Economics

The claim that Benjamin Jowett reported Senior as saying that ‘the famine of 1848 in Ireland would not kill more than a million people, and that would scarcely be enough to do much good’ appears to have been made up by Cecil Woodham-Smith. It is certainly not mentioned in Senior’s entry in the Oxford DNB, along with the entry for the recipient Lady (Maria) Theresa Lewis (1803-1865), who lived in Kent House in Knightsbridge with her second husband Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Bart, her first husband having been the novelist Thomas Henry Lister (1800-1842).

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of brown paper mount at corners of the blank reverse. Folded for postage. Addressed to ‘T. H. Lister Esq, / &c &c’ and signed ‘J. R. McCulloch’. Sending his ‘best thanks for the account you have sent me of the new system of [Registration?]: it is exactly the sort of thing that I wished for, and will be a most valuable addition to my work’. See Image.

From the papers of Philip Dosse, proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See 'Death of a Bookman' by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of 'Books and Bookmen' at the time of Dosse's suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018; and Michael Barber, 'What was Books and Bookmen?', Literary Review blog, 18 August 2023. Both items in good condition, lightly aged. Both folded once for postage. Both 1p, 12mo. ONE (1 October 1974): It was 'nice' of Dosse to write, but he 'needn't have given it a second thought'.

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB and History of Parliament. Howard was Auditor of Receipt from 1673 to his death. The document is damaged, with the lower part torn away, leaving an area 23cm high and the same wide, but with part of one lower corner torn away. The paper is aged, and there are chipping and closed tears to edges. Howard’s two signatures (both ‘Ro: Howard’) are both undamaged, and the item is of some interest. On the front is the printed form, completed in manuscript, with ‘Sr. Thomas Player in repaymt. of Loane./’ in manuscript in right-hand margin.

Conyers is curiously absent from the Oxford DNB. The present item is a frail survival. It is the customary form, printed under the heading ‘Annuities, 3700 l. per Week.’ Completed in manuscript with date, amount and record of payment to ‘Sr Gerard Conyers - Asignee of ye Execr. of S. [Leshieuller? Lechienller?] & Attorney to Jno. Burkin, Esqr Assignee of ye same’. Signed at bottom right ‘Gerard Conyer[s]’ and with the signature of ‘Witness E Clarke’ at bottom left. On aged, creased and worn paper, with one hole from wear, and the last letter of Conyer’s surname worn away. See Image.

One page, sm. folio, bifolium, aged and stained, with portion lost through removal of seal, text clear and complete. See Image. Note on verso of second leaf: Mr. Lowndes to pay the Recoyned Money Into the Exchequer.

Engraved advertisement printed in dark blue, light blue and pink on both sides of 20 x 14 cm piece of unwatermarked wove paper. An amusing fake bank note or bond, designed to showcase the firm’s competency. The paper stock and layout are entirely consistent with the firm’s work. On one side, instead of a picture of a monarch or president, is the face of a rather imperious young woman (one of the directors’ wives?), together with a design featuring the fasces and motto ‘VIS UNITA FORTIOR’.

See his entries in the Oxford DNB and History of Parliament. The signature (‘Vere’) is good and bold, at the bottom right of the document, as is that of first witness Henry Woodall (‘Hez Woodall’), but there is slight loss at the beginning of the signature of the second witness ‘[...] Ogborn’, and the left side of the document has been torn away also causing loss to printed text, and there is wear and pitting along the top and left edge. The customary printed document, completed in manuscript. 1p, 8vo.

See Beveridge’s entry in the Oxford DNB. Humberstone was a prominent member of the Convocation of the University of London. The five items are in good condition, lightly aged. All five signed ‘W H Beveridge’. ONE: 29 June 1933; The London School of Economics and Political Science, Aldwych, London. 1p, 4to. Folded twice. Thanking him for his book on ‘the Bloomsbury Site’. He does not agree with his ‘objection to Holden’s design (so far as I can judge I think it is very remarkable and very fine)’, but thinks that ‘the stirring up of discussion and interest in the matter is a good thing’.

