Literature

Autograph Note Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Henry De Vere Stacpoole
Publication details: 
24 April 1930; on letterhead of the Royal Marine Hotel, Ventnor.
£25.00

Irish novelist (1863-1951). One page, 12mo. Good, but with some rust stains from staple. Reads 'Dear Sir | I enclose autograph with much pleasure | Believe me | yours truly | H De Vere Stacpoole.'

Letter <in secretarial hand?>, signed in autograph, to 'Mr <Dubarry?>.

Author: 
Sir Walter Besant
Publication details: 
27 April 1889; on letterhead '12, GAYTON CRESCENT, | HAMPSTEAD'.
£36.00

English novelist (1836-1901). Two pages, octavo. Some discoloration in margin from previous mounting. His silence is due to the fact that he has been 'out of town for Easter'. He is grateful to his correspondent for thinking of him 'in connection with the Garrick. But I am afraid I must not consider it. You see by the address that I live out of the way of clubs - This is for the sake of certain small children <?> to be considered'. He is already a member of three clubs: the Athenaeum, the Old University and the Savile ('wh: I do frequent').

A garland of new songs by L. F.

Author: 
[CLAUD LOVAT FRASER; RALPH HODGSON; HOLBROOK JACKSON; AT THE SIGN OF FLYING FAME]
Publication details: 
PRINTED BY A. T. STEVENS, OF 55 ST. MARTIN'S LANE | IN THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, FOR FLYING FAME, | 45 ROLAND GARDENS, LONDON, S.W., WHERE | COPIES MAY BE HAD FROM THE | SECRETARY. | [short rule] | 1913.'
£56.00

Eight pages, 12mo. Unbound and unstitched. Unfolds into a single leaf. Paper watermarked 'OAKWOOD | FINE VELLUM'. Five different illustrations (one of which is duplicated). Grubby, spotted and with small closed tears and fraying along one edge (not affecting text or illustrations). 'PRICE FOURPENCE PLAIN; SIXPENCE COLOURED.' This copy is uncoloured.

A garland of portraitures.

Author: 
[CLAUD LOVAT FRASER; RALPH HODGSON; HOLBROOK JACKSON; AT THE SIGN OF FLYING FAME]
Publication details: 
PRINTED BY A. T. STEVENS, OF 55 ST. MARTIN'S LANE | IN THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, FOR FLYING FAME, | 45 ROLAND GARDENS, LONDON, S.W., WHERE | COPIES MAY BE HAD FROM THE | SECRETARY. | [short rule] | 1913.'
£56.00

Eight pages, 12mo. Unbound and unstitched. Unfolds into a single leaf. Paper watermarked 'OAKWOOD | FINE VELLUM'. Three illustrations. Good, but paper slightly discoloured and with some spotting. 'PRICE 2 PENCE PLAIN, 4 PENCE COLOURED.' This copy is uncoloured.

Autograph Letter Signed to "Miss Baker".

Author: 
Shirley Brooks [ Charles William Shirley Brooks ]
Publication details: 
6 Kent Terrace Regents Park, 11 Nov. 1866.
£36.00

Author and editor (see DNB). One page, 8vo, sl. discoloured, laid down on another piece of paper, text clear as follows: Before leaving town I requested a friend who is very intimate with publishers to take charge of your M.S. and as a favour to me, to do anything in his power towards procuring its publication." He made enquiries about progress but found that his friend was out of the country for a spell. He is usng black-margined paper because of the death of Mrs Brooks's mother.

Autograph Letter Signed to Lady Dorothy Nevill, society hostess, horticulturist

Author: 
Sir Charles Lawson
Publication details: 
20 Palmeria Avenue, Hove, 2 March 1910.
£85.00

Etcher. Four pages, 8vo, good condition, sending his warm appreciation of her ‘Reminiscences’,mentioning Kate Greenaway ("artistic merit and sweet disposition") whose Christmas cards Lady Dorothy has kept, and also mentioning that he had sent a Card [copy enclosed] to the King which the King had admired greatly. Enclosed: a print of the original etching by Lawson after the cartoon by Tenniel which had featured in the Punch Almanack of 1874 and was commended by the King, INSCRIBED "Lady Dorothy Nevill, / a token of / the Etcher's great appreciation / of her 'Reminiscences'.

