LONDON

[Anne Manning, Victorian novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed to her 'cousin and friend' 'Mr. Maleson', regarding his efforts to obtain a Civil List pension for her.

Author: 
Anne Manning (1807-1879), Victorian novelist [Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co., London publishers]
Publication details: 
Reigate Hill, Surrey. 18 July 1872.
£80.00

2pp., 12mo. 25 lines of text. In fair conditon, on aged and worn paper. Her sister Frances is 'overjoyed at your benevolent efforts for me', and 'Mr Arthur Hall is very glad indeed to hear what you are trying to do, and is quite ready if you and I approve to send a set of my books, with a notification to Mr Gladstone, and also of privately interesting the Archbishop, who will, he has no doubt send an autograph letter privately to the Prirme Minister'. The letter ends with a prayer for her 'kind friends', concluding 'The Lord will provide'.

[The eighteenth-century London print trade.] Autograph Receipt Signed ('Robt. Dunkarton') from engraver Robert Dunkarton to the printseller John Boydell.

Author: 
Robert Dunkarton, (c.1744–1811 or 1817), English engraver and portrait painter [John Boydell (1720-1804), printseller and Lord Mayor of London]
Publication details: 
[London.] 23 August 1783.
£90.00

On 4 x 14.5 cm slip of paper. In fair condition, placed in a windowpane frame, on leaf removed from album. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in creased mount. Reads: 'Augst. 23: 1783 Recd. of Mr Boydell Twelve Pound's [sic] on Account | Robt. Dunkarton | £12: 0: 0'. On the reverse is a receipt signed by a 'Jno Harley'. For more information about Dunkarton and Boydell, see their entries in the Oxford DNB.

[Lottie Venne, Edwardian actress and comedienne.] Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male recipient, describing her painful separation from her husband Walter H. Fisher of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Author: 
Lottie Venne (1852-1928), English actress and comedienne, wife of Walter H. Fisher [Walter Henry Fisher], singer with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 5 Norfolk Road, St John's Wood, NW [London]. 18 July 1910.
£35.00

2pp., 8vo. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. She begins by asking whether the recipient is 'the same gentleman who wrote to me from Bournemouth', and to whom she replied that she was 'unable to give the information required, for many years before my husband's death we were seperated [sic]'. She explains that when Fisher was not 'travelling about in the Country he lived with his Father I believe, who has now been dead some years. The whole thing was very tragic and painful, & I shall feel obliged to you not writing to me again on the subject'.

[George Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford.] Autograph Letter in the third person, expressing a desire to join 'Mr. Hudson' of the College of Physicians as he canvasses in Lynn in favour of Thomas Walpole. With manuscript draft of letter (by Hudson?).

Author: 
George Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford (1730-1791) [Hudson; College of Physicians, Warwick Lane; Thomas Walpole (1727-1803), MP for Lynn, 1768-1780]
Publication details: 
[Regarding Lynn, Norfolk., and the College of Physicians, Warwick Lane, London.] Neither Walpole's letter nor the draft [of Hudson's] dated. [At the General Election of either 1768 or 1774.]
£120.00

The letter and draft each on one side of the same piece of 8vo paper. In good condition, aged and worn, with a short closed tear along one fold line.

[Alfred Legoyt, French statician.] Photographic studio portrait by J. M. Mackie, taken at the International Statistical Congress, London, 1860. With printed financial appeal for his family, headed 'French Statists' Fund'.

Author: 
Alfred Legoyt (1812-1885), French statistician who organised the census of France in 1856, 1861 and 1866 [J. M. Mackie, photographer; the Registrar General's Office, London]
Publication details: 
Photograph by J. M. Mackie, taken at the 'International Statistical Congress, London, 1860'. Printed handbill from the Registrar General's Office, Somerset House, W.C. [London] March 1871.
£280.00

Both items in good condition, on lightly worn and aged paper. ONE: Photograph. Roughly 12 x 9 cm, with upper corners rounded. Laid down on piece of 22 x 16.5 cm brown paper with printed caption 'INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL CONGRESS, | LONDON, 1860'. The paper backing is in turn laid down on a piece of white 23.5 x 17 cm paper. The photograph depicts a keen-eyed and bewhiskered Legoyt, seated uncompromisingly on a chair, with arms folded. TWO: Printed Appeal. 1p., 12mo. On bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'F Hendricks Esqre. | 1 King William Street | E6'.

