JAMES

[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.] Carbon of Typed BBC script of ‘2nd Broadcast’ in the series ‘Theatre Songs and Stories / by / W. Macqueen-Pope’, on the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Author: 
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and its historian, W. Macqueen-Pope [Walter James Macqueen-Pope] (1888-1960) [BBC Radio]
Publication details: 
Undated, but shortly after the death of Ivor Novello on 6 March 1951. [BBC Radio, London.]
£120.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. His entry in the Oxford DNB describes how, in the 1950s, he was ‘in demand as a lecturer on the theatrical subjects he loved, and he appeared often in the same capacity on radio and on television. Ironically he regarded these two forms of public entertainment, and television in particular, as representing a serious threat to the survival of theatre, about which he cared passionately’.

[W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian and broadcaster, and Drury Lane press agent.] Fifteen Typed Newspaper Articles [for the magazine 'Everybody's'] giving weekly news of 'The London Theatre', with newspaper cuttings, TLS from editor Greville Poke.

Author: 
W. Macqueen-Pope [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, ‘Popie’] (1888-1960), theatre historian, broadcaster and journalist, archivist and Drury Lane press agent [Greville Poke, editor, Everybody's magazine]
Publication details: 
One of the articles from December 1948; two from November and December 1951 (with two drafts of the second of these); and the other twelve articles from between January to March 1957. ['Everybody's' magazine, Fleet Street, London.]
£450.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Known by his nickname ‘Popie’, Macqueen-Pope was widely regarded as the leading theatre historian of his day. His many books (from histories of individual theatres to a biography of Ivor Novello) sold well, and his broadcasts on the BBC were extremely popular. Eighteen items, providing something a glimpse of his working methods. The last two of the eighteen items are TLsS to MP: one from the editor of ‘Everybody's’ Greville Poke (also see his Oxford DNB entry), and the other Pauline Carter, ‘EDITORIAL’.

[Clan Chattan Association.] Autograph Letter Signed from the editor of its journal, Murdoch Macintosh, to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, discussing the Macqueen family in Scotland and his own wartime service.

Author: 
Clan Chattan Association: Murdoch Macintosh, F.S.A. Scot., editor of its journal [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
3 May 1952; on letterhead of the Clan Chattan Association, The Castle, Inverness, Scotland.
£80.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) The Clan Chattan Association is a confederation of highland clans. 2pp, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight creasing to one corner, and rust staining from paperclip. Folded twice for postage. Addressed to MP’s London address in Coventry Street. ‘I’ve heard about your James MacQueen. His name appears in quite a few locally published papers &c. on Culloden. His new teeth are quite famous up here.’ He accepts the proposal for an article: ‘if you could go to 900-1000 words I’d be happy’.

[Drury Lane Ghost.] Carbon of typewritten letter from W. Macqueen-Pope to Jack Todd of New York, giving an account of the ghost at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, which he has seen ‘on very many occasions’, and of his own association with the place.

Author: 
Drury Lane Ghost [Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London; Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian]
Publication details: 
16 December 1957. [London.]
£120.00

From the papers of theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, who was for more than twenty years press representative for Drury Lane. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) The recipient is given by MP as ‘Jack Todd Esq / 446, Dimmick Street, Waterton, New York’. 2pp, 4to. 59 lines of text, single-spaced. An unsigned carbon copy, in fair condition, on lightly-aged and creasted cartridge paper.

[Guido Orlando, Italian-American press agent.] Copy of Typed Article on Orlando by W. Macqueen-Pope titled ‘“Enfant Terrible” of Public Relations’, with TLS to MP from Sidney Gordon of ‘Everybody’s’ magazine, rejecting the article as too scandalous.

Author: 
[Guido Orlando (1906-1988), Italian-American press agent.] Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), theatre historian and journalist; Sidney Gordon, journalist with ‘Everybody’s’ magazine
Publication details: 
Gordon’s letter to Macqueen-Pope is dated 28 December 1950; on letterhead of ‘Everybody’s’, 114 Fleet Street, London, EC4. Macqueen-Pope’s article without date or place, but contemporaneous.
£125.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) The subject of MP’s article is the press agent and publicist Guido Orlando who came to the United States from Italy with his family in 1917. (MP may have come into contact with Orlando in his own position as press agent for Drury Lane and other theatres.) He was most active in Hollywood from the 1930s to 1960s. His papers are in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Margaret Herrick Library.

