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Short story writer and essayist (1900-1996). 8vo, to “Mrs Biggs”, appreciating her enjoyment of “the Russian books”, mentioning an error in his review of them, and recommending that she read Leskov about whom he hopes to write.

Glass manufacturer (1814-1854). 2pp., 8vo, good, admitting that he isinvolved with the Crystal Palace Company, but is not the secretary. He says that he has the interests of “Mr Woodfall” [the printer?] at heart, and his family is well. Phillips became literary diretor of the Crystal Palace Co. in 1853. He wrote Guide to the Crystal Palace and Park (1854).

(Peace Society (1893)). 2pp., 8vo, H.(?) Evans Darby to the Chevalier Dr Karl de Scherzer, He informs his correspondent that the last “universal Peace Congress” in Chicago decided to invite eminent jurists “to form a Committee for thepurpose of considering the question of an International Court of Arbitration”. As a member of the provisional committee, he has beenasked to prepare a list for this committee for Europe. He invites hiscorrespondent to join it (“I should not think that it would involve muchlabour or responsibility”).

Spanish author. Two pages, 4to. He writes concerning the World Unity Movement of which Polak is a sponsor, criticising the Chairman, James Avery Joyce. With: a TLS, 2pp., 4to, from Joyce to Polak referring to a note he has received from de Madariaga (copy enclosed) and describing his difficulties in finding a speaker. He also asks for his expenses from an American trip which de Madariaga found offensive.

Painter. 4 ALSs, 2-3pp., 8vo, good. He asks for payment for a picture so that he can pay rent arrears, reports of his progress with his pictures, “the two Dartmoor streams”. He later talks of other pictures in which Roberrts has an interest (“Mermaid”, “Kennack Bay”, “Cadgwith [Cove]” and others) and his constant need for money. 4 items,

Writer on natural history (1780-1868). One page, 8vo, good. He thanks his correspondent for his “interesting pamphlet” and discusses rough drawings of swans he is sending him.

(British Army: Ist Volunteer Rifle Battalion (Devon) in 1901). A small collection of letters and printed ephemera relating to the Ist Volunteer Rifle Battalion, Exeter, comprising: ALS, 2pp., 8vo, William C.Richards to Colonel Sir Dudley Duckworth-King, 17 Sept.

Governor-General of India. 5 & 2pp., 8vo. Some illegible. (1830) he asks himself whether the "Board" should reply to "the Statements and Assumptions of the . . . Secret Committee in the subject of the Secret Letters relating to the Treaty with . . .(?)". He continues on the theme, concluding that ther documents in question had been perused by Lord Clare, the intended successor of Sir John Malcolm" (Governor of Bombay). (1841) he is trying to arrange a meeting.

Russian emigre (1914- ?). ANS, 8vo, to “Miss Bentley”, envelope present, postmarked 24 April 1958. He asks her to cash a cheque for him to save him time.

Professor of Chemistry, Cambridge University (1827-1924). 2pp., 8vo, good. He finds “syllabuses” a reflection of what was considered important at a certain time, and is pleased to have been sent a plan of Wollaston’slectures. He goes on to discuss Wollaston (a predecessor of his in theChair) and the change wrought by his becoming Jacksonian Professor.

Ist Baron Glenesk, newspaper proprietor (1830-1908), 4pp., 8vo, stained but not obscuring text, giving his reason for not seeing Yates’s “representation”, and planning a pre-luncheon conversation about Napoleon, Palmerston and the like. He is pleased to be given a place in Yates’s “Gallery”.

Collector (1760-1830). One page, 8vo, good, giving himpermission to view his pictures.

Politician (1821-1899). 2pp., 8vo, reporting that Gladstonehas given their “resolution” a positive response and that expressions of“strong feeling” from the north create a good effect in Parliament.

Novelist, dramatist and journalist (1831-1894). One page each, 8vo, good. In the first, he is sorry that “Fred” has been bothered in a particular“matter”. In the second, he says simply “Here is the Valentine you askfor”.

