WOMEN

[‘There’s a charm about W. B. Corsets’: Edwardian corsetry.] Trade catalogue for ‘Davey Brothers, Corset Specialists, The Drapery Emporium, Faversham [Kent]’, with numerous illustrations of ‘W. B. Nuform’ corsets.

Author: 
Edwardian corsetry [W. B. Corsets; ‘Davey Brothers, Corset Specialists, The Drapery Emporium, Faversham [Kent]’; trade catalogues]
Corsets
Corsets2
Publication details: 
No date [Edwardian or Georgian]. 'Davey Brothers, Corset Specialists, The Drapery Emporium, Faversham [Kent]’
£180.00
Corsets
Corsets2

A nice piece of Edwardian trade ephemera. It would appear that W. B. Corsets were running a franchise scheme, providing suppliers with their catalogue and printing the franchisee's name on the back cover: little is to be discovered about either firm. No other copy traced. Hard to date: the corsets have an Edwardian feel, but some features of the illustrations may suggest a slightly later date. A 12mo stapled pamphlet, consisting of 20 pages on ten leaves of shiny paper: unnumbered front and back leaves, and pages on central eight leaves numbered 1-16.

Mrs. Henry Wood [Ellen Wood, née Price], English author whose best-known work is ‘East Lynne’ (1861).

Author: 
Mrs. Henry Wood [Ellen Wood, née Price] (1814-1887), English author whose best-known work is ‘East Lynne’ (1861)
Wood
Publication details: 
No date or place.
£25.00
Wood

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. The valediction of a letter, cut away for an autograph collector. On a slip of paper, around 7.5 x 1.5 cm. On lightly discoloured paper, with tear through signature, attached to piece of card with archival tape. Reads: ‘Very sincerely yours / Ellen Wood’.

[BBC: 1920s female broadcasters discuss their work.] Typed articles by seven women, including 'Wireless Aunties' or 'Organisers of Children's Hour' from BBC stations at Aberdeen ('Auntie Win'), Plymouth, Birmingham, Liverpool.

Author: 
[BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), 1920s female broadcasters] Emma Dorothea Barcroft; Cecil E. M. Dixon; M. M. Hummerston; Muriel A. Levy; Winifred M. Manners; L. D. Rhodes
Publication details: 
Undated, but from the 1920s. [BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).] From BBC stations at Aberdeen, Birmingham, Liverpool, Plymouth.
£450.00

A fascinating collection of articles - with added relevance at a time when the position of women in the BBC is much-debated - in which 1920s women broadcasters with at BBC provincial stations (including Aberdeen, BIrmingham, Liverpool, Plymouth) discuss their careers. One Seven original typescripts, totalling 20pp, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and creased, with occasional chipping to edges. The writing is thoughtful and often enlightening.

[G. Lieben, Hon.Sec.; The Women Shoppers' League [U.K.]; Cinema; PTA] Autograph Letter Signed Gartrude Lieben (late of Sydenham C.S.S. to [Chetwynd] Palmer campaigning to prevent children seeing films intended only for adults.

Author: 
Gartrude Lieben, Hon. Sec. The Women Shoppers' League
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] The Women Shoppers' League, | President MRS. PHILIP GUEDALLA | Hon. Sec. MISS G LIEBEN [...]], 4 Marcxh 1936.
£220.00

One page, 4to, fold marks, good condition. I remember that once, when at a P.T.A. meeting we passed a resolution - I think it was about the need for stricter supervision to prevent children going to Cinemas shopwing films intended only for adults, to make this protest more effective you undertook to circularise other P.T.A.'s. | Now we are very anxious to get into touch with as many such associations as possible. I applied to the Secretary of the London Regional Home School Council & asked if they could furnish me with a list. They replied that it was impossible as the number was too great.

[Marion Phillips; Labour; Printed Periodical] The Labour Woman. A Monthly Journal for Working Women

Author: 
Ed. Dr Marion Phillips
Women
Publication details: 
Published by the Labour Party (London) and printed by the London Caledonian Press , May 1926.
£80.00
Women

One issue only. Vol. XIV, No. 5, pp.[65]-[79], unbound, some damage and aging not affecting text. It commences with A Parliamentary Chronicle by Ellen Wilkinson. See image

[Queen's College, Westminster, London; the first institution in the world to award academic qualifications to women.] The first volume from the College?s own archive; containing around 340 pieces of unique ephemera.

