HOUSE

[Spencer Perceval, the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated.] Autograph Rough Notes, titled 'Parliamentary | Miscellaneous', for a House of Commons debate on Customs and Excise duties, with reference to 'the Brandy act of last year'.

Author: 
Spencer Perceval (1762-1812), Tory Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer [William Pleydell-Bouverie, 3rd Earl of Radnor [Lord Folkestone] (1779-1869); Customs and Excise duties]
Publication details: 
[Houses of Parliament. 1808.]
£500.00

On both sides of a 37 x 24 cm piece of paper (i.e. half a 'pinched post' folio leaf), with 1806 fleur-de-lys watermark. Folded twice, to make eight 24 x 9 cm panels (four on each side), in seven of which Perceval has written his notes in a close and neat hand. The eighth panel forms the outside of the folded paper, and on this Perceval has written 'Parliamentary | Miscellaneous'. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn.

[Sir William Knighton, Keeper of the Privy Purse, physician, secretary and confidante to George IV.] Autograph Note Signed ('W Knighton') [as Secretary to the Sovereign] to 'Sir Henry', arranging a meeting with the king.

Author: 
Sir William Knighton (1776-1836), Keeper of the Privy Purse and private secretary to George IV; previously Physician in Ordinary to him when Prince of Wales
Publication details: 
Carlton Palace [London]. 'Thursday Night' [no date, on paper watermarked 1821].
£200.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dear Sir Henry | The King desires to see You at Carlton House to morrow Morning at eleven oclock - punctually. | Yours affect | W Knighton'. Knighton was instrumental in clearing the king's enormous debts in three years from 1822. Such was his influence that letters from the King to Knighton were addressed to 'M[y] D[ear] F[riend]'. From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library.

[Lord Strabolgi, Labour Chief Whip in the House of Lords.] Typed reference, signed 'Strabolgi", for 'Mr. T. Avery Radford', his private secretary when 'Member for Hull'.

Author: 
Lord Strabolgi [Joseph Montague Kenworthy, 10th Baron Strabolgi] (7 March 1886 – 8 October 1953), Scottish peer and Liberal and later Labour politician [T. Avery Radford]
Publication details: 
On House of Lords letterhehad. 16 August 1935.
£35.00

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. At top of page: 'From: Lord Strabolgi.' Headed beneath the letterhead: 'TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.' Reads: 'This is to certify that Mr. T. Avery Radford worked for me as my Private Secretary when I was Member for Hull, from 1919 to 1921. He performed his duties most efficiently, was entirely reliable and trustworthy, an a great help to me in my political work.

[Luigi Agnesi [Louis Ferdinand Leopold Agniez], Belgian operatic bass-baritone.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Agnesi'), in French, regarding charitable work, and declaring, 'Les malheureux sont mes Amis'.

Author: 
Luigi Agnesi [Louis Ferdinand Leopold Agniez] (1833-1875), Belgian operatic bass-baritone, conductor and composer who performed in London at the Royal Opera House and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
Publication details: 
London. September 1874.
£45.00

1p, 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, folded twice. An elegantly-expressed sentiment: 'Mademoiselle, | Les malheureux sont mes Amis, et l'oeuvre à la quelle vous vous interressez à [sic] toutes mes sympathies; malheureusement je suis si peu de choses que je ne puis vous témoigner que mon bon vouloir a l'oeuvre à la quelle vous vous interressez [sic]si vivement.'

[Frances Anne Spencer-Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, grandmother of Winston Churchill.] Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Mr. Adam', regarding the Duke's attendance at a parliamentary 'Committee on the Vane Estate Bill'.