[Ernest Lauri, Australian actor and singer, ‘The Singing Anzac’.] Autograph Letter Signed [to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope], requesting tickets, as an Australian theatre correspondent, to the London production of South Pacific.

Author: 
Ernest Lauri (1891-1977), Australian actor and singer, ‘The Singing Anzac’ [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, English theatre historian]
Publication details: 
2 April 1952; from an hotel in Paris, on letterhead of ‘Ernest Lauri / (The Singing Anzac)’.
£80.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) 1p, 4to. Aged and creased, on discoloured high-acidity paper. Folded twice for postage, and with closed tear at head of vertical fold. Slight damage and rust staining from removal of staple. The letterhead incorporates two photographic portraits of Lauri, with press comment from ‘Everyone’s Magazine’ and career resume beginning: ‘Ernest Lauri / (The Singing Anzac) / STARRED IN AUSTRALIAN PICTURES / Versatile Vocalist and Monologist’. Macqueen-Pope is not named, but is presumably the recipient.

[Dorothy Tutin [Dame Dorothy Tutin], Shakespearian actress.] Autograph Card Signed to W. J. Macqueen-Pope, with typed article by him (‘Star in Spite of Herself’), his typed interview notes, and carbon of typed letter from him to Sir Andrew Caird.

Author: 
Dorothy Tutin [Dame Dorothy Tutin] (1930-2001), English Shakespearian actress [Walter James Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960); Sir Andrew Caird of Lord Northcliffe’s Associated Newspapers; RADA]
Publication details: 
ONE: Her ACS to MP, from Wyndham’s Theatre, postmarked London, 6 October 1953. TWO: Copy of TL from MP to Caird, 13 October 1953. The other two items without date or place, but contemporaneous.
£180.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See his entry and hers in the Oxford DNB. Caird was Northcliffe’s right-hand man, and mainly associated with the Daily Mail. The four items are in fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with slight rust spotting from a paper clips. Items Two to Four are on carbon paper. ONE: ACS from Tutin to MP. Small unillustrated postcard, signed ‘Dorothy Tutin’. Reads: ‘I remember you very well - your fascinating letures at the Academy [i.e. London theatre school RADA, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art] - and shall be very happy to meet you for this article.

[Ellaline Terriss, Edwardian actress and singer.] Four items of Autograph Correspondence with theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope (‘Popie’), comprising three letters and one card, all signed ‘Ella’.

Author: 
Ellaline Terriss [born Mary Ellaline Lewin] (1871-1971), Edwardian actress and singer, wife of Seymour Hicks and daughter of William Terriss [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details: 
ONE: 28 December 1950; 36 Lauderdale Mansions, Maida Vale [London]. TWO: [1956.] THREE: ‘Tuesday’; with letterhead of The Old Rectory, Frimley, Aldershot, Hants. FOUR: Post Card with Frimley postmark, 8 July 1957; Frimley letterhead of ‘Lady Hicks'.
£80.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. See both their entries in the Oxford DNB. The four items in good condition, lightly aged and creased, with slight spotting to one corner of Item. Folded for postage. ONE: ALS dated 28 December 1950. 2pp, 12mo. Before sending seasonal greetings she begins: ‘My dear Popie / I returned home to find your wonderful book waiting for me.

[Angus McBean, Welsh photographer and set designer associated with surrealism.] Bromide print of photographic portrait of Moya Macqueen-Pope, daughter of theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope.

Author: 
Angus McBean [Angus Rowland McBean] (1904-1990), Welsh photographer and set designer associated with surrealism [Moya Macqueen-Pope (b.1916), daughter of theatre historian Walter James Macqueen-Pope]
Publication details: 
Undated. Stamp on reverse of ‘Angus McBean / Photographer / Maskmaker / 29B Belgrave Road, / London, S.W.1. / Telephone: Victoria 1048.’
£350.00

From the papers of W. Macqueen-Pope. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. The National Portrait Gallery holds McBean’s portrait of MP, but not the present item, of which no other copy has been traced. 17.5 x 25 cm. In fair condition, with two corners dogeared; the reverse, carrying McBean’s stamp, is rather discoloured. Also on the reverse, in pencil is ‘Moya Macqueen-Pope’. Plain background.