Author: 
Queen's College, Westminster, London; founded by F. D. Maurice, the first institution in the world to award academic qualifications to women
Publication details: 
Queen?s College, 43 & 45 Harley Street, W. [Westminster; London] Items dating from between 1853 and 1912.
£3,500.00

A unique and irreplaceable item in the field of women?s education: the earliest archives of the first institution in the world to award academic qualifications to women (or, as Mrs Alec Tweedie put it in 1898, ?The first College open to Women?), founded in 1848 by theologian and social reformer Frederick Denison Maurice. Consisting of around 340 different pieces of printed ephemera, dating from between 1853 and 1912. Laid down in a nineteenth-century album, with cloth spine and marbled boards, of 102pp, folio. Openings numbered 1-52, with leaf 43/44 lacking.

[Ruth Mercier, nineteenth-century Franco-Swiss artist.] Autograph Note Signed (in her name and on behalf of Rozalia de Jackowska), in French, to ‘Monsieur et Madam Earle’. Incorporating an original ink drawing by her of a walking stick

Author: 
Ruth Mercier (fl.1880-1915), nineteenth-century Franco-Swiss landscape artist who painted Venice [her friend Rozalia de Jackowska]
Mercier
Publication details: 
25 December 1889.
£220.00
Mercier

1p, 16. On the recto of the first leaf of a bifolium of grey paper, with simple drawing in the same ink as the text of a straight plain walking stick stuck in the ground and running up the left-hand margin, with the handle hooked to the right at the top with the dating to its right. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: ‘le 25 Decembre 89.

[Society for the Protection of Women and Children] Pamphlet lacking title, disbound, etc.

Author: 
[Society for the Protection of Women and Children]
Publication details: 
Printed for the Society for the Protection of Women and Children from Aggravated Assaults. Office,8 St Martin's Place, Trafalgar Square (crossed out and, added in MS 10 Duke Street St James's SW, [c.1860?]
£220.00

Pp. [1]-16 only, 8vo. What remains is in good condition, pages just holding together. I've found just one reference online, an example of one man's brutality (https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2018/11/a-case-for-the-society-for-the-p...). Contents: case histories of acts of brutality or worse, and their culmination in Court.No other copies traced, or publications by the organisation. No printed matter by this Society has yet been traced.

[Women’s National Anti-Suffrage League: Frances J. Balfour, Hon. Sec. of Sheffield & District Branch.] Autograph Letter Signed (possible spoof) to ‘Mr. Sayers’ [A. H. Sayers], requesting contribution so branch can become ‘influential & successful’.

Author: 
Women’s National Anti-Suffrage League; Frances J. Balfour, Hon. Sec. of the Sheffield & District Branch [Rev. A. H. Sayers of Monmouth]
Publication details: 
Dated ‘Sheffield & District Branch / Arcadia / March 31st. 09’. On letterhead of Women’s National Anti-Suffrage League, Caxton House, Tothill Street, Westminster, London, S.W.
£120.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Considering the tone of the letter, the similarity between the signatories name and that of the prominent suffragist Lady Frances Balfour (1858-1931), and the fact that there is no record of a Sheffield branch of the WNASL, nor of a place in Warrington called ‘Arcadia’, nor of any Balfours living there, one must strongly suspect that this letter is a spoof, perhaps written by in some such scenario as a pro-suffrage child of a member of the WNASL, having got hold of one of the organisations blank letterheads. Or perhaps not.

[Matilda Betham Edwards, English author.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘M Betham-Edwards’) to ‘Miss Birkett’, proposing a four o’clock call, as she does not like ‘climbing the hill in the dark’,

Author: 
M. Betham-Edwards [Matilda Barbara Betham Edwards] (1836-1919), English travel writer poet and author of children's stories
Publication details: 
13 January 1899; on letterhead of Villa Julia, Hastings.
£35.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB, which does not accord her name a hyphen, although she does in this letter. 2pp, 12mo. On grey-paper bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Signed ‘M Bethan-Edwards’ and addressed to ‘Dear Miss Birkett’. She apologises for having to decline her kind invitation: ‘I never can lunch out being busy till 1 pm’. Since ‘the afternoons are now so very short’, and she does not like ‘climbing the hill in the dark’, she proposes calling on her at 4pm. ‘It will then give me much pleasure to see you.’

