&

[ Bookseller's catalogue. ] First Editions of Jack London, Thorne Smith, Erskine Caldwell, William Saroyan, John Steinbeck, Illustrated.

Author: 
The El Dorado Bookstore, San Francisco, California [ props Roskie & Wallace of Oakland; Philip M. Roskie (1921-93) ] [ Jack London, Thorne Smith, Erskine Caldwell, William Saroyan, John Steinbeck ]
Publication details: 
Catalogue No. 1, 1948. The El Dorado Bookstore, 309 Kearny Street, San Francisco 8, California.
£120.00

32pp., 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. A previous owner has thought well enough of this item to have it put in a sturdy binding of black cloth, with title in gilt on spine. The binding is in very good condition, but a bookplate has been removed from the front pastedown. An interesting catalogue (especially when compared with the staid British book catalogues of the period), with each of the 108 items presented, four to a page, each with accompanying photograph of the covers of the book. The most expensive item, at $100, is a 1902 first edition of 'The Cruise of the Dazzler'.

[ Charles E. Robinson of the University of Delaware. ] Duplicated typed 'List of Charles Ollier Imprints (1817-23; 1846-49) and Works'.

Author: 
[ Charles Ollier (1788-1859), publisher, author and editor; Professor Charles E. Robinson; Percy Bysshe Shelley; John Keats ]
Publication details: 
Dated July 1985 by Robinson with his details: Prof. Charles E. Robinson, College of Arts and Science, Dept. of English, 204 Memorial Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA.
£65.00

Robinson is the author of Ollier's entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, in which he discusses the 'fifty titles' that Ollier and his brother James published between 1817 and 1823, and the others dating from his second stint as publisher between 1846 and 1849. The list is 10pp., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Subtitle: '(*Indicates that U. of Delaware Library has in original, microform, or photo rpt.)' Robinson has given the date and his details in autograph at the head, and has starred items in 'urgently need' in red ink.

[ Dip in Australian trade, 1830. ] Manuscript Letter, signed for the Sydney agents Crombie Maclaren & Co., to Edinburgh merchants Andrew Scott & Co., regarding the bad market for his recent shipments, and its cause.

Author: 
Crombie Maclaren & Co. of Sydney, Australian agents [ Andrew Scott & Co. of Edinburgh, Scottish merchants ]
Publication details: 
Sydney [ Australia ]. 24 May 1830.
£150.00

2pp., 4to. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Andrew Scott Esqre | Edinburgh', with two postmarks and wafer, and directed to be sent 'Pacific via Liverpool'. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Signed for the firm 'Crombie Maclaren & Co'. The firm begins by informing him that 'our market for your shipments have been very bad, indeed we could not move them at almost any price'.

[ E. V. Lucas and Methuen & Co Ltd, publishers. ] Typed Letter Signed ('E V Lucas') from E. V. Lucas to 'Mr. Wilber', regarding portrait tablets of Sir Algernon Methuen, with copy of the printed booklet 'Sir Algernon Methuen Baronet. A Memoir.'

Author: 
E. V. Lucas [ Edward Verrall Lucas (1868-1938), author ] [ Sir Algernon Methuen, publisher; Methuen & Co Ltd, publishers ]
Publication details: 
Booklet: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 36 Essex Street, W.C., London. Printed at the University Press, Aberdeen. 1925. Lucas's letter dated 21 September 1925, on Methuen & Co letterhead.
£80.00

Lucas's letter is 1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly spotted. He informs Wilber that when he arrives at the office the following morning, he will find that 'the two portrait tablets of the late Sir Algernon Methuen, the founder of our firm, have been unveiled'. He explains that the tablets are 'a gift to the firm from Lady Methuen, whose wish is that each member of the staff should possess a copy of the accompanying Memoir'. The booklet is 13pp., 4to. With three plates including collotype frontispiece portrait of tablet of author.

[ Printed item. ] Catalogue of Choice Books including a Collection of First & Rare Editions of the Works of Oscar Wilde. [ Including reproduction of caricature of Wilde by George Finch Mason. ]

Author: 
H. Gray & Co., London booksellers [ Oscar Wilde; George Finch Mason (1850-1915), English illustrator ]
Publication details: 
[Number Sixteen, New Series, 1930. ] H. Gray & Co. 188 Lewisham Road, London, S.E.13, and 8 Royal Parade, Blackheath, S.E.3.
£60.00

24pp., 8vo. Pagination includes the wraps, which carry the last two pages. With frontispiece plate: 'Oscar Wilde | Unpublished Caricature | By Finch Mason | [item 31]'. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, in worn and chipped wraps. Wilde's name has been underlined in red pencil on cover.

