NATIONAL

For information on the campaign to save the Rokeby Venus for the nation, see Charles Saumarez Smith, 'The Battle for Venus', Spectator, 10 November 2003. 4pp, 16mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. With one fold.

See the Oxford DNB entry on Burnaby ('He was commemorated in verse, song, and Staffordshire pottery').

A marvellous slice of unexplored Edwardian social history, raising questions of morality, censorship, art and pornography, from the papers of William J. Taylor, Secretary of the London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution. The 'Living Statuary' controversy arose over 'the propriety of the living statuary exhibitions in music-halls' (Daily Chronicle, 30 April 1907), and in particular the performances of the Australian artiste Pansy Montague (b.

1p, 12mo. Aged and creased, with closed tears and chipping repaired on reverse with archival tape. Reads: 'Dear Dr Hodgson. | Could you kindly send me your paper & speech on Edn. of Girls. We are waiting for it now & very anxious to finish up. | Yours sincerely | Isa Craig.'

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Written after his successful return as Member of Parliament for the new constituency of Tyrone South. Headed 'Private' and signed 'William O Brien'. Begins: 'My dear Mr Edwards | Of all the letters of congratulation I received on our Tyrone victory, there was not one that gave me more pleasure than your kind note.' He would have answered sooner, had the 'fatigue of the contest' not 'proved a little too much' for him, and it would have given him 'particular pleasure' to make Edwards's acquaintance.

The present letter relates to the founding by Davitt – who inspired Mahatma Gandhi – of the newspaper 'Labour World', in which he was an early promoter of the British Labour Party. 2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded once. The reverse of the second leaf carries a full-page engraving of the 'Arundel Hotel, | Victoria Embankment, Strand, W.C.' He begins by informing Knox that 'Mr Stead' has handed him his 'favour to him of the 12th. inst.' He continues: 'The paper alluded to in the Review of Reviews is not to be started in Ireland.

Nine letters (eight ALsS and one TLS) totalling 16pp, 12mo, in close and neat autograph; and 2pp, 4to, typed. One from 1932 and the other eight from 1933. All signed 'Arthur Bryant'. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight rust-staining from paperclips to a couple of the letters. An interesting correspondence, in which Bryant gives an assessment of Pepys, and describes his approach to writing his biography. In one long letter (5 May 1933) Bryant describes his wider approach to the writing of history.

Elizabeth Bury, illustrator and theatre designer, wife of and collaborator with John Bury (1925-2000), British theatre designer noted for his innovative work with Peter Hall, the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre (see his obituary in the Guardian, 15 November 2000). Two ring-bound 8vo Christmas keepsake private printings, both filled with full-page illustrations by Bury. Both inscribed by her to the playwright Christopher Fry. Both in good condition, with light signs of age. Uniform in layout, both with coloured covers of striking design.

Elizabeth Bury, illustrator and theatre designer, wife of and collaborator with John Bury (1925-2000), British theatre designer noted for his innovative work with Peter Hall, the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre (see his obituary in the Guardian, 15 November 2000). ''Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti 1862 | Illustrated by Elizabeth Bury'. [61]pp, 8vo. Ring-bound Christmas keepsake private printing, in covers of striking pattern, with thirty full-page illustrations by Bury. In good condition, with light signs of age.

[1 + 4 + 1 pp], folio, folding into packet with title printed crosswise in customary fashion. With coloured plan by 'Waterlow & Sons, Lithographers, London' tipped in, folding out to 55 x 100 cm, titled: 'Plan of Farms in the Parishes of Rhiw & Llanfaelrhys, known as the Rhiw Estate. Scale, 4 Chains to 1 Inch.' Unbound. The catalogue worn and frayed at edges; the plan on better paper, creased and worn. Addressed in manuscript: 'Bookpost | Mrs. Glynne Griffith | Bryn Llwyd | Llanfair p. g'.

