NOVELIST

Autograph Letter Signed to [Frederick Whelen], Fabian writer and lecturer (1867-1955), founder of the Stage Society.

Author: 
Arnold Bennett, novelst.
Publication details: 
14 St. Simon's Avenue, Putney, [London] S.W., 5 May 1909.
£220.00

One page, 4to, slightly chipped and with folds at corners, good condition, text clear and complete. " . . . I am not a brilliant orator, nor even an orator; but neither am I the sort of person to refuse your request to orate, & therefore I will speak for the guests. I wish you would let me know whom the chief invited stars are, so that I can say for them what I think they ought to say. . . . "

Her Royal Highness; A Romance of the Chancelleries of Europe.

Author: 
William Le Queux
Publication details: 
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914.
£56.00

Octavo: 190 pp. In original red cloth binding. First edition. Lacks rear free endpaper. On aged paper and in heavily worn binding. INSCRIBED by author on creased front free endpaper 'Much that is contained in this book is founded on fact | [signed] William Le Queux | Oct 1916'.

Autograph Note Signed.

Author: 
Beryl Bainbridge (b.1932), English novelist
Publication details: 
After 1975.
£28.00

On one side of a piece of paper, dimensions 19.5 x 21 cm. Lightly creased. Presumably in response to a request for an autograph. Reads 'Is there a life before Death? | (slogan chalked on wall in Northern Ireland, 1975) | Yours sincerely | [signed] Beryl Bainbridge.' Firm sprawling signature.

Autograph Signature ('G. Bentinck') as frank on envelope addressed to Lady Frederick Bentinck, postmarked and with remains of red wax seal.

Author: 
Lord (William) George Frederic Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck [known as Lord George Bentinck] (1802-1848), English politician and sportsman
Publication details: 
12 June 1832; London.
£28.00

Irregularly shaped piece of paper, consisting of the front and sides of an envelope. Roughly 14 x 18 cm. Good, but with long vertical closed tear to right of signature, neatly repaired on reverse with archival tape. Reads 'London June Twelve 1832. - | Lady Frederick Bentinck | Bedford Hotel | Brighton | [signed] G. Bentinck.' Red ink postmark, circular and topped with crown, reading 'FREE | 12 JU 12 | 1832 | +'. Remains of red wax seal at foot. Docketed 'Bentinck' along right-hand edge.

Autograph Note Signed to Miss Terry Smith.

Author: 
P.G. Wodehouse, novelist
Publication details: 
[Printed headed notepaper] 17 Norfolk Street, Park Lane, w.1., 16 Nov. 1933
£150.00

One page, 4to, lightly creased, good condition. The signature is slightly smudged. Text as follows: "Here is the article. I think it is excellent. / I hope it lands the job for you."

Autograph Letter Signed "A Bennett Smith / Annie S. Swan" to an unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Annie S. Swan, novelist
Publication details: 
Cecil House, Hertford, 17 June [no year given].
£75.00

Two pages, 8vo, punch-holes (with loss of one or two letters), closed tear and a small hole in the corner (with some rust marks), but text clear and complete. "In my opinion it is impossible to over estimate the value and importance of the work being done for the troops at home and abroad by the YMCA. I speak from first hand knowledge when I say that the soldiers themselves are ever ready to acknowledge the sympathy, spiritual help and material kindness which the Association bes[ow] upon them in the camps."

Autograph Subscription signed.

Author: 
Virginia Frazer Boyle, American Science Fiction writer, novelist.
Publication details: 
No place or date surviving.
£120.00

Scrap of paper,3.5 x 1", with the words, in Boyle's hand, "you and believe me / with sincere regard, / Your friend / Virginia Frazer Boyle". Paper partly laid down on card, unevenly and crudely cut, staining, corners have remnants of a laying down, and another hand has added "Author of 'Devil Tales' &c. Memphis, Tenn." (the word "Author" partly obscured. The text is clear if a little faded. Items in Boyle's hand appear to be scarce.

Two Autograph Signature on slip of paper.

Author: 
Richard Adams (born 1920), English novelist, best-known for 'Watership Down' (1972)
Publication details: 
Undated and with place not stated.
£30.00

On strip of paper roughly two inches by eight wide. Good. Two bold signature reads 'Yours sincerely | Richard Adams'. Presumably the collector was expected to cut the autographs off individually - for wgatever purpose.

Autograph Note Signed (' "Winifred Graham" | (Mrs. Theodore Cory)') accompanying Typed Letter Signed ('Winifred Cory') to the Rev. E. J. F. Davies.

