VICTORIAN

On 1.5 x 5.5 cm. slip of paper. In fair condition, with light signs of age. Presumably cut from a letter in response to a request for an autograph.

Good, bold underlined signature in brown ink on 4 x 6 cm piece of paper. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Laid down on piece of thick paper, on the reverse of which are traces of grey paper mount. Presumably cut from a letter.

A total of 6pp. (5pp. in 12mo and 1p. in 4to). The five items in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. In the first letter, 15 June 1898, he says he is posting 'the MS. (untouched: it is excellent) to Sir Douglas' (i.e. Whitley's editor, Sir Douglas Straight). The following day he informs her that 'the interview reads charmingly', and that 'everybody in the theatre is delighted with it', adding that he has 'just posted it to the Poet'.

16pp. (of which 12pp. in 8vo and 4pp. in 4to). In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Neatly written out, with underlinings in red ink. Loosely inserted in the marbled wraps of an exercise book, with 'Adelphi' in pencil on the inside of the front cover. The first scene is written out complete on ten leaves from the exercise book (now loose), with the main text on ten pages, and additions on two versos. In addition to this is a grey paper bifolium, carrying over 4pp., 4to, additional matter to be inserted at the beginning of the second scene.

In good condition, lightly aged, with one vertical crease. Stamped and postmarked, and addressed to 'Cyril Maude Esqre. | Redlap | Dartmouth. | Devon'. For more about Hambourg, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. He writes: 'My dear Cyril | I'm afraid the Chappell Piano is necessary for me, as however good a theatre piano, it would not be good enough for a performance at your "Grand Benefit." | Yours with best wishes | Mark Hambourg'. Maude's 'Birthday Benefit Matinée' took place for charity at the Haymarket Theatre, 24 April 1942.

9pp., folio. On five leaves of aged and worn paper. Heavily reworked, with numerous deletions and additions. Headed 'The Confessions of A [amended from 'The'] Suspicious Gentleman. | by Lord Nugent'. The present short story was first published in 'The Musical Bijou' for 1830, and was reprinted in 'The Polar Star' (abridged) and 'New York Mirror', before being collected in an anthology by Nugent and his Wife, 'Legends of the Library at Lilies, by the Lord and Lady there' (London: Longman, 1832), pp.51-91.

On 2.5 x 6.5 slip of paper cut from the end of a letter. Laid down on a small piece of black card. In good condition, lightly aged. In a small tight hand. Reads 'Very truly yours | M. O. W. Oliphant'. With cutting of part of an article. featurinng a photograph of the novelist.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Illustrated letterhead, printed in gold, red, blue and purple. Writing on behalf of his wife as well as himself, he explains that 'absence from England will prevent them accepting the kind invitation of Ms. Harrison Blair for Easter Sunday'.

An interesting letter regarding a celebrated Victorian scandal. In 1884 Frederic had come to England with his wife and five children as the London correspondent of the New York TImes. He set up a second household with Kate Lyon, with whom he had a further three children. Lyons was a Christian Scientist, and when Frederic suffered a stroke in 1898, she tried to cure him by faith healing, but he died. At the instigation of Mrs Frederic, Lyon was tried for manslaughter, but was acquitted. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border and armorial letterhead. In fair condition, on aged paper, with slight traces of glue from mount on blank reverse of second leaf. His reply has been delayed by the fact that Stephenson's letter was misdirected to 'Highbury College'. He thanks Stephenson for his letter, and feels 'so much pleasure' at 'time passed in Edinburgh', regarding 'that great city with so sincere an affection, that it is very pleasing to [him] to receive so kind a letter from one of its inhabitants'.

On one side of a 7.5 x 10.5 cm piece of grey paper. Laid down on a piece of cream paper cut from an album. In fair condition, aged. Reads (with manuscript additions in square brackets): 'LYCEUM THEATRE. | Mr. Henry Russell's Entertainment, | ADMIT [Four Dress Circle] | On [ Wed ] day, September [ 7th ] 1853. | [Henry Russell.] | Not admitted after a quarter to 8.' Also included is an undated newspaper cutting of a letter from Russell 'To the Editor of the Daily News', from '74, Kensington-gardens-square, Bayswater, Nov.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged paper, with minor traces of glue from mount on reverse. Reads: 'My ydear Massingham. | Will you give me an admission for myself & friend to see the Pantomime - I hear it is great - how are you - can I do any thing for you! - | Thine sincerely | Henry Massingham'. 'Old Massingham' was well-known in his day as 'the lessee of the box-office at the Princess's Theatre during the reign of Keeley and Charles Kean'. His collection of theatrical material was auctioned after his death.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and lightly-creased. The letter begins: 'Four thousand thanks for the very kind manner in which you have given the notice of my dearest wife in your last number.' The notice will be extremely gratifying 'to her family and any of the many who loved her'. Mrs Planché was also a playwright, and is thought to have collaborated with her husband on a number of works.

On letterhead, cropped down to 7.5 x 9 cm. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'March 10. 91 | B. C. | Alas! I am rusticating! | Aberdare'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with unobtrusive spike hole through both leaves. The signature is unclear, and appears to read 'Eleyn Zahn', but the only one of Charles Kenney's sisters with a name beginning in 'E' was Ellen. She asks for a private box for the following Thursday on behalf of her sister 'V. Kenney [ Virginia Kenney, born 1821]and self'. She refers to his 'long and prosperous reign', and fears that it will be 'long before we shall enjoy the gratification of seeing both you and Mrs. Kean again, as we leave for Paris in a few days'.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Brammall's address is given as Cheetwood, 123 Dartmouth Road, Brondesbury, NW. Note Wilson's parsimonious or thrifty use of his old Premier's letterhead despite his return to England. He regrets having to decline Brammall's invitation 'relative to the Dinner of the Diggers' Club to be held on the 8th June', due to his 'being absent in the North of England on that date'. A manuscript list of attendees (presumably by Bramall) is on the reverse, with the note: 'I should like a small table in the room for the artistes after dinner'.

