COMBE

[Auberon Waugh, journalist and novelist, son of Evelyn Waugh.] Long and entertaining Typed Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, proprietor of ‘Books and Bookmen’, regarding personal and professional matters.

Author: 
Auberon Waugh (‘Bron’, 1939-2001), journalist, novelist and editor of the ‘Literary Review’, son of Evelyn Waugh [Philip Dosse (c.1924-1980), proprietor of 'Books and Bookmen' (Hansom Books)]
Auberon Waugh
Publication details: 
24 May 1977. On illustrated letterhead of ‘Combe Florey House, Combe Florey, Taunton, Somerset.
£180.00
Auberon Waugh

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. From the archives of Philip Dosse, proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of the ‘Seven Arts’ group of magazines, including ‘Books and Bookmen’ and ‘Plays and Players’. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. 2pp, 4to. The letterhead, on both leaves, is topped by a pleasing 10 x 6 cm woodcut of Combe Florey House. The paper is creased, otherwise in good condition, and entirely legible.

[George Combe, Scottish phrenologist and lawyer.] Autograph Document describing 'The Police Establishment of Edinburgh', including information on the 'Watching', 'cleaning' and 'Lighting' departments, written out by him for Arthur West of Bath.

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society [Alfred West of Beechen Cliff, Bath; policing in Scotland]
Publication details: 
Bath. 11 April 1835.
£650.00

1p, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of glue from mount at head of reverse of second leaf, which is addressed, with broken seal in red wax, to 'Arthur West Esq | Beeching [i.e. modern-day 'Beechen'] Cliff | Bath.' The page is headed: 'The Police Establishment of Edinburgh consists of,' and the text is neatly written out in two columns. The first is headed 'In the Watching department', and contains twelve entries from '1 Superintendent' to '2 Female [Turnkeys]', including '30 Night Patrole men' and '166 night watchmen'.

[George Combe, Scottish lawyer and phrenologist.] Autograph Signature ('Geo. Combe') cut from a letter addressed to Andrew Carmichael

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£25.00

Irregular strip of paper, roughly 6 x 14 cm, one side bearing the valediction to a letter. In poor condition, aged and worn. Reads: 'With many thanks for your kind attention & with sincere regards, I remain | Sir | Your very Obedient Servant | Geo. Combe'. Crosswise on the reverse is part of Combe's addressing of the letter: 'Andrew Carmichael E[sq] | M. R. I. […] | [Pullis?] Ro[ad] | D[...]'.

[George Combe, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Combe') [to his agents], requesting remittance of the previous years account, and for a parcel to be sent to Professor Benjamin Silliman of New Haven.

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society [Benjamin Silliman, American chemist]
Publication details: 
Westminster Family Hotel, Westminster Bridge [London]; 19 June 1840.
£300.00

1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse. Begins: 'Gentlemen! | As I am on my way to Edinburgh, from the United States, I shall be obliged by your informing me, here, whether you have remitted or otherways paid the balance due to me on last years account, due on 4th. June, current, rendered to Mr. Probert Cox'. He asks for payment to be made to Messrs Coutts, 'so that it may be at my command here'. He also requests the making up in a parcel of 'a copy of my Testimonials & “the Suppressed Documents”, if you have one'.

[George Combe, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Combe') supplying a paragraph by his brother Dr A. Combe on Sir Walter Scott's 'conduct', which he suggests Joseph C. Neal insert in 'The Pennsylvanian'.

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society [Joseph C. Neal (1807-1847), editor of The Pennsylvanian'; Sir Walter Scott]
Publication details: 
Marshall House [i.e. Marshall House Hotel, Philadelphia]; 11 March 1839.
£280.00

1p, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip of paper adhering to reverse of second leaf, which is addressed to 'Joseph C. Neal Esq | Pennsylvanian office'. He was gratified at Neal's 'notice of Rogets re-publication'. He has sent Roget 'and also the Editor of the Phren: Journal a copy of the Pennsylvanian containing it'. He quotes a paragraph from a 'letter from my Brother Dr. A. Combe', which he suggests Neal makes use of 'as a piece of literary news, only suppressing all allusion to the source from which it is derived'.

