ROBERTSON

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. He had taken on the management of Drury Lane in 1849, and had hoped to profit from the Great Exhibition, but retired from it in 1851, having incurred substantial losses. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, on the first leaf of a bifolium, with the reverse of the second leaf bearing minor traces of mount, as well as the following annotation in a contemporary hand: ?Jas: Anderson Esqre / Lessee Drury Lane / Theatre / T Bateman Esqre. / a P. Whelan?. Anderson addresses to ?Peter Whelan Esqr.? and gives an untidy signature ?James Anderson?.

An amusing and entertaining letter from a man destined for ‘une triste vie et une triste ministère’ (see his entry in the Oxford DNB). 3pp, 16mo. Bifolium. Thirty-seven lines of text, neatly and closely written. In fair condition, worn and grubby. Folded twice for postage. Signed ‘Fred: W: Robertson’. Begins: ‘My dear Miss Smith / Could you but see the piles of books & papers that are as yet only partially disinterred from their temporary coffins you would conceive my dismay and despair at your question. I will become a disciple of Comte to please you.

See his entry in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. A year before these letters Hodgkinson had become an assistant keeper in the Department of Architecture and Sculpture at the Victoria and Albert, where his first task had been to organize the display of the Hildburgh collection of English medieval alabasters. Also in 1946 Robertson had begun his long career at Edinburgh University, having worked through the war at Bletchley Park, before joining the unit assigned to track down works of art looted by the Nazis.

An interesting letter casting light on the Victorian provincial press. Scott’s entry in the Oxford DNB states that, while he was living in Birmingham, ‘H. J. Palmer offered him a staff appointment on the Birmingham Gazette; but he had to leave when he stipulated that, as a Liberal, he should write nothing in support of the Conservative cause. He was working again as a freelance when, in 1887, he was invited by W. T. Stead to join him on the Pall Mall Gazette. He worked for six years on that paper under Stead and then Edward T. Cook.’ 4pp, 12mo. On bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight creasing to one corner. Folded once. In addition to the signature ‘Stanley Rous’, the salutation ‘Dear Max’ is written in Rous’s autograph. (Robertson’s full Wandsworth address is typed out at the head.) The note reads: ‘The enclosed translation of an article which appeared in a Continental newspaper has just been handed to me. I sent it on at once, in case it is of help to you.’ See image

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. On grey paper. In fair condition, with a few light creases and two punch-holes to inner margin. Good large signature (‘Anna Neagle.’) in black ink. She thanks him for his letter and kindness in sending the photographs: ‘I think they are excellent.’ She is glad that she was ‘able to get along to the Party’, and thanks him ‘and the Committee’ for making her visit so pleasant.

A nice piece of Oxford Union ephemera, with the three signatures - 'James Robertson-Justice.', 'Compton Mackenzie' and 'Michael Maclagan' - printed in a row on the otherwise blank reverse of the 25.5 x 20.5 cm leaf, which is aged and worn, with closed tears to extremities and a fold line. Printed beneath the text of the advertisement on the other side of the paper is an attractive illustration in imitation of infant drawing, printed in brown, red, green black and white on a pink ground. The entire text reads: 'OXFORD UNION SOCIETY | Thursday, May 26th, 1955, at 8.15 p.m.

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice. The letter begins: 'My dear Lloyds, | However I may grieve at any misunderstanding between you and James - I cannot interfere.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 12mo bifolium, with the two-page letter on both sides the first leaf, and the list of plays on recto of second leaf. In fair condition, aged and worn, with closed tear. Folded three times. Addressed: 'To/ | Chas. Perkins Esqr. | 2 North Place | Hampstead.' The letter begins: 'My dear Perkins, | I have not been able to reply to your last earlier - having been confined to my bed-room ever since the 31st. of July by a most severe attack of inflammation.' He has been obliged to postpone his 'Cork engagement on account of this unseen misfortune'.

The five signatories are: Sir Alfred Claud Hollis (1874-1962), Governor of Trinidad and Tobago, 1930-1936, and author of a historical account of Spanish Trinidad; his wife Enid Mabel Hollis (née Longman), Lady Hollis (1888-1939); Sir Edward Brandis Denham (1876-1938), Governor of British Guiana, 1930–1935, and Jamaica, 1935–1938; Sir Thomas Reginald St Johnston (1881-1950), Governor of the Leeward Islands, 1929-1936; Sir William Charles Fleming Robertson (1867-1937), Governor of Barbados, 1925-1932. On one side of a 13.5 x 16.5 cm leaf of cream paper torn from an autograph album.