Autograph Note Signed to

Author: 
John Oxenford.
Publication details: 
16 St John St, Bedford Row, Monday, no date.
£30.00

Dramatic author, critic, and translator (see DNB). On epage, 8vo, vestiges of the laying down process, mainly good condition. "My "Virginie" [underlined] is from the Virginie [underlined] of M. Latour de St Ybais - and is the peice in which Rachel played during her first engagement at the St James' - Are you sure there is a Virginie by Ronsard. - He wrote a lucrece [underlined]."

Autograph Letter Signed to [?] Bradfield.

Author: 
Alfred Ainger
Publication details: 
11 June 1879; 2 Upper Terrace, Hampstead.
£28.00

English writer, humorist and divine (1837-1904). Four pages, 12mo. Very good, though a tad grubby, and with traces of previous mounting on verso of second leaf of bifoliate. He is late in replying because he has been bringing his invalid niece back from Derbyshire to Hampstead. Touches on her illness and on the the disposal of furniture. '[...] but I am now "what is more, a householder" (Dogberry), & monarch of all I survey [...] I should have liked to visit you at Roseleigh. Well, well, it must stand over, like many another pleasant scheme. But do come again to London soon.

Autograph Note, third person, to unknown correspondent.

Author: 
Lady Charlotte Bury.
Publication details: 
10/03/32
£56.00

Novelist (see DNB). Page trimmed with loss of correspondent's name etc., laid down on stiff paper. "Lady Charlotte Bury earnestly requests to have proof sheets sent ot her." Note: Perhaps proofs of ‘‘The Three Great Sanctuaries . . ." published in 1833.

Amativeness: or, evils and remedies of excessive and perverted sexuality; including warning and advice to the married and single.

Author: 
O. S. Fowler
Publication details: 
John Heywood, Deansgate and Ridgefield, Manchester; and 11, Paternoster Buildings, 1884.
£36.00

Thirty-two pages. Octavo. In original light-blue illustrated printed wraps. A scarce item, in frail condition, with the wraps worn, spotted and frayed, particularly at the spine. Closed tears to reverse of wraps, which is stamped 'MAY BE HAD OF J.S. CROPLEY, WINDSOR'. Rust staining from staples. Internally sound, tight and generally clean, with bottom outside corner dogeared. Ownership inscription of Tom Rowland Kent.

Autograph Note Signed "M Baron Wilson", to "Mr E. J. Carpenter, (Office), Bull & Mouth City".

Author: 
Mrs Margaret Baron Wilson
Publication details: 
No place, 12 May 1834.
£56.00

Maiden name was Margaret Harries 1797-1846, author (DNB). One page, minor defects, text clear and complete. "After due consideration, tho' I think the enclosed Poem very good, I fear it may offend some of my readers - and I therefoe, return it you - The rest shall be made use of - I believe one has already appeared. . ." Note: In 1834 she was editing "The New Monthly Belle Assemblée".

Autograph Letter Signed to "Gentlemen" [ her publishers ]

Author: 
Mary C. Hay.
Publication details: 
Astley, [Hadwall] Salop, 28 March 187[2?].
£56.00

Novelist (see DNB). Two pages, 8vo, minor defects, text clear and complete. She asks them to republish some of her periodical work in book form. "The first story wd be a volume in itself (it is called 'At the Seaside'). The others wd be short ones from 'London Society', 'Tinsley', 'Belgravia', 'The Argosy', 'St. James' . . ." She will await a proposal and leave the terms to them.

Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
P.G. Konody.
Publication details: 
26 York Terrace, N.W.1, 25 April 1933.
£95.00

Art critic. Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He informs his correspondent of his belief that S.H. Sime, illustrator and artist, is still alive [in fact died 1941 re. George Locke]. H e runs obver the main events of Sime's life getting a small fortune, starting life as a coal miner, "fantastic imagination", "Pick-me-up", art editor of "The Idler", collaboration with Arthur Lawrence, Dunsany books, blossome as a painter, retirement from "life and publicity, rappeared at the St George's Gallery. Konody then lost sight of him.

