VICTORIAN

[Dickens first edition, in original binding.] Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi. Edited by "Boz." With illustrations by George Cruikshank. In two volumes.

Author: 
"Boz" [Charles Dickens], ed.; Joseph Grimaldi; Richard Bentley
Publication details: 
London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street. 1838. [London: Printed by Samuel Bentley, Dorset Street, Fleet Street.]
£500.00

2 vols: xix + [1] + 288; ix + 263. With frontispieces to both volumes (both with tissue guards) and the eleven other plates called for. First edition, first issue, with the plate facing p.238 of vol.2 in its first state (without the 'grotesque' border), and the 36-page undated publisher's catalogue bound-in at the end of vol.2. In primary binding of pink cloth with floral pattern, and the gilt titles on the spine held up by an image of a clown.

[Sir Henry Maine.] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. S. Maine') to the Rev. Dr Campion, expressing support for his 'cause', but explaining that his attendance at a Lord Mayor's dinner for Sir Frederick Roberts means he cannot go to a Cambridge meeting.

Author: 
Sir Henry Maine [Sir Henry James Sumner Maine] (1822-1888), jurist [William Magan Campion (c.1820-1896), President of Queen's College, Cambridge]
Publication details: 
27 Cornwall Gardens, London, SW. 6 October 1885.
£80.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper with small closed tear along fold line. He is not sure whether, 'as a Permanent Official', he could attend Campion's meeting in Cambridge on 24 October, 'though I very sincerely wish well to your cause'. He has in any case 'accepted an invitation to a great dinner which the Lord Mayor gives on that day to Sir F. Roberts who goes to India as Commander in Chief.' He is not a great attender of public dinners, 'but this will be a large gathering ofr Indian soldiers and civilians, and I could not decline'.

[Printed periodical, in original illustrated wraps.] The Month. A View of passing Subjects and Manners, Home and Foreign, Social and General. By Albert Smith & John Leech. [Issues I, II, III and V.]

Author: 
Albert Smith [Albert Richard Smith] (1816-1860), editor; John Leech (1817-1864), illustrator [Bradbury & Evans, Printers, Whitefriars]
Publication details: 
Published at the Office of 'The Month,' No. 3, Whitefriars Street. [Bradbury & Evans, Printers, Whitefriars.] [Issues I, II, III and V, dated July, August, September and November 1851.]
£180.00

16mo, with the first three issues continuously paginated to 240, and issue V paginated 321-400. Each volume with a frontispiece by Leech, and numerous illustrations by him in text. Three of the four issues (I, III and V) with an initial four-pages of advertisements, and more advertisements on the wraps. The four volumes in fair condition, on aged paper, in worn wraps, with the first volume lacking its spine. Each with the small and neat ownership inscription of 'L Jackson' in the top right-hand corner of its front wrap.

[Charles Sanderson, Sheffield steel manufacturer.] Autograph Letter Signed to John Purdie of Edinburgh, discussing the state of trade, his financial affairs, and the possible liquidation of his company and sale of machinery including a steam engine.

Author: 
Charles Sanderson (1803-1873) of Sharrow Vale, Sheffield, steel manufacturer, son of John Sanderson of Sanderson Brothers [John Purdie, Heriot Row, Edinburgh]
Publication details: 
Sheffield. 21 April 1845.
£65.00

5pp., 4to. Addressed, with postmarks, to 'John Purdie Esqre | Heriot Row | Edinburgh'. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Neatly and closely written.

[The United Relieving Officers' and Masters' of Workhouses Superannuation Society.] Printed notice of a meeting to found the Society, describing its objects and rates of payment. Signed by temporary secretary William Scudding.

Author: 
The United Relieving Officers' and Masters' of Workhouses Superannuation Society [William Scadding or Scudding, 'Secretary, pro. tem.']
Publication details: 
Thame [Oxfordshire]. 6 November 1837. 'Bradford, Printer, Thame.'
£95.00

2pp., 4to. On first leaf of a bifolium, with reverse of second leaf addressed (with postmarks) to 'The Relieving Officers | Basingstoke Union | Hants'. In good condition, on aged paper. The document carries the signature of 'Wm.

[Sir James Graham, Home Secretary.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J R G Graham') to unnamed recipient, announcing his decision to remit the death sentence passed on Robert Sandys of Stockport, convicted of poisoning his children.

