EXPLORER

[Captain Basil Hall, RN, Scottish explorer and author.] Autograph Note in the third person to 'Mr Dinwiddie', requesting 'a Ticket for the Caledonian Church on Sunday'.

Author: 
Captain Basil Hall (1788-1844), Royal Navy, Scottish explorer and author [William Dinwiddie of the Caledonian Church, London]
Publication details: 
'14 Conduit Street [London] | Wednesday' [no date].
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of stub to inner margin. Reads: 'Captain Basil Hall R.N. presents his Compliments to Mr Dinwiddie, & if he can spare him a Ticket for the Caledonian Church on Sunday next the 4th. July, Captn. Hall will feel particularly obliged to Mr Dinwiddie. | 14 Conduit Street | Wednesday | Captn. Hall will be well contented with a Standing Ticket, should there be the slightest difficulty about another.'

[Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Canadian Arctic explorer, regarded by Roald Amundsen as 'the greatest humbug alive'.] Typed Letter Signed ('V. Stefansson') to English author Clifford Bax; regarding plans for a meeting in New York.

Author: 
Vilhjalmur Stefansson [Vilhjálmur Stefánsson] (1879-1962), Canadian Arctic explorer of Icelandic extraction, ethnologist and archaeologist [Clifford Bax (1886-1962), English author; the Harvard Club]
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, 67 Moreton Street, New York. 25 March, 1935.
£120.00

Stefansson was involved in two disasters: the loss of the Karluk during the Canadian Arctic Expedition 1913–1916 to explore the regions west of Parry Archipelago for the Government of Canada, which he led; and the Wrangel Island fiasco, 1921. 1p., 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He writes to Bax 'c/o Hill & Peters'. The letter begins: 'Just as I am starting on a lecture tour, a letter comes from Marjorie Humphreys saying you are about to arrive and asking that I do something for you.

[ Captain Basil Hall, RN, Scottish explorer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Basil Hall'), praising Florence, describing a view of 'Dom Miguel', and discussing his homesickness.

Author: 
Captain Basil Hall (1788-1844), Scottish explorer and Royal Navy officer
Publication details: 
Florence. 7 September 1834.
£120.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Thirty-five lines of closely-written text. Addressed by Hall on reverse of second leaf to 'Mrs. Stisted | Villa Broderick | Lucca Baths', with note that the letter is 'For[warde]d By Ch[ristophe]]r. Pearson'. He begins by introducing to Mrs Stisted and her husband 'Col.

[ Sherard Osborn, Royal Navy admiral and arctic explorer. ] Part of Autograph Letter Signed ('S Osborn') to 'Dr. Allchin' [ Sir William Henry Allchin ] , regarding a 'consideration' to a woman.

Author: 
Sherard Osborn (1822-1875), Royal Navy admiral and Arctic explorer who searched for Franklin [ Sir William Henry Allchin (1846-1912), physician ]
Publication details: 
33 Charles Square [ London ]. 1 March [ no year ].
£35.00

Written on both sides of the top two-thirds of a 12mo leaf with mourning border, the bottom third having been torn away. In good condition, lightly aged. The recto reads, beneath the address, 'My dear Dr. Allchin | I should be glad if you would come here on Wednesday evening as <...> 1/2 past 4 at [...]'. The reverse reads: '[...] after hearing her own story you can say whether a consideration on Saturday would be advisable | Yours truly | S Osborn | I am progressing steadily [...]'.

[ William Scoresby junior, Arctic explorer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Scoresby') to Edward Magrath, Secretary of the Athenaeum, correcting his address.

Author: 
William Scoresby junior (1789-1857), Arctic explorer, scientist and clergyman
Publication details: 
Torquay. 11 February 1852.
£220.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with small tape stain at head. Reads: 'Dear Sir, | Will you be so good as to have my address registered in the Athenaeum books as above, which is my place of residence & not Whitby - from whence I have just recd. a circular about the payment of a subscription, which I had ordered to be made some days ago.'

[ Freya Stark, explorer and travel writer. ] Three Autograph Cards Signed (all 'Freya Stark') to the crime writer Susan Gilruth, socialising and praising her books.

Author: 
Freya Stark [ Dame Freya Madeline Stark; Mrs Stewart Perowne ] (1893-1993), British explorer and travel writer [ Susan Gilruth [ born Susannah Margaret Hornsby-Wright ], crime writer ]
Publication details: 
9 and 23 February, and 9 March. The first two from 30 Chester Street, SW1 [ London ], the last from Asolo [ Italy ].
£280.00

Three plain postcards (no illustrations), with stamps and postmarks, all addressed to Gilruth (author of seven crime novels punlished between 1951 and 1963) at 7 Reston Place, Hyde Park, London. The three cards in fair condition, aged and worn, with staining to corners from mounting, and two of the signatures only half-legible through fading. In the first she says that she is in London until the end of February, and 'would like so much' to see her again: 'Could you come in for drinks with a few friends on Tuesday Feb 17th?' The second begins: 'Thank you ever so much.

