FIRST

Olive, Cypress and Palm. An Anthology of Love and Death. Compiled by Mina Curtiss.

Author: 
Mina Curtiss, ed. [Ellery Sedgwick, editor of the Atlantic Monthly]
Publication details: 
New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company. 1930.
£56.00

8vo: xvii + 296 pp. In original black cloth, with design in silver stamped on front board. No dustwrapper. Faded spine and lightly-marked cloth. Inscribed by Curtiss on front free endpaper: 'To Ellery Sedgwick - | Most gratefully - | Mina Curtiss | Christmas, 1932.'

Two Manuscript Diaries, covering the years 1916 and 1917.

Author: 
Geoffrey Clifford Tyndale [Divorce Law; Legal History; Reading Lists; The Times of London]
Publication details: 
1 January 1916 to 3 January 1918.
£450.00

Two 8vo diaries, by Charles Letts, the first 'improved' and the second 'self-opening'. Both in heavily worn covers, lacking spines, but internally clean, on aged paper, and with the text entirely legible. Both diaries end with a brief set of accounts. The diaries are filled with details of the life of a young English lawyer in London during the Great War, including references to the many legal cases in which he was involved.

Autograph Signature ('Roger Keyes').

Author: 
Sir Roger Keyes [Roger John Brownlow Keyes, 1st Baron Keyes] (1872-1945), British naval officer
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£18.00

On a leaf of pink paper (roughly 16 x 20 cm) removed from an autograph album. Firm signature, 6 cm long, with the initial 'R' blotted by Keyes. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The page bearing the signature is headed, in another hand, 'Famous Men Military and Naval'.

A Memorial of the Proceedings of the Late Ministery [sic, for 'Ministry'] and Lower House of Parliament. With An Account of several secret Correspondences [...] To which is added, A short History of a Plot to dethrone Queen Anne, [...].

Author: 
by the Author [i.e. Charles Povey] of An Inquiry into the Miscarriages of the Last Four Years Reign' [Queen Anne; Jacobite; House of Stuart]
Publication details: 
1715. London: Printed for the Author, and Sold by J. Roberts in Warwick-lane, A. Bell in Cornhill, R. Robinson in St. Paul's Church-yard, Mr. Robinson against Serjeants-Inn, [...] and Mrs. Boulter, next Old-Man's Coffee-House at Charing-Cross.
£450.00

12mo: 44 pp. Unbound. Text clear and complete on aged paper. Ten paragraphs on pp.7-10 have terse, sardonic phrases added at the end, apparently by a Jacobite sympathiser. For example, 'by <?> the old cause' added to one ending 'a Country brought to Ruin, or in a fair way to it.'; 'in this world' added to one ending 'will never come to Light.'; 'in a publick manur' added to one ending 'the secret Treaty now concluded.'; also 'much adoe about nothin'. Scarce: all but a handful of the entries on COPAC are for facsimiles. No 'finis' at end, but complete according to COPAC entries.

Autograph Letter to Lord Radstock.

Author: 
Alan Gardner, 1st Baron Gardner of Uttoxeter (1742-1808), English admiral and Member of Parliament for Plymouth [William Waldegrave (1753-1825), 1st Baron Radstock]
Publication details: 
19 April 1808; Lupton House.
£120.00

8vo (23.5 x 18.5), 2 pp. Signature cut away, resulting in loss of 3.5 x 10 cm rectangle from corner at bottom and affecting four lines of text on recto. Otherwise good, on lightly aged paper with thin strip from brown paper mount adhering to inner margin on reverse. 37 lines of text (four with loss). An interesting letter written during his final illness. He begins by confirming the report which has reached the recipient of Gardner's 'having been very seriously indisposed'.

Typed Letter Signed ('Wickham Steed') to Rev. E. J. F. Davies.

Author: 
Henry Wickham Steed (1871-1956), English journalist and historian, nicknamed 'Stickum'
Publication details: 
1 June 1932; on letterhead Lansdowne House 7, Holland Park, W.11 [London].
£10.00

One page, 12mo. Very good. 'Absence abroad has prevented me hitherto from complying with your request. I have pleasure in enclosing herewith a specimen of my signature.'

Autograph Note in the third person to autograph collector 'Mr. Barker'.

Author: 
Arthur William de Brito Savile Foljambe, 2nd Earl of Liverpool (1870-1941), 1st Governor-General of New Zealand
Publication details: 
27 November 1908; 44 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW. [on embossed House of Lords letterhead].
£30.00

Two pages, 12mo. Very good. A formal letter written in the third person. 'Lord Liverpool presents his compliments to Mr. Barker and in answer to your [sic] letter regrets that his father has been dead two years and therefore he cannot comply with Mr. Barker's request for his signature.'