[Thomas Davies, bookseller; Boswell & Johnson; Thomas Cadell] Autograph Letter Signed Thos Davies to Unnamed correspondent (Thomas Cadell, publisher? see below), unwilling to participate in an auction including books in quires.

Author: 
Thomas Davies, bookseller (1713-1785}
Publication details: 
[1784?]
£450.00

One page, 12mo, laid down on l. larger stiff paper, some staining but text clear and complete. I would willingly be of service to Mrs Evans & attend the sale; but I wish not to buy books in quires - I am besides so very deaf that it is a pain to me to be in company - | Mrs Evans & you may depend upon my doing what little service is in my power when y[ou]r bound stock is sold [...] | P.S. I am delighted greatly with y[ou]r Travels ['Voyages' excised] of Mr. Coxe - He is a most accomplished Gentleman & I am sure has a most excellent heart..

[James Martineau, Professor in Manchester New College, Oxford, brother of Harriet Martineau.] Autograph Letter Signed to Rev. G. E. Cheeseman, defending a paper on ‘Unitarian modes of thought’.

Author: 
James Martineau (1805-1900), Unitarian minister, Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy and Political Economy in Manchester New College, Oxford, brother of Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)
Publication details: 
31 January 1887. 35 Gordon Square, London W.C.
£35.00

See his entry, and that of his sister, in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Fifty-eight lines of text. Signed ‘James Martineau.’ On biofolium. In good condition, lightly aged and folded twice for postage. A very good letter, filled with matter. He begins by conceding that there is ‘ground for displeasure of some of my fellow-believers’ in his ‘paper in the “Christian Reformer”: ‘that the description it gives of the Unitarian modes of thought does not invariably fit to the more recent phases of feeling & conception’.

[The Child Welfare Centre, St Andrews; child welfare specialist.] Three Autograph Letters Signed from Elenora Simpson of the James Mackenzie Institute, St Andrews, to her Professor David Waterston, regarding research and data.

Author: 
The Child Welfare Centre, St Andrews [Elenora Simpson of the James Mackenzie Institute for Clinical Research; Professor David Waterston (1871-1942)]
Publication details: 
26 December 1939; and 10 August and 8 October 1940. All three on letterhead of The James Mackenzie Institute for Clinical Research, St Andrews, Fife.
£180.00

As a result of her pioneering work at the Child Welfare Centre at St Andrews, Simpson was appointed to a sub-committee of the Scientific Advisory Committee set up by the Department of Health (see Jaqueline Jenkinson, ‘Scotland’s Health 1919-1948’, 2002). Waterston was Bute Professor of Anatomy at the University of St Andrews from 1914 to 1942. In 1913, while Professor of Anatomy at King's College, London, he was the first authority to debunk the Piltdown Man hoax.

[Sholto Mackenzie, 2nd Baron Amulree, physician and geriatrician.] Autograph Letter Signed to Professor Waterston of St Andrews, thanking him for an article on the heart of his uncle Sir James Mackenzie.

Author: 
Sholto Mackenzie [Basil William Sholto Mackenzie, 2nd Baron Amulree (1900-1983)], physician and advocate of geriatric medicine, nephew of Sir James Mackenzie [Professor David Waterston of St Andrews]
Publication details: 
22 September 1939. On letterhead of 42 Queen Anne’s Gate, S.W.1 [London]
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. David Waterston (1871-1942) was Bute Professor of Anatomy at the University of St Andrews from 1914 to 1942. In 1913, while Professor of Anatomy at King's College, London, he was the first authority to debunk the Piltdown Man hoax. 2pp, 12mo. Sixteen lines of text. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight ruckling and bleeding due to removal from mount. Signed ‘Sholto Mackenzie’ and addressed to ‘Dear Professor Waterston’.

’ [Mrs Evelyn J[Sir William Davidson Niven, mathematician, Director of Studies at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.] Autograph Letter Signed to his old acquaintance ‘Mrs Allan’, discussing her family and agreeing to cast a vote for her ‘candidate’.

