LITERATURE

[ Agnes Giberne, British astronomer. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Agnes Giberne'), sending her autograph to 'Mr Case'.

Author: 
Agnes Giberne (1845-1939), prolific British author and astronomer, who helped set up the British Astronomical Association
Publication details: 
Worton House, Eastbourne. 11 June 1902.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Reads: 'Dear Mr Case, | You are most welcome to my Autograph, which I send in signing myself - | Yours faithfully | Agnes Giberne'.

[ Beatrice Coogan, Irish novelist and socialite. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Miss Cond' [ Eileen M. Cond' ], regarding her 'tribute' to her book [ 'The Big Wind' ], her brother in Australia, and Monkstown.

Author: 
Beatrice Coogan (born Beatrice Tole), Irish novelist and socialite, mother of the historian Tim Pat Coogan [ Tudor Hall, Monkstown, County Dublin, Ireland ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Tudor Hall, The Hill, Monkstown, County Dublin, Ireland. ] 15 January 1970.
£35.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged. She thanks her for her 'tribute to my book', adding: 'Fancy you thinking that I lived in Australia! My brother to whom I gave a dedication lives there. I never get further than Monkstown which is part of Dunlaoghaire.' She ends by observing that Cond's letter 'seems to have been a long time travelling'. Beatrice Coogan was the daughter of a policeman, a Dublin socialite who was crowned Dublin's Civic Queen of Beauty in 1927. She was the author of 'The Big Wind', won the Frankfurt Book Fair’s 'Novel of the Year' in 1969.

[ 'Anya Seton', pen name of Ann Seton Chase, American author of historical romances. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Anya Seton | (Mrs. Hamilton Chase)') to 'Miss Cond' [ Eileen M. Cond ]. giving plans for a trip to England, to visit her father's family.

Author: 
'Anya Seton', pen name of Ann Seton Chase (1904-1990), bestselling American author of historical romances
Publication details: 
On her letterhead, Old Greenwich, Connecticut. 14 July 1958
£50.00

2pp., 8vo. 2pp., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged. She begins, after stating that she is returning her bookplate (which she has signed), with details of a forthcoming visit to England, involving a drive 'up North to my father's birthplace', where she will 'stay in Northumberland a fortnight at least, and investigate some of the masses of cousins I have there'. Later she may 'be down your way' (Devon): 'Do you still run the Deer Park?

[ 'Lewis Melville' [ Lewis Saul Benjamin ], Anglo-Jewish author. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Lewis Melville')

Author: 
'Lewis Melville', pen name of Lewis Saul Benjamin (1874-1932), English author, born into a Jewish family
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Playgoers Club, Strand, W.C. [ London ]. 'Please reply | 28 Clifton Gardens | Madia Vale. W' 28 September 1900.
£25.00

1p., 12mo. On grey paper. In fair condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dear Sir, | Will you please give me an appointment on Thursday next when I am in town? | Faithfully yours, | Lewis Melville'.

[ 'Anne Bridge', pseudonym of the novelist Mary Ann Dolling Sanders O'Malley. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Ann Bridge') to her admirer 'Miss Cond' [ Eileen M. Cond ].

Author: 
'Ann Bridge', pseudonym of Mary Ann Dolling Sanders O'Malley (1889-1974), also known as Cottie Sanders, English novelist and friend and biographer of the mountaineer George Mallory
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 27 Charlbury Road, Oxford. 13 February 1970.
£45.00

1p., 4to. She thanks her for her letter, and agrees to inscriber her bookplate. 'I am so glad that you have got "The Malady in Madeira"; I do hope you will enjoy it, especially as you know Madeira.

[ Horace Annesley Vachell, Edwardian novelist and playwright. ] Studio photograph by Swaine's, with autograph signature ('Horace Annesley Vachell.').