One page, 8vo, fold marks, good condition. He apologises for the delay in replying to the letter asking if I would read a paper before the Society of Arts during the coming session - I have been away. I should very much like to do as you request but I am afraid that my movements are too uncertain to make a promise. The subject is an attractive one and if you feel inclined to write me again, say for the following session, I would do my utmost to prepare a paper. See image.

Three pages, 4to, bifolium, poor condition, with some (crude) repair work but other closed tears on folds, requiring attention BUT text clear and complete (with odd difficult word). Some pencil notes by a later reader, inaccurately attributing to Edmund Law. Text: I regret sincerely that I cannot participate with my fellow citizens in the general expression of their sense of your high merits. Were I able to attend I would drink your health Eminent [speaker?] but most exalted when addressing his successor.

Sixteen Autograph Letters Signed, total 45pp., 12mo, some bifoliums, good condition. He usually asks for research into issues, national and international that were subject to Parliamentary discussion at the time.

Two pages, sm. folio, good condition. Text; "As I said to you the other day at the Ackermans, I do not think that 'The Economist's' figures contradict what we said in Spain. [...]" He goes on to compare taxes per capita in the States and UK, giving figures for total tax, population, and tax per person (about $100 les per person in the UK). He continues, "I agree however that per capita figures are by no means the only criterion because of the great national income per person in the United States[...]" He then quotes 'The Economist' giving percentages of the tax burden.

See images for content. Paper, 19.5 x 9cm, creasing, minor damage. A £100 payment Seven days at the sight [...] for value received as per advice. Attached: small paper, 6 x 4.5cm, printed heading Venn & Son, Notaries [with address] with MS note Present when due | Notl Charges [printed] 3/6.

60pp., 4to, crude card binding, damp-stained and worn at spine, typescript aged, damp-stained but clear. Sub-title: A Record of Public History and Private Opinion in Germany 1945-1954 | and an attempt at analysis of the German character as it appeared to a soldier of the British Army of the Rhine.

One page, 8vo, bifolium (second leaf blank except for docketing of name and date), good condition. Text: I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship the Copy of a Petition which the Magistrates & Council of this Burgh beg your Lordship will have the goodness to present tothe House of Lords, Praying to be admitted to a participation of the East India trade, and that whatever part thereof is granted, may not be confined to the Port of London alone; but also to the other Sea Port Towns of the Kingdom.

[Full title] The Gross and Net Produce of all the Branches of the Revenue under the Management of the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs in England. Together with an Adjustment of the Net Produce with the Payments into the Exchequer Annually from Christmas 1710. To which are prefixed the underwritten Acco[unts] viz[t] : 1. The Yearly Payments into the Receipt of Exchequer on all the several Branches of the Customs from Michaelmas 1679 to Christmas 1710. 2. The Payments into the Exchequer for prohibited uncustomed and forfeited goods Annually from Christmas 1701. 3.

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged, with reverse of second leaf laid down on leaf removed from album. Valentia's father had been, like Neate, a Member of Parliament for Oxford. The letter begins: 'Dear Lord Valentia. | I am sorry it so happens that I was away, and shall be till next Monday - when I return home

to

street for the next six Weeks'. He would have been 'very glad to meet even a Yankee at your

Totalling 17pp., foolscap 8vo. The main paper, 'The Organisation and Functions of British Chambers of Commerce', 14pp; the supplementary paper (separately paginated), titled 'Joint Chambers of Commerce', 3pp. Separating the two papers is a leaf carrying a faded duplicated image of a plan copied from The Chambers of Commerce Manual 1954-5'. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with rusty staple and paperclip, and slight creasing to the last three leaves of the main paper. Minor pencil emendations throughout the main paper by Carpenter.

Carpenter, who was knighted in 1951, 'For services as President, Manchester Chamber of Commerce', was a leading Manchester industrialist and banker. Among the numerous positions listed in his entry in Who Was Who, he was for 40 years the chairman and managing director of the Manchester cotton manufacturers Greg Brothers & Co., and for 21 years a director of Williams Deacon's Bank (serving as chairman for 12 years), a leading member of the Cotton and Rayon Merchants' Association, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, and the International Chamber of Commerce.