[George Combe, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Combe') to Inverness 'Courier' editor, regarding Sir William Hamilton, 'Mr. A. Smith, Banff' and Edinburgh Review article on 'The Ethics of Phrenology'.

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society [Sir William Hamilton; Edinburgh Review]
Publication details: 
45 Melville Street, Edinburgh; 27 February 1851.
£200.00

1p, 16mo. Aged, worn and discoloured, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse. 'Sir | In your notice of the late Mr. A. Smith, Banff, you mention that he wrote “The Ethics of Phrenology” an article in the Edinburgh Review. As this article was generally ascribed to Sir William Hamilton, I should be obliged by your mentioning whether you have full reliance on your authority in ascribing it to Mr. Smith? My only reason for asking the question is to do justice to Sir William Hamilton, if he is not the author.'

[George Combe, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Combe') to William Tait, asking him to insert an advertisement in Tait's Edinburgh Magazine, and complaining of the loss of previous advertisements.

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society [William Tait (1792-1864), editor and proprietor, Tait's Edinburgh Magazine]
Publication details: 
Edinburgh; 9 October 1846.
£250.00

1p, 16mo. Bifolium. Aged and worn, with repair with archival tape to outer edge. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'William Tait Esq | 107 Princes Street'. He writes that he is enclosing an advertisement which he wishes to be inserted in Tait's Magazine on four occasions between November 1846 and May 1847. 'As my advertisement was altogether lost sight of in your office last year, will you be so kind as acknowledge receipt of this order that I may he certain that it has reached you.'

[George Combe, Scottish lawyer and phrenologist.] Autograph Draft, Signed ('Geo Combe'), of part of article or paper on the 'leading object' of the punishment of offenders in prison.

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish lawyer and phrenologist, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Societ
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£250.00

Twelve lines of text, on one side of an 11 x 13 cm piece of paper, with 'Messrs. Neill & Co' deleted on the reverse. Part of a draft of an article or paper, with deletions and corrections, signed at foot 'Geo Combe'. The final text reads: 'but until a certain sum be redeemed by the labour, attended by the good conduct, of the prisoner.

[George Combe, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Combe'), responding with outrage at his recipient's 'utterly vulgar' use of the word 'bump' in connection with phrenology.

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society
Publication details: 
Carlton House, New York; 14 December 1838.
£500.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight use of archival paper, and thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse. A splendid explosion of outrage at his correspondent's use of the word 'bump'. The recipient is not identified.

[Sir James Clark, Physician-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria.] Autograph Note Signed ('Ja Clark') to 'Mr Owen', i.e. Sir Richard Owen, regarding 'Mr Combe' sending Owen his work.

Author: 
Sir James Clark (1788-1870), Physician-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria, and to St George's Infirmary [Sir Richard Owen (1804-1892), palaeontologist; George Combe, Scottish phrenologist]
Publication details: 
No place; 14 May [no year].
£90.00

1p, 16mo. In fair condition, aged and grubby, with remains of glue from mount on reverse. Reads: 'Dear Mr Owen, | I have sent your note to Mr Combe & hope he may be able to send you the work - | Yours truly | Ja Clark'. The note has a light stamp at top left of page, stating that it is 'Ex. Litt. Ricardi Owen', and a gift to Sherborne from 'R. S. Owen'.

[George Combe, phrenologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Combe') to educationist W. E. Hickson, praising his book 'History of Sunday' and discussing his 'broken down' health.

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society [William Edward Hickson (1803-1870), author and educationist]
Publication details: 
Edinburgh; 7 May 1857.
£200.00

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Second leaf, blank except for endorsement, with traces of glue from mount. Addressed to 'W E. Hickson Esq'. He thanks him for his 'kind remembrance', and for 'sending me your “History of Sunday”; It is a most valuable, & from its small compass & cheapness, a most serviceable, contribution to the great cause of human emancipation from superstition'. He states that he has himself 'lately published a work with the same end in view'.

[James Simpson, educationalist, phrenologist and friend of Sir Walter Scott.] Autograph Letter Signed to geologist William Hutton of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, writing enthusiastically about his lectures around England on non-sectarian popular education.

