AUTOGRAPH

English actor, vocalist and composer (1781-1848). On epage, 4to, creased and chipped with loss only of part of correspondent's name (which ends "...uin"). A significant letter about the Argyll Rooms, the major musical venue of its time. Letter as follows: "If the Licence formerly held by Col. Greville can thus [?] the interest of his family be obtained for the purpose of acting French plays at the Argyle Rooms.

Manuscript, 34pp., folio, bound in vellum, poor condition but complete. A Book of all ye names of the Severall Inhabitants & others residing in Strand Ward in the parish of St Martin in the Fields in the County of Middx for one year free Collection from Christmas 1729 by Quarterly payments or otherwise for the gratifying and paying the Reverend Mr.

Art dealer and Member of Parliament ((1825-1910). He is writing to her because hers is the first name on a list of "ladies" who have signed a petition "in favour of the extension of the suffrage to women householders". He has presented the petition with which he sympathises.

Belgian dramatist, poet, essayist (1862-1949). "Deux Mille", blue wraps, small tear both ends of spine, hinge strain, yellowing pages but mainly g.. INSCRIBED "A Sir John Martin Harvey [English actor/manager]. L'incomparable <........................> ref. obscure to me> qui sera bientot le miraculeur [sic] St Antoine./ En toute <..?> admiration/ Maeterlinck/ 24 juin 1921" (last figure obscure). DNB says: "At the Prince of Wales's Theatre his Pelléas in Maeterlinck's Pelléas and Mélisande moved the author to declare: ‘Il a volé mon âme, ce M. Harvey.’

Humorous writer (1863-1943), one large 8vo page each. (1929) He is returning some "sketches", commenting on the difficulty of a beginner to get published despite merits, and the need for a little revision. (I have found nothing by Horne in the BLCat.)(1930) His handwriting is even more difficult than usual, but he is responding to a card and appears to be annoyed at a suggestion ("disgraceful"). His postscript runs "If I wrote like that I would take a few lessons".

Author. She asks where Frederic Whyte is. "I've long been wanting to meet him again, but he's unfortunately plunged out of my orbit . . . he's one of the men I should least like to lose sight of". She asks about Sladen's election to the Athenaeum.

Popular novelist. She announces to Kathleen Shackleton that they "go on to Cairo tomorrow. ALS, 2pp., 8vo to Sladen, regretting not being able to accept an invitation but inviting the Sladens to the "Authors Dinner" where she is to be a hostess. Two items,

Musical composer (1801-1873). One page, 4to. He says simply that "it will not be in his power to attend the meeting of the Catch Club on Tuesday the 19th [?].."

(1859-1925). 2pp., 12mo, minimal remnants of its having been attache to album page . She and her husband cannot visit on the Friday since they are "At Home". She invites her to tea and expresses pleasure in the improvement in Mr Phillips health.

Novelist. One page each, 8vo. He is responding to an invitation and outlining a busy schedule. 2 items,

Artist and Poet (1845-1915). Two Autograph Letters Signed, 2 pages and one page respectively, 4to, staining and damage especially to 1910 letter, but texts clear. (1904) Crane outlines his understanding of "the terms under which 'The Golden Primer' was produced" based on his co-author's (Meiklejohn) letters - three fifths of the proceeds. He quotes relevant detail from two letters,on of which discusses a cheap edition for schools. "I find a dummy copy of this with a cover design of mine & Blackwood's imprint". He thinks a re-issue in the "original form" a good idea.

Publisher. 2pp., 8vo. He discusses his reading which includes Blunden's "Cricket Country", some done for professional reasons.

Author. Two sides of card used, thanking Wilson for obtaining for him an invitation from John Buchan to be a guest at the National Book Trade Dinner and for the "splendid showing" he arranged for his book (probably "British Agent") at Bumpus's.

Brown boards, gilt, bumped and some staining of edge, contents good. INSCRIBED by author: "With the Authoress's love".

Divine (1809-1874). Total 7pp., 8vo (2) and 12mo (1). One letter (to "Foster") arranging a meeting, another (to "My dear Lady") about a meting, hoping she is recovered from illness ("We have all our ailments - some neuralgia - some palsy; - for my own part I suffer without intermission from the Revised Code". The other (to "Mrs Reeve") has a New Year's Greeting. Three items,

Explorer in Japan. Good signature on pasaper, 3 x 1" approc. With: additional pencil note "Distinguished explorer in Japan made first ascents of many mountains" ascribed on the paper on which the signature is laid sown to "Dr [Howard] Somervell of Mt Everest Expedition" (1953 expedition, Somervelld.1975).

