MUTINY

[R. E. Forrest [Robert Edward Treston Forrest], author and engineer in British India.] Autograph Letter Signed to James Payn, regarding the death of his mother and its effect on the writing of his latest book.

Author: 
R. E. Forrest [Robert Edward Treston Forrest] (1835-1914), author and engineer, son of Captain George Forrest of the East India Company, winner of Victoria Cross during Indian Mutiny [James Payn]
Publication details: 
?La Hutte / Dinan / France / 27 July 1887?.
£56.00

See the Oxford DNB entry of the recipient James Payn (1830-1898), at the time of this letter the editor of the Cornhill Magazine. More significantly, Payn had since 1874 been a reader for Smith, Elder, and the present letter stems from the firm?s interest in Forrest?s ?tale of the Indian Mutiny? which they would publish in 1891 under the title ?Eight Days?. 2pp, 16mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with short closed tear at edge of postage fold. Addressed to ?James Payn Esqr.? and signed ?R. E. Forrest?.

[Rear-Admiral Edward O’Bryen, Royal Navy officer prominent in the Nore Mutiny and Battle of Camperdown.] Four Autograph Signatures cut from the conclusion of four letters, with some surviving text, including part of a prayer.

Author: 
Rear-Admiral Edward O’Bryen (c.1753-1808), Royal Navy officer who played a prominent part in the Nore Mutiny and Battle of Camperdown
Bryen
Publication details: 
None with place or date.
£80.00
Bryen

For information about this brave and gallant man, who offered himself to be hanged in place of his fellow officers during the Nore Mutiny, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. The presence of these four items together may indicate a Victorian autograph dealer as the source, or perhaps a family member wishing to distribute keepsakes. Some with tantalizing fragments of surviving text. All four in good condition, some with fold lines. ONE: 14.5 x 6.5 cm. On one side: ‘[...] Ever your truly obliged and / Affectionate Friend / Edward O’Bryen’.

[Lord Roberts [Field Marshal Earl Roberts of Kandahar], British Boer War commander.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Roberts.’), sending condolences to ‘Mrs. Tierney’, mentioning his time at 'Mills School' with Tierney and cricketer Alfred Torrens.

Author: 
Lord Roberts [Frederick Sleigh Roberts; Field Marshal Earl Roberts of Kandahar, V.C.] (1832-1914), British Army commander during Second Boer War [Alfred Torrens (1831-1903), cricketer]
Publication details: 
18 March 1903; on letterhead of 47 Portland Place, W. [London]
£56.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium, folded once. In good condition. 29 lines of text. He thanks her for her kindness, ‘in the midst of your great sorrow’, in writing to inform the Robertses of her husband’s death. ‘We have often talked of you both, and wondered where you were living.’ He had thought it was ‘somewhere in the valley of the Thames, at least I thought you told me so when last I met you both walking in Regent Street - some 10 years ago’. After a brief comment on Tierney’s ill health, he recalls how ‘He, Alfred Torrens, and I sat next to each other at Mills School.

[‘Theatre Royal Darwar’, 1858: British amusements during the Indian Mutiny.] Seven items relating to the ‘Corps Dramatique’ of ‘Mrs. Comfit’: four handbills and three manuscript items, incl.2 poems and drawing of castigating Englishwoman. See Image.

Author: 
‘Theatre Royal Darwar’, ‘Opera Comique d’Arwar’, ‘Mrs. Comfit & Co’ [Dharwar, Bombay Presidency, India [now Dharwad, Karnataka]; Indian Mutiny; the Raj; East India Company; British India]
darwar
Publication details: 
Three of the eight items dated to 1858, and with the same date on one of the mounts; all from Dharwar, Bombay Presidency, India [now Dharwad, Karnataka].
£750.00
darwar

An interesting and evocative collection of ephemeral material, casting light on the social activities and entertainments of the British in India in the last months of the Indian Mutiny, also the year of the dissolution of the East India Company. No other record of this amateur ‘Corps Dramatique’, or of its conductor ‘Mrs. Comfit’, has been discovered.

