VICTORIAN

[Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Theodore Martin') intended as a pass for the inspection of the Shakespeare bust and pictures of 'the old celebrities of the English stage' in the Garrick Club.

Author: 
Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author [The Garrick Club, London]
Publication details: 
13 July 1871; 31 Onslow Square [London].
£45.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn, but with slight water staining and damage to blank area at foot of second leaf. The male recipient is not named. The letter begins: 'My dear Sir | If you present the enclosed to the porter of the Garrick Club, I have no doubt all the Art Treasures of the Garrick will be open to your inspection.

[Sir Henry Keppel, Admiral of the Fleet.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Harry Keppel') to 'Willis' about his autobiography and the 'neuralgic pains' which he fears may kill him.

Author: 
Sir Henry Keppel ['Harry Keppel'] (1809-1904), Admiral of the Fleet who served in Opium Wars and Crimean War
Publication details: 
7 February [1900]. On letterhead of the Grand Hotel, Cannes.
£80.00

1p, 8vo. On aged and worn paper. Attractive letterhead of the hotel and its surroundings. Addressed to 'My dear Willis'. Written in a shaky hand. Clearly writing in reference to his 1899 autobiography 'A Sailor's Life under Four Sovereigns', he states that he is glad that Willis is 'pleased with the book', and explains that he was 'suddenly driven' to Cannes 'by neuralgic pains'. He concludes: 'If I live to get back I should like to insert the Authors name in your Copy! Your sincere old friend | Harry Keppel'.

[John Cumberland, London theatrical publisher.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Cumberland') to Charles Thompson, declining to take on his unpublished play, and discussing the question of copyright.

Author: 
John Cumberland (1787-1866), London theatrical publisher [Charles Thompson; Cumberland's British Theatre]
Publication details: 
27 October 1834. 'No. 2 Cumberland Terrace | Camden New Town' [London].
£180.00

1p, 8vo. Aged and worn. Four folds. Panel from envelope attached to reverse, with postmark and address to 'Chas. Thompson Esqr. | 34 Bedford Street | Covent Gard.' He has 'already so many unpublished Plays' in which he has 'the right of Representation', that he must 'decline making any further purchases at present'. But even if he were 'inclined to make further purchases, it would most certainly be in Copyright and not in rights to print - which I suppose is what you mean by the term Printing Copyright'. He is however still 'much obliged to you for the offer'.

[Lady Burdett-Coutts, Victorian philanthropist and social reformer.] Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Mr. Blunt', regarding a meeting with his parents at 'the Rectory'.

Author: 
Lady Burdett Coutts [Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts] (1814-1906), philanthropist, social reformer and one of the wealthiest women in England
Publication details: 
4 July 1894; on letterhead of 1 Stratton Street, W. [London]
£40.00

2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of grey paper from mount adhering at head of second page. Folded once. Reads: 'The Baroness Burdett Coutts sends her kind compliments and thanks to Mr. Blunt and regrets that she is unable to avail herself of the kind proposal of his Father and Mother, as she has another engagement between the City and Chelsea, but her Ladyship hopes to be at the Rectory as near Six o'clock as possible'.

[Lady Burdett-Coutts, Victorian philanthropist and social reformer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Burdett Coutts -') in praise of an individual for his 'Protest against that hateful thing known as Vivisection'.

Author: 
Lady Burdett Coutts [Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts] (1814-1906), philanthropist, social reformer and one of the wealthiest women in England [Anti-Vivisection]
Publication details: 
24 March 1876; Stratton Street [London].
£65.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, but with traces of glue on blank reverse of second leaf, which has a vertical closed tear the length of a fold line in blank space beneath signature. The male recipient is not named. The letter begins: 'Dear Sir | Do not think me intrusive but I cannot resist offering you in writing the warm thanks of my heart for your Protest against that hateful thing known as Vivisection'. She has read with 'feelings of thankfulness the expression of your opinion which Mr Froude stated with his own to Mr Cross'.