The recipient of this letter, John Julius William Angerstein (1800-1866), was son of the MP John Angerstein (c.1774-1858) and grandson of the celebrated patron of the arts John Julius Angerstein (1732-1823), whose collection forms the basis of the National Gallery. At the time of writing J. J. W. Angerstein – a noted spendthrift and patron of the turf – was a captain in the Grenadier Guards. Martin was a family friend, and one of the two executors of J. J. Angerstein. 2pp, 4to. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf, with postmarks and part of seal in red wax, to 'J. J. W.

By profession a mining engineer, O'Driscoll was the Irish National Federation (Anti-Parnellite) MP for the South Monaghan constituency between 1892 and 1895. 2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with slight patch of discoloration at the head of the second page. Despite the author's statement to the contrary, an eloquent and moving letter of condolence. Addressing his letter to 'My dear Willie', O'Driscoll sends his sympathies on the death of the recipient's father. 'I feel old man that I have a poor way of expressing myself.

4pp., 16mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. The letter begins: 'A press of necessary writ[in]g has retarded my acknowledgmt. of yr kind letter, & of the Copy of “Work & Leisure”.' She assures Parish 'most sincerely' that she thinks her 'little paper excellent - & that the true tribute to my dear, never-forgotten [?] goes both to my heart & to my judgment'. She is sure Parish's “Companion in travelling” will be entirely to the point'. She does not 'abound in suggestions for subjects.

[40]pp., small 4to. Stapled in brown printed wraps. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Title from cover, where it is printed in blue, enclosed in a border of US flags, with clutch of four flags (UK Red Ensign, Cuban, French, US) in blue and red at head. Filled with advertisements, including an illustrated full-page one inside the front cover for 'Dodge Brothers | Convertible Car'.

A surprising letter from a Conservative imperialist and opponent of appeasement (Amery was one of only four members who remained seated when Chamberlain announced his flight to Munich to a cheering House of Commons, the others being Churchill, Anthony Eden and Harold Nicolson). At the time of writing Amery was a member of the government as Secretary of State for India. The Beveridge Report had appeared in November of the previous year. 1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair conditon, on aged and worn paper. See Carpenter's entry in the Oxford DNB. The present item is from the papers of the family of the recipient, the second wife of the geologist Alexander Henry Green (1832-1896), and previously Miss Wilhelmina Maria Armstrong of Clifton. The letter show Carpenter active and energetic within a year of her death. She had established the National Indian Association in 1870. She writes that she has been 'very glad to see Frances here & her Sisters'. She hopes that she has 'interested them a little about India'.

1p., 8vo. In fair condtion, lightly aged and creased. The typed text of the letter appears to be duplicated, with the salutation 'My dear Mr. Vice Chairman' added at the head, and the identity of the recipient added at the foot: '(Leicestershire) | Lt. Col. H. Howard, D.L.' The letter explains that Roberts has been asked to 'speak at a public meeting organised by the National Service League at the Drill Hall, Wolverhampton, at 8 p.m. On Friday, 14th March', with the Mayor of Wolverhampton in the chair, 'in a non-committal capacity'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with some damage ay foot of reverse of second leaf (not affecting signature) caused by removal from mount. The letter presumably dates from before Boxall's appointment as Director of the National Gallery in 1866, when he all but gave up painting. It is addressed to 'Dr. Hooker', and the recipient is either Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) or his son Sir Joseph Hooker (1817-1911), successively Directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight staining at head of second leaf. Addressed to 'The Honble. Mr. J. D. Rees, C.I.E.' A long letter, beginning with an expression of pleasure at Rees's 'appointment as an additional Member of the Viceregal Legislative Council'. His wife and 'Chota Sheriff' join him in sending congratulations. He refers to a conversation in which it was 'casually wished' that Rees would 'become connected with the Viceregal Govt. though not by such an appointment as the present one.

2pp., 8vo. In envelope addressed to 'Mr Ivan Alderman, | 2 Brook Green Flats, | Dunsany Road, | London W14'. In good condition, lightly aged.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'My dear Sir | I have great pleasure in accepting your invitation to dinner on Tuesday next. | Yours very faithfully | C. L. Eastlake'.

2pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. On behalf of 'the Executive Committee', he thanks him and 'the Sub Committee' for the letter 'reporting the conclusion of the arrangements for Reception of the Belgians at Wimbledon', and declares the arrangements satisfactory. The letter concludes with a resolution of the Executive Committee, requesting the Sub Committee 'to continue their labours in this department until after the Departure of the Belgians from Wimbledon'.

Two First World War postcards, with the poems printed in black lengthwise on one side, and 'POST CARD' and the usual arrangement printed on the other side. Neither item with any manuscript text or other additions. Both in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Valuable artefacts, filled with information about the workings of a munitions factory, and reflecting the tensions between the male and female workers. No other copies traced, either in the Imperial War Museum, on OCLC WorldCat, or on COPAC. ONE: Headed 'An Appreciation. | (Copyright.)' At foot: 'Composed by Mr. G.

Cobham started his National Aviation Day displays (known as "Cobham's Flying Circus") in 1932. These displays were a combination of barnstorming and joyriding by a team of skilled pilots in up to fourteen aircraft, ranging from single-seaters to modern airliners. The show toured the country, calling at hundreds of sites from regular airfields to fields cleared for the occasion. 1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, worn and ruckled. Nicely printed in black over a halftone red map of Great Britain and Ireland.

16pp., 12mo. Stitched and unbound. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with central vertical fold. In small print. Derby regards 'the disestablishment and disendowment of the Church of Ireland' as a 'dangerous measure', and urges the House of Lords to ward off its 'incalculable evils'. According to his entry in the ODNB, 'In February 1868 a rapidly ageing and sick Derby resigned from the premiership, handing the office over to Disraeli. Derby also resigned the formal leadership of his party in the Lords.

Both items are 4pp., 8vo, on bifoliums. Both are in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Both are scarce: the only copy of the first on OCLC WorldCat or on COPAC at the British Library, and no other copy of the second traced. ONE: Title: 'Members, Committee, and Treasurer.' Leaflet headed 'National Federation of Women's Institutes | (Established in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries).', and numbered 'N.F.W.I. - 17.' Price 1½d. Divided into: 'The Secret of Membership. | By Margaret Macnamara', 'Duties and Privileges of a Women's Institute Committee.

15pp., 8vo. Stitched and unbound. In good condition, lightly aged, with central vertical fold. In small print. In the conclusion of the speech - 'greeted with repeated rounds of applause' - he states that he 'cannot be a party to severing that Church and State under which it is the glory and the privilege of the state to uphold the light of the Reformation in the midst of Ireland'. Scarce: only two copies on OCLC WorldCat, at the British Library and Illinois, and no copy at the National Library of Ireland.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight glue staining on blank reverse of first leaf. The letter begins: 'My dear Mr Rees. | I beg to congratulate you & myself on your elevation to a membership of the Viceregal Legislative Council – you on your well-earned elevation – myself on the pleasure of your companionship while at Calcuttah. [sic]' He is pleased to note that Rees's 'youth & the fact of your being comparatively a junior have not been regarded insuperable obstacles or unpardonable crimes'.

Both items in good condition, lightly aged, and both bearing the Society's stamp. ONE: 26 January 1915. 1p., 12mo. He is obliged by a previous engagement to decline the invitation 'to take the Chair for Mr. F Vincent Brooks lecture on Lithography on the 10th.', but feels the honour 'all the same'. TWO: 1 April 1915. 1p., 12mo. He would like, 'for every reason', 'to take the chair for M. Paul Lambottes lecture on C Meunier', but he will probbably be 'out of London during the first two weeks in May'.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with small glue stain and thin strip of stub adhering to one edge. Reads: 'Dear Lady Stanhope | If you & Lord Stanhope could honor us with your company on Thursday evng the 19th. Sir Chas. & Dr. Waagen & I wd. be much gratified | Believe me yr's truly | Eliz: Eastlake'. 'Dr. Waagen' is the German art historian Gustav Friedrich Waagen (1794-1868).