TRADES

See the entries for Bevin and Ross in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage. Addressed to ‘Sir David Ross, K.B.E., LL.D.’ and signed ‘Ernest Bevin’. Begins: ‘Dear Sir David, / In connection with my general plans I wish as soon as possible to make definite proposals concerning the Fair Wages Clause.’ He understands that ‘discussions between the T.U.C.

See the entries for Bevin and Ross in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Addressed to ‘The Vice Chancellor, / Oxford University’. The two lines of Bevin’s autograph valediction ascending and converging at the same time: ‘Yours sincerely / Ernest Bevin’. He was glad to receive Ross’s letter ‘about the visit of the Greek Regent to this country’. He feels sure that ‘the Regent will wish to accept an invitation to visit Oxford’. He gives tentative dates for his stay, undertaking to ‘have a day at least set aside for this purpose’.

Of the five copies on JISC only that at the BL is from one of the deposit libraries. 21pp, 4to. Collotype of engraving of Caxton as frontispiece. Sewn into grey card wraps with Yapp-style edges and title repeated on cover. In good condition, lightly aged.

See the entry for Thomas Mann in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son and editor of the economist Thorold Rogers [James Edwin Thorold Rogers] (1823-1890), for information regarding whom see his entry in the Oxford DNB. The second letter in good condition, lightly aged and folded once; the first in fair condition, folded three times with a number of short closed tears along creases. Mann is writing in his capacity as Secretary of the London Reform Union (for whose ‘Object’ see the end of this entry). ONE: 12 May 1893. 2pp, 4to.

See Arch’s entry in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son of the economist Thorold Rogers [James Edwin Thorold Rogers] (1823-1890), for information regarding whom see his entry in the Oxford DNB. At the time of this letter the 1892 general election was looming, and the recipient was Secretary of the Publications Department of the National Liberal Federation. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once.

Both 1p, 4to, and in good condition, lightly aged and folded once. Both letters addressed to Hodes at Beit Rosenberg, Keron Heyesod Street, Herzlia-on-Sea, Israel. The subject of the letters is Centre 42, the touring arts group Wesker formed to bring culture to the masses on his release from prison, following a sentence for civil disobedience with the Committee of 100 in opposition to nuclear weapons. The group moved to the Roundhouse in London in 1964.

On one side of a 12mo piece of paper. In good condition, lightly aged, folded once horizontally with traces of glue from mount on blank reverse. Firm signature, underlined. Reads: 'Washington Gledden | Jan 29, 1914'.

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'.

Folder of material from the Jack Pulman papers. 43 items in good condition, lightly aged. The Writers' Guild of Great Britain, established in 1959, is a Trades Union for writers working in television, radio, film, theatre, books and multimedia. Pulman began his career while studying economics, and his understanding of the business side of screenwriting is evident in his arbitration decisions contained in this collection. His distinguished career is well described on the British Film Institute's website.

[4]pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn newspaper stock. Front page headed by National War Aims Committee medallion featuring George slaying the dragon. Introductory note: 'Mr. Samuel Gompers has been president of the American Federation of Labour - with the intermisssion of one year - since 1882. The body of which he is the founder has now a membership of over 2,500,00, and he is consequently entitled to speak authoritatively for organised labour in the United States.' Headings: 'International Conferences' and 'In Freedom's Cause'. No copy in the British Library.

12pp., 8vo. Stapled. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. 'This Statement was delivered to a meeting of the Representatives of Labour called to consider the question of further efforts for the prosecution of the war.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. She begins with criticism of an article 'which has also appeared in the "World", which she is sure 'will vex Mr Whitmore'. She assures Mrs Lewis that no-one will suspect her of involvement, and thanks her for having 'secured the valuable services of Mrs Jay for Park Walk [...] Her playing has been invaluable to us [...] I want to ask her to come on our sub-committee'. She would like Mrs Lewis and her daughter to 'come down & dine & sleep on our island!', the Thames running under the house's verandah.

14 + [2] pp., 12mo. Disbound without covers. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. 'Delivered under the auspices of the Anti-Poverty Society at the Cooper Institute, New York, on Sunday, March 3, 1889, for the benefit of the Street-Car Drivers and Conductors out of employment through the late strike.' Scarce: the only copy on COPAC in Oxford.