Autograph Note Signed to J.G. Wilson, Managing Director of Bumpus's, publishers and booksellers

Author: 
C.E. Lawrence.
Publication details: 
The Quarterly Review, 50 Albemarle Street, London, W1, 1 November 1932.
£26.00

Novelist and dramatist. One page, 8vo, good condition. "I was away yesterday - unwell, & today your Bombshell frightens me. Do spare me if possible [all from "Do" underlined] (& certainly if J.M. v. [John Murray V] is there, for he's the one to speak . ..); but Ican't refuse your request if you really want me. There is nothing new to say on the subject of Scott & Q.R."

Autograph Note Signed to L.C.J. Freeman- Matthews.

Author: 
Brander Mathews.
Publication details: 
Narragansett Pier [printed], Rhode Island, U.S.A.[ms], 18 July 1909.
£26.00

American literary and dramatic critic. On page, 8vo, good condition, mounted with the envelope and a small printed biography on a piece of card. He says: Always give a good deed the credit of a good motive; - and always give an evil deed the benefit of the doubt."

Autograph sentiment signed.

Author: 
Sheila Kaye-Smith.
Publication details: 
No place, 11 Aug. 1931.
£18.00

Novelist. Piece of paper, c.5 x 3", prob. torn from larger page, attractive sentiment and signature dated: ""With best wishes - / Sheila Kaye-Smith. / Aug. 11. 1931."

Autograph Note Signed to "Miss [Jessica] Gordon"

Author: 
Maurice Hewlett.
Publication details: 
Old Rectory, Broad Chalke, Salisbury, 9 Sept. 1918.
£28.00

See DNB: novelist, poet, and essayist. One page, some marking, mainly good condition. "I and glad that you like my books, but you mustn't expect my handwriting to be good because what it does pleases you. Those [things?] ought to go together, and once they did; but they seldom do it now. The moment printing was invented people began to write badly."

Autograph Note Signed to "Miss[?] Graham".

Author: 
Cosmo Hamilton.
Publication details: 
"The World," Limited, 1 York Street, Covent Garden, W.C., 10 March 1905.
£34.00

Author and dramatist. One page, 8vo, good condition, some corrections in Hamilton's hand. "This story is so good & rings so true a note that the title jars a little. May I ask you to be so kind as to give it another one & to call your characters by more ordinary names?"

Autograph sentiment signed.

Author: 
Philip Gibbs.
Publication details: 
93 Cadogan Gardens SW, no date.
£15.00

Novelist. Piece of paper c.4 x 3" laid down on larger card with biographical detail written on it. Text clear, as follows: "93 Cadogan Gardens S.W. / With kind regards / from / Philip Gibbs."

One autograph letter signed and one autograph note signed to Clement Shorter, editor

Author: 
E.V. Lucas
Publication details: 
12 Jan. and 22 Feb.
£50.00

Total three pages, 8vo. He is sorry to have missed him, congratulates him on his baby and anticipates his contributions. Two items,

Autograph letter signed to a "Mr Speilmann"

Author: 
Lewis S. Benjamin ("Lewis Melville")
Publication details: 
30 Sept. 1903
£50.00

One page, 4to, arsing from his choice of items for his edition of Thackeray's works which Spielmann considers "indiscreet" because of their anti-Catholic posture, "but I believe not one in a hundred will read the minor items. The 'Jew' passages touch nearer home. But these are not in 'Punch' but embedded in stories."

Part of autograph note signed "T.K. Hervey" to an unknown correspondent.

Author: 
Thomas Kibble Hervey.
Publication details: 
Sunday evening, no place or date.
£125.00

Poet and critic, author of the poem "Australia" (1824). One page, c. 6 x 5", probably trimmed at top (removing place, date, etc.), the rest black-edged, laid down on similar sized stiffer paper. Text clear as follows: "I have not, yet, received any communication from you on the subject of my note and enclosure; although you would see from the note that I am anxious to do so. Let me hear from you as early as convenient." Letters by Hervey are scarce (none on NRA, one on BL MSS).