Author: 
Sir William Davidson Niven (1842-1917), Scottish mathematician and electrical engineer, for thirty years Director of Studies at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich [James Clerk Maxwell; A. N. Whitehead
Publication details: 
10 April 1894; on letterhead of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, S.E. [London.]
£90.00

In addition to acting as editor of the works of his colleague James Clerk Maxwell, Niven was the teacher of one of the greatest mathematicians and philosophers of the twentieth century, Alfred North Whitehead. The item is from the papers of the presumed recipient, Mrs Evelyn Julia Allan of the Chelsea Red Cross. 2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Signed ‘W. D. Niven’ and addressed to ‘Dear Mrs Allen’. He was pleased to receive her letter, ‘reminding me of old times’, but he had not forgotten her, as he has ‘sometimes heard Dr. J. M Bruce speak about you & your family’.

[‘The most remarkable pulpit orator of his time’: James Parsons of York, Congregational minister.] Autograph Letter Signed to Rev. J. Rawlinson, discussing his ‘intended retirement from my Pastorate in York’.

Author: 
James Parsons (1799-1877) of York, Congregational minister, son of the preacher Edward Parsons (1762-1833)
Publication details: 
20 July 1870. High Harrogate [Yorkshire].
£90.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, which characterizes him as ‘the most remarkable pulpit orator of his time’, and that of his father. 3pp, 12mo. On bifolium. Somewhat aged and with the recto of the first leaf grubby, but with text clear and complete, with thirty-three lines of text in Parsons’ close and neat hand. Signed ‘James Parsons’ and addressed to ‘Revd. J. Rawlinson’. He ‘must, reluctantly, decline to comply’ with Rawlinson’s request. He wonders whether he has ‘seen, or heard of an announcement in “the Leeds Mercury” with reference to my intended retirement from my Pastorate in York’.

[Duke of Montrose [James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose], Scottish nobleman and Tory politician.] Autograph Letter Signed to Robert Saunders Dundas (the future Viscount Melville), regarding the amending of a ‘very insufficient’ act of parliament.

Author: 
Duke of Montrose [James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose; until 1790 Marquis of Graham] (1755-1836), Scottish nobleman and Tory politician [Robert Saunders Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville (1771-1851)]
Publication details: 
5 January 1809; Grosvenor Square [London].
£65.00

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly-aged, with small triangle cut away from letter in opening red wax seal, of which minor traces remain. Folded and addressed in the customary manner. Franked to ‘Right Honble / Robert S: Dundas &c &c &c / Downing Street / Montrose’, sent from ‘Grosvr: Sq: 5th Jan 1809’ and signed ‘Montrose’. Begins, without salutation: ‘I wish you would look to this act, as it appears to require attention.

['The most perfect ode in the English language': Charles Wolfe, Irish poet.] Photographic facsimile of Autograph Letter Signed to John Taylor, containing the text of his celebrated poem ‘The Burial of Sir John Moore at Corunna’.

Author: 
Charles Wolfe (1791-1823), Irish poet, of the family of General James Wolfe and Wolfe Tone, author of the celebrated poem ‘The Burial of Sir John Moore at Corunna’
Moore
Publication details: 
With facsimile of postmark dated 6 September 1816. No place (but from Ireland).
£120.00
Moore

The present item gives the text of the poem described by Byron as 'the most perfect ode in the English language' before its first publication in the Newry Telegraph in April 1817. See Wolfe’s entry in the Oxford DNB. The source of the present item is unclear. It is a photographic facsimile, many decades old, on both sides of a 4to leaf. In fair condition, slightly creased on browned paper, with negligible loss to margin at head. With five creases from folding. Addressed to ‘John Taylor Esqe / at the Revd Mr. Armstrong’s / Clonoully / Cashel’.

[‘He as good as called me a liar: Sir Walter Newman Flower, proprietor of London publishers Cassell’s.] Autograph Letter Signed and two Typed Letters Signed to Sir James Marchant, complaining of treatment by Thomas B. Wells of New York firm Harpers.