[George Holyoake, radical editor who coined the terms 'secularism' and 'jingoism'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('G. J. Holyoake') to 'Watson'

Author: 
George Holyoake [George Jacob Holyoake] (1817-1906), radical editor who coined the terms 'secularism' and 'jingoism'
Publication details: 
25 March 1900. Eastern Lodge, Brighton.
£56.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn. Folded twice. Only the conclusion of the letter is in Holyoake's hand. It carries an unusually large and bold signature. In reply to a letter of Watson's he states that he was not aware of the 'paper in the Westminster Gazette [...] until four days after its appearance'. He asks him to send 'the Leader referring to its appearance which you mention', and commends Watson's son for bringing it to his notice. Holyoake does not know if the matter has 'been mentioned elsewhere in Newcastle'.

[Frances Power Cobbe, social reformer, anti-vivisectionist and women's suffrage campaigner. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Francis P Cobbe') to 'Miss Cole', discussing 'Mr Raj' of the 'Church of One God - India', who is studying at London University.

Author: 
Frances Power Cobbe (1822-1904), Irish writer, social reformer, anti-vivisection activist, and women's suffrage campaigner
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£56.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper with traces of glue from mount on reverse of second leaf. The letter begins: 'Dear Miss Cole - | It is kind of you to invite Mr Raj - I have forwarded yr message to him, & told him to answer it himself. He is a very good young man studying just now for his degree in London University - a friend of [Kesemb Amrinder Senj?] & a member of the [Brahur Somcij?] (Church of the One God - of India)'. She knows nothing else about him, but 'the [Brahures?] all come to him by right'.

[Thomas Tooke, Victorian economist, throws over Charles Babbage for a 'superior attraction'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos. Tooke') to 'Mrs. Hawes', regarding a dinner invitation, sending three trout caught by his son in the Itchen.

Author: 
Thomas Tooke (1774-1858), Victorian economist, for whom the Tooke Chair of Economics at King's College London (LSE) was endowed, and after whom Tooke Town, Millwall, was named [Charles Babbage]
Publication details: 
12 June [no year]; Spring Gardens [London].
£180.00

In 1821, along with Ricardo, Malthus, James Mill, and others, Tooke founded the Political Economy Club. Although Carlyle is unlikely to have had him specifically in mind, Tooke is the archetypal 'Professor of the Dismal Science'. 2pp, 18mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Twenty-eight lines of text, neatly and closely written. He has 'deferred acknowledging' his answer to her 'kind invitation' to dinner on the coming Saturday until seeing his son, who has been 'out of town on a fishing excursion'.

['John William Calcraft' (stage name of John William Cole), actor and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'J. W. Calcraft'), regarding debts and plans for productions.

Author: 
'John William Calcraft' [stage name of John William Cole (c.1793-1870)], actor, dramatist and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin
Publication details: 
4 March 1847 and 31 January 1848. Both from the Theatre Royal, Dublin.
£45.00

Both letters 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Cole's handwriting is difficult. The recipient is not named. The first letter, 34 lines long, concerns a bill which Cole has drawn on the recipient of the letter. It is coming due, and he is uncertain whether it is for £90 or £100. He asks him to withhold payment for a while, as 'Lent is always a dead time with me'. He is 'going to try the experiment of Mr Butter for 6 nights', and has 'good hopes of the result'. The second letter begins: 'My dear Sir | I have made most liberal offers to Farren, Mrs. Nesbitt & Mr.

[Charles Lever, Irish novelist, anticipates receiving a copy of George Eliot's 'Felix Holt'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Charles Lever') to 'Lady [Alford?]', regarding his reading of English novels in Italy, including one by Charles Reade.

Author: 
Charles Lever [Charles James Lever] (1806-1872), Irish novelist [George Eliot; Charles Reade]
Publication details: 
'Villa Morelli [Florence, Italy] Augt. 31. [1866]'
£90.00

Depressed and paranoid, Lever spent his last days in Italy. For the Villa Morelli, see his Downey's 'Life in his Letters' (1906). 2pp, 12mo. On aged and creased paper, with closed tears to edges, but no loss. Folded twice. The handwriting is neat and controlled, but not always entirely legible. He begins with the news that he is returning 'the books you so kindly lent me'. Presumably referring to Charles Reade's 1866 novel 'Griffith Gaunt', Lever writes: 'Mr Reade is all you said of him, - often very amusing, & oftener very [?]'. A reference to 'the pleasanter reading' follows.