The eight items are unbound, in fair condition, on aged paper with loss to extremities of some documents.ONE: Printed parliamentary bill: 'Compulsory Weighing and Measurement. | A Bill To provide for the Weighing and Measurement of the Material used in the process of manufacture, as well as the Product thereof, in all Iron or Steel Works, Cement Works, Lime Works, and Chalk Quarries. | Presented by Mr. Barnes, | supported by | Mr. Keir Hardie, Mr. Hodge, [and nine others] | Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 22 February 1906.

2pp., 12mo. Printed on one side of a 25 x 31.5 cm piece of shiny paper, with a central vertical perforation line. Damp damage to the heading (with some loss of text), otherwise in good condition. The text, by Appleton, Bowerman and MacDonald, is on the left-hand page, and begins: 'Osborne Decision.

2pp., 12mo. Headed 'Mr David Williamson to Jane Dalgliesh'. Twenty items, each with separate charge, beginning with 'April 7th 9 Shirts - -

Both items in good condition, on aged high-acidity paper. The handbill is printed on one side of a piece of 30.5 x 19.5 cm. paper. The meeting is said to have been 'Presided over by Admiral The Lord Beresford, and there is a list of fifteen individuals by whom the resolutions were supported, beginning with 'J. Havelock Wilson, C.B.E., (President of the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union)' and 'Commander HOUGHTON, R.N.R. (Marine Service Associatio - Masters and Officers - Liverpool)'.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight wear and few short closed tears. An interesting artefact, reflecting the postwar British manpower shortage. The heading is all in block capitals, with 'TRADESMEN WANTED' across the top.

Having been expelled from the Communist Party in 1941, Driberg joined the Labour Party in 1945; he would be elected to the National Executive throughout 1949-72 and was chairman of the party in 1957-8. The collection is in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with occasional minor rust staining from paperclips. ONE: Autograph Notes by Driberg of 'Bradwell local information'. 12pp., 12mo, on a total of eight leaves of House of Commons notepaper.

On one side of piece of thick wove paper, 36 x 28 cm. The design is clearly and neatly drawn, coloured in orange, gold, red, blue, brown, black, grey and pink. The banner, casting a grey shadow, is shown tied by ribbon with black, yellow and red stripes onto a spearheaded flagpole, with carved horizontal branch. The banner has a bright red ground, and is of irregular rectangular shape (curved outer lower corner), with gold tassels along the lower edge.

This small archive casts invaluable light on British labour relations at a local level during a turbulent economic period in postwar British history, with specific day-to-day information about persons and events. The two minute books, 1943-1980, are both 4to, with the first of around 200 pp and the second of around 150 pp. Both texts clear and complete, and some matter loosely inserted (including a letter from an individual pursuing a complaint against the branch). In worn bindings, with the boards of the second volume detached.

The flong is 31.5 x 19 cm. Stamped on reverse 'LIGHT'S - "IDEAL" | HAND CASTING | DRY STEREO FLONG'. Small triangle missing from the top left-hand corner, causing the loss of the first letter of the first line (the 'P' in 'PRINTERS'); apart from that text clear and complete. Top right-hand corner slightly dogeared, crease along one rule, and thin strip of wear at foot (not affecting text). An interesting piece of printing ephemera.

A bifolium, with the text printed landscape on the recto of the two leaves, each of which are 21 x 33.5 cm. On laid Britannia paper watermarked 'G. PIKE | 1809'. The first two words in gothic script, nine-line marginal note in italic, and the rest in roman. Thirty-three lines of text, with spaces for manuscript insertions. Neither of the two parts (presumably one for the master and the other for the apprentice's family) has been filled in. Prepared for completion in the 1810s ('in the Year of our Lord 181[gap]').

12mo, 168 pp. In original red printed wraps, yellow endpapers. Attractive bookseller's ticket of 'Hunt Books 1919 Southborough Kent England' on front pastedown. Internally sound, with a little light staining and some unobtrusive marking in margins. Wraps chipped and worn at corners and spine, with small ink stain on back. Front wrap headed 'RAILWAY READING.' Small neat ownership stamp of J. D. Bowen at head of title.

Long and unusually entertaining account 'Re Varnish', addressed to an American correspondent. A fascinating insight into the nature of Victorian entrepreneurship. 'It has long been an idea of mine that of all the Trades the most profitable one is Varnish [...] the Germans, clever as they are, can't make Varnish at all [...] nor for that matter can the Americans'.