HOUSE

Printed governmental circular (in form of facsimile of manuscript) addressed to 'The Town Clerk' (with 'Town of Maidstone' in manuscript).

Author: 
Henry Hobhouse [MAIDSTONE, KENT]
Publication details: 
Copy | Whitehall July 1827.'
£56.00

Hobhouse (1776-1854) was a Privy Councillor in 1828, and Keeper of the State Papers, 1826-54. Quarto. One page. Very good, on first leaf of bifoliate. Folded twice. On watermarked Whatman paper of 1827. Facsimile signature 'H. Hobhouse'. Begins 'The King having been pleased to comply with the prayer of an humble Address presented to His Majesty in pursuance of a Resolution of the House of Commons [...] for a Return of all Towns Cities Places of Jurisdiction within England & Wales' and ending 'I am directed by Mr.

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

Author: 
Robert Atkinson
Publication details: 
24 November 1932; on letterhead '126 WIGMORE STREET | W.I'.
£38.00

British architect (1883-1952) who worked on 'the Bath Improvement Scheme, Saint Catherine's Church, Hammersmith, W., The Regent Theatre, Brighton, The Picture House, Edinburgh, Gresham Hotel, Dublin, and many private and other works' (Who's Who). One page, quarto. Very good. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. Headed 're Architectural Decoration Committee'. He assumes that 'the Agenda of a meeting of your Committee on the 30th November at 4 p.m.' has been sent to him in error, as he has written a letter declining the invitation to serve on it.

Four Typed Letters Signed to W. Perry and A. W. Luckhurst, Royal Society of Arts; and Typescript of 'Notes of Sir Philip Devitt's Speech at Southampton, 25th March, 1938.'

Author: 
Sir Philip Henry Devitt
Publication details: 
Letters: 18 January 1935; 14 and 17 March and 23 May 1938; on letterhead of 'THE DEVITT & MOORE NAUTICAL COLLEGE, LTD.'
£85.00

British mariner (1876-1947), 'Sole Partner of Devitt and Moore' (Who's Who). All five items very good. The four letters all one page, quarto. The typescript: seven pages, quarto. Three letters docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. LETTER ONE: He has received the letter informing him that 'any day about 12.30 will suit Captain Steele for the presentation of the Thomas Gray Memorial Shield. I presume that you have duly received the sheild and that it has been engraved and is being sent to H.M.S. "Worcester" [...]'.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Sir Courtenay Peregrine Ilbert
Publication details: 
7 November 1894; on letterhead '67, GLOUCESTER PLACE, | PORTMAN SQUARE, W.'
£36.00

Parliamentary legislative draftsman (1841-1924), Benjamin Jowett's literary executor. Three pages, 12mo. Very good, with traces of glue to blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. Docketed in pencil. 'Miss Flora Shaw has asked me whether I could send you an early copy of the paper which I am to read at the Imperial Institute to-morrow afternoon. | The paper has not been printed, & the only spare copy which I have is the rouggh copy from which I had another typed for my own use. | I fear that this is very illegible.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Jean Morison [Mrs Jean Morison Campbell]
Publication details: 
Without date; on embossed letterhead 'MORISON HOUSE. | HETLAND. | RUTHWELL.'
£20.00

Scottish author. Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by one and a quarter. Very good, with some light glue staining. From autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of blue paper. Reads '[...] your welcome letter which | [...] | [...] your loving friend Jean M. C. Miller Morison'. Docketed in pencil 'Poet & Critic - "The Purpose of the Ages" etc'.

Anno Regni Georgii II. Regis Magnae Britanniae, Franciae, & Hiberniae, quarto ('An Act to prevent Frauds in the Revenue of Excise, with respect to Starch, Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate.' p.3).

Author: 
Great Britain, Act of Parliament, George II
Publication details: 
1731; London: Printed by the Assigns of His Majesty's Printer, and of Henry Hills deceas'd.
£50.00

24 pages, 16mo. In poor condition: grubby and with wear to extremities and closed tear to second leaf. Pencil marks to verso of last leaf. Stitched into grubby, worn vellum binding, bearing pencil and ink notes at front and rear.

Three Autograph Letters Signed to [G. K. Menzies,] the Secretary, The Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke
Publication details: 
12 February 1918; 14 June [mistakenly given as July] 1918; 18 June 1918; all on letterhead '5 WESTERN TERRACE, | BRIGHTON.'
£56.00

Dilke, the 2nd Baronet (1843-1911), was a disgraced politician and author. All items 12mo and very good. All three docketed, bearing the Society's stamp, and signed 'C. Wentworth Dilke'. The first item is addressed to Menzies personally and the other two to 'The Secty.' ITEM ONE: one page. He has received the letter of 9 February and is 'pleased to send you a subscription though not much in town'. ITEM TWO: two pages. Would like to know 'whether ladies are admitted as guests and how often'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Joshua Sharpe.

