HAMPSTEAD

[Lord Roberts of Kandahar, Boer War commander.] Autograph Note Signed giving his vote, on back of printed card soliciting it for Caroline Constance Williams to gain admission to the Soldiers’ Daughter’s Home, Hampstead.

Author: 
Lord Roberts [Frederick Sleigh Roberts; Field Marshal Earl Roberts of Kandahar, V.C.] (1832-1914), Victorian soldier, Boer War commander [Soldiers’ Daughters’ Home, Hampstead]
Publication details: 
Roberts' note: 14 April 1888; 'India'. On printed card of the Soldiers' Daughters' Home, Hampstead.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Written lengthwise on back of 11.5 x 7.5 printed card. The side of the card with Roberts’s autograph is discoloured but in fair condition, but there is slight loss along the inner margin of the printed side, resulting in some loss of text. Roberts’ autograph reads: ‘I give my vote / Fred. Roberts. / India / 14th. April 1888.’ The printed text states that Caroline Constance Williams, aged 8 years, was the daughter of Band-Sergt.

[Agnes Macdonell, English author, pioneering woman journalist and suffragist.] Autograph Letter Signed, asking Mrs Harrison Blair to cast her vote as subscriber to the Government Benevolent Institution in favour of a lady resident of Hampstead.

Author: 
Agnes Macdonell [née Harrison] (c.1840-1925), English author, pioneering woman journalist and suffragist [Government Benevolent Institution]
Publication details: 
11 July [no year]; on letterhead of 24 Stanley Gardens, Hampstead NW [London].
£45.00

3pp, 12mo. On bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Rough pencil floorplan on verso of second leaf. Twenty-eight lines of neatly-written text. Signed ‘Agnes Macdonell.’ She has seen Mrs Blair’s name ‘in the list of subscribers to the Government Benevolent Institution’, and writes a line ‘to beg, if you have not already given your vote and kindly interest to any Candidate - to do this in favour of the poor lady whose card I enclose’ (not present).

[E. V. Knox, editor of Punch, his wife Mary Shepard (illustrator of ‘Mary Poppins’).] Miscellaneous manuscript material, correspondence and ephemera inserted in manuscript appointments diary for 1954, including first page of typed memoir of Knox .

Author: 
E. V. Knox [Edmund George Valpy Knox] (1881-1971, ‘Evoe’), editor of ‘Punch’ 1932-1948, humorist, essayist and poet [his wife Mary Shepard (1909-2000), illustrator of ‘Mary Poppins’]
Publication details: 
Hampstead, London. ‘Boots’ Scribbling Diary’ covers year 1954. Inserted material dated between 1954 and 1976.
£1,500.00

The diary is a 4to, with around 100pp. (a week’s entries on each leaf). In worn and marked printed olive boards with cloth spine; internally good and sound on lightly-aged paper. No ownership inscription, but from the E. V. Knox papers, and with entries in Knox’s hand and that of his wife Mary, illustrator of Mary Poppins, and daughter of ‘Winnie the Pooh’ illustrator Ernest Shepard. The eighteen inserted items, in good overall condition, are described here before the contents of the diary.

[E. V. Knox [Edmund George Valpy Knox] (1881-1971, ‘Evoe’), editor of ‘Punch’.] Two Typed unpublished Talks on Punch, one dealing with the magazine’s place in social history, the other with its politics. With two drafts of the first, one in autograph

Author: 
E. V. Knox [Edmund George Valpy Knox] (1881-1971, ‘Evoe’), editor of ‘Punch’ 1932-1948, humorist, essayist and poet [son of Edmund Abruthnott Knox, brother of Ronald, Dillwyn and Wilfred Knox]
Publication details: 
[Hampstead, London.] 1948 and 1949.
£2,500.00

See Knox’s entry in the Oxford DNB, along with those of his father Edmund Arbuthnott Knox, his brothers Ronald, Dillwyn and Wilfred, his wife the ‘Mary Poppins’ illustrator Mary Shepard (daughter of Ernest Shepard) and his daughter the novelist Penelope Fitzgerald. At the time the present material was composed Knox had been involved with Punch for more than four decades (1904-1948), holding the editorship for the last sixteen, with the magazines circulation rising to a peak of almost 200,000 as he approached his retirement.