Author: 
Frances Anne Spencer-Churchill [Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane] (1822-1899), Duchess of Marlborough, wife of the seventh Duke, John Spencer-Churchill (1822-1883), and grandmother of Winston Churchill
Publication details: 
On embossed letterhead of Blenheim Palace, Oxon. 26 July 1861.
£65.00

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. She asks Adams to inform her 'what day has been fixed for the Committee in the Vane Estate Bill' (in which she clearly has a family interest), continuing: 'When the Duke of Marlborough saw Mr Adam with Lord Redesdale last night he understood that Tuesday next was the day on which he was to be present in order to give his consent to the Bill; he has since heard from Mr. Wagstaff to say that Friday or the following Monday will be the earliest day on which the Bill can be committed.

[Pembroke College Mission (now Pembroke House), Walworth, South London.] Eleven printed volumes of annual reports: 'Pembroke College (Cambridge) Mission. Fifth [to Fifteenth] Annual Report.'

Author: 
Pembroke College Mission (now Pembroke House), Walworth, South London [Elephant and Castle; Borough; Cambridge University missions and settlements; Rev. R. J. Milward; Rev. W. A. Hunter]
Publication details: 
[Pembroke College, Cambridge.] Eleven numbers: Fifth (November 1890) to Fifteenth (December 1900). [All printed by J. Hall & Son, Printers, Cambridge.]
£400.00

Eleven volumes, 1890-1900, each of around 50pp, 16mo. Uniform (but for a few decorative features) in grey printed wraps. The sixth annual report (November 1891) has an attractive frontispiece illustration of 'Proposed New Buildings, when completed'; the seventh (December 1892) has two plates showing the interior of the mission building 'when used as church' and 'when used as hall'. The other volumes each have frontispiece maps of the environs of the 'Mission Hall' and 'Missioners' House'.

[Coventry Patmore, poet.] Autograph Signature ('Coventry Patmore') beneath Autograph quotation of four lines from his own poem, 'The Angel in the House'.

Author: 
Coventry Patmore [Coventry Kersey Dighton Patmore] (1823-1896), poet
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£250.00

1p, 12mo. Folded twice. In good condition. Presumably in response to a request for an autograph, the central third of the page carries Patmore's signature ('Coventry Patmore.') beneath a four-line quotation from Patmore's best-remembered poem, 'The Angel in the House': 'Spirit of Knowledge, grant me this: | A simple heart and subtle wit | To praise the thing whose praise it is | That all which can be praised is it!'

[John Evelyn of Wotton House, Surrey, seventeenth-century diarist, writer and gardener.] Autograph ownership inscription of book, with shelfmarks, reading: 'Catalogo Evelyni inscriptus. | Meliora Retinete.'

Author: 
John Evelyn (1620-1706) of Wotton House, Surrey, diarist, writer and gardener
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£250.00

On one side of 14 x 2 cm slip of paper, cut from the flyleaf of a book. Aged and with contemporary blotting to one corner. The slip is neatly placed in a paper windowpane mount. Reads: 'Catalogo Evelyni inscriptus. | Meliora Retinete' Two shelfmarks deleted: 'N. 16' and 'J: 231'. A good brief description of Evelyn's book collecting is given in his entry in the Oxford DNB. As there are four catalogues of his books, identifying the work to which the two present shelfmarks are assigned should not present any difficulty.

[Sir William Gifford, Governor of Greenwich Hospital.] Conclusion of Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm: Gifford'), regarding a petition to the Queen from 'the Commissrs: and Directors of the Royal Hospital', and raising of funds for the 'House and Park'

Author: 
Sir William Gifford (c.1649-1724), Royal Navy officer, Member of Parliament, and Governor of Greenwich Hospital, 1708-1714
Gifford
Gifford2
Publication details: 
Without place or date [prior to 1708].
£750.00
Gifford
Gifford2

On one side of a piece of laid paper, top half torn off and missing, leaving the conclusion of the letter. Roughly 11 x 17.5 cm. Thirteen full lines of text, with two partial lines along the tear at the top edge. A frail item, in fair condition, aged and worn. See Gifford's entry in the History of Parliament. The letter, apparently addressed to an individual at the Admiralty or the Treasury, concerns a part of the tortuous process of raising finances for the conversion of the Queen's House into the hospital.