[ Tolstoy in English. ] Printed advertising handbill by London publisher Walter Scott, beginning with the first collected edition of 'Count Tolstoi's Works', with the first volume 'A Russian Proprietor And other Stories. By Count Lyof N. Tolstoi'.

Author: 
Walter Scott, London publisher; Nathan Haskell Dole (1852-1935), American editor and translator; Count Leo Tolsoy [ 'Count Lyof N. Tolstoi' ], Russian novelist
Publication details: 
London: Walter Scott, 24 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row. Regarding the Tolstoy edition: 'Vol. I ready October 25th.' [ 1888 ].
£80.00

The handbill is 4pp., 8vo. on a bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper. The upper half of the first page carries the advertisement for 'Count Tolstoi's Works', headed 'Vol. I ready October 25th.' With coloured illustration of the book's design, captioned 'Reduced fac-simile of binding'. Regarding what is the earliest edition of Tolstoy's collected works in English (predating those of Wiener and Garnett by more than ten years), the publisher writes: 'Mr.

[ Henry Southgate, auctioneer and anthologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed to E. D. Girdlestone

Author: 
Henry Southgate (1818-1888), London auctioneer [ Southgate & Barrett, 22 Fleet Street ] and anthologist [ E. D. Girdlestone [ Edward Deacon Girdlestone ] (1829-1892) ]
Publication details: 
Woodbine, Sidmouth, Devon. 11 May 1878.
£56.00

4pp., 12mo. Two pages on bifolium with two-page postscript on loose leaf. In good condition, lightly aged. He thanks him for his 'kind note and opinion respecting my "Many Thoughts" [ anthology of 1857 ] of which nearly 267 - tons have been sold, an odd way of putting it you will say, but such is the fact.' He is working on a 'curious and suggestive book now on Aphoristic Wisdom'. He thinks he may 'gather something' from Girdlestone's 'Collection', which he undertakes will be 'most carefully and thankfully returned'.

[ Festival of Britain, 1951. ] Printed 'Festival of Britain | May 3 - September 30, 1951 | Information Summary'.

Author: 
[ Festival of Britain, 1951 ]
Publication details: 
Printed for H.M. Stationery Office by Messrs. Fosh & Cross Ltd., London for Festival of Britain 1951, 2 Savoy Court, W.C.2. [ Dated '3/51', i.e. March 1951. ]
£100.00

16pp., 12mo. Stapled pamphlet. In fair condition, aged and dogeared. Cover reads 'FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN | MAY 3 - SEPTEMBER 30, 1951 | INFORMATION SUMMARY'. The lettering of the words 'FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN' is in the distinctive style, and the festival's logo is on the back cover. A list of contents on the second page includes an introduction on 'The Festival Organisation', information on events around Britain, 'Travelling Exhibitions' (including the 'Festival Ship Campania'), 'The Churches' Participation', and sections on books, films and 'Admission Charges'.

[ Edwardian Lingerie. ] Profusely-illustrated printed trade catalogue of 'Original Designs in Dainty Lingerie Etc by Robinson & Cleaver Ltd 156 to 170 Regent St London W'.

Author: 
Edwardian Lingerie [ Robinson & Cleaver Ltd, drapers of Belfast, Ireland, and Regent Street, London ]
Publication details: 
Robinson & Cleaver Ltd, 156 to 170 Regent St, London W. Undated [ Edwardian ].
£150.00

[32]pp., 4to. Printed on shiny art paper, and stapled within light-brown printed wraps. Aged and worn, with slight damage to one corner (not affecting text or illustrations) and pin hole to one edge causing minor damage. Cover printed in gold with illustration of the Regent Street shop, inside covers with illustrations and text printed in black. Body of catalogue printed in black and purple. Several illustrations to almost every page, with accompanying text and prices.

[ Robert Stephenson, railway engineer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Rob Stephenson') to '- Moberley Esq', regarding the purchase of a 'Machine'.