[Kenwood House (Iveagh Bequest).] Two printed items: 'London County Council.Order of Proceedings on the occasion of the opening by His Majesty the King [...] of Ken Wood' and 'Preliminary List of Members' of 'Ken Wood Preservation Council'.

Author: 
Kenwood House; Iveagh Bequest; Ken Wood Preservation Society; London County Council
Publication details: 
'Order of Proceedings' printed by the London County Council on '16.7.25', i.e. 16 July 1925. Ken Wood Preservation Society list without place or date (but also 1925).
£150.00

Two printed items, both in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: 'London County Council. Order of Proceedings on the occasion of the opening by His Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen, of Ken Wood, at 3.30 p.m., On Saturday, 18th July, 1925.' Signed in type at end by Clerk of the Council 'Montagu. H. Cox', at 'The County Hall, | Westminster Bridge, S.E.1. | 18th July, 1925.' 7 + [2]pp, 12mo. Stitched pamphlet with one loose leaf. The text begins: 'His Majesty, accompanied by Her Majesty, will leave Buckingham Palace attended by members of the household-in-waiting.

[Eleanor Farjeon, children's writer.] Typed chatty retelling of the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, under the title 'The Simple Facts', and ending 'don't believe a word I say'. Signed by Farjeon 'From E. F.', with her address.

Author: 
Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), noted children's writer, several of whose works were illustrated by Edward Ardizzone
Publication details: 
No date. 20 Perrin's Walk, N.W.3. [London]
£180.00

1p, 4to. Typescript with a couple of minor autograph corrections. Unpublished, but perhaps relating to her 1945 book 'Ariadne and the Bull'. At foot, in Farjeon's autograph: 'From E. F. | 20 Perrin's Walk | N.W.3.' In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with nicking and loss at edges. A chatty and entertaining retelling of the story. As an example of the tone, early on Farjeon writes: 'The Minotaur was a monster with the gigantic body of a man topped by a bull's head; his father was a bull and his mother was Pasiphae, Minos's Queen.

[Charles Bestland (Cantelowe Bestland), Royal Academy Schools artist.] Twelve Regency pencil portraits (for engraving?), middle-class sitters including James Millar, Encyclopaedia Britannica editor; Col. Serle; members of Trenchard family of Dorset.

Author: 
Charles Bestland (Cantelowe or Cantlo Bestland) of the Royal Academy Schools [Col. Serle; James Millar, Encyclopaedia Britannica editor; John Trenchard Pickard of Dorset]
Bestland
Publication details: 
English. The twelve dated in pencil between 1811 and 1829.
£950.00
Bestland

Twelve pencil portraits executed in the same extremely capable style, probably for the purposes of engraving. Each on a separate piece of 4to paper. All in good condition, with light signs of age and wear, a couple with minor flecking with red paint. All dated in pencil (between 1811 and 1829), and all but two captioned. (Several of the items with watermark date supporting the pencil dating.) Three of the portraits have the tiny signature at bottom left of 'Bestland', and all would appear to be the work of the same artist, although the last appears to be signed with the initials 'C H'.

[Dinah Maria Craik ['Mrs. Craik'], novelist and poet, author of 'John Halifax, Gentleman'.] Autograph Note Signed ('D M Mulock') to 'Mrs. Suckling', suggesting a meeting.

Author: 
Dinah Maria Craik [Dinah Maria Mulock; Miss Mulock; Mrs. Craik] (1826-1887), novelist and poet, author of 'John Halifax, Gentleman'
Publication details: 
Wildwood, North End, Hampstead. 14 August 1856.
£45.00

1p, 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with slight damage to blank reverse caused by removal from mount. Reads: 'Dear Mrs. Suckling – if it be you that is C. S. - I can't come into Town – but shall always be glad to see you here.'

[ Turkey and Bulgaria, bibliography. ] Copy of 'The Hampstead Public Libraries | Readers' Guide and Students' Review', featuring 'Special Lists on Turkey and Bulgaria'.