[Hugh Gaitskell, Leader of the Labour Party.] Typed Letter Signed to 'Rowe', sending Christmas greetings.

Author: 
Hugh Gaitskell [Hugh Todd Naylor Gaitskell] (1906-1963), Leader of the Labour Party
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Treasury Chambers, Great George Street, S.W.1. [London] 10 January 1951.
£56.00

1p., 4to. The salutation 'My dear Rowe,' and the valediction 'Yours sincerely | Hugh Gaitskell' are in Gaitskell's autograph, written in red ink; the rest of the letter is typed. Aged and worn, with discoloration and a small insect crushed onto a blank part. Reads: 'Many thanks for your kind Christmas note and good wishes.

[Letter from William Hayley ('Blake's Hayley') to Miss Harriet Poole of Chichester, franked by the Earl of Egremont.] Unsigned Autograph letter from Hayley to 'Miss Poole' regarding 'the Sheffield Travellers'. Franked 'Egremont'.

Author: 
William Hayley (1745-1820), English author, friend of William Cowper and William Blake; George Wyndham (1751-1837), 3rd Earl of Egremont [Miss Harriet Poole of Chichester]
Publication details: 
London. 3 February 1795.
£60.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged. Franked on the other side, with broken seal in red wax and postmark: 'London Feby: the 3 1795 | Miss Poole | Chichester | Egremont'. Unsigned, and in Hayley's untidy hand. Reads: 'Tuesday | 5 oclock | I have not been able to call on the Sheffield Travellers today but having caught a Frank from my noble Friend of Petworth I will dispatch my Servant without losing another post | adio'. Hayley later introduced his friend Miss Harriet Poole (‘the Lady of Lavant’) to William Blake, who would join him on visits to her villa in Lavant.

[The Campden Hill Club, London.] Three manuscript volumes, comprising minute book, day book and visitors book to the Club's exhibition at Leighton House, with signature of Duncan Grant, Roy Plomley and others.

Author: 
The Campden Hill Club, London [Sir Miles Fletcher de Montmorency (1893-1963), Chairman, writer and art historian; Byan Shaw; Vicat Cole; Leighton House, Kensington]
Publication details: 
The Campden Hill Club, London. Minute Book, 1946-1958; Day Book, 1956-1972; Leighton House Visitors book, 1958-1976.
£450.00

The Campden Hill Club was founded in 1907, 'in affectionate memory of Byam Shaw, and as a tribute to his teaching', and comprised, according to the Studio magazine in 1922, 'mainly of past and present students of the Byam Shaw and Vicat Cole School of Art, with which it keeps closely and stimulatingly in touch'. The three items are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in worn bindings. ONE (Visitors Book, 1958-1976): 190pp., 4to. Ruled notebook bound in red cloth, with 'Visitors' stamped in gilt on the front cover.

[Lord Denman describes House of Lords 'progress in Women's Suffrage', 1894.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Denman') to 'Sir Thomas [Roe]', sending him a gift on his being knighted, and discussing political affairs.

Author: 
Thomas Denman, Lord Denman [Thomas Aitchison Denman, 2nd Baron Denman] (1805-1894), Liberal politician, pioneer of women's suffrage [Sir Thomas Roe [later Lord Roe] (1832-1923), Liberal politician]
Publication details: 
'Alderston | Haddington | N[orth] B[ritain] [i.e. Scotland]' 27 January 1894.
£280.00

Denman was noted for his eccentricities. From 1884 he sat as a crossbencher, and introduced a number of bills on women's suffrage, none of which gained a second reading. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. The first page heavily-spotted, and with the cross-written signature over-written, probably by a child; otherwise lightly-aged and worn.

[John Christie, founder of the Glyndebourne Festival.] Autograph Letter Signed I'John Christie.')

