LIGHT

[Mary Whitehouse, campaigner against the ‘permissive society’, founder and president of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association.] Two Autograph Notes Signed on compliments slips, and her ‘New Address’ in Autograph.

Author: 
Mary Whitehouse [née Constance Mary Hutcheson] (1910-2001), campaigner against the ‘permissive society’, founder and president of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association
Publication details: 
None of the items dated, but from the 1960s or 1970s.
£100.00

A controversial figure much-ridiculed by the media, but nevertheless wielding considerable influence. See her entry in the Oxford DNB. All three items in good condition. Items 1 and 2 are 11.5 x 9 cm compliments slips for ‘The Secretary’ of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association, with the address in the bottom left-hand corner: ‘MRS. MARY WHITEHOUSE | Triangle Farm House | Far Forest | Nr. KIDDERMINSTER | Worcs.’ and her phone number at bottom right. ONE: ‘The Secretary’ crossed out by Whitehouse and replaced with her signature ‘Mary Whitehouse’. Autograph message: ‘In haste.

[Rudyard Kipling, Nobel prize winning author and poet.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Rudyard Kipling') to Captain [Stowe?], concerning the his recent departure from Rottingdean (to Batemans) and continued interest in the Rottingdean Rifle Club.

Author: 
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), Nobel prize winning author and poet
Kipling
Publication details: 
[Headed] Bateman's Burwash, Sussex, 17 Oct. 1902.
£350.00
Kipling

2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, fold marks. Twenty-nine lines of text in Kipling's neat and close hand. Text: Many thanks for your letter & enclosed slip. As you say, your competition is the First step in the right way: next comes the unknown range for the disappearing man. I am afraid you will find [masses?] of opposition from the 'crack' shots &c to whom the solemn ritual of [?] paint-box and all the rest of it has all the dignity of a 'sport'. Also the meagre scores will not 'look well in the papers'.

[Sir Richard Airey: the man who issued the order for the Charge of the Light Brigade.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mrs. Gardiner’, describing the ‘escape by a miracle’ of ‘Gardiner’ after a dangerous fall from his horse.

Author: 
Sir Richard Airey [Richard Airey, 1st Baron Airey] (1803-1881), senior British Army officer, remembered for writing out the order for the Charge of the Light Brigade, and 1879-1880 Airey Commission
Publication details: 
29 June 1865; ‘Horseguards’ [Horse Guards, London.], on embossed government letterhead.
£56.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB: ‘Following Raglan's instructions, he wrote out the order which led to the fateful charge of the light brigade on 25 October 1854, but unfortunately in the heat of battle kept no duplicate. Subsequently, he had to request a copy from Lieutenant-General Lord Lucan, the cavalry division's commander, to whom the order was addressed and who strongly resented implications that he was at fault. In writing and in person Airey attempted to placate Lucan, reputedly arguing that “it is nothing to Chillianwallah”’.

[Eric Coates, composer of 'The Dam Busters March'.] Autograph Signed Inscription to May Hirst, on reverse of a 'Photograph of Original Full Score of The Three Bears.

Author: 
Eric Coates [Eric Francis Harrison Coates] (1886-1957), English composer of light music, best-known for 'The Dam Busters March'
Publication details: 
No date (but 1926 or after) or place.
£80.00

On reverse of 11.25 x 8.25 cm card carrying a black and white print of the autograph score of Coates's second 'phantasy', 'The Three Bears' (1926). In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'To May Hirst | with best wishes | from | Eric Coates | Photograph of | Original Full Score of | The Three Bears'.

[Sir Edward German, composer.] Autograph Signature ('Edward German :') to secretarial letter to Mrs Russell, apologising for not writing 'personally'.

Author: 
Sir Edward German (1862-1936), composer of incidental music and comic opera, best remembered for 'Merrie England'
Publication details: 
5 January 1928. On letterhead of 5 Biddulph Road, Elgin Avenue, W.9.
£25.00

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Only the salutation ('Dear Mrs. Russell,') and the valediction ('Yours very sincerely | Edward German :' are in German's hand; the rest is by a secretary. He writes that he would 'have liked to write you [sic] personally, but it is a little more than I can manage at present'. Nevertheless he assures her that he is 'most grateful' for her 'very kind message'.

[ Sir Henry Bunbury, soldier, historian and antiquary. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Hy Bunbury'), regarding Robert Craufurd, Robert Anstruther and the posiition of 'Depy. Quarter Master General [ in the 16th Queen's light dragoons ].

