OXFORD

[Margot Asquith, Countess of Oxford.] Autograph Signature ('Margot Oxford') to Copy of Typed Letter to the Editor of The Times, regarding the plans of the University of London with regard to the preservation of Torrington Square, Bloomsbury.

Author: 
Margot Asquith [Emma Margaret Asquith, Countess of Oxford and Asquith, née Tennant] (1864-1945), wife of Liberal Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, author and socialite [University of London; Birkbeck]
Publication details: 
Without date or place. [Circa 1935.]
£120.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, long 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Headed ‘TORRINGTON SQUARE. / To the EDITOR of The TIMES’. Whether the letter was published or not, and if so whether it appeared in its entirety, is unclear. Clearly a carbon, but with her characteristic signature at end in black ink ‘Margot Oxford’. The forty-seven-line text has four autograph emendations.

[Cardinal Manning, second Archbishop of Westminster.] Autograph Letter Signed, as Rector of Lavington, asking the owner to lend him the key to the private chapel in Findon Church, so that he can make measurements for a new window for his own church.

Author: 
Cardinal Manning [Henry Edward Manning] (1808-1892), Roman Catholic prelate; second Archbishop of Westminster, 1865-1892 [Lavington and Findon, Sussex]
Publication details: 
2 May 1842. No place [Lavington, Sussex].
£50.00

At the time of writing Manning was rector of Lavington, Sussex. See his entry in the Oxford DNB, and also Edmund Sheridan Purcell, ‘Manning as an Anglican’ (1895). 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with a couple of creases. Folded twice. Signed ‘H. E. Manning.’ The recipient is not named. Begins: ‘My dear Sir / I am going to ask of you a favour by which you would greatly oblige me if you have no objection.

[E.B. Pusey; Oxford Movement; Oxford Statutes] Autograph Note Signed EB Pusey [draft?] to unnamed correspondent My dear Sir welcoming an offer of the Statuta Aularia [University Statutes] and asking for information about German works.No pla

Author: 
Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800-1882), Regius Professor of Hebrew at Christ Church, Oxford, and a leader of the Oxford Movement
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£120.00

Scrap of paper, 9 x 9cm, remnants of laying down on reverse, clear text, as follows: I should be glad to have the Statuta Aularia if you have them to hand [short line though this paragraph] | [Line crossed out - indecipherable] | I shd be glad to know of any new German works or ['Jewish' prob.]. or any improved editions of the old ones. Note: Statuta Aularia: statutes made by the University for the government of the Halls [presumably as opposed to 'Colleges'].

[Sir Charles Oman, military historian.] Three Autograph Letters Signed (all ‘C. W. C. Oman’), as Librarian of All Souls College, to ‘Mr Harlow’ of Rhodes House Library, regarding his proposal about ‘the long series of Cape Parliamentary proceedings’.

Author: 
Sir Charles Oman [Sir Charles William Chadwick Oman] (1860-1946), English military historian and Librarian of All Souls College, Oxford [Professor Vincent Todd Harlow, Keeper, Rhodes House Library]
Publication details: 
2, 7 and 21 June 1937. All three on the letterhead of the Library of All Souls College, Oxford.
£90.00

See Oman’s entry in the Oxford DNB. Each letter 1p, 12mo. Each folded once. All three in good condition, lightly aged. The correspondence concerns Harlow’s proposal, according to the letter of 2 June 1937, ‘that All Souls College should present to the Rhodes House Library the comparatively few yearly numbers of the Cape Parliamentary proceedings 1875-1910 which are not already in either the Bodleian or the Rhodes House shelves - keeping for the College the residuence, a broken set of about 200 volumes’.

[Lascelles Abercrombie, English poet and literary critic.] Autograph Note in the third person regretting his inability of attending of the annual meeting of the Friends of the Bodleian Library.

Author: 
Lascelles Abercrombie (1881-1938), English poet and literary critic, a member of the ‘Dymock Poets’ group
Publication details: 
10 June 1926; on letterhead of The University, Leeds.
£35.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. At the time of writing he was Professor of English Language and Literature at Leeds. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Reads: ‘Mr Lascelles Abercrombie regrets his inability to attend the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Bodleian in the Divinity School on June 22nd. / June 10th. 1926’.

