Autograph Letters

Poet and man of letters (1884-1958). One page, 4to, fold marks, sl. wear, text readable. " . . . I think the occasion for using that poem by Collins would be the next occasion on which we mention - as we are bound to mention - the Artist's Rifles [last work in ms.]/ It will go in very nicely if you will let me hold it up for a bit. I don't blame Wise about the Swinburne poems; I don't think there is a man in the world who could tell one Swinburne poem from another, once you have ruled out the few best.

Poet, wood engraver, and illustrator ((1870-1944). (July) "I shall be very pleased to be represented in the anthology . . . [gives permission for two shorter pieces] / May your venture have so much success as to enable future compilers to repair in some measure the market value of verse. Thanking you for your courteous encouragement." (Sept.) "I am agreeable to your choice of peices for your Anthology namely "On Death" & "That Land". . . ." Two items,

Viscount Althorp and third Earl Spencer 1782-1845. Signatures of Althorp, W. Wickham (see DNB) and J. , as Treasury officials, remains of documents (slight) indicate the grant of a pension to "Anne Thompson".

Litterateur and Poet (1757-1833). One page, 4to, fold marks, minor tears and staining, clear and good. Sotheby asks Jerdan "If there be time, l;et the Two last lines of the Proem [underlined] be -/ "And, in his grave while falls a Nation's tears,/ I strow these fading flours on Scott's untimely Bier".The equivalent text published in "the Literary Gazette", 3 Nov. 1832, p.699, runs as follows: "The golden close of F,me's unclouded day --/ Now strew these fading flowers on his untrimely tomb." In other words, Sotheby was too late with his changes.

Divine and poet (1780-1825). Three pages, 4to, heavily water-stained but still all legible, tear and nick not affecting text. He tells her that he has at last got round to sending her a book (a postcript reveals that it was a "french Book" which his wife had promised ot loan a long time before). He had hoped she was going to visit. He discusses the parlous health of his son and his wife's "maternal anxiety". He had seen a mutual acquaintance, looking better, and hopes she received his letter of thanks for the drawings of the tesselated pavement she had given as a present to him,.

Novelist. One page, 8vo, good condition. "I am quite willing that you should use the extract from my book "The House of the Arrow", but you should, I think, get also the consent of Mesrs. Hodder & Stoughton before using it."

American Crime Writer. One page, 4to. He refers to his just having been welcomed into the Crime Writers' Association but has been too busy to reply sooner. He has ben packing and trying to "finish a novel (which failed)". He very much appreciates meeting CWA members. He adds that "the book is now en route for Crime Club" giving him the opportunity to look about him. He would welcome CWA visitors and prmises a good cup of tea from his Australian mother-in-law".

Traveller, antiquary, writer on architecture (1786-1846). One page, 8vo with added page of verse, nick not affecting text, good. He responds to a request by sending an impression of a seal [not present] "which bears the armorial ensigns of the two families which I represent" - which he expands on.

Bibliographer and antiquary (1721-1807). One page, 8vo, some marks not affecting text. This letter had been accompanied by two books (note under superscription) which Paton describes in the note ("Logan on Government, - & his first part of the Finishing Stroke", which are all he can lay his hand on at present". When other pieces turn up they will be sent "with what duplicates may be by him."

(1861-1945). "First Cartoonist" for Punch (1909-1945). "In reply to your enquiry I am afraid I cannot furnish you with any names of artists wanting ideas for humorous drawings. The only thing would be to apply to any artists who do such work & take your chance."

Physician (1792-1882). Two pages, 8vo, bifoliate, some marking but mainly good condition. He requests his pamphlets on "hygiene" and "Hints of Remedies". He reveals that he has read that Turner is in Holy Orders, and asks if he is also a Doctor.

Oxford Bookseller and Publisher (1806-1884). Two pages, 8vo, chipped and sl. marked, but text mainly clear. "Sir/ At the requestof Mr. Hill and Mr. Renand I write you a few lines respecting the books you wished to enquire about -on the Articles I send - but it is the most scarce of 's pieces- The Harmony of Confessions is a very [underlined] book.

Miscellaneous Writer (Poetry Society). Total 4pp., 8vo. He is enlisting Wilson's aid in selling his new book (favourably reviewed by Evelyn Waugh) and requesting a list of distinguished visitors to Bumpus's (bookshop) (Walter) Scott {Centenary] Exhibition to establish who was interested in Scott at that time. Frank Mumby describes Wilson as "one of the outstanding booksellers of the day" (1956 ed., p.235). Four items,

Cartoonist (1844-1925). Two pages, 8vo, fold marks but text good and clear. "My dear Jim,/ Broken out in a new place, have you? Well, I'll see what I can do to help. Just at present I am entirely out of my book plate, and as the block has been damaged I shall have either to get a new one made or design a new one. I hope to do this soon and will send you samples. I may have some other Ex Libris amongst my papers and if I come across any I will send them on to you./ Grace has come back from Porlock . . .". He concludes on health matters.