[Catchpenny; Spoof?; Miss Faithfull; Employment and Emigration of Women] Autograph Letter Signed E.S. Faithfull to unnamed correspondent (Madam) saying how working class women are better provided for than the educated classes.

Author: 
E.M. Faithfull [pseud.?][Miss Faithfull]
Publication details: 
[Printed Heading] several lines (SEE IMAGE and text below) concluding Sole Office: 136 Regent Street, W. | London, 18 February 1887.
£220.00

Two pages, 12mo, remnants of tipping in process, good condition. Printed heading commences: English and Foreign Educational, Industrial, Commercial, Plain Work, Benevolent and Emigration Institute for the Employment of Women. Conducted by Miss FAITHFULL [...........] See IMAGE for the (substantial) rest. Text: All my sympathies I must say are given to the homeless & destitute of the educated classes'[.] [T]hey are so utterly friendless. The working classes have untold benefits.

[Louisa Starr, artist, the first woman to win a Royal Academy gold medal for painting.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Louisa Starr') to ‘Mr. Potter’ of the Associated Arts Institute, apologising for not being able to attend a letter.

Author: 
Louisa Starr [laterly Louisa Canziani] (1845-1909), British painter, the first woman to win a Royal Academy gold medal for history painting [Associated Arts Institute, London]
Publication details: 
13 November [no year]; 14 Russell Square [London].
£80.00

In 1867 Starr was the first woman to win a gold medal for painting at the Royal Academy, having won a silver two years before. 2pp, 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of mount on blank reverse of second leaf. Folded twice. She has ‘just received the ticket for the lecture at the Associated Arts Institute’ which he sent, and is afraid she will not be able to use it herself: ‘as we are going to the Opera’. She wonders whether she ‘may be allowed’ to ‘give it to some friends who I think would like to come very much’.

[Sheena Tennant, Scottish composer and Margot Asquith's niece.] Two pieces of printed sheet music: her piano accompaniments of 'An Irish Cradle Song', 'From Poems by W. B. Yeats'; and Yeats's 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree'.

Author: 
Sheena Lilian Grant Tennant (1883-1974, later Kendall), daughter of James Tennant (1852-1933) of Fairlieburne, Fairlie, Ayrshire, Scotland, industrialist and cousin of Margot Asquith [W. B. Yeats]
Sheena
Publication details: 
Both items published by The Frederick Harris Company, London. 'An Irish Cradle Song' from 85 Newman Street, Oxford Street, W. [1914.] 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' from 40 Berners Street, London, W1. [1917]
£350.00
Sheena

Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Excessively scarce, with COPAC only listing one copy (at the British Library) of both items. ONE: 'An Irish Cradle Song. Words by W. B. Yeats. From Poems by W. B. Yeats, published by T. Fisher Unwin'. [1914.] 5 + [1]pp., folio. Title page carries the gaelic motto: Goth yani me von gilli beg, | N heur ve thu more a creena. TWO: 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree. Words by W. B. Yeats'. [1917.] 5 + [1]pp., folio. Illustration of tree on bank of lake on front cover.

[Mary Somerville, Scottish scientist after whom Somerville College, Oxford, is named.] Autograph Signature ('Yours truly | Mary Somerville') cut from letter.

Author: 
Mary Somerville [née Fairfax, sometime Greig] (1780-1872), Scottish scientist and author after whom Somerville College, Oxford, is named
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. Since 2017 she has been depicted on the Scottish ten pound note. On 2.5 x 8.5 cm slip of paper, cut from letter. In good condition, lightly aged. Laid down on 4 x 9.5 cm piece of paper. Reads 'Yours truly | Mary Somerville'.

[Edith Summerskill, physician, feminist and Labour politician.] Autograph Note Signed ('Edith Summerskill.') to 'Sir Thomas', thanking him [for the Christmas present of a diary].

Author: 
Edith Clara Summerskill (1901-1980), Baroness Summerskill (1901-1980), physician, feminist, Labour politician and writer, Minister of Insurance, 1950-1951; mother of Shirley Summerskill
Publication details: 
22 December 1947. On letterhead of the Ministry of Food (to which she was Parliamentary Secretary), Montagu House, Whitehall, London, S.W.1.
£40.00

2pp, 18mo. On aged paper, with short closed tear to one edge. He has evidently sent her a present of a diary, and she write that it was 'very sweet' of him to remember her over Christmas, adding: 'I shall use your diary every day during the coming year.' She ends with her best wishes of the season and coming year.