The inscription is on a 22.5 cm square piece of card, and reads: 'Eden Phillpotts - somewhat battered, but still telling stories. | May 1950.' Laid down on the card, above the inscription, is a 14 x 18 cm black and white photograph, depicting Phillpotts, book in hand, standing in front of a bookcase, which has apparently been cut by Phillpotts from a magazine. The item is in fair condition, lightly-aged and worn.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on aged paper. In envelope with Penny Red stamp and postmarks (including one dated 21 March 1853), addressed by Davenport to 'J F. D. Croker Esq | 3 Gloucester Road | Old Brompton'. He thanks him for sending 'his Dramatic Register of 52 (& one also 51 while in Scotland)', and congratulates 'Mr C upon the very excellent style in which he has put the facts together'. Also present are a cutting relating to Davenport, from the New York Albion, 24 February 1855, and a small engraved portrait of 'MR.

2pp., 12mo. On tinted paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The letter begins: 'Dear Gen. Townshend | Won't you come with me to the Famous Players Ball on Wed. eve? | I am going to ask Miss Balfour. We can all dine here at my office at 7 on that eve - & have time to see later a litttle entertainment prior to the dancing.' He offers to present him to 'some of our leading lights in the picture world especially Elsie Ferguson who is now playng in Arnold Bennetts "Sacred & Profane Love' (which appeared in 1921).

1p., landscape 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads, with manuscript text in square brackets: 'Royal Italian Opera, | Covent Garden. | [Madle Vestris] | Londres, [Le 6 Juin] 18[66]. | Recu de M. Gye la somme de [£40 - -] | [G Vestris | B.V, | £[40 : - : -']'.

4pp., 8vo. Bifolium on shiny paper. In good condition, lightly-aged. The front cover carries a reproduction of the print 'Wireless Telegraphy.' Pp.3-4 carry reproductions of the 'Gibson Heads': 'NOW READY. - A Series of Sixteen Gibson Heads, of which the accompanying illustrations are miniatures. | Each subject is Hand-Printed on Japanese Hand-Made Tissue Paper, mounted ready for framing. Price 5s. 6d. each, post free.' Scarce: no copies on WorldCat, or on COPAC.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, with traces of tissue mount running along one edge. Addressed to 'My dear Lloyd'. He is sending on Mrs Hay's letter, and asks his 'intentions with regard to Lt: Col: Hay - when he left Aldershot it was understood that the Command of the 2nd. Bde. Divn. Field Artillery would be kept open for him, but now Major Hall has been appointed Hay has lost his command here'. He praises Hay as 'so good an officer & has done such good work here that I am very anxious to help him' He suggests him for another appointment at Okehampton.

1p., landscape 12mo. On aged, worn and creased paper. Written in a shaky hand. Reads: '9th. | This was just going out as your Letter came in yesterday. So thought it better too keep back till I had mastered the contents of yours which was most satisfactory and told me all I wanted to know - | A thousand thanks for all you have done | F. S. H.'

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, laid down on part of a leaf from an album. He writes that he has 'carefully looked over the Copy of "Turner's England and Wales," that will be offered for Sale at Christies rooms on Tuesday next', and that while he finds it 'in all respects good of its kind, and applicable to the Library of a gentleman', it is 'not so well applicable to the Studio of an Artist, whose aim is to acquire from it, all the knowledge that a more refined class of impressions of places might impart to him'.

ONE: Letter. 1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He cannot attend the breakfast club, as he is to be best man to a friend in Wimbledon at that time. He is 'rather too old for the character but all his other friends are married'. He would 'prefer the chat but, alas, it cant be managed'. TWO: Note. 1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper with slight damage at foot. He regrets that, being out of town, he will be unable to 'join the breakfast club' at the recipient's house.

Both items in fair condition, bifoliums on lightly aged paper. ONE: 16 December 1883. 3pp., 12mo. Telling the story of the 'Wallingford Belles', beginning with the family of 'Thomas Clark [...] landlord of the Lamb Hotel, formerly called the Bell' When Grant visits him the following summer he will give him 'lessons in painting & as much Lawn Tennis as you like and there is no end to the Archaeology of the neighbourhood'. TWO: 23 December [1883]. 4pp., 12mo. He begins by offering to aid Grant's researchehs by search the parish registers.

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight smudging to second page. Annotated by the recipient 'read & burn'. He explains that he is 'just off to Eastbourne', and asks her to send on her letter 'to The Editor [of the Morning Post]', adding that it is 'a risk to send to me'. He concludes by explaining that he and his wife have 'given our present long ago & I am subscribing to a Kensington one. We cannot subscribe to all.'

Previously laid down in an autograph album. On both sides of a 12 x 10.5 cm. piece of paper, cropped down from 12mo. In fair condition, but with some loss of text due to cropping, and with traces of glue on first page (i.e. the page without the signature). On the first page he approves the postponement of the recipient's visit to Edinburgh, and on the second he expresses admiration for 'the kind and generous sentiments displayed on both sides and described with such perfect simplicity' in 'the presented papers'.

30pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, lightly aged. The only copies of this edition on COPAC at Oxford and the Humanist Library.

16pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, lightly aged. 'You do not exactly appreciate my feeling. I do not hate Presbyterians; I hate Presbyterianism. I hate with all my heart the creed of that Church, and I most heartily despise the God described in the Confession of Faith. But some of the best friends I have in the world are afflicted with the mental malady known as Presbyterianism.' Uncommon.