MANUSCRIPT

[Bonamy Price, political economist.] Autograph Note Signed ('B Price').

Author: 
Bonamy Price (1807-1888), Drummond Professor of Political Economy at Oxford
Publication details: 
Norham Gardens, Oxford. 28 February [no year].
£75.00

On slip of paper, 7 x 13 cm. Reads: 'Norham Gardens. Oxford | Feb 28. - | I send a second article on Free Trade. | B Price'. In purple pencil on reverse: 'Bonamy Price | Professor Poll. Economy | Oxon.'

[Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, first Baron Redesdale.] Autograph humourous 'verses on the Battle of the Sunflower on "The Batsford Nondescript"', in the form of a dialogue between botanists A. H. Wolley-Dod and Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer.

Author: 
Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, first Baron Redesdale (1837-1916), diplomatist and author, grandfather of the celebrated Mitford sisters [Anthony Hurt Wolley-Dod; Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Batsford Park, Moreton-in-Marsh. Dated in another hand 28 September 1896.
£180.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip from stub adhering to edge of second leaf. The page is headed 'Private & Confidential', and the poem is preceded by the following note: 'I must send you the verses on the Battle of the Sunflower on "The Batsford Nondescript". A twenty-four line poem, in six four-line stanzas, on the theme of a disagreement over the naming of a specimen, between the botanist Anthony Hurt Wolley-Dod (1861-1948) and the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer (1843-1928).

[Agricol-Hippolyte de Lapierre de Châteauneuf ['Citoyen Châteauneuf '], French author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Châteauneuf'), in French, to an unnamed individual

Author: 
Agricol-Hippolyte de Lapierre de Châteauneuf ['Citoyen Châteauneuf '] (1766-1842), French author
Publication details: 
Without date or place. [Paris, circa 1815.]
£180.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged paper, with a thin strip torn away at head, and the bottom right-hand corner detached from the rest of the letter, and repaired with archival tape, the tear running through the signature. The letter begins: 'Parmi Les grands hommes qui ont servi l'Etat, nos anciennes Croniques et L'histoire nomment vos encêtres.' He wishes to include the most celebrated of these 'dans mon histoire des Grands Capitaines de La france depuis Le Connétable du Guesclin jusqu'au maréchal de Saxe, ou dans mon Dictionnaire historique des hommes illustres de La france'.

['Marie Corelli' [Mary Mackay], English popular novelist.] Autograph Signature ('Marie Corelli') removed from letter.

Author: 
'Marie Corelli' [pseudonym of Mary Mackay (1855-1924)], Victorian popular novelist
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£23.00

On 3 x 12.5 slip of paper cut from foot of letter. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The reverse reads '[...] think of me! I fear [...] I was threatened your [...]'.

['Marie Corelli' [Mary Mackay], English popular novelist.] Autograph Signature ('Marie Corelli') removed from letter.

Author: 
'Marie Corelli' [pseudonym of Mary Mackay (1855-1924)], Victorian popular novelist
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£23.00

On 5 x 11 cm slip of paper cut from foot of letter. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The reverse reads '[...] in these dark days [...] interest! It is so [...] of you to sent it, [...]'.

[Notable Quakers in Georgian England.] Autograph Album of Lydia Davis of Alstone Green, with 120 contributors including Thomas Pole, Joseph Storrs Fry, Thomas Shillitoe, Joseph Sturge, Jeremiah Holme Wiffin, Christopher Healy and John Wilbur.

Author: 
Lydia Davis of Alstone Green, Gloucestershire [Thomas Pole, Joseph Storrs Fry, Thomas Shillitoe, Joseph Sturge, Jeremiah Holme Wiffin, Christopher Healy and John Wilbur; Quakers; Society of Friends]
Publication details: 
[Alstone Green, Gloucestershire.] Between 1800 and 1862 (mainly between 1820 and 1847).
£1,250.00

Apart from one contribution dating from 1800, three from the 1850s and two from the 1860s, all contributions date from between 1820 and 1847. 237pp., 4to, with eight items loosely inserted (including four coloured botanical drawings on card) and three-page partial index of contributors. In contemporary black leather binding, with embossed pattern and gilt border on front board, marbled endpapers, and all edges gilt. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, in rebacked binding, worn at spine, with new label.