[Charles Williams, with C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien one of the ‘Inklings’.] Typescript of Ruth Spalding’s BBC radio programme ‘Portrait of Charles Williams’, produced by Terence Tiller and featuring T. S. Eliot, Christopher Fry and others.

Author: 
Charles Williams [Charles Walter Stansby Williams] (1886-1945), poet and author, member with C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien of Oxford group ‘The Inklings’ [Ruth Spalding (1913-2009), author on BBC]
Publication details: 
Later (1980s) transcription of BBC radio feature on 'Third Programme 13.9.61 [13 September 1961]'.
£180.00

Williams, who has an entry in the Oxford DNB, became a close friend of Spalding and her sister Anne after lodging with their parents during the Second World War. The present item is a transcription, made and printed out around the 1980s, of the 1961 radio programme, on one side each of 34 numbered pieces of A4 paper, loosely gathered by a black plastic spine.

[Oxford Etonian Club] Broadsheet headed 'RULES OF THE OXFORD ETONIAN CLUB.'

Author: 
The Oxford Etonian Club [Eton College; Old Etonians]
Publication details: 
Oxford. 1872. ['Revised October, 1857; November, 1858; February, 1863; May, 1864; and May, 1872.']
£220.00

Printed in two columns in black and red on one side of a piece of paper seventeen and a half inches by eleven and a quarter wide. Foxed and with a few very small closed tears at points along crease lines. Thirty-six rules, listed under sections headed 'THE EXECUTIVE', 'GENERAL MEETINGS', 'MOTIONS', 'ELECTION OF MEMBERS', 'PAYMENT OF SUBSCRIPTIONS, &C.', 'HONORARY MEMBERS', 'ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE', 'DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT', 'DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY', 'DUTIES OF THE AUDITOR', 'BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS, &C.', 'MISCELLANEOUS' and 'CLUB DINNER'.

[Richard Ingrams, journalist, founder of ‘Private Eye’ and the ‘Oldie’.] Autograph Card Signed to ‘Mr Kinnane’ (manuscript dealer John A. Kinnane), regarding ‘the interesting Cobbett item’, an Elgar postcard, and his interest in G. K. Chesterton.

Author: 
Richard Ingrams [Richard Reid Ingrams] (born 1937), journalist and author, co-founder and second editor of the satirical magazine Private Eye, and founder and editor of The Oldie [John A. Kinnane]
Publication details: 
24 February 1984; on his letterhead, Forge House, Aldworth, near Reading.
£25.00

On both sides of a 14.5 x 10.5 cm plain postcard. In good condition, with large firm signature ‘Richard Ingrams’. He thanks him for ‘the interesting Cobbett item’ and would like ‘your Elgar postcard’ if available. Ends: ‘Enclose cheque. Cobbett always welcome. Also G. K. Chesterton.’ Ingram had published an anthology of Cobbett in 1974, and would publish a biography of him in 2005, and a book on Chesterton in 2021.

[John Richard Magrath, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘J R Magrath | Vice Chancellor’) to Henry Jenner of the British Museum, reporting on the results of his assistance regarding the extension of the Bodleian.

Author: 
J. R. Magrath [John Richard Magrath] (1839-1930), Provost of the Queen’s College, Oxford, 1878-1930; Vice-Chancellor of the University, 1894-98 [Henry Jenner (1848-1934), British Museum librarian]
Publication details: 
9 November 1896; on letterhead of Queen’s College, Oxford.
£80.00

See the entries for writer and recipient in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, folded once. In envelope (with Oxford crest on flap), with stamp and two postmarks, addressed by Magrath to ‘Henry Jenner Esq / British Museum / London E.C.’ From ‘a communication I have received from Madan’ (Falconer Madan, Bodley’s Librarian) he gathers that Jenner ‘would be interested to know the results of the kind assistance you gave a Committee of the Hebdomadal Council in May in the matter of the extension of the Bodleian Library’.

[Oxford Militia; Col. William Gore-Langton, M.P. for Somerset.] Autograph Letter in the third person to army agents Messrs Cox and Greenwood, enquiring about arrangements for winter quarters for the Oxford Militia on their return from Ireland.