Author: 
Horace Vachell [ Horace Annesley Vachell; H. A. Vachell ] (1861-1955), prolific popular author
Publication details: 
Photograph by Swaine of London and Southsea. Undated [ First World War or just after ].
£45.00

Sepia-coloured studio photograph on 19 x 14 cm card. Backed on the reverse with brown paper on which are printed the details of the photographic studio responsible, Swaine's of London and Southsea. The print itself is in good condition, lightly aged and worn; the reverse is heavily-worn with traces of glue from previous mounting. Vachell has written his underlined signature in black ink diagonally upwards at the bottom right-hand corner: 'Horace Annesley Vachell.' This studio photograph of Vachell is not present in the National Portrait Gallery collection.

[ George Saintsbury, literary historian and critic. ] Three Autograph Letters Signed to Sir Courtney Mansel, regarding the receipt of a book and his 'fixed rule' on giving his opinion of unsolicited poetry.

Author: 
George Saintsbury [ George Edward Bateman Saintsbury ] (1845-1933), literary historian and critic [ Sir Courtenay Mansel (1880-1933), Welsh Liberal (later Conservative) politician and poet ]
Publication details: 
One: on letterhead of 2 Eton Terrace, Edinburgh. 15 January 1911. Two: 11 Pulling Street, Bath. 17 March 1912. Three: 1 Royal Crescent, Bath. Postmarked 23 April 1928.
£75.00

The three items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Postage stamp and paper beneath torn from third letter,, resulting in loss of full date All three signed 'George Saintsbury'. Saintsbury's handwriting is difficult to decipher and the following description only gives a phrase from each of the letters. Mansel had pretentions as a poet, and the first two items at least appear to concern volumes which he had sent Saintsbury. ONE (15 January 1911): 2pp., 12mo. Explaining that he has been compelled to 'make it a fixed rule to decline giving <?> opinion on poetry'.

[ Margaret L. Woods, novelist and author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('M. L. Woods.') to 'Mr Sladen' [ i.e. the author Douglas Sladen ], regarding a bereavement, 'Captain Christmas', Horace Annesley Vachell and the publisher John Lane.

Author: 
Margaret L. Woods [ Margaret Louisa Woods, née Bradley ] (1855-1945), novelist and poet [ Douglas Sladen [ Douglas Sladen [ Douglas Brooke Wheelton Sladen ] (1856-1947), author ]
Publication details: 
Southwold. 14 November [ 1914 ].
£90.00

2pp., 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. She condoles with her over her 'sad loss last June. I had no idea of it, or I should have written to express my sympathy at the time. I was so much interested to meet your son, & hear how splendidly he had done.' On receiving Sladen's letter she wrote to her neice Betty Brichenough, and wonders if 'Captain Christmas', i.e. Danish sea captain and author Captain Walter Christmas (1861-1924), has heard from her. Fearing that she has mislaid Christmas's card she asks Sladen to write to him on her behalf.

[ Abraham Hayward, author and barrister. ] Autograph Note Signed ('A. Hayward') to 'Seymour', asking for an 'early copy' of a book to be sent to Lady Herbert.

Author: 
Abraham Hayward (1801-1884), English author and barrister
Publication details: 
8 St. James' Street [ London ]. 29 January [ no year ].
£35.00

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. With neat central vertical and horizontal folds. Reads: 'My dear Seymour | Will you direct an early copy to be sent to Lady Herbert. | Ever truly yours | A. Hayward'.

[ Sir Henry Newbolt, poet. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Newbolt') to 'Simpson' [ Dr Henry Simpson ], giving his reasons for resigning the presidentship of the Poets' Club.

Author: 
Sir Henry Newbolt [ Sir Henry John Newbolt ] (1862-1938), poet [ Henry Simpson (d.1939), founder and president of the Poets' Club, London ]
Publication details: 
No place. 12 October 1919.
£65.00

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He begins by stating his great appreciation of 'the kindness of the Committee – I have had a long and sympathetic experience of the Club and the relationship has been to me a happy one from first to last'. Were he able to 'fulfil the duties of the President's office' he would be 'strongly tempted to accept their generous inviation and stand for re-election.

