PUBLISHING

[Archdeacon Coxe, historian, gives instructions to the parliamentary printer Luke Hansard.] Autograph Letter in the Third Person to 'Mr Hansard'

Author: 
Archdeacon Coxe [William Coxe, Archdeacon of Bemerton] (1748-1828), historian and Anglican cleric [Luke Hansard (1752-1828), London printer after whom publication of parliamentary debates is named]
Publication details: 
15 December 1805; Bath.
£60.00

2pp, 18mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with a couple of emendations. The subject is Coxe's 'History of the House of Austria', which was 'Printed by Luke Hansard and Sons, for T. Cadell and W. Davies, in the Strand'. The letter begins: 'Mr. Coxe wishes to keep back for a week or two sheet 3z, because he intends to divide the first Volume into two parts; and therefore desires Mr Hansard not to strike off that Sheet; and will trouble Mr Hansard to transfer the commencement of Ferdinand's reign from p 542.

[Christopher Fry: 'The Dark is Light Enough', Corrected Proofs.] Revise Proofs of the first edition of 'The Dark is Light Enough' (Oxford University Press), with Autograph Emendations.

Author: 
Christopher Fry (1907-2005), playwright [Oxford University Press]
Publication details: 
[London and New York: Oxford University Press, 1954.] Red ink stamp at foot of first page: '15 APR 1954 | REVISE'.
£650.00

103pp, 8vo. Revises of the text of the play (and not the prelims) in unbound signatures. In fair condition, lightly aged. Red ink stamp at foot of pp.1 and 40: '15 APR 1954 | REVISE'. Numerous autograph emendations, nearly all minor and relating to accidentals, but with five verbal changes, of which the following two are the most significant. Printed on p.9: 'KASSEL. Well, Bella, does she seem to be in trouble? | BELLA. She says the only trouble is us who trouble ourselves.' amended in autograph to 'KASSEL. Well, Bella, where has she been/ | BELLA.

[Mrs Gascoigne [Caroline Leigh Gascoigne], Victorian novelist.] Autograph Letter in the third person, asking Frederic Shoberl for advice regarding the publication of her juvenile novel 'Spencer's Cross; or, The Manor House'.

Author: 
Mrs Gascoigne [Caroline Leigh Gascoigne, née Smith; Mrs C. L. Gascoigne] (1813-1883), Victorian novelist and author [Frederic Shoberl [Schoberl] (1775-1853), journalist and writer]
Publication details: 
York House, Bognor. 5 November 1851.
£80.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight traces of glue from mount adhering to edge on reverse of second leaf. Folded twice. An interesting letter, casting light on publication practices in Victorian London, with reference to a successful female author. Mrs Gascoigne asks Schoberl advice regarding the publication of her book 'Spencer's Cross; or, The Manor House. A Tale for Young People. By the author of "Belgravia"', which would be published by Charles Westerton in 1854. The letter begins: 'Mrs. Gascoigne presents her compliments to Mr.

[Sir John Pollock and the 'Play that was Banned': venereal disease, censorship, War Economy publication.] Material relating to play 'Damaged Goods', including revised typescript and correspondence with bishops and Ministries of Health and Information

Author: 
Sir John Pollock; Eugène Brieux; Jonathan Cape; Sir Weldon Dalrymple-Champneys; Lawrence Whitaker Harrison; Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, venereal disease; Ministry of Information
Publication details: 
London and the provinces, 1943.
£950.00

A fascinating and revealing collection of material, touching on questions of censorship and sexual morality in twentieth-century Britain, as well as the problems of publication during the Second World War. From the papers of Sir John Pollock (1872-1963), and relating to the 1943 revival of his 'Damaged Goods', a translation of Eugène Brieux's scandalous play 'Les Avariés'. Written in 1901, Brieux's play concerns the effects of a diagnosis of syphilis on a respectable family, and was met with outrage on its first appearance in Paris in 1902.