Author: 
Colonel William Gore-Langton [William Gore until 1783] (1760-1847) of Newton Park,, for 45 years Whig Member of Parliament for, successively, Somerset, Tregony and Somerset East [Oxford Militia]
Publication details: 
9 December 1799; Newton Park, near Bath [Somerset].
£38.00

See his entry in the History of Parliament, which quotes a contemporary source describing him as ‘one of the oldest reformers in the House’, ‘in favour of the ballot and the immediate abolition of slavery’. 1p, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded four times. Begins: ‘Colonel Gore Langton presents his Compliments to Messrs: Cox and Greenwood, and as the Oxfordshire Regiment of Militia are expected to return from Ireland about Christmas, he is very desirous of being informed whether any arrangement has been made respecting their Winter Quarters’.

[Sir Henry Rowley Bishop, English composer.] Five tickets of admission to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, each signed ?Henry R Bishop?.

Author: 
Sir Henry Rowley Bishop (1787-1855), voluminous English composer, whose songs include ?Home! Sweet Home!?, Professor of Music at the Universities of Edinburgh and Oxford [Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]
Publication details: 
21 February, 13 March, and 6 and 9 and 20 May 1826. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.
£50.00

The tickets are all in fair condition, each on one side of a landscape slip of paper (all slips roughly 11 x 7 cm). All five with creases from folding. Each of the five signatures has been scored through in ink, indicating that the ticket was used. All read, ?T. R. D. L. / Admit Two Boxes | Henry R Bishop?, with date at bottom left.

[George, Duke of Marlborough] Autograph Note Signed Marlborough to My Lord [not known] about Oxford Yeomanry.

Author: 
George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739 – 1817), sometime Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, courtier, nobleman, and politician
Publication details: 
Blenheim, [ Aug 1807?]
£85.00

Half a 12mo page, fold mark, good condition. I have the Honor to transmit to your Lordship this Letter which I have received from two of the officers commanding Troops of Yeomanry in the County of Oxford. See image. These letters are NOT present.

[George, Duke of Marlborough] Autograph Note Signed Marlborough to My Lord [not known] about Oxford Yeomanry.

Author: 
George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739 – 1817), sometime Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, courtier, nobleman, and politician
Marlborough
Publication details: 
Blenheim, [ Aug 1807?]
£85.00
Marlborough

Half a 12mo page, fold mark, good condition. I have the Honor to transmit to your Lordship this Letter which I have received from two of the officers commanding Troops of Yeomanry in the County of Oxford. See image. These letters are NOT present.

[W.H. Auden, Stephen Spender and other members of The Mermaid Club; printed] Menu The Mermaid Club Oxford [insignia with image of a mermaid] | Trinity Term Dinner | At the Elizabeth Restaurant [Oxford] | Tuesday, 12 June, 1956

Author: 
W.H. Auden, Stephen Spender and other members of The Mermaid Club
Publication details: 
Oxford, 12 June 1956.
£220.00

[8]pp. including card covers, 12mo, some damp- staining not interfering with text, faint foxing. Verso of front cover signed: Stephen Spender and Wystan Auden, with the signatures of seven others (presumably the undergraduate members whose guests Auden and Spender were).

[ Pusey; Oxford Movement ] Thirteen (13) Pamphlets and Leaflets by or relating to Pusey and the Oxford Movement.

Author: 
E.B. Pusey [ Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800 – 1882), Churchman, one of the Promoters of the Oxford Movement ]
Publication details: 
All printed by Baxter, Oxford, and published in 1843.
£350.00

All in good condition, with occasional foxing and staining.1. [To Mr. Vice-Chancellor] Two pages, bifolium (second leaf blank), cr. 8vo, petition asking for Pusey to have a hearing. Multiple Signatories include H. Cary, Newman, Mark Pattison. List of signatories concludes with date, Oxford June 8, 1842. Baxter Printer.2. E.B. Pusey, Protest. Christ Church, June 2, 1843. No imprint or colophon.3. A Bachelor of Divinity, To the Reverend the Vice-Chancellor, two pages, cr. 8vo, bifolium, second leaf blank. Re the proceedings […] with regard to Dr. Pusey.

