HEADMASTER

[Harrow School in Georgian times.] Anonymous Manuscript Notebook, containing lists of boys' names under various headings ('Monitors', 'Upper VI' and so on), compiled under headmastership of George Butler.

Author: 
Harrow School in Georgian Times [George Butler (1774-1853), headmaster from 1805 to 1829, and later Dean of Peterborough]
Harrow
Publication details: 
Circa 1818. Harrow School, Middlesex.
£450.00
Harrow

This item is a nice artefact of one of England?s foremost public schools. The great rival of Eton, Harrow numbers among its alumni seven prime ministers, including Churchill. This notebook comprises lists of boys and their positions and classes in a particular term. The paper stock, watermark and handwriting all indicate that its composition is contemporaneous with the schooling of those named. It is the work of one person, almost certainly one of the school?s masters, and its loose and hurried nature indicate that it was intended for personal use, or as an aid in future writing.

[Oscar Alfred Le Beau, Headmaster of the Lower School of John Lyon, Harrow on the Hill.] Inscribed copy of offprint ‘Halley’s Comet. / By / O. A. Le Beau, B.Sc.’

Author: 
O. A. Le Beau, B.Sc. [Oscar Alfred Le Beau (1885-1975), headmaster of the Lower School of John Lyon, Harrow on the Hill, 1926-1951; Halley’s Comet]
Publication details: 
‘Reprinted from the “Beds. Times and Independent,” April 8th, 1910.’
£120.00

Scarce: no copy on ViaLibri, OCLC WorldCat and JISC LHD. Stapled pamphlet. 7pp, 12mo. Unpaginated. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with light spotting and slightly rusted staples. Inscribed at head of cover: ‘With the author’s compliments / O. A. LeBeau’. Drophead title on third page: ‘HALLEY’S COMET. / BY O. A. LE BEAU, B.Sc. / [Mr. Le Beau is an O. B. of the Grammar School, whose Astronomical Notes in our columns some years ago many of our readers will no doubt remember. - ED.]’

[Ackworth School, near Pontefract, Yorkshire, Quaker school founded 1779.] 19 related items, including 13 intimate letters from headmaster Frederick Andrews to Robert Henry Marsh, and four printed items, including a 1929 illustrated account.

Author: 
Ackworth School, near Pontefract, Yorkshire, founded 1779 by Dr John Fothergill for children of Society of Friends (Quakers); Frederick Andrews, headmaster; Robert Henry Marsh; Isaac Henry Wallis
Publication details: 
Andrews’ letters dating from between 1888 and 1900. All on letterheads of Ackworth School, near Pontefract [Yorkshire]. The four printed items between 1899 and 1929, printed in Ackworth, London and York.
£800.00

An interesting collection of material relating to a significant school, including thirteen items of correspondence from a notable headmaster, and four printed items, two of them scarce. Founded by Benjamin Franklin’s friend Dr John Fothergill in 1779 (see his entry in the Oxford DNB), Ackworth is the second-oldest of the seven English Quaker schools. (See Fothergill’s entry in the Oxford DNB. Franklin could ‘hardly conceive that a better man ever existed’.) Originally a co-educational boarding school, it is now a Girls’ boarding and day school.

[Charles John Vaughan, Headmaster of Harrow School and Dean of Llandaff.] Autograph Letter Signed to W. S. De Winton, giving an analysis of the state of affairs regarding ‘Church Reform’.

Author: 
Charles John Vaughan (1816-1897), Headmaster of Harrow School and Dean of Llandaff [Wilfred Seymour De Winton of Haverfordwest; Church of England; Anglican; church reform]
Publication details: 
23 October 1885; Llandaff.
£65.00

Despite Vaughan’s final protestations, a fine analysis of the competing forces around the drive for reform of the Church of England. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The present item is from the papers of the recipient, Wilfred Seymour De Winton (c.1856-1929) of Haverfordwest. 4pp, 12mo. On bifolium with mourning border. Signed ‘C. J. Vaughan’. Thirty-six lines of text. Begins ‘Dear Mr. de Winton, / I am interested by your letter.

[Bedales School, Petersfield, Hants.] Printed illustrated prospectus and three loose insertions: lists of staff and 'Scholarships, etc., gained at the universities and elsewhere', and 'Additional Information for Parents' from headmaster J. H. Badley.