Author: 
Sir Henry Bunbury [ Sir Henry Edward Bunbury ], 7th Baronet, soldier, historian and antiquary
Publication details: 
Barton [ Barton Hall, Suffolk ]. 28 October 1854.
£95.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and worn, with traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse. The male recipient is not identified. The letter reads: 'Sir, | My memory hardly serves me so as to answer your enquiry positively. I do not recollect Robert Craufurd in Holland in '99; and I am pretty sure that Robt: Anstruther, who died at Corunna, was our Depy. Quarter Master General'. According to Bunbury's entry in the Oxford DNB, he purchased 'a captaincy in the 16th Queen's light dragoons on 16 August 1797.

[ Sydney Ffoulkes, composer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Sydney ffoulkes'), a letter of condolence to the widow of fellow-composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
Sydney Ffoulkes, composer associated with the actor Sir Henry Irving and the BBC [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
4 Seaford Mansions, Jevington Gardens, Eastbourne. 21 April 1939.
£40.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He has learnt with 'the deepest regret' of his 'old friend's passing'., and sends his condolences. He will be unable to attend the funeral service, as he had 'a bad fall & fractured two ribs'. He concludes: 'Herman was a great fellow, & nobody will ever replace him -'. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last songs played as RMS Titanic went down.

[ Patrick Barrow, composer and conductor. ] Autograph Letter Signed, a letter of condolence to the widow of fellow-composer Herman Finck, praising Finck as a man and a musician.

Author: 
Patrick Barrow, composer and conductor [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
24 Tangier Road, Richmond, Surrey. 22 April 1939.
£40.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. He only met Finck on a few occasions, but offers his condolences 'as a Composer of Light Music, and as a former Director of Music at a West End Theatre (Daly's)'. In his view, Finck 'surely had no superior in the art of giving pleasure to others, not only by his personality, but also by his pen.

[ Herman Finck, composer and conductor. ] Material from his widow's papers relating to his death, including 73 signatures of individuals at his funeral service, including Tommy Handley and William Luff; obituaries; fumeral cards, order of service.

Author: 
Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer and conductor [ Tommy Handley; Bert Thomas; Charles Prentice; Rex Palmer; Percy Greenbank; William Luff ]
Publication details: 
London. 1939.
£320.00

On his death Finck was described by the Daily Mirror as 'one of the world's greatest writers of light music'. His 'In the Shadows' was one of the last songs played on RMS Titanic before it went down. The collection is in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Items One and Two are in an envelope addressed to Mrs Finck at 122 Finchley Road, with note by her: 'Funeral Cards & names of people at Service'. ONE: Collection of 73 signatures of people attending Finck's funeral service. 5pp., folio. Mostly in pencil. With calling card of 'Mr. Stanley F. Galpin'.

[ William Kelty McLeod, Lieut. Col. Comding, 74th Highlanders; Kaffir Wars ] Autograph Signed Testimonial ('W K McLeod Col. | Lt. Col. Com 74th. Highlanders') in favour of Major Philip Philpot, who desires to obtain employment as a 'public servant'.

Author: 
Brigadier General William Kelty McLeod (1862-1928), Regimental Colonel of the Highland Light Infantry
Publication details: 
Malta. 7 January 1896.
£120.00

3pp., tall 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded four times. With regard to Philpot's desire to obtain 'employment under Her Majesty's Government' as a 'public servant', he has applied to McLeod 'for a testimonial as to his Conduct and Efficiency as an Officer during the seven years he served in the 74th Highlanders': ''There has been but one opinion of him in the Corps, which was, that he was a most able, active, intelligent and gallant officer, possessed of much common sense and sound judgment.

[ John George Wood, naturalist and microscopist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. G. Wood') to 'Lester' [ Edwin Lester Arnold ], containing warm reminiscences.

Author: 
J. G. Wood [ John George Wood ] (1827-1889), naturalist and microscopist [ E. L. Arnold [ Edwin Lester Linden Arnold ] (1857-1935), author, son of Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904) ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Freeman Lodge, St. Peters, Kent. 14 December 1885.
£120.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn. Forty lines of text. He has been 'looking out for the review in the D[aily]. T[elegraph]. but never a review at all I seen. [sic] I suppose that these politics &c, squeeze out any matter which can bide its time'. He recalls their previous meeting: 'last time was on a Sunday morning, when Theodore & I trotted from Belvedere to Sidcup [...] he, like you, has been following his father's footsteps, & has made somewhat of a name in economic edntomology'.