Ann[a] Bishop, singer (1814-1884)(DNB). (No date) Three pages, 8vo, fair but legible, edge rough where extracted from an album.. She is sorry not to have been able to see her. She is travelling to Australia on that day and willbe in England in four months. She apologises for the writing, giving the reason. (1868) Four pages, 8vo, good condition but edge rough where extrcated from an album. She would be pleased to meet Mrs Brewster in England and gives her brother's address ("Mr Riviere". She would be happy to give her singing lessons. Two items,

Lord Mayor of London (Boase). One page, 8vo, some discoloration, text clear and complete. "To the Librarian of the London Institution- You will please to admit The Revd. Saml. Smith to the library & Lectures of the London Institution as my substitute".

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. One page, 12mo. "We have been obliged to refuse such a great number of very similar requests that I am sure you will understand how impossible it is to make exceptions." Signed "S. B. Bancroft". Small pieces of glued paper from previous mounting on blank reverse.

Politician (1822-95), son of the Tory prime minister Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850). A biofoliate letter which has been cut into an irregular shape by an autograph collector. The first leaf, 1½ inches by 4½: recto, "Drayton Manor / Oct. 31. 1862 <...>"; verso, "<...> to the stopping of his <...>. Second leaf, 4 inches by 4½: recto, "<...> by great convenience to me & I am extremely obliged. / I am yours most truly / Robert Peel". Paper ruckled, and with glue stains from mounting to the verso of the second leaf, which is docketted.

Politician (1750-1810), a favoured friend of Samuel Johnson in his last years, and a pall bearer at his funeral. 3 pp, 8vo. He apologises for misapprehending his correspondent's letter. "One circumstance which helped to mislead me was of a sort which it is not for me to reproach you with, though it may serve as my excuse. I mean the extreme kindness & delicacy which could think it necessary to consult me before Mr Lukin took the step of submitting a proposal for a tax to the Treasury.

Novelist. Total 4pp., 8vo, in the most substantial of which he confesses to being "a most barren person . . . the very act of composition is one of exceeding pain & travail". He is considering a proposal to write something to help the Journalists Orphan Fund. One note concerns the Thackeray Charterhouse Dinner, the other conveys thanks for a fee and pleases that an Exhibition was successful. Three items,

Baron C.C.J. Bunsen, Prussian diplomat and scholar (1791-1860). He helps the Lord Mayor with his plans for returning the visit of the King of Prussia in January 1842. He gives detailed information on the route and means of transport, including timings, instructs him on the protocol of contacting the Court, gives his plans for visiting the Norwich music festival, and asks for the draft of the Lord Mayor's speech to the King of Prussia. He will have prepared the paperwork for the Prussian Customs that same day.

Art dealer and Member of Parliament ((1825-1910). He is writing to her because hers is the first name on a list of "ladies" who have signed a petition "in favour of the extension of the suffrage to women householders". He has presented the petition with which he sympathises.

Civil engineer (1810-98). One page, 12mo. Dear Sir / I return the papers as you desire. / Having so many calls near home I fail to see how I am expected to support your . / I am / Yours truly / Robert Rawlinson".

American writer, preacher and abolitionist (1832-1907). One page, 12mo. "Rev. & Dear Sir, / I thank you heartily for your letter and invitation, which have reached me here. I had already received and accepted an invitation from Mr Thos. Martineau at Maple Bank. He mentions in his note having heard from you that I intended visiting Birmingham during the meeting, & will probably inform you that I have accepted his hospitality. / With gratitude for your kind attention, I am, / Yours with cordial respect, / M. D. Conway".

Sculptor (1847-1922). 3 pp, 12mo, on mourning paper. "I have just returned from a short stay in the Country and find your letter of the 29th ult With regard to the proposed Statuette in silver I need scarcely say I shall have much pleasure in assisting you in any way I can. / Your letter however leaves me a little in the dark. Do you wihs me to recommend some young Sculptor for the task or would you like me to undertake it?" Signed "Thos Brock".

Novelist and politician (1765-1846). One page, 8vo. (He is writing to his former colleague in the Ordnance Office where he was a clerk from 1811 to 1823). He asks him to forward an important packet and recalls "pleasant remembrances of former intercourse".

English actor-manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1897. " "I don't pretend to be a particularly good sort of fellow: nor a particularly bad sort of fellow" / Caste. act I. / Jo. / S. B. Bancroft" Bancroft gave one of his finest performances as Captain Hawtree in Caste (1867). Negligible traces of previous mounting on reverse of blank second leaf.

Unionist politician, husband from 1881 of the heiress to the banking fortune and noted Victorian philanthropist, Angela Georgiana, Baroness Burdett-Coutts (1814-1906), whose name he adopted. One page, 12mo. No more than a dozen words. Bad handwriting. "Dear Sir / Could you send this note <?>". Signed "Burdett-Coutts".

Actor-manager (1858-1923), knighted in 1922. He thanks her for her letter. "It was very sweet of you to remember me and I appreciate it very much indeeed - With best wishes to you for the New Year / Yours / Charles H. Hawtrey".

English judge (1840-1918). 3 pp, 12mo. "[...] Amongst all the letters received by me on my retirement, none gave me greater pleasure than yours. You & I have known each other now for many years, & I have to thank you for the great kindness you have shown me throughout. I hope I may say that there has always been between us a true friendship, & I trust that it will not cease or diminish because I am no longer an active practising lawyer [...]". Signed "Robert Romer". With four gummed pieces of paper from mounting adhering to the blank verso of the second leaf.