AUTOGRAPH

Commander-in-Chief. c.3 x 4", laid down, fold marks and slight staining but mainly good condition, last few lines in which he says "my dear Duke, / Yours most sincerely / George."

Piece of grey card, dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches. In poor condition: grubby and discoloured, and crudely mounted on a piece of card. Novelist and journalist (1841-1907). Clearly in reply to a request for an autograph, Hatton has written, in a large hand, 'With pleasure - | Yours very truly | Joseph Hatton | Dec 1901'. Neatly docketed with a number '30' in a circle.

Commissioner (Office of the Master General of the Ordnance). Duncombe is instructing a Mr Sherborne of the Tower of London to go to Chatham, Gravesend and Woolwich to see "how many gunnes are mounted & of w[ha]t nature". He expects a report the following morning. The barbarian who cut the signature off also cut off the date, but this letter could well predate the Dutch raid up the Thames Estuary in June 1667 which particularly affected the fleet at Chatham, and indicate preparations.

One page, 4to, grubby, small pieces torn out with loss of two words and the "B" of the Bath address. "Some person having (I suppose with a view to turn my Novel into ridicule) circulated a great many Printed Letters of which I <?> one; I beg the favor[sic] of you to get the advertisement on the other side inserted in the Sun, which will be of more effect than the Bath [? prob. local paper.] / I am sorry to be so often troublesome to you [?.] I hope however you will have the goodness to excuse and am . . ." Verso has address and a note by bookseller, "Mr[s] Mathew".

Laird (presumably the 'Francis Laird of Peterborough Court Fleet Street' whose will was proved in May 1825) was the author of 'A topographical and historical description of the County of Rutland' (1815) and 'A topographical and historical description of the County of Worcester' (1818). Upcott (1779-1845) was a noted aniquary and collector of autographs. One page, quarto. In poor condition, grubby and creased, with fraying to extremities and traces of mount and some loss to one edge (affecting one word of text). Repaired loss of triangular fragment from breaking open wafer.

Cartoonist. One page, 8vo, in blue crayon [?] smudged and slightly soiled. Text as follows: Punch Table // Dr. Sir/ I have had the opinion of the Punch staff & without hesitation all agree there is nothing whatever of Leech in it, neother the design, drawing or writing. There is not a touch of Leech in it . . ." [Several words underlined for emphasis.]

Cartoonist. Subscription of letter as follows: "Believe me / yours faithfully / Will Owen", c.3.5 x 1".

Journalist and author (see Dictionary of National Biography and Allibone). One page, 8vo, some soiling but text clear and complete, difficult hand, saying: "There has been no [perhaps word (underlined) meaning retraction?] in Punch [underlined]. I am prepared to sustain all I said to you upon oath, and to prove that the injury to me is serious. The enclosed, as you will see, is marked "Private & Confidential"; but it is a part of the "case", and I, therefore, submit it to you." It appears that St John feels he has been libelled in "Punch" and is seeking redress.

Two pages, 8vo, browned and with tear at fold, but text clear and complete. He describes how someone called to ask him to buy benefit tickets for a charitable purpose. He declined on principle, but noticed later an address and decided to write to that address to explain that he would wish to help anyone in whom his correspondent took an interest. He encouraged another visit from the original agent. [Presumably the fact that Ross (DNB) was a fellow-artist influenced his course of action.]

Poet and mountaineer son of Ernest and Grace Rhys. One page, 4to, good condition, suitable for framing, Poem, two stanzas, 16 lines, title at end "[On attempting Snowdon Aug . 09]", starting "When first afar I saw thy mighty height . . . fading in beauty 'fore thy gifted sight. / But when thy foot, O Searcher into Heav'n! . . . "Await," I heard, "thy better wiser year."

Richard William Penn Curzon-Howe (Boase), Lord Chamberlain to Queen Adelaide, 1830-31 and 1834-49. One page, 8vo, heavy glue staining toand bottom, not affecting text which is clear and complete, saying: "Lord Howe presents his Comps to Mrs Day, and is commanded by Queen Adelaide to convey Her Majesty's permission that the proposed Sale shall take place under Her Majesty's Patronage."

Bishop of Oxford (1851-1911). Thanks for a Report and congratulations on the work he has done. Thanks for partridges and a recollection of his first Diocesan Conference. Thanks for a brace of pheasants. 3 items,

Thomas Hartwell Horne. Biblical scholar, bibliographer, and polemic (DNB) Three pages, 8vo, remnants of laying down process, good condition. He is sending a copy of his "Manual of Parochial Psalmody" and its companion volume, "Selection of Tunes". He also is sending "a copy or two of my little publications.

Later chaplain-general of the forces, author (DNB). One page, 8vo, remnants of laying down process on blank conjugate leaf, letter in good condition. "I will be happy to supply your place on Sunday morning [presumably taking a service] - & much regret the cause of your absence. / I too have had my gout, but it is pretty well over."

Writer and M.D. (DNB) Two pages, 12mo, good condition. "I return the proofs herwith. It is much improved by the Editorial Notes and will [?] in this moment in the M. & N. Gaz [ Naval & Military Gazette?] It was very kind of you to admit it so promptly - & I feel assured it will be much read in Paris. A note from the author (Paris 17th) says - "Several officers here in the main agreed with me (in conversation) & others have sincerely thanked me for opening their eyes.

Scottish lawyer and politician, friend of Walter Scott (1751-1839). 2pp., 4to, good condition. He is submitting letters to his correspondent for him to "peruse" and plans a discussion of "the matter" in a carriage. A note has been added "Of Sir Walter Scott" ( Scott died 21 Sept. 1832, and Adam was a friend), but there is no internal evidence of this.

