Literature

[ Frances Dunlop, friend of Burns ] Autograph Letter Signed to a Charles Macintosh of Glasgow

Author: 
Frances Anne Walker Dunlop (1730–1815), of Dunlop, friend of Robert Burns
Publication details: 
Dunlop, [30 June 1808].
£150.00

Two pages, 4to, bifolium, staining and aging, but text clear and complete, discussing friendship and familial relationships at length, commiserating on the sufferings and death of "Nanny", and asserting the importance of their relationship and friendship. Note: A. Macintosh is possibly the chemist and inventor (wife named by Frances Dunlop as 'Mary' [he married Mary Fisher, and she refers to their 'children' - see "Biographical Memoir of the Late Charles Macintosh"); B.

[ The Old Drury Club, 'a Social Circle round the Shrine of Shakspeare' in Regency London. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Benj. Oakley') by Benjamin Oakley of Tavistock House, a 'Circular' to Thomas Hill, regarding the club's 'embarrassing finances'.

Author: 
[ The Old Drury Club, 'a Social Circle round the Shrine of Shakspeare' in Regency London] Benjamin Oakley of Tavistock House, stockbroker and editor of Shakespeare
Publication details: 
Tavistock Place [ London ]. 4 April 1815.
£100.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with postmarks, to 'Thomas Hill Esq | New Inn'. In good condition, lightly-aged. Headed by Oakley 'Circular' and entirely written out in his own hand. The letter begins: 'In consequence of the embarrassing finances of the Old Drury Club, and its being uncertain whether, or no, it can any longer hold its deliberative meetings at its accustomed place of redevous [sic] - it has been determined by a majority of its members - to resolve themselves into a committee of ways and means'.

[ Joseph Warton, Poet Laureate. ] Autograph Receipt Signed ('Jos. Warton') of monies (presumably tuition fees) from Hugh Rogers.

Author: 
Joseph Warton (1728-1790), Poet Laureate [ Trinity College, Oxford ]
Publication details: 
No place. 16 July 1767.
£250.00

On one side of 11 x 18.5 cm piece of paper. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. On reverse is small circular printed paper label of the Ray Rawlins Collection. Reads: 'July 16 1767 Received of Hugh Rogers Esqr the Above Sum in Full for His Son till Last Whitsuntide | by me | Jos. Warton'. Hugh Rogers of Helston, had a son, John, at Trinity, Oxford, presuambly tutored by Warton.

[ Charles Partington, Manchester sci-fi author, magazine editor and bookshop owner. ] Two Typed Letters (one signed 'Charles') to Don Malcolm, one reviewing Malcolm's story 'Between the Tides', the other on a short story of his Savoy Books are taking

Author: 
Charles Partington, Manchester science-fiction [ Michael Butterworth, Dave B and Savoy Books; Don Malcolm ]
Publication details: 
ONE: 56 Staffin Court, Darn Hill, Heywood, near Manchester. 12 January 1975. TWO: On his letterhead, 274 Longridge, Knutsford, Cheshire. 7 April 1978.
£125.00

ONE (12 January 1975): 1p., 4to. In good condition. First page of letter only, and lacking signature. A generally positive review ('When I write, I suffer from excess, a disease which you and your contemporaries, Aldis, Brunner, Bulmer, etc long since cured yourselves of. [...] The story was, as I am sure you know, good.'), but with some caveats ('I also don't think that a female covered with body hairs would also have hair reaching down to her waist.'). TWO: 1p., 8vo. Signed in green ink. In fair condition, on aged paper with wear at head.

[ Poul Anderson, 'Golden Age' science fiction author. ] Typed Letter Signed (' Poul') to 'Don' [ Scottish science fiction expert Donald Malcolm ], discussing Malcolm's plans for a checklist of his work, his family background, and Scotland.