Author: 
Sir Walter Newman Flower (1879-1964), proprietor of London publishers Cassell & Co, biographer and literary editor [Thomas Bucklin Wells (1875-1944) of Harper & Co., New York; Sir James Marchant]
Publication details: 
First TLS: 3 January 1928. Second TLS: 11 December 1928. Both on letterheads of Cassell & co. Ltd., La Belle Sauvage, London, EC4. ALS: 18 December 1928, on letterhead of Idlehurst, Sevenoaks.
£150.00

Publishing history does not get more vivid than this. See Flower’s obituary in The Times, and Wells’s in the New York Times. The three items in good condition, lightly aged. All three folded once and signed ‘Newman Flower’. First TLS (3 January 1928): 1p, 12mo. He writes that although ‘a very apologetic letter from Mr. Wells of Harpers’ has ‘cleared the air entirely’, ‘a reply from Holt’ received at the same time is not very satisfactory’, and ‘in view of the fact that Cassell’s and Harpers will be coming together again, it would, perhaps, be as well not to do anything at present’.

[Cecil Woolf, bookseller and publisher, nephew of Leonard and Virginia Woolf.] Autograph Card Signed to bookseller Andrew Block, regarding his offer of ‘two Thomas Moore letters’.

Author: 
Cecil Woolf [Cecil James Sidney Woolf] (1927-2019), bookseller and publisher, nephew of Leonard and Virginia Woolf [Andrew Block, London bookseller]
Woolf
Publication details: 
27 August 1959; on letterhead of ‘Cecil Woolf, Bookseller, 24 Victoria Square, London, S.W.1.’
£56.00
Woolf

See his obituary in the Guardian, 26 June 2019. The obituary of the recipient Andrew Block (1892-1987) in ‘The Private Library’ was subtitled ‘the doyen of booksellers’; his business was established in 1911. Plain postcard, with his letterhead and the following printed at the foot: ‘WANTED. Any English book, or any book printed in England, before 1700.’ Signed ‘Cecil Woolf.’ Aged and worn, with central vertical fold. Addressed, with stamp and postmark, to ‘Andrew Block, Esqre., / 20, Barter Street, / Holborn, W.C.1’.

[Walter Crane, Arts and Crafts artist.] Autograph Letter Signed to J. Stanley Little, with thirteen examples of Crane's work, including invitation cards, handbills, letterheads.

Author: 
Walter Crane (1845-1915), English illustrator, designer and painter, associated with the Arts and Craft Society, Fabian Society and Art Workers' Guild [James Stanley Little (1856-1940)]
Publication details: 
13 Holland Street, Kensington, and other London addresses. 1886 to 1912.
£450.00

The fourteen items are laid down on three pages, on two leaves of grey paper, removed from an album, on the reverse of one leaf are two coloured coaching scenes by Randolph Caldecott, one featuring a highwayman. The overall condition is fair, with creasing and signs of age. The Autograph Letter Signed is from Crane to 'My dear Stanley Little'. 1p., landscape 8vo. With letterhead of Beaumont Lodge, Shepherd's Bush, featuring an illustration by Crane of a shepherd and sheep. 20 September 1892.

[Robert Lynd, Irish journalist and essayist at whose house James Joyce held his wedding reception.] Typescript, with Autograph Emendations in pencil, of the commencement of Chapter 7, ‘Kinsale’, of his 1912 book ‘Rambles in Ireland’.

Author: 
Robert Lynd [Robert Wilson Lynd] (1879-1949), Irish journalist and essayist, husband of the poet Sylvia Lynd (1888-1952), at whose house James Joyce held his wedding reception
Publication details: 
Circa 1912.
£650.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. ‘Rambles in Ireland’ was published in 1912, with illustrations by Jack B. Yeats. On one side each of four 4to leaves of aged and worn paper. The first leaf carries a covering page on which is the typed word ‘KINSALE’; above this Lynd has written in pencil: ‘26 / Rambles in Ireland / (By Robert Lynd) / Chapter VII’. The three pages which follow carry the text: title and 21 lines on the first, and twenty-five lines apiece on the second and third.

[Robert Lynd, Irish journalist and essayist at whose house James Joyce held his wedding reception.] Part of Corrected Autograph Draft of essay on ‘the Irish comic spirit’and ‘the Irish tradition’ in literature.