Author: 
Winifred Graham (Matilda Winifred Muriel Graham Cory, 1873-1950), author of more than eighty books, and opponent of the Mormon religion
Publication details: 
Both on letterhead 'ST. ALANS, | HAMPTON-ON-THAMES'; both dated 7 January 1931.
£50.00

Both items one page, 12mo. Both on creased, aged paper, with some paperclip spotting. In the typed letter (which is in slightly worse condition than the other item) she explains that she is enclosing her autograph on a separate sheet. '[I]n case you care to have it My Mother, Mrs. Graham, (I write under my maiden name) thought you might like to have Sir Philip Gibbs' autograph, [^the celebrated author,] so she has asked me to send you a card she received from him the other day. [not present] You certainly have a wonderful collection!' The autograph reads 'Jan: 7th.

Autograph Note Signed ('Mary W. Findlater') to unnamed female autograph hunter.

Author: 
Mary Williamina Findlater (1865-1963), Scottish novelist and poet
Publication details: 
27 October 1901; Mount Stuart, Torquay, England.
£10.00

One page, 16mo. Good, on lightly aged grey paper, with previous paper mount adhering to reverse. Reads 'I have pleasure in sending you the Autograph you desire'.

Autograph Note Signed (' "Allen Raine" ') to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Allen Raine' (Ann Adaliza Puddicombe, nee Evans, 1836-1908), British novelist, known as 'the Welsh Catherine Cookson'
Publication details: 
Traethsaith | Cardiganshire | Aug 30th/06'.
£30.00

One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. Aged and cropped at foot. Dusty, and with minor paperclip stains to edges, and traces of previous mount on reverse. Reads 'Dear Sir, | I have much pleasure in sending you my Autograph. | Yours truly | "Allen Raine" '. Four-line cutting giving printed biography neatly laid down in bottom right-hand corner.

Autograph Note Signed ('Pearl Mary-Teresa Craigie') to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
John Oliver Hobbes' (Pearl Mary-Teresa Craigie, nee Richards, 1867-1906), Anglo-American Catholic novelist
Publication details: 
12 December 1901; Steephill Castle, Ventnor.
£50.00

One page, 12mo. On aged and spotted paper, with traces of previous mount on reverse. Craigie's 'PMTC' monogram in top left-hand corner, and a red '45' in a red circle in top right-hand. Fourteen-line biographical cutting laid down along one edge. Reads 'Dear Sir | I have much pleasure in sending you my autograph. | Yours faithfully | Pearl Mary-Teresa Craigie.'

Autograph Note Signed ('M. E. Kennard') to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Mrs. Edward Kennard' (M. E. Kennard), Edwardian novelist
Publication details: 
Undated. 'The Barn | Mkt Harboro' [Market Harborough]'.
£25.00

One page. On piece of paper four inches by three and a half wide. Good, on lightly creased and aged paper. Docketed in pencil at head. 'Dear Sir | I have pleasure in enclosing my autograph. | Yrs. truly | M. E. Kennard'. Scarce autograph of the woman described as 'Harborough's forgotten novelist' (J. D. Bennett, in 'The Harborough Historian', 2001).

Autograph Letter Signed ('Horace') and fragment of Autograph Letter Signed ('Horace Annesley Vachell.').

Author: 
Horace Annesley Vachell (1861-1955), English novelist and playwright
Publication details: 
The letter: 24 September 1899, on letterhead 'PEVERELL, HURSLEY, WINCHESTER.' The fragment: undated and with place not stated.
£30.00

The letter: one page, 12mo. Good, but with removal from mount having thinned the paper in places, and with traces of brown paper mount still adhering. He is sending the autographs of 'Henry Seton Merriman (Hugh Scott); Gertrude Atherton; Miss Fowler; and Douglas Sladen. Also a photo from Ted (not a good one, but the only one I have left).' He enjoyed himself 'so much' at Langford. 'It was a week of real enjoyment to me.' The fragment: one page, four inches by four and a half wide.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Sarath Kumar Ghosh') to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Sarath Kumar Ghosh (born 1883), Indian writer
Publication details: 
26 March 1906; on letterhead '28 Elgin Avenue, [London] W.'
£60.00

One page, 12mo. Grubby, and with traces of previous mount adhering to reverse. Small circle containing '170' in red in top left-hand corner. He is sending his autograph, 'which I could not do while at . I am glad you have read some of my stories; I presume those now in book form as "1001 Indian Nights." '

Autograph Letter Signed ('W. P. Drury') to unnamed female correspondent.

