Autograph Letters

Autograph Note Signed "H Rider Haggard", novelist, with envelope addressed by Haggard and initialled "HRH", to S[tephen].J. Aldrich, book history scholar.

Author: 
H. Rider Haggard, novelist [Henry Rider Haggard].
Autograph Note Signed "H Rider Haggard", novelist,
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] Ditchingham House, Norfolk, 10 July 1923.
£250.00
Autograph Note Signed "H Rider Haggard", novelist,

Note written on two sides of a card of postcard size, good condition, initialled and addressed envelope chipped and grubby. Text: "No, it is purely a coincidence about the names in Love Eternal [underlined; a fantasy/historical novel published in 1918]. I know Major C. Danen[end indecipherable] very well - often see him when I am at St Leonards. He was rather ill a while ago but was much better when I saw him. . . ."

Autograph Letter Signed C Bemont [Charles Bemont, French scholar and autograph-collector] to unnamed correspondent [M. Kirkaldy, ref. to Madame Kirkaldy within], with Alfred Dreyfus calling card and autograph message and his own card with message

Author: 
Charles Bemont, French scholar and autograph-collector [Alfred Dreyfus message on calling card]
ALS Charles Bemont, French scholar & Dreyfus calling card message
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] 9 Rue du Condé, 27 Oct. 1902.
£800.00
ALS Charles Bemont, French scholar & Dreyfus calling card message

Four pages, 12mo (letter), all items in good condition. He will fulfil his promise of some autograph letters, le plus notable et vivid, which had been relegated to the country but retrieved the day before. He describes a Michelet manuscript, notes taken après la lecture d'un ouvrage de M. Dupanloup before he became bishop. He discusses Dupanloup's character and achievements at length. He continues J'ajoute une lettre . . . Saul Meyer [NOT present] et une carte de visite . . .

Autograph Letter Signed "Yvonne Arnaud", French-born pianist, singer and actress.

Author: 
Yvonne Arnaud (1892 – 1958) was a French-born pianist, singer and actress.
Yvonne Arnaud (1892 – 1958), singer, pianist, actress, ALS
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] Banks Way Farm, Effingham Common, Surrey, 18 Jan. 1954, about illness.
£56.00
Yvonne Arnaud (1892 – 1958), singer, pianist, actress, ALS

Two pages, 12mo, to "Mrs Chapman". She explains that she has had to give up her role in "Dear Charles" because she us "over-tired". Sir Horace Evans has ordered "complete rest for a month, the two more months recuperation". She is "sad and upset about it". She hopes her correspondent willl still enjoy her work when it resumes.

Autograph Letter signed "Salisbury" [4th Marquess) to Lord Mangham, inviting the latter to join the Watching Committee.

Author: 
James Edward Hubert Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of Salisbury, statesman
ALS "Salisbury" [4th Marquess], invitation to join Watching Committee.
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] Manor House, Cranborne, Dorset, 9 Jan. 1841.
£135.00
ALS "Salisbury" [4th Marquess], invitation to join Watching Committee.

Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He tells him that there is an organisation which has been in existence for some months which calls itself the Watching Committee. It consisits of a few men - some 20 - from both Houses who hope that by their influence and experience they may be useful in watching the conduct of the War and may be able to make suggestions and even exercise a certain amoutn of pressure in respect of War administration. He describes its constituents in more detail and its provision of Ministers. He asks Would you care to join it?

Autograph Letter Signed "Henry Newbolt", poet and historian, to unnamed correspondent (editor?)

Author: 
[Sir] Henry Newbolt, poet and historian
Autograph Letter Signed "Henry Newbolt", poet and historia
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] 29 Campden Hill Road, W8, 20 Nov. 1919.
£85.00
Autograph Letter Signed "Henry Newbolt", poet and historia

One page, 12mo, good condition. "I return the proof, mutilated as desired. I have struck out 7 lines: and more can be saved by omitting the signature at end (my name appears at the top) & by sacrificing Law's Christian name. | I should like to receive a copy of the issue in which it is pub[lishe]d if you would be so kind as to send me one: - I am constantly away from home & may miss it."." Note:

Substantial printed Invoice with manuscript list of Swinburne's works - approximate cost (heading of list).