[Maltman's Green, Gerrards Cross, girls school.]

Author: 
Maltman's Green, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire girls school, founded in 1918 [Miss Beatrice Elizabeth Chambers, head mistress]
Publication details: 
Maltman's Green, Gerrards Cross. No date [1920s?].
£25.00

Advertising booklet for the school, printed in black on three sides of a 20.5 x 23 cm bifolium of cream wove paper. In fair condition, on lightly aged and spotted paper, with one fold and slight nicking to edges. The item is undated, but must date before Chambers' retirement in 1944. The cover has a distinct modernist feel, with an 8.5 x 20 cm stylised illustration of a village green with old-fashioned houses, presumably including the school buildings, and at bottom right the words 'MALTMAN'S GREEN | GERRARD'S CROSS' in large sans serif capitals.

[Lady Bulwer Lytton [Rosina Bulwer Lytton], Anglo-Irish novelist, wife of Lord Lytton.] Autograph Letter in third person to 'The Editor of “The Lady's Newspaper”' [Ebenezer Landells?], sending him a letter to read over, and referring to a 'Champion'.

Author: 
Lady Bulwer Lytton [Rosina Bulwer Lytton, née Rosina Doyle Wheeler] (1802-1882), Anglo-Irish novelist, wife of Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton [Lord Lytton]
Publication details: 
'Thurloe Cottage Old Brompton Feb 6th. [1842?]'.
£180.00

4pp, 16mo. Bifolium. Forty-two lines of text. Letterhead of family crest in gold and red. In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of white paper mount adhering to last page. Three fold lines. The editor's 'obliging Note' affords her 'sincere pleasure to have the opportunity of expressing her gratitude to him in person', and she asks him not to call some day the following week (she is 'going out of Town' the week after), but not in the morning, as she has 'much business, of a disagreeable and imperative nature to transact now'.

[Julia Maria Hallam, wife of historian Henry Hallam.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J M Hallam') to Lady Elizabeth Palgrave, wife of Sir Francis Palgrave, reporting in affectionate terms on her son's health at Eton College.

Author: 
Julia Maria Hallam (1783-1840), wife of historian Henry Hallam (1777-1859), sister of poet Sir Charles Abraham Elton (1778-1853) [Lady Elizabeth Palgrave [née Turner] (1799-1852)]
Publication details: 
'Eton Friday Eveng.' [With postmark dated 29 July 1837.]
£180.00

2pp, 4to. On first leaf of bifolium, the second leaf carrying the address to 'Lady Palgrave | Hampstead Green', with four postmarks, one dated 29 July 1837. In fair condition, on aged, worn and creased paper. Lady Elizabeth Palgrave was the wife of the archivist and historian Sir Francis Palgrave (1788-1861, né Cohen), and daughter of the banker, naturalist and bibliophile Dawson Turner (1775-1858) of Yarmouth.

[ Sir Thomas Edward Thorpe, British chemist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('T. E. Thorpe') to 'Mrs. Green' [ Wilhelmina Maria Green ], offering encouragement and support for the publication of a scientific paper by her.

Author: 
Sir T. E. Thorpe [ Sir Thomas Edward Thorpe ] (1845-1925), British chemist, Principal of Somerset House Laboratory, and President of the British Association and Society of Chemical Industry
Publication details: 
'Headingley [ Yorkshire ]. 20 May 1885.
£50.00

The item is from the papers of the second wife of the geologist Alexander Henry Green (1832-1896), previously Miss Wilhelmina Maria Armstrong of Clifton. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. An interesting letter, indicating a positive and encouraging response from a member of the Victorian scientific establishment to a female worker in the field. The letter begins: 'Dear Mrs. Green. | Enclosed are two notes from Dr. Armstrong relative to your paper. As I informed you I thought there was just a doubt whether the paper was exactly of a style for the Chem. Soc. Journ.

[ Agnes Maude Royden [ Maude Royden-Shaw ], preacher and suffragist. ] Autograph Signature ('A. Maude Royden.') to printed circular, thanking recipients for their 'share of the Car' which she has been given to undertake her work since her 'lameness'.