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.

2pp., landscape 8vo. In envelope, with stamp and postmark, addressed to 'Miss I. Forbes-Robertson | 30a. Collingham Place | Earls Court | S.W.5.' In good condition, lightly aged. The first part of the letter concerns a lost or stolen letter and cheque. 'Of course I shall pay you - but it is s. sweet of you to suggest the present'. She repeats information she gave in the letter about which artists' materials she would like: 'Paper for water-colour is becoming scarce too but I have some at the moment'.

The three items are in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: 19 October 1916. 2pp., 8vo. In envelope with postmark and stamp, addressed by him to his daughter at 48 Hogarth Road, South Kensington. Referring to his wife the Polish artist Janina Flamm, he regrets that he cannot 'come home for dear Janias birthday' as he cannot get leave. He is enclosing 2s 6d each for her and her brother 'Phip' [Philippe Forbes-Robertson] and sister 'Cecilia' to get presents for their mother. He sends best wishes to his brothers Leonard and Johnston.

8pp., 4to. Stapled in coloured wraps. A frail survival, aged and worn with closed tears. The front cover has the words 'The Game of Life' printed in large gothic type over an illustration of a tapestry. The title page carries the motto: 'The Picture that makes the Dimples to catch the Tears'. There is a long poem of the same title on the second page, and the third page carries the 'Argument' of the film by Walter G. Summers. There is a cast list on the fourth page, and pages five to eight tell 'The Story. There are nine black and white illustrations.

2pp., small 4to. Printed in black and red ink on the rectos of the two leaves of a bifolium. The heading and the words 'Tickets 15s. each' at the foot of the page in gothic type, the rest in roman. The names of 23 'Patronesses' given in two columns on the first page, beginning with 'The Countess of Ancaster' and ending with 'Mrs. Alfred Scott-Gatty'. The names of 24 'Steward' in a column on the second page, beginning with 'Harold Bompas, Esq.' and ending with 'Roland Vaughan Williams, Esq.' At foot of second page: 'Tickets can be procured from the Hon. Mrs.

'La Vagabondo' (The Tramp) was the organ of 'La Esperantista Vagabonda Klubo', founded and edited by the artist Caroline Oxenford. Having previously been named 'La Vagabonda Monatajo' (January to March 1908) and 'La Vagabondisto' (April to July 1908), it became 'La Vagabondo' from September 1908. The First World War put an end to both club and magazine. The four issues are in fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Uniform in design, and each 12pp., 4to. (although the last number is slightly taller), in printed wraps carrying advertisements. The three numbers from '2-a Serio' (all by 'W. G.

9pp., 4to. In good condition, on nine leaves of lightly-aged paper. With three deletions in pencil. A stalwart of the Garrick Club, Forbes-Robertson was a friend of Dame Ellen Terry, Oscar Wilde and Sir Edward Elgar, and organised Sir Henry Irving's funeral with Bram Stoker. There is no indication that this paper was ever published.

An interesting collection of material relating to trades unions in the paper industry, and a scarce survival. The University of Birmingham, which holds a small collection of pre-twentieth-century material relating to the Original Society of Papermakers, notes that 'Few records have survived, including papers kept by chance and found within later correspondence'.

The nine items are all 12mo, and bound together without wraps, with the whole disbound from a volume. In fair condition, with minor signs of age and wear. All titles are drophead. ONE: 'Account of the Formation, Principles, and Objects of the Liverpool Financial Reform Association, [...]'. 12pp. TWO: 'Financial Reform Tracts. No. 1.' 16pp. THREE: 'Financial Reform Tracts. No. 2. Pension List. (Second Edition).' 8pp. FOUR: 'Financial Reform Tracts. No. 3. Taxation. - Part I.' 15 + [1]pp. FIVE: 'Financial Reform Tracts. No. 4. The Army, Ordnance, Commissariat, Navy, Colonies.' 15 + [1]pp.

Smith's entry in the Oxford DNB explains the background to this pamphlet, explaining that he was 'commissioned to write some articles on biblical subjects for the ninth edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and the first two of these appeared in 1875—‘Angel’ in volume 2 and ‘Bible’ in volume 3. These articles marked a turning point in his career. The Bible was regarded by the Free Church of Scotland as ‘the supreme rule of faith and life’, and so anything that might seem to undermine its authority was bound to arouse opposition.