Author: 
John Christie (1882-1962), founder in 1934 of the Glyndebourne Opera House and the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Lewes, Sussex
Publication details: 
On letterhead, Glyndebourne, Lewes [Sussex]. 22 March 1956.
£90.00

1p., 12mo. In envelope addressed to Giles at Moulsecoombe, Brighton. In good condition, lightly aged. He has looked for Giles's letter 'but cannot – yet – find it. Sorry. I vaguely remember it.' He will find Giles '2 tickets for a Dress Rehearsal if you will let me know which one.' Options of six operas, on six different days are listed, including Figaro and Giovanni.

[King George III and his Prime Minister the Duke of Portland.] Signatures of 'George R.' and 'Portland', to the commission of William Griffith as 'Captain in the Association of the Town of Pwlhelly & its neighbourhood' (Carnarvonshire, Wales).

Author: 
King George III (1738-1820); Duke of Portland, British Prime Minister [William Henry Cavendish Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809)]
Publication details: 
'Given at Our Court at St. James's the 24th Day of June 1798 in the Thirty Eighth Year of Our Reign.'
£280.00

1p., 8vo. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with closed tear along fold line of second leaf, which is blank other than the manuscript docketing: 'William Griffith Esq. | Captain | in the Association of the Town of Pwlhelly and it's [sic] neighbourhood'. The actual document, on the recto of the first leaf is a printed form completed in manuscript. The king's bold signature 'George R.' is at the top left, while the Duke's ('Portland') is appended 'By His Majesty's Command' at the end.

[Mansion House Banquet, 1888, featuring the Coldstream Guards Band.] Printed 'Plan of Tables' titled: 'Mansion House Banquet to the Executive Council of the British Section, Paris Exhibition, 1889. The Right Honourable Polydore de Keyser Lord Mayor.'

Author: 
Mansion House Banquet, 1888; Coldstream Guards Band; Paris Exhibition, 1889; Polydore de Keyser; W. G. Forbes
Publication details: 
Jas. Truscott & Son, London. Mansion House, London.] Banquet on 31 July 1888.
£35.00

On a piece of paper, folded three times into a packet. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The plan covers the whole of one side, with the names of around 150 invitees (including George Augustus Sala, Henry Trueman Wood, A. M. Broadley, Prince Iskandar Ali of Moorshedabad and the Mayor of Colchester) printed in black ink on a seating diagram in brownish-red. Dead centre at the top table is the Lord Mayor of London, flanked by the French ambassador and 'M. Georges Berger (Director-General of the Paris Exhibition). To the right of the ambassador are Sir Lyon Playfair and Sir Lothian Bell.

[Mary Endicott Carnegie, American socialite, daughter of William Crowninshield Endicott and wife of Joseph Chamberlain.] Two Autograph Letters Signed ('Mary E. Carnegie') to journalist Collin Brooks

Author: 
Mary Endicott Carnegie (1864-1957), daughter of William Crowninshield Endicott and wife of Joseph Chamberlain [Collin Brooks (1893-1959), journalist]
Publication details: 
Both on letterhead of 41 Lennox Gardens, S.W.1. 28 December 1950 and 4 January 1951.
£90.00

Mary Endicott Carnegie was the daughter of William Crowninshield Endicott (1826-1900), Secretary of War in Grover Cleveland's first administration. She married the British politician Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914) in 1888 and moved to England. After Chamberlain's death she married William Hartley Carnegie (1859-1936), Sub-Dean of Westminster Abbey and Chaplain to the House of Commons. She was painted by Sir J. E. Millais and John Singer Sargent.

[Louisa, Duchess of Buccleuch, regarding charity work for the Mahdist War.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Miss Christison', asking on behalf of the Princess of Wales for her assistance in relation to a charity for British troops in Egypt and the Sudan.