Author: 
Sir James Graham [Sir James Robert George Graham] (1792-1861), 2nd Baronet, Tory Home Secretary, 1841-1846 [Robert Sandys of Stockport, poisoner]
Publication details: 
Whitehall. 24 April 1842.
£120.00

The case was fully reported in The Times, with the issue for 14 April 1842 reporting the pronouncing of the sentence of death on 'Robert Sandys, a stout built Irishman, having a pale and haggard appearance, who was found guilty at the last assizes for this county [Chester] of the diabolical murder of his children by poison, in order to obtain a few pounds from a burial society of which he was a member'. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Headed 'Private' by Graham.

[Sir William Fergusson, Scottish surgeon.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm. Fergusson') [to F. A. Bulley],

Author: 
Sir William Fergusson (1808-1877), 1st Baronet FRCS FRS, Scottish surgeon, Sergeant-Surgeon to Queen Victoria
Publication details: 
Dover Street [Piccadilly, London]. 24 November 1844.
£80.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper with small spike-hole to one leaf. The letter begins: 'A hare and a pheasant delivered here the other day with F.A.B. Reading upon the parchment card - the initials, I immediately concluded of my old friend Mr. Bulley and the first information that he still lives after a certain bloody deed performed upon him many months ago.

[Album of black and white photographs.] Souvenir de Bretagne. Les Noces en Cornouailles. Étude des différents costumes de Fête.

Author: 
[Victorian photographs of folk costume of Brittany; Cornish weddings; customs]
Publication details: 
'Villard Photographe - Editeur | Quimper | Dépôt G. Le Bras, Libraire. Heliotype E. La Deley, Paris.' Undated [late nineteenth century].
£220.00

The album is landscape, 13 x 19 cm. Internally clean on lightly-aged paper, stapled into worn and spotted printed covers. It contains 26 photographs (10 full-page and 16 half-page), on 18 leaves separated by tissue guards, a mixture of indoor and outdoor scenes, and some posed. Images include: 'Les Mariages de Plougastel-Daoulas. - Le Défile des Mariés'; 'La Gavotte Bretonne'; 'DOUARNENEZ. - Toilette de la Mariée'; Arrivée du Cortege au Bourg'; 'Le Repas de Noces.

[Printed offprint from Punch.] The ill-used Homoeopathists.

Author: 
[Victorian homoeopathy; homoeopathic; Punch, or the London Charivari]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [From 'Punch's Almanack', London, 1859.]
£80.00

1p.,12mo. Fifty-three lines of small type. Good, on lightly-aged and ruckled paper, with traces of mount on blank reverse. The item begins: 'MR. PUNCH is accustomed to receive letter and treaties, imploring him not to call homoeopathy fudge, and some of them attempting to assign reasons why he should not. In all these communications, the medical opponents of homoepathy are called "allopathists."' Later on the author comments: 'PROFESSOR HOLLOWAY is perhaps an allopathist; however he does not tell us on what principle his pills and ointments cure all diseases.

[Printed booklet.] Rules of the Reading Pathological Society. Established, July 13, 1841.

Author: 
[The Reading Pathological Society, founded in 1841; the Royal Berkshire Hospital]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [Reading, Berkshire; circa 1841.]
£80.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper with traces of previous mount. The nineteen rules begin with 'RULE I. | That this Society be called the Reading Pathological Society.' They end with 'RULE XIX. | That the Society be empoweredd to act at ordinary meetings, on any matters not comprehended in these rules, and that new rules may be added, or old ones modified, notice having been given at the previous meeting, but that such rules be submitted to the next Annual Meeting.' Scarce: no copies found on either COPAC or OCLC WorldCat. From the papers of F. A.

[Eden Philpotts] Two Autograph Postcards signed "E.P." to Lewis Wynne, Welsh poet.

Author: 
Eden Philpotts (1862-1960), English novelist, author of many works about Dartmoor and his native Devon [Helen Allingham]
Publication details: 
Torquay, 9 and 19 Feb. 1929.
£60.00

Postcards, c.11 x 9cm, some smudging but mainly good condition, text clear and complete. Postcard One: "Dear Mr Wynne, | Very best thanks for your valued gift: a fine & distinguished poem."; Postcard 2: "[...] | The books can be got separately & there are cheap editions of those two books any bookseller can secure for you for 2/- & 2/6 each. | I'm afraid London has had enough of my plays. My daughter's paly is not about [?] folk." Two items,

[Eden Philpotts] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Wilfrid C. Mosley', regarding Mosley's poor choice of a piece of his prose for an anthology. [not traced]

Author: 
Eden Philpotts (1862-1960), English novelist, author of many works about Dartmoor and his native Devon [Helen Allingham]
Publication details: 
Torquay | 14 March 1913.
£45.00

4to, 1 p. Ten lines, edges a little damaged but text clear and complete, on flimsy paper. "You are welcome to the quotation from my school-boy story - if it is worth while. I could have wished, however, that in an anthology of serious prose you had given me credit as a serious writer & chosen something more interesting. With compliments [...]"

[Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster.] Autograph Signature ('Westminster') and seal in red wax on piece of vellum cut from document, with his engraved portrait by W. H. Mote.

Author: 
Robert Grosvenor (1767-1845), 1st Marquess of Westminster [W. H. Mote; Thomas Collins; Reform Club, London]
Publication details: 
The vellum document dated 1841. The engraving from 'London, Thomas Collins, 170, Piccadilly, Jany. 23 1842'.
£20.00

The piece of vellum an irregular rectangle of about 4 x 17 cm. Smudged signature, with crumbling red wax seal to its right, beneath fragment of Latin text ending with date 1841. The engraving, with facsimile of signature, 'From a picture in his Lordship's possession | This plate, 28 x 19 cm on 4to leaf, is by express permission dedicated most respectfully to the Members of the Reform Club by their faithful Servant Thomas Collins'. It is in fair condition, aged and with strip of discoloration in margin at head.

[Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman.] Manuscript cross-interrogatories for Achille Fould, French Minister of Finance, witness in the cause Roux versus Wiseman, with ALS from Wiseman's solicitor James Vincent Harding to commissioner Monsignor Francis Searle.

Author: 
James Vincent Harding, Roman Catholic solicitor and antiquary [Achille Fould (1800-1867), French Minister of Finance; Monsignor Francis Searle; Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman (1802-1865)]
Publication details: 
Cross-interrogatories dated 16 March 1857 by the plaintiff's attorney E. L. Levy of 61 Burton Crescent, London. Harding's letter to Searle from 24 Lincoln's Inn Fields [London], 17 March 1857.
£100.00

Cross-interrogatories: 5pp., 4to. On two bifoliums of grey paper, stitched one inside the other. In very good condition, lightly-aged.

[Lord Palmerston.] Secretarial Letter Signed ('Palmerston'), informing the Turkish chargé d'affairs Edib Effendi that he has taken over as Foreign Secretary from the Earl of Aberdeen, and giving a time for a meeting to discuss 'any business'.

Author: 
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston [Lord Palmerston] (1784-1865), Liberal Prime Minister [Edib Effendi, Turkish chargé d'affairs]
Publication details: 
Foreign Office [Whitehall]. 6 July 1846.
£150.00

2pp., foolscap. In fair condition, on aged paper. The letter, no doubt sent to all the diplomatic missions, begins: 'I have the honour to acquaint you that The Queen has been pleased to accept of the Earl of Aberdeen's resignation of the Office of Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and to confide to me the Seals of that Department.' He names a day and time when he wil be 'happy to receive' him, 'in order to confide with you on any business upon which you may have received Instructions from your Court'.

[Cary Tuttyt of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.] Autograph Letter, stamped by the 'Mil[itar]y. Department', asking for information regarding his brother, who enlisted in the Horse Artillery of the East India Company, and giving a description.

Author: 
Cary Tuttyt of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada [Horse Artillery, East India Company]
Publication details: 
'Ch: Town P. E. I.' 22 July 1846.
£80.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with slight discoloration and repair on reverse. Giving his address as 'Cary Tuttyt, Charlotte Town, Prince Edwards Island, B. N. A.' With black rectangular stamp: 'RECEIVED IN | 29 AUG. 1846 | MILY. DEPARTMENT.' Docketted on reverse 'Does not appear to have enlisted 1839'.

[Dr John Propert, founder of the Royal Medical Benevolent College, Epsom.] Printed prospectus for the College, with engraved depiction, signed and dated by him.

Author: 
Dr John Propert (1792-1867), founder of the Royal Medical Benevolent College, Epsom [now Epsom College]
Publication details: 
New Cavendish Street, Portland Place, W. [London]. February 1859.
£85.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse of the second leaf. The First page is headed, in fancy type, 'ROYAL MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE. | EPSOM.', beneath which is an engraving of the College. The prospectus is presented in the form of a letter, and is dated 'Febry. 1859' and signed (as a 'faithful fellow-laborer') by Propert in light-blue ink.