Author: 
Edward Blakeney
Publication details: 
Mahon the 8th. November 1753', Mahon, Minorca.
£125.00

The recipient Joshua Sharpe (c.1716-86) was a solicitor of Lincoln's Inn, and counsel for various American colonies before the Board of Trade and Privy Council. His brother Horatio was Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. Two pages, folio. Grubby, frayed and worn, with some closed tears and minor fraying and loss to extremities, and minor loss to text. Appears to concern the investigation into a case brought against an English ship by the owners of the Spanish vessel Sancta Barbara ('Patron Joseph de la Torre').

"Army (Annual) [...] Bill 132": "A bill to provide, during twelve months, for the discipline and regulation of the army."

Author: 
House of Commons
Publication details: 
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 17 March 1904."; "PRINTED BY EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, | PRINTERS TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY."
£22.00

Five leaves, folio. One page blank. Unbound and stitched as issued. Good, but creased and foxed, with slight wear to extremities. Comprising bill (four pages), schedule, memorandum, arrangement of clauses.

Autograph Letter (signed 'Anon') to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Mrs. Manning [The Red Cross Sale at Christie's, 1916]
Publication details: 
26 February 1916; Tavistock, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
£28.00

One page, 4to. Good, but creased and with slight damage to reverse from caused by removal from mount. Despite signing 'Anon' the author has written her name and address at the head of the letter. 'Since sending you the two ancient Documents & two Autographs which you courteously acknowledged (816) I have found This Programme which was used by Queen Victoria on Feby 7th. 1891. It was given to me by a friend who was staying at The Old George Hotel, Salisbury & I enclose her letter which accompanied it.

Autograph Letter in the third person to the City [of London] Remembrancer.

Author: 
Sir Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquis of Lansdowne
Publication details: 
Berkley [sic] Sq[uar]e. | May 12th.' [no year, but post 1809].
£24.00

Aristocrat and politician (1780-1863). Two pages, 4to. Grubby, stained and creased. Several folds. Remains of mount adhering to one edge, and with small piece of glued paper at foot of verso. Formal letter in the third person. 'The Marquis of Lansdowne presents his compliments to the City Remembrancer, & will be happy to present the petition of the Corporation of the City this day as requested. The House of Lords in consequence of the event of yesterday is to meet this day at two oclock, & may possibly adjourn soon afterwards.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
George John Shaw-Lefevre, Baron Eversley
Publication details: 
23 June 1900; on letterhead '18. BRYANSTON SQUARE. W.'
£30.00

Liberal statesman (1831-1928). One page, 12mo. Grubby and discoloured, and with some staining to blank reverse from previous mounting. Reads 'Dear Sir | I have been reading the evidence given before the Committee of the House of Commons on the Undersized Fish Bill: It may perhaps interest you to read an article which I have written as the result in the Fortnightly Review for this month (June).' Signed 'G Shaw Lefevre'.

Note Signed to unnamed judge.

Author: 
Hardinge Stanley Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury
Publication details: 
12 January 1888; on House of Lords letterhead.
£56.00

Lord Chancellor of England (1825-1921), author of the monumental 'Laws of England'. One page, 4to. In good condition though somewhat grubby. Folded twice, and with embossed House of Lords stamp and armorial stamp in red ink in top left-hand corner. Opening ('My dear Judge') and salutation ('faithfully yours | Halsbury') by Halsbury, the rest in secretarial hand. Reads 'I have to thank you for your letter of the 11th., and for the arrangements which have been made, at Mr. Justice Stirling's request, and of which I entirely approve'.

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)'.

Autograph Note, Third Person, to [Edward] Jeffery, bookseller.

Author: 
Lady Holland
Publication details: 
"Friday", no date.
£100.00

Elizabeth Vassall Fox, Lady Holland, Society Hostess (DNB). Remnants of laying down process, chipped, text complete and clear, as follows: Lady Holland informs Mr Jeffery that in the set of English Poets sent to here there are six volumes wanting viz. 59, 60, 61, 62, 63 & 64 - which she wishes him to find as soon as possible in order to have the collection bound - She retruns one number of the Edinburgh [Review] as by mistake he has sent her two- / Holland House / Friday"

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'.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Thomas James Mathias
Publication details: 
74 Monte | d'Iddio | Pizzofalcone | 10 May 1831.'
£45.00

Mathias (c.1754-1835), F.R.S., F.S.A., was librarian at Buckingham House and editor of Thomas Gray, &c. One page, 12mo. In good condition, although attached to sheet of larger paper by four wafers, all of which show through the paper. He asks his correspondent to accept 'a copy of a new edition of a little volume lately printed in Naples, entitled "Poesie Liriche, con l'Aggiunta di Saffo, Dramma lirico [...]'. Signed 'T. J. Mathias'. The work, by Mathias himself, went through various editions between 1810 and 1825.