[ Charles Deemer, American playwright. ] Typescript of unpublished play titled 'Champoeg: The Story of Old Oregon'. With typescript of review of five books on the Oregon Trail.

Author: 
Charles Deemer, American playwright, director and editor, known for his 'Oregon Plays' and adoption of 'Hyperdrama'
Publication details: 
[ Oregon, United States of America. ] Both items undated, but play from 1989, and review c.1992.
£450.00

PLAY: 81pp., 8vo. On one side each of 81 leaves of yellow paper. In good condition, lightly aged, with the first leaf a little dogeared. No cast list or other prelims, but the complete play, and with each page paginated from 1-81. First page headed: 'CHAMPOEG: THE STORY OF OLD OREGON | by Charles Deemer'. An unpublished two-act historical drama, in 35 scenes, covering a thirty-year period, with the first scene titled 'The Return of the Brigade (1829)', and the last 'Statehood (1859)'.

[ William Harrison Ainsworth, historical novelist and friend of Charles Dickens. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Harrison Ainsworth') to his publisher 'Mr. Tinsley', complaining of the delay in forwarding a letter, and of printers Savile & Edwards.

Author: 
W. Harrison Ainsworth [ William Harrison Ainsworth ] (1805-1882), historical novelist and friend of Charles Dickens [ Tinsley Brothers, publishers; Savile & Edwards, London printers ]
Publication details: 
Hill View Lodge, Reigate. 10 March 1874.
£120.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with tissue labels from mount adhering to the blank reverse. Tinsley Brothers of 8 Catherine Street, Strand, were Ainsworth's publishers during this period. The letter begins: 'Dear Mr. Tinsley, | You are quite incorrigible.' Ainsworth complains that Tinsley has sent him a letter, 'delayed since Novr. 11th. last', and that he has 'been obliged to write a long letter of explanation and apology'. He hopes that 'the lady – for the writer is a lady – will be satisfied'.

[ Michael Arlen, English author of Armenian extraction. ] Autograph Signature ('Michael Arlen') on note to the author Sewell Stokes.

Author: 
Michael Arlen [ born Dikran Kouyoumdjian ] (1895-1956), Anglo-American author, born in Bulgaria of Armenian extraction [ Francis Martin Sewell Stokes (1902-1979), author and broadcaster ]
Publication details: 
14 Queen Street, Mayfair [ London ]. October 1924.
£35.00

1p., 4to. The leaf is divided into four panels by a central horizontal crease; Arlen writes on the upper panel of one page, the rest of the leaf being blank. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Arlen writes neatly at the centre of the panel: 'Dear Sewell Stokes | Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. | Yrs. | Michael Arlen.' And at top left: '14 Queen St. | Mayfair. | October, 1924.' At the time of writing the precocious Stokes was an assistant editor at T.P.'s Weekly. 'Pip, Squeak and Wilfred' was a cartoon which ran in the Daily Mirror from 1919 to 1956.

[ Mrs Molesworth, children's writer. ] Autograph Signature ('Louisa Molesworth') on valediction to letter.

Author: 
Mrs Molesworth [ Mary Louisa Molesworth, née Stewart; M. L. S. Molesworth; 'Ennis Graham' ] (1839-1921), English children's writer
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£25.00

On one side of a 2.5 x 11 cm slip of paper, cut from the end of a letter. Reads 'Yours very sincerely | Louisa Molesworth'.

[ Graham Greene, major English novelist. ] Autograph Signature ('Graham Greene') to typed valediction to letter to 'The Lord Iddesleigh'.

Author: 
Graham Greene (1904-1991), major English novelist
Greene
Publication details: 
Date and place not stated.
£120.00
Greene

On 6.5 x 12 cm slip of thin laid paper, cut from the end of a typed letter. Signature in blue ink. In fair condition, lightly aged, with tissue labels from mount adhering to the blank reverse. Reads: '[...] | Yours sincerely, | [Graham Greene] | Graham Greene. | The Lord Iddesleigh, | Pynes, | Exeter.'