Author: 
Bedales School, Petersfield, Hants [J. H. Badley, Headmaster]
Publication details: 
Bedales School, Petersfield, Hants. Prospectus dated 1932, printed by Childs of Petersfield; list of scholarships for 1929-31; list of staff dated November 1930; 'Additional Information' by Badley, June 1932.
£150.00

The four items in good condition, lightly aged. None of the four found on OCLC WorldCat. The three items loosely inserted in the prospectus each neatly folded once. ONE: Prospectus. [8]pp, 4to. With nine photographs on seven plates on four leaves of shiny art paper. Stapled into brown wraps with title and device of school printed in red ink on cover.

[Benjamin Jowett, Master of Balliol College, Oxford.] Autograph Letter Signed ('B. Jowett') to T. W. Jex-Blake, Headmaster of Rugby School, regarding 'the prosperity' of the school, the regaining of its 'prestige', and the accepting of 'certificates

Author: 
Benjamin Jowett (1817-1893), Master of Balliol College, Oxford, influential tutor and administrator at the University [Thomas William Jex-Blake (1832-1915), Headmaster of Rugby School, Dean of Wells]
Publication details: 
27 September [no year]. Oxford.
£120.00

The 1880 'Balliol Masque' indicates Jowett's standing, and the pronunciation of his name: 'First come I. My name is Jowett. | There's no knowledge but I know it. | I am Master of this College, |What I don't know isn't knowledge.' 2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with fold lines. Begins: 'My dear Jex Blake | I am very glad to hear of the prosperity of Rugby, in which I shall always take a great interest.

[ Charles John Vaughan, Headmaster of Harrow School and Dean of Llandaff. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C. J. Vaughan'), regarding a payment received by him from 'Rustal's Charity'.

Author: 
Charles John Vaughan (1816-1897), Headmaster of Harrow School, Master of the Temple, Dean of Llandaff, President of University College, Cardiff
Publication details: 
Leicester. 15 July 1842.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. With mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. He found the recipient's 'kind letter' on his return home, and thanks him for it and for his 'good offices in procuring me the payment from Rustal's Charity'. He asks him to communicate his best thanks to the Trustees, 'at the next opportunity which may occur'.

[ Edward Meyrick Goulburn, Headmaster of Rugby school and Dean of Norwich. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. Meyrick Goulburn') to Rev. H. J. Beaumont, writing dismissively of 'Church Defence' and 'Parochial Machinery'.

Author: 
E. Meyrick Goulburn [ Edward Meyrick Goulburn ] (1818-1897), Headmaster of Rugby School, Dean of Norwich, Prebendary of St Paul's, religious author [ Rev. H. J. Beaumont ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 21 Sussex Gardens, Hyde Park, W. 27 October 1864.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. He cannot help Beaumont, 'having no time to do so', and being 'disqualified, having never given any attention to the thought of Church Defence'. Regarding 'Parochial Machinery' he writes that he has 'none in my own Parish but the most ordinary and common-place appliances, which (in these days) every body else has'. He is sorry that Beaumont 'should have taken so much trouble to get help, which, if I could give it, would be of the smallest possible value'.

[ Edward Meyrick Goulburn, Headmaster of Rugby school and Dean of Norwich. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. Meyrick Goulburn') to the sculptor Thomas Sharp, declining a statuette of himself, because he is 'not a sufficiently dignified personage'.

Author: 
E. Meyrick Goulburn [ Edward Meyrick Goulburn ] (1818-1897), Headmaster of Rugby School, Dean of Norwich, Prebendary of St Paul's, religious author [ Thomas Sharp (1805-1882), sculptor ]
Publication details: 
No place, 15 October 1862.
£50.00

1p., 12mo. With mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Sharp's gift is 'kind and acceptable', and Goulburn hopes 'soon to call upon Mrs Sharp and yourself and acknowledge your kindness in person'. However he does not consider himself 'a sufficiently dignified personage to be honoured by a Statuette. - Possibly some few members of my congregation might like to have this memorial of me; and if this be so, pray let them have it'. Accompanied by a long manuscript bioigraphical note, on two parts of an envelope, written while Goulburn was still alive.

[ Frederick Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury and Headmaster of Rugby School. ] Autograph Note in the third person to 'Major Macgregor' [ Robert Guthrie Macgregor ], acknowledging receipt of his 'Translations from the Greek Anthology'.

Author: 
Frederick Temple (1821-1902), Archbishop of Canterbury and Headmaster of Rugby School [ Major Robert Guthrie Macgregor (1805-1869) ]
Publication details: 
Rugby. 25 October 1864.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dr. Temple returns his thanks to Major Macgregor for the Greek Anthology received by Post which will be placed in the School Library. Dr Temple is much interested with the little he has been able to see of the Book.' Macgregor's 'Translations from the Greek Anthology' was published without date in London by Nissen and Parker.

