AUTOGRAPH

Total 4pp., 4to, one with corner torn off, all a little battered but texts clear and complete. Letter One: He asks if anything can be done with [his] book, and discusses his re-writing another straight play. They don't seem to be able to stop me. I roughed it out during the war but have now done a lot to it. I think it's a winner! So does every one else who writes plays [further lighthearted comment on writing plays]. He asks finally whether Macqueen-Pope has any new books coming on. They seem to go down big.

Twelve TLSs, 1-3pp. each, total 27pp., 4to. His subjects are predictable: his plays, his portraits, the contemporary theatre, performances (Brigadoon etc), actors, films, art exhibition, personal matters (eg his wife's ill heath, children), his writing activities,Popie's works (showing enthusiasm), drawing and writing activities, visitors to Glasgow (Hannan Swaffer writing articles on Scotland), portrait he did of Popie, the life of Novello (ghost-written then done in earnest by Popie), Edinburgh Festival, anecdotes, suggestions for theatrical books, insider gossip, anecdotes, etc etc.

One page, 16mo, bifolium, fod mark, good condition. To Miss White with kind regards and mny thanks for having made me so comfortable inher well appointed house.

[170]pp., 4to, title label, brown wraps, stabbed, sl. wrinkled edges, sl. aged, typed ownership sticker back cover, John Furnell, 'Woodend', 24 Chessel Avenue, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Hants. Final page (additional , p.[170]) includes a list of Author's suggestions for settings. With a sprinkling of corrections and additions.Opposite p.38 (beginning of Act II set in the Foyer of the St James's Theatre, an illustration from a Max Beerbohm book (Some Persons of the Nineties), with names from Wilde to Mallarme, 10 names presumably in Furnell's hand.

One page, 12mo, faint staining, good condition. I shall be most happy to dine with you on the 30th and think it probable that I can allow myself the pleasure of spending the night at Oxford. | [...]

Paper, 16 x 17.5cm, laid down on similar sized paper, good condition. He only is a true freeman who renders stedfast obedience to righteous law. If a quotation, not traced. So a statement, sentiment, or word of wisdom perhaps.

Two actually congruent sections clipped from (secretarial) Letter Signed J. Scott Russell, 11 x 5cm (Address as above), and 11 x 6cm (sentiment with signature), considerable loss of text which appears to have been a recommendation of another engineer perhaps for employment. Surviving text (on reverse of the two portions and as it turns out congruent ) as follows: Presidency in India, who has brought me introductions from old friends on whom I can thoroughly rely. | He has been in charge (second fragment follows on) important Engineering Works there, which have been thoroughly successful.

One page, cr. 8vo, fold marks, small stain in margin, text clear and attractive (a neat hand). He appreciates the invitation to Dover Street to dine. I[t] gave me great pleasure to have this expression of your friendship and it was great ill-lcuk that the wretched teaching shoulkd have prevented me from enjoying your company - I teach all day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. | On wednesday nights I feel so exhausted mentally and physically that I am glad to crawl back home to bed.

Two pages, 12mo, good condition. Text: I enclose [Muller's?] letter about [Mrs Greens?] paper. I saw him to-day & one or two other members of the Pub. Comm. All are interested, but the opinion seems to be that the paper is not quite 'severe' enough for us & also that it should receive wider notice than it would get if published in our pages. Dr Muller would be glad to [send?] it to Crookes or Lockyer if you & Mrs Green approve; you ought also to send a copy to the Lancet or Medical Times.

Conclusion of document, clipped, 12 x 5 cm, tipped on to larger piece of paper, foxed but clear. Text as follows: your discharge herein [printed] | Mr Squibb I pray you pay this order out[?] hearth money | RobLong [manuscript]. Lawrence Squibb was a Teller of the Receipt of the Exchequer.

One page, 12mo, fold mark, sl. crumpled, mainly good condition. Signatures of Liberal MPs; James Cropper, Peter McLagan, Theodore Fry, Thomas Burt, Samuel Smith, Arthur Pease, J[ames]. Bryce, John Roberts, E Stafford Howard, Thomas X. Thompson, J.F. Christian, James Stuart, Stewart Clark, S[tephen] Williamson.

Three pages, 8vo, fold marks, small closed tear on fold, sl. dingy, but clear and complete. She couldn't reply quickly to her correspondent's clever & interesting letter because she was ill and indeed doubted whether I should write any more to anybody. I have since read it to many members of Parl[iamen]t and you , who are so humble, should have heard how reespectful & attentive the were to my 'Jamaica correspondent' - THere have been debates on West Indian subjects, which made your letter really (even to strangers) extremely interesting: - to me it was a great treat.

1p, 8vo. Fifteen lines of text, in green ink. In fair condition, lightly aged, folded twice, with short closed tear to edge of one crease. Signed 'Sybil Thorndike'. Although 'deeply gratified', her 'present duties' will detain her 'at the Theatre every evening until 11 o/c', so that she will not be able to 'act as a Steward at the Anniversary of the Royal Literary Fund at the Guildhall, next Wednesday'.

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'.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dear Sir | I regret that I am an [sic] unable to become a Steward at the Royal Literary Fund dinner, but I have pleasure in sending a small donation to the fund.'

Paper, 15 x 9cm, trimmed with minimal loss of text, some staining, text clear and legible. Pay to Lady Montfort's Bearer the sum of Eighy seven Shillings & charge the same to | Your Humble Servt. | Arthur Murphy. A bold and impressive signature. Note: A, He studied at Jesuit run Saint-Omer, France, and was a gifted student of the Latin and Greek classics. He worked as an actor in the theatre, became a barrister, a journalist and finally a (not very original) playwright. He edited Gray's Inn Journal between 1752 and 1754.