[ Dame Edith Sitwell, poet. ] Autograph Signature ('Edith Sitwell') on valediction to a letter, a fragment of which is on the reverse.

Author: 
Edith Sitwell [ Dame Edith Louisa Sitwell ] (1887-1964), English poet and literary critic, with her brothers Sacheverell and Osbert one of 'the Sitwells'
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£30.00

On 8 x 12.5 cm piece of paper, torn from the end of a letter. In fair condition, aged and lightly spotted. On one side of the slip is the conclusion of the letter: '[...] | Yours very sincerely | Edith Sitwell'. On the other side is the following autograph fragment: '[...] kind of you to invite me to your lumcheon party on Tuesday, and I am looking forward to it so much. I have not seen you for [...]'.

[ Bret Harte, American author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Bret Harte') to 'Colonel Colville' [ Col. W. J. Colville ], concerning an 'Inspection' at Clarence House, and 'a sentimental pilgrimage' of 'old London'.

Author: 
Bret Harte [ Francis Bret Harte ] (1836-1902), American short story writer and poet [ Col. William James Colville (1827-1903), Comptroller of the Household of the Duke of Edinburgh ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 15 Upper Hamilton Terrace, N.W. [ London ] 12 June 1890.
£150.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of glue on reverse of blank second leaf. He thanks him for his 'kind remembrance', and undertakes to 'come with much pleasure to Clarence House, a little before the time of Inspection and bring two friends'. The letter concludes: 'Meantime we must not forget that you and I are going to set apart some afternoon to make a sentimental pilgrimage into the Past in some corner of old London!'

[ Robert Southey, Poet Laureate and friend of Wordsworth and Coleridge. ] Autograph Note Signed to the author Andrew Picken agreeing to subscribe 'willingly' to his 'volumes' ('The Black Watch'?).

Author: 
Robert Southey (1774-1843), Romantic poet, friend of Wordsworth and Coleridge, one of the Lake Poets, Poet Laureate [ Andrew Picken (1788-1833), author ]
Southey
Publication details: 
Keswick. 13 March 1833.
£250.00
Southey

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Addressed by Southey on the reverse of the second leaf, which has been overlaid top and bottom with grey paper, 'To | Andrew Picken Esqre | Gothic Cottage | Regents Park East.' The note reads: 'Keswick. 13 March 1833 [year possibly altered in pencil to '1835'] | Sir | I subscribe willingly to your volumes & wish you success with them | I remain Sir | Yr obedt servt | Robert Southey'. Southey is presumably referring to his last work, The Black Watch (1833), which appeared just as he died of a stroke. Suitable for framing.

[ Louis Tracy, writer of fiction who collaborated with M. P. Shiel. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Louis Tracy') to autograph hunter Montague Ball.

Author: 
Louis Tracy [ pseudonyms 'Gordon Holmes' and 'Robert Fraser'] (1863-1928), journalist and writer of fiction who collaborated with fantasy writer M. P. Shiel
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Fairlawn, Whitby, Yorkshire. 23 July 1914.
£50.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He writes: 'Dear Mr Montague Ball: - | I am very pleased to have your kind wishes & appreciation. | Yours very sincerely | Louis Tracy'.

[ Helen Burness Cruickshank, suffragette and Scottish Renaissance poet. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Helen B Cruickshank') to Brian Lambie, curator of the Biggar Museum, granting permission for use of a poem, and discussing other matters.