Author: 
Robert Stephenson (1803-1859), pioneering railway engineer, constructor of 'Stephenson's Rocket'.
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 24 Great George Street, Westminster [ London ]. 1 June 1852.
£450.00

2pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, with the text of the letter on the first leaf, and the second laid down on a leaf removed from an album. Stephenson's letter in good condition, on lightly aged paper. He writes that he is sending the recipient the reply he has received from 'Mr Harrison'. He feels that it would be better for Moberley to 'purchase the old Machine of the Contractors Messrs Rush & Lawton'. He does not know their address, but if they send him 'any drawing, it will be forwarded'. Rush and Lawton were Newcastle railway contractors. The recipient is probably W. H.

[ Printed Catalogue. ] A Hand-List of a Selection of Bibliographical Works and Books of Reference in the Possession of Messrs. Hodgson & Co.

Author: 
[ Hodgson & Co. [ 'Hodgsons' ], book auctioneers, 115 Chancery Lane, London
Publication details: 
Dated on inside: 'HODGSON & CO. | 115, Chancery Lane. | August, 1908.'
£100.00

7 + [1]pp., 12mo. Stitched. On aged and grubby paper. Second page reads: 'NOTE. | Clients wishing to make use of the volumes in this list, are requested to apply to the Sale-Room Clerk, to whom all books should be returned when finished with. | HODGSON & CO. | 115, Chancery Lane. | August, 1908.' The works are all in English and date from the late nineteenth century onwards. They range from 'Abbott (T. K.) Catalogue of Fifteenth-Century Books in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin 1905' to 'Wright (C. T. Hagberg) Catalogue of the London Library, St. James's Square 1903'.

[ Printed item. ] One Hundred Years of Book Auctions 1807-1907 Being a Brief Record of the Firm of Hodgson and Co. (commonly known as "Hodgsons").

Author: 
[ Hodgson & Co. [ 'Hodgsons' ], London book auctioneers; Chiswick Press, Charles Whittingham, Chancery Lane ]
Publication details: 
London: Printed at the Chiswick Press for Private Circulation. [ Chiswick Press: Charles Whittingham and Co. Tooks Court, Chancery Lane, London. 1907.
£100.00

27pp., small 4to. In vellum-paper wraps with decorative cover printed in red and brown. With six plates: two collotypes (portraits of Edmund Hodgson and Henry Hill Hodgson) and four black and white photographs: 'Exterior of Premises, 115, Chancery Lane', 'The Auction Room', 'Compiling a Catalogue (First Floor Room)' and 'Unpacking a Library (Basement)'. Title-page in red and black. In fair condition, internally good, on aged and worn paper, lacking free endpapers. A characteristically-tasteful production by the Chiswick Press. Now scarce.

[ J. Stelfox Gee, Manchester philatelist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Stelfox Gee') to 'Autolycus', regarding a document concerning 'the Manchester Mail Coach in 1805'.

Author: 
J. Stelfox Gee [ James Stelfox Gee ], philatelist [ H. Verity & Sons Limited, 67 Mosley Street, Manchester ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of H. Verity & Sons Limited, 67 Mosley Street, Manchester. 19 May 1924.
£45.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. He is sending 'the two accounts or whatever you like to call them for the Manchester Mail Coach in 1805', but 'cannot make out exactly what they are beyond being a monthly return of the takings and division of profits of the running of the Machester to Derby Coach for August 1805'.

[ Paul Sandby, artist and engraver. ] Pencil notes by 'Paul Sandby Esqr.', over 'Monthly Return of the Classes under the First drawing Master at the Royal Military Academy'. With portrait of Sandby, engraved by H. Landseer from a drawing by W. Evans

Author: 
Paul Sandby (c.1731-1809), English artist and engraver, Chief Drawing Master at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich [ H. Landseer; W. Evans ]
Publication details: 
Engraving 'Published Dec. 4 1809 by T. Cadell & W. Davies, Strand, London'.
£135.00

MANUSCRIPT: 1p., folio. On the recto of the first leaf of a bifolium. On good watermarked laid paper, with pencil text written over an elegantly printed page divided into five columns ('Class', 'Studies', 'Order', 'Names', 'Remarks'), headed (with manuscript additions in square brackets): 'Monthly Return of the Classes under the First drawing Master at the Royal Military Academy. [March] 1st. 17[39 Paul Sandby Esqr.]'. The manuscript text is written both across the page and lengthwise. At the foot is a stave of music, with the words 'Violoncelloe [sic] de la music militaire'.

[ Richard Cobden-Sanderson, publisher. ] Typed Letter Signed ('R. Cobden Sanderson') to literary agents J. B. Pinker & Son, declining to publish three titles they have submitted.