[Thomas Tooke, Victorian economist, throws over Charles Babbage for a 'superior attraction'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos. Tooke') to 'Mrs. Hawes', regarding a dinner invitation, sending three trout caught by his son in the Itchen.

Author: 
Thomas Tooke (1774-1858), Victorian economist, for whom the Tooke Chair of Economics at King's College London (LSE) was endowed, and after whom Tooke Town, Millwall, was named [Charles Babbage]
Publication details: 
12 June [no year]; Spring Gardens [London].
£180.00

In 1821, along with Ricardo, Malthus, James Mill, and others, Tooke founded the Political Economy Club. Although Carlyle is unlikely to have had him specifically in mind, Tooke is the archetypal 'Professor of the Dismal Science'. 2pp, 18mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Twenty-eight lines of text, neatly and closely written. He has 'deferred acknowledging' his answer to her 'kind invitation' to dinner on the coming Saturday until seeing his son, who has been 'out of town on a fishing excursion'.

[Sir Henry Keppel, Admiral of the Fleet.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Harry Keppel') to 'Willis' about his autobiography and the 'neuralgic pains' which he fears may kill him.

Author: 
Sir Henry Keppel ['Harry Keppel'] (1809-1904), Admiral of the Fleet who served in Opium Wars and Crimean War
Publication details: 
7 February [1900]. On letterhead of the Grand Hotel, Cannes.
£80.00

1p, 8vo. On aged and worn paper. Attractive letterhead of the hotel and its surroundings. Addressed to 'My dear Willis'. Written in a shaky hand. Clearly writing in reference to his 1899 autobiography 'A Sailor's Life under Four Sovereigns', he states that he is glad that Willis is 'pleased with the book', and explains that he was 'suddenly driven' to Cannes 'by neuralgic pains'. He concludes: 'If I live to get back I should like to insert the Authors name in your Copy! Your sincere old friend | Harry Keppel'.

[Stanley J. Weyman, novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Stanley J. Weyman') regarding his forthcoming book 'Sophia'.

Author: 
Stanley J. Weyman [Stanley John Weyman] (1855-1928), popular novelist of historical romance
Publication details: 
19 February 1900. Plâs Llanrhydd, Ruthin [Wales].
£45.00

2pp, 16mo. In fair condition, on aged paper with ruckling caused by glue from mount, traces of the paper from which adhere to blank reverses of both leaves. In a crabbed difficult hand, addressed to 'Mrs [Pugh?]', regarding his forthcoming book 'Sophia', a copy of which he will be sending the recipient, with reference to his wife, 'anxiety', and something 'characteristic'.

[Theobald Mathew ['Father Mathew'], Irish Catholic priest and temperance reformer.] Autograph biblical quotation against the drinking of wine, signed 'Theobald Mathew' and dated.

Author: 
Theobald Mathew ['Father Mathew'] (1790-1856), Irish Catholic priest and temperance reformer
Publication details: 
12 September 1843. No place.
£50.00

Rectangle of paper, cut down from a larger page, with corners trimmed at the diagonal. In fair condition, lightly aged. Laid down on a piece of card. Reads: 'It is good not to eat Flesh, or Drink Wine, or do anything whereby a Brother may be caused to stumble or be made weak. Romans C. 14. V. 21. | Theobald Mathew | September 12 1843'.

[Theodore Martin, Scottish poet and author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Theodore Martin') intended as a pass for the inspection of the Shakespeare bust and pictures of 'the old celebrities of the English stage' in the Garrick Club.

Author: 
Theodore Martin (1816-1909), Scottish poet and author [The Garrick Club, London]
Publication details: 
13 July 1871; 31 Onslow Square [London].
£45.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn, but with slight water staining and damage to blank area at foot of second leaf. The male recipient is not named. The letter begins: 'My dear Sir | If you present the enclosed to the porter of the Garrick Club, I have no doubt all the Art Treasures of the Garrick will be open to your inspection.

[Lady Burdett-Coutts, Victorian philanthropist and social reformer.] Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Mr. Blunt', regarding a meeting with his parents at 'the Rectory'.