Author: 
George H. May, second-hand bookseller [Algernon Charles Swinburne]
Bookseller's Invoice with manuscript list of Swinburne's works
Publication details: 
9 Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street, W., London, [189-]
£180.00
Bookseller's Invoice with manuscript list of Swinburne's works

Three pages, 4to, small closed tears on folds, text clear and complete. Two lists of Swinburne's works, titles and prices columnised: The first, two pages, 36 titles, in the hand of George H. May perhaps but with a few additions in another hand, from Queen Mother & Rosamund ([£]8) to Cleopatra (added note Camden 1866; [£]5.5) to August Vacquerie (at 15s) to Grace Darling(at 5gns). An unnumbered title The Children of the Chapel is added in pencil in the alternative hand. Total £49.12.6.

Autograph Note Signed Byron Webber, novelist, to Edward Draper, solicitor, author, member of Savage Club.

Author: 
Byron Webber, novelist
Autograph Note Signed Byron Webber, novelist
Publication details: 
3 Ellington Street, Barnsbury N [London], 7 Oct. 1873.
£28.00
Autograph Note Signed Byron Webber, novelist

One page, 12mo, good condition.He has received an unwelcome letter which prevents him dining with the Drapers, for which he apologises prufusely.

Autograph Letter Signed ('R: B:') from Bromley to the Duke of Hamilton, with enclosed Autograph Letter Signed to Bromley from Yates ('Ham<t?>: Yates'), on the subject of 'the minstrell Court' at Sandon.

Author: 
'R. Bromley'; H. Yates [James (1658-1712), 4th Duke of Hamilton; Sandon Hall, Staffordshire; Minstrels' Gallery]
Autograph Letter Signed R. Bromley to the Duke of Hamilton [Minstrel's Gallery]
Publication details: 
Bromley's letter to Hamilton: London, 7 June 1712. Yates's letter to Bromley: 4 June 1712.
£180.00
Autograph Letter Signed R. Bromley to the Duke of Hamilton [Minstrel's Gallery]

Both items good, on lightly aged and creased paper, with both texts clear and complete. The Minstrels' Gallery referred to in the letter was held in the vicinity of Hamilton's estate Sandon Hall, Staffordshire. Written a few months before Hamilton's death in the celebrated duel with Lord Mohun. Bromley to Hamilton: Autograph Letter Signed, 8vo, 1 p. 23 lines of text. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf 'To his Grace Duke Hamilton in St. James's Square | London.', and docketed 'Mr: Bromley 7:th June 1712 about the Minstrill court & that Holden the Attorney had with drawen'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Burghersh') from Lord Burghersh, regarding the copying of the score of one of his compositions.

Author: 
John Fane (1784-1859), 11th Earl of Westmorland [as Lord Burghersh], English diplomat and composer
Autograph Letter Signed ('Burghersh') from Lord Burghersh
Publication details: 
Undated.
£56.00
Autograph Letter Signed ('Burghersh') from Lord Burghersh

4to, 1 p. Text clear and complete. On aged and creased paper. He is returning the score, and asks Hedgely to 'copy the three voice parts of the two canons Criste Eleison & Crucifixus & the Voice part of the Soprano Song, Gratias Agimus', and to send the whole back 'as soon as you can finish them'.

One Autograph Letter Signed and another Signed Letter in a secretarial hand (both 'John Sinclair') from Sinclair to Lord Alloway, one discussing his 'son's singular adventure with The Emperor Napoleon, immediately previous to the Battle of Jena'.

