OF

[ Sir Charles Barry, architect who worked on the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square. ] Autograph Signature ('Charles Barry').

Author: 
Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860), English architect who worked on the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 3 x 11 cm slip of paper. In fair condition, lightly aged. Cut from the end of a letter. Good firm signature. Reads: 'Yours faithfully | Charles Barry'.

[ Emma Vesey, Viscountess de Vesci, philanthropist. ] Autograph Signature ('Emma de Vesci').

Author: 
Emma Vesey, Viscountess de Vesci [ Emma de Vesci ] (1819-1884), philanthropist, wife of Thomas Vesey, 3rd Viscount de Vesci, and daughter of daughter of George Herbert, 11th Earl of Pembroke
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 3 x 11 cm. slip of paper, cut from the end of a letter. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads 'Yrs very sincerely | Emma de Vesci'. Fragment of letter on reverse: '[...] random of all the monies you have sent to Messrs. Puget & Bainbridge. I [...]'. Lady de Vesci founded the Abbeyleix Baby Linen Society, a co-operative supplying affordable children clothes.

[ Jane Wardle, psychologist. ] Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Jane') to her father the painter Peter Wardle, together with a small collection of childhood writings and drawings.

Author: 
Jane Wardle [ Frances Jane Wardle ] (1950-2015), Professor of Clinical Psychology, University College, London [ Peter Wardle (b.1929), English artist ]
Publication details: 
Two of the letters from 48 Abingdon Road, Oxford, and one on letterhead of the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. One of the childhood items from Lidstone, Enstone, Oxfordshire. All items undated (adult letters pre-1991).
£180.00

Wardle's achievements as a leading behavioural scientist in the field of cancer prevention are described in her obituary in the Guardian, 24 November 2015. The three adult letters addressed to 'Daddy'. One four-page letter on yellow paper with loss from damp damage, the other items in fair condition, with light signs of age. One of the other two letters also of four pages, and the last of one page. The letters are intimate and positive, filled with loving encouragement and advice and giving family news.

[ Thomas Brassey, 1st Earl Brassey, Governor of Victoria. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('T. Brassey') to the Secretary of the Royal Naval College Mess Committee, asking to change the date of a meeting, as he is hunting with his brother's hounds.

Author: 
Thomas Brassey, 1st Earl Brassey (1836-1918), Governor of Victoria, Liberal politician, yachtsman and freemason
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Heythrop, Chipping Norton. 19 February 1876.
£50.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The letter begins: 'I have just come down here, and find my brother's hounds are hunting on Tuesday. I venture therefore to ask, if I may be allowed to change my plans, and to dine with you on Thursday next, instead of Tuesday.' He concludes by explaining why he hopes the change may not be inconvenient.

[ Girton College, Cambridge University. ] Anonymous manuscript magazine: 'Girtonica or Pearls from Oysterland. Edited by The Mocking Turtle and the Doormouse', containing a Lewis Carroll parody 'Alice in Oyster-land', and other humorous material.

Author: 
Girton College, Cambridge University [ Lewis Carroll; Alice in Wonderland ]
Publication details: 
[ Girton College, University of Cambridge. ] The first volume containing entries dating from between November 1906 and June 1909; and in the second volume between June 1909 and July 1912.
£850.00

235pp., 4to. In two uniform volumes, paginated as follows. Vol.1: ii + 135pp. Vol.2: 89pp. With an additional nine unpaginated pages. Both volumes in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in aged and worn bindings with marbled covers and cloth spines. Written out in at least two hands. The first volume is preceded by a 'Prefatory Note', dated 30 November 1906, giving a good example of the tone of the magazine, which is written in a parody of the academic style (complete with pseudo-scholarly footnotes), and is filled with what are clearly Girton in-jokes.

[ General Sir Dighton Probyn. ] Autograph Letter in the third person, as 'Comptroller & Treasurer of the Prince of Wales' Household', inviting Sir Robert Herbert to visit the Prince and his wife at Sandringham, and giving transport details.

Author: 
General Sir Dighton Probyn [ General Sir Dighton Macnaghten Probyn ] (1833-1924), British army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross [Sir Robert Herbert; King Edward VIII; Sandringham, Norfolk ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Sandringham, Norfolk. 15 November 1884.
£75.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and a little smudged. He 'writes by direction of The Prince and Princess of Wales to invite him to pay their Royal Highnesses a visit at Sandringham from Saturday next the 22nd. Inst. to remain till Monday the 24th. He gives details of the best train to catch to 'Wolferton (the Station for Sandringham)', where there will be 'conveyances to take Sir Robert and the other Guests travelling by the same Train, from the Station to the House'.

[ Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Lucius Curtis') to an unnamed 'Dear Sir & Brother' (freemason?), regarding 'the Election of Poor Brother Moss' Son'.

Author: 
Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis (1786-1869), Royal Navy officer [ Freemasonry? ]
Publication details: 
Cosham [ near Portsmouth ]. 9 December 1862.
£90.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper. Newspaper cutting of obituary laid-down at foot. He asks to be sent 'some Printed cards, for the Election of Poor Brother Moss' Son'. These are wanted 'to send to a friend in Warwickshire, as also to one in Surrey - for them to Distribute.'

[ Sir Albert Spicer, Liberal Party politician. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Albert Spicer') to A. D. Snow, responding to congratulations on his receiving his baronetcy.

Author: 
Sir Albert Spicer (1847-1934), industrialist and Liberal Party politician, successively Member of Parliament for Monmouth Boroughs and Hackney Central
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 10 Lancaster Gate, W. [ London ] 9 July 1906.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He thanks him for his congratulations on 'the honour His Majesty has conferred upon me', adding 'The kind and generous way in which the announcement has been received by our friends has been most gratifying to my Wife and myself.'

[ Henry Montagu Butler, headmaster of Harrow School and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. ] Signed Letter ('H Montagu Butler'), written out by a secretary, to Professor Langley, referring him to one of his works.

Author: 
Henry Montagu Butler (1833-1918), headmaster of Harrow School (1859-85), Dean of Gloucester (1885-86); Master of Trinity College (1886-1918); Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University (1889-90)
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Trinity Lodge, Cambridge. 24 August 1904.
£56.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, with light signs of age. At head of first page: 'Dictated'. He refers him to 'the second Chapter of the book I published some years ago, which deals with the subject on which we conversed the other night at dinner'. The amanuensis has written that the chapter deals with 'some of the reflections on matters ethereal', and Butler has corrected this to 'some reflections on matters Aesthetical'. Butler has also added the words 'more clearly, though I fear' after the word 'puts' in the following: 'it puts at much greater length'.

[ Fabrizio Ruffo, Prince of Castelcicala, Neapolitan ambassador to London. ] Autograph Signature ('Castelcicala').

Author: 
Fabrizio Ruffo, Prince of Castelcicala [ Fabrizio Ruffo di Bagnara, principe di Castelcicala ] (1763-1832), Neapolitan ambassador to London
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 2 x 12 cm. strip of paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Cut from the end of a letter.

[ Father Edmond Nolan, Catholic priest, Vice-President, St Edmund's College, Ware. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edmond Nolan') to 'Miss Haig' of Basildon, regarding autographs in his collection and his duties tutoring boys.

Author: 
Father Edmond Nolan, Vice-President of St Edmund's College, Old Hall, Ware, and founder of (the Roman Catholic) St Edmund's House (now St Edmund's Hall), Cambridge
Publication details: 
On letterhead of St Edmund's College, Old Hall, Ware. 12 and 14 November 1894.
£100.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Since his return from Basildon three friends have promised him 'letters from the illustrious' for her collection. He has also 'looked for a collection I made myself once - but altho I have found all kinds of things which I thought I had lost for ever I cannot find it'. He lists seven 'minor autographs' he is sending her, including '(7) The late Earl of Denbigh to Bish of Patterson - This letter led to the capture of a famous impostor, who died immediately afterwards in Clerkenwell Gaol'.

[ Abbott Laurence, American ambassador to London. ] Autograph Signature ('Abbott Laurence').

Author: 
Abbott Laurence (1792-1855), American politician and philanthropist, congressman and ambassador to London, 1849-1852
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£22.00

On 1 x 5 cm. piece of paper. In fair condition, lightly aged. Cut from a letter.

[ Sir Hamilton Seymour, diplomat. ] Calling Card, carrying an Autograph Note to 'Baron Ward' on seating arrangements.

Author: 
Sir Hamilton Seymour [ Sir George Hamilton Seymour ] (1797-1880), British diplomat
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£30.00

For more on Seymour, who held diplomatic posts in Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Russia, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. The 4.5 x 7.5 cm card carries the words 'Sir Hamilton Seymour | Ministre d'Angleterre' in copperplate. Above this Seymour has written, in a difficult hand, what appears to be: 'My dear Baron Ward | I want you to shew your finess [sic] in your placing Machen & Mr Caird. | Yrs.'