Author: 
Lady Burdett Coutts [Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts] (1814-1906), philanthropist, social reformer and one of the wealthiest women in England
Publication details: 
4 July 1894; on letterhead of 1 Stratton Street, W. [London]
£40.00

2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of grey paper from mount adhering at head of second page. Folded once. Reads: 'The Baroness Burdett Coutts sends her kind compliments and thanks to Mr. Blunt and regrets that she is unable to avail herself of the kind proposal of his Father and Mother, as she has another engagement between the City and Chelsea, but her Ladyship hopes to be at the Rectory as near Six o'clock as possible'.

[Lady Burdett-Coutts, Victorian philanthropist and social reformer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Burdett Coutts -') in praise of an individual for his 'Protest against that hateful thing known as Vivisection'.

Author: 
Lady Burdett Coutts [Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts] (1814-1906), philanthropist, social reformer and one of the wealthiest women in England [Anti-Vivisection]
Publication details: 
24 March 1876; Stratton Street [London].
£65.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, but with traces of glue on blank reverse of second leaf, which has a vertical closed tear the length of a fold line in blank space beneath signature. The male recipient is not named. The letter begins: 'Dear Sir | Do not think me intrusive but I cannot resist offering you in writing the warm thanks of my heart for your Protest against that hateful thing known as Vivisection'. She has read with 'feelings of thankfulness the expression of your opinion which Mr Froude stated with his own to Mr Cross'.

[John Cumberland, London theatrical publisher.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Cumberland') to Charles Thompson, declining to take on his unpublished play, and discussing the question of copyright.

Author: 
John Cumberland (1787-1866), London theatrical publisher [Charles Thompson; Cumberland's British Theatre]
Publication details: 
27 October 1834. 'No. 2 Cumberland Terrace | Camden New Town' [London].
£180.00

1p, 8vo. Aged and worn. Four folds. Panel from envelope attached to reverse, with postmark and address to 'Chas. Thompson Esqr. | 34 Bedford Street | Covent Gard.' He has 'already so many unpublished Plays' in which he has 'the right of Representation', that he must 'decline making any further purchases at present'. But even if he were 'inclined to make further purchases, it would most certainly be in Copyright and not in rights to print - which I suppose is what you mean by the term Printing Copyright'. He is however still 'much obliged to you for the offer'.

['John William Calcraft' (stage name of John William Cole), actor and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'J. W. Calcraft'), regarding debts and plans for productions.

Author: 
'John William Calcraft' [stage name of John William Cole (c.1793-1870)], actor, dramatist and lessee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin
Publication details: 
4 March 1847 and 31 January 1848. Both from the Theatre Royal, Dublin.
£45.00

Both letters 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Cole's handwriting is difficult. The recipient is not named. The first letter, 34 lines long, concerns a bill which Cole has drawn on the recipient of the letter. It is coming due, and he is uncertain whether it is for £90 or £100. He asks him to withhold payment for a while, as 'Lent is always a dead time with me'. He is 'going to try the experiment of Mr Butter for 6 nights', and has 'good hopes of the result'. The second letter begins: 'My dear Sir | I have made most liberal offers to Farren, Mrs. Nesbitt & Mr.

[Oxford University Act, 1854.] Autograph Draft Memorandum by Rev. Dr Richard Harington, Principal of Brasenose College, stating his opposition to 'Oxford University Commission. | Proposals for remodelling the Constitution of the University'.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Richard Harington (1800-1853), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford [Oxford University Act 1854; Report of Royal Commission, 1852; Hebdomadal Council]
Publication details: 
[Brasenose College, University of Oxford] Undated, but written in response to the Royal Commission Report of 1852.
£850.00

A significant document by an Oxford college head, responding negatively to the 1852 Report of the Royal Commission appointed in 1850 by Lord John Russell to enquire 'Into the State, Discipline, Studies, and Revenues of the University and Colleges of Oxford'.

[Oxford University Act, 1854.] Autograph Draft Memorandum on 'Oxford University Commission' by Rev. Dr Richard Harington , Principal of Brasenose College, stating his opposition to 'those who propose to strip the favoured classes of the privileges'.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Richard Harington (1800-1853), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford [Oxford University Act 1854; Report of Royal Commission, 1852; Hebdomadal Council]
Publication details: 
[Brasenose College, University of Oxford] 8 April 1852.
£850.00

A highly-interesting document, written by a college head on the verge of the reforms resulting from the passing of the Oxford University Act of 1854 and setting up of the Hebdomadal Council, in which Harington states - in detail, at length and with great emphasis - his opposition to 'those who propose to strip the favoured classes of the privileges which Founders of Colleges have thought proper to confer on them', arguing that this will not 'necessarily ensure the election of the most distinguished candidates'.