Scholar, ed. Pepys Diary, etc. One page, 8vo, good condition. "I enclose subscription for Philological Society I am sorry to miss you in London - I hope you are comfortably settled at Glasgow."

Novelist. Four pages, 8vo, good condition. She responds to a question by revealing that she is working on a new novel called "Scarlet Sials" (pub. 1924, BLC) "all about the Isle of Wight and a rather fascinating love intrigue and social tragedy". She says it's "full of the sea . . . (Solent, Spithead) and the drifts of orange flower scented air form the Lotus Island, and is a great delight to write in the midst of fogs & General Elections". She mentions the Redwing Yacht Club ("cherry-coloured sails") but is torn from them by her being a speaker at election meetings ("blue" - Tory).

Poet and Journalist (DNB). Three pages, 8vo, evidence of having been laid down, minor damage not affecting text, ow good condition. "My terms for a [?] Lecture at Hull would be Ten guineas and my travelling expenses". He suggests an approximate date, and outlines the subjects of his lectures on offer: "1. Poetry and Song: - and the influence of songs upon the character & fortunes of nations. 2. The popular & national Songs of England 3. The popular & national Songs of Scotland." He gives reasons for advising the first.

Historical painter (1799-1879). Landseer's signature with others (Crowly, Ross, Graves, Lewis, Cury), probably cut from document relating to the Artist's Benevolent Fund. A line has been drawn thorugh Landseer's signature and the words "not eligible" added.

Painter, essayist and critic (1841-1902). He explains why he cannot go on an excursion. He expects to have to paint a python on the point of shedding its skin.

Sculptor (1814-1877). 2pp. & one page, 8vo. He initially discusses the "distresses" of someone called Hone, presumably an artist, how £50 would enable him to provide for himself and his family. Advertisements about Hone's situation have been placed and presumably they hope for contributions. The second letter appears to concern contributions from Wigram and Tupper. 2 items,

Historical painter (1816-1879). 3 & 2pp., 8vo. (4 Sept.) He is doing his best to facilitate the sale of a painting through a friend ("Haynes"), "the de Witt picture", owned by a Col. Gordon. The market for "luxury" items is affected by the depression, but he hopes for an upturn. He admires both the de Witt and "the portrait of Mary". (28 Sept.) He will do his best with regard to both pictures but outlines problems. 2 items,

Diplomat (1776-1852)(Boase). One page, 4to, in French, with added notesin another hand about Cockburn ("Envoye Britanique [sic] a hambourg"), thanking his correspondent for a prompt reply, adding "J'ai l'honneur de vous remettre [cy jointe?] . . ."

Admiral (see DNB). 4 pages, 8vo, small piece of tape masks the month and another word, ow good and clear. His correspondent's letter to him has depressed him because it underates the "immense appriacation we as Seamen have for the patriotic line you have lately taken up." He is "delighted" with Maurice's book [prob. "Military History of the Campaign of 1882 in Egypt" published this year, 1888]. "I quite agree with you in all you say & consider your views the real statesmanlike Views of that immensely important point.

Memorandum of Agreemen (Cockburn and Sidgwick & Jackson)t, 3 Dec. 1971, for "The Devil's Decade", 4pp., fol., signed by Cockburn. Memorandum of Agreement (Penguin), "Bestseller", photocopy, 6pp., unsigned. Memorandum of Agreement (Sidgwick & Jackson and Penguin), "Bestseller", 5pp., not signed by Cockburn. Ibid (Cockburn and Sidgwick & Jackson),"Bestseller" 6 Aug. 1971, 4pp., fol., corrected, initialled extensively and signed by Cockburn. Ibid.,(Sidgwick and Cockburn)) "News and Newspapers", 3 Aug. 1972, 4pp., fol., initialled extensively and signed by Cockburn.

Founder, with Humphrey Toulmin of the Cayme Press. Total 3pp., 8vo, minor defects, good condition, text clear and complete. (The ALS (2pp.) is addressed to [Edmund prob.] "Gosse", inviting him to dinner at the Double Crown Club and thinking he would be amused. "The members are mainly publishers & include such people as Sadleir, Sidgwick, Holbrook Jackson, Harold Monro, Albert Rutherston, Emery Walker & C".

Author and editor (DNB). One page, 8vo, dusty edges but text clear and complete. Bell initially writes the text of the titlepage with extensive corrections and additions (text comes through close to the printed version). He then adds a note as follows: The word 'original' appears to me important, as so many illustrated works are made up of old plates. I would suggest that there is no punctuation in the title-page." An unusual item.

One page, 4to, sl. dusty and dulled, fold marks, but text clear and complete, as follows: "Dear Adler, I cannot remember whether "Lord of the World" was published for the first time in "Blind Children" or not, but at any rate it would be impossible for the pirates to know any more than I do. It is very probable also that I asked Funk and Wagnall's permission."

Poet and novelist, basketmaker and bookseller (1807-1874). One page, 4to, one nick not affecting text, fold marks and signs of having been laid down, mainly good. He has made "few alterations in the Poem, which if you think an improvement, may be adopted. I am afraid that so much practise in writing prose is creeping into and tinging my poetry. I do not truly like this 'Desolate Hall' and yet I can do nothing better at present". He has had no review in the "Literary Gazette" as yet, and comments on the "mass of new books that every corner of the columns have been crowded . . . Mr.