[ Admiral William Parry, Arctic explorer. ] Autograph Note Signed ('W E Parry') to 'Mrs. Martineau' ('Caro' = sister?), explaining why he cannot accept an invitation.

Author: 
William Parry [ Rear Admiral Sir William Edward Parry, RN, FRS ] (1790-1855), Arctic explorer
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£180.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight loss to one corner. Reads: 'My dear Caro | I cannot go, having an engagement at Greenwich - I will answer for you also. | In haste, | but ever yrs, | W E Parry'. Note: A letter from Parry to "Joseph Martineau, brother-in-law" appears in a Parry archive - perhaps Caro was his sister.

[ Louis de Rougemont, 'colonial Munchausen' in Australia. ] Autograph Letter Signed to Sub-Lieutenant Sidney R. Conson, RN.

Author: 
Louis de Rougemont [ born Henri Louis Grin ] (1847-1921), hoaxer, 'colonial Munchausen' claiming adventures in Australia
Publication details: 
13 Bloomsbury Street, London W.C. 19 April 1899.
£180.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition. He thanks him for his 'very kind note', but regrets that 'owing to my being engaged on a lecturing tour for some time to come I am at present unable to fix a date to avail myself of your invitation'. He hopes to be able to do so when 'free from my appointments'. For information on de Rougemont', see B. G. Andrews's entry on him in the Dictionary of Australian Biography. Born in Switzerland, at around the age of sixteen 'he became a footman to the actress Fanny Kemble, touring extensively and learning fluent English.

Autograph Letter Signed to (Charles Edward) Fagan.

Author: 
Arthur Donaldson Smith
Publication details: 
25 January 1895; Barre.
£250.00

American physician and explorer of Africa (1866-1939). The recipient was Assistant Secretary at the Natural History Museum, London. One page, 12mo. Good, on slightly discoloured paper, and with remains of stub still neatly attached to one edge. A significant letter, sent on the eve of Donaldson Smith's most notable expedition. 'Just a line in haste to tell you I & Dodson [a taxidermist engaged for the expedition] are ready to start for Rudolph Gillitt [another taxidermist] having left for England after hearing of his father's death.

Autograph Letter Signed to Dr [Albert] Gunther.

Author: 
Arthur Donaldson Smith
Publication details: 
24 January 1895; Barre.
£150.00

American physician and explorer of Africa (1866-1939). The recipient (1830-1914) was Keeper of the Zoological Department at the British Museum, 1875-95, and Vice-President of the Royal Society, 1875-6. Two pages, 12mo. Very good, on slightly discoloured paper with a little light spotting. Traces of previous mount adhering to one edge. He is sending some 'spirit-specimens' from his collection and has written to Sir William Flower 'as to the disposition of the entire collection'.

Autograph Letter Signed to (Charles Edward) Fagan.

Author: 
Arthur Donaldson Smith
Publication details: 
25 January 1895; Barre.
£250.00

American physician and explorer of Africa (1866-1939). The recipient was Assistant Secretary at the Natural History Museum, London. One page, 12mo. Good, on slightly discoloured paper, and with remains of stub still neatly attached to one edge. A significant letter, sent on the eve of Donaldson Smith's most notable expedition. 'Just a line in haste to tell you I & Dodson [a taxidermist engaged for the expedition] are ready to start for Rudolph Gillitt [another taxidermist] having left for England after hearing of his father's death.

[Alfred Grandidier, explorer] Autograph Note, in third person ("Monsieur Alfred Grandidier présente [...]")

Author: 
Alfred Grandidier (1836–1921), French naturalist and explorer.
Publication details: 
[In another hand, "International Geographical Congress London 1895". 2 August 1895"]
£65.00

One page, 12mo, small closed tear on fold, ow good. "Monsieur Alfred Grandidier présente ses compliments au Secrétaire de Savage Club et accepte avec plaisir l'invitation qui lui a été faite pour demain samedi à 9h1.2 [9.30]."

Autograph Letter Signed ('I. I. Hayes') from the American arctic explorer Isaac Israel Hayes, providing an autograph for the stock broker and journalist John H. Gourtie.