Three Typed Letters Signed and one Autograph Letter Signed (all four to Mrs Cecil Roscoe), and one printed menu signed for a dinner at the House of Commons.

Author: 
Sir Henry (Harry) Ernest Brittain
Publication details: 
1921-45.
£50.00

British journalist and Conservative politician (1873-1974). The typed text is entirely legible, but the collection is in extremely poor condition - badly damp-damaged and frayed, and with much of the menu consumed by insects. ITEM ONE: TLS, 4 May 1944, 'KIRKLANDS, | HEADLEY, HANTS.', on letterhead of the Incorporated Sales Managers' Association, one page, 4to. Green-ink signature severely faded by damp. He has returned 'after a very successful three weeks' mission with Western Command'.

Signed Letter in secretarial hand to Francis B[roxholme]. G[rey]. Jenkinson[, House of Commons Clerk].

Author: 
Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke [CHILD LABOUR; COAL MINING]
Publication details: 
19 April 1900; on letterhead '76, Sloane Street, S.W.'
£80.00

Second baronet (1843-1911), politician and author. Three pages, 12mo. In good condition although grubby and with a few stains. 'My Coal Mines Prevention of Child Labour Underground Bill grew out of the Eight Hours debate and a challenge to the Coal Owners, so I did not put metalliferous mines in, and excluded them by any title. There are very few boys under 13 in them, but the principle might be the same'. He has been consulted on the matter by the Home Office, and has spoken to Lord Grey about it.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs Mellersh' [wife of the historian H. E. L. Mellersh?].

Author: 
Gerald Wellesley, 7th Duke of Wellington
Publication details: 
14 October 1925; on letterhead '11, TITCHFIELD TERRACE, | REGENTS PARK, N.W.8.'
£25.00

The seventh Duke was born in 1885 and died in 1972. Two pages, 4to. In good condition although creased and dusty. He thanks the Mellershes for their hospitality during a lecture at Cheltenham. He also thanks Mellersh for 'the cutting from the "Echo": 'There are a good many inaccuracies in it some of which are fairly [rather] misleading, but I do not think it is worth while putting in a correction. They give me a very large space which is very kind of them.'

Fragment of Autograph with Signature; and bookplate.

Author: 
William Cowper, Clerk of the Parliaments [BOOKPLATES]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£100.00

Cousin (1690-1740) of the poet of the same name. Both fragment and bookplate are pasted to a piece of thin, discoloured card. The fragment, which is roughly 5 inches by 2 inches, is grubby annd rubbed. It reads, in Cowper's hand '13th July Exhibited to us under the Commission agt. Thomas Park | Wm Cowper'. Beneath this the signatures of 'Fr. Rookes' and 'Rd Maddock'. The bookplate (roughly 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2, in good condition although somewhat grubby) is armorial, with the motto beneath reading 'FAX . MENTIS. HONESTAE. GLORIA | William Cowper Esqr.

Anonymous printed petition to one of the Houses of Parliament.

Author: 
Sir Robert Peel [restoration of the Gold Standard, 1821]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£50.00

4 pages, 8vo. Pagination: [1] 2-3 [4]. A frail survival: paper grubby, discoloured and dogeared, with a few closed tears and some fraying to extremities, but the text clear and legible. A space at the beginning of the document for the insertion of the petitioner's name in manuscript has been left blank. Begins: 'The Petition of and all other Owners of Land subject to Mortgages, and other pecuniary payments charged on it before its depreciation in consequence of the return to the present Gold Currency, by which the value of every denomination of Money is so much increased'.

Life of Thomas Wrightson 1839-1921.

Author: 
Jocelyn B. Wrightson, ed.
Publication details: 
[152 Kensington Church Street, London:] Privately printed at the Favil Press. [1939]
£150.00

4to. [vi] + 131 pages. In original yellow binding, grubby and stained, gilt on spine faded. Handsome production on fine paper. Frontispiece, 18 illustrations and pedigree. PRESENTATION COPY from the editor (the subject's son) to his mother-in-law, with accompanying letter (1 page, 16mo, 29 December 1939, on letterhead 'NEASHAM HALL, NR. DARLINGTON.').