[Daniel Noble, Manchester physician specialising in mental illness.] Autograph Letter Signed ('D. Noble') to an individual concerned with the printing and distribution of his work ('Mr. C.'?), mixing practical and personal matter.

Author: 
Daniel Noble (1810-1885), Manchester physician specialising in mental illness and epidemic diseases, friend of surgeon James Braid
Publication details: 
Manchester; 1 August 1843.
£500.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf. The recipient is not named. The letter begins: 'My Dear Sir, | I beg to introduce my friend Mr. Walker to you as he is frequenting the Leeds Anniversary Meeting of the Association'.

[Donald Monro, Physician General to the Army.] Autograph Letter Signed ('D. Monro. | Physician to the Army.') [to Thomas Cadell the elder, London bookseller], proposing terms for a revised edition of his 'Account of the Diseases'.

Author: 
Donald Monro (1727-1802), Physician General to the Army, and medical author [Thomas Cadell the elder (1742-1802), London bookseller, successor to Andrew Millar (1705-1768)in the Strand]
Publication details: 
'Cox-Heath [Coxheath military camp near Maidstone, Kent] | Septr 21st – 1779.'
£450.00

The recipient is not named, but as the letter makes clear it is Thomas Cadell the elder (1742-1802), successor to the celebrated bookseller Andrew Millar (1705-1768) in the Strand. Millar was one of the booksellers concerned in the first edition of Monro's 'Account of the Diseases which were most frequent in the British Military Hospitals in Germany' ('London: Printed for A. Millar, D. Wilson, and T. Durham, in the Strand; and T. Payne, at the Mews-Gate.') The letter casts light on the relationship between author and publisher in the eighteenth-century London book trade. 2pp, 4to.

[John Aikin, physician and author.] Autograph Memorandum Signed ('J. A.') to the London publishers Cadell and Davies, a reader's report providing a damning assessment of a work 'much below mediocrity'.

Author: 
John Aikin (1747-1822), physician and author, brother of Anna Laetitia Barbauld (1743-1825) [Cadell & Davies [Thomas Cadell the younger and William Davies], London publishers]
Publication details: 
Without place or date, but after the establishment of the firm of Cadell & Davies in 1793.
£350.00

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Messs. Cadell & Davies'. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to one edge. An interesting document, providing an insight into the world of Georgian publishing. Without preamble or salutation, reads: 'This work, in point of style, composition, & sentiment – everything, in short, in which the writer's merit is concerned, is much below mediocrity. But whether its subject, & the side it takes in party, might not at the present moment gain it some public favour, is what I cannot answer.

[Henry Cockton, Victorian novelist, author of 'The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist'.] Autograph Note Signed ('Henry Cockton') to his publisher Richard Bentley, arranging a meeting.

Author: 
Henry Cockton (1807-1853), Victorian novelist, author of 'The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist' [Richard Bentley (1794-1871), London publisher]
Publication details: 
Bury St Edmunds; 8 December 1841.
£80.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Addressed to 'R Bentley Esqre.' Reads: 'My Dear Sir | I this day received the note which you directed to be sent to me and will do myself the pleasure of calling upon you on Friday Morning at eleven'. Having previously appeared as a serial, Cockton's first novel 'Valentine Vox' was published in book form by Robert Tyas in 1840. Bentley commissioned Cockton's second novel 'Stanley Thorn' for 'Bentley's Miscellany', and published it in book form in 1841.

[Orby Shipley, liturgical scholar and Roman Catholic convert.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Orby Shipley') to an unidentified collector of rare theological works, regarding his plans for reprinting Roman Catholic titles, and a meeting.

