History

[Leith Docks.] Printed circular headed 'At a Meeting of Persons interested in the affairs of the City, held in the Waterloo Hotel on 13th February 1836, to consider the measures proper to be adopted in reference to the Proposal of Mr LABOUCHERE'.

Author: 
[Alexander Wright; William Macdonald, Convener [Henry Labouchere (1798-1869), 1st Baron Taunton; Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish; Leith Harbour and Docks]
Publication details: 
Edinburgh. 13 February 1836.
£130.00

3pp., folio. On two loose leaves, each with one torn edge. The blank reverse of the second leaf is addressed in manuscript to 'The Bank of Scotland, | Edinbr', with two postmarks and pencil docketting. The heading is followed by a long list of those present, beginning with 'Mr THOMAS MILLAR, for the Incorporation of Skinners and Furriers' and ending with 'ALEXANDER WRIGHT, Esq. chose Preses'. There follows a minute of the meeting by 'ALEX.

[Sir Charles Oman, military historian.] Autograph Letter Signed ('C. W. C. Oman') [to H. E. Wortham], offering to act as guide to 'King Edward's very archaic Oxford abode'.

Author: 
Sir Charles Oman [Sir Charles William Chadwick Oman] (1860-1946), military historian [Hugh Evelyn Wortham (1884-1959), biographer]
Publication details: 
'As from Frewin Hall, Oxford', and on letterhead of the House of Commons Library. 3 October 1931.
£38.00

1p., 12mo. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. 'If you would ever care to look round King Edward's very archaic Oxford abode, I can shew you it, with engravings of its details in his day - coloured and otherwise. It is a nice old house - half Elizabethan, half Queen Anne.' He concludes by explaining that he is 'at Westminster all the middle days of the week, save in the recess', and so requires notice. From the H. E. Wortham papers.

[Book in paper wraps] La Mort de Henri Quatre, POEME

Author: 
Mrie J.J. Victorin Fabre (1785-1831), poet and orator.
Publication details: 
Paris, de l'imprimerie de Farge [...], 1808
£180.00

46pp., 8vo (21cms), marbled pink paper wraps (original), spine and edges a little ragged, foxing, fair condition, sound. Scarce. Copies at BnF and Loyola Marymount University (USA)

Part of a Document Signed boldly "Palmerston", with subscription,addressed to 'Lieut.Col. F. Cockburn/ Care of/Sir G. Cockburn G.C.B./Admiralty'

Author: 
Viscount Palmerston, sometime Foreign Minister and Prime Minister
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£28.00

Part of a page, 20 x 12cm, foxed, mainly good condition. Surviving text as follows: "I have the honor to be | Sir, | Your most obedient Servant | Palmerston". Subscription probably secretarial.

[Mimeographs or similar] Rusk News Conference Statement. | Following is text of introductory remarks by Mr. Dean Rusk, Secretary of State,[...] Nov. 17, at his Press conference in Washington. With: text of Adlai Stevenson address (described below)

Author: 
[Press Releases (x 2) in Kennedy Era]
Publication details: 
Both Washington, Monday, 20 November 1961
£120.00

a. Dean Rusk, 3pp., folio, unbound as issued. Subjects: taking up Kennedy's remarks in Seattle; Afghanistan; Korea; the Philippines; Berlin; NATO meeting; the Congo; Dominicn Republic/OAS; Cuba, Peru and Columbia; Vietnam (US policy to preserve the Republic Vietnam, the means are being considered). It concludes with the ref. A-17266-AC. B. (attached by staple) Stevenson Address at Fordham University (A Relesase from the UNited States Information Service, American Embassy, London).

[Chile; periodical] The Republic of Chile. A Diplomatic Press Survey. Special Edition of the 'Diplomatic Bulletin"

Author: 
[Periodical; Chile]
Publication details: 
No. 12, London, Oct. 1953.
£80.00

19pp., paper covers, illus with photo of the President, good condition. Surveys history, economics, exports, British Trade, Wines of Chile, etc. No copies of COPAC, 7 on WorldCat (6 American, one French).

[The Court of the Lord Lyon.] Itemised manuscript 'Note of Fees of Armorial Bearings for Miss William Boyd Robertson of Lawers.' With manuscript receipt for payment of this bill, signed by James Horne, Lyon Clerk.