[Georgian London.] Two lithographic engravings: companion pieces both headed 'Casualties of London Street Walking', and titled 'A Faint Impression' and 'A Strong Impression', showing the fine clothes of fashionable figures sullied by street hawkers.

Author: 
S. & J. Fuller, printsellers, 34 Rathbone Place, London [English social history; Georgian fashion; Regency London]
Publication details: 
Both engravings published on 2 October 1826 by S. & J. Fuller, 34 Rathbone Place, London.
£240.00

The two engravings in good condition, with light signs of age, and with 'A Faint Impression' with some offsetting in light pink (not entirely displeasing). Both headed above the image 'Casualties of London Street Walking', with the title and publication details below the image. ONE: 'A Faint Impression.' Dimensions: image, 23.5 x 18.5 cm; plate, 27 x 20 cm; paper, 29 x 22 cm.

[Offprint of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, London.] Franco-American and Franco-British Relations. (Paper read on June 15th, 1926.)

Author: 
M. André Siegfried [The Royal Institute of International Affairs, London]
Publication details: 
'Reprinted from "Journal of Royal Institute of International Affairs," September 1926.'
£280.00

14pp., 8vo, paginated 225-238. Stitched pamphlet in grey printed wraps. Somewhat worn and aged, with pin hole passing through the pamphlet at head. Siegried's aim is to 'study as frankly as possible the spirit of Franco-American relations. Then - and this might look bold, as I am speaking to a British audience - I will try to analyse what I think is the spirit of Anglo-American relations.

A complete run of the 14 numbers of 'Cinema Studies The Journal of the Society for Film History Research'.

Author: 
Neville March Hunnings and John Gillett, editor [The Society for Film History Research, London]
Publication details: 
The Society for Film History Research, London. Between March 1960 and September 1967 (all published).
£450.00

[8] + 344 + [7]pp., 12mo, and four pages of plates (vol.2, no.2). Fourteen issues, loose, with volume 1 (issues 1-9) continuously paginated to 244; and volume 2 (issues 1-5) paginated to 90; with the volume's separate prelims (8pp.) and index (7pp.) ready for binding up. Two identical fliers for the society (giving its 'Purpose') loosely inserted. The collection is in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, but with rusted staples to all volumes. Hunnings and Gillett are named as editors of the first four volumes, thereafter Hunnings alone.

[Sir Robert Graham, merchant banker.] Two letters from the firm of Sir Robert Graham & Co to an unnamed recipient, the first regarding a dishonoured draft and the second on the payment of two approaching bills.

Author: 
Sir Robert Graham, merchant banker [Sir Robert Graham & Co., 2 Walbrook, City of London]
Publication details: 
[Sir Robert Graham & Co., 2 Walbrook, City of London.] Both from London, the first dated 30 March 1829, and the second 28 April 1829.
£45.00

Both items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Both 1p., 4to, and both signed 'Robert Graham & Co.' ONE (30 March 1829): Docketed on reverse: 'Letter from Sir R Graham respg Hunts Bill'. They have already informed him that his 'draft on Hunt of £20 was dishonoured & noted for nonpayment', and now 'have now to intimate that your draft on Foreman for the same amount has met the same fate'. Consequently they request a remittance. TWO (28 April 1829): They are 'rather surprised' that they have received no reply to their letter of 14 April.

[Richard Bentley, publisher.] Two copies (one proof) of his pamphlet 'Death of the Broad Gauge', describing a Great Western Railway journey during the switch to Narrow Gauge, in a series of letters to his father George Bentley. With printed envelope.

Author: 
Richard Bentley the younger (1854-1936), member of celebrated firm of London publishers, son of George Bentley (1828-1895) and grandson of Richard Bentley (1794-1871) [Great Western Railway]
Publication details: 
[Privately printed for Richard Bentley the younger, of Richard Bentley & Son, New Burlington Street, London. 1892 and 1893.]
£320.00

All three items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Untitled proof, with 'Proof 6.12.92 [i.e. 6 December 1992]' in manuscript at foot of first page. 20pp., 8vo. Unbound and unstitched. Two manuscript corrections, and two indications of where maps are to be placed. The first letter is written from 'Dawlish, S. Devon, | May 20, 1892', and the last from 'Clifton, | May 31, 1892'. A passage, on pp.5-8, is under the heading 'The End of the Broad Gauge', the first paragraph reading: 'On Thursday the men arrived from all parts of the G.W.

'The Chinese Bridge & Pagoda, | Erected in the Park, in commemoration of the Glorious Peace of 1814.' [Handcoloured engraving by John Heaviside Clark from Matthew Dubourg.]