India Office. 2pp., 8vo, good, accepting an invitation to visit her at Devonshire House, if he “can get away from my Committee”.

Admiral. One page, 4to, tear not affecting text, discussing his travel plans and meetings.

Extensive corrections in Clementine Churchill's hand.The notes simply acknowledge firstly, a letter about a legal matter in which she cannot intervene, and secondly, she displays sympathy for someone's son who is doing "dangerous work". Two items,

Scottish novelist (1800-1864). One page, 8vo, good. She quotes Shakespeare’s “What’s in a name?” and appends hersignature.

Primate of Australia, miscellaneous writer (DNB). Clipped signature, , on paper, c.3.5 x 1.5", laid down on similar sized card. Text as follows: "Yours truly / Alfred Barry / W.H. Dynham Esq", the latter being the correspondent.

Librarian at Windsor Castle. Three pages, 8vo, good condition. "I am one of hte unfortunates of the earth . . ." He is unable to accept an invitation to Britwell (hence the identification of Samuel Christie-Miller as the correspondent) because he "cannot keep off the demands of the printers any longer, & I must work." He hopes, however, to welcome him to the Library (Windsor) and to have the invitation to Britwell repeated. He adds a paragraph about "the great loss all Bibliophiles have experienced in the death of Mr Thomas Watts of the British Museum.

Actor then Theatre Manager (see DNB). "unexpected circumstances" oblige him to postopone the opening of the Adelphi Season until June next. The cast will not assemble until the 12th June. It appears to be in a secretarial hand signed by Murray.

Chemist, Inventor of water-proof material. See DNB. Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He asks for news about the Duke of Montrose. He describes his current illness, caused by the rupture of of a small artery in the lung - "we have got it soldered up however, but I am leaft weak from very copious bleeding".

Singer (DNB). Bold, underlined Signature, c.3.5 x 1.5". Other side the following few words, "towns, will tempt me [to] make a trial, so I do [not?] think I shall visit".

(1777-1869), Principal Librarian of the British Museum. Three pages, 4to, fold marks, some marking but text clear and complete. He asks Reade to welcome a friend (Sir Reginald Warren) should he visit Tunis after visiting Egypt. He reports on a young man who will send a letter to Reade via Warren probably mentioning his progress in the Museum ("in the Arrangement of our Geography") and his important discovery of "a bird's eye view of your country [Tunisia]" which includes a view of the Palace in which Reade is living.

Ballet. Fletcher was a bookseller specialising in Performing Arts and founder of the Society for Theatre Research. One page, 4to, chipped, four small tears, fold mark, punch-holes, small hole in centre, but complete and legible. He thanks Fletcher for submitting a print to "us" (Leslie and Niles?) but they decline regretfully, requesting others from the Romantic Period as they occur. "The 'Pas de Quatre' is most beautiful and now graces our walls." He requests an English translation of "Stepanow alphabet les Mouvements du Corps Humain".

Colonial secretary , Van Diemen's Land. 1.5pp., 8vo. He discusses the physical composition of a necklace. (Bicheno's works on Law and the Irish economy are listed on the reverse in a different hand.)

Publisher, Oxford University Press. One page each, 8vo (2) and 4to (2), one grubby, fold marks, minor defects, but texts clear and complete. Two are goodhumoured, brief, and concerning social trivia. The one sent in 1932 goes: "This is to introduce Sir Wallis Budge. I have told him you are the best bookseller in London, and would be able to get him all he wanted." (one ms. correction and one ms. addition). The letter dated 1943 discusses the works of Mark Rutherford: "I remember in very old days you were a devoted admirer of my late brother-in-law, Mark Rutherofrd.

The address panel only, 4 x 2", of a letter with the address "Mrs Davidson/ Milner's[?] Lodgings/ Green Street/ Scarborough/ Yorkshire" in Mitford's hand. Partly laid down. Mary Mitford's name and address are written in another hand on the reverse.

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,

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,.