 'Extracted from the Minutes, | James Marshall, Secretary.' Much of the report is taken up with 'a Qui tam Action [...] brought by the Bank of Ireland against the Provincial Bank [...] the object of the Bank of Ireland in that Action, was to question the right of the Provincial Bank to exchange its Notes in Dublin; a right which, from the commencement of business until that time, it had exercised without challenge'.

On both sides of a folio leaf. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Paginated 47-48. The first page is headed 'Establishment of the Forces and Garrison of Gibraltar | A Regiment of Foot | Field & Staff Officers'. Giving the cost by day and year for 'Field & Staff Officers' (in margin: 'A Regiment of Foot'); 'One Company' (in margin: 'Commanded by Brigadier General Fowke'); 'The Pay of Eight Comps: more of the like Numbrs: & Rates as ye. Compy.

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, with the Society's oval date stamp. The RSGS having received a recommendation, 'as a possible lecturer during the coming session', of 'Mr. du Plessis Chiappini who lectured to your Society upon "The Union of South Africa"' and Chisholm has been 'instructed to ascertain, if I can, something about his qualifications as a lecturer'. He would like to know 'how he succeeded when he lectured to your Society'.

1p., 8vo. In good condition, with hole from paperclip at top left, and small rust spot to left-hand margin. Woolton's signature has been underlined by Luckhurst in red pencil. He thanks him for the invitation to take the chair 'at the meeting of the Society on Wednesday, 19th January, when Mr. Gray is reading a paper on "The Industrial Designer and Consumer Goods", but must decline, as he is 'already engaged for the whole of that day'.

10 items. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. All but the last in manuscript. ONE: 'Copy of Order on Call to the Bar', Lincoln's Inn, 'Dated Michas Term 1858.' 1p., 8vo. Signed at foot 'Ml Doyle | Steward.' Reads: 'At a Special Council there held the Sixteenth day of November, in the Twenty second year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady Victoria, and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty eight.

Good firm signature ('Philip Carteret Webb') on damaged leaf of paper with heavy wear to corners and edges, carrying a printed Exchequer receipt for £45, made out to Webb.

Part of printed Exchequer receipt, on one side of a trimmed-down 10 x 17.5 cm. piece of paper. In fair condition, lightly aged, with wear to one corner. Made out to Cope, 'in Repayment of Loan on the late Vote of Credit passed the 5th Day of March, 1716, for 600000 l. to be repaid out of the first Aid to be granted this Session of Parliament', for 'Services of the Publick by Sea and Land'. Signed on reverse: '11th March 1717 | Reced in full | J Cope', with 'Witness | J Miller'.

Printed Exchequer receipt made out in manuscript to 'Francis Earl of Godolphin - Attorney to the Mayor & Comonality of the Borough of Helston assignee of Charles Godolphin Esqr'. On one side of a trimmed-down leaf, 14 x 14.5 cm. In fair condition, lightly aged.

Part of printed Exchequer receipt, on one side of 18 x 17.5 cm piece of paper, titled 'Sir Henry Furnese Bar. in Repayment of Loan on the Twelfth 4s. Aid, Anno 1709.' In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. On the reverse, in a clerk's hand: 'I doe hereby Assigne and transfer all my Right Title and Interest of the within order and talley thereto belonging to the Right Honble. John Lord Hervey or his Assigns'. Signed 'Henry Furnese', and beneath this, in the hand of Lord Hervey (he was created Earl of Bristol in 1714): 'June 15 1710 | Recd the Contents | Hervey'.

1p., 8vo. Printed Exchequer receipt for £25, headed 'Annuities 3700l. per Week', made out to 'Lady Godolphin | Assignee'. In fair condition, on aged paper worn and creased at extremities.

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Headed 'Recordr 4 Mar'. Begins: 'Recd of the Rt. Honble the Lord William Powlett one of the four Tellers of the Recet of his Majys Excheqr the Sum of Two Thousand pounds in farther Parte of an Order dated the 18 day of ffebry 1724'.

On one side of a trimmed-down piece of paper, 19.5 x 12 cm. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Record a payment of £20 to 'Abrah Newland Cashier appointd by the Court of Chancery to receive the Acct of Thos Anguish Esqr Acct Generl of the said Court Assee'.

Part of printed receipt made out to Vere, on one side of a trimmed-down 18 x 12.5 cm. piece of paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Recording the receipt of £42 10s 0d, on behalf of 'Lady Vere & Hble Aubrey Beauclerk'.

Cream card, blank on one side. No address or stamp. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dr Lankester, some days since I asked you to an 8 re Apl. 1. I hope you can come | Lord Avebury & others are come [sic] | Kindly let me know | yours truly | H Thompson'.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Robertson's name in capitals in blue pencil at head. In response to the invitation he writes: 'I should be grateful if you would convey to the Council my thanks for the honour which they have done me in extending this invitation. It gives me great pleasure to accept, and I enclose herewith the application form which you were kind enough to forward.' Note in pencil in another hand at bottom right.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Name in block capitals in red pencil and stamped date at head, with holes to one corner from stapling. The 'matter' of the invitation to Perry to join the Society has 'been delayed because I have been the victim of very distressing domestic illness'. He is sending the completed application, but explains that he has been 'ordered to winter abroad', and is 'leaving for the Bahamas within the month, and will not 'be back in England until the Spring of next year'.

Lowndes was educated at King's College, London, and trained as a journalist. She published two volumes of verse (1911, 1920) and more than forty volumes of fiction between 1897 and 1939. See her entry in Who Was Who. The present three items are in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. In the first two Wyllarde has written 'F.R.G.S.' after her signature. All three carry the Society's stamp. ONE: ALS. 11 February 1913. 2 Belgrave Villas, Crown Hill, South Devon. 2pp., 12mo. She desires an early copy of 'Mr. J.

13 + [3]pp., 8vo. In faded green printed wraps with full title and illustrations. Disbound. In fair condition, on aged high-acidity paper. Subtitle: 'Whereby it is shown that the produce of the soil may be increased from five to seven fold by cultivation.' Now scarce.

12pp., 8vo. In faded green printed wraps. Disbound. In good condition, on aged high-acidity paper. Beneath the drophead title on p.1: 'Can England feed herself?' Now scarce.