Author: 
Matthew Dubourg (fl.1786-1838), artist; John Heaviside Clark (c.1771-1836), Scottish engraver; Edward Orme (1775-1848), London printseller [Chinese bridge and pagoda, St James's Park, London, 1814]
Publication details: 
'Published and Sold Augt. 12th. 1814, by EDWD. ORME, Publisher to his Majesty and H.R.H. the Prince Regent, Bond Street (corner of Brook Str.) London.'
£45.00

In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with discoloration to the reverse showing through slightly at corners. Dimensions: paper 23 x 32 cm; plate 20 x 30 cm; image 15 x 23 cm.

[Printed item.] A Catalogue of Books by or relating to Dr Johnson & Members of his Circle offered for Sale by Elkin Mathews, Ltd. With an Introduction by John Drinkwater.

Author: 
John Drinkwater; Elkin Mathews, Ltd., London booksellers [A. W. Evans; Edward Gathorne-Hardy (1901-1978); Dr Samuel Johnson; Johnsoniana]
Publication details: 
London: Elkin Mathews, Ltd. 4a Cork Street, W.1. 1925. [Cambridge: Printed in Great Britain by Walter Lewis at the University Press.]
£180.00

vi + 110 + [1]pp., 8vo. Frontispiece. In grey printed wraps. Nicely printed. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with minor damp staining to corners. The firm's fifth catalogue, compiled by partners Evans and Gathorne-Hardy.

[Thomas John Dibdin, playwright.] Autograph Letter Signed ('T Dibdin') to the Pall Mall bookseller Clement Chapple, regarding terms for his 'New Opera'. With Signed Autograph Copy of Chapple's reply on reverse.

Author: 
Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841), playwright and actor [Clement Chapple (d.1835), bookseller and publisher in Pall Mall, London]
Publication details: 
Dibdin's letter: place not stated; 'Sep 11 - mn' [dated in pencil in another hand '1824']. Copy of Chapple's reply: 'Pall Mall [London] Sep 12'.
£280.00

Dibdin's letter: 1p., 12mo. On bifolium, with the Signed Autograph Copy of Chapple's reply (also 1p., 12mo) on the reverse of the same leaf. Reverse of second leaf addressed to 'C. Chapple Esq', with a nineteenth-century shelfmark at the foot of the page: 'C.68.Coll.CR.' In fair condtion, on aged paper.

[John Rudge Harding, actor.] Fifteen Autograph Letters Signed ('J. Rudge Harding' and 'Rudge') to actor 'Anmer Hall' [Alderson Burrell Horne]

Author: 
John Rudge Harding (1862-1932), English actor [Alderson Burrell Horne ['Anmer Hall'] (1863-1953), actor-manager and owner of the Westminster Theatre]
Publication details: 
Most from 34 Elm Park Mansions, Park Walk, Chelsea. Three on letterheads of the British Red Cross Society, 83 Pall Mall. Two on letterhead of the Green Room Club, 49 Leicester Square. Undated (one from 1917 and the rest from around the same time).
£350.00

The fifteen items are in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Totalling 19pp., 12mo; 4pp., 8vo; 1p., 4to. Eleven signed 'Rudge', three 'J. Rudge Harding', and one 'J. Rudge H.' Ten addressed to 'My dear Alderson', four to 'My dear Horne', and one to 'My dear Alderson Horne'. A friendly, chatty correspondence.

[James Henry Savory, photographer and caver.] Typed Letter Signed ('James H. Savory') to 'Mr. Langsford', regarding E. W. Savory's collection of Italian 'ancient Marbles', with a manuscript article on the same subject by 'Caleb White'.

Author: 
James Henry Savory (1889-1962), professional photogapher and caver [Caleb White; E. W. Savory Ltd, Bristol printers and publishers; John A. Marshall, architect; Westminster Cathedral]
Publication details: 
Letter on letterhead of Park Row Studios, Bristol. 15 November 1910. Manuscript on 'Ancient Marbles' dated July 1910.
£135.00

ONE: Savory's letter. 1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. He begins by stating that he has 'now heard that the whole of the specimens which have been prepared are at Messrs Arthur Lee & Bros., Hayes. As I told you before Mr. John A.

Elizabethan manuscript vellum bond of Robert Mote of Lambeth Surrey yeoman to William Evans citizen and merchant tailor of London, concerning a messuage in the Parish of St Saviour's Southwark.