Autograph Signature ('Will. Trumbull.') on fragment of document.

Author: 
Sir William Trumbull (1639-1716), English politician, member of the first Whig Junto
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

On irregular piece of paper roughly 4.5 x 4.5 cm. Good, on lightly discoloured paper. With part of signature '[S]mith' below. Docketed on reverse 'Sir Wm. Trumbull Statesman Wm 3d'.

Autograph Signature ('Bernardino Rivadavia').

Author: 
Bernardino de la Trinidad Gónzalez Rivadavia y Rivadavia (1780-1845), first President of Argentina
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£56.00

On piece of paper roughly 5 x 8 cms. The signature is clear and firm, on a piece of lightly discoloured grubby paper, with a spike hole to the right (not affecting any text). Reads '[in another hand] Bernardino Rivadavia | [signature] Bernardino | Rivadavia' | [in another hand, in pencil] President of Buenos Ayres'. Laid down on irregular shaped piece of paper removed from autograph album, on which is written, in a nineteenth-century hand 'President of Buenos Ayres'.

Typed Letter Signed to Leslie Bloom of the Gallery First Nighters' Club.

Author: 
Ian Wallace (born 1919), English baritone singer connected with Flanders and Swann
Publication details: 
29 October 1956; on letterhead 27 Stormont Road, Highgate, London, N.6.
£18.00

Two pages, on letterhead of roughly 13.5 x 17.5 cms. He has sent a wire accepting the 'kind invitation'. '[A]s you can imagine we are rehearsing all day and every day at the present [...] The only thing thaht could stop me being with you is that we are, I understand, to record the "Fanny" music for a long-playing record on that Saturday'.

A co-operative [booksellers'] catalogue' entitled 'Detective Fiction: A Century of Crime: First and Early Editions'.

Author: 
R. A. Brimmell; Boris Harding-Edgar (Charles Rare Books)
Publication details: 
Hastings and Hildenborough; [circa 1966].
£120.00

Forty-four pages, octavo, with two-page leaf of addenda loosely inserted. Four pages illustrating seventeen pictorial covers on art paper. In printed card wraps. A worn and creased copy of an influential catalogue, issued at a time when, as the introduction points out 'catalogues devoted to detective fiction [were] something of a rarity in the book trade'.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs Valentine'.

Author: 
Victor Sawdon Pritchett
Publication details: 
16 December 1985; on letterhead '12 REGENTS PARK TERRACE | LONDON N.W.I'.
£28.00

English novelist (1900-96). One page, octavo. Good, but with slight marking from staple in top left-hand corner. He is glad his correspondent is 'having therapy for your bad back for, hard work though it is, and must be in your case, I'm sure you will find it helpful. | About author's proofs, they of course usually go back to publishers; but what I am glad to be able to send you is the jacket of my latest book which at least has a picture and my signature, and I hope it will, at least, be decorative in your study.' Signed 'Victor S Pritchett'.

Autograph Letter Signed, Autograph Note, and newspaper article.

Author: 
GEORGE BOOTH HEMING [Goldsmiths' Company; Daily Graphic]
Publication details: 
The note 10 January 1918 and the letter 14 January 1918; both on letterheads of Heming & Co., 28 Conduit St.
£28.00

Mayor of Westminster (1858-1938), and prominent member of the Goldsmiths' Company, for whom he established an annual competition for craftsmen and schools in London. All items very good. Both manuscript items bearing the Society's stamp and the note also docketed. THE LETTER (one page, 12mo): 'I shall certainly try to be at the meeting on Feby 27th & will speak if opportunity arises - also will call upon you someday either this or next week.' Signed 'G. Booth Heming'. THE NOTE (one page, 12mo): 'With G.

Typed Letter Signed to G[eorge]. K[enneth]. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Lieutenant-Colonel John Herbert Boraston [Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig; Earl Haig]
Publication details: 
27 June 1919; on letterhead 'G[eneral]. H[ead]. Q[uarters]. The Forces in Great Britain, | Horse Guards, | London, S.W.1.'
£45.00

English soldier and military historian (1885-1969). One page, quarto. Folded twice. Good, but with minor discoloration and some ink smudging along one edge (not affecting text). Bearing the Society's stamp. Replying, as Haig's private secretary, to a letter electing Haig a fellow of the Society. 'Sir Douglas Haig has asked me to thank you very much for your letter of the 25th instant and will be glad if you will convey to the Council and members of your Society his great appreciation of the honour they have done him.