[Thomas Adolphus Trollope, prolific author, older brother of Anthony Trollope.] Autograph Signature ('T. Adolphus Trollope') on part of letter.

Author: 
Thomas Adolphus Trollope (1810-1892), prolific author with a renowned villa in Florence, elder brother of the novelist Anthony Trollope, husband of Theodosia Trollope and Frances Eleanor Trollope
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

On one side of 5 x 13 cm slip of paper cut from the end of a letter. In good condition, lightly aged, with central vertical fold. Laid down on piece of paper removed from album. Reads: '[...] I shall be delighted to come to you. | Yrs always faithfully | T. Adolphus Trollope'.

[Death of Lord Bryce (Liberal politician and jurist James Bryce, Viscount Bryce of Dechmont).] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. Marion Bryce') from his widow Lady Bryce [Elizabeth Marion Bryce, née Ashton] to 'Mrs Clifford', describing his death.

Author: 
Lady Bryce [Elizabeth Marion Bryce, née Ashton] (1854-1939), wife of James Bryce [Lord Bryce; Viscount Bryce of Dechmont] (1838-1922), Liberal politician, historian and jurist
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£100.00

2pp, 12mo. On paper with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Replying to a letter of condolence from Mrs Clifford, she writes that she has been 'a good deal stunned with the shock & am still overwhelmed with a mass of unanswered letters. The blow fell, as you know, with absolute suddenness - no illness & no warning. After a day spent as usual in work, & a walk with me in the afternoon, my husband went to bed that last night apparently perfectly well, & I awoke next morning to find him gone.

[Lord Radstock [Granville Augustus William Waldegrave], philanthropist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Radstock') to 'Baxter', giving three measures which he has put to Gladstone in a letter about 'the condition of the East [i.e. East End of London]'.

Author: 
Lord Radstock [Granville Augustus William Waldegrave, 3rd Baron Radstock] (1833-1913), philanthropist and evangelist [William Ewart Gladstone, Liberal Prime Minister; the East End of London]
Publication details: 
'30 B. S. [i.e Baker Street, Portman Square, London] | Jan. 13 [no year]'.
£80.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice. He reports that he 'wrote a line to Gladstone about the condition of the East urging the Govt. to take it up either by Equalization of Poor Rates, Emigration or Alteration of License System or all of these'. He considers that 'a good case is made out' and the measures he suggests 'wd do something'. He wonders whether the recipient might be able to 'put a few statistics together'. He thinks that 'the worst part is the permanent depression of the trading class wh takes away all vitality'.

[Mayne Reid, Irish novelist on American themes.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'J. Froebel' [Julius Fröbel] regarding arrangements for the translation, editing and publication of his book 'Aus Amerika'.

Author: 
Mayne Reid [Thomas Mayne Reid] (1818-1883), Irish novelist who lived for long periods in America and wrote on American themes [Julius Fröbel [Froebel] (1805-1893), German geologist and traveller]
Publication details: 
23 November [1858]; Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.
£250.00

8pp, 12mo. On two bifoliums. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Signed 'Mayne Reid', and written from the sprawling 'Rancho' which he built at Gerrards Cross, in imitation of a Mexican hacienda. The recipient is named by Reid as 'J. Froebel', i.e. Julius Froebel, and the subject is arrangements for the translation translation of his book 'Aus Amerika' (Leipzig, 1857), which would be published in London by Richard Bentley in 1859 under the title 'Seven Years' Travel in Central America, Northern Mexico, and the Far West of the United States'.

[Isaac Roberts, Welsh geologist and astronomer.] Autograph Note Signed, a presentation inscription of a book to the mathematician and geologist A. H. Green.