Author: 
Poul Anderson (1926-2001), American 'Golden Age' science fiction author [ Don Malcolm ]
Publication details: 
3 Las Palomas, Orinda, California. 30 June 1964.
£150.00

34 lines of typed text on air mail letter on blue paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Addressed to Malcom at Paisley, Renfrewshire.

[ Caradoc Evans, Welsh author ] Autograph Letter Signed "Caradoc Evans" to [Sewell] Stokes [" novelist, biographer, playwright, screenwriter, broadcaster and prison visitor. "]

Author: 
Caradoc Evans [David Caradoc Evans], (1878–1945), Welsh story writer, novelist and playwright.
Publication details: 
26 Thornton Road, East Sheen, Tuesday [n.d. between1923 and 1929]. Perhaps when he edited T.P.'s Weekly, Sewell Stokes as assistant editor
£180.00

One page, 8vo, fold mark, small closed tears on fold, good condition, pencilled ticks (by Stokes?). "I am in bed, now reading a bit of Ben Johnson [sic] now a bit of 'Moll Flanders", now a bit of [?] & now a bit of Marie Corelli." He anticipates when he'll next be in the "office". New paragrph, "Will you and Mr Moore go through that basket of mine marked "Current" & send off for setting that wghich appeals to you. There is an article on Arthur Machen, which should be cut [...].

Autograph Note Signed 'Will. H. Lizars' on receipt of payment for work on Walter Scott novels.

Author: 
[ William Home Lizars ] William H. Lizars (1788–1859), Scottish painter and engraver.
Publication details: 
Edinburgh, 8 June 1827.
£180.00

One page, 21 x 8cm, one dge frayed and sunned, text clear and complete. Lizars acknowledges paymentof £49.14 from "John Gibson Junr, Esqre for the Trustees of Sir Walter Scott, Bart [...] payment of [annexed?] account [not present] for Titles to Tales & Romances."

[Roy Vickers, crime writer] Five Typed Letters Signed and other signed material [T.C.H. Jacobs of the Crime Writers' Association (CWA)].

Author: 
Roy Vickers.
Publication details: 
1961.
£100.00

ROY VICKERS, Detective Story Writer, 5TLSs, total 6pp., 4to, all 1961, jokey, gossipy letters concerning CWA affairs - Rosemary Robinson being co-opted to the general committee, German rights to an Anthology sold, an enquiry from Japan about Anthologies (leading to a discussion), subject for debate in A.O.B., analysis of membership ("talented amateur mixed with pro"), a new detective publishing house in the U.S.A., guests for the Dinner. Attached to letter of 3 March 1961: copy TL and typescript, total 5pp., including the letter to Gielgud on CWA Anthologies [= source of income for the Asso

[Julian Symons, crime writer] A large collection of Typed Letters Signed to [T.C.H. Jacobs of the Crime Writers' Association (CWA).

Author: 
Julian Symons.
Publication details: 
c.1959.
£150.00

Julian Symons, Detective Story Writer and Historian of the Genre, Founder Member, sometime Chairman of CWA (1958/9), 12 TLSs, one page each, 8vo and 4to, some with ms. additions, concerning CWA affairs - news of the Anthology, financial dealings, expenses, the funeral of a member, the Exhibition, Jacobs election as Vice-Chairman, "Margery Allingham has joined!" (3 April 1959, having declined to do so in 1953), personal, the Awards ceremony, appreciation of congratulations on an award, an "abridged novel venture", a criminal case re-enacted (potential BBC tie-up).

[Felicia Hemans, poet.] Autograph inscription to 'Miss Chorley' [daughter of her biographer Henry Fothergill Chorley?].

Author: 
Felicia Hemans [Hemans Felicia Dorothea, née Browne (1793-1835)], English poet [Henry Fothergill Chorley (1808-1872), author]
Hemans
Publication details: 
Without place or date [c.1828?].
£50.00
Hemans

On the reverse of the half-title leaf (only) of her book 'Records of Woman: with other Poems'. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Reads: 'Miss Chorley. With | Felicia Heman's kindest regards.' A nice association: Henry Fothergill Chorley edited the 'Memorials of Mrs Hemans' (1836).