[ Inscribed offprint. ] On the Position of the Centre of Gravity in Man, as determining the Mechanical Relations of the Two Sides of the Body towards each other. By Andrew Buchanan, M.D.

Author: 
Andrew Buchanan, M.D. [ Andrew Buchanan (1798-1882), Scottish physician, Professor at the University of Glasgow ]
Publication details: 
'Read before the Philosophical Society of Glasgow, April 25, 1877.' Place and date of offprint not stated.
£80.00

24pp., 8vo. Disbound. In good condition, with light signs of age. Inscribed at head of first page: 'With kind regards.' 11 figures in text. Published in 'Proceedings of the Philosophical Society of Glasgow', vol. 10 (1875-1877).

[ Jane Porter, English novelist. ] Part of Autograph Letter from 'Miss Porter' to 'Monsr. Ventouillac'.

Author: 
Jane Porter (1776-1850), English novelist [ Louis Théodore Ventouillac (1798-1834), Professor of French Literature at King's College, London ]
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£30.00

On both sides of 7 x 11 cm. piece of paper, cut from a letter. On one side is the address: 'Monsr. Ventouillac | to the care of Master Morgan | From Miss Porter -'. And on the other a fragment of the letter: '<...> that the same volume will be so presented to him, by the Revd Mr. Pole and Mr. Ventouillac. Miss P - hopes Mr. V - <...> success in his <...>'.

[ Samuel Plimsoll of the 'Plimsoll Line'. ] Autograph Signature franking letter.

Author: 
Samuel Plimsoll (1824-1898), English politician and social reformer, Member of Parliament for Derby, and originator of the celebrated 'Plimsoll Line'
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£25.00

On 4 x 13.5 cm. strip of paper, cut from the front panel of an envelope. In fair condition, lightly aged. Addressed to 'John Head Esq | Ransome Sims & Head | Ipswich', with the underlined signature 'Samuel Plimsoll' at bottom left.

[ William Ewart Gladstone, British Prime Minister. ] Autograph Signature ('W E Gladstone') from franked letter.

Author: 
William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), British Liberal Party politician, four-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Gladstone
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated. [ 1859? ]
£25.00
Gladstone

On 2.5 x 11.5 cm. piece of paper, cut from front panel of envelope. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Lower part of address present, reading 'Gt Grimsby | Grantham'. Circular frank in red ink over this, reading 'FREE | 8 JY 8 | 18<5?>9'. Good firm signature underlined at bottom left: 'W E Gladstone'.

[ Joseph Barber Lightfoot, Bishop of Durham. ] Autograph Signature ('J B Lightfoot') on part of letter.

Author: 
J. B. Lightfoot [ Joseph Barber Lightfoot ] (1828-1889), Bishop of Durham and Professor of Divinity at Cambridge
Publication details: 
'Trin: Coll. | Nov. 18th'. [ Cambridge, year not stated. ]
£35.00

On 11 cm square piece of light-blue paper cut from the end of a letter. Good firm signature, preceded by five lines of text in a difficult hand, appearing to read: '

to every one but the Academic Deanery should have failed to a man of Academic & literary distinction | I am, dear Dr.

, | Very truly yrs | J B Lightfoot | Trin; Coll. | Nov. 18th'.

[ College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. ] 'Secret' typed thesis, with 71 diagrams, on the interception of atomic bombers, titled 'Turning Performance and Manoeuvrability of Aircraft at Supersonic Speeds by Lieutenant (E) R. A. Langley, Royal Navy'.

Author: 
Lieut-Commander R. A. Langley, Royal Navy [ College of Aeronautics, Cranfield; Nuclear War; Atomic Weapons ]
Publication details: 
The College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. May 1952.
£1,250.00

The problem with which the thesis deals is summed up at the start: 'If war broke out in the near future, attack by atomic bombers would become an immediate possibility, and one of the biggest problems would be the defence of this Island, which, with its areas of dense population, particularly around its essential industries, would present many ideal targets to the enemy. It would, therefore, be essential to destroy, or attempt to destroy, each enemy bomber before it reached the coast.

[ Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (later King of Hanover) and the Royal Naval Asylum, Greenwich. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Ernest Augustus') to Rev. William Morgan, giving instructions regarding the appointment of matrons to the institution.