Author: 
The Hampstead Public Libraries (North London), 'Special Lists on Turkey and Bulgaria'
Publication details: 
Vol. I. No. 6. Autumn Number, 1908. Published at the Central Public Library, Finchley Road, NW. [ London ].
£100.00

56pp., 12mo. Stapled. In original printed wraps. Paginated 195-227 and c-cxx, with two pages including an index. In fair condition, aged and worn with rusted staples. Stamped on front cover 'COMPLIMENTARY COPY'. Four-page article on 'The Revolution in Turkey; and the Bulgarian Crisis', pp.195-198, and four-page 'List of Books relating to Turkey and the Young Turks', pp.224-227.

[ The Hampstead Public Libraries. ] First number of the 'Quarterly Guide for Readers.' With perforated ticket.

Author: 
The Hampstead Public Libraries (North London),
Publication details: 
Vol. I. No. 1. November 1895. Printed for the Library Commissioners and published at the Kilburn Branch Library, 46, Priory Road, London, N.W.
£120.00

16pp., 12mo. Stapled pamphlet. In grey printed covers. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with rust to staples and two pinholes through the pamphlet. An interesting Hampstead artefact, and a melancholy reminder of the decline of print culture.

[Alfred Noyes, English poet.] Autograph Card Signed to 'Miss Meugens', granting permission to make a version for the blind of his 'Torch-Bearers'.

Author: 
Alfred Noyes (1880-1958), English poet
Publication details: 
85 Cadogan Gardens, S.W. [London postmark, 8 June 1925.]
£35.00

In good condition, lightly-aged, with thin strip from stub to one edge of address side of card. Message reads: 'It will give me great pleasure for you to copy the 2nd. volume of the Torch-Bearers, as you suggest, for the Blind. | With my best wishes, | Alfred Noyes.'

Seventeenth-century Vellum Manuscript Indenture, a Terrier of John Head's lease lands in West Hendred, Berkshire.

Author: 
[John Head of Langley, Hampstead Norreys, High Sheriff of Berkshire, 1698-1699; terrier his lease lands in West Hendred]
Publication details: 
[West Hendred, Berkshire.] Late seventeenth-century.
£220.00

On one side of a strip of vellum (circa 40 x 18 cm). In fair condition, aged and worn. In English. Scan of part on application

Unpublished youthful autograph poem by Sylvia Lynd [née Sylvia Dryhurst], dealing in a humorous style with the perils of buying footwear in Edwardian Finchley, North London, beginning: 'By some devil surely sent | Sandal hunting off I went'.

Author: 
Sylvia Lynd [née Sylvia Dryhurst] (1888-1952), Anglo-Irish poet, novelist and essayist, wife of the Irish essayist Robert Lynd (1879-1949)
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [London, before 1909.]
£135.00

2pp., 12mo. On bifiolium of ruled paper, with 'HIERATICA' watermark of 'J. S. & Co.' From the Lynd archive, and judging from the handwriting a youthful effort, almost-certainly dating from before Sylvia Dryhurst's marriage to Robert Lynd in 1909. In fair condition, on aged paper. In seven stanzas, the first three giving a taste of an amusing and unusual jeu d'esprit and excellent piece of Edwardian social history: '1) By some devil surely sent | Sandal hunting off I went, | And my footsteps never slowed | Till I reached the Finchley Road. | Chorus: (with fervour) Damn them ! | Damn them !

Autograph Letter Signed from the Irish poet Aubrey de Vere, containing an appreciation of the theologian Richard Holt Hutton, with references to the new edition of his poems, the publishers Macmillan & Co, Baron von Hugel, and the Tennyson family.

Author: 
Aubrey de Vere [Aubrey Thomas de Vere] (1814-1902), Irish poet [Richard Holt Hutton (1826-1897), writer and theologian]
Autograph Letter Signed from the Irish poet Aubrey de Vere
Publication details: 
August 1895; on letterhead of the Athenaeum, Pall Mall, London.
£130.00
Autograph Letter Signed from the Irish poet Aubrey de Vere

16mo, 4 pp. 64 lines. Text clear and complete. Hutton was a friend of both de Vere and his correspondent, and 'this will always remain a link between us; for no one who ever knew him can forget him; & no one who remembers him can ever cease to honour him'.

Two Typed Letters Signed (both 'Mary Stocks') from Mary Stocks, Principal of Westfield College (later Lady Stocks), to the educationist Thomas Lloyd Humberstone.