[William Hutton, Birmingham bookseller and local historian.] Leaf of 'unpublished poems, composed by, and in the Autograph of, William Hutton', with note by 'WB'; and fragment of his daughter Catherine Hutton's handwriting, 'when 87 years of age'.

Author: 
William Hutton (1723-1815), Birmingham bookseller and local historian; his daughter Catherine Hutton
Publication details: 
Neither item dated. The explanatory note by 'WB' dated 1843.
£150.00

Both items are laid down on a 12mo leaf extracted from an album. All in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Laid down on the reverse of the leaf is an early eighteenth-century engraving of a man (William Hutton?) holding a book. The explanatory note, on one side of the leaf from the album, reads: 'This Leaf, given to me by Mr. Samuel Hutton, High Street, is taken from a Volume of unpublished poems, composed by, and in the Autograph of, William Hutton. | That below which I received from Mr.

[Ethel Boileau, novelist.] Corrected Autograph Manuscripts of two of her best-selling novels: 'Clansmen' and 'Turnip-Tops'.

Author: 
Ethel Boileau [Lady Ethel Mary Boileau, née Young] (c.1881-1942), English novelist [Ayn Rand]
Publication details: 
'Turnip-Tops' dated 1932; 'Clansmen' dated 'Strath-peffer Ross-shire | September 4th. 1934.' and at end 'Jan 11th. 1935. | Ketteringham | Wymondham Norfolk'. Both published by Hutchinson & Co., London: 'Turnip Tops', 1932; 'Clansmen', 1936.
£600.00

Boileau was extremely popular throughout her career, her novels propounding her philosophy (as expounded in 'Turnip Tops') that 'Courage is the foundation of all character and achievement.' In 1936 'John o'London's' magazine described her as the author of books 'whose editions have run into tens of thousands'. Her novel 'Turnip Tops', published in 1932 (and in America by Dutton as 'A Gay Family'), had sold 28,000 copies by 1936 ('one of the merriest sellers of the last few years', according to Maboth Moseley), and 25,000 copies of 'Ballade in G Minor' (1938) were sold before publication.

[Caxton Club; inscribed by many members] Printers' Marks and Devices

Author: 
Howard W. Winger
Publication details: 
The Caxton Club, Chicago, 1976.
£230.00

Limited Edition, no.464 of 600, designed by John B. Goetz. There is a calligraphic presentation inscription on the front free endpaper, "Presented to Anthony Rota [distinguished modern first dealer] on the occasion of the Septmber 28, 1988 meeting of the Caxton Club with the appreciation of the members and guests whose signatures appear below." There are 81 signatures, commencing with Charles [?] Cullen, David G. Hilliard and concluding with Harrison Hayford and an indecipherable.

[F. G. Kitton, Dickensian.] Autograph Letter Signed and Autograph Card Signed (both 'F. G. Kitton') to Winfield S. Moody, editor of The Book Buyer, discussing the claim that Dickens's works were written by Herbert Spencer', and a query on Thackeray.

Author: 
F. G. Kitton [Frederic George Kitton] (1856-1904), illustrator, writer and authority on Charles Dickens [Winfield S. Moody (1816-1894), editor of The Book Buyer; Dickensiana]
Publication details: 
Both items from Pré Mill House, St Albans, England. 19 and 27 March 1999.
£140.00

LETTER: 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged and worn paper. Kitton writes that he has received two copies of the Book Buyer for March, and is 'much interested' in it for two reasons: 'Mrs. Garlands flattering comments upon myself and my work', and 'a very generous notice of my latest Dickens production'. He finds illustrations 'excellently reproduced', and praises 'the careful attention that has obviously been bestowed upon the preparation of both blocks and letterpress'. Turning to another matter, he notes 'a query (no.