Author: 
Orby Shipley (1832-1916), religious writer, liturgical scholar and Roman Catholic convert [William Wilfred Oates, Roman Catholic London publisher; Burns & Oates]
Publication details: 
Both on letterhead of 39 Thurloe Square, S.W. [London] 4 December 1884 and 8 December 1884.
£180.00

Both in fair condition, lightly aged, on bifoliums, stitched together. ONE: 4 December 1884. 4pp, 12mo. The recipient is not identified. Begins: 'My dear Sir | I am advised by more than one common friend to take the liberty of writing to you. Mr. Oates [publisher], amongst others, tells me that you have great knowledge of old Catholic literature & have collected many curious & valuable books. As I think you see the Tablet, I should like to direct your attention to a letter which I hope may appear in the next or the following number on some points on which I wish for information.

[ 'A New Work on Evolution.' ] Prospectus for the second edition of 'Fallen Angels, A Disquisition upon Human Existence - An Attempt to Elucidate some of its Mysteries, especially those of Evil and Suffering.' With printed publicity card.

Author: 
'One of Them' [ i.e. Frederick Braby ] [ Gay and Bird, London publishers ]
Publication details: 
London: Gay and Bird, 5 Chandos Street, Strand. [ 1894. ]
£35.00

Four pages, 4to, bifolium, some foxing but mainly good condition.The work was hugely popular, going through numerous editions between 1894 and 1907. The title is (deliberately) misleading. The work is an exploration of theological rather than biological questions, with the author stating that 'The How, Why, and Wherefore have not received the full amount of profound and reverent study that the ineffably intrinsic importance of the subject to ourselves warrants.' Lewis Carroll had a copy in his library.

[James Bertrand Payne, fraudster who brought down the London publishing house Edward Moxon & Co.] Four Autograph Letters Signed to H. Cholmondeley-Pennell, one explaining his retirement from the firm, and two about Pennell's book 'Crescent'.

Author: 
James Bertrand Payne (1833-1898), editor, author and fraudster [Henry Cholmondeley-Pennell (1837-1915), poet and writer on angling]
Publication details: 
The first two on letterhead 44 Dover Street, Piccadilly, London, W. [i.e. the premises of Edward Moxon & Co.], 17 and 26 October 1868. The third from The Grange, Brompton, 22 February 1869. The fourth with no place, 23 May 1869.
£200.00

The four letters are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Written in Payne's neat and mannered hand, and all four signed 'J Bertrand Payne'. For the background to the correspondence see Jim Cheshire's article 'The Fall of the House of Moxon', Victorian Poetry, Spring 2012. Payne was manager of the London publishing house Edward Moxon & Co., celebrated for their association with poets.

[Richard Bentley, London publisher.] Autograph Letter Signed to Leicester Buckingham, regarding his 'Life of Mary Queen of Scots'.

Author: 
Richard Bentley (1794-1871), London publisher for whom Charles Dickens edited 'Bentley's Miscellany' [Leicester Silk Buckingham (1825-1867), dramatist and author]
Publication details: 
New Burlington Street [London]. 11 May 1855.
£80.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Addressed to 'Leicester Buckingham Esq'. Bentley writes that the matter of Buckingham's life of Mary Queen of Scots is 'just now brought to [his] attention'. 'If you are passing this way any day between 12 and 2 o'C you will be sure to find me, or my son, who will be able to discuss the subject with you'. He finds that he 'paid to Mr Wageman for a copy of the Miniature of the Queen executed for yuou at your desire, £3 . 3. 0', and asks to be sent this.

[ Littleton Powys, second-eldest of the Powys family, Sherborne schoolmaster and naturalist.] Four Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Littleton') to the journalist Collin Brooks ('Collin'), mainly regarding his late wife the novelist Elizabeth Myers.

Author: 
Littleton Powys [Littleton Charles Powys] (1874-1955) of the Powys Family, teacher (Sherborne) and naturalist [his wife the novelist Elizabeth Myers (1903-1947); Collin Brooks (1893-1959), journalist]
Publication details: 
All four letters from The Quarry House, The Avenue, Sherborne, Dorset. (The first on a letterhead of the address.) 5 May, 20 August and 10 September 1948; and 28 April 1949.
£420.00

Four good letters, in which the author's love for his wife and grief at her death are apparent. Littleton Powys was the second-eldest of eleven, his siblings including writers John Cowper Powys, T. F. Powys and Llewelyn Powys, architect A. R. Powys, artist Gertrude Powys, lacemaker Marian Powys, and poet and novelist Philippa Powys. His autobiography 'The Joy of it' was published in 1937, with the sequel 'Still the Joy of it' appearing in 1956. The four letters are in good condition, lightly aged. They total 12pp., 12mo.