Author: 
[Robert Mote of Lambeth; William Evans, citizen of London and merchant tailor]
Publication details: 
[London.] 3 June 22 Eliz. [1580].
£300.00

On one side of a small skin of vellum (circa 28 x 29 cm). In fair condition, aged and worn. In English, with signed Latin note on reverse by a notary public. Boundaries given. Scan on application.

[Lichfield House, Richmond upon Thames.] Nine indentures, deeds, and other property documents, including one signed by novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon and her son, another by her husband William Babbington Maxwell, and one by Sir Henry George Norris.

Author: 
Lichfield House, Richmond upon Thames, owned by novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon [Mrs Maxwell] (1835-1915), Sir Henry George Norris (1865-1934), MP, Henry Lascelles (1690-1753), MP and slave owner
Publication details: 
[Relating to Lichfield House, Sheen Road, Richmond upon Thames.] London; between 1914 and 1933.
£250.00

Lascelles bought Lichfield House in 1729, and committed suicide there in 1753. The enormous success of Braddon's novels 'Lady Audley's Secret' (1862) and 'Aurora Floyd' (1863) allowed her to buy Lichfield House, where she too died. It was demolished in the 1930s. ONE: Manuscript indenture on vellum. 'Mrs. M. E. Maxwell to G. M. Maxwell Esq | Conveyance of freehold property known as "The Homestead" Sheen Road Richmond Surrey'. 10 June 1914. 4pp., 8vo, with covering page. Laid out in usual fashion, bound with green ribbon with tax stamps, Land Registry stamp, and two seals in red wax.

[Charles Stewart Parnell and the Parnell Commission.] Offprint from The Times: 'Parnellism and Crime. | Facsimile Page from the "Irish World." | Reprinted from The Times of June 7, 1887.

Author: 
[Sir Robert Anderson; The Times of London; Charles Stewart Parnell; The Parnell Commission; Patrick Ford; Patrick Egan; Irish Land League]
Publication details: 
London: Printed and published by George Edward Wright, at The Times office, Printing-House Square. 1887.
£180.00

For the context of this item see Parnell's entry in the Oxford DNB, and T. W. Moody's study 'The Times versus Parnell and Co., 1887-90' (in 'Historical Studies VI', ed. Moody; London: RKP, 1968). Moody notes that the first three Times articles (7, 10 and 14 March) 'were quickly reprinted in pamphlet form (price one penny)', but makes no mention of the present item. On both sides of single 60.5 x 47.5 cm leaf (on wove paper with 1887 watermark of 'The Times Taverham Mill'). Folded four times to make a packet with 15 x 12 cm title, which reads in full: 'Parnellism and Crime.

[The Royal Society.] Four printed documents relating to the 289th Anniversary Dinner at the Dorchester Hotel, London: Copies of speeches by the President, Professor E. D. Adrian, and Viscount Portal of Hungerford; Menu; and 'Plan of Tables'.

Author: 
The Royal Society, London [289th Anniversary Dinner, Dorchester Hotel, London]; Professor Edgar Douglas Adrian, 1st Baron Adrian, Nobel Prize winner; Charles Portal, 1st Viscount Portal of Hungerford
Publication details: 
[The Royal Society, London.] Dinner held on St Andrew's Day [30 November] 1951, at the Dorchester Hotel, London. 'Plan of Tables' printed by Headley Brothers Ltd, 109 Kingsway, London, WC2, and Ashford, Kent.
£80.00

The four items in good condition, lightly-aged. ONE: 'The Royal Society | Speech of the President, Professor E. D. Adrian, O.M., at the Anniversary Dinner, Dorchester Hotel, on 30 November 1951.' Duplicated typescript. 5pp., short 8vo. On five leaves stapled together. TWO: 'The Royal Society | Speech by the Viscount Portal of Hungerford at the Anniversary Dinner on 30 November 1951'. 6pp., long 8vo. Duplicated typescript. On six leaves stapled together. THREE: Cover reads: 'The Royal Society | Professor E. D. Adrian, O.M. | President | Anniversary Dinner | Dorchester Hotel | St.

[Rev. Dr Henry Christmas.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Christmas') to Arthur Hall, discussing the plan of a magazine, with the names of contributors and sub-editors of sections, for a prospectus, and describing a section of 'Lyra Evangelica'.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Henry Christmas [Noel-Fearn] (1811-1868), editor and numismatist [Arthur Hall, London publisher [Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co., Paternoster Row]
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£90.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and unevenly-sunned paper. He begins by giving six numbered points which 'will do for the Introduction' to a prospectus for a magazine. The first reads: 'The biographical & archaeological portion of the Magazine will be placed under the superintendance of the Revd Professor Christmas, M.A.