[ Indian Mutiny ] The London Gazette, Number 22172 (Papers nos 1-58 received at the East India House)

Author: 
[ Indian Mutiny ]
Publication details: 
[London], Tuesday, August 10, 1858.
£450.00

Number 22172, pp.3707-3775, UNbound, still in original gatherings A-I (total 9, each four pages, unopened), first pages sl. grubby, and others edges dusted, ow good condition. Each gathering stamped in red as NEWSPAPER. It includes comprehensive reports on fighting and situation from April 1858-[9] April, concluding (no.

[ F.R. Maunsell; Delhi; Indian Mutiny; Pamphlet ] The Siege of Delhi. A Record by a Survivor who filled an important post at the 'Glorious' Siege.

Author: 
[ F.R. Maunsell, K.C.B. ]
Delhi
Publication details: 
London Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Ltd, 1912
£80.00
Delhi

Pamphlet, 23pp., 8vo, with addendum slip, green wraps quite heavily sunned, contents good condition. Copies in copyright libraries plus NY.

[ Edward Jesse ] Autograph Note Signed Ed Jesse to My dear Professor [not named], inviting him to dine with General Jones [...] head of the Rifles as the other guest.

Author: 
Edward Jesse [ (1780–1868), writer on natural history].
Publication details: 
East Sheen - Tuesday Ev[ening]. No date.
£35.00

One page, fold marks, very good condition. Would he dine with us next Thursday at 7 o'clock, to meet Genl Jones who distinguished himself so much in India [during the Indian Mutiny presumably] at the head of the Rifles. I have asked [?] shall play at [Cheat?] or Whist.

[Colonel Sir Anthony Coningham Sterling of the Highland Brigade, Scottish soldier and military historian.] First four pages of Autograph Letter to 'Maclean', describing his efforts to obtain a commission for Maclean's 'Young friend'.

Author: 
Colonel Sir Anthony Coningham Sterling (1805–1871), Scottish soldier who distinguished himself during the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny, author of 'The Highland Brigade in the Crimea'
Publication details: 
3 South Place, Knightsbridge. 1 November 1856.
£120.00

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Evidently incomplete: the first part only of a long letter. Begins: 'My dear Maclean | I have it not in my heart to put forward an excuse for very long silence, beyond an amount of employment the like of which I have never had thrown upon me before, for many years.' He hopes to see him, but leaves that night 'for the North on a tour of inspection'.

[ Mutiny on HMS Winchester, 1854, and initiation ceremony for blue jackets. ] Proof of the start of an article, including a diary of 'The Winchester's Last Commission' and extract from letter by Sir Charles Fellowes.

Author: 
Anon. [ HMS Winchester and Admiral Sir Charles Fellowes (1823-1886), Commander in Chief, Channel Fleet; mutiny ]
Publication details: 
Without place or date, but after Fellowes' death in 1886.
£180.00

This item appears to be a proof of the first eight pages of an unpublished 'account of the mutiny' on board HMS Winchester in the South China Seas in 1854 (while on its way to take part in the Second Burmese War, in which the Winchester's captain Granville Gower Loch (1813-1853) would be killed). The mutiny, which was quashed by Rear Admiral Fleetwood Pellew (1789-1861), is described by the author of the present item as the ship's 'skeleton in the cupboard'. The text breaks off before the mutiny takes place, with the Winchester having left Point de Galle, and on its way to Trincomalee.

[ Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence, British soldier in India. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H M Lawrence') to 'Sir Thomas', regarding a payment to 'Mr Hodgson', with mention of his place of birth, Ceylon.