Author: 
Agnes Maude Royden [ later Maude Royden-Shaw ] (1876-1956), preacher and suffragist
Publication details: 
Circular addressed from 16 Rosslyn Hill, London, N.W.3. [27] May 1920.
£60.00

1p., 12mo. Stained and on aged paper. Reads: 'THANK you most gratefully for your share of the Car, which is already in use, and saving me more than I can say. It is not too much to say that it halves my fatigue and makes my work a happiness instead of a burden. I do not like driving in a car while others go in 'buses, but since my lameness really hampers me, I console myself with the delightful thought that it has been given me by those who work in the same causes and towards the same end that I do, and that I shall work the better for their kindness.'

[ Alfred Pearse, cartoonist and campaigner for women's suffrage. ] Autograph Note Signed ('A: Pearse') responding to a request for an autograph from 'Mr. Bull' (i.e. Montague Bull).

Author: 
Alfred Pearse ['A Patriot'] (1855-1933), cartoonist ('Votes For Women', 'Illustrated London News', 'Punch') and campaigner for women's suffrage who set up the 'Suffrage Atelier' with Laurence Housman
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£30.00

On 10.5 x 19.5 cm piece of paper. in good condition, laid down on part of a leaf removed from an album. Good firm signature and strong handwriting. Reads: 'Dear Mr. Bull | It is a pleasure to accede to your request | Truly yours | A: Pearse'.

[ Katherine Austen, diarist and poet ] Printed Document with MS adds, Signed "Katherine Austen". Receipt of "Tally levied" and money paid to her., partially filled in.

Author: 
Katherine Austen (1629 – ca. 1683), diarist and poet best known for "Book M"
Publication details: 
24 November 1679.
£650.00

One page, 4to, fold marks, edge curled.

[ Laura Starr Canziani, English artist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Laura Canziani') to the wife of the physician Sir W. H. Allchin, regarding an invitation and her husband's return from Paris.

Author: 
Louisa Starr Canziani [ Louisa Canziani ] (1845-1909), artist, the first woman to win a gold medal for history painting at the Royal Academy (1867) [ Sir William Henry Allchin (1846-1912), physician ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 3 Kensington Palace Green, W. [ London ] 12 June [ no year ].
£40.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. She apologises for having missed Mrs Allchin's 'party at the Prince's Hall', as she had to meet her husband 'in Paris on his way home from Italy, and we were detained there longer than we had expected'. She had hoped that they both could have attended the party, but they were 'detained there longer than we had expected'. Louisa Starr married the civil engineer and industrialist Enrico Canziani (1848-1931) in Dover in 1882.

[ Ministry of Munitions, First World War: Banbury factory. ] Two post cards, each with printed poem: 'An Appreciation' (of women workers), 'Composed by G. Gilbert, Munition Worker' and 'An Answer to "An Appreciation." By One on “The Other Shift.”'

Author: 
'Mr. G. Gilbert, Munition Worker' and 'One on "The Other Shift"'[ Ministry of Munitions National Filling Factory No. 9, Banbury, Oxfordshire, in the First World War; The Banbury Advertiser ]
Publication details: 
Both dating from the First World War. The 'Answer' published from '"Advertiser" Office, Banbury.' [ Oxfordshire ]
£150.00

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.

[ The Society of Oxford Home-Students, Association for the Education of Women, Oxford. ] 'Second Annual Report, 1896-7' and 'Annual Report, 1903-4'.

Author: 
[ B. J. Johnson, Principal, and E. Caird, Chairman, Society of Oxford Home-Students, Association for Promoting the Education of Women in Oxford, founded in 1878 ]
Publication details: 
[ [ The Association for Promoting the Education of Women in Oxford. ] [ 1897 and 1904. ] The second printed in Oxford by Horace Hart, Printer to the University.
£250.00

Both items stitched and unbound 16mo pamphlets. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, both from the Board of Education Library, and with the former carrying a shelfmark label and the latter the Library's stamp. ONE: 'Association for the Education of Women | Oxford | Home Students | Second Annual Report, 1896-7'. 14pp., 16mo. Containing a list of officers, 'Regulations for Home Students', three-page Report - by 'B. J. Johnson, Principal' - of Home Students' Committee, 1896-7', lists of honours and appointments. Scarce: the only other copies traced at Oxford.

[ Dieulafoy;Women at War;archaeologist; Persia; cross dressing ] Autograph Letter Signed "Dieulafoy" to unnamed correspondent, his eminent wife's initiative (training women to do jobs of men who became soldiers (1913). and the circumstances of her death.

