BEDFORDSHIRE

[George Sinclair, gardener to the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey.] Parts of two Autograph Letters Signed to different seedsmen, both with good content, one relating to the subscription to Sinclair’s ‘Hortus gramineus Woburnensis’.

Author: 
George Sinclair (1786-1834), Scottish horticulturalist, gardener to the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey who conducted experiments under Sir Humphrey Davy
Publication details: 
One dated by recipient 1816, the other undated but also from 1816. Places not stated, but the undated letter from Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire.
£280.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Large fragments, both with interesting content, from the beginning of letters to unnamed seedsmen (both addressed to ‘Dear Sir’, but the two docketed by different individuals, suggesting different recipients). Neither has the signature present (presumably supplied to autograph hunters for placement in Sinclair’s ‘Hortus gramineus Woburnensis’, described in the ODNB as‘an expensive folio volume containing dried specimens of the grasses’). Both items in good condition, lightly aged, and with creases from having been folded up.

[London Gliding Club, Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire.] Manuscript 'Progress Log Book' of '[L Sennett?]', containing details of training flights with signed comments by instructors including J. M. Hands, G. R. Williams and J. Wingett.

Author: 
London Gliding Club, Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire [J. M. Hands, G. R. Williams and J. Wingett, instructors]
Publication details: 
London Gliding Club [Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire.] Entries dating from between 8 August 1960 and 11 June 1962.
£320.00

21pp, 12mo. In unpaginated stapled booklet of twelve leaves, in light-blue wraps. Printed on front cover: 'London Gliding Club | PROGRESS LOG BOOK', with space for the trainee's name and no. In fair condition, aged and worn, in worn covers, with one central horizontal fold. The trainee has written his name on the front cover, but this has been worn away, and it appears to read 'L Sennett' or 'L Bennett'. Printed on the first page is a list of twenty-four 'Flying Training Exercises'.

[Christopher Fry edits, as 'A. H. Harris': the Birth of a Literary Career] Thirteen numbers (1-11, 16, 17) of the 'Bedford Modern School Gazette', with 'B.M.S. Gazette Supplement'.

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright, [born Arthur Hammond Harris]; Bedford Modern School
Publication details: 
[Bedford Modern School.] Nos 1-11 (Feb. 1925 to July 1927): Printed by the "Bedfordshire Standard" Newspaper Co. (1913), Ltd, Bedford. Nos 16 (Oct. 1928) and 17 (Dec. 1928): Printed by the County Press (Bedford) Limited. Supplement: 30 March 1926.
£750.00

Fourteen items, all 8vo. Seven numbers (4-9 and 16) are 16pp; number 17 is 26pp; other numbers range from 8 to 12pp, except for the 'B.M.S. Gazette Supplement' (30 March 1926) which has 4pp. The first five numbers on cheap newspaper stock; from the sixth number onwards the paper quality improves. Number 17 ('Special Christmas Number') has lost its back cover. The other thirteen numbers are complete. A frail survival, in fair overall condition, on aged and worn paper. Numbers 4-11 with 'Eagle' masthead, otherwise no settled layout.

Manuscript Letter and Account Book of H. Crofts, veterinary practitioner, of Offa Street, Bedford, 1869-1879, containing a long list of his Bedfordshire clientele.

Author: 
H. Crofts of Offa Street, Bedford, Victorian veterinary practitioner
Publication details: 
Bedford, England. 1869 to 1879 (with two items from 1888).
£450.00

105 pp, in contemporary 4to notebook; started at both ends, with 53 pp at one, and 52 pp at the other. Quarter-bound in brown calf, marbled boards. Aged, in worn binding with a few loose leaves, but fair, and with text clear and complete. Ticket of 'Gotelee, Bookseller Printer and Stationer, Oakingham' on front pastedown. In two hands, the first considerably neater than the other, writing 18 pp of patrons (23 to a page), beginning with 'His Grace the Duke of Manchester Kimbolton Castle Hants', and featuring Sir E. Page Turner Bart Battleden House Woburn'.

Album of correspondence and newspaper cuttings., including material relating to ecclesiastical matters, Liberal politics and Bedfordshire.

Author: 
Reverend Paul Williams Wyatt (c.1855-1935), Vicar of St Leonard's, Bedford, and Chaplain of the Chapel Royal, Savoy, antiquary and author [William Ewart Gladstone; Liberal politics; Bedfordshire]
Publication details: 
1888-1908.
£300.00

See obituary, Times, 31 December 1935. Son of geologist James Wyatt. Educated at Christ Church, Oxford. Books include 'Hardrada, and Other Poems' (1878). Most items in the album laid down on around forty leaves of an 8vo ledger, but much matter loosely inserted. Ledger internally sound and clean, in worn, sturdy boards, with spine lacking. Contents in good condition, clear and complete. Cuttings browning slightly.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr Meades'.

Author: 
Arthur Wellesley Peel, 1st Viscount Peel
Publication details: 
25 July 1906; Sandy [Bedfordshire].
£36.00

Speaker of the House of Commons (1829-1912). Two pages, 12mo. On mourning paper. Folded once. In very good condition. Thanks his correspondent for the letter of condolence on the 'heavy calamity' of the loss of his daughter Eleanor. 'You knew dear Ella so well - that you can imagine how much her high spirits & her genuine and unselfish nature are missed here - and how irreparable is the loss to me and to her mother & sisters.' Signed 'Peel'. He is been touched by 'the sympathy of friends (which is abundantly given)'.

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