Author. The letters total 5 pages, 8vo. He anticipates the publication of his "Governance of Britain", giving his view of the book. He thanks Shorter for as review (presumably in "The Sphere"), expresses admiration for Mrs Shorter's work (Dora Sigerson), discusses public reaction to his "Vision of India". He is thinking of writing a "Vision of Ireland". Three items,

Agriculturalist (1799-1855). He is pleased that his correspondent's book is making its way (which is "a work of time"). He hopes it will be as useful as his correspondent "could wish".

2pp., 8vo, discussing work in progress and promising to get the MS to "Andre" by Christmas. He will also be "Max O'Relling" (as a participle) a MS sent to him by Mouillet.

Novelist (1860-1914). One page, 8vo. He excuses his delayed response by reference to illness and his travels "over central Europe with a knapsack". He is obviously sending a financial contribution of some sort despite not knowing where his bank account stands. In a postscript he says that he had given Norman an honourable mention in "The Bookman" earlier that year.

Novelist (1867-1945). Two sides of card, 3" x 3". She says he is welcome to her autograph "for what it is worth, to add to [his] distinguished collection. She adds a postscript saying that she has enclosed her signature on a separate piece of paper in case that is what he requires. She points out that she "is not Miss Diver & never was. My husband Colonel Diver, was in the Royal Warwickshire Regt. I am a mother - & a grandmother! My new book "Ships of Youth [A study of marriage in modern India]" was published a week ago". With: separate piece of paper with her signature and a date.

Compiler and educational writer, including "Scientific Dialogues" (1764-1816). One page, 8vo, sl. grubby and frayed but text clear and complete. "I enclose you what I drew up for the M{onthly] Magazine" asking for it to be returned as it is his only copy. He refers to the ill health of Mrs Calder [?], presumably the correspondent's wife to whom he sends good wishes and compliments. In a postscript he says "you will in No. Xii of Nicholson have an article on Will - freedom, by the author of the art.[?]Necessity".

Antiquarian and dramatist (1796-1880), disbound article, [12] pages, in homemade blue wraps, contents partly detached, manuscript title on front "J.R. Planche on a battlepiece in the National Gallery, July. 1878".

Politician and journalist (1831-1912). One page, 8vo, remains for page of album."The Executive of the Radical <?> by me to state that they are not at present disposed to meet the deputation that called upon me on Saturday. . . ". With (conjoined) a copy of the letter his correspondent sent in reply, one page, 8vo, outlining plans for a meeting at the Liberal Control Board and assuming that Labouchere would not "divide the Liberal interest".

Philologist and anthropologist. One page, 8vo. He expresses his appreication of Rost's "portrait" of (the recently deceased) Dr Burnell (Sanskrit scholar). It is a memorial which make sus mourn the more in knowing how much we lost".

Loose leaf, presumably formerly endpaper of book, 8vo, inscribed "For A.J.A. Symons from Holbrook Jackson" with address and date.

Statesman (1761-1830). One page [8vo- sm. folio folded in two]. "Particular engagements" prevent him from dining wiht the friends of "Mr Old Wood(sic)". [Other half of sheet has address and Tierney's frank.] With (laid down): contemporary cuttings from newspaper, obituary of Tierney abd a brief account of Pit and Tierney's duel.

Irish scholar, Hebraist and librarian (1805-1869). Two pages, 8vo. His correspondent's account of a Mr Hamerton leads him to suggest that Hamerton come over (to Trinity) as soon as possible. "It would be a terrible thing if he cannot come to us until June, as we are now in a most serious dilemma. Bradshaw must leave . . . Mr Smith is quite inefficient & we are without hands - so that if Mr Hamerton cannot come to us at once, I see not how we are to go on at all." They could manage his ordination.

Bohemian musician and pianist. One page, 8vo, sl. batterd but the text is unaffected, and clear. "My dear Mr Masson/ Every bottle drawn by your beautiful corkscrew shall be emptied to your good health and that of your sister [presumably Elizabeth Masson, vocalist and teacher, see DNB], and you will both live in our recollection as highly valued and long tried friends. With best thanks . ..... I. Moscheles

Litterateur and Journalist, editor of the "Edinburgh Review" (1813-1895). Four pages, 8vo, foxing, text clear. Reeve has received an article by Tuckwell on "the Literature of the 18th Century . . . Its defect seems to me to be that in title, in spirit, & in substance, it is somewhat too wide & vague - an article more appropriate for an Encyclopaedia than to a Review." He would have preferrd a paper of 20-25 pages on a specific topic such as Latimer's prose. "In writing for the Reviews there is no greater mistake than to embrace too large a field" resulting in a lack of "point".