Author: 
R. Cobden-Sanderson [ Richard Cobden-Sanderson ] (1884-1964), publisher, son of printer T. J. Cobden-Sanderson of the Doves Press, Hammersmith [ J. B. Pinker & Son, London literary agents ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 'R. Cobden-Sanderson: Publisher | 17 Thavies Inn, Holborn, E.C.1' [ London ]. 9 February 1925.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly-aged. He has 'given consideration to the following MSS.': 'THE WEB OF FATE by M. Garahan | ANTONY IN LOVE [by] C. E. Rose | THE NIGHT MOTH [by] Amy Miller'. As he cannot make any offer for their publication he is returning the manuscripts forthwith.

[ Sarony Virginia Cigarettes. ] Printed 'Travel Album' titled 'A Day on the Airway', with foreword by Sir Alan Cobham, containing complete set of 25 cigarette cards depicting a journey from Croydon Aerodrome to Amsterdam.

Author: 
[ Nicolas Sarony & Co., New Bond Street, London; Sir Alan Cobham; Imperial Airways; British aviation; Croydon Aerodrome; Amsterdam, Holland ]
Publication details: 
Issued by Nicolas Sarony & Co., New Bond Sreet, London, W.1. [ 1928 ]
£100.00

A charming and evocative production. Cards in very good condition; album in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Initial note: 'This Travel Album is issued without charge to hold a complete set of twenty-five "A Day on the Airway" pictures, as issued with all packings of Sarony Virginia Cigarettes, plain or cork tipped.' The album comprises eight pages printed in black and green, on thick paper, stitched into black card wraps. Embossed on the front cover in faded gold is the title and an illustration of the plane (an Imperial Airways 'Argosy') flying in clouds.

[ Ronald Duncan, poet and playwright. ] Typed Letter Signed to bookseller Barry Duncan, regarding his play 'Nothing Up My Sleeve'. With a carbon copy of Barry Duncan's letter that elicited this response.

Author: 
Ronald Duncan (1914-1982), poet, playwright and author, collaborator with Benjamin Britten
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Welcombe, near Bideford, North Devon. 20 December 1950.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight rusting at head from paperclip. He writes that there is 'no relationship between myself and any of the people you mention. I have no antecedents such as you suggest and I cannot recall having received a copy of your catalogue.' Turning to the character 'Horace' in his play 'Nothing Up My Sleeve' he writes: 'he's just a figment of my imagination and the whole play is just a piece of work without any intended resemblance to anyone, only types.' The carbon copy of Barry Duncan's letter is somewhat aged and worn around the edges.

[ James Lamborn Cock, music publisher. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Lamborn Cock | Music Publisher') to J. H. Friswell, giving an account of Thomas Moore's song 'My Heart and Lute'.

Author: 
James Lamborn Cock of London music publishers Leader & Cock [ James Hain Friswell (1825-1878), author; Thomas Moore, Irish poet; Lewis Carroll [ Charles Lutwidge Dodgson ]; Alice in Wonderland ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 63 New Bond Street ('Corner of Brooke Street'), London W. 16 February 1865.
£50.00

An interesting letter concerning a song mentioned in Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking-Glass'. 6pp., 12mo. On two bifolium letterheads. In fair condition, on aged paper. He begins by statig that he has 'taken much interest in theh discussion in the Athenaeum respecting a song of Moore's "My heart & Lute" and possessing some information relative to it' is sends it to Friswell. He proceeds to give an account of publication, with references including the music publisher Power, Sir H. R. Bishop, John Kemble, Sherwood & James, 'The London Stage' and 'The National Airs'.

[ George Grossmith junior. ] Unpublished autograph family reminiscences by his younger daughter, with two Autograph Letters Signed by her ('Rosa George' and 'Rosa George. | (Grossmith)') to W. Macqueen Pope, praising her father in the fondest terms.

Author: 
George Grossmith junior (1874-1935), actor-manager and comedian, his daughter Rosa Mary George (1907-1988) [ W. Macqueen-Pope [ Walter James Macqueen-Pope ] (1888-1960), theatre manager and historian]
Publication details: 
The reminiscences without place or date. The letters from 26 Lawnbodle Road, Hampstead, NW3 [ London ]. 30 October and 4 December 1950.
£220.00

ONE: Autograph family reminiscences by Rosa Mary George (née Grossmith). 19 pp., 12mo. Rough pencil notes, on ruled pages torn from a notebook. Seventeen pages on George Grossmith junior, with a page apiece on 'His Father' and 'His Uncle'. TWO: The two letters, totalling 9pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper.

