MANUSCRIPT

The letters are in fair condition, lightly aged; the card is discoloured and stained. Loosely inserted in a copy of Williams's 'Thomas Cranmer of Canterbury', 75 + [1]pp, 8vo, with the ownership signature 'Christopher Fry' on the front free endpaper, in worn binding with fraying at head of spine. Delightful and revealing letters, mixing personal and business (Williams worked for the Oxford University Press and Fry was published by them). ONE: ALS from Southfield House, 17 December 1941. 2pp, 12mo. Thirty lines of closely-written text, on a leaf of ruled paper torn from a notebook.

115pp, 12mo. In good condition: sound and tight, on browning War Economy paper, in green cloth with slight bloom, and in slightly worn and chipped browning dustwrapper. (The subtitle 'A Play in Three Acts' features on the dustwrapper, but not on the title-page.) Fry's ownership inscription 'Christopher Fry' is in blue ink at the top right-hand corner of the recto of the front free endpaper. A verse drama from the library of the leading twentieth-century English exponent of the genre, after T. S. Eliot.

55pp, 8vo. In fair condition, internally tight and sound, on browning paper, in lightly-worn blue cloth binding. No dustwrapper. Slight dink at head of spine. Ownership inscription 'Christopher Fry' in blue ink at top right-hand corner of recto of front free endpaper. Fry and Williams were on cordial terms, the latter working for Oxford University Press and the former being published by them.

One page MS, sm. folio, from an album, verso, the recto has remnants of other printed material (list of restaurants in London perhaps). Menu Gastronomique listed on left, columnised from L'Abandance des Pates, through Les Quenelles, Le Canard, others, Le gigot froid, La Salade Verte, Les Fromages de France, Le Baba aux fruits frais, concluding with Le Moka. Attendees have signed the right hand column, headed by John Hoare (Secretaire General) but not including Simon (17 signatures).

The letters are in fair condition, lightly aged and worn, except for the third, which is damp-stained with closed tears at head and foot. The book is in fair condition, without dust wrapper. All four letters are signed 'W. H. Davies.' The first three are addressed to 'Mr Harris', and the last (an ANS rather than an ALS) to 'Mr Fry'. Each is 1p, 12mo. Letter One: 23 March 1928; Malpas House, Oxted. After reading his poem, Davies states, 'I begin to think you ought to take some step towards publishing, as soon as you have enough material.

One page, folio, top corner lost with apparently little loss of text, fold marks, small closed tear, faint foxing, mainly good condition. "The undermentioned Arms &c being [expec?]ted to complete the 4th/or King's Own Regiment of Foot: I have the Honour to request that your Grace will receive and transmit His Majesty's commends to the Master General and Board of Ordnance, that the said Arms &c. may be delivbered out of His Majesty's Stores, for the use of the said Regiment, and the Expense thereof charged to the Estimate of Ordnance for Parliament".

4pp, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to one edge. Seventy-four lines of closely and neatly written text. Although the date is somewhat early, the recipient may be Lovell Reeve, editor until 1865 of 'Portraits of Men of Eminence in Literature, Science, and Art, with Biographical Memoirs' (1863-1867). Having received the recipient's letter on his 'return from abroad', Holland states his 'general objection to the biography of living men'.

The background to this letter is explained in Simpson's entry in the Oxford DNB which states that he 'took a deep interest in the movement for better elementary education. He was one of the founders of the Edinburgh modern infant school, in which he attempted to solve the problem of religious education by allowing parents to select religious instructors themselves. Failing to receive adequate support, however, the school was ultimately sold to the kirk session of New Greyfriars.

Total 7 pp., 8vo, bifoliums, sl. battered but text clear and complete, if a bit of a scrawl. Letter One (Ashburn Place): He wants to meet up soon, and gives response to a performance of Gotterdammerung - "no impression". But he goes again "for his sins". Letter Two (Munich): He wonders if his "Friend" has been suffering, wondering what cure he's tried (active or "peace and rest"). He describes his reponse to such a situation. "I fidget and worry too much about things, and wear myself to death when my mind is not occupied". He's been away from Engand for three weeks, "suffering".