Anonymous manuscript First World War narrative poem titled 'The Message of the King', concerning a blinded soldier who asks a doctor to kill him.

Author: 
[First World War dramatic monologue; Royal Army Medical Corps, Delhi Barracks, Tidworth, Wiltshire]
Publication details: 
[RAMC Delhi Barracks, Tidworth, Wiltshire.] Circa 1918.
£80.00

Four pages, 4to. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged ruled paper, with watermark 'D. K & Co. | LONDON'. Sixty-four lines, arranged in eight eight-line stanzas. Apparently unpublished. Evocative of the sensibilities of a more naive age: sincerely meant, but coming across somewhat in the style of a Stanley Holloway monologue.

[Book; Association copy; G.B. Shaw] Too True To Be Good, Village Wooing & On the Rocks

Author: 
George Bernard Shaw, playwright
Publication details: 
Constable, 1934 (Standard Edition of the Works of Bernard Shaw)
£220.00

First edition, 8vo. Laurence A216a. Original red cloth, speckled, lettered in gilt on spine, hinges cracked, in damaged dustwrapper. below). Inscribed on the half-title: "to Yvette Pienne, player and writer, | G. Bernard Shaw | Malvern | 23/8/36." WITH: unpublished photograph, 19 x 14.5, of Bernard Shaw with a bevy of youngish ladies including Yvette Pienne according to a note (NOT in Shaw's hand, prob. Pienne's) on the reverse, "Malvern Festival 1938 || G. Bernard Shaw | [?] Lewis | Yvette Pienne|".

[Pamphlet, lacking covers] Darton's Instructive Stories. Old Times

Author: 
[Darton and Co., London]
Publication details: 
[18402. 1850s?]
£120.00

16pp., 8vo (publisher says "foolscap Quarto"), coloured illustrations, missing paper wraps (scans of Oxford copy covers enclosed). Listed on the wraps, back a list of sister works, front full title "Darton's Instructive Stories. Old Times" (titlepage just has "Old Times". Titlepage grubby, marked, wear and tear at edges, contents complete and attractive. Only one copy recorded on COPAC/WorldCat, at Oxford.

[R. M. Ballantyne, author of boys' books.] Large mezzotint photograph of Ballantyne in his library by Fradelle & Young of London, with facsimile of his signature on mount.

Author: 
R. M .Ballantyne [Robert Michael Ballantyne] (1825-1894), Scottish author of boys' books
Publication details: 
Undated (1880s?). Fradelle & Young, 246 Regent Street, W. [London.]
£95.00

The black and white photograph is 24 x 19 cm, and is laid down on a 36.5 x 28 cm mount. The photograph is in good condition, on lightly-aged matte paper; the mount is brittle, chipped and discoloured, with closed tears and a detached corner reattached on reverse with archival tape. Facsimile signature in bottom right-hand corner of mount: 'Yours sincerely | R. M. Ballantyne'. On reverse, in contemporary hand: 'R. M. B. about 1893' (although the photograph does not look as if it dates from the year before Ballantyne's death), and at head of reverse, in the same hand: 'R. M.

[The Caxton Publishing Company, London.] Publisher's sample and subscription book for the Melrose Edition of the Waverley Novels of Sir Walter Scott, with examples of cloth and leather bindings, illustrations, title-pages, and subscription lists.

Author: 
The Caxton Publishing Company, London; Sir Walter Scott
Publication details: 
[London: The Caxton Publishing Company, Clun House, Surrey Street, W.C. 1890s?
£180.00

8vo, in worn and damaged black cloth. Three sample spines in green cloth are laid down on the front free endpaper, and three sample brown leather spines gilt on the rear pastedown.

[Inscribed copy.] Trial of a Judge. A tragedy in five acts.