[ Printed item, with sixteen illustrations of 'Gibson Heads'. ] Proofs of Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson. (Size 15 to 20 Inches.) Hand printed on Japanese tissue paper, mounted on boards ready for framing.

Author: 
[ Charles Dana Gibson, American illustrator, known for his illustrations of 'Gibson Girls' ] James Henderson & Sons, Victorian publishers
Publication details: 
James Henderson & Sons, Red Lion House, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, E.C. Undated [ Edwardian ].
£56.00

4pp., 8vo. Bifolium on shiny paper. In good condition, lightly-aged. The front cover carries a reproduction of the print 'Wireless Telegraphy.' Pp.3-4 carry reproductions of the 'Gibson Heads': 'NOW READY. - A Series of Sixteen Gibson Heads, of which the accompanying illustrations are miniatures. | Each subject is Hand-Printed on Japanese Hand-Made Tissue Paper, mounted ready for framing. Price 5s. 6d. each, post free.' Scarce: no copies on WorldCat, or on COPAC.

[ Pamphlet. ] First Annual Report of the Council of the Liverpool Anti-Monopoly Association for the Year 1842, read at the Annual Meeting of the Members, held January 23, 1843: Treasurer's Account, and a List of Members.

Author: 
Liverpool Anti-Monopoly Association [ Thomas Thornely, M.P.; Free Trade; Smith, Rogerson, and Co., Liverpool printers ]
Publication details: 
Second edition. Liverpool: Printed by Smith, Rogerson, and Co., 44, Lord Street. 1843.
£45.00

40pp., 12mo. Disbound and without wraps. On aged and lightly damp-stained paper. The report begins (p.5): 'The Object of the Liverpool Anti-Monopoly Association, as expressed in its constitution, is "The annihilation of all Monopolies in Trade and Commerce, and especially the total and immediate Repeal of the Bread and Provision Taxes.' Pp.36-37 carry, in small print, the 'List of Members for 1842'; the 'Council for 1843', with 'THOMAS THORNELY, Esq., M.P.' as president, is on p.3.

[ Pamphlet. ] Memoir of William Roscoe, by Dr. Thomas Stewart Traill, F.R.S.E., &c. [ With coloured plate illustrating 'Roscoe's Birthplace'. ]

Author: 
Dr Thomas Stewart Traill [ William Roscoe (1753-1831), Liverpool connoisseur, historian and abolitionist; George Smith, Watts and Co., Liverpool printers ]
Publication details: 
Liverpool: Geo. Smith, Watts and Co. [ 19 Titherbarn Street. ] 1853.
£90.00

48pp., 12mo. Disbound with free endpapers.In fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. Nicely printed, with all edges gilt. Dedication 'To the Friends and Admirers of William Roscoe, assembled to commemorate theh Centenary of his Birth, this Edition of the Memoir, by Dr.

[ Raphael Tuck & Sons Victorian christmas card. ] Coloured Christmas card with illustration by 'E M W' on one side, and poem by 'SAMUEL K. COWAN M.A.' on the other.

Author: 
Raphael Tuck & Sons, Moorfields, London publishers known for their postcards; Samuel K. Cowan (d.1918), Irish lyricist
Publication details: 
Raphael Tuck & Sons [ London ]. 'RTS Artistic Series' and 'Series 430.' Undated [ late nineteenth century? ]
£35.00

On a gilt-edged piece of card, 13 x 11.5 cm., with rounded edges. In good condition, lightly aged. The illustration by 'E M W' on one side is printed in silver, yellow, light blue, grey and brown, and shows a snowy country scene with two tiny figures beneath a shining sun on a stone bridge over a stream. Captioned 'The Joy of Christmas be in your heart.' Cowan's eight-line poem, on the other side, is printed in grey, in variety of gothic fonts. It begins: 'Only its best and brightest history | May Memory relate you!

[ Printed book. ] Esther and Ahasuerus: An Identification of the Persons so named. Followed by a History of the thirty-five Years that ended at their Marriage. With Notes and an Index to the two parts: Also an Appendix.

Author: 
Richard Edmund Tyrwhitt, M.A., retired India Chaplain
Publication details: 
London and Cambridge: Macmillan and Co. 1868.
£120.00

xii + 959pp., 8vo. With three fold-out family trees. Two continuously-paginated volumes bound together, and including title-leaf to second volume. In fair condition, aged and worn. In worn contemporary grey buckram half-binding, with marbled covers. A weighty piece of biblical exegesis. A family copy of an uncommon book, the volume descending to Tyrwhitt's relation Thomas Colmer.