[ Lucy Soulsby; Headmistress ] Autograph Note Signed Lucy H.M. Soulsby to Mr Cochrane, about someone seeking employment

Author: 
Lucy H.M. Soulsby, Headmistress (Oxford DNB)
Publication details: 
[Headed] The High School, Oxford, 3 May 1895.
£35.00

Two pages, oblong 12mo, creases, foxing but legible. My delay in writing to you has been caused by some change of place on Miss Scrivens part. Just after seeing you, I heard she had found work which suited her; - yesterday she told me that she has finally reg=fused this work & hoped to make an appointmet to see you & Mr William Gardner. I will write again in a few days when I know more. - I spoke to Mr Pascoe Glynn yesterday about finding you someone suitable.

[Mary Somerville, Scottish scientist after whom Somerville College, Oxford, is named.] Autograph Signature ('Yours truly | Mary Somerville') cut from letter.

Author: 
Mary Somerville [née Fairfax, sometime Greig] (1780-1872), Scottish scientist and author after whom Somerville College, Oxford, is named
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. Since 2017 she has been depicted on the Scottish ten pound note. On 2.5 x 8.5 cm slip of paper, cut from letter. In good condition, lightly aged. Laid down on 4 x 9.5 cm piece of paper. Reads 'Yours truly | Mary Somerville'.

[Sir Charles Oman, military historian, and the English archers at Agincourt.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'C. Oman') to George Townsend Warner, summing up the battle and giving a detailed description of the set up of the English archers.

Author: 
Sir Charles Oman [Sir Charles William Chadwick Oman] (1860-1946), military historian [George Townsend Warner (1865-1916), historian; Battle of Agincourt; archery; toxophily]
Publication details: 
One: 17 October 1902. On letterhead of 39 St Giles', Oxford. Two: 12 March [no year]. 39 St Giles, Oxford, on letterhead of New College, Oxford.
£100.00

Both letters annotated in pencil in contemporary hand 'To Townsend Warner Historian'. (Warner was a history master and head of the ‘modern side’ at Harrow School, and co-editor of one of the most popular British history textbooks of the period. His only child was the novelist Sylvia Townsend Warner.) Both letters in good condition, each with pin hole from former attachment.

[John Harris Backhouse, classical scholar and antiquary, educated at the Manchester School.] Long Autograph Letter Signed ('J. H. Backhouse'), on matters relating to Richard Montagu, Bishop of Norwich, with reference to Sir Thomas Browne and others.

Author: 
John Harris Backhouse (1826-1882), Rector of Laverton, Somerset, classical scholar, editor and antiquary, educated at the Manchester School [Richard Montagu, Bishop of Norwich; Sir Thomas Browne]
Publication details: 
27 September 1881. Laverton Rectory, Bath.
£45.00

See his entry in J. F. Smith, 'The Admission Register of the Manchester School'. 6pp, 12mo. Written in a neat, close hand. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. A vivid example of the methodology of the nineteenth-century English clerical antiquary. The main subject is the controversialist Richard Montagu (1577-1641), Bishop of Norwich, about whom, in January of the following year (that of his death), Backhouse would publish a letter in 'The Academy' under the title 'The Abbreviations in Bishop Mountagu's [sic] Dedication'. The recipient is not identified.

[Braham Sydney Murray, theatre director: his first-ever production, for the Oxford University Dramatic Society.] Typescript of Brendan Behan's 'The Hostage', with extra pages covered with autograph directorial notes and stage directions.

Author: 
Braham Sydney Murray [born Braham Goldstein] (1943-2018), director, one of five founding Artistic Directors, Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester [Brendan Behan; Oxford University Dramatic Society]
Publication details: 
[Oxford University Dramatic Society, 1961.]
£600.00

For the background see Murray's 2014 autobiography 'The Worst It Can Be Is A Disaster', where he describes the production as 'a big production with its quasi-musical form. In such a large cast some of the actors were rather basic but some were superb. Michael Elwyn brought the house down as Monsewer [...] Michael York was very touching as the innocent Cockney soldier and the brother owners were expertly played by Ian Davidson, who later became a successful comedy scriptwriter, and the beautiful Canadian Nancy Lane, who is now a distinguished professor at Cambridge.

[Charles Williams inscribes a book to his wife Michal.] Divorce. [With copy of Autograph Letter from Neil Tyler to playwright Christopher Fry, regarding the circumstances of his acquisition of the book.]