Papers of Sergeant J. L. R. Royall, Royal Artillery Search Light Training Instructor (Anti Aircraft), 1939-1942

Author: 
[Sergeant J.L.R. Royall; Anti-Aircraft; Search Light]
Publication details: 
1939-1942
£800.00

These papers provide a unique insight into the top-secret workings of a vital branch of defensive warfare at its apogee - the Battle of Britain - during a period while it was integrating into its systems the new radar technology which would ultimately render it redundant, and at a time which saw it was at the forefront of the beginning of the integration of women into the armed services.

[John Herschel ] Autograph Letter Signed "J F W Herschel" to an unnamed correspondent (Editor of "Good Words", Norman Macleod?).

Author: 
J.F. W. Herschel [ Sir John Frederick William Herschel, 1st Baronet KH FRS (1792–1871), mathematician, astronomer, chemist, inventor, and experimental photographer ]
Publication details: 
Collingwood, 14 Feb. 1860.
£300.00

One page, 12mo, good condition. A difficult hand. "I send by book post some more Copy for Part 1 of 'Light' in Good Words & to morrow or next day you shall have the rest - which [will make?] somewhere about 12 or 13 more Columns more of letterpress. | The figures are [?][open?] so that they may be put into the wood-engravers hand without the MS. | Be so good reduce the MS & let me have proofs in duplicate." Note: These articles on "Light" did not appear in "Good Words" until 1865. This leeter is presumably to the Editor, Norman Macleod.

[ The Garrison Library, Gibraltar. ] Issue of 'The Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry. Weekly Budget and Light Bob Gazette', with illustrated front-page feature on the 'Centenary of the Garrison Library'. Also cricket report and scorecard.

Author: 
The Garrison Library, Gibraltar, founded in 1801 [ The Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry. Weekly Budget and Light Bob Gazette. ]
Publication details: 
No. XXVIII. Gibraltar, 2 September 1893. [ 'Published at the Somerset Mimeograph Establishment, South Barracks, Gibraltar, every Saturday. C. P. NORTHAN, Manager.' ]
£180.00

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. Complete issue, paginated 115-118. In fair condition, worn and aged. An attractive production, printed in black, with the masthead featuring the regiment's badge in green ink. 14 x 19.5 cm lithographic illustration by 'RF' on the front page, showing the library building in its setting, with a simple charm. The accompanying article reports on the centenary celebrations. 'To Captain, afterwards Colonel Drinkwater the historian of the memorable siege of Gibraltar are we indebted for the origin of this excellent institution. Thanks to the generosity of H.R.H.

[Sir Edwin Arnold.] Holograph Poem, signed 'Edwin Arnold', titled 'The Heavenly Secret', exhibiting a few differences from the printed version, presented to Mrs A. G. Henriques.

Author: 
Sir Edwin Arnold (1892-1904), poet and journalist, best-known for his 'Light of Asia' (1879) [Mrs A. G. Henriques]
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 6 March 1887.
£75.00

1p., 8vo. Laid down on a piece of card. Aged and discoloured, with chipping to extremities and some loss of text. The poem is sixteen lines long, arranged in two eight-line stanzas. The first stanza reads: '"Sometimes" - Althaea sighed - "in hours of sadness, | A sudden pleasure shines upon the soul; | The heart beats quick to half-heard notes of gladness, | And from the dark mind all its clouds unroll: | How comes this, Poet! You, who know things hidden, | Whence sounds that undersong of soft Content? | What brings such peace, unlooked-for & unbidden! | Answer me!

Autograph Letter in the third person from Lord Bingham [later George Charles Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan] to Sir Francis Freeling, Secretary of the General Post Office, regarding a petition to be presented to the House of Commons. With two cuttings.

Author: 
George Charles Bingham (1800-1888), 3rd Earl of Lucan [Lord Lucan], until 1839 known by the courtesy title Lord Bingham [Sir Francis Freeling (1764-1836), Secretary of the General Post Office]
Publication details: 
3 Park Place [London] 12 June 1830. One of the cuttings dating from the commencement off the Crimean War, 1853.
£220.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. 'Lord Bingham presents his compliments to Sir Francis Freeling & will feel much obliged to him if he will be good enough to have the accompanying letter opened & returned to him free of postage as Ld. B. knows it to be a Petition to the House of Commons | Ld. B.

Album of poems by Captain William Gamul Edwards of The Cedars, Bromley Common, Kent, both original compositions in his autograph and cuttings of poems published by him, mainly under the pseudonyms 'W. G. E.' and 'Gamul'.

