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Author, Title, Summary Price
Francis Wharton (1820-1889) of Philadelphia, American legal writer, historian, educationalist and professor of criminal law [General John Nelson Purviance (1810-1885), Auditor General, Harrisburg]

[Francis Wharton, American educationalist and professor of criminal law.] Autograph Letter Signed to John N. Purviance, Auditor General, Harrisburg,

1p, 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with fold lines and small hole made by breaking of the wafer. Addressed by Wharton on reverse to 'Hon. Jno. N. Purviance | Auditor Gen. | Harrisburg.' Endorsed: 'Francis Whatron, Esq. | Phila. | Ansd. 12 July 1850.' Wharton writes in a neat hand...

£120.00
Sir Vivian Fuchs [Sir Vivian Ernest Fuchs] (1908-1999),Antarctic explorer who in 1958 led the first expedition to cross Antarctica

[Sir Vivian Fuchs, Antarctic explorer.] Autograph Signature ('V. E. Fuchs | 1968') to illustration of the R. R. S. Shackleton, with anonymous typed note explaining why the picture was signed.

8 x 12 cm illustration of a ship in polar waters, cut from book or periodical, with bold signature at bottom right: 'V. E. Fuchs | 1968'. Laid down on piece of white paper. In fair condition, but with slight bleeding of ink from signature towards foot of paper. Accompanying the item is an...

£45.00
Thomas Hughes (1822-1896), politician and judge, author of 'Tom Brown's School Days'

[Thomas Hughes, author of 'Tom Brown's School Days'.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Tho. Hughes') to 'Mr. Kynnersley', discussing: meeting Rugby schoolfellow 'Blandford', educating an abandoned boy, his co-operative beliefs, Joseph Chamberlain.

Both items in good condition, lightly aged. ONE: 3 March 1884. 1p, 12mo. Addressed to 'Dear Mr. Kynnersley'. Having received Kynnersley's undated letter he writes: 'I shall meet Blandford as you propose on the 11th. with very great pleasure. He was one of the heroes on whom I used to look with...

£250.00
Sir George Strong Nares (1831-1915), Royal Navy Vice-Admiral, commander of first ship to pass through the Suez Canal, Arctic Explorer with Challenger Expedition and British Arctic Expedittion

[Vice-Admiral Sir George Strong Nares, Arctic explorer and commander of first ship to pass through the Suez Canal.] Autograph Note Signed ('G. S. Nares.') regarding his 'delicate instrument for Alert or Discovery'.

See Nares' entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. Clearly and boldly written, reading: 'Please give the bearer my delicate instrument for Alert or Discovery | G. S. Nares.' (Wikipedia) "Because of his previous experience in the Arctic, he was...

£250.00
Sir Henry Taylor (1800-1886), poet, dramatist and civil servant [his son Henry Ashworth Taylor (1854-1907); E. A. Scott of Rugby School]

[Sir Henry Taylor, poet, dramatist and civil servant.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Taylor') to 'Mr Scott' [E. A. Scott] of Rugby School, regarding 'the predicament' of the lack of educational progress of his son [Henry Ashworth Taylor].

4pp, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded four times. Encouraged by Scott's response to his wife's letter, Taylor is 'encouraged to ask for yr. advice in the predicament in which we stand at present. My boy has made hardly any progress in the last term & stands only four fm...

£250.00
Sir Robert Witt [Sir Robert Clermont Witt] (1872-1952), art historian, co-founder of the Courtauld Institute of Art, London [Diego Velasquez; Rokeby Venus; National Gallery]

[Sir Robert Witt, art historian and co-founder of the Courtauld Institute.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Robert C. Witt') regarding the approach to be taken 'for the purchase of the Velasquez', i.e. the Rokeby Venus, now in the National Gallery.

For information on the campaign to save the Rokeby Venus for the nation, see Charles Saumarez Smith, 'The Battle for Venus', Spectator, 10 November 2003. 4pp, 16mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. With one fold. The recipient is not named, and the letter begins: 'My dear Sir, | Allow...

£250.00
Percy Macquoid [Percy Thomas MacQuoid] (1852-1925), theatre designer, illustrator and expert on English furniture

[Percy MacQuoid, threatre designer and expert on English furniture.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Percy Macquoid.') to 'Terrell', including a discussion of the significance of 'English Plate'.

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. He begins by thanking him for his 'kindness in the matter of the plate at New'. He called there that morning and has 'sent on Dr Russells letter of introduction', and has 'written to Dr Moyle', explaining his object, and he hopes...

£45.00
Ralph Peacock (1868-1946), portrait painter and illustrator, associated with G. A. Henty and boys' books

[Ralph Peacock, portrait painter and illustrator.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Ralph Peacock.') to 'Mrs. Williams'

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, folded twice. Explaining that as it was a week-end he was not able to answer her letter sooner, he writes, evidently on the subject of a painting she has commissioned: 'I should be very pleased to see any of your friends to show them...

£45.00
Juliana Horatia Ewing [née Gatty] (1841-1885), Victorian children's author

[Juliana Horatia Ewing, children's author.] Autograph Letter Signed (in her view 'Not an elegant signature!'), writing in high spirits to [Marion?] regarding 'our "Play"' with 'a round chess board' (illustrated), quoting from Alice in Wonderland.

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with the conclusion and signature ('Juliana Horatia Ewing. | (Not an elegant signature!)') of the letter cross-written at the head of the first page. Drawing of a 'round chess board', with explanation, on second page. An excellent intimate...

£320.00
George V [Georg V] (1819-1878), last king of Hanover, cousin of Queen Victoria; Carl Baron von Linsingen (1822-1872) [Lady Ann Cullum, widow of Sir Thomas Gery Cullum of Hardwick House]

[King George V of Hanover.] Secretarial Letter Signed ('George R'), in English, to the dancing partner of his youth Lady Ann Cullum, giving news of his family and court. With two letters to Lady Cullum from Count Linsingen, and royal seal in red wax.

Four items, all in good condition, lightly aged, the three letters with stubs and labels used in mounting in an album. In addition to the pleasant picture they paint of the court gathered around the blind king in the last year of his kingdom's existence (with an interesting reference to the new...

£750.00
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