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[Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon.] 37 items, including 21 ALsS from librarian W. S. Brassington to one of the Theatre’s governors, Dr E. M. Boddy, regarding his gift of portraits to Shakespeare Memorial, and resulting disagreement.

The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre was founded through the efforts of local brewer Charles Edward Flower (1830-1892), after whose death its management was taken over by his brother Edgar Flower (1833-1903), also Chairman of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. On Edgar’s death these duties fell to...

[San Juan Island, Washington State.] Printed paper: 'Correspondence respecting the Island of San Juan. Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. 1860.'

The correspondence concerns the need to prevent a 'collision between the American and British authorities on the island' (the American General Harney is quoted as saying that 'he is satisfied that any attempt of the British Commander to ignore this right of the territory will be followed by...

[‘Discovery of Gold at Queen Charlotte’s Island.”] Printed paper: ‘Further Return to an Address of the Honourable The House of Commons, dated 16 June 1853; - for, Copies or Extracts of Correspondence [...] Colonial Office, 8 August 1853 [...]'.

Certainly a very scarce item. JISC only lists one physical copy, at the British Library. 12pp, foolscap 8vo. Stabbed as issued. In fair condition, on worn, discoloured paper. A ‘Schedule’ at the start lists four numbers ‘in Series’: ‘Governor Douglas to the Duke of Newcastle’, 11 April 1853, ‘...

[Philip James Bailey, Victorian ‘spasmodic’ poet.] Autograph Document Signed, giving a ten-line extract from his celebrated poem, ‘Festus’.

Bailey’s entry in the Oxford DNB describes the ‘remarkable popularity’ of the second edition of Festus in America: ‘seventeen ‘editions’ of a version pirated in Boston were called for in the first nine years, and it was also reprinted numerous times in Philadelphia, Louisville, and New York....