Author: 
[James Horne, Lyon Clerk; Court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish College of Heralds]
Publication details: 
The 'Note of Fees' dated November 1814. Horne's receipt from Edinburgh, 18 November 1814.
£120.00

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

[Thomas Hamilton, 9th Earl of Haddington, as Lord Binning.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Binning'), docketted 'Mail coaches', and discussing the 'measure of applying to the English counties', ' Mr Mundell' and the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

Author: 
Thomas Hamilton, 9th Earl of Haddington [known as Lord Binning between 1794 and 1828] (1780-1858) of Tyninghame House, Tory politician
Publication details: 
'Tynninghame [Tyninghame House, East Lothian, Scotland] | Sunday night' [docketted with date '16/18 Sepr 1810'].
£40.00

3pp., 4to. On bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight damp-staining to one corner. '[...] The measure of applying to the English counties was proper & indeed necessary - and I doubt not that, as the evil complain'd of is very general, we shall find a very general & ready cooperation on their part in our endeavours to procure redress.

[Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster.] Autograph Note Signed ('Grosvenor'), undertaking to match the Earl of Wilton's contribution of fifty pounds to the Metropolitan Society.

Author: 
Robert Grosvenor (1767-1845), 1st Marquess of Westminster [2nd Earl Grosvenor], politician and landowner [Earl of Wilton; Metropolitan Society]
Publication details: 
Heaton House [Cheshire]. 21 October 1811.
£38.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'Sir | I have been requested by the Earl of Wilton, who is indisposed, to say that he shall be glad to contribute fifty Pounds to the Metropolitan Society & I shall be happy to do the same, & am, Sir | Yr obedt. Servt. | Grosvenor'.

[Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster.] Autograph Signature ('Westminster') and seal in red wax on piece of vellum cut from document, with his engraved portrait by W. H. Mote.

Author: 
Robert Grosvenor (1767-1845), 1st Marquess of Westminster [W. H. Mote; Thomas Collins; Reform Club, London]
Publication details: 
The vellum document dated 1841. The engraving from 'London, Thomas Collins, 170, Piccadilly, Jany. 23 1842'.
£20.00

The piece of vellum an irregular rectangle of about 4 x 17 cm. Smudged signature, with crumbling red wax seal to its right, beneath fragment of Latin text ending with date 1841. The engraving, with facsimile of signature, 'From a picture in his Lordship's possession | This plate, 28 x 19 cm on 4to leaf, is by express permission dedicated most respectfully to the Members of the Reform Club by their faithful Servant Thomas Collins'. It is in fair condition, aged and with strip of discoloration in margin at head.

[Lord Palmerston.] Secretarial Letter Signed ('Palmerston'), informing the Turkish chargé d'affairs Edib Effendi that he has taken over as Foreign Secretary from the Earl of Aberdeen, and giving a time for a meeting to discuss 'any business'.

Author: 
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston [Lord Palmerston] (1784-1865), Liberal Prime Minister [Edib Effendi, Turkish chargé d'affairs]
Publication details: 
Foreign Office [Whitehall]. 6 July 1846.
£150.00

2pp., foolscap. In fair condition, on aged paper. The letter, no doubt sent to all the diplomatic missions, begins: 'I have the honour to acquaint you that The Queen has been pleased to accept of the Earl of Aberdeen's resignation of the Office of Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and to confide to me the Seals of that Department.' He names a day and time when he wil be 'happy to receive' him, 'in order to confide with you on any business upon which you may have received Instructions from your Court'.

[Cary Tuttyt of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.] Autograph Letter, stamped by the 'Mil[itar]y. Department', asking for information regarding his brother, who enlisted in the Horse Artillery of the East India Company, and giving a description.

Author: 
Cary Tuttyt of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada [Horse Artillery, East India Company]
Publication details: 
'Ch: Town P. E. I.' 22 July 1846.
£80.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with slight discoloration and repair on reverse. Giving his address as 'Cary Tuttyt, Charlotte Town, Prince Edwards Island, B. N. A.' With black rectangular stamp: 'RECEIVED IN | 29 AUG. 1846 | MILY. DEPARTMENT.' Docketted on reverse 'Does not appear to have enlisted 1839'.

[Gilbert Murray, classical scholar.] Typed Letter Signed ('G. M.') to 'Mark' [Mark Bonham Carter], praising his 'answer to Quintin Hogg', and suggesting a meeting.

Author: 
Gilbert Murray [George Gilbert Aimé Murray] (1866-1957), Australian-born British classical scholar [Mark Bonham Carter (1922-94), Baron Bonham-Carter, Liberal politician; Quintin Hogg, Lord Hailsham]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Yatscombe, Boar's Hill, Oxford. 24 July 1946.
£40.00

1p., landscape 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. He begins: 'This is just a line to say how very good I thought your answer to Quintin Hogg.' He next turns to his desire for a meeting and 'walk in the afternoon', although he knows 'this is a long way off and you are very busy'. He ends with transport information and the news: 'However I am going away on Monday for 3 weeks.' The valediction is in Murray's autograph: 'Yours sincerely, | G. M.'