One page, cr. 8vo, good condition. He taks health to start off with. Then "I am very glad you have found all I want of the Luxembourg Gall[e]ry. As for the Marquis of Annandale & Lord Glasgow [miniatures?], you did well not to buy them as I believe I can get them here from the families. The first vol[ume] of Valmont [presumably Laclos's" Les Liaisons Dangereuses" ], I am glad you have found. As to Grangers Biography. I am not sure if my Son has not got a copy. at all events let me know the price, as a friend of mine wants it.

Subscription of Autograph Letter, 18 x 7cm, on backing of part of an album page, good conditipon. Text: "request I presumed to make - of being allowed the Honor of styling Myself - Landscape Painter [phrase undelined] to your Royal Highness [underlined] | most respetfully I remain | Sir Your Royal Highness | obed[ient] ser[van]t | Olivia Wilmot Serres".

One page, 16mo, small tear on fold mark, ow good condition, hand showing signs of haste. "Here is the bit I promised you about the Trumpet, if you commence the article with a dewscription of it; this will add on very well. | They want at Richards that Cut of the Roman glass with flowers on it, which I left with you a week or two ago, and which they wait for."

One page, 12mo, fold marks, grubby but text clear and complete. "It appears to me that the fibula [broach or clasp] in question is of the XIthe century, and represents a still ruder imitation of the rude Munus Divinus of Louis-Le-Debonaire. It was for several centuries the custom in France, that all sort of coins or imitations of coins in all the different metals, bearing portraitrs with names, or religious legends & were given as mariage presents. And of course such gifts served also for other sacred and religious ceremonies. And afterwards formed into fibulae [an addition in smaller hand].

Piece of paper, 14 x 7.5cm, signature on reverse of marbled paper, perhaps endpaper of book, and an ownership signature. Good condition.

Three pages, folio, fold marks, dusted, mainly good condition. See "historyofparliamentonline" for the background (one might say shenanigans) to this Subscription. It mentions the "two Tory matrons of Norwich, Mrs Berney and Mrs Charlotte Atkyns" who "who rode through the streets of Norwich holding a pole bearing the colours of Colonel Wodehouse" and who head this list of subscribers.

On 2 x 8 cm slip of paper, cut from document. In good condition, lightly aged, laid down on larger piece of white paper cut from leaf of an album. A distinctive, strong signature, reading 'Geo Cruikshank'. No other text. From the distinguished autograph collection of Richard Hunter, son of Ida Macalpine, whose collection of 7000 books relating to psychiatry is in Cambridge University Library.

The Oxford DNB explains the context of the document: 'During his four absences in Hanover in 1729, 1732, 1735, and 1736–7 [George II] left her as regent entrusted with “all domestic matters”. Foreign affairs were dealt with by the king and the secretaries of state, one of whom accompanied him to Germany, but other affairs were left “entirely to the Queen with the advice of the Lords of the Council”'. 2pp, foolscap 8vo. On bifolium, the verso of the second leaf of which is endorsed: 'Warrant for placing upon Half Pay Captain Stanhope Yarborough'.

3pp, landscape 16mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip from stub of mount still adhering. The male recipient is not named. Thirty-five lines of closely and neatly written text.

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with two fold lines. Thin strip of stub from mount adhering to one edge. The subject of the letter is Frazer's obituary of 'the Rev. Lorimer Fison and Dr. A. W. Howitt' (their deaths being 'two heavy losses' suffered by 'Australian anthropology in particular'), published in Folklore, Vol. 20, No. 2 (Jun. 30, 1909), pp. 144-180. Frazer begins by thanking Wright 'for the copy of my article which you have succeeded in wringing from the clutches of young Mr Nutt', i.e. the publisher of 'Folklore' Alfred Nutt (himself a folklorist).

3pp, 16mo. On bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged. Phillipps's letter (or draft letter) is a reply to a dinner invitation from the wife of the eminent Worcester physician Sir Charles Hastings. It occupies the reverse of the first leaf, and both sides of the second leaf of the bifolium. The recto of the first leaf carries the invitation, in manuscript, with the text in square brackets printed in copperplate: 'Sir Charles & Lady Hastings [Request the pleasure of] Sir Thos & Lady Phillipps' [Company at Dinner] on Thursday the 28th. Inst.