[ H. Montagu Butler, ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. Montagu Butler') [ to Major Robert Guthrie Macgregor ], regarding the gift to Harrow of his 'Translations from the Greek Anthology'.

Author: 
Henry Montagu Butler (1833-1918), Headmaster of Harrow School, and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge [ Major Robert Guthrie Macgregor (1805-1869) ]
Publication details: 
Harrow. 28 October 1864.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He thanks him for his 'very kind present to our School Library': 'The "Greek Anthology" will, I need not say, be a most acceptable addition to our treasures.' Guthrie's 'name will duly appear in our annual list of those friends who during the last twelve months have provevd themselves Benfactors to the Library'.

[ Frederic William Farrar, Headmaster of Marlborough College. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('F W Farrar') to 'My dear Duckworth', regarding his visit, and Prince Leopold.

Author: 
F. W. Farrar [ Frederic William Farrar ] (1831-1903), Headmaster of Marlborough College, one of the Cambridge Apostles and friend of Charles Darwin [ Prince Leopold (1853-1884), Duke of Albany ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Lodge, Marlborough College. 26 October 1873.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'My dear Duckworth, | It will be a real pleasure to us to look forward to your visit. As Prince Leopold will be at Osborne, & not at Oxford I think that we had better not invite him. | Mrs Farrar joins me in kind regards, & I am | Sincerely yours | F W Farrar'. Prince Leopold, Queen Victoria's youngest son, was at Christ Church, Oxford, between 1872 and 1876.

[ James John Hornby, Headmaster of Eton College. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. J. Hornby') to Sir Richard Harington regarding the portrait just done of him [ by John Collier ].

Author: 
J. J. Hornby [ James John Hornby ] (1826-1909), Headmaster of Eton College, 1868-1884 [ John Collier (1850-1934), painter ] [ Sir Richard Harington, 11th Baronet (1835-1911) ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Lodge, Eton College. 10 December 1897.
£50.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. The letter concerns a portrait of Hornby described in Lionel Cust's 'Eton College Portraits' (1909, dedicated to Hornby's memory), as being '56 x 45 inches. Painted by the Hon. John COLLIER, 1897. […] Seated figure to the knees, facing the spectator; in black gown and D.D. Hood. | Presented to the College by Old Etonians. (Provost’s Dining Room.)' Responding to Harington's congratulations, Hornby writes that it is 'a great pleasure to have such kind words from an old friend'.

[ Rev. Dr E. R. Humphreys, disgraced headmaster of Cheltenham Grammar School. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. R. Humphreys'), enclosing a certificate and sending his good wishes to the family of a boy who is leaving the school.

Author: 
E. R. Humphreys [ Rev. Dr Edward Rupert Humphreys ] (1820-1893), disgraced headmaster of Cheltenham Grammar School, 1852-1859 [ now Pate's Grammar School ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Cheltenham Grammar School. 28 August 1858.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The recipient is not named. He has sincere pleasure in enclosing the certificate (not present) awarded to the recipient's son, whom he is sorry to lose as a pupil. 'I trust this will, with God's blessing, be but the prelude to an honourable and useful Career. My kind wishes will follow your boy through life, and to yourself also I heartily wish happiness in your new home.' Humphreys is described in the School history as 'a Classical scholar of doubtful repute'.

[ Henry Montagu Butler, Headmast of Harrow School and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'H Montagu Butler'), regarding the presentation to 'our best Greek Scholar' of 'two beautiful volumes'.

Author: 
H. Montagu Butler [ Henry Montagu Butler ] (1833-1918), Headmaster of Harrow School, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge
Publication details: 
Both from Harrow. 2 and 16 June 1870.
£50.00

The two items are addressed to the same individual, who is not named. Both in good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of mount at head of second leaf. ONE: 2 June 1870. 3pp., 12mo. He begins by apologising for the tardy reply which has caused the recipient to write again, saying that he has 'scarcely been able to command a leisure moment'. He hopes that Harrow will be 'more fortunate than last year in securing your presence at our Speeches.

[ Charles John Vaughan, Headmaster of Harrow School. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C J Vaughan') to Lady Russell, explaining that his 'Presentation to Christ's Hospital' has been given away.