Author: 
Major William Price Drury (1861-1928), Royal Marines, English author
Publication details: 
3 September 1907; East Lavington, Petworth, Sussex.
£25.00

One page, 12mo. Good, on aged paper with a little paperclip spotting. Laid down on piece of card. 'It is with considerable misgiving that I thrust my autograph upon the distinguished company you cite in your letter. Since, however, it is unthinkable to refuse the request of a lady, I have the honour to subscribe myself, | Yours faithfully, | W. P. Drury.'

Autograph Note Signed ('Wemyss Reid') [to Rev. E. J. F. Davies].

Author: 
Sir Thomas Wemyss Reid (1842-1905), British novelist and biographer
Publication details: 
8 July 1902; Falcon Hotel, Bude, Cornwall.
£30.00

One page, 12mo. On blue paper discoloured from glue by previous mounting. Seven-line printed biographical cutting in top right-hand corner. 'I am very happy to comply with your request [for an autograph].'

Autograph Letter Signed ('E: Lynn Linton') to 'Miss Shapland'.

Author: 
Elizabeth [Eliza] Lynn Linton (1822-1898), Victorian writer
Publication details: 
Thursday' [no date]; on letterhead of Brougham House, Malvern.
£45.00

12mo: 3 pp. 26 lines of text. Good, on lightly creased and aged paper. Chatty, apologetic letter. She thanks her for her invitation for the following day but she is already engaged. Unclear reference to 'Sir Boyle Roche's bird'. She would like to see her again, but 'I dare not make any engagements now, The weather is now my jailer'. She has to go to Malvern one day the following week. Suggests other possibilities. She may have to 'take my chance of finding you at home'. She was 'sorry to miss you when you were away & I called'.

Autograph Signature with classical quotation.

Author: 
Samuel Warren (1807-1877), English novelist
Publication details: 
23 January 1866; 16 Manchester Square, W. [London].
£56.00

On one side of a piece of laid paper, dimensions 11.5 x 17.5 cm. Good, lightly creased with one small spot at head and a light thumbprint (Warren's?) in top right-hand corner. Clearly responding to a request for an autograph. Reads 'The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the Firmament sheweth His handy work. Ps. XX, I. | [signed] Samuel Warren | 16 Manchester Square | W. | 23d January 1866.'

Signature ('William P. Lennox') on frank to the Hon. Cecil Lawless.

Author: 
Lord William Pitt Lennox (1799-1881), English Member of Parliament and novelist
Publication details: 
9 December 1833; London. With red ink postmark.
£25.00

The front of a wove-paper envelope, 8 x 12.5 cm. Good. Reads 'London December | Ninth 1833 | Honble. Cecil Lawless | The Wick | Brighton | [signed in bottom left-hand corner] William P. Lennox'. The postmark, in red ink in the top right-hand corner, is circular, topped with a crown, and reads '9 DE 9 | 1833'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Tom Gallon') and Typed Letter Signed to Ernest Pertwee.

Author: 
Tom Gallon (1866-1914), English novelist, dramatist and humourist [George Routledge & Sons, Ltd.]
Publication details: 
TLS, 16 July 1903; ALS, 13 August 1903; both on embossed letterhead 190, Adelaide Road, St. John's Wood, N.W. [London.]
£56.00

Both items quarto. On worn, discoloured paper, with a couple of closed tears to the folds. Pertwee was the author of numerous anthologies for recitation, and these letters presumably relate to his 'Reciter's treasury of prose and drama: serious and humorous' (Routledge, 1904). TLS: 'Provided, of course, that Messrs. Routledge have actually agreed with you to publish the book of humorous prose recitations, I shall be very willing to allow you to reprint any one of the stories the titles of which I give below.

Autograph Signature ('Mary A. Ward.') on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Mary Augusta Ward (1851-1920, nee Arnold), English novelist 'Mrs. Humphry Ward'
Publication details: 
Docketed '1914' in pencil.
£15.00

On piece of lightly discoloured paper roughly 4 x 10 cms, with horizontal fold on left. Reads '[typed] Yours sincerely, | [signed] Mary A. Ward.' Docketed in pencil at foot 'Mrs Humphry Ward 1914'.

Card carrying Autograph Inscription to Charles Wilson.

Author: 
Alec Waugh (Alexander Raban Waugh, 1898-1981), English novelist, elder brother of Evelyn Waugh
Publication details: 
31/07/48
£23.00

On one side of the card. Dimensions, 8.5 x 11 cms. Very good. Neat inscription reading 'For Charles Wilson | with Alec Waugh's best wishes | July. 31. 1948 /.'

