SIR

From the papers of Lieutenant Colonel William Otter Gibbs (1883-1960), Sixth Tank Battalion. Duplicated Typed Circular headed 'SPECIAL ORDER No. 15 | by | Major-Genl. H. J. ELLES, CB, DSO, Comdg. Tank Corps in the Field. | 13th August, 1918.' With facsimile signature of 'H. J. Elles. | Major-General, | Commanding Tank Corps in the Field.' 1p., landscape 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-ruckled paper. The letter begins: 'Dear Herbert, | My address will show you why I cannot have the pleasure of breakfasting with you. My poll is tomorrow [Trevelyan was MP for Glasgow Bridgeton], and the evening of the 7th. I am to speak in Inverness, and then have to come South to take part in our two South Northern Ireland contests'. He will be 'from 3 to 600 miles from London for some time to come', and will 'miss the sort of society of which the breakfast club is the quintessence'. From the papers of Sir Robert Herbert.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. In a difficult hand. He hopes there is 'no misunderstanding about the box for tonight', which is reserved in the recipient's name at the theatre: '& you have only to ask for your box'. He ends: 'We shall meet tonight I hope after the play.'

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The letterhead, printed in red and black, features the illustration of a phoenix in fire which featured on the covers of some Penguin Books publications of works by D. H. Lawrence. He begins by stating that Malcolm Kelly has sent him Bailey's letter 'with its very flattering reference to me'. He explains that he has 'always regarded the book business as a whole & not as two camps as it were, book-sellers & publishers'.

The first letter 4pp., 12mo, with cross writing on frist page, and the second 3pp., 12mo. Both bifoliums. The second letter with its envelope, with penny red and postmarks, addressed by Dickson to 'Travers Twiss Esq D. C. L. | No. 19 Park Lane | London'. Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. The first letter concerns Dr Edward Thompson, Vicar of Kington, who has been complained about by his curate 'Mr. Clelan', resulting in a report in a newspaper. Dickson writes: 'Kington, you may remember, rejoices in the notorious Dr.

Both items are printed with elegant restraint, and  designed by Sebastian Carter (from the horse's mouth). Both are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. The service with a horizontal central fold and the ticket with a vertical fold. The funeral service is printed in black and red on deckled-edged wove paper. The second page gives details of 'The Music' and the third 'The Order of Service', which features Michael Morpurgo, Richard Hoggart, Robert Lusty and Harry Paroissien, with Rev. Austen Williams officiating. The last page gives details of the eight musicians.

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.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. He 'went this a.m. to hear Dr Campbell Morgan, there was a huge audience extending into the 2nd. gallery. He did not preach the sermon he had prepared, but said what came into his mind in connection with the death of the King'. He 'passed the Palace & saw the Royal Standard of England flyig at 1/2 mast'. He regrets the king's death, finding him 'such a good sort & such a power for good politically'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight loss to one corner. Reads: 'My dear Caro | I cannot go, having an engagement at Greenwich - I will answer for you also. | In haste, | but ever yrs, | W E Parry'. Note: A letter from Parry to "Joseph Martineau, brother-in-law" appears in a Parry archive - perhaps Caro was his sister.

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper, with traces of glue from mount at head of second page. Annotated at head in a contemporary hand. If mention of his name 'can in any way help you for the Welsh University or for any other post, by all means use it'. Regarding the 'next years cataloguing', plans are only in consideration, 'with the preparation of the estimates at end of the summer'. He explains that in the previous year these were 'framed by Dr. Smith', and that her application 'came just too late'.

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, with postmarks, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Nicholas Carlisle Esqr. | Society of Antiquaries Apartments | Somerset Place.' In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He has received 'a Letter from Mr. Daniel Lysons 'respecting "some fragments of brass belonging to a sacrificial Vessel found near Chichester," which were entrusted by Mr. Dallaway to the care of Mr. S.

2pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly-aged, with seal cut away from second leaf, which carries a postmark and the address: 'For the Rt. Honoble. Sr. Robert Rich, one of the Lords of the Admiralty. At his house near ye Admty. Office. | Westminster'. Thirty-two lines of text.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condtion, lightly aged. Addressed, with postmark, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Saml. Egerton Brydges Esqr. | Denton | Canterbury'. Concerning his change of the plan he told 'Mr. Lodge' regarding his intention to visit Brydges at Denton: 'I go to Canterbury merely to attend the sessions, and am very lame'. If Brydges is in Canterbury, Adolphus would be happy to see him 'at the house of Mr. George Plomer (late Mr Warley's) in the High Street'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. On two occasions, despite the urgings of his friends, he has declined to apply for 'the Curatorship at Sir John Soanes', but he has since 'thought my friends might be right, and that the appointment would afford means of study and relaxation'. He has been 'over worked lately', and is 'suffering from boils and nervous headaches, which came on the very day I had intended to leave for Paris and Berlin'.