Author: 
Stephen Spender
Publication details: 
London: Faber and Faber Limited. 1938.
£80.00

115pp., 8vo. In red cloth binding. No dustwrapper. Aged, with back hinge sprung and one bumped corner at the back. Excellent inscription by Spender on the front free endpaper, in which he describes the history of the composition of the play: 'To And | with love from | Stephen. | March 16 1938. | This play begun January 1933, at Barcelona, partly written in January 1937 in Madrid & Albacete, and finished January 1938 in London, is almost a record of our friendships through five years.'

[Charles Lever, London solicitor.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Chas: Lever.') [to Thomas Wright?], subscribing to the newly-formed Camden Society, and making suggestions regarding 'the proposed undertaking'.

Author: 
Charles Lever, London solicitor [Thomas Wright (1810-1877), antiquary, Secretary of the Camden Society]
Publication details: 
10 King's Road, Bedford Row [London]. 2 April 1838.
£145.00

1p., 4to. 22 lines of text. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of mount on reverse.

[Inscribed copy.] Acis & Galataea, or The Beau ! the Belle !! and the Blacksmith !!! A Piece of Oxford Extravagance. Written for the Annual Dramatic Performance at the Victoria Theatre, Oxford, December, 1869, in aid of the Radcliffe Infirmary.

Author: 
[Thomas Forder Plowman (1844-1919)]
Publication details: 
Oxford: Slatter & Rose, High Street. 1869. [Oxford: Printed by E. W. Morris, Jun.]
£120.00

[4] + 43pp., 12mo. Stabbed as issued. An attractive and elegantly-printed little book. Internally very good, on lightly-aged paper, loose in worn light-brown calf binding, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, back hinge sprung. Stamped in gilt on the front cover: 'ACIS & GALATAEA | A PIECE OF OXFORD EXTRAVAGANCE | BY | T. F. PLOWMAN'. Inscribed on fly-leaf: 'H. W. Chapman, Esq. | with the author's sincerest regards. | 1869.' A scarce item: only three copies on COPAC, at Oxford, Cambridge and the British Library, all three of which attribute this anonymous work to Plowman.

[John Evelyn, diarist and author.] Manuscript transcription [by his descendant W. F. Evelyn?], of the unpublished manuscript 'Testamentum in Procinctu', addressed to his son as he was about to go to Ireland.

Author: 
John Evelyn (1620-1706), diarist and author [William John Evelyn (1822-1908) of Sayes Court]
Publication details: 
Evelyn's original dated 10 August 1692; this transcript c. 1880.
£950.00

85pp., foolscap 8vo, on the rectos of 85 leaves. On laid paper with Stowford Mills watermark dated 1874. In a notebook with contemporary brown calf half-binding, with marbled boards and endpapers. Pencil notes regarding provenance precede the text: 'Evelyn MSS. Unpublished (?) | Copy by W. J. Evelyn (?) | Ex Joanna Booth | Ex Christies Evelyn Sale. | pencil MS Note verso p.32 in W. J. E.'s ordinary hand | See note | Transcript of unpublished Evelyn mss. c 1880.' Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in worn binding.

[Desmond Flower.] Three Autograph Catalogues of his book collections: first, 'MSS., autograph letters, first & early editions by & relating to François Marie Arouet de Voltaire'; second and third, 'French Literature in first and early editions'.

Author: 
Desmond Flower [Desmond John Newman Flower] (1907-1997), director of London publishers Cassell & Co, 1931-1971, and book collector [Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet) (1694-1778)]
Publication details: 
Neither catalogue with place or date. [London, from the 1940s?]
£420.00

All three items in very good condition, in superior bindings. ONE (Voltaire catalogue): Written out by Flower in his neat, calligraphic hand, on the rectos only of 102 leaves, 8vo, with some blanks. In very good condition, in a lightly-wrn red morocco quarter binding, with grey boards and gilt title on spine. Entries are short and businesslike, as the following two examples indicate: 'Commentaire sur le livre des Délits et des Peines, s.l., 1766. Bengesco 1724. pp. viii + 120. A pretty copy in contemporary scarlet morocco. Ex libris Mortimer L. Schiff. | Ditto, s.l., 1766. pp. 104 + iii.