[Sir Robert Graham, merchant banker.] Two letters from the firm of Sir Robert Graham & Co to an unnamed recipient, the first regarding a dishonoured draft and the second on the payment of two approaching bills.

Author: 
Sir Robert Graham, merchant banker [Sir Robert Graham & Co., 2 Walbrook, City of London]
Publication details: 
[Sir Robert Graham & Co., 2 Walbrook, City of London.] Both from London, the first dated 30 March 1829, and the second 28 April 1829.
£45.00

Both items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Both 1p., 4to, and both signed 'Robert Graham & Co.' ONE (30 March 1829): Docketed on reverse: 'Letter from Sir R Graham respg Hunts Bill'. They have already informed him that his 'draft on Hunt of £20 was dishonoured & noted for nonpayment', and now 'have now to intimate that your draft on Foreman for the same amount has met the same fate'. Consequently they request a remittance. TWO (28 April 1829): They are 'rather surprised' that they have received no reply to their letter of 14 April.

[Printed item.] A Catalogue of Books by or relating to Dr Johnson & Members of his Circle offered for Sale by Elkin Mathews, Ltd. With an Introduction by John Drinkwater.

Author: 
John Drinkwater; Elkin Mathews, Ltd., London booksellers [A. W. Evans; Edward Gathorne-Hardy (1901-1978); Dr Samuel Johnson; Johnsoniana]
Publication details: 
London: Elkin Mathews, Ltd. 4a Cork Street, W.1. 1925. [Cambridge: Printed in Great Britain by Walter Lewis at the University Press.]
£180.00

vi + 110 + [1]pp., 8vo. Frontispiece. In grey printed wraps. Nicely printed. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with minor damp staining to corners. The firm's fifth catalogue, compiled by partners Evans and Gathorne-Hardy.

Typed list of 'Documents in connection with George V's long illness. in 1928' by Lord Dawson of Penn [Bertrand Dawson, 1st Viscount Dawson of Penn], who attended on the king in his last illness, and hastened his death with a lethal injection.

Author: 
Bertrand Dawson (1864-1945), 1st Viscount Dawson of Penn [Lord Dawson of Penn], Physician-in-Ordinary to King George V, whose death he hastened while attending on him in his last illness [euthanasia]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [London: c. 1929?]
£50.00

1p., 4to. On piece of wove paper, watermarked 'Gray Valley | Parchment'. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Neatly folded, and inserted in a brown paper envelope, carrying the following typed note on its front: 'List of Contents of documents of illness of King George V in 1928 and death.' The list is from the papers of Lord Dawson of Penn. It contains fifteen numbered items, and is headed 'Documents in connection with George V's long illness. in 1928', without authorial attribution. Item 8 is 'Lord Dawson's notes on the King's illness | Also notes from Sir H. Rolleston and Sir R.

[William Ford, Birmingham gun maker.] Manuscript letter from the firm to F. Gardner, giving the cost of improving the shooting of his 'little .410'. On letterhead with much text as advertisement.

Author: 
William Ford, Gun Maker, "Eclipse" Works, 15, St. Mary's Row, Birmingham
Publication details: 
Letterhead of William Ford, Gun Maker, "Eclipse" Works, 15, St. Mary's Row, Birmingham. 21 February 1907.
£56.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged paper with wear to extremities. Addressed to 'F. Gardner Esq | Little Coggeshall | Essex'. The letter is signed 'Wm Ford | Per Pro' and reads: 'Dear Sir | In reply to your kind enquiry the cost to improve the shooting of your little .410 would be about 10/- if a double gun as near as I can tell without seeing it. | Trusting to be favoured with your kind command'. The letterhead contains a mass of text at the head and filling the left-hand margin.

[Thomas John Dibdin, playwright.] Autograph Letter Signed ('T Dibdin') to the Pall Mall bookseller Clement Chapple, regarding terms for his 'New Opera'. With Signed Autograph Copy of Chapple's reply on reverse.