Author: 
Sir John Sinclair (1754-1835) [David Cathcart (1763-1829), Lord Alloway; Napoleon Bonaparte; Sir Walter Scott]
One Autograph Letter Signed, Sir John Sinclair, agriculturist
Publication details: 
Both from 133 George Street, Edinburgh: the Autograph Letter docketed 'January 1826'; and the secretarial letter dated 4 February 1826
£120.00
One Autograph Letter Signed, Sir John Sinclair, agriculturist

Autograph Letter: 4to, 1 p. 10 lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Inviting him and his family to dine with him and Lord and Lady Glasgow. Secretarial Letter: 12mo, 3 pp. Bifolium. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Sending the 'narrative of my son's singular adventure', which he has 'been induced to draw up [...] for the purpose of supplying The Author of "Waverley," with "new materials," for his intended History of that extraordinary character'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Chas Landseer') to [Walter F. Stocks].

Author: 
Charles Landseer (1799-1879), R.A., English artist, elder brother of Sir Edwin Landseer
Autograph Letter Signed ('Chas Landseer')
Publication details: 
30 January [1870?]; Royal Academy, on letterhead of the Athenaeum Club.
£56.00
Autograph Letter Signed ('Chas Landseer')

12mo, 2 pp. 15 lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on aged paper. Providing a 'recommendation as a teacher' for his correspondent, 'in the neighbourhood of Leamington'. 'My observation of the progress you have made, during your studentship at the Royal Academy enables me to state, that, you are, in my opinion fully competent to undertake the teaching of the elementary branches of art'. From a small archive of Walter F. Stocks's correspondence.

Autograph Letter Signed Henrietta E.V. Stannard, novelist [pseud. John Strange Winter] to indecipherable name about collecting.

Author: 
H.E.V. Stannard [Mrs Arthur Stannard; pseud. John Strange Winter], novelist
Autograph Letter Signed Henrietta E.V. Stannard, novelist
Publication details: 
Charleville Road, West Kensington, [London], W, 20 [July?] 1903.
£56.00
Autograph Letter Signed Henrietta E.V. Stannard, novelist

One page, 4to, good condition. She doesn't disapprove of any kind of collecting and is ahppy to send her signature. She adds I collect all sorts of odds & {?] from which she gets much satisfaction. She describes a bangle made up of about 60 sixpences given to her by a celebrity.each with the name of the celebrity on it. She stopped adding to it because it became too heavy/ Her eldest girl collects stamps her second autographs and youngest tea spoons.

Autograph Letter Signed J.H. Gladstone, chemist, to Mr Fleay [Frederick Gard Fleay, Shakespeare scholar], editor of the Spelling Reformer (1880-1).

Author: 
J.H. Gladstone [John Hall Gladstone, Chemist and Spelling Reformer
[Spelling Reform] Autograph Letter Signed J.H. Gladstone, chemist
Publication details: 
Athenaeum Club, 18 Feb. 1881
£95.00
[Spelling Reform] Autograph Letter Signed J.H. Gladstone, chemist

He refers to a letter he is forwarding (not present) from one of our active members ... [forwarding it] as duty bound to the Editor. It seems a proper contribution on one of our open questions. | I wish a larger proportion of our leading names appeared among the contributors to the 'Reformer'. | Ther are many men who never write unless they are asked ... and some who will only write if they are told that a contribution on some particular subject will be acceptable from them. ... if I might suggest your applying a gentle editorial pressure upon them.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Philip H. Calderon') to the Committee of Education, Queen's College, Harley Street.

Author: 
Philip Hermogenes Calderon (1833-1898), RA, English painter of Franco-Spanish parentage [Walter F. Stocks]
Autograph Letter Signed ('Philip H. Calderon', artist)
Publication details: 
15 June 1898; on letterhead of Weston Lodge, 16 Grove End Road, London NW.
£65.00
Autograph Letter Signed ('Philip H. Calderon', artist)

12mo, 1 p. Ten lines. Clear and complete. On bifolium with mourning border. Fair, on aged and discoloured paper. Endorsing the application of Walter F. Stocks for 'the vacant professorship of landscape painting in Queen's College'. Stocks 'has been an exhibitor at the Royal Academy for many years' and Calderon 'has admired his paintings on our walls'.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'W Boyd Carpenter'), the first to Walter F. Stocks and the second to an unnamed male correspondent on the occasion of Stocks's death.