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright, with Auden and Eliot a leading exponent of twentieth-century English verse drama; Sambhu Nath Roy
Publication details: 
Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, London, 1920. [Letter from Sycamore Farm, Alphamstone, Bures, Suffolk, 1982.]
£150.00

120pp, 12mo. No dustwrapper. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, tight in lightly-worn green cloth with dulled gilt. Inscribed by Williams in pencil on front free endpaper: 'For Michal'. A collection of around fifty poems, including five addressed to the author's wife: 'To Michal: After a Vigil'. 'To Michal: On Forgiveness', 'To Michal: On Brushing her Hair', 'To Michal meditating a new Costume', 'To Michal: On Disputing outside Church'. Accompanying the volume is an Autograph Letter Signed from 'Neil' to 'Dear Christopher and Dear Phyl', i.e. Christopher Fry and his wife Phyllis.

[Christopher Fry, playwright.] Two items from his papers: an American first edition of his play 'A Yard of Sun', together with proof leaves of a later printing of the play, entirely reset.

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright, with Auden and Eliot a leading exponent of twentieth-century verse drama
Publication details: 
First edition: O.U.P. [Oxford University Press], New York. 1970. Proofs undated and without publishing details. [New York: Dramatists Play Service Inc. 1998?]
£450.00

The two items are from the playwright's own papers. FIRST EDITION: [8] + 113pp, 8vo. A good tight copy in lightly-aged brown cloth and price-clipped cream dustwrapper with attractive design by Edward Blakeney in brown and black on front cover, and slight chipping to bottom edge at back. Label with English price on back of dustwrapper. No autograph interpolations. PROOFS: 96pp, 8vo. Duplicated printed pages, each page on a separate leaf. Paginated 1-96.

[Oxford University Act 1854.] Autograph Memorandum by Rev. Dr Richard Harington, Principal of Brasenose College, headed 'Oaths imposed by College Statutes and Declarations against change in Statutes'.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Richard Harington (1800-1853), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford [Oxford University Act 1854; Report of Royal Commission, 1852; Edward Hawkins, Provost of Oriel College]
Publication details: 
[Oxford University'At a meeting of the Commission Committee held on March 5. 1853.'
£220.00

In 1850 Lord John Russell had set up a Royal Commission to enquire 'Into the State, Discipline, Studies, and Revenues of the University and Colleges of Oxford'. The Law Magazine, in its issue of August-November 1852, praised the Commission's report as 'most valuable' and 'meritorious', noting among the obstacles to its completion 'the resolute and dogged refusal of information on the part of many, intimately connected with the University', including Harington's college Brasenose. The Spectator discussed the report on 29 May 1852, and reproduced all 47 recommendations on 5 June 1852.

[Oxford University Act, 1854.] Autograph Draft Memorandum by Rev. Dr Richard Harington, Principal of Brasenose College, stating his opposition to 'Oxford University Commission. | Proposals for remodelling the Constitution of the University'.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Richard Harington (1800-1853), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford [Oxford University Act 1854; Report of Royal Commission, 1852; Hebdomadal Council]
Publication details: 
[Brasenose College, University of Oxford] Undated, but written in response to the Royal Commission Report of 1852.
£850.00

A significant document by an Oxford college head, responding negatively to the 1852 Report of the Royal Commission appointed in 1850 by Lord John Russell to enquire 'Into the State, Discipline, Studies, and Revenues of the University and Colleges of Oxford'.

[Oxford University Act, 1854.] Autograph Draft Memorandum on 'Oxford University Commission' by Rev. Dr Richard Harington , Principal of Brasenose College, stating his opposition to 'those who propose to strip the favoured classes of the privileges'.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Richard Harington (1800-1853), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford [Oxford University Act 1854; Report of Royal Commission, 1852; Hebdomadal Council]
Publication details: 
[Brasenose College, University of Oxford] 8 April 1852.
£850.00

A highly-interesting document, written by a college head on the verge of the reforms resulting from the passing of the Oxford University Act of 1854 and setting up of the Hebdomadal Council, in which Harington states - in detail, at length and with great emphasis - his opposition to 'those who propose to strip the favoured classes of the privileges which Founders of Colleges have thought proper to confer on them', arguing that this will not 'necessarily ensure the election of the most distinguished candidates'.