Author: 
Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841), playwright and actor [Clement Chapple (d.1835), bookseller and publisher in Pall Mall, London]
Publication details: 
Dibdin's letter: place not stated; 'Sep 11 - mn' [dated in pencil in another hand '1824']. Copy of Chapple's reply: 'Pall Mall [London] Sep 12'.
£280.00

Dibdin's letter: 1p., 12mo. On bifolium, with the Signed Autograph Copy of Chapple's reply (also 1p., 12mo) on the reverse of the same leaf. Reverse of second leaf addressed to 'C. Chapple Esq', with a nineteenth-century shelfmark at the foot of the page: 'C.68.Coll.CR.' In fair condtion, on aged paper.

[First World War Royal Navy Night Order Book.] Autograph Signed night order book of Lieut. Commander E. T. R. Chambers, relating to the destroyers HMS Kennet, HMS Welland and HMS Otter, and mostly spent around China.

Author: 
Lieut. Commander Ennis Tristram Ratcliffe Chambers (b.1884), Royal Navy [HMS Kennet; HMS Welland; HMS Otter; Commander R. M. Alleyne, RN]
Publication details: 
In 'S.553' Night Order Book ('Revised December, 1910') by Waterlow & Sons Limited, Printers, London Wall, London. 25 October 1911 to 4 March 1915.
£400.00

82pp., small 4to. In good condition, on lightly aged paper, in worn black cloth, with large printed official 'NIGHT ORDER BOOK' label on front cover, to which Chambers has added 'Captain's' in large letters, and 'TO BE RETURNED TO MY CABIN'. Ruled pages, with printed 'NIGHT ORDER BOOK, H.M.S. [name of ship in manuscript] | ORDERS.' at head.

[John Rudge Harding, actor.] Fifteen Autograph Letters Signed ('J. Rudge Harding' and 'Rudge') to actor 'Anmer Hall' [Alderson Burrell Horne]

Author: 
John Rudge Harding (1862-1932), English actor [Alderson Burrell Horne ['Anmer Hall'] (1863-1953), actor-manager and owner of the Westminster Theatre]
Publication details: 
Most from 34 Elm Park Mansions, Park Walk, Chelsea. Three on letterheads of the British Red Cross Society, 83 Pall Mall. Two on letterhead of the Green Room Club, 49 Leicester Square. Undated (one from 1917 and the rest from around the same time).
£350.00

The fifteen items are in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Totalling 19pp., 12mo; 4pp., 8vo; 1p., 4to. Eleven signed 'Rudge', three 'J. Rudge Harding', and one 'J. Rudge H.' Ten addressed to 'My dear Alderson', four to 'My dear Horne', and one to 'My dear Alderson Horne'. A friendly, chatty correspondence.

[James Henry Savory, photographer and caver.] Typed Letter Signed ('James H. Savory') to 'Mr. Langsford', regarding E. W. Savory's collection of Italian 'ancient Marbles', with a manuscript article on the same subject by 'Caleb White'.

Author: 
James Henry Savory (1889-1962), professional photogapher and caver [Caleb White; E. W. Savory Ltd, Bristol printers and publishers; John A. Marshall, architect; Westminster Cathedral]
Publication details: 
Letter on letterhead of Park Row Studios, Bristol. 15 November 1910. Manuscript on 'Ancient Marbles' dated July 1910.
£135.00

ONE: Savory's letter. 1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. He begins by stating that he has 'now heard that the whole of the specimens which have been prepared are at Messrs Arthur Lee & Bros., Hayes. As I told you before Mr. John A.

Signed Manuscript Indenture on vellum, with seals, 'Between The Right Honorable Anthony Earl of Meath [...] and Arthur Thomas of the City of Dublin Gentleman', regarding the renewal of a lease.

Author: 
Anthony Brabazon (1721-1790), 8th Earl of Meath, Irish peer [Arthur Thomas of Dublin]
Publication details: 
[Dublin.] 30 January 1777.
£400.00

On one side of a small skin (c.35 x 43 cm). In fair condition: somewhat worn and aged. Laid out in the usual fashion, with embossed tax stamp in margin. Signed on gutter 'Meath' and 'Arth; Thomas', with the signatories two seals in red wax (both cracked and with some loss). In English. Signatures of the two witnesses on reverse: 'Nichs. Thompson' and 'Joh Morrisson'. Scan on application.