[Philip Augustus Hanrott, book collector.] Autograph Note Signed ('P. A. Hanrott.') to an unnamed recipient, subscribing to 'the work mentioned in the Prospectus'.

Author: 
Philip Augustus Hanrott (1776-1856), English book collector
Publication details: 
Great Ormond Street [London]. 29 August 1829.
£75.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Hanrott writes that he has received the recipient's letter on his 'return to Town', and that he will be pleased to subscribe 'to the work mentioned in the Prospectus you inclosed to me, & should wish to have a large Paper Copy'. He hopes that 'it may meet with that liberal encouragement, which it's [sic] importance & usefullness [sic] deserves'. He concludes in the hope that 'it is to be conducted under your auspices'.

[G. A. Aitken, editor.] Autograph Letter Signed and Autograph Note Signed to the London publishers George Routledge & Sons, correcting a proof and discussing a reprint of his edition of the 'Spectator', with copy of a typed reply from the firm.

Author: 
G. A. Aitken [George Atherton Aitken] (1860-1917), author and editor [George Routledge & Sons, Ltd, London publisher; the Victorian book trade; English bookselling and publishing]
Publication details: 
Aitken's ALS and ANS both on letterhead of 42 Edwardes Square, Kensington, W. [London] 3 and 6 December 1907. Copy of typed reply from George Routledge & Sons, Ltd, London. 4 December 1907.
£100.00

All three items in good condition, on lightly aged paper. The two Aitken letters are both signed 'G A Aitken'. ONE: ALS by Aitken, 3 December 1907. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He begins by suggesting an emendation to a note on an 'enclosed proof' regarding Dr Pearce and 'The Tatler'. He then discusses a reprint by the firm of his edition of the 'Spectator', which he has not seen. 'If it bears a current date on the title-page, I trust you have preserved the date to the Preface, to show that I have not revised the work.

[Catherine Penna, soprano.] Autograph Letter Signed to '- Wilkinson Esq', accepting an engagement at the Brighton Aquarian, on the reverse of two pages of printed 'eulogistic criticisms' of 'Miss Catherine Penna'.

Author: 
Catherine Penna (d.1894), English soprano [Sir Julius Benedict; the Norwich Festival; Madame Albani]
Publication details: 
38 Marylands Road, St Peter's Park, London, W. 1 October [1881].
£90.00

Letter and printed text both on a 12mo bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Letter: 2pp., 12mo. Docketed with stamp of the Brighton Aquarium. She writes that she is 'happy to accept an Engagement for a Saturday Concert at the Brighton Aquarium as Principal Soprano' and will do her best 'to meet your terms'. Printed text: 2pp., 12mo.

[Captain G. Skeffington Smyth, Adjutant, The Motor Volunteer Corps.] Typed Letter Signed, a circular requesting that the recipient 'assist the Admiralty [...] by helping to drive the Officers of the French Fleet from London to Maidenhead'.

Author: 
Captain G. Skeffington Smyth [Lt-Col. Geoffrey Henry Julian Skeffington Smyth [FitzPatrick] (1873-1939], DSO, Adjutant, The Motor Volunteer Corps [The Admiralty, London; the Entente Cordiale, 1904]
Publication details: 
29 Sackville Street, London, W. 25 July 1905.
£56.00

1p., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. An interesting document, from the period immediately following the signing of the Entente Cordiale.

[Eighteenth-century ballad.] Manuscript of untitled poem beginning 'Ere ye. read ys. ye. may suppose. | That some new listed Lover. | By means of Poetry has chose. | His Passion to discover.'

Author: 
[Eighteenth-century English manuscript ballad; Georgian popular poetry]
Publication details: 
Early eightheenth century. [Another (later?) version published in the Gentleman's Magazine, London, May 1744.]
£180.00

2pp., on both sides of a strip of 35.5 x 11.5 cm laid paper with fleur-de-lys watermark. In a secretary hand employing the thorn and long s. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. An untitled forty-line poem, divided into five numbered eight-line stanzas. The narrator is an older married woman, advising a younger woman not to marry, with observations on the frailties of the male sex. The first stanza reads: 'Ere ye. read ys. ye. may suppose. | That some new listed Lover. | By means of Poetry has chose. | His Passion to discover.

[Thomas Seccombe, biographer.] Two Autograph Letters Signed to the publisher John Lane, concerning the Titmarsh Club, and Lane's publication of books by Stephen Sydney Reynolds.