Author: 
Mary Stocks [Mary Danvers Stocks; Lady Stocks], Baronness Stocks (1891-1975), Principal of Westfield College [Thomas Lloyd Humberstone (1876-1957), educationist]
Publication details: 
26 June 1945 and 16 January 1946; both on letterheads of Westfield College, Hampstead.
£56.00

Both items 12mo, 1 p, and both in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of mount on reverses. Letter One. Thanking him for his 'publication on the public school system, and for the other larger work'. Letter Two: She is in 'complete sympathy' with Humberstone's resolution, and would have wanted to second it, 'but I dare not undertake to do so', due to a clash of engagements. Humberstone 'had better make sure of a more reliable seconder'.

Four Typed Letters Signed and two Autograph Cards Signed from the Hampstead poet Frederick Grubb (one in full, four 'Fredk G' and one 'Comrade G') to the critic Derek Stanford, including a virulent attack, and with two other items signed by Grubb.

Author: 
Fred Grubb [Frederick Grubb] (born 1930), English poet [Derek Stanford (1918-2008), English writer; 1960s Hampstead coterie]
Fred Grubb [Frederick Grubb] (born 1930), English poet
Publication details: 
1973 and 1974; most from 243 Haverstock Hill, Hampstead.
£320.00
Fred Grubb [Frederick Grubb] (born 1930), English poet

All items clear and complete, on aged paper. Letters totaling: 4to, 1 p; landscape 8vo, 5 pp. The two cards carry long messages, written in red ink in Grubb's close, neat hand; one is standard size, the other 27 x 13.5 cm. Five envelopes are stapled to their letters. Grubb ('one of the last survivors of the famous 1960s Hampstead coterie of writers, actors and critics') writes entertainingly in an emphatic, energetic manner marvellously evocative of the 1970s London literary scene.

Autograph Signature of the writer and suffragette Beatrice Harraden, on her letterhead.

Author: 
Beatrice Harraden (1864-1936), British writer and suffragette
Writer and suffragette Beatrice Harraden
Publication details: 
Undated. On letterhead of 5, Cannon Place, Hampstead Heath, N.W.
£23.00
Writer and suffragette Beatrice Harraden

12mo, 1 p. Fair, on aged paper, with central horizontal crease, and traces of mount adhering to reverse. In response to a request for an autograph Harraden has signed, neatly in the centre of the page, 'Your truly | [signed] Beatrice Harraden'. The signature is underlined.

Prospectus and 'Form of Application' for shares in the Metropolitan Electric Tramways, Limited.

Author: 
The Metropolitan Electric Tramways, Limited. [London Transport]
Publication details: 
March 1904. William Brown & Co. Limited, Printers, &c., London, E.C.
£56.00

The prospectus is a four-page bifolium. Dimensions of leaf roughly 38.5 x 24 cm. Aged, creased and worn, and with slight loss to spine and with a panel in the second leaf worn through, resulting in loss of some of text. The prospectus is addressed by hand to 'Eton College Wilds Estate'. The 'form of application' is printed in green on one side of a leaf roughly 34 x 20.5 cm. It is in better condition than the prospectus, lightly creased and aged, and complete with a perforated 'Banker's Receipt'. Note: The Wilds Estate provided the land for Hampstead Garden Suburb and the Heath.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Robert Cust') to Horace Bleackley (1868-1931).

Author: 
Robert Cust [Robert Henry Hobart Cust] (1861-1940), English art critic, an authority on the renaissance [Horace Bleackley; John Wilkes]
Publication details: 
12 October [no year]; on letterhead of Vernon House, Lyndhouse Road, Hampstead.
£28.00

12mo, 4 pp. Good, on lightly aged paper, but with a thin strip along the outer edge of the second leaf of the bifolium with glue staining from previous mounting, and a 3.5 x 0.5 piece missing at head causing damage to one word ('hers'). Otherwise text clear and entire. Cust's aunt has informed him 'that she has at present in her possession in London all the papers belonging to Sir John Cust that remain'. She does not however think that they contain much about Wilkes.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Carl Haag') to Mrs Grant Morris.