[ Gilbert & Sullivan ] Piece of paper signed "Darrell Fancourt" and "Leslie [??]" with a cigarette card image of The Mikado of Japan, also inscribed by him, "Best wishes | Darrell Fancourt"

Author: 
Darrell Fancourt, bass-baritone and actor, known for his performances and recordings of the Savoy operas.
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£250.00

Piece of paper, c.8.5 x 5cm, pink, regular, faint foxing, mainly good condition, attached to another larger album page (extracted). 17.5 x 11.5, with signatures. WITH: cigarette card, Gilbert & Sullivan series issued by John Player, The Mikado of Japan, partly laid down on same album page, trimmed but good condition, with message as above.

[ Lord William Pitt Lennox. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Willm P. Lennox') to an unnamed recipient, regarding the sale of a copyright to the London publishers Hurst & Blackett.

Author: 
Lord William Pitt Lennox (1799-1881), British Army officer and author [ Hurst & Blackett, London publishers ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Hall Place, Tunbridge. 16 July 1863.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition. The subject of the letter is probably Lennox's Fifty Years' Biographical Reminiscences', published by Hurst and Blackett in 1863. Lennox is 'extremely flattered' at the contents of the recipient's letter, but has 'disposed of the copy right to Messrs Hurst and Blackett. 13. Gr. Marlborough St.', to whom he refers the recipient. 'Had I been in London I would have done myself the pleasure of expressing my thanks in person'.

[ Sir Archibald Spicer Hurd, naval authority. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('A S H.') to 'Mr Service' (of the publishers Seeley & Co.), complaining about the severity of a proposed contract for a series of articles.

Author: 
Sir Archibald Spicer Hurd (1869-1959) [ Seeley, Service and Co., London publishers ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 6 Stafford Terrace, Plymouth.
£65.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Written in pencil. A long and interesting complaint, casting an interesting light on the journalistic practices of the period. Hurd begins without preamble, pointing out, with reference to a previous letter, that he 'never promised 35000 words', and stating that the publisher 'would doubtless be able to put in a few extra illustrations to fill it out'.

[ First edition, inscribed by the author. ] Portraits of my Married Friends; or, A Peep into Hymen's Kingdom.

Author: 
'Uncle Ben' [ Mrs. Rhoda Elizabeth White (c.1820-1866, née Waterman [ Rhoda White ]]
Publication details: 
New York: D. Appleton & Co., 346 & 348 Broadway. London: 16 Little Britain. 1858.
£180.00

343pp., 8vo, with sixteen-page publishers' catalogue at rear. Frontispiece and six full-page illustrations (one for each story). In blue cloth, with decorations in gilt on boards, and gilt titles on spine, all edges gilt, and attractive patterned endpapers. In fair condition, on aged paper, rebacked. Inscription on reverse of frontispiece reads: 'To Mary Charnock, | from the Author, | Mrs Rhoda E. White, | with every kindest wish.

[ Arthur Sullivan, composer ] Autograph Signature (clipped) with a few words in his hand, perhaps re. knighthood.

Author: 
Arthur Sullivan, composer
Publication details: 
[ 1883? ]
£280.00

7 x 3cm, some glue staining affecting initial letters, but clear, as follows, "yours sincerely | Arthur Sullivan". On the verso, the following words: "ratified by the Kin[g?] [...] which prompted His [...]", possibly referring to his knighthood in 1883.

Publishers' 'Specimen Of First Seven Plates' in 'An Elementary Text-Book of Entomology' by 'W. F. Kirby, of the British Museum'.

Author: 
W. F. Kirby [ William Forsell Kirby (1844-1912) ], of the British Museum [ Swan Sonnenschein & Co., Paternoster Square; William Wesley & Son, London, Booksellers and Publishers ]
Publication details: 
London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co., Paternoster Square. 1885. [ With stamp of William Wesley & Son, Booksellers and Publishers, 28, Essex Street, Strand, London. ]
£38.00

16pp., 4to. Unbound and unstitched pamphlet. On aged and worn paper. The first page has the Wesley stamp, and is headed 'Specimen Of First Seven Plates' It also carries nine lines describing the 'object of the author'. The seven plates are accompanied by captions, and there is also an explanation regarding them.

Syndicate content