The two letters were written on Cunningham's return from America, where he had been lecturing in economic history at Harvard. Both are in good condition, lightly aged. Both are addressed from Trinity College, Cambridge. ONE: 9 October 1899. 2pp., small 4to. He has 'just returned to England after a long absence'. He appreciates 'the honour you have done me in asking me to cooperate in such a work', but regrets 'that it is impossible for me to undertake anything of the kind at present'. TWO: 12 October 1899. 4pp., small 4to.

Seven pages, folio, folded, minor damage with no loss of text, good condition. Baker Gabb, member of Welsh landowning family, presumably in his role of solicitor acting for the Harington Family, giving a detailed record of financial activity with Welsh property, mainly involving the "Rents of Cadvor", giving details of income from tenants, crops, stock, etc. and outgoings, concluding with the balance due to Sir John Harington (£2989.19.1). Also the Royal Oak, Abergavenny. With 10 further MS items including: A.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Laid out in the usual fashion, with printed text completed in manuscript. Recording a payment of £60, on an annuity of £120, to 'Edwd Earl Winterton Assignee'. Signed at the foot, beside the signature of the witness '

Noble'.

On 17.5 x 16 cm. piece of paper. Good firm signature, undamaged, on aged, worn and repaired piece of paper. Laid out in the customary fashion, with printed text completed in manuscript. Recording payment of £20 to 'Abrah. Newland Cashier appointed by the Court of Chancery to receive an Acct. of Thos Walker Esqr Acct General of the said Court Assee'. Signature at foot of witness 'R Ettie'.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. With printed text, headed 'PENSIONS', completed in manuscript. Recording payment to him of £8 6s 8d. Signature at foot of witness 'A Dickie'. Signed within months of Cochrane's death, and a little shaky.

1p., 8vo. On aged and worn paper. Laid out in the usual style, with printed text completed in manuscript. Records a payment of £12 10s 0d to the 'Ministers and Elders Of the French Church of St Martin Orgars of London as Assigned by Margin', and signed at foot by 'James Eynard Minister', 'David Durand Minister', and elders 'Jno Bonnet', 'Matthew Clarmont', 'Philip Rigail' and 'Peter De Visme junr'.

Customary printed Exchequer receipt, completed in manuscript, headed (manuscript text in square brackets): Record' [the 20th August 1739] | The [th5] Day of [Septr] 173[9] | Received by me Sr John Werden Assignee of Sir. John Werden]'. Calculations in right-hand margin and clerical sign and docketing on reverse. Recording the receipt of £9 13s 4d, from Thomas Townshend. The printed text states that the money was raised 'upon an Act of Parliament, (Entituled, An Act for granting to Their Majestes certain Rates and Duties of Excise upon Beer, Ale, &c.

1p., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'Westminster Feb. 18. 1711/12. | Sr | I desire you will buy and accept five Hundred Pounds Stock in the Capitall Stock of the Company of Merchants of Great Britain trading to the South Seas for my Account and in my name; which will oblige | Sr | Yor. Affect. Brother & Servt | Ofsp. Exon'. Annotated in a nineteenth-century hand at bottom-left: 'Dr Ofspring Blackall.' At the time of writing the South Sea Company had only just been created. It would collapse spectacularly in 1720.

The five volumes are folio and uniform in brown marbled card wraps, with white printed label on cover of 'Merchants' Accounts, adapted to Dr. Brewer's Book-Keeping by single entry', with one of the follovwing printed beneath: 'Bought Ledger', 'Cash Book', 'Day Book', 'Invoice Book' and 'Ledger'. Each of the volumes has 'Master F. Sussman' written neatly across the label. The 'Invoice Book' has seventeen invoices neatly folded and tipped in onto five pages.

Four-pages bifolium, fold marks, good condition. Holmes letter copied by Sabatier to Hutchinson, and with substantial added material also by Sabatier, 2pp., folio; Sabatier added the note to Hutchinson, p.3, "A cross grained business has happened in the appointment which will occasion a temporary delay; Hutchinson's address appears on page four with a note (presumably in Hutchinson's hand), "Willm Sabatier Esq.