[Hall Caine's brother Ralph threatens Lord Northcliffe's Amalgamated Press with legal action for 'stealing my idea' on popular publishing.] Two Typed Letters Signed from 'Ralph' to his 'Papa & mama', with his Typed 'complete [solicitors'] statement'.

Author: 
Ralph Hall Caine (1865-1939), Isle of Man author and journalist; brother of novelist Hall Caine [Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe; Sir Harold Harmsworth; Amalgamated Press]
Publication details: 
Letters on letterhead of 2 Tudor Street, London E.C. [Amalgamated Press Ltd offices] 15 March and 18 April 1907. Statement without place or date.
£120.00

The three items are in good condition, lightly aged. ONE: TLS, 15 March 1907. 4pp., 4to. He is sending a copy (i.e. Item Three below) of 'a complete statement of what has taken place up to date. In fact it is the actual statement I placed before my Solicitor this afternoon […] Of course this is what we might have expected from these people, and it does not come as a very great surprise. | It is a direct attempt to get out of their obligations, as they have done before, as they can get this new man, and have got him – at something like £500 a year without an interest'.

[James Bertrand Payne, editor and author.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to H. Cholmondeley-Pennell, written around the time of his prosecution by the London publishers Edward Moxon & Co., and launch of his magazine 'The King of Arms'.

Author: 
James Bertrand Payne (1833-1898), editor, author and fraudster [Henry Cholmondeley-Pennell (1837-1915), poet and writer on angling]
Publication details: 
All three on letterheads of Tempsford House, the Grange, Brompton, S.W. [London] One from 1871 and two from 1873.
£220.00

The three letters are in good condition, lightly aged. All three signerd 'J Bertrand Payne'. The first has a letterhead in red, the other two have a different letterhead in blue. Both designs feature exuberant monograms and lettering in Victorian Gothic type, which, together with Payne's exuberant handwriting (the last letter also being written in purple ink), accurately reflect the character of the man Tennyson angrily dismissed as 'peacock Payne'. Three excellent letters, the background to which is of interest.

[Sir Henry William Lucy, celebrated Victorian political journalist.] Autograph Card Signed to Bristol printer and publisher J. W. Arrowsmith

Author: 
Sir Henry William Lucy [H. W. Lucy] (1842-1924), celebrated Victorian political journalist, parliamentary correspondent of Punch magazine [J. W. Arrowsmith [James Williams Arrowsmith] (1839-1913)]
Publication details: 
42 Ashley Gardens, Victoria Street, S.W. [London], on card with embossed letterhead of the House of Commons. 27 February [1900].
£40.00

In good condition, lightly aged. Written with purple ink. Addressed to 'J. W. Arrowsmith Esq | Publisher | Bristol.' The message begins, without salutation: 'Booking Office blocked with Copy. But I have had the "Modder River" taken out of turn. You will find a notice in tomorrow's "Punch"'. He announces that on the fifteenth of the following month he is 'to be a guest of the New Vagabond Club', and notes that Arrowsmith is a member, adding 'we may possibly meet'.

[ Vero Kemball Shaw writes to his publishers 'Messrs Geo Routledge & Sons'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Vero Shaw') concerning the production of his books 'The Encyclopaedia of the Kennel' and 'The Encyclopaedia of the Poultry Yard'.