Autograph Note Signed to unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
John Romilly, 1st baron Romilly
Publication details: 
L[aw]. C[ourts]. 13 Ap. 1839'.
£30.00

Lawyer and Member of Parliament (1802-74), Master of the Rolls, 1851-73. On scrap of paper roughly three and a half inches square. Grubby and stained. Reads '<...> In Chancery | F. 131 <...> | L. C. 13 Ap. 1839 | Will [last word deleted] see minutes of judgment back of pp. 3 & 4. Will give final judgment on Monday. next, 15 Ap./ | John Romilly. | 10/- | <...> In the Matter of the <...>'

Typed Letter Signed to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, School for the Art of Theatre, 7, John Street, Adelphi, London.

Author: 
Sir Alfred Fernandez Yarrow
Publication details: 
12 January 1916; on letterhead 'HOMESTEAD, | HINDHEAD, | SURREY.'
£30.00

English engineer and naval architect (1842-1932). One page, 4to. Good, but lightly creased and slightly discoloured at foot. Bears the stamp of the Royal Society of Arts, of which Wood was the Secretary. Thanks Wood for his 'kind telegram of congratulation' (presumably on his knighthood).

Typed letter signed by Gibson, together with printed copy of the League's thirty-sixth annual report, and unsigned carbon copies of reply from the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
THE LEAGUE OF REMEMBRANCE [Mrs E. H. Gibson (Myra Macindoe Gibson)]
Publication details: 
Gibson's letter, 31 May 1957, on League of Remembrance letterhead; carbon of reply, 3 June 1957. Report printed by 'THE GARDEN CITY PRESS LTD., LETCHWORTH, HERTS.'
£45.00

Mrs Gibson, whose husband was Vice-Chairman of the League, died in 1966. Her letter (one page, quarto, very good apart from rust stain from paperclip) explains that the League is 'at present in temporary premises' and 'without accommodation for its Annual General Meeting' in November ('Her Grace the Duchess of Beaufort is to preside.'), and asks if 'your Society of its kindness, could find it possible to lend a room for the Meeting'. Points out that 'this organisation is over 40 years old', and asks for details of hiring fee. Signed 'Myra Gibson'.

Typed Letter Signed to the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Colonel Augustus Mervyn Owen Anwyl-Passingham [FIRST WORLD WAR PROPAGANDA]
Publication details: 
17 March 1915; on letterhead of the 'PUBLICITY DEPARTMENT | CENTRAL RECRUITING DEPOT | WHITEHALL :: S.W.'
£33.00

British army officer (1880-1955). One page, folio. Very good. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. Unusual letterhead for a governmental department of the period. He has not received the letter, which must have been misaddressed. 'Nevertheless, I shall be glad if you will kindly forward me a copy of the Journal with the Advertisement in, and walso the exact quantity of Posters you require.'

Autograph Postcard Signed to the Editor, Royal Society of Arts Journal.

Author: 
Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Erskine-Murray [ROYAL ARTILLERY]
Publication details: 
Postmarked 12 Nov 1916, Croydon, 'Westport | Purley'.
£32.00

British soldier (1877-1948): Boer War; General Staff Officer, Portland Fortress, Dardanelles, Suez Canal defences, etc., during Great War. C.B.E., D.S.O. and Cavalierr of the Order of the Italian Crown. Very good though somewhat discoloured with age. Dimensions five and a half inches by three and a half. Bearing the Society's stamp. Signed (beneath stamp) 'A Ersine-Murray'. Headed 'Cantor Sections'. He has 'discovered that several typewritten pages have been omitted' from his fourth lecture ('lost in the post I expect').

Typed Letter Signed to Sir Henry Wood, [Secretary,] Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Basil Williams [Arthur Frederic Basil Williams; War Refugees Committee, Folkestone]
Publication details: 
7 October 1914; Old Harvey Grammar School, Folkestone, headed 'WAR REFUGEES COMMITTEE, FOLKESTONE'.
£45.00

Historian (1867-1950), who 'organised reception of Belgian Refugees at Folkestone for L.G.B., 1914 (Med. du Roi Albert)' (Who's who). One page, quarto. Good. Folded three times. Docketed and bearing the Society's stamp. Signed 'Basil Williams'. In answer to Wood's telegram Williams replies 'I am to say that I am afraid we cannot sent [sic] people from here to Aldeburgh.

Autograph Note Signed to Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie the younger.

Author: 
John Romilly, 1st Baron Romilly
Publication details: 
6 February 1862; 6 Hyde Park Terrace, W.
£30.00

English lawyer (1802-74) and Master of the Rolls, 1851-73. The recipient (1817-80) was a noted chemist. Two pages, 16mo. Very good, but sumwhat dusty and grubby. Reads 'My dear Sir Benjamin | I am much oblig'd to you for your kind. [sic] I am not aware of the circumstance, or rather the rule you mention or I should not have committed thte 'indiscretion' of asking you to sign my sons recommendation'. Signed 'John Romilly'.

Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Mr. Amory'.

Author: 
Nicholas Vansittart, 1st Baron Bexley
Publication details: 
Downing Street | January 22d. 1821.'
£30.00

English Chancellor of the Exchequer (1766-1851). One page, 4to. Formal letter in the third person. Very good, with remains of brown-paper stub adhering to the verso of the blank second leaf of the bifoliate. 'Mr. Vansittart presents his Compliments to Mr.

Autograph Letter in the third person to [John Atkins,] 'the Lord Mayor [of London] elect'.

Author: 
Dudley Ryder, 1st Earl of Harrowby and Viscount Sandon, and second Baron Harrowby
Publication details: 
London. 7. Nov[embe]r. 1818'.
£25.00

English politician (1762-1847). One page, 4to. Stained, and with several closed tears and one small hole at foot; traces of previous mount adhering to blank reverse. Formal letter in the third person. 'Lord Harrowby presents his Compliments to the Lord Mayor Elect and the Sheriffs and is sorry that his absence from London will prevent his having the honour of attending the dinner at Guildhall on Monday the 9th of November.'

Autograph Note in the third person to 'Mr Collins'.

Author: 
Robert Shapland Carew, First Baron Carew of Castle Boro
Publication details: 
Woodstown | Waterford | Oct 10' [no year but post 1823].
£40.00

Irish aristocrat (1787-1856). One page, 12mo. In good condition, but with slight staining at head and traces of grey-paper mount on reverse. 'Lord Carew has this day received Mr Collins letter - | Mr. Holmes shall have every facility of engraving from Lord & Lady Carews Portraits, on his calling here.'

Autograph Note Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville
Publication details: 
Downing Street | Saturday. 12. O Clo | 2. 3. 1799'.
£65.00

Scottish advocate and statesman (1742-1811). One page, quarto. Bifoliate on good laid paper watermarked 1798. Grubby and somewhat ruckled, and with small printed notice neatly pasted in bottom right-hand corner. 'My Dear Sir | I have your letter, and should be glad to see you before you see Lord Liverpool or any other Person. Will you dine with me tomorrow. | Yours sincerely | Henry Dundas'.

The Long Walk.

Author: 
Slavomir Rawicz.
Publication details: 
London, April 1956, "Fourth printing before publication".
£250.00

Good+. Dustjacket (not price-clipped)with one-inch tear, sl. bumped and sl. worn in parts, mainly vg. INSCRIBED by autho on title-page: "To Dagmar Jenkin: Slavomir Rawitz / 6th June 1956." Also inscription on front free endpaper by former owner, "Ian" [Jenkin] (also dated 6 June 1956).

Latin among Lions: Alvaro Guevara.

Author: 
Diana Holman-Hunt.
Publication details: 
First Edition, London, 1974.
£50.00

Very good in dustjacket. INSCRIBED by author "Diana Holman-Hunt". She has also added the words "especially you" to her printed expression of gratitude to anyone who helped.

(Printed copy of?) Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Queen Alexandra
Publication details: 
Without date; headed 'Marlborough House' in manuscript and on crested letterhead.
£25.00

Queen-consort (1844-1925) of King Edward VII. 2 pages, 16mo. Bifoliate, with recto of first leaf bearing a mourning border. Reads 'Marlborough House | I have read with great interest the Report of the work of the Field Force Fund and I hope the Appeal for Friends will meed with a generous response to enable the Comforts that are required to be Sent to our Soldiers at the Front - | Alexandra'. The homogeneity of the ink implies that the item is a printed copy. Note: Field Force Fund, 1916-1918.

Four Autograph Notes Signed to "Mr Henry" (1917. 1919) and Mrs Henry (1927).

Author: 
Philip Connard.
Publication details: 
Little Sutton (x1), 17a Whiteheads Grove, Chelsea (x3),1917 (x1), 1919 (x2), 1927 (x1).
£85.00

Artist (see DNB), official war artist to Royal Navy (Ist WW), etc. Total 4pp, 8vo, good condition.(1917) He mentions Henry's illness and suggests that he continue the portrait when he returns from the States. (1919) Thanks ("It is good of you to give to A.B.F."). "The title is all right & settled long ago ". He sends tickets for a Private View at the RA and ASBI dinner hoping he will be his guest. (1927) He accepts a dinner invitation from Mrs Henry and suggests a game of golf ("if so will will he [Mr Henry] come with me to Royal Wimbledon"). Four items,

Autograph Letter Signed "Charlie Beresford" to "Maurice" [prob. Sir John Frederick Maurice, see DNB].

Author: 
Charles Beresford, Lord Beresford
Publication details: 
Somerby Hall, Oakham, 29 [March] 1888.
£100.00

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.

Syndicate content