Autograph Note Signed to A.L. Hayden.

Author: 
Theodore Martin.
Publication details: 
31 Onslow Square, 26 February 1904.
£56.00

Man of letters (see DNB) One page, 8vo, good condition. Text as follows: "You may use my translation of 'The Last String' for your book of recitations. / Messrs W. Blackwood & Sons of Edinburgh & London are the publishers of 'The Bon Gaultier Ballads.' The copyright is mine."

Autograph Note Signed "TH Lister" to an unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Thomas Henry Lister.
Publication details: 
Kent House, no date.
£23.00

Novelist and dramatist (see DNB). One page, c.3 x 4", trimmed and laid down on stiffer paper, good condition. Text: I shall be passing your door today between 3 & 4 & propose calling to speak with you if you are likely to be at home then". He suggets he send a reply with the bearer.

Autograph Sentiment Signed "J Montgomery" entitled "Motto for the Bible", to "Miss Marshall".

Author: 
James Montgomery
Publication details: 
Fulneck (Leeds), 3 April 1835.
£150.00

Poet and editor (see DNB). One page, 4to, traces of blue paper on which item formerly laid down, condition mainly good, text clear and complete as follows: "Motto for the Bible/ Behold the Book, whose leaves display / Jesus the life, the truth, the way; / Read it with diligence [in the prayer?]; / Search it.- and You shall find Him there."

Autograph Signatures on fragment of document.

Author: 
Paul Dominic Colnaghi, Samuel Carter Hall
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

Colnaghi was a member of the notable family of English printsellers. Hall (1800-89) was an author and editor. Paper dimensions roughly five inches by three inches. Good. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Reads '<...> Paul Dominic Colnaghi Esq | | S. C. Hall. | '.

Autograph Letter Signed "A. Fores" to George Cruikshank, caricaturist.

Author: 
Arthur Fores [George Cruikshank]
Publication details: 
41 Piccadilly, 3 December 1831.
£500.00

Partner in Fores & Co., publishers and print sellers, who published some of Cruikshank's work and presumably sold it. He therefore had a vested interest in dealing with the problem he outlines to Cruikshank.

Autograph letter signed to "Mr T[riphook]"

Author: 
S.W. Singer
Publication details: 
Box Hill, 25 Oct. 1820.
£100.00

Samuel Weller Singer. Litterateur and librarian (1783-1858). Two pages, 8vo, grubby, spike-hole but text clear and complete. "You will oblige me by sending me all the numbers of the Indicator since No.1. Vol 2. by Mr Skillington who will return on Friday or Saturday. If you can sometimes send them under a Frank [underlined] by post you will very much oblige/ Yours mo truly/ S.W. Singer/ I should be glad to have the magazines sent by Coach [underlined] from the Golden Cross [two words underlined] regularly on the Ist of the Month.

Autograph Letter Signed to Richard Phillips, author, bookseller, editor.

Author: 
William Belsham.
Publication details: 
Hammersmith, 28 July 1819.
£100.00

Political writer and historian. One page, 4to, some defects but text clear and complete. "I have inclosed a few observations, for insertion, if you have room, in your valuable Magazine [The Monthly Magazine], on the present State of the Poor, and suggesting such remedies . . ." He doubts if the measures he suggests will beintroduced and finds other people's ideas on the subject "either visionary or worse".

Autograph Letter Signed to "Mr Legge"

Author: 
Hesba Stretton [pseud. for Sarah Smith]
Publication details: 
70 Lansdowne Road, W., London, 3 January 1883.
£125.00

Author, see DNB. Two pages, 8vo, good condition, with additional biographical notes by another hand. "Will you please to read the enclosed, & ascertain for [me?] if there is a Polish translation of "Jessica" ["Jessica's First Prayer"]. My cousin, Dr Manning, several times told me it had been translated into every European laguage; but he may not have thought of Polish. /Could you also tell Mr. Stevens for me that I never received the October [no.?]. of the Leisure Hour or Sunday at Home .

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