Author: 
Vero Kemball Shaw (1851-1921), author of books on dogs and animal husbandry [George Routledge & Sons, London publishers]
Publication details: 
56 St John's Park Mansions, Highgate, N. [London] '3 of July [1913]'.
£50.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. The letter would appear to concern both of the books which Shaw published with Routledge in 1913: 'The Encyclopaedia of the Poultry Yard' and 'The Encyclopaedia of the Kennel'. He begins by explaining that he is finally sending in 'title page, & dedication, which I should have sent in earlier had I not been awaiting Mr T[?]s permission to dedicate the book to him.

[John Drinkwater, poet and dramatist, allows his play to be copied into Braille.] Typed Note Signed to Miss A. Mangens, giving her permission to copy his play 'Cromwell' into Braille.

Author: 
John Drinkwater (1882-1937), poet and dramatist
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 4 Ashburn Gardens, London, S.W.7.
£45.00

1p., landscape 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The letter reads: 'Dear Madam, | As far as I am concerned I shall be very glad for you to copy Cromwell into Braille, but I think you ought to get the formal permission of my publishers, Messers Sidgwick and Jackson, which I am sure that they will give you.'

[Hodder & Stoughton, London publishers.] Typed Note Signed by two of the firm's directors, the brothers R. Percy Hodder-Williams and Ralph Hodder-Williams, asking Jackson Gregory to accept a 'special copy' of his 'Riders across the Border'.

Author: 
Hodder & Stoughton, London publishers, founded 1868: Robert Percy Hodder-Williams (1880-1958) and his brother Ralph Hodder-Williams (1890-1961), directors
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, St. Paul's House, Warwick Square, London, E.C.4. 6 December 1938.
£50.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The brothers ask Gregory to 'please accept this special copy of RIDERS ACROSS THE BORDER, with our warmest regards, and with every good wish for Christmas and the New Year.' Gregory had published his book with the firm earlier in the year.

[ Charles Young, head of the Kensington booksellers Lamley & Co., to John G. Wilson of Messrs Bumpus. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C.') to Wilson

Author: 
Charles Young, head of the Kensington booksellers Lamley & Co. [ [John Gideon Wilson (1876-1963)] of the London booksellers J. & E. Bumpus; John Murray Ltd ]
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, Lamley & Co., 1, 3 & 5 Exhibition Road, S.W.3. [ London ] 19 July 1931.
£40.00

R. J. L. Kingsford, in his history of the Publishers Association, describes Young as 'a bookseller of outstanding character and ability, a friend of Arnold Bennett, and the discoverer of the literary distinction of George Sturt'. 1p., 12mo. Neatly and closely written. Headed 'private', and addressed to 'Dear John'. Young is apparently following a dinner (of the Publishers Association) at which George Bernard Shaw was present, and the subject of the letter would appear to be an exhibition Wilson's firm has mounted of books by the London publisher John Murray.

[Martin Farquhar Tupper critiques three poems by Walter Chalmers Smith.] Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Martin F. Tupper'), one to Smith and two to his publisher MacLehose, on 'Olrig Grange', 'Borland Hall' and 'Hilda Among the Broken Gods'.

Author: 
Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810-1889), poet and author, best known for his 'Proverbial Philosophy' [Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908), Scottish poet; James MacLehose & Sons, Glasgow publishers]
Publication details: 
Two on letterheads of Albury House, near Guildford, Surrey. 4 and 12 December 1874. The third from Western Villa, North Park, Croydon. 23 June 1878,
£150.00

Three 12mo letters in good condition, lightly aged and worn. An interesting batch of letters, in which one minor Victorian poet critiques the work of another, both to the author himself and to his publisher. The three books by Smith which are the subjects of Tupper's letters are 'Olrig Grange' (1872), 'Borland Hall' (1874) and 'Hilda Among the Broken Gods' (1878), all of which were published by the Glasgow publishers James MacLehose and Sons. ONE: Addressed 'To the unnamed Author of Olrig Grange'. 4 December 1874. On letterhead of Albury House, near Guildford. 4pp., 12mo.

[ Charles Sumner, Bishop of Winchester. ] Autograph Note Signed ('C Winton.') to 'the Society' [i.e. the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge], with an order, in another hand of books required by him.