Author: 
Helen B. Cruickshank [ Helen Burness Cruickshank ] (1886-1975), suffragette and Scottish Renaissance poet [ Brian Lambie (1930-2014) of the Biggar Museum, Lanark ]
Publication details: 
Both on her letterhead, 4 Hillview Terrace, Corstorphine, Edinburgh. 21 September and 22 November 1973.
£200.00

Lambie is the subject of a long obituary in The Scotsman, 21 January 2015. Both items 2pp., 4to. Both in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. ONE: 21 September 1973. She has 'heard good accounts' of the Gladstone Court Museum, and a friend 'now promises me to motor me there some time soon. At 81, I am no longer able to go “under my own steam”'. She agrees to let him use her poem 'Background' in a Christmas card, but would like to see the design before printing.

[ Mary Howitt, author of the poem 'The Spider and the Fly'. ] Her Autograph Signature beneath a quotation, with her seal in red wax.

Author: 
Mary Howitt (1799 -1888), poet, author of the famous poem 'The Spider and the Fly'
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£25.00

On one side of a 12mo leaf. In good condition, lightly aged. Howitt's seal in red wax is at the head, and beneath it, in a firm clear hand, is written: '"The tempest, says , belongs to God's weather." | Mary Howitt'.

[ Mary Cowden Clarke, Shakespeare scholar and author. ] Autograph Signature taken from letter.

Author: 
Mary Cowden Clarke [ Mary Victoria Cowden Clarke, née Novello ] (1809-1898), author and Shakespeare scholar with her husband Charles Cowden Clarke (1787-1877), daughter of Vincent Novello
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£20.00

On 3.5 x 8.5 cm slip of paper, cut from a letter. In good condition, lightly aged, laid down on part of a leaf from an autograph album. Reads: 'faithfully yours | Mary Cowden Clarke'.

[ John Galsworthy, author of the Forsyte Saga, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. ] Printed facsimile of an autograph letter signed, regarding a coming Royal Literary Fund dinner of which he will be chairman.

Author: 
John Galsworthy (1867-1933), novelist and playwright, author of the Forsyte Saga, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature [ The Royal Literary Fund, London ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Royal Literary Fund, Stationers' Hall, Stationers' Hall Court, E.C.4. [ London ] March 1929.
£75.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. A circular appeal for donations and a well-printed facsimile. Galsworthy writes that he is taking the chair at 'the 139th Dinner of the Royal Literary Fund, on May 9th: in the Edward VIIth Room of the Hotel Victoria. | The beneficial work of the Fund must be well known to you; nor is it needful for me to stress the urgent nature of the many appeals that tax its resources to the utmost.

[ Arnold Bennett, English author. ] Typed Note Signed to the ghost story writer Frederick I Cowles, declining to act.

Author: 
Arnold Bennett (1867-1931), English author from the Staffordshire Potteries [ Frederick Ignatius Cowles (1900-1948), English author of supernatural fiction ]
Publication details: 
75 Cadogan Square, S.W.1. [ London ] 5 November 1930.
£65.00

S1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of mount on reverse. Addressed to 'Frederick I. Cowles, Esq., F.R.S.L., F.R.S.A., F.S.A.' Reads: 'Dear Sir, | In reply to your letter, I should have liked to oblige you but it is impossible for me to do so. The matter would require much more time than I have to spare.'

[ Rosamund Lehmann ] Autograph Letter Signed "Rosamund Lehmann" to a "Miss Murray"

Author: 
Rosamond Lehmann (1901-1990), British novelist, associated with the Bloomsbury Group
Publication details: 
[Headed] Llanstephan House, Llyswen, Brecon, 13 August 1939.
£56.00

Three pages, 12mo, good condition."Mrs Lynd's [ Sylvia Lynd, author ] letter about the Femina Committee followed me here where I am spending a few days. The onlky objection I can see to inserting the word 'formerly' before F.V.H. [Femina - Vie Heureuse ] is that the title of the Prize Committee would be even more unwieldy than it already is!- but of course I am in favour of trying to settle the difference between the two French committees, and hope Mrs Lynd will write the letter she suggests in her letter. I must admit that I didn't realize there were two [underlined] French committees."