Author: 
Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland 1799-1851, and King of Hanover 1837-1851, son of King George III and uncle of Queen Victoria [ Rev. William Morgan, Chaplain of the Royal Naval Asylum, Greenwich ]
Publication details: 
St James's Palace [ London ]. 1 January 1808.
£320.00

The Duke was the head of the Committee in charge of the Royal Naval Asylum, which had been founded as the British National Endeavour in 1798, for the orphans of military and naval personnel killed in action. It had moved from Paddington to the Queen's House, Greenwich, in October 1807, having received a large amount of public support (including that of Lord Nelson), and was responsible for upwards of 1000 boys and girls. 3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged paper, with damp damage resulting in some loss (including a little text). Repaired with archival tape.

[ The Duke of Kent as Governor of Gibraltar, in the build up to the Garrison Mutiny of 1802. ] Letter in a Secretarial Hand, signed in Autograph ('Edward'), to Lieut-Col. Lethbridge, one of his 'oldest military friends', regarding the '.

Author: 
The Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820), son of King George III and father of Queen Victoria [ Lieut-Col. Robert Lethbridge, 60th Regiment of Foot; Gibraltar Garrison Mutiny, 1802 ]
Publication details: 
Gibraltar. 31 October 1802.
£500.00

A strict disciplinarian, the Duke was appointed Governor of Gibraltar in March 1802 and, as this letter describes, immediately set about dealing with what he considered the various abuses of the Garrison. His harsh discipline would precipitate a mutiny by soldiers in his own and the 25th Regiment on Christmas Eve 1802. The Duke of York, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, would recall him in May 1803 after receiving reports of the mutiny, but despite this direct order he would refuse to return to England until his successor arrived.

[ George Tomline, Liberal MP, known as 'Colonel Tomline'. ] Autograph Letter Signed to R. C. Ransome, Ipswich manufacturer of agricultural machinery.

Author: 
George Tomline [ 'Colonel Tomline' ] (1813-1889), Liberal MP and amateur astronomer
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 1 Carlton House Terrace, S.W. [ London ] 13 June 1874.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and ruckled paper. He invites him to pay him a four-day visit at Brock Park, 'to meet many of your Liberal friends'. Note: Tomline had his observatory at Orwell Park, hence a neighbour of Ransome's (Orwell House).

[ Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Shaftesbury') to '<?> W. Williams', regarding accounts and a missed engagement.

Author: 
Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (1801-1885), Liberal politician, philanthropist and social reformer
Publication details: 
No place. <3?> January 1854.
£50.00

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and ruckled paper. His return to London having been delayed, he regrets that he 'lost the tea-party'. He would be 'glad to know what is due on the account'.

[ Edward Knatchbull, 9th Baronet, MP for Kent. ] Autograph Note, both Signed and Franked 'E Knatchbull', with his seal, apologising to the Lord Mayor of London [ John Crowder ] for declining an invitation.`

Author: 
Sir Edward Knatchbull, 9th Baronet (1781-1849), Member of Parliament for Kent, Tory politician [ John Crowder, Lord Mayor of London ]
Publication details: 
'<?> Hotel'. 11 July 1829.
£25.00

1p., 12mo. On aged and worn grey paper, with a corner torn away, affecting a couple of lines of text. Franked on reverse: 'Ashford July eleven 1829 | The Right Honble | The Lord Mayor | &c &c &c | Mansion House | London | E Knatchbull'. Knatchbull's small seal, depicting a dog, is present entire in black wax. He writes that he would have had 'much pleasure' in meeting him at Rochester, but that his 'House will be full of Company on the 24th'.

[ Sir Herbert Chermside, Governor of Queensland. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Herbert Chermside') to Sir Donald Currie

Author: 
Sir Herbert Chermside [ Lieutenant General Sir Herbert Charles Chermside ] (1850-1929), British soldier, Governor of Queensland, 1902-1904 [ Sir Donald Currie (1825-1909), Scottish shipping magnate ]
Publication details: 
Sonakin. 11 March 1885.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'Sir Donald Currie K.C. M.G. | S.S. | Sonakin'. He apologises to Currie for finding him away from home when he called: 'I only wish I had asked you to make an appointment'. He concludes with thanks for his 'kindness about the mail', and in wishes of a pleasant voyage for Currie's party.

[ Lord Charles Clinton, Conservative politician. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Clinton') to the Provost of Eton, regarding the hanging of his portrait on 'the pannels [sic] of the College Hall'.