Early seventeenth-century Vellum Manuscript Indenture, a Fine between Thomas Jurdon and John Jurdon, plaintiffs, and Thomas Hollande, wife Anne, Laurence Husloke and wife Mary, defendants, of a messuage &c in Bishopps Cleeve and Woodmancott.

Author: 
[Thomas Jurdon; John Jurdon; Thomas Hollande; Anne Hollande; Laurence Husloke; Mary Husloke; Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire; Woodmancott, Hampshire]
Publication details: 
[Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire, and Woodmancott, Hampshire.] Hilary Term 15 James I [1616/1617].
£200.00

On one side of a piece of vellum (roughly 15 x 37 cm). In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. In Latin. In an attractive close hand.

Elizabethan manuscript vellum bond of Robert Mote of Lambeth Surrey yeoman to William Evans citizen and merchant tailor of London, concerning a messuage in the Parish of St Saviour's Southwark.

Author: 
[Robert Mote of Lambeth; William Evans, citizen of London and merchant tailor]
Publication details: 
[London.] 3 June 22 Eliz. [1580].
£300.00

On one side of a small skin of vellum (circa 28 x 29 cm). In fair condition, aged and worn. In English, with signed Latin note on reverse by a notary public. Boundaries given. Scan on application.

Seventeenth-century Vellum Manuscript Indenture, a Terrier of John Head's lease lands in West Hendred, Berkshire.

Author: 
[John Head of Langley, Hampstead Norreys, High Sheriff of Berkshire, 1698-1699; terrier his lease lands in West Hendred]
Publication details: 
[West Hendred, Berkshire.] Late seventeenth-century.
£220.00

On one side of a strip of vellum (circa 40 x 18 cm). In fair condition, aged and worn. In English. Scan of part on application

Signed seventeenth-century Vellum Manuscript Indenture, an Exemplification of a fine between John Dent and Thomas Hutchinson, plaintiffs, and William Mankin and Anne his wife, defendants, re a messuage and lands in Thirne [Thorne, Yorkshire].

Author: 
[John Dent; Thomas Hutchinson; William Mankin; Anne Mankin; Thirne [Thorne, Yorkshire]]
Publication details: 
[Thirne [Thorne, Yorkshire].] 19 June 15 Charles I [1639].
£250.00

On one side of a piece of vellum (roughly 32 x 43 cm). In fair condition, aged and worn, with the remains of the seal sewn up in a cloth bag. With monogram signature in customary place on gutter tab. Ruled with red lines, and with ornate initial capital and decorative margin at head. Docketed on reverse. In Latin. Scan on application.

[Lichfield House, Richmond upon Thames.] Nine indentures, deeds, and other property documents, including one signed by novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon and her son, another by her husband William Babbington Maxwell, and one by Sir Henry George Norris.

Author: 
Lichfield House, Richmond upon Thames, owned by novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon [Mrs Maxwell] (1835-1915), Sir Henry George Norris (1865-1934), MP, Henry Lascelles (1690-1753), MP and slave owner
Publication details: 
[Relating to Lichfield House, Sheen Road, Richmond upon Thames.] London; between 1914 and 1933.
£250.00

Lascelles bought Lichfield House in 1729, and committed suicide there in 1753. The enormous success of Braddon's novels 'Lady Audley's Secret' (1862) and 'Aurora Floyd' (1863) allowed her to buy Lichfield House, where she too died. It was demolished in the 1930s. ONE: Manuscript indenture on vellum. 'Mrs. M. E. Maxwell to G. M. Maxwell Esq | Conveyance of freehold property known as "The Homestead" Sheen Road Richmond Surrey'. 10 June 1914. 4pp., 8vo, with covering page. Laid out in usual fashion, bound with green ribbon with tax stamps, Land Registry stamp, and two seals in red wax.

[The Morgan Motor Company Limited, Malvern.] Double-column account book of 'The Morgan Motor Company, Limited, in account with Lloyds Bank Limited, Malvern', detailing disbursements to companies and individuals, mainly within the motor industry.