1p., landscape 8vo. On aged and worn paper, with a couple of light ink stains. A small cutting carrying a biography of Lever is laid down at bottom left. His 'intention relative to sending a Cargo of Potatoes to our brave friends at Gibraltar' has not met with the support he expected, so he is forced to 'give up the plan, the Subscription being no way adequate to the expence that would attend'. He asks Harrop to insert the list of subscribers in his newspaper, and to 'return those Gentlemen their Subscription with my best Compliments'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly-aged. He does not think the recipient's 'young Friend' would stand much chance gaining 'the Appointment', but does not see why 'he should not try & make himself known'. He continues: 'We want an experienced Man up to all the workings of the Acts for compulsory Purchases & the Tricks of fradulent Claimants'. Tite is afrait that the 'young Friend has this unpleasant Part of his Profession yet to learn'. He concludes by stating that there is 'but little Chance of my being in London at the Election'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of mount still adhering to reverse. From the context a response to a request for an autograph. Reads. 'Sir / | I beg to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter & thus to answer it. | I am | Sir | Your obed Servant | William Tite'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition. He thanks him for his 'very kind note', but regrets that 'owing to my being engaged on a lecturing tour for some time to come I am at present unable to fix a date to avail myself of your invitation'. He hopes to be able to do so when 'free from my appointments'. For information on de Rougemont', see B. G. Andrews's entry on him in the Dictionary of Australian Biography. Born in Switzerland, at around the age of sixteen 'he became a footman to the actress Fanny Kemble, touring extensively and learning fluent English.

1p., small 4to. Irregular shaped leaf of paper, aged and worn, laid down on a piece of paper 21 cm. square. Fourteen lines of text in a secretarial hand, regarding the payment of an annuity of £500 to 'David Walter - Esqr. one of the Groomes of his Mats. Bedchambr.' Signed at bottom right by Shaftesbury, and addressed at bottom left by the secretary 'To oure loving freind Sr. Robt. Long Bart. Audr. of the Receipt of ye. Excheqr.'

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged paper, with slight damage to a few words along one edge due to removal from album. On his return to Eastbourne he has 'found a note announcing the Commission under the Great Seal for appointing Commissioners to inquire into the best mode of preventing the forgery of Bank Notes', and requiring his attendance the following day.

The letters total 5pp., 4to; and 1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. With stamps of the Royal Society of Arts. On the reverse of one letter are pencil notes, presumably by Wood.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'Arthur C. Blunt, Esq', with salutation to 'My dear Cecil'. With regard to 'Mr. Wigram's letter' he writes that he 'would rather not dramatize a novel, and did I feel an inclination to do so I don't think I am at all a good man for the work'. He nevertheless asks the recipient to inform Wigram that he is 'complimented by his and Lord Desart's proposal'. The postscript is mildly amusing: 'P.S. I hope I am not liable to misconstruction in enquiring after your Housemaid's Knee'.

1p., folio. On aged and worn paper. A jingoistic wartime outfit, with the letterhead proclaiming 'THE BRITISH EMPIRE FOR BRITISH SUBJECTS' and 'NO GERMAN INFLUENCE. | NO GERMAN LABOUR. | NO GERMAN GOODS | That compete with British.' The organisations chairman is named as Lord Leith of Fyvie, and the chairman Lieut-Col. Sir Mervyn Manningham-Buller. The long text begins: 'The British Empire Union offers a Prize of £2 2s.

1p., 12mo. On a bifolium, part of the second leaf of which has been torn away, but with address by Jeremie to 'Payne Esqr. | Commanding the G

'. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Reads: 'Sir John Jeremie presents his compliments to Mr. Payne & begs he will do him the favor of dining with him on Tuesday at half past six o'clock.'

On both sides of a 11.5 x 15 cm piece of card. Printed in black ink, and completed in manuscript. An interesting piece of University of London ephemera. Aged and worn. The front is headed 'UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. | UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.' and records that Lake has paid his fee of thirty-six guineas. At bottom left: 'This Ticket must be presented for signature to the Professors of the Classes for which it is issued.' On the reverse is a grid, with the signatures of: 'M. J. M. Hill' [ Micaiah John Muller Hill (1856-1929) ] for 'Pure Mathematics'; 'Alfred W.

The seven items are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, and total 9pp., 8vo. Three carry the Society's stamp. The correspondence concerns the production of Wood's 'History of the Royal Society of Arts' (1913). Topics include price, binding, design, layout, reviews. An eighth item is also included: a letter in the third person from 'Mr. Murray', dated 20 January 1914. This does not appear to be in the hand of either John Murray IV or John Murray V

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Headed 'Private'. He begins by undertaking to bear in mind Daniell's wishes if the Endowed Schools' Bill becomes law. With regard to 'lectures on the Friendly Societies', he thinks Daniell would be 'very well qualified to deliver some; but I don't think it would do for the Government to employ any one for the purpose'. He suggests he try to make 'private arrangements with some of the Literary and Philanthropic Societies', to some of which 'Ludlow' might be able to introduce him.

3pp., 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition. He begins by thanking her for her 'pretty and considerate gift' which, as winter approaches, will see her 'more frequently kept in memory'. He regrets her recent indisposition, her absence from Spittlehaugh (the Peeblesshire estate of his wife's family) having been 'often felt'. He gives news of 'the Colonel & Mrs. Thompson' and 'Fordyce'

1p., 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. He thanks him for the invitation to the Society's 'discussion on extended copyrights'. He must decline, not only because of a prior invitation, 'but also because I am unfortunately too deaf to take any satisfactory part in debate or discussion, as I miss so much that is said & get some of the rest wrong!' His infirmity is 'a bar to my pleasure on such occasions'.

1p., folio. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with leaf from diary tipped in onto blank reverse. Signed 'L. Carlyle Lyon', addressed by Lyon to 'Mr. Asherson' with seasonal greetings in autograph. Heavily annotated with notes by Asherson. Begins: 'You are cordially invited to attend (with a friend or friends) the "Pneumonia Evening" of the OSLER CLUB (President, Mr. V. Zachary Cope, F.R.C.S, in the Chair) on FRIDAY, January 11th, at 7.45 p.m. at the Medical Society of London, 11, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W.1. | Speakers: Lord Horder, G.C.V.O.: "Osler and Pneumonia".