Author: 
Marcel-Auguste Dieulafoy (1844-1920), French archaeologist, noted for his excavations at Susa, author of L'Art anti
Publication details: 
"Secteur Postal 205 | 23 Janvier 1917".
£500.00

Three pages, 8vo, black border, fold marks, small closed tears, text complete and clear. With official printed stamp next to signature, "Le Lt-Colonel DIEULAFOY | Charge du Service du Genie des Etapes". He has received an article in "L'Eveil" by his correspondent concerning his "chere compagne" [ Jane Dieulafoy, distinguished archaeologist, explorer and feminist, who died in May 1916, hence the black border to this letter ]. He specifies the putting in relief of the "initiative prise par ma chere compagne au printemps le 1913 [conscription of women, conference 1913 - see notes below].

[ British Women on the Home Front in the First World War. ] Mimeographed Leaflet, on Government letterhead, of poem '"The Girls They Left Behind Them" | Air -: The Minstrel Boy.'[

Author: 
[ British Women on the Home Front in the First World War; Sir Richard Harington, 12th Baronet, of Ridlington (1861-1931; Thomas Moore) ]
Publication details: 
Undated. Circa 1916.
£120.00

The item derives from the papers of Sir Richard Harington, 12th Baronet of Ridlington (1861-1931), who volunteered for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on the outbreak of the First World War, and was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in the Anti-Aircraft Corps, serving in that capacity until 1916. 2pp., foolscap folio. On both sides of a leaf of paper with embossed Government crest. In fair condition, lightly-aged and worn, with a few short closed tears to edges. Mimeographed duplication of a manuscript poem parodying Thomas Moore's poem 'The Minstrel Boy'.

[ Charlotte Nasmyth, landscape artist. ] Autograph Note Signed [ to W. G. Herdman, Secretary, Liverpool Academy ], asking for information regarding her family's paintings in an exhibition.

Author: 
Charlotte Nasmyth (1804-1884), landscape artist, one of the daughters of the Scottish artist Alexander Nasmyth (1758-1840)
Publication details: 
Richmond Terrace, Pendleton, Manchester. 1 January [ no year ].
£220.00

1p., 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged. On a bifolium, with the blank second leaf neatly laid down on a grey card mount, with a slip of paper carrying the address laid down on it: 'W. G. Herdman Esqr. Secy. | Liverpool Academy | Post Office Place | Liverpool'. She writes: 'Sir/ | Will you Oblige me with a line by return to say when the Exhibition is likely to close, and if any of our Pictures are as yet Sold. Apologising for this trouble | I remain | Sir | Your's [sic] respectfully | Charlotte Nasmyth'.

[ Arthur Joseph Munby, diarist and poet. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('A. J. Munby') to the bookseller Bertram Dobell, regarding two lost postal orders.

Author: 
A. J. Munby [ Arthur Joseph Munby ] (1828-1910), diarist, poet and barrister obsessed with women in service [ Bertram Dobell (1842-1914), bookseller and literary scholar ]
Publication details: 
Ripley, Sussex. 23 September 1894.
£65.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The letter concerns two missing postal orders, regarding which Munby reports that he has made enquiries with 'the Ripley postmaster'. He discusses the question, giving the numbers of the postal orders, and writes: 'The postmaster tells me that, as the Orders were crossed, the G. P. O. will (unless by any chance the Orders have been cashed) repay the £1. 4.

[ Victorian women and the legal profession. ] Illustrated humorous manuscript valentine poem, in the form of a 'Brief | for the opinion of Mr Harington', on what would happen if the 'ladies' appeared 'in wig and gown', with '”chambers” up in town.'

Author: 
[ Victorian women and the legal profession ] [ Sir Richard Harington (1861-1931) of Ridlington, 12th Baronet, judge ]
Publication details: 
[ London. ] Dated at head 'February 13th. A.D. 1890'.
£120.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. Folded in customary fashion, with 'Brief | for the opinion of Mr Harington' on the outside of the packet, beneath which, in another hand: 'Feby 14th. 1890 | Richard Harington Esq'. The author's hand is clearly disguised, as is usual with valentines, the writing being markedly ornate. There are various crude drawings in the margins, ranging from images of a barrister and a woman, faces of two women (one smoking a pipe), to small representations of cigar boxes, briefs and books.

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