[Victorian handbill satirising Lord Randolph Churchill, Gladstone and other members of the House of Commons, headed 'HOUSE OF COMMONS. | PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT'.

Author: 
[Victorian satirical handbill; Lord Randolph Churchill; William Ewart Gladstone; Charle Stewart Parnell; Prorogation of Parliament, 1881]
Publication details: 
Without date or place, but accompanied by annotation in contemporary hand dating it to 1881.
£180.00

Printed in black on piece of purple paper, 27 x 14 cm. In good condition, laid down on a leaf removed from a contemporary album, with the date '1881' written beside it. The first paragraph sets the tone: 'LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL rose to ask Her Majesty's Government a question as to the state of Public Business, and the probable date of the Prorogation of Parliament.

[Sir Robert Howard, restoration playwright.] Autograph Treasury receipt, signed 'Ro: Howard'.

Author: 
Sir Robert Howard (1626-1698), English playwright and politician and Secretary to the Treasury
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£180.00

On one side of slip of 6 x 18 cm paper. In fair condition, aged, and with traces of mount adhering to reverse. Apparently concerning an enormous sum of money, the receipt reads: 'Registered upon the Register appointed to be kept by the Act within mentioned & payable there upon of

[Queen Victoria's FIRST visit to Scotland, 1842.] Three MS.receipts, two of them regarding 'erecting triumphall Arches', the other a 'Note of Men Employed in the Village of Comrie [...] to join the Lawers Company for hir [sic] Majesty the Queen'.

Author: 
[Queen Victoria's FIRST visit to Scotland, 1842; Mrs. R. Williamson of Lawers; Comrie, Strathearn, Perthshire]
Publication details: 
[Lawers, Strathearn, Scotland.] All three paid on 26 December 1842.
£195.00

The three documents in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: 'Note of Men employed in the Village of Comrie by Orders of Mrs. R. Williamson of Lavers - to join the Lavers Company for hir [sic] Majesty the Queen'. [on reverse] 'Lawers | Thos Biccarton for Men attending during the Queens Visit | £1 .. 19/- | paid 26 Decr. 1842'. Beneath this in pencil in a later hand: 'Queen Victoria visit to Strathearn | Sept 10 1842'. 1p., 4to. With some words in red ink. Mainly comprising a table of 29 names, days, wages due, of men 'Attending the Lawers Company'.

[Bank of England] Autograph Letter (Signature mainly lost through loss of text) from the Bank of England to the Bank of Scotland

Author: 
[Bank of England; provision of a Press]
Bank of England
Publication details: 
Bank of England: 28 August 1852
£200.00
Bank of England

Sent from the Bank of England on 28 August 1852. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In poor condition, with a section torn away from the foot of both leaves, with loss of text including the writer's signature. The letter begins: 'Dear Sir | When you receive this, your Press &c. will be well on its way to Edinburgh.

[Large Handbill] Epitaph on the Black Prince

Author: 
[J.G. Nichols; John Gough Nichols, antiquary and printer]]
Publication details: 
"From the Kentish Observer", no date, but the author died in 1873
£56.00

Handbill, 21 x 34.5cm, fold marks, tiny closed tear, mainly good condition. Nichols had visited Canterbury for a meeting of the Archaeological Association and made an accurate copy of the Epitaph (correcting "errors in all the printed copies"), with further antiquarian chit-chat.

[Thomas Brand Hollis, radical and dissenter.] Autograph inscription to the antiquary Charles Townley.

Author: 
Thomas Brand Hollis (c.1719-1804) of The Hyde, near Ingatestone, Essex, English radical and dissenter [Charles Townley (1737-1805), antiquary]
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£56.00

On a cut-down piece of 4 x 15 cm paper. Laid down on part of leaf from album. In fair condition, on aged paper. Reads 'Mr Townley. | with Mr Brand Hollis | compliments'.

[Roy Hopkins, editor of 'Old London' magazine.] Typed Letter Signed to the Trustees of Dr Johnson's House, regarding 'the last article written by the late Lord Harmsworth', on Dr Samuel Johnson. With copy of the first issue of the magazine.