1p., 4to. In good condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. With Royal Society stamp of acknowledgement. Written on behalf of Crouch, who is 'desirious of securing recognition by the R.S.A.', and who has 'supplied us with many designs of high artistic merit or many years and has made a considerable contribution to theh success of our fine art productions.' He praises the 'originality of design and the high artistic merit of his work', and considers that 'his work for industrial art deserves the highest recognition', being 'easily recognizable' and in a 'style distinctly his own'.

14 + 1 pp., 12mo. Stapled. In fair condition, aged and worn, with rusted staples and loss to last leaf (not affecting text). A few pencil notes to the margins. 170 lots. The titles listed on the cover give an indication of the nature of the library: 'Ruskin's Modern Painters, 5 vols. | "Punch," 113 vols. | Encyclopaedia Britannica, 22 vols. | Blackie's Imperial Dictionary, 4 vols. | Royal Academy Pictures, 1891-1894. | Hogarth's Works, large folio. | Berwick's History of British Birds. | Whitaker & Thoresby's History of Leeds. | Gent's History of Ripon, 1733. | Notes and Queries, 60 vols.

64pp., 12mo. In illustrated coloured printed wraps, with the front cover showing a selection of well-fed farmyard animals on a green in front of what looks like Windsor Castle. With three plates printed in brown: '"Sport Provided"' (boy hiding under bridge tampering with maid's fishing line), 'An Old Offender' by G. E. Robertson (double page, man in eighteenth-century dress shaking his fist at a donkey in a pound) and '"The Omnibus Driver's Story"' (omnibus driver and four passengers). In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight staining to back cover.

1p., foolscap 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Headed: 'Trustees of Lieut. J. Boyd or Executors of Lieut. Genl. Robertson on account of Mr. Boyd | To Dr Stevenson'. Docketted on reverse: 'Copy | Account | Due by the Trustee of Lieut: J. Boyd to Doctor Steavenson | 1813 | Compd. J.W.' and 'Genl. Robertsons Trustees Order | by you for Remitting

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The 'Note of Fees' is 1p., 4to, and comprises 11 charges totalling

The three items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The accounts are both 1p., foolscap 8vo., and written in a sprawling uneducated hand. The first account is headed 'Genl Robertson to Duncan Robertson', and deals with the period from December 1808 to April 1809. Totalling £6 18s 2d, it includes 'two box Dubessons opiate', 'two bottles oil of rose', 'Two Crop wigs', 'Blacking', 'Riggs magnetic Tablet', 'a lib of old windsor soap', 'pott pomatum'. The second account is headed 'Mrs Genl Robertson to Duncan Robertson'.

2pp., foolscap 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Docketted on reverse of second leaf, including the information that this is the second recording (the first being made at the time of the document in 1814). The extract ('Sexto') concerns the payment of an 'Annuity of Eleven hundred pounds Sterling bequeathed to he said Mrs. Catherine Robertson by the said Lieut. General Archibald Robertson'. Robertson is the subject of a portrait by George Romney, now in the Museum of Fine Art, St Petersburg, Florida.

On a piece of 8.5 x 19 cm watermarked paper. In good condition, lightly aged. One side carries the receipt: 'Col. Archd. Robertson | To Jno. Nerot and A. Naudies | 1797 Novem 30th. To 2 Natural Hair Curld Bob Wigs . . . . 4. 4. 0 | Another do do Loose Curl Scratches . . . . 2. 2. 0 | 2 pairs of Silk wig Laced . . . . 0. 1. 0 | Boxes & Packing Case &c . . . . 0. 2. 6 | £6. 9. 6 - | Receivd the Contents for Self & Jno. Nerot By Me - A. Naudies'. The other side is docketted by Robertson: 'Receipt | Naudies for Wigs | Novr. 1797 | £6. 9. 6'.

11pp., foolscap 8vo. Stitched together and folded into the customary packet. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with tears along the crease lines of the last leaf.. The document begins: 'Know all Men by these presents, That I Lieutenant General Archibald Robertson of Lawers, Considering that by a Trust Ded execute by me of my heritable and moveable Estate and effects generally and particularly therein described bearing date the twenty ninth day of November One thousand Seven hundred and Ninety nine years to and in favours of William Robertson Esq Advocate, James Bruce Esq.

Typed Letter: 4to, 1 p. Good, on aged paper, with dog-eared and punch-holed top left-hand corner. He is pleased that 'Hill' got the post as Noon's house surgeon, and that they found 'another Barts. man for Mr. Britain, a student who I know very well, named Palmer'. Autograph Letter: 12mo, 2 pp. Good, on aged paper. Hoping that both Noon and his wife are in better health.