Author: 
Johann Carl Haag (1820-1915), Bavarian watercolour painter who settled in England and became a leading orientalist
Publication details: 
7 November 1884; on letterhead of Ida Villa, Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead, London N.W.
£38.00

8vo, 1 p, 8 lines. Folded twice. Good, on lightly discoloured paper. Informing the Morrises of 'our safe arrival', and thanking them for 'the very amiable hospitality we have enjoyed'. 'Mrs. Haag in this moment feels a little the fatigue of the journey but will ere long use a leisure hour to write to you.'

For sale by order of the trustees of the will. Hampstead Heath. The well-known Freehold Estate of the late Sir Spencer Wells, Bart., a perfect Country Seat within five miles of Charing Cross. [...] known as Golder's Hill.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Spencer Wells [Hampstead Heath; Golder's Hill House; London topography]
Publication details: 
For Sale by Auction by Messrs. Debenham, Tewson, Farmer and Bridgewater | At the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard, near the Bank of England, in the City of London. On Tuesday, the 28th day of June, 1898.
£100.00

Two unbound bifoliums stapled together. Eight pages, on four leaves each roughly seventeen inches by eleven wide. A corrected proof, stamped at head of first page 'PROOF NO.' A frail survival of a significant document in London topographical history. Aged and worn, with several closed tears. A few manuscript emendations, notes and additions in different hands. For example, concerning a right of way, 'Messrs. Debenham can ascertain this from Mr. Pinder Simpson 20 Old Burlington St. W. the Collector'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Locker.

Author: 
Mrs Elizabeth Charles [nee Rundle] (1828-1896), English author
Publication details: 
Thursday | Combe Edge | Hampstead Heath'.
£28.00

Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with some light glue stains on reverse, to which a small printed strip giving a printed list of Mrs Charles's works is attached. 'I was hoping to hear your boy was better - & I am very glad he is - thanks - but I am engaged on Thursday, & for some little time to come - so many people from all quarters coming just now & I hope you may be able to come & see me before very long'. Signed 'Bettie Charles'.

Autograph Letter Signed to [?] Bradfield.

Author: 
Alfred Ainger
Publication details: 
11 June 1879; 2 Upper Terrace, Hampstead.
£28.00

English writer, humorist and divine (1837-1904). Four pages, 12mo. Very good, though a tad grubby, and with traces of previous mounting on verso of second leaf of bifoliate. He is late in replying because he has been bringing his invalid niece back from Derbyshire to Hampstead. Touches on her illness and on the the disposal of furniture. '[...] but I am now "what is more, a householder" (Dogberry), & monarch of all I survey [...] I should have liked to visit you at Roseleigh. Well, well, it must stand over, like many another pleasant scheme. But do come again to London soon.

Signed Conveyance, with two coloured plans, of "Jesmondene", Lithos Road, Hampstead, and nos 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 High Road, Willesden, to Frederick Flood.

Author: 
Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke and William Francis Hadgate
Publication details: 
26/04/97
£75.00

Dilke, the 2nd Baronet (1843-1911), was a disgraced politician and author. Engrossed in black ink on two large pieces of vellum. Ruled with red lines. Two-part schedule. Signed by Dilke and Hadgate to the left of two out of three red-wax seals on green ribbon at foot of document. Second sheet an indenture by Cartwright & Vintner of 51 Bedford Row, with two plans coloured in green, pink, orange and red, bearing stamps to the value of £22 15s. 0d. Witnessed on reverse of indenture, which also bears a memorandum of 16 March 1906.

Autograph Note Signed.

Author: 
Henrietta Barnett
Publication details: 
[1913]
£45.00

Social reformer, founder of Hampstead Garden Suburb (1851-1936)(DNB).ANS, on a scrap of packing paper, saying “Given to Ernest Aves[?] inever grateful memory of all he did to and for me. June 17th-21st 1913.Henrietta Barnet”. Her husband, Samuel A. Barnet, has signed another part.

Manuscript poem signed

Author: 
C.E. Maurice
Publication details: 
No date.
£45.00

Philanthropist and author (of the Life of Octavia Hill). One page taken from an album. On the page for his birthday (29 June) Maurice has written out part of Tennyson's "Oenone" (commencing "Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control"). Maurice involved himself in many causes, including the preservation of Parliament Hill Fields, Bulgaria when devastated, Boer women and children, Georgian independence, etc., etc. (With offprint of his obituary from the Ham and High.)

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