[John B. Gough, 'the Apostle of Cold Water', American temperance orator.] Lithographic handbill titled 'John B. Gough's Beautiful Peroration on Water', the text accompanied by a portrait of Gough on stage, holding up a glass of water.

Author: 
[John B. Gough (1817-1886), 'the Apostle of Cold Water', American temperance orator]
John B. Gough
Publication details: 
'Published by E Tisdall No 5. Church St Kensington [London]'. Undated [1850s?].
£50.00
John B. Gough

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with small piece cut away from one corner, and traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse, which also carries a few marks in ink, with a couple of minor marks in the margin at the foot of the recto. At the head of the page is the engraving, roughly 12.5 x 12 cm, attractively done, and showing Gough in cutaway jacket and waistcoat, standing behind a table, with a seated audience behind him, holding aloft a glass of water.

[Printed itemised accounts.] General Statement of the Income and Receipts and Expenditure of The Honourable the Irish Society For the Year 1900.

Author: 
The Honourable The Irish Society, set up by Royal Charter in 1613 under City of London livery companies to colonise County Londonderry during the plantation of Ulster [C. F. Elles, Accountant]
Publication details: 
Signed in type by C. F. Elles, Chartered Accountant, 3 Bucklersbury, E.C. [London] 17 April 1901.
£56.00

6pp., foolscap 8vo. On two bifoliums, placed loosely one inside the other. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper.

[Victorian handbill satirising Lord Randolph Churchill, Gladstone and other members of the House of Commons, headed 'HOUSE OF COMMONS. | PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT'.

Author: 
[Victorian satirical handbill; Lord Randolph Churchill; William Ewart Gladstone; Charle Stewart Parnell; Prorogation of Parliament, 1881]
Publication details: 
Without date or place, but accompanied by annotation in contemporary hand dating it to 1881.
£180.00

Printed in black on piece of purple paper, 27 x 14 cm. In good condition, laid down on a leaf removed from a contemporary album, with the date '1881' written beside it. The first paragraph sets the tone: 'LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL rose to ask Her Majesty's Government a question as to the state of Public Business, and the probable date of the Prorogation of Parliament.

[William Strang, Scottish painter and etcher.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm Strang') to an unnamed female recipient, regarding a meeting of the Art Workers' Guild.

Author: 
William Strang (1859-1921), Scottish painter and etcher, President of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters, and Gravers [The Art Workers' Guild]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 7 Hamilton Terrace, NW [London]. 20 January 1916.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Madam | Thank you for your reminder about reading the paper tomorrow night. | I will be at the Guild before 8, and get the slides.' Strang was Master of the Art Workers' Guild.

[William Strang, Scottish painter and etcher.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm Strang') to 'Daffarn', regarding an engagement with him and his 'friend Watson'.

Author: 
William Strang (1859-1921), Scottish painter and etcher, President of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters, and Gravers
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 7 Hamilton Terrace, NW [London]. 2 April 1907.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Daffarn | I will be in any time in the afternoon after 2.30 on Friday, & will be pleased to see you and your friend Watson. | The work goes on slowly but I think I will finish in time.'

[Thomas Webster, RA.] Autograph Note in the third person to 'Mr. Gotta'.

Author: 
Thomas Webster (1800-1886), RA, English genre painter and etcher [Royal Academy of Arts, London]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Cranbrook, Staplehurst. 10 May 1877.
£35.00

1p., 16mo. On bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-spotted paper. The note reads: 'Mr. Webster in reply to Mr. Gotta's note desires to say, with his compliments, that his Picture, in the Royal Academy, is engaged.'

[Major Herman Armour Webster, American engraver.] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. A. Webster') to 'Mr. Barry'.

Author: 
Major Herman Armour Webster (1878-1970), American etcher, draughtsman and lithographer
Publication details: 
Paris. 28 October [no year].
£40.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. He apologises for the 'very short letter' and 'long delay in answering'. He reports that 'the rings came in your order but I have not had a chance to use them and will not have now until next Spring or Summer'. He is sending money as requested. 'My three plates of the trees came very nicely - one has just gone to the "Studio" so you may see it there later on.' He will write again when he has time for 'a rational note'.