Author: 
Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence (1806-1857), British soldier and statesman in India, who died during the Siege of Lucknow in the Indian Mutiny
Publication details: 
Without place or date [ 1844 ].
£56.00

2pp., 4to. On bifolium. Dated in another hand in pencil '1844'. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. The letter begins: 'My dear Sir Thomas | I have at last ascertained from the Civil Auditor that Mr Hodgson drew the four hundred & fifty Rupees (450) on the 1st Feby nine days before he sailed, and that the bill was made out in his own hand writing'. He is forwarding the recipient's 'note of hand' to his agents, and assumes that 'Mr H, [...] in the hurry of departure doubtless forgot to write' to him. He concludes: 'I hope that your Ceylon trip has been of use to you.

[ General Sir Dighton Probyn. ] Autograph Letter in the third person, as 'Comptroller & Treasurer of the Prince of Wales' Household', inviting Sir Robert Herbert to visit the Prince and his wife at Sandringham, and giving transport details.

Author: 
General Sir Dighton Probyn [ General Sir Dighton Macnaghten Probyn ] (1833-1924), British army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross [Sir Robert Herbert; King Edward VIII; Sandringham, Norfolk ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Sandringham, Norfolk. 15 November 1884.
£75.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and a little smudged. He 'writes by direction of The Prince and Princess of Wales to invite him to pay their Royal Highnesses a visit at Sandringham from Saturday next the 22nd. Inst. to remain till Monday the 24th. He gives details of the best train to catch to 'Wolferton (the Station for Sandringham)', where there will be 'conveyances to take Sir Robert and the other Guests travelling by the same Train, from the Station to the House'.

[ The Duke of Kent as Governor of Gibraltar, in the build up to the Garrison Mutiny of 1802. ] Letter in a Secretarial Hand, signed in Autograph ('Edward'), to Lieut-Col. Lethbridge, one of his 'oldest military friends', regarding the '.

Author: 
The Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820), son of King George III and father of Queen Victoria [ Lieut-Col. Robert Lethbridge, 60th Regiment of Foot; Gibraltar Garrison Mutiny, 1802 ]
Publication details: 
Gibraltar. 31 October 1802.
£500.00

A strict disciplinarian, the Duke was appointed Governor of Gibraltar in March 1802 and, as this letter describes, immediately set about dealing with what he considered the various abuses of the Garrison. His harsh discipline would precipitate a mutiny by soldiers in his own and the 25th Regiment on Christmas Eve 1802. The Duke of York, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, would recall him in May 1803 after receiving reports of the mutiny, but despite this direct order he would refuse to return to England until his successor arrived.

[ Vice-Admiral Robert Hall, Third Lord and Controller of the Navy. ] Letter in a secretarial hand, signed 'Robert Hall', to William Griffith of Derby

Author: 
Vice-Admiral Robert Hall (1817-1882), Royal Navy, Third Lord and Controller of the Navy [ The Admiralty, Whitehall ]
Publication details: 
Admiralty [ Whitehall, London ]. 27 March 1874.
£56.00

1p., folio. In good condition, with light signs of age. Addressed to 'Wm. Griffith Esqre. | Becket Street Chapel | Derby.' Informing Griffith that he has 'laid before My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the petition from the United Methodist Free Church, Derby, requesting the alteration of the 93rd. Clause of the Marine Mutiny Act'.

[Two printed volumes, with the second volume containing memoranda on the corps by Major Thomas Fraser King.] Incidents and Anecdotes in the Life of Lieut.-General Sprot, Honorary Colonel of the Princess Louise's Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Author: 
Lieut.-General Sprot [John Sprot (1830-1907) of Riddell House, Roxburghshire], Honorary Colonel of the Princess Louise's Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders [Major Thomas Fraser King (d.1928)]
Publication details: 
Printed for private circulation only. [Edinburgh: Gordon Wilson, Printer, 47 Thistle Street.] Vol. 1, 1906; vol. 2, 1907.
£450.00

2 vols, 8vo. Vol.1 (1906): [8] + 106 + [1] + 17. Vol.2 (1907): [6] + 97pp. Both volumes with frontispieces and several plates. Both in original red cloth bindings with Sprot's crest in gilt on front board, and all edges gilt. Both in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, and with the first volume (despite slight damp staining to the binding and damage to one plate) better and brighter than the second, which has wear at the foot of the spine.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Jno Colpoys') from Admiral Sir John Colpoys, Governor of Greenwich Hospital, to James Sykes Jnr, regarding arrangements following the death of 'Poor Georgina'.