Author: 
Charles John Vaughan (1816-1897), Headmaster of Harrow School, Master of the Temple, and Dean of Llandaff [ Frances Russell, Countess Russell [ Lady Russell ] (1815-1898) ]
Publication details: 
On embossed letterhead of the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall [ London ], but with 'Address | Llandaff' written by Vaughan. 23 October 1882.
£50.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with traces of glue from mount at head of first page. He is sorry to say 'that my Presentation to Christ's Hospital has long been given away to the Orphan son of an old Harrow Pupil who died early & left his family ill provided for'. He ends by describing his family's whereabouts.

[ Rev. Robert Whiston, inspiration for Trollope's 'The Warden'. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Robert Whiston') to the Mayor and Corporation of the City of Rochester, regarding an application to make a dock and use a creek in the River Medway.

Author: 
Robert Whiston (1808-1895), Headmaster of Rochester Cathedral Grammar School [ King's School ], 1842 -1877, inspiration for Anthony Trollope's 'The Warden'
Publication details: 
Rochester [ Kent ]; 16 June 1854.
£180.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn. Docketed: 'Application of the Revd. Robt. Whiston to make Dock & use Creek'. Written in a hurried hand.

[ James Augustus Hessey, cleric and educationalist. ] Autograph Testimonial Signed ('J A Hessey, D. C. L. | Archdeacon of Middlesex, | (late) Head Master of Merchant Taylors' School.') to 'the Governors of Bath College', for Rev. Robert Hutchison.

Author: 
J. A. Hessey [ James Augustus Hessey ] (1814-1892), Archdeacon of Middlesex and Headmaster of Merchant Taylors' School [ Rev. R. H. Hutchison of Exeter College, Oxford; Bath College ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 41 Leinster Gardens, Hyde Park, W. [ London ] 12 February 1878.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. An approving testimonial, closely and neatly written over thirty lines, beginning: 'The Rev: Robert Hutchison, M.A. was educated by me at Merchant Taylors' School, and, after having reached the distinguished rank of Fifth Monitor, (or Fifth in the whole School,) was sent up by me to Oxford, and obtained by competition an open Scholarship at Exeter College.

[Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott, headmaster of Eton.] Autograph Letter Signed ('C A Elliott') to J. J. S. Driberg, discussing his son J. H. Driberg's 'Poems', inserted in a copy of the book, inscribed by the author to his mother.

Author: 
Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott (1888-1973), headmaster of Eton; Jack Herbert Driberg (1888-1946), Lecturer in Anthropology, Cambridge University, 1934-42 and brother of Labour MP Tom Driberg (1905-1976)
Publication details: 
Elliott's letter on letterhead of Fernwood, Wimbledon Park, London SW; 17 September [no year]. Driberg's book: London: Frank H. Morland, 16 Park Mansions, Fulham, S.W. 1908.
£220.00

ONE (Elliott's letter): 3pp., 12mo. 34 lines. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper, loosely attached to the title-leaf of the book by a small piece of gummed paper. The letter begins: 'My dear Driberg | I ought to have acknowledged your letter sooner, but I only received it on my return from abroad, and since then I have been busy struggling with the arears which always accrue during absence.' He thanks him for sending his 'son's little volume', which he has read 'with much interest & congratulate him on the neat & modest appearance he has made in print'.

Typed Testimonial Signed ('M. L. Jacks') from Maurice Leonard Jacks, headmaster Mill Hill School, for H. Clarence Whaite, on his application for the post of HM Inspector of Art

Author: 
Maurice Leonard Jacks (1894-1964), headmaster Mill Hill School and Director of Education in Oxford [H. Clarence Whaite (1895-1978), Head of Art Department, University of London Institute of Education]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Mill Hill School, London, NW7. 30 July 1937.
£35.00

Whaite was first cousin twice removed of his more famous namesake. He was himself an excellent artist and teacher, and there is a large collection of his work at the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester. 2pp., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. The testimonial begins: 'Mr. H. C. Whaite has been on my Staff as visiting Art Master since January 1929, and I am very glad to write in support of his application for an Inspectorship of Art. Mr. Whaite has had wide experience of Art teaching, and has done remarkably successful work here with boys of 14 to 18 years of age.

Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'H. Montagu Butler') from Henry Montagu Butler, successively Headmaster of Harrow School and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, declining an interview with [Sydney Walton of] the Morning Post.