[Sir Frank Brangwyn, artist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Frank Brangwyn.') to an unnamed lady, regarding his efforts to get her 'a print of my etching "The Storm"'.

Author: 
Sir Frank Brangwyn [Sir Frank William Brangwyn] (1867-1956), artist
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Temple Lodge, Queen Street, Hammersmith, W. [London] 21 February 1905.
£90.00

1p., 4to. On blue-grey paper. In good condition, lightly-aged. He has been trying to get her a acopy of the print, but will not be able to until the following Tuesday. He hopes that this is not too late, and it will give him 'much pleasure in sending it up'.

[Sir Charles Holroyd, English engraver, first Keeper of the Tate Gallery.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr Kitton' [the author Frederic George Kitton], accepting the congratulations of the Hertfordshire Arts Society on his knighthood.

Author: 
Sir Charles Holroyd (1861-1917), English engraver, first Keeper of the Tate Gallery, and Director of the National Gallery [Frederic Geoge Kitton (1856-1904), author; Hertfordshire Arts Society]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the National Gallery, London. 11 November 1913.
£120.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. 'Allow me to thank you and through you the members of the Hertfordshire Arts Society for your kind congratulations upon the honour the King confers upon me and upon the Gallery in the work of which I am privileged to assist'.

[Sir Francis Seymour Haden, etcher and surgeon.] Autograph Letter Signed ('F. Seymour Haden') to 'B. Gibbs', explaining his reasons for declining an invitation, and a 'lantern man' at 'Gipsy [sic] Hall'.

Author: 
Sir Francis Seymour Haden [pseud. H. Dean] (1818-1910), etcher and surgeon
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Woodcote Manor, Alresford, Hampshire.
£65.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. On aged paper, with a patch of damp staining across both leaves. He should be happy to accept the 'kind invitation', 'if it were not that I believe I am to be the Guest of your Honorary Secretary Dr. Rice Oxley on this occasion'. He hopes that 'Gipsy Hall will be the proper to come to in either case'. He requires 'certain particulars', and will be writing to Oxley regarding 'the ability of the lantern man to obtain fine definition - linear definition I mean'.

[George Marshall Ward, artist and engraver.] Autograph Letter Signed ('G R Ward') to H. Magford, offering to lend two works by his father James Ward to the Crystal Palace, and the exhibition of another one among Manchester 'merchant Princes'.

Author: 
George Marshall Ward (1798-1879), artist and engraver, son of the artist James Ward (1769-1859) [The Crystal Palace; Art Treasures Exhibition, Manchester, 1857]
Publication details: 
31 Fitzroy Square W. [London] 27 April 1857.
£65.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In very good condition, neatly placed by the second leaf in a windowpane mount. He has 'received an intimation' that his picture is in Bond Street ('from whence I must fetch it'), and is writing to say that he has 'two Pictures by my Father (one very small but a beautiful little bit) the other the Peak in Derbyshire; a Landscape by Smith of Chichester & a copy of mine after Liverseege all of which I would lend to the Crystal Palace if you would like to have them'. He can deliver these to Bond St on collecting the other.

[Abraham John Mason, wood engraver.] Autograph Letter Signed ('A. J. Mason') to 'J. Mayer Esqre', discussing a commission for an advertisement to be placed in the Art Union Monthly, mentioning individuals (Hall, Fairholt, Clements) and processes.

Author: 
Abraham John Mason, wood engraver [Samuel Carter Hall, editor of the Art Union Monthly]
Publication details: 
28 Liverpool Street, King's Cross. 27 January [no year].
Upon request

4pp., 12mo. 55 lines of text, written in a neat, clear hand. On bifolium, with second leaf neatly placed in paper windowpane mount. The letter begins: 'I herewith send the electrotype of the Trowel, [not present] which is I think a beautiful specimen of the peculiar but slow process.

[Sir Henry Irving.] Eight collotype proof sepia engravings, seven showing him - five of them in character - and the other a scene of a dilapidated building.

Author: 
Sir Henry Irving [John Henry Brodribb] (1838-1905), English stage actor and actor-manager
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£120.00

The eight images are arranged in four pairs, each on the central pages of an 8vo bifolium. Dimensions of page: 24.5 x 16cm. Dimensions of image: 9 x 14cm. In fair condition, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Irving is shown in five roles, including Lear, Shylock, and Becket. Also present are two portraits of Irving out of character, and a picture of the exterior of a dilapidated building. Presumably intended for an early twentieth-century biography.

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