[ Henry Gally Knight of Firbeck Hall, MP and poetaster lampooned by Lord Byron. ] Autograph Letter to 'Mr Radley' in the third person

Author: 
Henry Gally Knight (1786-1846) of Firbeck Hall, Rotherham, MP, traveller and writer lampooned by Lord Byron
Publication details: 
'Lathorn House | Sept 20. 1839'.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Tipped in onto paper mount. Reads: 'Mr Gally Knight requests Mr Radley to let him have a Room for a few Hours on Monday Morning - He & Mrs Knight purpose to be at Liverpool about twelve oclock & will go to Manchester by the 1/2 p 2 Train. - They wish to have some Luncheon between one & two oclock.' Scott's Ivanhoe is set near to Firbeck Hall, and Knight may have been his source of local information.

[ William Stanley Roscoe, poet. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. S. Roscoe') to an unnamed recipient, regarding an order of '30 more copies', which is 'commensurate to the Scholars' moderate establishment'.

Author: 
William Stanley Roscoe (1782-1843) of Liverpool, poet, son of the historian William Roscoe
Publication details: 
'Liverpool May 2nd. [ no year ]'.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, Laid down on part of a leaf removed from an album. Reads: 'My Dear Sir | My absence from home must plead my excuse in not sooner replying to your obliging note of the 22nd Ulto - | I have desired 30 more Copies to be forwarded to you as you request, & I am sure you will be glad to hear that thro' your kindness, & that of many others who have interested themselves, we are likely to realize a sum commensurate to the Scholars moderate establishment'.

[ Sir Walter Besant, novellist and historian. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Besant.'), headed 'Mem. for Mr Henry Gray' (genealogical bookseller), ordering five books from his catalogue.

Author: 
Sir Walter Besant (1836-1901), novellist and historian largely responsible for the creation of the People's Palace in East London [ Henry Gray of Acton, genealogical bookseller ]
Publication details: 
12 Gayton Crescent, Hampstead. No date.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Begins: 'Mem. for Mr Henry Gray | I have received your Catalogue dated April 25th. | Will you send me, if still in hand, […]'. A list of five works follows, the last four French, including Sarah Scott's Utopian "Millenium Hall", following which Besant writes: 'for wh. I will remit by return post – on receipt.'

[ Thomas Hood, English poet. ] Autograph Note Signed ('T. Hood.'): a joke on the name 'Furlong' and 'A mile of daughters'.

Author: 
Thomas Hood (1799-1845), English poet, author of 'The Song of the Shirt' and 'The Bridge of Sighs', member of John Scott's 'London Magazine' circle
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£35.00

On one side of a 6 x 11.5 cm slip of grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged, with small strip of glue staining along right-hand edge. Reads: 'A mile of daughters - | Family of Furlongs having 8 girls | 8 furlongs = 1 mile. - | T. Hood.' A joke on the surname of the person who requested Hood's autograph, as explained in Walter Jerrold's 'Thomas Hood, his Life and Times' (1907), which states that in 1838 Hood wrote to his friend Wright: '[…] only think of a mile of daughters! There is a family of Furlongs coming to live here, whereof eight are daughters – 8 furlongs = 1 mile.'

[ Henry Gardiner Adams ('Nemo'), juvenile author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H G Adams') to 'Mr J S Lamb' [ regarding contributions to his 'Cyclopaedia of Poetical Quotations' ].

Author: 
H. G. Adams [ Henry Gardiner Adams ] (c.1811-1881) of Kent, druggist and author, writer of juvenile literature under the pseudonym 'Nemo'
Publication details: 
Rochester [ Kent ]. 29 September 1852.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. On bifolium of grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. The letter would appear to be addressed to a contributor to Adams's 'Cyclopaedia of Poetical Quotations' (1853). It begins: 'Sir | I have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt your obliging communications, and in thanking you therefore: the extract on Love I shall endeavour to find room for'. As it is 'a subject on which so many beautiful things have been said', he cannot include everything.

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