Author: 
James Simpson (1781-1853), Scottish advocate, educationalist, phrenologist, friend of Sir Walter Scott [William Hutton (1797-1860), geologist; Sir Thomas Wyse; Professor Dionysius Lardne]
Publication details: 
Bath; 30 August 1836.
£250.00

The background to this letter is explained in Simpson's entry in the Oxford DNB which states that he 'took a deep interest in the movement for better elementary education. He was one of the founders of the Edinburgh modern infant school, in which he attempted to solve the problem of religious education by allowing parents to select religious instructors themselves. Failing to receive adequate support, however, the school was ultimately sold to the kirk session of New Greyfriars.

[Sydney Smith, 'The Smith of Smiths', wit and author.] Four Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mrs Cunliffe' [Elizabeth Emma Cunliffe Offley, daughter of Lord Crewe], good natured and vivacious.

Author: 
Sydney Smith (1771-1845), 'The Smith of Smiths', wit, author and cleric [Elizabeth Emma Cunliffe Offley (1780-1850), daughter of Lord Crewe and wife of MP Foster Cunliffe Offley]
Publication details: 
Three letters from London addresses: 3 Weymouth Street [Portland Place], no date [c. 1835]; 33 Charles Street, Berkeley Square, 31 April 1839; 56 Green Street, Grosvenor Square, 18 February 1842. Last letter with no place or date [London, c. 1824].
£450.00

The four items in good condition, lightly aged, with stubs from mounts still adhering. The first three are bifoliums, carrying seals in red wax (that to the third letter broken). The second letter is addressed to her at Grosvenor Square; the third and fourth to her at Upper Brook Street. ONE: No place or date. [London, on paper with watermark of 'J GREEN & SON | 1824'.] 1p, 12mo.

[ George Combe, phrenologist. ] Autograph corrected text from his appendix to his edition of Elisha P. Hurlbut's 'Essays on Human Rights and their Political Guaranties'.

Author: 
George Combe [ born George Comb ] (1788-1858), English phrenologist [ Elisha P. Hurlbut ]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. (Published in Combe's appendix to his 1847 Edinburgh edition of Hurlbut's book.)
£135.00

On 8 x 22 cm piece of paper. In fair condition, aged and creased, and laid down on piece of card. Note in a contemporary hand in red ink in the margin: 'George Combe the Phrenologist | (Holograph) [sic]'. With five emendations and deletions.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Sydney Smith') from Rev. Sydney Smith to the future Lord Chancellor Henry Brougham, regarding his ambitions and 'objects in the Church'. With annotations by Brougham.

Author: 
Rev. Sydney Smith (1771-1845), author and wit ['the Smith of Smiths'], member of the Holland House Circle [Henry Brougham (1778-1868), Scottish lawyer, Whig politician and Lord Chancellor]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. Docketted by Brougham '1830 or 31', but in fact circa 1827.
£450.00

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. A thin strip has been torn from the head of the first leaf, resulting in loss to two lines of text, otherwise in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. A significant letter, in which Smith discusses his ambitions with a close and influential friend, and former colleague on the 'Edinburgh Review'.

Autograph Signature ('Geo Combe') of the Scottish lawyer and phrenologist George Combe.

Author: 
George Combe [Comb] (1788-1858), Scottish lawyer, phrenologist and author
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£25.00

On one side of a 5 x 8 cm piece of paper, cut from a letter, and backed with card. In good condition, lightly-aged, with the top two corners rounded. Reads: 'I am | Gentlemen | Your very obed Sert | [signed] Geo Combe'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('M. Combe') from Martha Combe, wife of the 'Printer to the University' Thomas Combe of the Oxford University Press, discussing the terms of lodgings with 'Mrs. Capel', with a reference to 'Mr. Hunt' [William Holman Hunt'].

Author: 
Martha Combe (1806-1893), wife of Thomas Combe (1796-1872), 'Printer to the University' at the Oxford University Press [William Holman Hunt (1827-1910), Pre-Raphaelite painter]
Publication details: 
'The University Press' [Oxford]. 19 April 1862.
£95.00

2pp., 12mo. 14 lines. With the address and date on the second leaf of the bifolium, the top part of which is lacking. Fair, on aged paper. Writing to an unnamed male correspondent, Mrs Combe states that if he should arrive during her absence, he will find his lodgings 'at Mrs. Capel 7. St. Giles's, Pastry Cook'. She describes the terms as '£1 a week including attendance, plate, cooking linen, with a gratuity to the servant at the end of the term'. She concludes: 'I hope Mr.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Combe') to Messrs Bell & Bain, Printers, Exchange Court [Glasgow].