Author: 
Roy Hopkins, editor of 'Old London' magazine [Cecil Bisshopp Harmsworth, 1st Baron Harmsworth [Lord Harmsworth]; Dr Samuel Johnson; W. Macqueen Pope; Horace Wyndham; Amelia Bloomer]
Publication details: 
Letter on letterhead of 'Old London | (Old London Magazine)', 51 Chepstow Place. 9 September 1948. Magazine: vol.1, no.3 (Summer Number), 1948.
£80.00

Letter: 1p., 12mo. In fair condition, foxed at head. He informs them that the article was on Dr Johnson's house, and will be published in the magazine's 'Autumn Number', writing: 'If I send you the proofs would one of you care to write a few appreciative words on Lord H? I shall add a short biography culled from The Times'. In an autograph postscript he requests 'an old wood-block or a stone-litho which I could reproduce in O. L. of Johnson's House'. Magazine: 46 + [2]pp., 12mo, in printed wraps. With foxing and pinholes to cover. Includes articles by W.

[Richard Oastler, Tory radical.] Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed editor, regarding the proof of his 'sayings of last Monday'.

Author: 
Richard Oastler (1789-1861), Tory radical, abolitionist and campaigner for Poor Law reform
Publication details: 
'Mr. Tathams'. 27 March 1839.
£90.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He has just 'received notice that the Mansfield meeting will be held on Thursday at 12 o'clock - & the Sutton meeting on Saturday at One O'clock.' He continues: 'If you intend to insert any of my sayings of last Monday, I should feel obliged by a sight of the proof, if consistent with your official regulations'.

[Rev. Dr George Croly.] Autograph drafts of three passages from an anonymous article in Blackwood's Magazine entitled 'Russia', dealing with Napoleon Bonaparte's coronation as Emperor of the French. and his entry into and retreat from Moscow.

Author: 
Rev. Dr George Croly (1780-1860), Anglo-Irish clergyman and writer, editor of the Tory weekly The Constitution [Blackwood's Magazine, Edinburgh and London; Napoleon Bonaparte; Napoleonic Wars]
Publication details: 
Without date or place. [Published in Blackwood's Magazine (Edinburgh and London, April 1826).]
£220.00

3pp., 8vo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Unsigned, but certainly in Croly's hand. The first page is headed: '- for tho' the Old Law was established in the promises of temporal prosperity, yet the gospel is founded in temporal adversity'. The three extracts, fiercely critical of the French emperor, follow over a total of 61 lines, with a few minor emendations.

[Marguerite-Louis-François Duport-Dutertre, the first French Minister of Justice.] Autograph Letter Signed ('DuPont-Duterte'), in French, to his 'Chers Collègues' Messrs Plaisant and Celerier, asking them to give shirts to a 'pauvre jeune homme'.

Author: 
Marguerite-Louis-François Duport-Dutertre (1754-1793), first French Minister of Justice [Jean-Baptiste-Edme Plaisant, Administrateur de Travaux Publique dans la municipalité de Paris; M. Celerier]
Publication details: 
[Paris.] 23 February 1790.
£180.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with Dupont-Duterte's red wax seal broken in two, to 'Monsieur Celerier Lieutenant de

[John Brough Taylor, antiquary and editor.] Autograph Letter Signed (John Taylor Jr') to the Durham antiquary Robert Surtees

Author: 
John Taylor [John Brough Taylor] (d.1824), antiquary and editor [Robert Surtees (1779-1834), antiquary and historian of his native Durham]
Publication details: 
10 Birchin Lane, London; 21 January 1822.
£120.00

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Addressed, with postmarks and red wax seal, on reverse of first leaf 'To | Rob. Surtees, Esq | Mainsforth | Rushyford | Durham.' A long letter, closely and neatly written, and filled with genealogical information.

[George Wyndham, as Under-Secretary of State for War.] Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Redvers Buller

Author: 
George Wyndham (1863-1913), Conservative politician and author, one of 'The Souls' [General Sir Redvers Buller (1839-1908); George Peel]
Publication details: 
On government letterhead. 25 October 1899.
£100.00

2pp., 12mo. 25 lines of text. On aged and worn paper with slight loss at head (not affecting text). The letter begins: 'My dear Sir Redvers | I am ashamed to write to you about a personal matter at such a time, but this is, I think, a very strong claim. | George Peel, son of Lord Peel, in the Oxfordshire Yeomanry, has gone out to South Africa at his own expense, & wishes to be attached to any expedition which is sent to relieve Kimberley, because his sister is there.