1p, landscape 12mo In good condition, with glue stain to one corner. Folded once. 'Mrs Belloc Lowndes regrets, on the score of ill health, that she cannot have the pleasure of accepting Lord [Treghre?]'s kind invitation.'

2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. A daughter from Lady Derby's first marriage was married to the Earl of Galloway, from whose seat Derby writes. Addressed to 'G. [sic] Norbury. Esq.' Having received the letter of the unnamed male recipient, he feels he 'must decline to give my name as patron of the now proposed society of water colour painters in Liverpool: not because I do not approve of the formation of such a society, but because your invitation to join it is the first intimation I have received of any such project being in contemplation'.

2pp, 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with crease lines from having been folded into a packet. The letter is from a batch of letters written following Ivor Novello's death in 1951, in Macqueen-Pope's personal papers. He writes to send his new address ('after April 14th.'), having been forced after eight weeks to move from the Holmwood Hotel, 'to seek a little relaxation at a guest house where there will be less noise and Jubilation'.

2pp, 12mo. On aged and creased paper, with two torn spike holes resulting in loss of a few letters of text. Date stamp on reverse. The recipient is not named, but is presumably the BBC producer Terence Dudley (1919-1988). Writing three months before his death, Strong begins the letter: 'My dear Terence, | How very kind of you! I [d]on't have any dignity in such matters! and I'd love to have a go, whether live or recorded.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with traces of yellow paper mount adhering to the blank reverse. Reads: 'Mr & Mrs. Bohn present their compliments to the Mayor of Liverpool and Mrs. Hubback, and have much pleasure in accepting their polite invitation for the 15th. proxo.'

[24]pp, 12mo. Stapled programme, in shiny covers. Strip torn away from back cover, and with staples slightly rusted, otherwise in fair condition. Large signature 'Ivor Novello' diagonally across title on front cover: 'Richard D. Rose | presents | Ivor Novello | in | I Lived With You | A comedy in three acts | by | Ivor Novello'. An illustrated 'magazine' programme, containing articles and advertisements. No copy on OCLC WorldCat. From the papers of Novello's friend and biographer, the theatre historian W. J.

See his entry in J. F. Smith, 'The Admission Register of the Manchester School'. 6pp, 12mo. Written in a neat, close hand. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. A vivid example of the methodology of the nineteenth-century English clerical antiquary. The main subject is the controversialist Richard Montagu (1577-1641), Bishop of Norwich, about whom, in January of the following year (that of his death), Backhouse would publish a letter in 'The Academy' under the title 'The Abbreviations in Bishop Mountagu's [sic] Dedication'. The recipient is not identified.

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, aged and creased. Folded twice. Written in a shaky hand, as explained by the text: 'My dear Sir / | Agreeable to promise I send my Likeness, I wish it was something worthy of your acceptance - suffice it to say the original saw the death of Nelson and Abercrombie. Served under Wellington in the Spanish peninsular War, attended his funeral, and from 1797 to 1814 was by Sea and Land in 23 Actions[.] I am well in health but cannot see what I write - My sincere love to Mrs. Macwey - God bless you'.

On reverse of 11.25 x 8.25 cm card carrying a black and white print of the autograph score of Coates's second 'phantasy', 'The Three Bears' (1926). In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'To May Hirst | with best wishes | from | Eric Coates | Photograph of | Original Full Score of | The Three Bears'.

1p, 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged and creased paper, folded twice. Reads: 'Sir Frank Benson regrets that his departure for South Africa will prevent his having the pleasure of availing himself of the Literary Society's kind invitation to assist at the banquet, on Wednesday, July 16th. -'

9pp, 12mo. On twi bifoliums and a single leaf, only the first of the bifoliums carrying the letterhead. In good condition, on aged paper. Folded once and in an envelope with 'Whist for 2. | Rules by Miss Stanton.' on cover. The letterhead has the feel of the 1920s, but the handwriting is Victorian, and presumably that of an old spinster. The first bifolium carries a separate set of instructions over four pages, headed 'Whist for two', and concluding: 'Hope you can read it excuse blots for I cant see what I have written'.

6.5 x 11 cm calling card, with the words 'The Governor of Massachusetts' printed at centred of one side. Above this Bullock signs 'Alexander H Bullock', and below it '1867'. On the reverse Bullock writes: 'For | Master | Walter G. Webster'. In good condition, lightly aged, with the reverse carrying traces of grey paper mount at the four corners.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The item is a nice association between Austin and his birthplace. An 8 x 13.5 cm post card, printed on both sides. In fair condition, aged, with central vertical fold. The form is a request for a ticket to the degree ceremony, but Austin has altered the text in autograph to read: 'I shall be glad [if you will kindly admit the bearer of this] ticket [to] the Degree Ceremony, at the Town Hall, Leeds, on Thursday, October 6th, 1904.' He signs 'Alfred Austin' at bottom right, underlined with two short lines.

1p, 12mo. On a bifolium endorsed on second leaf '1848 | C R Cockerell R A | 8 May'. Reads: 'My Dear Sir | I hope you have recd. my subscription paid by cheque on London & Westymr. Bank. & forwarded to Mess. Drummond on the 14 Feby. 1848. | Your's truly | C. R. Cockerell'.