Autograph Signature on fragment of printed document.

Author: 
George Bubb Dodington [Baron Melcombe of Melcombe Regis], Sir George Oxenden, Sir William Yonge
Publication details: 
19 [month?] 1734.
£45.00

Dodington (1691-1762); Oxenden (1694-1775) and Yonge (1693-1755) were Whig politicians and allies of Sir Robert Walpole. The document would appear to relate to their positions as Commissioners of the Treasury. Dimensions 3 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Somewhat discoloured with age, but in good condition and with good clear signatures: 'Geo: Dodington | Geo Oxenden | Wia: Yonge'. The printed fragment to the left of the signatures reads: '<...>ceipt of His | <...> said [in manuscript] 34.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent [his solicitor?'].

Author: 
Sir Francis Baring
Publication details: 
1 October 1804; Bath.
£95.00

Merchant and merchant banker (1740-1810). 3 pages, 16mo. In very good condition. He is unwilling to produce his title to the property, the request, in connection with the purchase of a neighbouring property from an individual named Bonar, having 'something else in view'. He encloses [not present] 'a plan of the premises, in all about 2 1/2 acres by which you may perceive it would be convenient for the purchaser of Bonars, to pick a hole in my title'. He gives a brief description of 'three seperate [sic], but contiguous tenements, all fronting the road'.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr Speaker' [the Speaker of the House of Commons].

Author: 
Sir Francis Thornhill Baring, 1st Baron Northbrook
Publication details: 
28 January 1844; Stratton.
£45.00

Politician (1796-1866) and scion of the notable banking house. 2 pages. 16mo. With a mourning border. In good condition. 'As brother Tom [Thomas Baring (1799-1873), banker and politician] is to second the address there are certain of his relations who are very desirous of hearing him but do not like to apply thro' him lest it should <?> the <?> orators modesty' He asks whether his order can be used on behalf of the Rev C. Baring & the Rev. H. G. Venn.

Letter in secretary's hand, signed in autograph.

Author: 
Sir Francis Thornhill Baring, 1st Baron Northbrook, as Paymaster General
Publication details: 
7 March 1837; Treasury Chambers.
£100.00

1 page. 4to. In good condition. Concerning three accounts forwarded to the Board of the Treasury from the Accountant General of the Navy ('Two for Subsistence of Seamen belonging to Revenue Cruizers in the Naval Hospitals in Christmas Quarter last, and the other for their maintainence in Sick Quarters'), the Treasury Commissioners 'have authorized the Board of Customs to ay the Sum of £405. 10. 5. in discharge thereof to your account at the Bank of England, or at the Pay Office Whitehall, and I am to desire you will carry the amount to the Credit of Navy Services'. Signed 'F T Baring'.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Sir William Bingham Baring, 2nd Baron Ashburton
Publication details: 
No date; 'Inverary. | N B.'
£30.00

Politican (1799-1864). 2 pages, 16mo, on grey paper. In good condition. 'The enclosed has travelled after me. Wd. it not be better that you should open all letters addressed to me as Paymaster General. I have no objection. I do not envy my London life here among the moors. The weather is beautiful.' Signed 'W B Baring'.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Alexander Baring, first Baron Ashburton (1773-1848).
Publication details: 
Dated 'Saturday night'.
£50.00

Merchant and banker (1773-1848). 2 pages, 8vo. Creased, grubby and discoloured. 'The proclamation has been made this morning and the Poll [presumably a parliamentary election, as Baring sat in the Commons from 1806] will open on Thursday next. I request therefore that our counsel may be here at latest Wednesday evening. The officers appear very & have sent for an decidedly in the interest of Mr Seymour. We may expect therefore a hard struggle & every of attempt against us.' In a postscript he asks his correspondent to 'fix the fee'.

Autograph Letter Signed by Primrose to R. F. Ford, together with fragment of letter in Primrose's hand [as Peel's secretary?], signed by Peel.

Author: 
[11 DOWNING STREET, WHITEHALL] Arthur Wellesley Peel, 1st Viscount Peel, and Sir Henry William Primrose
Publication details: 
Primrose's letter, 25 November 1873, and the fragment undated; both on letterhead '11, Downing Street, | Whitehall.'
£45.00

Peel (1829-1912) was a Liberal politician and Speaker of the House of Commons. Primrose (1846-1923) was a Privy Councillor, Secretary to Gladstone and Speaker of the House of Commons. Both items are 3 pages, on 16mo bifoliates. Both are creased and discoloured. Between 1873 and 1874 Peel was Patronage Secretary to the Treasury. The exchange apparently concerns an election or by-election in Exeter.

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