Author: 
Isaac Israel Hayes (1832-1881), American arctic explorer [John H. Gourtie, stock broker and journalist]
Publication details: 
20c East 15th Street, New York. 15 June 1869.
£800.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of mount to blank second leaf of bifolium. Good, firm signature, with flourish. The letter reads 'Dear Sir | I have recd your favour of April last & am glad so easily to oblige you. - | Truly yours | I. I. Hayes'. Gourtie contributed stock exchange reports to the New-York American.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'A Henry Savage Landor') from the traveller Arthur Henry Savage Landor to 'Mr Roper' of Boston [the inventor Sylvester H. Roper?].

Author: 
Arnold Henry Savage Landor (1865-1924), English painter, explorer and writer, born in Florence, discoverer in Tibet of sources of Indus and Brahmaputra rivers [Sylvester H. Roper (1823-96) of Boston]
Publication details: 
First Letter: 'Saturday' [1 December 1888]; on lettherhead of the Somerset Club, Boston. Second Letter: 'Sunday' [6 January 1889]; 2 Walnut Street [Boston].
£165.00

Both items in very good condition, on lightly-aged paper, each with slight trace of paper label at spine. Letter One: 3 pp, 12mo. Docketed at head of first page '1 Dec/88.' and 'The Explorer of Thibet [sic]'. He thanks him 'for the Card of the St Botolph Club' and will try to go there the following day. He has 'so many things to do' that he is not sure he will be able to stay there long. Letter Two: 4 pp, 12mo. Docketed beneath address '6 January 89.', and beneath signature 'The traveller in Thibet [sic]'. Thanking him for the 'note and cheque', and hoping that the sketch arrived safely.

Autograph Note Signed "Richd King", traveller, to unnamed correspondent, [James Wyld, cartographer], applicant for membership of the Ethnological Society

Author: 
Richard King, surgeon, Arctic traveller, later of the Ethnological Society
Publication details: 
[Embossed stamp of the Ethnological Society] 4 Piccadilly, [London], 28 Feb. [no year].
£400.00

One page, 12mo, embossed stamp slightly damaged, some staining but text clear and complete. "I perceive by your card that you were present & I much regret I did not know you. However I find you had some communication with Dr. Hodgkin & I am delighted to hear that we shall have you as a Member. I now return the charts & beg to return my sincere thanks for their use." This letter is from a colelction of letters addressed to James Wyld, cartographer. The Ethnological Society evolved from the Aborigines Protection Society and later evolved into the Royal Antropological Insitute.

Autograph Letter Signed Wm. H. Dall, naturalist and explorer, to Mrs Geo. R. Parks [née Elizabeth Robins, author], 24 Iverna Gardens, Kensington, W [London] about Mrs Pennell and the Yukon.

Author: 
William Healey Dall, American naturalist, a prominent malacologist, and one of the earliest scientific explorers of interior Alaska.
Autograph Letter Signed  Wm. H. Dall, naturalist and explorer
Publication details: 
[Headed] Smithsonian Institution, United States National Museum, Washington, DC, 12 Feb. 1907.
£750.00
Autograph Letter Signed  Wm. H. Dall, naturalist and explorer

ELIZABETH ROBINS TRAVEL WRITER ALASKA YUKON EXPLORER SMITHSONIAN ARCTIC

Autograph Note Signed "S. Passarge" (German geographer) to [E. von Thumen - on envelope].

Author: 
Siegfried Passarge, geographer and geomorphologist known for his studies of southern Africa.
Autograph Note Signed "S. Passarge" (German geographer)
Publication details: 
Metz, 16 Jan. 1900.
£56.00
Autograph Note Signed "S. Passarge" (German geographer)

In German. One page, 12mo, good condition, pencilled biographical note in French at bottom. See Scan on my website for text: http://www.richardfordmanuscripts.co.uk/catalogue

Autograph Letter Signed "Wm Geo. Skyring" to John Ince of the Royal Navy, of Crooms Hill, Greenwich

Author: 
William George Skyring, Naval Officer and surveyor, Captain of HM Surveying VesselS Aetna
Publication details: 
H.M. Surveying Vessel Aetna, 9 Oct. 1833.
£250.00

One page, folio, some tears on fold marks, other minor defects, text clear and complete. "I beg you to let me know by return of Post [phrase underlined] whther you desire to join the Aetna - I heard from Captn. Beaufort this morning that you do - but you have acted with so much indecision that I scarcely know whether to apply or not until more fully assured - For your Mothers sake alone I am perfctly willing to wait an answer - and if you are prepared to join - send me - / Your name at length / Date of original Entry in the Service / Name of last Ship / Rating on her.

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