Author: 
Louisa, Duchess of Buccleuch [Louisa Montagu Douglas Scott; previously Lady Louisa Jane Hamilton] (1836-1912), wife of William Scott, 6th Duke of Buccleuch and 8th Duke of Queensberry (1831-1914)
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Dalkeith House, Dalkeith [Scotland]. 6 April 1885.
£45.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. Writing with regard to the Mahdist War, she has been asked by the Princess of Wales to 'start a Sub-Committee to H. R. H's. Branch of the National Aid Society (Soudan & Egypt)', and is 'anxious to know' whether the recipient can help her 'by allowing your name to be placed on the General Committee the object of which is to collect funds to secure some further provisions for the health & comfort of the British Troops, more especially the Sick & Wounded, in that trying climate'.

[Sir Henry William Lucy, celebrated Victorian political journalist.] Autograph Card Signed to Bristol printer and publisher J. W. Arrowsmith

Author: 
Sir Henry William Lucy [H. W. Lucy] (1842-1924), celebrated Victorian political journalist, parliamentary correspondent of Punch magazine [J. W. Arrowsmith [James Williams Arrowsmith] (1839-1913)]
Publication details: 
42 Ashley Gardens, Victoria Street, S.W. [London], on card with embossed letterhead of the House of Commons. 27 February [1900].
£40.00

In good condition, lightly aged. Written with purple ink. Addressed to 'J. W. Arrowsmith Esq | Publisher | Bristol.' The message begins, without salutation: 'Booking Office blocked with Copy. But I have had the "Modder River" taken out of turn. You will find a notice in tomorrow's "Punch"'. He announces that on the fifteenth of the following month he is 'to be a guest of the New Vagabond Club', and notes that Arrowsmith is a member, adding 'we may possibly meet'.

[Parliamentary expenditure in the Napoleonic Wars, including 'the Sum wanted for American Loyalists'.] 'Accounts and Estimates: Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be printed, 11 November 1813.'

Author: 
C. Arbuthnot [Charles Arbuthnot (1767-1850)], Joint Secretary to the Treasury [House of Commons; Houses of Parliament; Napoleonic Wars]
Publication details: 
'Ordered, by the House of Commons, to be printed, 11 November 1813.'
£320.00

6 + [1]pp., folio. Side stitched and unbound. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with light staining at foot of first page. The contents of the document are given as follows: '1. - Account of Sums advanced, for Public Services, from the Civil List Revenues, pursuant to Addresses, not being part of its Ordinary Expenditure. | 2. - Account of Sums advanced, for Public Services, from the Civil List Revenues, not being part of its Ordinary Expenditure. | 3.

[William Guidott embezzles John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.] Two printed documents: 'The Case of the Appellants' (including Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough) and 'The Respondent's Case', the latter carrying the judgement in a contemporary hand.

Author: 
[William Guidott (1671–1745) of Lincoln's Inn, lawyer to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and MP for Andover, Hampshire, embezzler] C. Talbot; Tho. Reeve; P. Yorke; Tho. Lutwytche
Publication details: 
Both documents with docket title stating that the case is to be heard at the bar of the House of Lords, 4 March 1727. [ESTC tentatively dates the items to 1728.]
£420.00

The background to the two documents is given in Guidott's entry in the History of Parliament, which states that his uncle Anthony was 'for many years a lawyer to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and described the latter in his will as “my particular good friend”. Guidott benefited from the connexion, succeeding his uncle as lawyer to the Marlboroughs. […] He proved a disappointment to the Duchess of Marlborough, however, as by 1711 he had begun the embezzlement of funds from the Marlborough estates for which he was sued in 1725.

[ Stationery for the Georgian House of Lords: William Cowper, Clerk of the Parliaments ] Manuscript Receipt, Signed twice by 'Wm Cowper', of stationery 'Delivered for His Majestys Service to The Honble. Wm. Cowper Esqre. Clerk to The House of Peers'.