Author: 
Sir William Boyd Carpenter (1841-1918), Bishop of Ripon and court chaplain to Queen Victoria [Walter F. Stocks]
Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'W Boyd Carpenter')
Publication details: 
The first letter undated; on letterhead of The Cloisters, Windsor Castle. The second 21 January 1916; on letterhead of 6 Little Cloisters, Westminster SW.
£56.00
Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'W Boyd Carpenter')

Both items with text clear and complete, on aged and discoloured paper. First letter (12mo, 1 p, 14 lines): He informs Stocks that he will be 'delighted to do what you ask [...] it will be a sincere pleasure to me - There is only one If - which I hope will be but a formal one'. He will be on duty at Windsor Castle till 15 December, but has 'no doubt the Dean will take my place'. Second Letter (12mo, 1 p, 11 lines): He is 'grieved to hear of this sad loss [...] Walter Stocks was a good and true fellow I always had a warm place in my heart for him'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Thomas Faed') to W. F. Stocks.

Author: 
Thomas Faed (1826-1900), R.A., Scottish artist [Walter F. Stocks]
Autograph Letter Signed ('Thomas Faed', artist)
Publication details: 
31 January 1870; Sussex Villa, Campden Hill, London.
£85.00
Autograph Letter Signed ('Thomas Faed', artist)

12mo, 2 pp. Twenty lines. Text clear and complete. In bifolium. On aged and discoloured paper, with small closed tears along central fold lines of both leaves. A reference, 'bearing testimony to your perfect efficiency as a teacher of landscape painting possessing, as you do, the first and greatest requisite, namely a power to sketch beautifully from nature, your success should not be short of great. [last word underlined]' Apologises for not answering sooner, caused by 'the loss of your card'. From a small archive of Walter F. Stocks's correspondence.

Autograph Note Signed "E. Lynn Linton", novelist, to "Mr Wright".

Author: 
Eliza Lynn Linton, novelist
Autograph Note Signed "E. Lynn Linton", novelist
Publication details: 
6 Fitzroy Street, [London] W., no date.
£36.00
Autograph Note Signed "E. Lynn Linton", novelist

One page, 12mo, edge trimmed with minor loss of text. She is working too hard to find time for "social duties or politenesses" She will be at a certain place the following day. She has a cold "who has not?") abnd asks whether he will be in his "place" the following day.

Autograph Note Signed "H.E.V. Stannard" [John Strange Winter, novelist] to "Mrs. Raffey".

Author: 
H.E.V. Stannard [John Strange Winter], novelist.
Autograph Note Signed "H.E.V. Stannard", novelist
Publication details: 
Nevern Square, Earls Court, [London ] SW, 1 January 1892.
£35.00
Autograph Note Signed "H.E.V. Stannard", novelist

One page, 4to, fold marks, spotted, mainly good. She confirms a meeting with him and Mrs Morel, adding: "Yes. I have read the 'Dance of Death' - I would have jumped at it. It's exquisite & strong [underlined] too- As I said you're a genius - There'll be a notice in next week's W.W." She concludes with New Year's greetings.

Autograph Letter Signed "Anne Manning", novelist, to "Mr Warren", illustrator

Author: 
Anne Manning, novelist
Autograph Letter Signed "Anne Manning", novelist
Publication details: 
Reigate Hill, 18 Sept. 1863
£38.00
Autograph Letter Signed "Anne Manning", novelist

Three pages, 12mo, good condition. "By all means let the subject be [Insi?] the Gipsy. On after-consideration, I was afraid the other subject would be too crowded. I long to see your study from nature; rememebring your beautiful design of 'Mein Vogel'." She goes on to discuss his son's illness and her brother concern.

Autograph Letter Signed ('W L George') from the novelist Walter Lionel George to the writer Ralph Straus, regarding payment and literary work.