[Oxford University Act 1854.] Autograph Memorandum by Rev. Dr Richard Harington, Principal of Brasenose College, headed 'Oaths imposed by College Statutes and Declarations against change in Statutes'.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Richard Harington (1800-1853), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford [Oxford University Act 1854; Report of Royal Commission, 1852; Edward Hawkins, Provost of Oriel College]
Publication details: 
[Oxford University'At a meeting of the Commission Committee held on March 5. 1853.'
£220.00

In 1850 Lord John Russell had set up a Royal Commission to enquire 'Into the State, Discipline, Studies, and Revenues of the University and Colleges of Oxford'. The Law Magazine, in its issue of August-November 1852, praised the Commission's report as 'most valuable' and 'meritorious', noting among the obstacles to its completion 'the resolute and dogged refusal of information on the part of many, intimately connected with the University', including Harington's college Brasenose. The Spectator discussed the report on 29 May 1852, and reproduced all 47 recommendations on 5 June 1852.

[James Robertson Justice, Sir Compton Mackenzie and Michael Maclagan at the Oxford Union, 1955.] Autograph Signatures of the three men, on Oxford Union Society leaflet for the 'Eights Week Debate', 'This House Would Never Be Young Twice.'

Author: 
James Robertson Justice [James Norval Harald Justice] (1907-1975), film actor; Sir Compton Mackenzie [Sir Edward Montague Compton Mackenzie] (1883-1972), novelist; Michael Maclagan (1914-2003), herald
Publication details: 
Oxford Union Society leaflet, dated from 'Christ Church | May 24th, 1955'.
£50.00

A nice piece of Oxford Union ephemera, with the three signatures - 'James Robertson-Justice.', 'Compton Mackenzie' and 'Michael Maclagan' - printed in a row on the otherwise blank reverse of the 25.5 x 20.5 cm leaf, which is aged and worn, with closed tears to extremities and a fold line. Printed beneath the text of the advertisement on the other side of the paper is an attractive illustration in imitation of infant drawing, printed in brown, red, green black and white on a pink ground. The entire text reads: 'OXFORD UNION SOCIETY | Thursday, May 26th, 1955, at 8.15 p.m.

[Mark Pattison, Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Mark Pattison') [to historian Reginald Lane Poole], discussing 'the historical lectureship', and encouraging him to settle in Oxford, but not 'as a coach'.

Author: 
Mark Pattison (1813-1884), academic, Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford, candidate for the original of Edward Casaubon in George Eliot's Middlemarch [Reginald Lane Poole (1857-1939), historian]
Publication details: 
7 May 1883; on letterhead of Lincoln College, Oxford.
£60.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. The recipient is not named, but the conclusion of the letter makes it clear it is Poole. Written in a shaky hand a little over a year before Pattison's death. The context of the letter makes clear that as a married man, Poole is attempting to take advantage of the previous year's revision of the Oxford college statutes enjoining celibacy. It begins: 'Dear Sir | You seem to be under a misapprehension as to the historical lectureship for which you wish to become a candidate.

[Herman Merivale, historian and civil servant, to his brother Charles Merivale.] Long Autograph Letter Signed ('H Merivale'), discussing his activities and writing, and ending with a shrewd assessment of Edward Bulwer-Lytton.

Author: 
Herman Merivale (1806-1874), historian and civil servant, Professor of Political Economy at Oxford, brother of Charles Merivale (1808-1893), Dean of Ely, historian [Edward Bulwer-Lytton [Lord Lytton]]
Publication details: 
'7 Carey Street. [Lincoln's Inn, London] Tuesday.' With postmark 3 December 1833.
£120.00

4pp, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with small seal in red wax and postmark, to 'Revd. Charles Merivale | St John's College | Cambridge'. A long letter, with the four pages of text followed by a long postscript at the head of the first page, continuing to the last.

[Edward Copleston, Bishop of Llandaff and Provost of Oriel College and Professor of Poetry, Oxford.] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. Copleston') laying out the conditions under which he will subscribe to a publication.

Author: 
Edward Copleston (1776-1849), Bishop of Llandaff, Provost of Oriel College, Professor of Poetry, Oxford, Political Economist
Publication details: 
11 March 1821. Oriel College [Oxford].
£85.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper with one corner torn away (without any loss of text). Folded three times. The recipient is not named. The letter begins: 'Sir | Your letter enclosing a prospectus of your proposed work has just reached me. I beg you will excuse me for not entering into a discussion of the subject, which is a rule I have found it necessary, under my engagements, to make.

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