Author: 
The Morgan Motor Company Limited, Malvern, Worcestershire, established in 1910 [Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan (1881-1959), English sports car manufacturer]
Publication details: 
The Morgan Motor Company, Limited, Malvern, Worcestershire. From May 14 1927 to May 31 1929. [Printed by Lloyds Bank Limited, Malvern]
£850.00

[4] + 288pp., 8vo. In vellum-style cream cloth binding with flap and front pocket. Internally in good condition, lightly-aged, in somewhat grubby binding. In manuscript across front cover: 'May 1927 May 31 1929 | Morgan Motor Company Limited'. The volume gives a valuable sidelight into the finances of an iconic British firm, during a boom period in its history, and place the company squarely at the centre of a network of other firms within the motoring industry.

[Rev. Dr Henry Christmas.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Christmas') to Arthur Hall, discussing the plan of a magazine, with the names of contributors and sub-editors of sections, for a prospectus, and describing a section of 'Lyra Evangelica'.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Henry Christmas [Noel-Fearn] (1811-1868), editor and numismatist [Arthur Hall, London publisher [Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co., Paternoster Row]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£90.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and unevenly-sunned paper. He begins by giving six numbered points which 'will do for the Introduction' to a prospectus for a magazine. The first reads: 'The biographical & archaeological portion of the Magazine will be placed under the superintendance of the Revd Professor Christmas, M.A.

[Philip Augustus Hanrott, book collector.] Autograph Note Signed ('P. A. Hanrott.') to an unnamed recipient, subscribing to 'the work mentioned in the Prospectus'.

Author: 
Philip Augustus Hanrott (1776-1856), English book collector
Publication details: 
Great Ormond Street [London]. 29 August 1829.
£75.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Hanrott writes that he has received the recipient's letter on his 'return to Town', and that he will be pleased to subscribe 'to the work mentioned in the Prospectus you inclosed to me, & should wish to have a large Paper Copy'. He hopes that 'it may meet with that liberal encouragement, which it's [sic] importance & usefullness [sic] deserves'. He concludes in the hope that 'it is to be conducted under your auspices'.

[James Shergold Boone, cleric and author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. S. Boone') to John Silk Buckingham, praising him and his 'undertakings', with reference to his own 'letter to Mr Raikes Currie'.

Author: 
J. S. Boone [James Shergold Boone] (1799-1859), English cleric and author [James Silk Buckingham (1786-1855), Cornish author, orientalist, and Member of Parliament; Raikes Currie (1801-1881), MP]
Publication details: 
2 Stanhope Street, Hyde Park Garden [London]. 31 March 1849.
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Having just received Buckingham's letter, he writes that he 'cannot but feel much gratified that my letter to Mr Raikes Currie should have in any way attracted the notice of a Gentleman like yourself whose name is so well known in connexion with our literature and our social progress.' He concludes by expressing an interest in the 'undertakings which have engaged, and now engage' Buckingham's attention, and by wishing him every success.

[G. A. Aitken, editor.] Autograph Letter Signed and Autograph Note Signed to the London publishers George Routledge & Sons, correcting a proof and discussing a reprint of his edition of the 'Spectator', with copy of a typed reply from the firm.

Author: 
G. A. Aitken [George Atherton Aitken] (1860-1917), author and editor [George Routledge & Sons, Ltd, London publisher; the Victorian book trade; English bookselling and publishing]
Publication details: 
Aitken's ALS and ANS both on letterhead of 42 Edwardes Square, Kensington, W. [London] 3 and 6 December 1907. Copy of typed reply from George Routledge & Sons, Ltd, London. 4 December 1907.
£100.00

All three items in good condition, on lightly aged paper. The two Aitken letters are both signed 'G A Aitken'. ONE: ALS by Aitken, 3 December 1907. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He begins by suggesting an emendation to a note on an 'enclosed proof' regarding Dr Pearce and 'The Tatler'. He then discusses a reprint by the firm of his edition of the 'Spectator', which he has not seen. 'If it bears a current date on the title-page, I trust you have preserved the date to the Preface, to show that I have not revised the work.

[Catherine Penna, soprano.] Autograph Letter Signed to '- Wilkinson Esq', accepting an engagement at the Brighton Aquarian, on the reverse of two pages of printed 'eulogistic criticisms' of 'Miss Catherine Penna'.