Printed Memorandum of Agreement with Anthony Blond Ltd, signed 'Ellen Wright', for the English publication rights of her husband's 'Lawd Today'; with a typed agreement between Blond and Hamilton & Co. for the English paperback rights.

Author: 
Ellen Wright (nee Poplar) (1912-2004), second wife and widow of the American author Richard Wright (1908-60)
Publication details: 
Memorandum, London, 29 June 1964; paperback rights, London, 15 May 1964.
£56.00

The Memorandum is a four-page folio (leaf size roughly fourteen inches by nine and a half) bifolium. In very good condition, lightly creased and folded. It details Mrs Wright's royalties (as 'proprietor'), advance and percentages. The paperback rights agreement consists of four typewritten pages, on four leaves, each roughly thirteen inches by eight, stapled together at the head beneath green tape. Very good, though lightly creased and with some fraying to tape. It is signed by the Hamilton & Co. chairman Joseph and witnessed by his secretary E. M. Holloway.

Substantial part of autograph letter signed to [Hunt]..

Author: 
Mary St Leger Harrison ( Lucas Malet ).
Publication details: 
No place of date.
£45.00

Novelist, Daughter of Charles Kingsley (see DNB). Two surviving pages from a letter, 8vo, attached to card (ultimately from album leaf), tear at fold but complete and clear. Text: " He is a very clever little boy - He used to possess - and probably possess still - a power of committing small sins & contriving that other persons should bear the punishment of them, which almost amounted to genius. We used to call him Jacob - for there was an element of saintliness in his character too. / I hope you and Mrs Hunt may still cxome to Clovelly.

Part of an autograph letter to "Mrs Sterndale".

Author: 
Barbara Hofland.
Publication details: 
Kensington, Pembroke Square, date indecipherable (September).
£100.00

Novelist. The two surviving pages, 4to, from a lengthy letter which has already been crudely repaired but which has an additional tear which does not, however, lead to textual loss. "I was very much rejoiced at the sight of your truly welcome letter" except that it announced a death. She eulogises the departed "He was one of the few of whom you may know little yet think much . . ." She explains how she had planned to visit her within a more complicated trip but "all my plans were laid aside and certainly my pleasures annihilated by an attack of inflammation in the eyes.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Adelaide Phillpotts') to 'Miss Hall'.

Author: 
Mary Adelaide Eden Phillpotts (1896-1996), English author (daughter of Eden Phillpotts)
Publication details: 
21 March 1927; Eltham, Torquay, South Devon.
£28.00

Two pages, quarto. Very good, with a little wear and light creasing. 'I often think of those days, & how timid & shy & stupid I was! Yet I enjoyed myself too, & shall never forget your great kindness, & the help you gave me. Since then I've had many adventures & experiences. I am not the thing I was!' She has been in London for the winter, and hopes they will be able to meet. 'We're so glad you like "Yellow Sands" - & I'm very pleased you like "Tomek". She has 'just finished another novel & play'. Asks what has become of a number of common acquaintances.

Autograph letter signed to Mrs Milner Gibson

Author: 
Georgiana Fullerton
Publication details: 
27 Chapel Street, Park Lane, W., 20 June (no year)
£60.00

Novelist and philanthropist. Mrs Milner Gibson, wife of the statesman, Thomas Milner Gibson, was a society hostess of note (see DNB). 2pp., 8vo. She says "It is very cruel to pounce upon those just arrived but [?] the Tale of our poor gentlemen the belongs most to be pitied perhaps of all sufferers. I take advantage of hearing that you are expected in London to beg of you to help us next week. We remember well all you did for us on a former occasion".

Autograph Letter Signed, to an unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Ruby M. Ayres.
Publication details: 
Corner Ways, Sheepcote Road, Harrow, 16 Nov. 192[4?]
£56.00

Novelist. One page, 8vo, minor defects, text clear and complete. She explians her tardy response ot his letter by saying she was abroad. She acknowledges familiarity with the works of Calverley but "I am ashamed to admit that when I wrote "The Road that Bends" [pubd 1916] = some ten years ago, I did not remember that one quotation came from his "First Love"." She thanks him for the "connection".

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Locker.

Author: 
Mrs Elizabeth Charles [nee Rundle] (1828-1896), English author
Publication details: 
Thursday | Combe Edge | Hampstead Heath'.
£28.00

Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with some light glue stains on reverse, to which a small printed strip giving a printed list of Mrs Charles's works is attached. 'I was hoping to hear your boy was better - & I am very glad he is - thanks - but I am engaged on Thursday, & for some little time to come - so many people from all quarters coming just now & I hope you may be able to come & see me before very long'. Signed 'Bettie Charles'.

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