Author: 
W. L. George [Walter Lionel George] (1882-1926), English novelist brought up in Paris [Ralph Straus (1882-1950), English novelist and biographer]
Autograph Letter Signed ('W L George') ,  novelist
Publication details: 
23 January 1919; on letterhead of the Savile Club, Piccadilly.
£65.00
Autograph Letter Signed ('W L George') ,  novelist

12mo, 1 p. Twelve lines of text. Clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged and creased paper. 'No cheque from the Bystander, [...] my new novel will be out in two months or so. I intend to shock you with that.' Perhaps referring to George's 'Blind Alley', or 'Eddies of the Day', both published in 1919.

Autograph Letter Signed H.F. Lee, miscellaneous writer, to Willis P. Hazard, publisher, about the publication of her works

Author: 
Hannah Farnham Sawyer Lee (1780-1865), American miscellaneous writer
Autograph Letter Signed  H.F. Lee, writer, to Willis P. Hazard, publisher
Publication details: 
Mount Vernon Street 67, Boston, 9 Sept.1859.
£450.00
Autograph Letter Signed  H.F. Lee, writer, to Willis P. Hazard, publisher

Three pages, 4to, one inch close tears along fold (marks), some marking but text clear and complete, except loss of letters through a hole where the seal was taken off. . . . [It] gives me pleasure that my books have passed into your hands - Though I have not used your references to Publishers here I feel confidence in your arrangements & above all in the sympathy of taste which your letter evinces.

Part of Autograph Letter Signed, Consuelo Manchester, to unknown correspondent about House Party

Author: 
Consuelo Manchester [Countess of Manchester]
Part of Autograph Letter Signed, Consuelo Manchester
Publication details: 
No place or date survivng.
£38.00
Part of Autograph Letter Signed, Consuelo Manchester

Final page of a letter, 8vo, good condition. "am just back here.

Autograph Note Signed ('M. Willson Disher') to the Secretary's Office, Clarendon Press, accompanying a statement of his 'qualifications'.

Author: 
Maurice Willson Disher (1893-1969), British theatre critic and playwright
Autograph Note Signed ('M. Willson Disher') to the Clarendon Press
Publication details: 
16 December 1948. 24 Bradstock Road, Ewell, Surrey.
£56.00
Autograph Note Signed ('M. Willson Disher') to the Clarendon Press

4to, 1 p. Trimming at head has resulted in loss to the first line of Disher's address; otherwise text clear and complete. On lightly-aged and creased paper, with jagged trimming at head and in bottom right-hand corner, and three punch holes to margin. Bearing the stamp of the Secretary's Office, Clarendon Press, Oxford. He is returning the 'corrected typescript' and is setting out his qualfications. The bottom section to the letter contain eight lines of these. Disher describes himself as 'contributor to leading journals on the subject of public entertainments in general'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Onslow' [Earl of Onslow]) to an unnamed male recipient on servants

Author: 
William Hillier Onslow (1853-1911), 4th Earl of Onslow, British Conservative politician and Governor of New Zealand, 1889-1892.
Autograph Letter Signed ('Onslow' [Earl of Onslow]) to an unnamed male recipient
Publication details: 
23 June [no year]; 'by Richmond to Whitehall', on cancelled Clandon Park letterhead.
£38.00
Autograph Letter Signed ('Onslow' [Earl of Onslow]) to an unnamed male recipient

12mo, 2 pp. Twenty-two lines. Text clear and complete. Regarding his footman Alfred McCloud, who has obtained with the recipient 'as Messenger'. I have taken no steps to fill his place till now & in the middle of the London Season it may be very inconvenient to be without a footman'. His butler is 'taking immediate steps to secure a man', but he would 'be glad to know how far you could meet my convenience in waiting for A. McCloud until I am suited'.

Autograph Letter Signed, Amédée de Willot [un comte et général de la Révolution française], to a British Admiral [Was Sidney Smith the only Admiral who could speak French?], hostile to democracy among other things.