Author: 
Thomas Seccombe (1866-1923), English critic and biographer [John Lane (1854-1925), London publisher (The Bodley Head); Stephen Sydney Reynolds (1881-1919), Devon author; The Titmarsh Club]
Publication details: 
One from 18 Perryn Road, Acton, W [London]. 2 April 1908. The other with the same address on letterhead of the East London College (University of London), Mile End Road, E. 21 October [no year].
£120.00

Both items in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. The letter begins: 'Dear Mr Lane, | Conscientious research in Titmarshian activities seems to point to the fact that you owe to the club the sum of 22/- for two dinners in October 1907.' He continues on this theme for a while, before turning to Reynolds: 'I am very glad to hear that you are going to bring out the Holy Mountain & Poor Mans House by Reynolds. As partly responsible for the suggestion of the Mountain & the location at Acton, I take some interest in the book & also in its author.

[Ernest Rhys, author.] Three Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed to Anglo-Irish poet Sylvia Lynd, regarding both their poetry and a literary proposal for her.

Author: 
Ernest Rhys (1859-1946), writer and founding editor of Everyman's Library [Sylvia Lynd (1888-1952), Anglo-Irish poet, wife of the essayist Robert Lynd (1879-1949)]
Publication details: 
The ALsS from Whiteleaf, Princes Risborough (1); and The Bell House, Askett, Monks Risborough, Buckinghamshire (2). The TLS on J. M. Dent letterhead of 'Everyman's Library | Edited by Ernest Rhys'. Between 1930 and 1934.
£120.00

The three items are in fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Totalling 7pp., 8vo. ONE: ALS. From Whiteleaf, Princes Risborough; 11 Nov. 1930. Begins 'I heard the other day of a poem of yours, that a young soldier carried about in the war, till he was killed. It was sent home with his papers, & some day I hope to have it - his own copy of it - from a friend, & to send it to you | Why tell you of this now? Because the news of your mother's death has been weighing on my mind, & I wanted to say a word, yet knew how unconsoling words can be.' TWO: ALS.

[William Latey, QC, jurist and journalist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wim Latey') to Clement King Shorter, regarding petitions for a civil list pension for his mother, the widow of editor John Latey.

Author: 
William Latey (1885-1976), QC, jurist [Clement King Shorter (1857-1926), editor; John Latey (1842-1902), journalist, son of John Lash Latey (1808-1891), editor of the Illustrated London News]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Lloyd's Weekly News, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, London. 6 March 1908.
£56.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. A long and detailed letter, beginning: 'The situation is not quite as we thought it. Yesterday I saw Mr. Higgs at Downing Street and he explained to me all the circumstances concerning the consideration of Mrs. Latey's petitions. | The suggestion emanating from him, with the Prime Minister's concurrence, is as follows.' The plan outlined, as Mrs Latey is not eligible for the pension, is for a fund to be established for her, to which 'the Prime Minister would add [...] a sum from Royal Bounty - the whole to be sunk in an annuity for her.

[Thomas Edmund Harvey, Quaker politician.] Autograph Letter Signed ('T. Edmund Harvey') to a former colleague at the British Museum ('Mr. <Aldrick?>'), reminiscing on his 'five happy years' there.

Author: 
Thomas Edmund Harvey (1875-1955), Member of Parliament from a Leeds Quaker family [John Alexander Herbert (1862-1948) and Alfred William Pollard (1859-1944), British Museum curators]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Rydal House, Grosvenor Road, Leeds. 12 January 1928.
£65.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for his letter, and is pleased to be remembered. 'I have the pleasantest recollections of your kindness and courtesy to an obscure junior, and I look back with very pleasant feelings too to the five happy years I spent as a member of the British Museum staff.' He is sorry at the thought of the 'many honored figures' who are no longer there, but hopes 'still to find one or two who remember me'.

[Maurice Baring, novelist and poet.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr. Wheeler', regarding the practicalities of a plan for a new London theatre.

Author: 
Maurice Baring (1874-1945), novelist and poet [Wheeler; the London stage; theatre; theatrical]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 6 North Street, Westminster [London]. 5 July 1910.
£80.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He found Wheeler's letter on his return from a trip abroad, and is 'most interested to hear that there is a scheme on foot for another theatre'. As far as 'financiers who are likely to be theatrical patrons', those known to him will probably already know any Baring might suggest. He concludes: 'Personally I believe the old Court Theatre plan was the best & in fact the only possible way of getting those kind plays done.'

Syndicate content