Author: 
Lord Charles Clinton [ Lord Charles Pelham Pelham-Clinton ] (1813-1894), son of Henry Pelham-Clinton, 4th Duke of Newcastle
Publication details: 
Farnham Castle. 18 December 1857.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. He 'unfeignedly' feels his 'unworthiness to be placed among those sons of Eton whose portraits are intended to grace the pannels [sic] of the College Hall'. He will comply with the Provost's wish, 'as soon as opportunity permits, & after I have learnt from you the most suitable mode of carrying your design into execution'.

[ Peter le Neve Foster, Secretary to the Society of Arts. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('P. le Neve Foster') to W. H. Teulon, expressing great distress at the news of the death of an old friend.

Author: 
Peter le Neve Foster (1809-1879), Secretary to the Society of Arts [ William Hensman Teulon (1809-1899), London hop merchant ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Society of Arts, Adelphi, London. 11 December 1876.
£45.00

3pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He is 'shocked as well as surprised' at the sad news of the death of his 'old friend', who had told Foster's assistant the previous Tuesday that he had had 'a fainting fit which he understood came from any of the heart'. Foster is 'truly grieved at the loss', 'a more excellent worthy character it was not my lot to have met with and my experience has now run over many years. He was truly a friend and at my time of life there is little chance of my being able to fill the vacancy his death creates'.

[ Robert Charleton, Quaker philanthropist. ] Signed Autograph guarantee to the Great Western Railway of payment for tickets for a journey organised by the New Bedminster Temperance Hall, with an engraving of a design for the Hall.

Author: 
Robert Charleton (1809-1872), Quaker philanthropist and temperance campaigner, model employer at his Bristol pin-making factory [ Temperance Hall and Mechanics Institution, Bedminster, Bristol ]
Railway
Publication details: 
Guarantee dated from Orwell Villa, Cotham New Road, Bristol; 24 August 1853. Engraving by Lavars, Lithographer, Bridge Street, Bristol; undated.
£120.00
Railway

Guarantee: 1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged paper. Reads: 'Bristol 8mo 24. 1853 | I hereby guarantee to the Great Western Railway Company payment for all the tickets which may be sold for the Cheap Trip to London, on the 29th. Inst., undertaken by the promoters of the New Bedminster Temperance Hall | Robert Charleton | Orwell Villa | Cotham New Road'. Written across the page in red ink: 'Cancelled | M J Cairns'. Addressed by Charleton on reverse to 'The Manager | Great Western Railway Company'. The engraving is on a 12 x 17.5 cm piece of paper.

[Alfred Emmott. Liberal. ] Five Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Alfred Emmott'), one discussing the 'moral effect of military training'; with ALS from his brother George, on his time at the Quaker school, Kendal; all to C. J. Holdsworth of Wilmslow.

Author: 
Alfred Emmott, 1st Baron Emmott (1858-1926), Liberal Member of Parliament for Oldham and cotton magnate [ Charles James Holdsworth; Stramongate School, Kendal; Quakers; Society of Friends ]
Publication details: 
AE's five letters on letterheads of 30 Ennismore Gardens, S.W. [ London ] (3); and Spring Bank, Oldham (2); four of them from between 1905 and 1907, the other undated. GHE's letter on letterhead of 35 Grosvenor Road, Claughton, Birkenhead; 1903.
£125.00

The six items, totalling 9pp., are in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, George H. Emmott's letter having slight wear at head. The recipient was Charles J. Holdsworth of Sunnyside, Wilmslow, Cheshire.

[ Arundel Estate of the Duke of Norfolk. ] Printed 'List of Toasts' at a dinner for the Arundel Estate, amended in manuscript with names of proposers and responders.

Author: 
[ Arundel Estate, Sussex; Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk (1847-1917), Roman Catholic nobleman, Unionist politician and philanthropist
Publication details: 
[ Arundel, Sussex? Between 1861 and 1868. ]
£100.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Watermark reads: 'T & F H | 1861'. (The document must date from between this year and the end of the Duke's minority in 1868; and Arundel is not named on it, its connection with this place is confirmed by the presence of land agent Captain E. H. Mostyn..) Neatly printed in two columns within a border. Thirteen toasts, from 'The Queen' to 'The Law Agents and the Stewards of Manors'. The toast to the Queen followed by 'God Save the Queen', each of the other twelve toasts followed by a 'Glee'.

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