Author: 
William Cowper, Clerk of the Parliaments [ i.e Chief Clerk of the House of Lords ], 1716-1740, uncle of the poet William Cowper (1731-1800) and son of the judge Spencer Cowper (1670-1728)
Publication details: 
[ Houses of Parliament, Westminster. ] Entries dated from June to August 1737.
£180.00

2pp., 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. On a single leaf of laid paper (with crown 'G R' watermark), signed at the foot of each page 'Wm Cowper'. Entries dating from 30 June to 2 August 1737. Around fifty items of stationery, placed together in twelve groups, the twelve totals amounting to £46 4s 0d. Items include paper, '5 hundred pens', ink, pencils, cloth bags, 'Tortoise penknives', 'Indian Sand', binding tape and wax.

[ Eva Luckes, nurse, Matron of the London Hospital. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Eva . C . E. Lückes. | Matron') to Winifred M. S. Parry, regarding her place as 'Probationer' at the Preliminary Training School.

Author: 
Eva Luckes [ Eva Charlotte Ellis Lückes ] (1854-1919), nurse, Matron of the London Hospital, 1880-1919
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the London Hospital, Whitechapel, E. 11 May 1912.
£90.00

2pp., 4to. Signed 'Faithfully yours | Eva . C . E. Lückes. | Matron.' In fair condition, lightly aged. On two leaves attached with a brass stud. A circular letter, addressed to 'Miss Winifred M. S. Parry, || 69, Vernham Road, | Plumstead, S.E.' Having received the references and agreement form, she informs her that her name 'has been added to our list of accepted Candidates with a view to filling a vacancy which will occur at our Preliminary Training School on June 1st 1912'.

[ Eva Luckes [ Eva Charlotte Ellis Lückes ], Matron of the London Hospital. ] Two numbers of 'Matron's Annual Letter', reviewing the year at the hospital.

Author: 
Eva C. E. Lückes [ Eva Luckes [ Eva Charlotte Ellis Lückes ] (1854-1919), nurse, Matron of the London Hospital, 1880-1919 ]
Publication details: 
Both printed 'For Private Circulation Only.' London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, E. No. 19 (April 1912) and No. 20 (April 1913).
£180.00

Uniform in layout. 40pp., 12mo. (No. 19) and 48pp., 12mo (No. 20). Stapled without wraps. Both worn and aged, with rusted staples. Small print. Both addressed to 'My dear Sisters and Nurses', and both signed in type 'Eva C. E. Lückes' and 'E. C. E. L.' Reviews of the two years, packed with information regarding significant events relating to the hospital. Each ending with a two-page 'List of the Names of our present Sisters', followed by 'Names and Addresses of old “Londoners.”', 'Copied from the Supplementary Register' (12pp. in 1912, and 14pp., in 1913). From the papers of Winifred M. S.

[ Sir Thomas Edward Thorpe, British chemist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('T. E. Thorpe') to 'Mrs. Green' [ Wilhelmina Maria Green ], offering encouragement and support for the publication of a scientific paper by her.

Author: 
Sir T. E. Thorpe [ Sir Thomas Edward Thorpe ] (1845-1925), British chemist, Principal of Somerset House Laboratory, and President of the British Association and Society of Chemical Industry
Publication details: 
'Headingley [ Yorkshire ]. 20 May 1885.
£50.00

The item is from the papers of the second wife of the geologist Alexander Henry Green (1832-1896), previously Miss Wilhelmina Maria Armstrong of Clifton. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. An interesting letter, indicating a positive and encouraging response from a member of the Victorian scientific establishment to a female worker in the field. The letter begins: 'Dear Mrs. Green. | Enclosed are two notes from Dr. Armstrong relative to your paper. As I informed you I thought there was just a doubt whether the paper was exactly of a style for the Chem. Soc. Journ.

[ Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Whig Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary. ] Autograph Signature ('G. Cornewall Lewis') to document authorising admittance to the House of Commons.