Author: 
Robert Lynd [Robert Wilson Lynd] (1879-1949), Irish journalist and essayist, husband of the poet Sylvia Lynd (1888-1952), at whose house James Joyce held his wedding reception
Publication details: 
No date, but published in the Irish Book Lover (London and Dublin), vol. 13, 1922.
£650.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Unsigned, but in Lynd’s hand and from the Lynd family papers. 6pp, 4to, on six leaves of ruled paper, twenty-six lines to a page. In fair condition, lightly aged, with dog-eared corners. Lynd’s handwriting is execrable, and he employs a number of abbreviations of common words, such as ‘and’, ‘the’, ‘of’. Begins: ‘[...] found expression in literature. / As I have suggested, however, it is in the art of conversation rather than the art of literature that the Irish comic spirit has found its fullest expression.

[James Montgomery, Scottish hymn writer, poet, editor and abolitionist.] Signed Autograph Inscription to John Holland of Sheffield Park.

Author: 
James Montgomery (1771-1854), Scottish hymn writer, poet and editor, based in Sheffield, abolitionist and campaigner against child exploitation [John Holland of Sheffield Park]
Montgomery
Publication details: 
27 October 1821.
£65.00
Montgomery

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On one side of irregular sheet of blue-grey paper, roughly landscape 12mo, evidently used as a cover to a package. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. In Montomery’s untidy hand, at foot, with a fragment of a red wax seal: ‘With J Montgomerys respects / and a Volume of the / Sheffd Register & the / 1793-4 / Oct. 27. 1821 [seal]’. Above this, neatly, in another hand: ‘Mr. John Holland / Sheffield Park. / To the care of Mr. James Montgomery, / Hawkshead, Sheffield / Paid.’

[Sir James Mackintosh, Scottish historian and politician.] Autograph Letter Signed thanking an unnamed peer for gaining him access to the Duke of Marlborough’s papers, and expressing a zeal for investigating the history of the Glorious Revolution.

Author: 
Sir James Mackintosh (1765-1832) of Kyllachy, Scottish historian and politician [Thomas Babington Macaulay]
Publication details: 
21 June 1813; Cheltenham.
£60.00

A prescient note regarding his projected history of the Glorious Revolution, in which Mackintosh expresses the desire to ‘leave the ground somewhat more clear to a successor of greater talents’. And this is indeed what he did: his history was not published during his lifetime, but his voluminous notes proved invaluable to Thomas Babington Macaulay in writing his great history. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. 2pp., 12mo. Twenty-four lines of text. In fair condition, on lightly aged paper, with short closed tear to one edge. Signed ‘James Mackintosh’.

['Nearly made bankrupt' by this work: Henry Hugh Armstead, sculptor.] Autograph Letter Signed to James Dafforne of the Art Journal, describing his extensive work on the Colonial Office in Whitehall.

Author: 
Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905), British sculptor associated with George Gilbert Scott, Gothic Revival and Pre-Raphaelites [James Dafforne (1804-1880) of the Art Journal; Colonial Office, Whitehall]
Publication details: 
3 November 1874; Bridge Place, Eccleston Bridge.
£150.00

See both men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with slight spot from previous mount at one corner. Folded twice. Signed ‘H. H. Armstead’. In reply to a letter of Dafforne, he reports that ‘the Statues I have made for the “Colonial Office” Niches are not yet in situ - but are now being raised to the niches, and they will be in their places within the next few days.’ He gives the names and positions of the statues, adding: ‘The eight men are there as Secretaries of State for the Colonies’.

[James Glaisher, aeronaut and meteorologist.] Two Unsigned Autograph Drafts: the first of Letter to ‘Mrs Wallis’ on ‘English legislation against Sunday trading’; the second with reference to the Fabian Society.

Author: 
James Glaisher (1809-1903), English aeronaut and meteorologist who made balloon ascents with Henry Tracey Coxwell (1819-1900) [Sunday trading; Fabian Society]
Publication details: 
Draft of letter to 'Mrs Wallis': 18 May 1900. 50 Great Russell Street, W.C. [London offices of the Photographic Society of Great Britain.] Other draft [Fabian Society] without date or place.
£80.00

See Glaisher’s entry in the Oxford DNB. The story of Glaisher’s balloon flights is travestied in the 2019 film ‘The Aeronaut’, with his co-pilot Henry Tracey Coxwell being replaced by the fictional female character ‘Amelia Wren’. The object of the ascents, made on behalf of the British Association between 1862 and 1866, was to carry out scientific observations in such matters as the variation in temperature and humidity of the atmosphere at high elevations.

