LEWES

[James Spedding, author and editor of Sir Francis Bacon.] Two long Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Jas Spedding') to the historian Charles Merivale, regarding 'the complaints of the buyer and reader against the publisher and bookseller'.

Author: 
James Spedding (1808-1881), literary editor and biographer, noted for his edition of Sir Francis Bacon [Charles Merivale (1808-1893), historian, Dean of Ely]
Publication details: 
3 and 7 September 1866. Both from 60 Lincolns Inn Fields [London].
£250.00

Both in good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip from mount adhering, and crease lines from folding. Two excellent long letters in Spedding's neat and close hand, full of content regarding the relationship between Victorian author, publisher and reader. The topic is Spedding's preparation for the publication of his pamphlet 'Publishers and Authors' (London: J. R. Smith, 1867). Both letters addressed to 'My dear Mervivale'. ONE: 3 September 1866. 4pp, 18mo. On a bifolium.

[George Henry Lewes, editor of the Fortnightly Review, 'husband' of the novelist 'George Eliot' (Mary Ann Evans).] Autograph Letter Signed ('G H Lewes'), to Reginald Stuart Poole, regarding his article on 'Pagan and Muslim Arabs'.

Author: 
G. H. Lewes [George Henry Lewes] (1817-1878), critic and philosopher, editor of the Fortnightly Review, 'husband' of the novelist 'George Eliot' (Mary Ann Evans) [Reginald Stuart Poole (1832-1895)]
Publication details: 
'Friday' (no date, but in 1865); on letterhead of The Fortnightly Review, Office, 193 Piccadilly [London].
£380.00

2pp, 12mo. Twenty-seven lines of text. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. A nice item, giving an indication of Lewes's editorial principles at the Fortnightly Review (he held the position from 1865 to the following year). Addressed to 'R. S. Poole'. He begins by explaining that he only returned to England the previous night, '& found your notes & m.s awaiting me'.

[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.

[Inscribed by author.] Two Letters to the Right Honourable the Earl of Sheffield; in which His Lordship's Report to the Meeting at Lewes Wool-Fair, and the Proceedings at a recent Meeting of Wool-Growers, at the Free Masons' Tavern, are examined; […]

Author: 
J. B. S. [ John Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield ]
Publication details: 
London: Printed by J. M. Richardson, 23, Cornhill, opposite the Royal-Exchange. 1816. [ Marchant, Printer, Ingram-Court, London. ]
£80.00

Full title, with motto: 'Two Letters to the Right Honourable the Earl of Sheffield; in which His Lordship's Report to the Meeting at Lewes Wool-Fair, and the Proceedings at a recent Meeting of Wool-Growers, at the Free Masons' Tavern, are examined; and the True State of the Wool-Question attempted to be shewn. | By J. B. S. | Veritas Nihil Veretur Nisi Abscondi.' A scarce item: no copies at the British Library or other deposit libraries and the only copies on COPAC or OCLC WorldCat at Edinburgh University and Senate House. [4] + 76pp., 8vo. Disbound, and with first leaf (half-title) loose.

[ Charles Lee Lewes, eldest son of G.H. Lewes, George Eliot's executor. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'C. L. Lewes') to Rev. F. Langbridge, regarding a request to 'quote passages from George Eliot's works in a book of "Readings"'.

Author: 
Charles Lee Lewes, George Eliot's residuary legatee and sole executor of her estate [ George Henry Lewes (1817-1878); Mary Anne Evans (1819-1880); Rev. Frederick Langbridge (1849-1922) ]
Publication details: 
Both from Hillside, Fitzroy Park, Highgate (the first a letterhead). 7 October 1887 and 12 March 1888.
£120.00

Both letters are on bifoliums, and both on aged paper, with damp and rust staining. ONE: 7 October 1887. 2pp., 12mo. Blackwoods the publishers have forwarded to him Langbridge's 'letter asking for permission to quote three passages from George Eliot's works in a book of "Readings" which you are preparing', and he has 'great pleasure in according you the desired permission'. TWO: 12 March 1888. 3pp., 12mo. With mourning border. He is 'very glad' to have Langbridge's 'full and thoroughly satisfactory explanation'.

[Printed handbill prospectus with specimen pages.] Uniform with Johnston's "Chemistry of Common Life." In Monthly Numbers, price SIXPENCE each. The Physiology of Common Life. By George Henry Lewes, Author of "Sea-side Studies," "Life of Goethe," &c.'

Author: 
[George Henry Lewes (1817-1878), writer and partner of the novelist 'George Eliot' [Marian Evans (1819-1880)]; W. Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London]
Publication details: 
W. Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London. [1858.]
£65.00

4pp., 16mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper, with slight traces of glue to fold edge. The first two pages carry the 'Prospectus', beginning: 'NO Scientific subject can be so important to Man as that of his own life. No knowledge can be so incessantly appealed to by the incidents of the every day, as the knowledge of the processes by which he lives and acts. At every moment he is in danger of disobeying laws which, when disobeyed, may bring years of suffering, decline of powers, premature decay.

Autograph Letter Signed ('M: A: Lower') from the Sussex antiquary Mark Anthony Lower to Lord Londesborough

Author: 
Mark Antony Lower (1814-1876), F.S.A. M.A., Sussex historian who founded the Sussex Archaeological Society [Albert Denison Denison (1805-1860), 1st Baron Londesborough]
Publication details: 
Lewes [Sussex]. 23 May 1851.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Written in a bold, attractive hand. The letter begins: 'It was with much regret that I was compelled to forgo the honour of attending your Lordship's Conversazione on Wednesday.' He was called to Hastings that day by '[u]navoidable business', but hopes to have 'during the continuance of the Exhibition, an opportunity of waiting on your Lordship'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('J. C. Hare') from Julius Charles Hare, Archdeacon of Lewes, to James Fraser, proprietor of 'Fraser's Magazine', complaining of Fraser's handling of his 'Vindication of Coleridge', with reference to Thomas De Quincey.

Author: 
Julius Charles Hare (1795-1855), Archdeacon of Lewes [James Fraser (c.1805-1841), London bookseller and publisher of 'Fraser's Magazine'; Samuel Taylor Coleridge; Thomas De Quincey]
Publication details: 
'Hurstmonceux Battle' [Sussex]; 2 December [1834].
£180.00

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. 21 lines of text. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of mount adhering to corners of verso of second leaf. Addressed, with red wax seal and postmark, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Mr Frazer [sic] | 215 Regent Street | London'. A significant letter, which shows Hare in conflict with Fraser over the publication his 'Vindication of Coleridge' a full year before the article appeared in the British Magazine (January 1835). The letter begins: 'I am very much annoyed at finding that you have put off my article for another month.

Autograph Note Signed ('E. V. Lucas') to an unnamed female correspondent.

Author: 
E. V. Lucas [Edward Verrall Lucas] (1868-1938), English writer and Chairman of the London publishers Methuen & Co.
Publication details: 
23 June 1912; on letterhead of Kingston Manor, Lewes.
£35.00

4to, 1 page. Good, on lightly-aged paper with dog-eared corners and small stain from mount on reverse. Reads 'Dear Madam some sort of a sequel to the Ingleside [Lucas's book 'Mr. Ingleside' (1910)] is being finished this day. | Yours faithfully | [signed] E. V. Lucas'.

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