Author: 
Sir George Cornewall Lewis (1806-1863), Whig politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary, who successfully argued against British intervention in the American Civil War
Publication details: 
Place illegible. 1 February 1850.
£30.00

A good firm signature, appended to a document in another hand, simply reading: 'Admit the Bearer to the House of Commons'. The illegible address and date are in the same hand. In fair condition, lightly aged, with traces of mount on blank reverse.

[ Lord Harris of Belmont House. ] Autograph Note in the third person [ to his bookseller ], regarding two books sent to him.

Author: 
Lord Harris of Belmont House, Throwley, near Faversham, Kent [ Lieutenant General William George Harris (1782-1845), 2nd Baron Harris, British soldier under his father in Anglo-Mysore War ]
Publication details: 
'Belmont [ i.e. Belmont House, Throwley, near Faversham, Kent ] | 16th. Decr. 1841'.
£30.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, with central spike-hole and a few burn marks at foot. Reads: 'Lord Harris has just recd the Illustrations to Deserted Village, but retyrns Retsch's Othello by this night's Coach, having received a copy of it about a week since.'

H. B. Irving [ Harry Brodribb Irving ], actor-manager and criminologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H B Irving') to 'Mr Forsyth [ Neil Forsyth, General Manager, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden ]

Author: 
H. B. Irving [ Harry Brodribb Irving ] (1870-1919), actor-manager and criminologist; the eldest son of Sir Henry Irving [ Neil Forsyth, General Manager, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 'Mr. H. B. Irving & Co. ('Under the Direction of Messrs. Nixon & Zimmerman'). 29 June 1906.
£50.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with light pencil line by Forsyth through first page. She hopes that she is not 'asking too much' in requesting 'two stalls or a box for the premiere of “Eugene Oneghin” - Friday evening'. If 'not impossible', he would like 'a lunch to be present that night. He asks to be sent word to the Garrick Club.

[ 'Ben Greet' [ Sir Philip Barling Greet ], Shakespearean impressario and 'an ardent opera goer'. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Ben Greet') to Neil Forsyth, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, requesting boxes and commenting on productions.

Author: 
'Ben Greet' [ Sir Philip Barling Greet ] (1857-1936), Shakespearean actor, director, impresario, manager of Old Vic Theatre, London [ Neil Forsyth, General Manager, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden ]
Publication details: 
One from 20 Buckingham Street WC [ London ], on letterhead of 'The Ben Greet Players', 14 July [no year]. The other from 2 The Terrace, Camden Square. 17 August [no year].
£80.00

ONE: On letterhead of 'The Ben Greet Company', addressed from 20 Buckingham Street, WC [ London ]. 14 July [ no year ]. 2pp., 8vo. In fair condition, aged and worn, with the first page carrying pencil scorings and a short note by Forsyth. The first paragraph reads: 'If business will permit can I have one of the small boxes for Monday night. You generally let me have something during the Season. I've been a very regular Gallery & Amphitheatre and stallite this season.' He continues: 'You've got a genius in Frau , & you sd keep her. Everyone is raving about her.

[ Whitelaw Reid, American Ambassador to the United Kingdom. ] Typed Letter Signed to Col. H. V. Higgins of the Grand Opera Syndicate, Covent Garden, comparing his opera box unfavourably with the one he had in Paris.

Author: 
Whitelaw Reid (1837-1912), proprietor of the New York Tribune, historian, Republican nominee for Vice President of the United States in the 1892 election, American Ambassador to the United Kingdom
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Dorchester House, Park Lane, W. [ London ] 5 September 1905.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. He is sending a copy of a note his secretary has 'just sent about an opera box for the next season. | The box we were able to get this year contrasted so poorly with my old "loge entre les colonnes" in Paris that I am afraid my personal tastes would be about as well satisfied without one!' He feels sure that 'with this long notice and with a friendly word' from Higgins, 'something better can be done'. One of the grandest residences in London, Dorchester House was rented by Reid as the American Embassy from 1905.

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