[Queen Victoria’s third daughter Princess Helena, later Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Helena’), explaining the delay in thanking ‘Col: Colville’ for sending an ‘excellent’ sketch.

Author: 
Princess Helena [Helena Augusta Victoria] (1846-1923) of the United Kingdom, later Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, daughter of Queen Victoria [Colonel Sir William James Colville (1827-1903)]
Publication details: 
24 January 1898; on letterhead of Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park.
£45.00

The princess was the third daughter and fifth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. See her entry in the Oxford DNB. Colville, who was ‘Master of the Ceremonies’ to Queen Victoria, was a talented amateur watercolourist. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. She apologises for the delay in thanking him for ‘the Sketch you so kindly have sent me. Believe me I am not ungrateful. I have had the house full for the last 10 days have not had a moment to myself.’ She considers the sketch ‘excellent’.

[Douglas Cleverdon, Bookseller, BBC producer of Dylan Thomas’s ‘Under Milk Wood’.] Typed circular from ‘The Bookshop of Douglas Cleverdon’, with ‘order form’, printing appeal by ‘James S. Cox, Antiquary’ for material relating to Ilchester.

Author: 
Douglas Cleverdon (1903-87), BBC radio producer of ‘Brains Trust’ and Dylan Thomas’s ‘Under Milk Wood [James Stevens-Cox (1910-97), antiquary; Ilchester, Somerset]
Publication details: 
Undated, but dated in manuscript to 1937. From ‘The Bookshop of Douglas Cleverdon / 18 Charlotte Street, Bristol, England’.
£90.00

For information on Cleverdon, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient is the subject of an obituary by Nicolas Barker in the Independent, 18 March 1997. 2pp, 8vo. On tastefully-printed letterhead (Cleverdon’s shop sign was by Eric Gill) headed ‘DOUGLAS CLEVERDON / WISHES TO BRING TO YOUR NOTICE’, and printed in the same font (as is the order form on the reverse) at foot: ‘The order form on the reverse of this sheet should be sent to / THE BOOKSHOP OF DOUGLAS CLEVERDON / 18 CHARLOTTE STREET, BRISTOL, ENGLAND’. in fair condition, a little creased.

[?I feel his animosity so strongly.? Sir Donald Wolfit complains about the News Chronicle theatre critic Alan Dent.] Autograph Letter Signed (?Donald?) to the theatre critic W. J. Macqueen-Pope (?Popie?), explaining why he is barring Dent.

Author: 
Sir Donald Wolfit (1902-1968), English Shakespearian actor-manager [W. J. MacQueen-Pope [Walter James MacQueen-Pope] (1888-1960), theatre historian; Alan Holmes Dent (1905-1978), Scottish critic]
Publication details: 
4 November 1948. On his letterhead, from the New Theatre, Hull.
£45.00

See the entries on author and recipient in the Oxford DNB. The subject of the letter Alan Dent, began his career as a prot?g? of James Agate. Although a somewhat histrionic figure, Wolfit's reputation rivalled that of Gielgud and Olivier, and his influence was acknowledged by both Harold Pinter and Peter O?Toole, and Ronald Harwood based his play and film ?The Dresser? on him. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, on lightly-aged and wrinkled paper, with slight nick to bottom-right, and evidence of paper clip. Folded once.

[‘Lucas Malet’ (pseudonym of Mary St Leger Kingsley), Victorian novelist admired by her friend Henry James.] Autograph Letter Signed (“Mary St Leger Harrison | ‘Lucas Malet’ ”) to ‘Mr. Combe’, sending him her autograph in charming style.

Author: 
‘Lucas Malet’, pseudonym of Mary St Leger Kingsley (1852-1931), Victorian novelist admired by her friend Henry James, daughter of Charles Kingsley
Publication details: 
10 October 1892. On embossed letterhead of Clovelly Rectory, Bideford.
£35.00

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border (her mother had died the previous December). In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of paper to which the item was glued still adhering to reverse of second leaf. Having been informed by her sister ‘Miss Kingsley’ (her elder sister Rose) that Combe is ‘kind enough to wish for my autograph’, she has ‘much pleasure in sending it you - but I wish my pen was a better one, more befitting this serious occasion!’

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