Author: 
Amédée de Willot, French General.
Autograph Letter Signed, Amédée de Willot [un comte et général de la Révolution
Publication details: 
Baltimore, [Maryland, USA], 29 October 1810.
£380.00
Autograph Letter Signed, Amédée de Willot [un comte et général de la Révolution

Two pages, 4to, bifolium, fold marks, some discoloration, but text clear and complete. He takes the liberty of introducing "deux voyageurs,pour vous renouveller l'expression de ma reconnaissance: ce jour deux jeunes américains bien Elevés, fils des Colonel Howard [American Revolutionary hero and important in the development of Baltimore, etc] et [Sloan?] ... et ce qui est mieux de la consideration publique ils voyagent pour ... et désirent beaucoup de voir un héros de l'angleterre, c'est pourquoi j'ai pris la liberté de vous les adrèsser.

Three Autograph Letters Signed (two 'Leonard Walker' and the other 'L. W.') to C. R. Grundy, concerning a stained-glass window.

Author: 
Leonard Walker (1877-1964), Principal of the St John's Wood School of Art, and member of the Art Workers Guild [Cecil Reginald Grundy (1870-1944), editor of the Connoisseur]
Leonard Walker, Stained Glass, Letters
Publication details: 
16, 17 and 31 December 1935; all three items on letterhead of Walker's studio in King Henry's Road, London.
£110.00
Leonard Walker, Stained Glass, Letters

All three items 8vo. The first of two pages, and the other two of one page each. Texts clear and complete. Fair on aged, creased and slightly-discoloured paper. Discussing his disagreement with the architect of a building over the width of two proposed uprights. Walker considers that these 'would handicap the fullest expression'. The first letter carries a simple pencil diagram of the window. He feels 'we shall all have forgotten this point' when the window is seen 'in all its glory'.

Part-printed Treasury Document (Receipt) signed S ffairborne

Author: 
Sir Stafford Fairborne (1666-1742), Admiral
Publication details: 
18 April 1716.
£125.00

One page, c.19 x 18cm, some staining and minor damage (mainly a few pinholes) but text clear, trimmed (with loss only to MS figures), part-printed, filled in in MS. Receipt for £12.10s from the Exchequer, three months annuity, granted under An Act for continuing one half part of the Subsidies of Tonnage and Poundage, and other Durties upon Wines, Goods, and Merchandizes imported . . .

Subscription to letter, signed "John Abernethy", i.e. clipped signature with end of letter politenesses.

Author: 
John Abernethy, surgeon
Publication details: 
No place or date surviving
£100.00

Fragment, c.11 x 3cm, glue rings on back have penetrated and stained the front but the text is clear as follows: "with great respect | Your obedt Servt | John Abernethy." A scarce signature.

Autograph Note Signed to "The Secretary of the Delegates, Clarendon Press, Oxford", about revises of his book "Ultrasonic Absorption" (pub. Oxofrd 1967).

Author: 
A.B. Bhatia, Indian Physicist
A.B. Bhatia, Indian Physicist, Autograph Note Signed
Publication details: 
Physics Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, 12 July 1966.
£38.00
A.B. Bhatia, Indian Physicist, Autograph Note Signed

One page, chipped, punch-holes, fold marks, text clear and complete. He gives their reference and the title of his forthcoming book, saying "I sent the revises F & G of my book,last Monday, July 10. | If Iam not too late, please make the additional correction, which is shown in red ink on the attached proof sheet, p.67." Clarendon Press round stamp at top of page.

Autograph Subscription only (signature plus a few words), i.e. clipped signature

Author: 
R.M. Ballantyne, Novelist
R.M. Ballantyne, Novelist, clipped signature
Publication details: 
No place or date
£15.00
R.M. Ballantyne, Novelist, clipped signature

Dimensions c.7.5 x 2, with small hinges (as with stamps) on both sides (from appearance in album), signature clear on dingy background, "Yours very truly | R. M. Ballantyne [underlined]".

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