Author: 
Captain William Gamul Edwards (1808-1884) of HM 38th Regiment of Foot and The Cedars, Bromley Common, Kent, Director of the Mid-Kent Railway, son of Rev. Thomas Edwards, Rector of Alford, Cheshire
Publication details: 
[The Cedars, Bromley Common, Kent.] Dated from between September 1835 and February 1880.
£320.00

146pp., 12mo, in autograph, almost entirely consisting of poetic compositions, with numerous emendations; with a further 35 cuttings of poems laid down (33 of them by Edwards) and another two cuttings of another two poems loosely inserted. Also loosely inserted are two poems (totalling 7pp., 4to): 'To Ill Health', dated September 1835; and 'The last hope', 28 December 1869. In contemporary dark-green crushed morocco binding, gilt, recently rebacked by Ipsley Bindery with new enpapers. All edges gilt.

Signature ('Fitzroy Somerset') of Lord Fitzroy Somerset, later Lord Raglan, on frank to Colonel Brotherton.

Author: 
FitzRoy James Henry Somerset [known as Lord FitzRoy Somerset], 1st Baron Raglan [Lord Raglan] (1788-1855), British army officer [The Charge of the Light Brigade; Battle of Balaklava; Crimean War]
Publication details: 
Merthyr Tydvil [Wales]. 11 June 1831.
£25.00

On piece of 6.5 x 11.5 cm paper, cut from front of frank. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. With the red government postmark ('FREE | 11 JU 11 | 1831'). Reads 'London June seventh 1831 | Colonel Brotherton | Merthyr Tydvil | [signed] Fitzroy Somerset'.

Mid-Victorian manuscript list, headed 'Weight of Appointments', giving the weights of a British Army cavalryman's equipment.

Author: 
[British Army Cavalryman's list of 'Weights of Appointments', circa 1850]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [Circa 1850.]
£125.00

On one side of a piece of 15.5 x 11 cm laid paper. In fair condition, on lightly-aged and creased paper. The list gives the weights of nine items (Saddle; Horse Shoes & Nails; Velisse; Sword & Belts; Carbine; Ammunition 20 rounds; Cloak; Sheep Skin & Shabracque; Wallets), ranging in weight from 27 lbs to 4 1/2 lbs, and totalling 7 st 3 lbs. Apparently very scarce. No record found.

[First World War printed Balkans concert party programme.] Lieut-Colonel P. W. Williams-Till and the Officers of the Durham Light Infantry Present their Christmas Pantomime Aladdin. ['Cast of incompetent comics, perpetrators of the frightfulness.']

Author: 
Lieut.-Col. P. W. Williams-Till and the Officers of the Durham Light Infantry
Publication details: 
'Proprietors The Dud Empires Ltd.' [Salonika and the Balkans, c.1916.]
£120.00

Printed on both sides of a piece of paper, roughly 25.5 x 37.5 cm, folded three times to make a packet of 6pp., 25.5 x 12.5 cm. The title advertises 'All the old favourites, and new book by Pte. E. G. S. Staples. New Lyrics and parodies by 2 Lt. C. M. Hale. Additional music by Pte G. M. Rutt. Produced by Pte E. G. S. Staples.' Also 'Full Beauty Chorus of Macedonian Houris from the EASTERN THEATRE (of War) by kind permission of the Balkan News.' Other spoof advertisements include: 'Soap! Soap! Soap!

The Duties of a Soldier, illustrated and enforced in a Sermon, preached at the Consecration of the Colours of the Somerset Light Dragoons, On Wednesday, the 6th. of August, 1794, in the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, Taunton.

Author: 
Rev. John Gardiner, Curate of the Church of St Mary Magdalen, Taunton, and Rector of Brailsford, &c. in the County of Derby [Somerset Light Dragoons; British Army]
Publication details: 
Published at the Request of the Corps. Taunton: Printed by J. Poole; sold by Him, and E. and S. Hassums; Sold also by Messrs. Rivingtons, St. Paul's Church Yard; Stockdale, Piccadilly; Richardson, Cornhill; and J. Downes, Temple-Bar, London. 1794.
£250.00

4to: 37 pp. Unbound. Stitched as issued. Text clear and entire on discoloured paper worn at the extremities. Central closed tears to the last four leaves, the closed tear to the last leaf being repaired with archival tape on the blank reverse. A production over which the author has taken great care, he having added two autograph footnotes, one of three lines and the other of two, on p.34. Note on p.37: 'The extraordinary length of this Discourse, being more than double that of Sermons usually printed, is the reason for its being sold at the additional price of one half. [i.e.

Prospectus and 'Form of Application' for shares in the Metropolitan Electric Tramways, Limited.