Author: 
Isaac Roberts (1829-1904), Welsh geologist and astronomer, pioneer of astrophotography of nebulae, winner of Royal Astronomical Society Gold Medal [Alexander Henry Green (1832-1896), mathematician]
Publication details: 
June 1894; on letterhead of Starfield, Crowborough, Sussex.
£50.00

1p, 12mo. On aged and creased leaf, folded once and with traces of mount on the blank reverse. Reads: 'Presented to Prof. Alexr. H. Green M.A. F.R.S. With the compliments of the author | Isaac Roberts | June 1894'. The work presented was presumably the first (1893) volume of Roberts' pioneering 'Selection of Photographs of Stars, Star-Clusters and Nebulae', the second appearing in 1899. The two volumes contained 125 reproductions of photographs which he had exhibited at the Royal Astronomical Society. See both men's entries in the Oxford DNB.

[Benjamin Bartrum, auctioneer.] Autograph household 'Inventory & Valuation' of 'the property of Thomas Harward Gardiner Esq' ('Common Brewer'), signed 'Benjn. Bartrum | Bath', containing furniture, plate, books, wearing apparel, jewels, wines.

Author: 
Benjamin Bartrum [Benjamin Thomas Bartrum] (1783-1846), Bath auctioneer [Thomas Harward Gardiner (d. 1841), 'Common Brewer' of Bath; Thomas Gainsborough; Margaret Burr Gainsborough]
Publication details: 
Bath: 'taken and made' on 26 and 27 March 1841.
£320.00

11pp, folio. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice into the conventional packet. Ten-page inventory, followed by full page valuation, neatly written out on six leaves, which are stitched together, with the reverse of the last leaf carrying the title written lengthwise in conventional style for the outside of the packet: 'Inventory & Valuation of the several effects of the late Thos. Harward Gardiner Esq deceased at No. 14 Brock Street Bath | Amount £574. 8. 6', along with the word 'Copy' in red. Also on this page, in pencil in an early twentieth century hand: '?

[Pasquale Villari, Italian historian and politician.] Autograph Signature with greetings.

Author: 
Pasquale Villari (1827-1917), Italian historian and politician
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

On 18 x 9 cm piece of paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Laid down on part of leaf from album. In response to a request for an autograph he has written at the head of the page: 'Con molti saluti | Pasquale Villari'. No other writing.

['Max O'Rell' [Léon Paul Blouet], French author and journalist.] Cabinet Card photographic portrait by Taber of San Francisco, signed 'Max O'Rell'; with Autograph Letter Signed to his lecture agent E. W. Appleton, regarding fees.

Author: 
'Max O'Rell' [Léon Paul Blouet] (1847-1903), French author and journalist who wrote in English for British and American markets, crossed swords with Mark Twain [E. W. Appleton; Taber of San Francisco]
Publication details: 
Letter to Appleton: 14 December 1885; 2 Lime Grove, Uxbridge Road, W. [London] Cabinet Card by Taber, 8 Montgomery Street, 'opposite the Palace and Grand Hotels', San Francisco; undated.
£120.00

ONE: Cabinet Card: 13.5 x 10 cm photographic head-and-shoulders portrait of Blouet, smartly-dressed with glasses and handlebar moustache, mounted on 16.5 x 10.5 cm card, with printed details of the photographers Taber's printed in gold below the image, and an elaborate advertisement for the firm printed in brown on the reverse. In fair condition, lightly aged. Inscribed on the base of the print: 'Yours Sincerely | Max O'Rell'. TWO: Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr Appleton', i.e. E. W. Appleton. 1p, 12mo. On bifolium. 14 December 1885; 2 Lime Grove, Uxbridge Road, W.

[Samuel Phelps, actor-manager, the finest King Lear of his age.] Autograph Letter Signed ('S. P.') [to his wife] describing his activities, including angling, whilst on holiday with his sons in his native West Country, and plans for his return.

Author: 
Samuel Phelps (1804-1878), actor and theatre manager, the King Lear of his age, noted for his fidelity to the originals in his productions of Shakespeare plays
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Western Times Office, Exeter. 30 March 185[ ]'.
£75.00

Phelps's entry in the Oxford DNB gives the background to the present letter, stating that Phelps 'married Sarah Cooper (1810/11–1867) on 11 August 1826; she was just sixteen. However, their marriage was very happy: they were a devoted couple, and Sarah later served as Phelps's dresser. Phelps preferred home life with her to clubs or social gatherings. His other delights were angling and shooting, and he purportedly knew every trout stream in England. They had three sons and three daughters, including William Robert (1828–1867), who became chief justice of St Helena, and Edmund (d.

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