Author: 
Charles Richard Sumner (1790-1874), Bishop of Llandaff and Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, and then Bishop of Winchester
Publication details: 
Farnham Castle. 2 January 1832.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. The item comprises a note in Sumner's hand on the first page, beneath which, and continuing onto the second page, is an order in another hand for 34 books in eight categories, under the headings 'Bibles', 'Testaments' and 'C[ommon] Prayers'. Sumner writes: 'Revd. Sir. | I request you will send me the following books on the terms of the Society, by Lamport's Farnham Waggon.' The order, in another hand, begins: 'Bibles | 5 8o Medium Small Pica without Marg[inal] Ref[erences]. And Apocr[ypha]'.

[ Sir George Clausen, RA, to E. V. Lucas. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('George Clausen') from Clausen to Lucas, a letter of introduction for the artist Curmow Vosper.

Author: 
Sir George Clausen (1852-1944), RA, English artist of Danish extraction [ E. V. Lucas [ Edward Verrall Lucas ] (1868-1938), essayist and publisher; Sydney Curnow Vosper (1866-1942), English painter ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 61 Carlton Hill, NW8. 14 February 1932.
£45.00

2pp., 8vo. In good condition. Clausen is writing to Lucas in the latter's capacity as chairman of the London publishers Methuen & Co., and the letter is a 'note of introduction' for Clausen's 'friend Mr Curnow Vosper, who has written and illustrated a children's book, which he wishes to submit to you. | Mr. Vosper is a painter, a member of the old Water-colour Society, and I have no doubt his work is known to you. I hope that you may find this his latest work, of interest.' Vosper does not appear to have published any book during this period, either with Methuen or anybody else.

[ Nineteenth-century Boston children's book with hand-coloured illustrations by Chandler and Duran. ] The Delectable Historie of the Cat and the Rabbits.

Author: 
'G. W. Cottrell, Publisher, Bookseller, Stationer, and Valentine Dealer, No. 36 Cornhill, Boston' [ Chandler and Duran, Massachussetts ]
Publication details: 
Boston: G. W. Cottrell, Publisher. ('Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by CHANDLER & DURAN, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachussetts.')
£220.00

29pp., small 4to. Stitched into card covers. Internally in fair condition, in aged and worn covers repaired along the spine with brown tape. There are eleven hand-coloured engravings: one on the cover, a frontispiece, two vignettes (at the beginning and end of the poem) and seven full-page illustrations in the body of the poem (six of them with blank reverses). The cover illustration, frontispiece, and all but two of the full-page engravings are attributed to Chandler and Duran.

[ Professor Charles de Flandre of Edinburgh University. ] Lithographed Circular in form of a facsimile of an Autograph Letter Signed, requesting subscriptions to his translation of 'Professor Petit's unpublished History of Mary, Queen of Scots'.

Author: 
Charles de Flandre, Professor of French Language and Literature at Edinburgh University
Publication details: 
On his monogrammed letterhead, 15 Dundas Street, Edinburgh. 24 February 1873.
£100.00

1p., 12mo. Aged and grubby. A convincing facsimile, sent with 'a copy of the title page, the authors preface, a few explanatory remarks and a list of chief subscribers', in the hope that the recipient 'may be induced to become a subscriber' and mention the work 'to any one likely to take an interest in the subject'. No other copy traced.

[ French law bookseller's catalogue. ] Catalogue des Livres Nouveaux, de Fonds, en nombre et d'assortiment.

Author: 
B. Warée, oncle, Libraire de la Cour Royale, Paris [ French law bookseller ]
Publication details: 
Qui se trouvent à Paris, chez B. Warée, oncle, Libraire de la Cour Royale, au Palais de Justice, ou Cour de la Sainte-Chapelle, no. 13. Novembre, 1821. [ Lottin de S.-Germain, Imprimeur du Roi.' ]
£60.00

8pp., 8vo. Disbound and without wraps. In fair condition, lightly aged. Manuscript emendation on p.6. A law bookseller's careful and businesslike priced catalogue of unnumbered entries, several of which are accompanied by long descriptions by the author in small type. No copy in the Bibliotheque Nationale, nor on OCLC WorldCat or COPAC.