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist
Publication details: 
20 April 1836; 81 Bath Street [Glasgow].
£95.00

8vo, 1 p. Addressed by Combe on the reverse, to which his monogram seal in red wax (with his motto 'RES NON VERBA QUAESO') still adheres. In poor condition, on discoloured paper, with damage to a few words of text above the signature caused by clumsy removal from the mount, a part of which still adheres to the reverse. Repaired with archival tape. The letter presumably concerns 'Additional testimonials on behalf of George Combe, as a candidate for the chair of logic in the University of Edinburgh' (1836). It reads 'Gentlemen | Be so good as correct these proofs, make them up in 8vo.

Seven Autograph Letters Signed and the unsigned first part of an eighth letter, all to his second son Charles John Manning (1799-1880); also a manuscript transcription of a memorial tablet to him.

Author: 
William Manning (1763-1835), Governor of the Bank of England, 1812-14; Deputy-Governor, 1810-12; Director, 1792-1831; West Indian merchant; father of Cardinal Henry Edward Manning [slavery]
Publication details: 
Five of the letters dated between 1827 and 1831.
£350.00

The collection is lightly aged and in good condition. Letter One (12mo, 3 pp), Oxford, 1 November 1827, signed 'W: M.': Begins by saying that he will be pleased to join Charles 'in the Lodging you propose or any other more to your mind - I had not fixed upon any plan, but thought once of being at Ellis's Hotel - (the Colonial Club House, St. James St.) Your proposal, however, I like much better.' He will 'much prefer being in the Regent Street on late Nights in the Ho. of Commons [Manning was also a Member of Parliament], as I found Wimpole St.

The first four pages of a manuscript letter to C. J. Manning, by an unknown author, commenting on the death of his father William Manning.

Author: 
The family of Cardinal Henry Edward Manning (1808-1892) [his father William Manning (1763-1835), Governor of the Bank of England, 1812-14; and his brother Charles James Manning (1799-1880)]
Publication details: 
Without date or place, but written shortly after William Manning's death, 17 April 1835.
£25.00

12mo bifolium, 4 pp. Good, on aged, laid paper. Good, on lightly aged paper. Addressed to 'My dear Charles', and from a collection of papers belonging to Charles James Manning. From the context may well be written by the wife of William Manning's eldest son Frederick (Charles's brother, as well as Cardinal Manning's). The author has 'been quite stunned with the sad & awfully sudden news' [of William Manning's death]. The author's uncle, 'Col ' agreed 'that it would alarm [Frederick] to see me [at 'Pangburn']'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Locker.

Author: 
Mrs Elizabeth Charles [nee Rundle] (1828-1896), English author
Publication details: 
Thursday | Combe Edge | Hampstead Heath'.
£28.00

Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with some light glue stains on reverse, to which a small printed strip giving a printed list of Mrs Charles's works is attached. 'I was hoping to hear your boy was better - & I am very glad he is - thanks - but I am engaged on Thursday, & for some little time to come - so many people from all quarters coming just now & I hope you may be able to come & see me before very long'. Signed 'Bettie Charles'.

Fragment of Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
George Combe
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£23.00

Victorian phrenologist (1788-1858) and natural philosopher. Paper dimensions roughly seven and a half inches by three inches. Folded four times. Good, but worn and with some loss to bottom corners from previous mounting. Reads 'I am | My dear Sir | Yours most truly | Geo: Combe | If you see Mr. <?> at the meeting put this letter into his hands, lest I should not see him before it. | [signed] G C'.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
George Combe
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

Victorian phrenologist (1788-1858) and natural philosopher. Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by two and a quarter. Very good. From autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of lilac paper. Crease line affecting first line of text. Reads 'I am | My dear Major Mair | Very truly yours | Geo. Combe'. Docketed in pencil at foot by Dame Sarah Elizabeth Siddons Mair (died 1941) '(Phrenologist) | Written to my Father - S. E. S. M.'

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