Author: 
H. Montagu Butler [Henry Montagu Butler] (1833-1918), headmaster of Harrow School, 1859-85, and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, 1886-1918 [Sydney Walton (1882-1964), publicist]
Publication details: 
Both on letterheads of Trinity College, Cambridge. 7 and 12 May 1913.
£80.00

Each 3pp., 12mo, on bifoliums with the first page headed 'Private'. Both in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper with minor staining from paper clip. Letter One: He hopes he will not 'appear wanting in courtesy to yourself or to the Editor of the Morning Post if I say frankly that I had much rather not have any conversation about my coming birthday, which certain old Harrow pupils and friends propose so kindly to celebrate.' He 'must beg' Walton to 'make allowance for my feeling of reserve on so delicate a matter'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Richd. Morris') from the philologist Rev. Richard Morris, Headmaster of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys, to J. T. Baron of Blackburn, giving publication details of two of his works.

Author: 
Rev. Richard Morris (1833-1894), English philologist, Headmaster of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys, 1875-1888
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys, Wood Green, London. 10 June 1882.
£60.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good on lightly-aged paper. In original envelope, with stamp and postmarks, addressed by Morris to Baron at 18 Griffin Street, Witton, Blackburn. Morris begins by giving details of the availability of his 'Etymology of Local Names' and 'Historical Outlines', before informing Baron (a brazen autograph hunter) that he does not know 'Wm. Morris' Address, but a letter addressed to him & sent to his publisher would be forwarded'.

ALS ('E. Meyrick Goulburn') from Rev. Edward Meyrick Goulburn, Dean of Norwich, to Rev. Dr Adam Sedgwick, FRS, Woodwardian Professor of Geology at Cambridge, regarding improvements to the canonry, and St Catharine's College, Cambridge.

Author: 
Edward Meyrick Goulburn (1818-1897), Dean of Norwich from 1866 to his death, and Headmaster of Rugby, 1849-1857 [Adam Sedgwick (1785-1873); St Catharine's College, Cambridge]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Deanery, Norwich. 9 January 1873.
£220.00

4pp., 12mo. 51 lines of text. Bifolium. On aged paper. The context is explained by the fact that until 1927 one canonry in the cathedral establishment of Norwich was attached to the Mastership of St. Catharine's College. The letter begins: 'I have requested the Master of Catherine [sic] [Charles Kirkby Robinson] to read you two letters from Canon Nisbet, which will show you how very litle prospect there is of our getting permission from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to spend any part of the money gained by our sale of the Barracks in the improvement of our Canonry Houses.

Holograph Latin poem by the Rev. John Keate, Master of Eton College, written while a student at King's College, Cambridge.

Author: 
Rev. John Keate (1773-1852), DD, Headmaster of Eton College [King's College, Cambridge]
Publication details: 
Without date or place [Cambridge. Written between 1791 and 1797.]
£180.00

2pp., 12mo. On a leaf of wove paper with Britannia watermark. In fair condition, on aged paper with slight wear to extremities. In pencil at head 'Rev. J. Keate | Head Master of Eton'. Tipped in at the head is a slip of paper with an entry from a Victorian manuscripts catalogue describing the item, reading: 'KEATE (The Rev. John, D.D.). Head Master of Eton.

Autograph Letter Signed to Canon Knowles

Author: 
Henry Hayman (1823-1904) [Canon Edward Hadarezer Knowles (c.1823-1899); Rugby School; Matthew Holbeche Bloxam]
Publication details: 
3 December 1875; on printed letterhead of the Rectory, Aldingham, Ulverston.
£85.00

12mo, 1 p, 8 lines. With mourning border. Good, on aged paper, with small closed tear at head neatly repaired on reverse with archival tape. Blank second leaf of bifolium stained from previous mounting. Printed as part of the letterhead at top of page are two lines giving Hayman's terms as a private tutor. (Begins 'The Rev. H. HAYMAN, D.D., ex-Head Master of Rugby, prepares Pupils for the Universities, &c.') Hayman writes to say that he has mislaid the letter from the 'Secry Archl Socy [Matthew Holbeche Bloxam (1805-1888), Secretary of the Oxford Architectural Society]'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Joseph Wood') to 'Miss Tapp'.

Author: 
Joseph Wood, headmaster of Harrow School, 1899-1910
Publication details: 
2 May 1905; on letterhead of 'THE HEAD MASTER'S, | HARROW.'
£28.00

12mo: 1 p. Good, with traces of previous mounting on blank reverse. He thanks her for her kind note, and is glad she enjoyed 'our little tour, in spite of wind and weather'. He has sent off her camera, 'carefully packed', and hopes 'it will arrive without injury. This is not promising weather for your cycling project!'

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