[ Eustace Miles, Olympic real tennis player, proposes a book on 'How to Breathe' to the publisher Grant Richards. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Eustace Miles.') to Richards, also regarding 'the Roman History Reviews'.

Author: 
Eustace Miles [ Eustace Hamilton Miles ] (1868-1948), English real tennis player who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics [ Grant Richards [ Franklin Thomas Grant Richards ] (1872-1948), publisher ]
Publication details: 
89 Norfolk Road, Littlehampton. 15 October 1901.
£50.00

Miles published two books with Richards: 'The Teaching of Jesus To-Day' (1899) and 'A History of Rome to 500 a.d.' (1901), the latter having appeared shortly before the writing of the letter. The work proposed by Miles in this letter does not appear to have been published by Richard or anyone else. 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. The letter begins: 'Dear Richards, | Would you be likely to publish a Vol. on | “How to Breathe” | in your “How-to” Series? There wd. Be plain-line illustrations. The Indian Yoga System wd.

[ A. Absolon, London publisher. ] Autogaph Card Signed to F. Davis, regarding his publication in the 'Forge & Lathe' of 'Maltons Gt. Treatise on Perspective'.

Author: 
A. Absolon (fl. 1878), London publisher [ Frederick Davis ]
Publication details: 
3 York Street, Covent Garden. 13 February 1878.
£25.00

Half-penny postcard printed in purple. In fair condition, lightly aged, with thin strip along one edge from former mounting obscuring parts of a few words. Addressed to 'F. Davis Esq. | 4 Upper Phillamore [sic] Place | W.' The communication reads: 'Sir, | I beg to inform you that we have bought out Maltons Gt. Treatise on Perpective in the columns of the Forge & Lathe a fortnightly Journal devoted to Practical Mechanics &c. The Preface appeared in our No. Published yesterday price 6d by post 7d Terms for Subscribers 16/- Yearly 8/- ½ Yearly 4/- Quarterly. | A. Absolon | Publisher'.

[ Nancy R. E. Bell, author and wife of artist Arthur George Bell. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Nancy Bell') to unnamed 'Gentlemen', praising a book on Japan which (as the publishers) they have sent her, and expressing desire to review it.

Author: 
Nancy Bell { Nancy R. E. Bell, born Nancy Regina Emily Meugen ] (1844-1933), American art critic and travel writer, wife of Arthur George Bell (1849-1916), English genre and landscape painter
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Restgarth, Southbourne, Christchurch. 8 December [ no year ].
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The 'Gentlemen' are clearly the publishers of a book which they wish Bell to review. She writes that she is greatly obliged to them for offering her 'a copy of your beautiful book on Japan', and has written 'to 4 editors to ask for space for early notices of it'. The book is 'indeed a marvel of technical skill in reproduction & it would be a pleasure to me to speak as highly of it as it deserves'.

[ Lady Margaret Sackville, poet and children's author, mistress of Ramsay MacDonald. ] Nine Autograph Letters Signed and two Autograph Card Signed (all 'Margaret Sackville') to her agent C. F. Cazenove, regarding manuscripts of fairy tales and poems.

Author: 
Lady Margaret Sackville (1881-1963), poet and children’s author, daughter of Earl De La Warr, second-cousin of Vita Sackville-West, mistress of Ramsay MacDonald [ C. F. Cazenove, literary agent ]
Publication details: 
One from Lupton, Churston, Devon. The other ten on letterheads: Inchmery, Exbury, Southampton (6); 2 Magdala Place, Edinburgh (2); Old Lodge, Ashdown Forest, Nutley, Sussex; Copthorne, Fawley, Southampton. Between 1905 and 1907.
£500.00

Written (perhaps appropriately) in a somewhat childish hand.

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