Author: 
The Metropolitan Electric Tramways, Limited. [London Transport]
Publication details: 
March 1904. William Brown & Co. Limited, Printers, &c., London, E.C.
£56.00

The prospectus is a four-page bifolium. Dimensions of leaf roughly 38.5 x 24 cm. Aged, creased and worn, and with slight loss to spine and with a panel in the second leaf worn through, resulting in loss of some of text. The prospectus is addressed by hand to 'Eton College Wilds Estate'. The 'form of application' is printed in green on one side of a leaf roughly 34 x 20.5 cm. It is in better condition than the prospectus, lightly creased and aged, and complete with a perforated 'Banker's Receipt'. Note: The Wilds Estate provided the land for Hampstead Garden Suburb and the Heath.

Autograph Card Signed ('W. S. Crockett') to Lieut. J. W. Light of the 25th Reserve Battalion, Bramshott Camp, Hampshire.

Author: 
W. S. Crockett [William Shillinglaw Crockett] (1866-1945), Scottish author
Publication details: 
30 October 1917; The Manse, Tweedsmuir, Scotland.
£25.00

On printed postcard, with a postmarked postage stamp. Addressed by Crockett. Aged and creased, with paperclip markings. Asks to see a copy of 'The Maple Leaf', 'so that I may have an idea as to the sort of thing you want for the Xmas. no.'

Autograph Letter Signed ('F. Oxon.) to Mrs. Light, autograph collector

Author: 
Francis Paget (1851-1911), Bishop of Oxford
Publication details: 
19 March 1904; on letterhead of the 'Diocesan Registry, Oxford.'
£60.00

One page, octavo. Good, though a little smoked at head and foot. 'Here, after a delay I am ashamed of, are the autographs: I shall indeed be glad if they give any pleasure to the recipient. | I trust that you and the Vicar were not overtired on the day of the Confirmation: and that you know what a happiness both the Service and the welcome were to me.' Sends 'Mr. Green's kindest remembrances'.

Autograph Signatures ('Gertrude Lawrence.', 'Ivy St. Helier' and 'Joyce Carey').

Author: 
Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952), Ivy St Helier (1886-1971); Joyce Carey (1898-1993); English actresses associated with Noel Coward
Publication details: 
Dates and places not stated.
£85.00

On a leaf of cream paper, 8.5 x 12 cm, part of a bifolium taken from an autograph album. Very good. All three signatures are bold and clear. The signatures of Lawrence and St Helier are on one side of the leaf, and that of Carey is on the other. Lawrence's signature is in ink, and the other two in pencil. Three signatures,

Libellus lapidum.

Author: 
Hilary Pepler and David Jones [S. Dominic's Press]
Publication details: 
Printed & published by the Author at | Ditchling Sussex | & at 350, Oxford Street. London, W. I. | A. MCMXXIV. D.' [1924]
£150.00

Small 8vo. Pages: viii + 24 + [4 blanks]. Original cream paper wraps: title and price in red and engraving in green on front. Wraps discoloured, rubbed and stained, with covers loosening and loss at foot of spine. Internally sound and tight, but quite heavily foxed. Dated ownership inscription on flyleaf. Titlepage vignette and 15 engravings. Collection of whimsical poems about places like Hampstead Garden Suburb and people like G. K. Chesterton and Bernard Shaw. Taylor & Sewell A125b.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Alexander William Kinglake
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£18.00

English historian of the Crimean War (1809-91). On piece of paper roughly 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/4 inches. In very good condition. Remains of mounts adhering to blank verso. Reads '<...> be of use in making the collection. | I have the honour to be | Sirs | faithfully yours | A W Kinglake.'

Autograph Letter Signed to Egerton Grey.

Author: 
Teresa del Riego
Publication details: 
12 January 1937; on letterhead '18, HOLLYCROFT AVENUE, N.W.3. | TEL: HAMPSTEAD 0055.'
£75.00

British composer (1876-1968) of light classical music and singer. 16mo. 2 pages. In good condition, with one neat vertical crease and one dog-eared corner. She thanks him for the 'charming lyrics'. 'I don't think I had better embark on any more at present, as I find it increasingly difficult to get things published, & my Store of MSS. is very large!' The two letters of his that she has are signed 'Grey' and she will be interested to see his 'real signature'. She wonders whether he has a spare copy of 'A recall'.

Annual Reports.

Author: 
The Edison Swan Electric Company Limited.
Publication details: 
1904-1945
£450.00

In two volumes, folio and 4to respectively (1904-1930 and 1931-1945), black cloth, some wear and tear, hinge strain, but contents in good condition. Two volumes,

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