Author: 
Admiral Sir John Colpoys (c.1742-1821), Governor of Greenwich Hospital [Spithead Mutiny, 1797]
Admiral Sir John Colpoys (c.1742-1821)
Publication details: 
3 June [1800].
£85.00
Admiral Sir John Colpoys (c.1742-1821)

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium, with the reverse of the second leaf carrying the address ('J. Sykes Esqr: | 22 Arundel Street | Strand', with two postmarks and docketing by Sykes. Nineteen lines. Text clear and complete. On aged paper, with wear to second leaf. Sykes 'will not be surprized to hear' that on the previous day 'Poor Georgina [...] paid the Great Debt'. Colpoys has arranged for her funeral to be 'conducted - in a Decent Private manner', and for her to be buried 'in the Parish of Kensington where she Died - Mr.

The Declaration Of his Highnesse Prince Charles, To All His Majesties loving Subjects, concerning the grounds and ends of His present Engagement upon the Fleet in the Downs. With His Highnesse Letter to The Lord Major, Aldermen, [...].

Author: 
King Charles II of Great Britain [The Downs Mutiny, 1648; King Charles I; the English Civil War; Oliver Cromwell; Royal Navy]
Publication details: 
London: ['Printed in the Yeare, 1648.']
£220.00

Title continues: '[...] Aldermen, and Common Councell of the City of London.' 4to: 8 pp, paginated [ii] + 6. Trimmed (leaf dimensions roughly 165 x 135 mm) causing loss of the last line of text (the publication details beneath the word 'LONDON') on the title. Stitched as issued. Unbound. In poor condition, on aged, spotted and creased paper, with chipping to extremities and with the lower part of the last leaf torn away causing loss of around a dozen lines of text. A few lines in a contemporary hand on the first couple of leaves.

Autograph Signature ('Napier of Magdala').

Author: 
Robert Cornelis Napier (1810-1890), 1st Baron Napier of Magdala, British army officer, Commander-in-Chief in India, 1870-1876.
Publication details: 
March 1884; place not stated.
£18.00

On piece of laid paper, dimensions 6 x 11 cm. Good. Clearly complying with a request for an autograph. Reads 'With much pleasure | [signed] Napier of Magdala | March 1884'.

Autograph Note in the third person, on the back of a note from J. H. Hall, Ruxley House, Bromley, Kent, asking for an autograph.

Author: 
Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere [Bartle Frere], first baronet (1815-1884), colonial governor
Publication details: 
Hall's note, 4 December 1883, on Ruxley House letterhead; Frere's reply, 17 December 1883, Wimbledon.
£56.00

12mo bifolium, with the second leaf blank. Very good. Hall's request, on the recto of the first leaf, reads 'Mr. J. H. Hall presents his Compliments to Sir Bartle Frere G.C. Bart & would feel extremely obliged by the favour of his autograph to add to a collection.' Frere's reply, on the verso, reads 'Wimbledon Decr 17th. 1883. | Sir Bartle Frere presents his compliments to Mr. J. H. Hall; He has received Mr. Hall's letter of Decr. 4: desiring to have his Autograph -'.

Autograph letter signed to A. Byham,

Author: 
Captain William Scarfe Moorsom
Publication details: 
23 Sept [?], 17½ Great George Street, Westminster.
£40.00

Civil engineer (1804-63). 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Sir / Will you excuse the Son of your old Surveyor General so far as to send me a printed copy of the regulations under which Boys come for examination at Woolwich Academy: My Boy will probably be finding his way there & I want to prepare him to meet the Points of examination: - If you have not any of the printed copies perhaps by passing this not into an adjoining room you will be able to send one by my messenger who will wait, & you will much oblige yours faithfull / W. S. Moorsom".

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