2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, with slight damage at head repaired with archival tape, and thin strip from stub of mount adhering to one edge. He asks Owen to 'alter or add to the paper sent herewith in any way you please, so that it may harmonize with the report you have drawn up, & represent the meaning you may intend to convey'. He will 'call at the College in the course of the day & affix my signature to the completed document'.

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with the text of the letter on both sides of the first leaf, and the address on the reverse of the second leaf, only half of which is present after a central vertical cut. Strip of stub from mount adhering to one edge. Folded three times. The letter is addressed, after the valediction, 'For Mr Churchill', and addressed on the second leaf to 'Mr. Churchill | Prince's Street | Soho'. The letter begins: 'Dear Sir, | I am about to give up lecturing.

Both letters in good condition, lightly aged. Both bifoliums, and both signed 'Charles Hastings'. ONE: 25 January 1846. 4pp, 12mo. He is 'glad to hear' that Phillipps is thinking of 'coming down to one of our evening meetings at the Natural History Society' (Hastings being the chairman). The date for the next meeting will be fixed on the following day, and Hastings' son, who is a member of the committee, will communicate with Phillipps. 'Our last meeting went off very well.

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. The letter is addressed to 'My dear Mrs. Wigan' and begins: 'I am sorry to find that the friends I mentioned to you, have decided on another house already – but if I hear of any one else who would be glad of your very charming house, I will not fail to mention it.' She thanks her for offering to 'help Charlie some day with a word or two of advice – in case he should eventually decide on choosing the Stage as his career'. She would be 'very grateful for your valuable opinion on many points connected with it'.

On one side of 7 x 11.5 cm piece of watermarked laid paper, cut from the letter's envelope, in his bol hand. In fair condition, though somewhat ruckled and aged. Entirely in O'Donnell's hand, and laid out in the customary fashion, with the signature 'Daniel O Connell' between two lines at bottom left. Addressed: 'Dublin December Sixteen [corrected by O'Connell 'eighteen | D O C'] | 1834 | Messs Cox & Co | Army Agents | Craigs Court | London'.

An interesting document, produced on the eve of the establishment of the State of Israel. Full heading on first page: 'Minutes of the Sixth Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Friends of the Tel-Aviv Museum of Art held on the 13th April 1948 at the House of Commons.' 5pp, foolscap 8vo, on five stapled leaves. Paginated and complete. In fair condition, aged and worn, with first leaf detached. Recorded as present are: 'Mrs Barbara Ayrton-Gould [Michael Ayrton's mother and a Member of Parliament] (Sitting-in for the Chairman) | Mr. J. Isaacs | Mr. Michael Ayrton | Mr.

1p, 12mo. Aged and worn. Reads: 'I should very much like to use your article, but we are so crowded with matter that I am afraid there is little chance of finding space for a considerable time and I therefore return the MS with much regret.'

Both in fair condition, lightly aged, on bifoliums, stitched together. ONE: 4 December 1884. 4pp, 12mo. The recipient is not identified. Begins: 'My dear Sir | I am advised by more than one common friend to take the liberty of writing to you. Mr. Oates [publisher], amongst others, tells me that you have great knowledge of old Catholic literature & have collected many curious & valuable books. As I think you see the Tablet, I should like to direct your attention to a letter which I hope may appear in the next or the following number on some points on which I wish for information.

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, on browned paper, with glue from mount adhering to blank reverse. The last leaf of a letter, evidently detached for an autograph hunter. Good bold handwriting. Reads: 'I shall be only too glad to avail myself of it | Yours very sincerely | Alfred Gilbert'.

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. A letter of seventeen lines, written 'In haste'. Written in a difficult hand. He begins by thanking him for his 'Satisfactory note', written in answer to a point by '[Shuter?]' which Richards was 'not able to answer then'. The postscript refers to the 'sad loss […] I never knew a better man & friend'. As a hydrographer on the coast of British Columbia from 1857 to 1862, Richards was responsible for the selection and designation of dozens of place names (e.g.