[Alexander Williamson, Laird of Balgray.] Fourteen Autograph Letters Signed to him from his French daughter-in-law, mainly regarding the renovation of her house, Dollar Mains, Clackmannanshire; four written jointly with his grand-daughter Ann.

Author: 
Alexander Williamson, Laird of Balgray (fl. 1802) [Mrs Williamson of Dollar Mains, Clackmannanshire, Scotland.]
Publication details: 
Six of the fourteen from Dollar Mains, Clackmannanshire, Scotland; one from 'Mrs. Fisher's Drummond Street', Edinburgh. Dating from 1799 (3), 1802 (5), 1803 (5), 1804.
£220.00

Totalling: 32pp., 4to; 3pp., foolscap 8vo; 3pp., 12mo. Each letter a bifolium, addressed on the reverse of the second leaf, with various postmarks, wafers and seals, and each docketted by the Williamson. The collection in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The fourteen letters addressed by 'E. Williamson' to 'Alexr.

[Alexander Williamson, Laird of Balgray.] Autograph Signed 'Copy Discharge Alexr. Williamson to Edwd. Mitchell for Rent of a House in Alison's Sqe. possessed by him from Why 1800 to Why 1801'.

Author: 
Alexander Williamson, Laird of Balgray (fl. 1802) [Edward Mitchell of Alison's Square, Edinburgh]
Publication details: 
[Edinburgh.] 12 October 1801.
£60.00

1p., 12mo. Docketted on reverse. Good, on lightly aged paper. Reads: Copy | Newington Edh. 12th. Octr. 1801 | Recd. from Mr. Edwd Mitchell Twenty Pounds Stg. being the Rent of a House in Alison's Square in Edh. belonging to me and possessed by him for the Year from Why one Thousand Eight Hundred and one, and the same is hereby discharged. But it is to be remembered that I granted another discharge for the said Rent, dated July 1801, which being mislaid, the discharge is granted in place of it, which is not to infer double payment - A. W.'

[Cornelius Elliot, Writer to the Signet.] Autograph Letter Signed to Charles Erskine, Writer, of Melrose, regarding a planned meeting in Edinburgh of the trustees of the estate of his brother-in-law Adam Ogilvie, Factor to the Duke of Buccleugh.

Author: 
Cornelius Elliot (1732-1821) of Wollee, Writer to the Signet, brother-in-law of Adam Ogilvie, Factor of the Duke of Buccleugh
Publication details: 
Teviotbank [Roxburghshire]. 5 February 1810.
£150.00

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. The letter begins: 'For your letter of November you gave me to think that a Meeting of Adam Ogilvies Trustees would be after Martinmas. I now see that could not take place, but I want to see how his matters stand as your Rents and the Roup Bills will all be come in.

[Charles Mercer.] Two Autograph Letters Signed to John Jackson, MP for Dover, the first, with account, regarding payments by the banker Sir William Forbes to Lord Keith and Miss Mercer Elphinstone, and the second regarding various payments.

Author: 
Charles Mercer [of Allan Park, Stirling?] [Sir John Jackson, 1st Baronet (1763-1820), Member of Parliament for Dover, 1806-1820; Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, 7th Baronet (1773-1828)]
Publication details: 
First Letter: Edinburgh. 3 August 1814. Second Letter: Hope Park, Edinburgh. 17 January 1815.
£80.00

Both letters 1p., 4to, and both addressed, with two postmarks, on the reverse, to 'John Jackson Esqr. M.P. | New Broad Street | London'. Both are docketted by Jackson. ONE: Headed by accounts of payments by Sir William Forbes and Messrs Robert Stein & Co, totalling £4600 14s 3d, against the shares of Lord Keith and 'Miss Mercer Elphinstone'. In the letter Mercer explains that Stein's share is for 'his Rent to Lord Keith'.

[John Campbell, 4th Earl and 1st Marquess of Breadalbane.] Nine Autograph Letters Signed to him, from various parties, most on estate matters, including five from his agent Duncan Campbell, several showing the hardships suffered by his rural tenants.

Author: 
John Campbell (1762-1834), 4th Earl and 1st Marquess of Breadalbane, Scottish landowner [Duncan Campbell; William Stewart; the Highland Clearances]
Publication details: 
From Ardvorlich, Edinburgh, Killin and Rockhill in Scotland, and one from London. Between 1803 and 1833.
£380.00

Eight of the items are in very good condition, on lightly aged paper, the ninth (Item Four) is damp-stained. One letter (Item Five) is incomplete. Five letters (Items One to Five) are from Breadalbane's estate manager (and kinsman?) Duncan Campbell, and there are other letters from the latter's family.

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