Author: 
Catherine Penna (d.1894), English soprano [Sir Julius Benedict; the Norwich Festival; Madame Albani]
Publication details: 
38 Marylands Road, St Peter's Park, London, W. 1 October [1881].
£90.00

Letter and printed text both on a 12mo bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Letter: 2pp., 12mo. Docketed with stamp of the Brighton Aquarium. She writes that she is 'happy to accept an Engagement for a Saturday Concert at the Brighton Aquarium as Principal Soprano' and will do her best 'to meet your terms'. Printed text: 2pp., 12mo.

[Captain G. Skeffington Smyth, Adjutant, The Motor Volunteer Corps.] Typed Letter Signed, a circular requesting that the recipient 'assist the Admiralty [...] by helping to drive the Officers of the French Fleet from London to Maidenhead'.

Author: 
Captain G. Skeffington Smyth [Lt-Col. Geoffrey Henry Julian Skeffington Smyth [FitzPatrick] (1873-1939], DSO, Adjutant, The Motor Volunteer Corps [The Admiralty, London; the Entente Cordiale, 1904]
Publication details: 
29 Sackville Street, London, W. 25 July 1905.
£56.00

1p., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. An interesting document, from the period immediately following the signing of the Entente Cordiale.

[Eighteenth-century ballad.] Manuscript of untitled poem beginning 'Ere ye. read ys. ye. may suppose. | That some new listed Lover. | By means of Poetry has chose. | His Passion to discover.'

Author: 
[Eighteenth-century English manuscript ballad; Georgian popular poetry]
Publication details: 
Early eightheenth century. [Another (later?) version published in the Gentleman's Magazine, London, May 1744.]
£180.00

2pp., on both sides of a strip of 35.5 x 11.5 cm laid paper with fleur-de-lys watermark. In a secretary hand employing the thorn and long s. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. An untitled forty-line poem, divided into five numbered eight-line stanzas. The narrator is an older married woman, advising a younger woman not to marry, with observations on the frailties of the male sex. The first stanza reads: 'Ere ye. read ys. ye. may suppose. | That some new listed Lover. | By means of Poetry has chose. | His Passion to discover.

[Tonbridge Cricket Week, 1894-1909.] Manuscript 'Minute Book' of the Committee of Subscribers to the Tonbridge Cricket Week, with entries signed by Tom Pawley, H. A. L. Rudd, and others, and numerous newspaper cuttings inserted.

Author: 
Tonbridge Cricket Week, 1894-1909 [Tom Pawley (1859-1923), Kent cricketer; G. A. Floyd; H. A. L. Rudd [Henry Aytone Lindesay Rudd] (1867-1935); W. G. Grace; Ben Greet]
Publication details: 
[Tonbridge, Kent.] 14 February 1894 to 29 January 1909.
£250.00

285pp., 8vo, including newspaper cuttings laid down on 24pp., and one loose cutting. In contemporary black leather half-binding, with brown cloth covers, and 'MINUTE BOOK' in gilt on front. Marbled endpapers. Ticket on rear pastedown of 'W. BLAIR, | Stationer, | Post Office Buildings | TONBRIDGE'. Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in worn binding with front hinge split. Manuscript title: 'Tonbridge Cricket Week. | 1894. | First Held 1890'.

[Julius Parnell Gibson, Keeper of Manuscripts, British Museum.] Two Autograph Letters Signed and one Autograph Note Signed (all three 'J. P. Gibson') to an unnamed woman regarding a collection of 'old deeds', for which he makes an unsuccessful offer.

Author: 
Julius Parnell Gibson [J. P. Gibson] (1868-1929), Keeper of Manuscripts, British Museum, London
Publication details: 
All three on letterhead of the Department of Manuscripts, British Museum, London, WC. 4, 14 and 17 December 1912.
£220.00

Casting an interesting sidelight on the purchasing practices of the British Museum Manuscripts Department. All three items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Totalling 6pp., 12mo. On three bifoliums. ONE: ALS. 4 December 1912. 3pp., 12mo. As it is 'difficult to advise without further information as to the nature of the old papers' he invites her to 'send them up' so that he can 'report whether there is any probability of their purchase by the Trustees of the British Museum'. If they are 'bulky' he suggests sending 'specimens'.

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