[In illustrated wraps.] Medley! By Cuthbert Bede, B.A. Author of "Motley;" "Verdant Green;" &c &c.

Author: 
Edward Bradley (1827-1889), humorist under the pseudonym 'Cuthbert Bede'
Publication details: 
London: James Blackwood, Paternoster Row. 1856.
£280.00

114pp., 12mo. In wraps printed in green and red, with striking illustration of jester bursting through the front cover, and advertisements on the rear. In fair condition, on aged paper, in worn wraps. Frontispiece, engraved title, and numerous illustrations in text. A collection of nineteen pieces in prose and verse, with such titles as 'A Chat concerning a Couple of Chairs' and 'Mephistophiles at Malvern'. Scarce: the only copies on COPAC at the British Library and Durham.

[Rev. William Parr Greswell, bibliographer.] Autograph Note in the third person, informing the Manchester bookseller William Ford of the 'imperfections he observed' in Musgrave's edition of Euripides. With Autograph Note Signed ('W. F.') by Ford.

Author: 
Rev. William Parr Greswell (c.1765-1854), bibliographer; William Ford (1771-1832), Manchester bookseller and print dealer
Publication details: 
Neither the Greswell nor the Ford with place or date.
£95.00

Greswell's letter is 1p., landscape 12mo; with Ford's note on one side of reverse. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with small central spike hole made by recipient. Greswell's letter is written in a neat, attractive hand, and begins: 'Mr. W. P. Greswell requested J. G. to compare the Glasgow Copy of Euripides with Musgrave's Edition after which it is printed & to let Mr.

[George Chalmers, Scottish antiquary; and Rev. Samuel Harper, Under-Librarian at the British Museum.] Autograph memorandum by Chalmers of 'Notes of Documents', on reverse of Autograph third person Note from Harper to him, regarding the Reading Room.

Author: 
Rev. Samuel Harper (1732-1803), FRS, Under-Librarian of Printed Books at the British Museum; George Chalmers (1742-1825), Scottish antiquary, Chief Clerk in the Plantation Office of the Privy Council
Publication details: 
Harper's note dated 'British Museum | Wednesd. May 1. [no year]'. Chalmer's memorandum without place or date.
£90.00

Harper's note is on the recto of the first leaf of a 4to bifolium, addressed by him to 'George Chalmers Esqr' on the reverse of the second leaf, which is docketted by Chalmers 'Notes of Documents from - 1760/67'.. Chalmer's memorandum is written lengthwise and upwards on the reverse of the first leaf. In good condition, on aged paper. Harper's note reads: 'Mr. Harper presents his Respects to Mr. Chalmers with many Thanks for the kind Notice with which he is pleased to honour him. | The Reading Room will be open to Mr. Chalmers whenever he finds it agreeable to avail himself of it'.

[Presentation copy from the author to his daughter.] A Vision of England and other Poems.

Author: 
John Rickards Mozley [J. R. Mozley] of King's College, Cambridge, nephew of John Henry Newman
Publication details: 
London: Richard Bentley and Son, Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen. 1898.
£120.00

[9] + 142 pp., 8vo. In original green cloth, gilt. A good copy, on aged paper, in lightly-worn binding. Inscribed on the front free endpaper: 'E. Mozley | from her father J. R. Mozley | Feb 19. 1898'.

[Two 'Répertoire Lecombe' French First World War lyrics, printed on one handbill.] 'Verdun on ne passe pas! Marche populaire.' and 'Ce sont les Yeux'.

Author: 
[Jules Cazol; Eugène Joullot; René Mercier; Lecombe; the Battle of Verdun, 1916]
Publication details: 
'Imp. F. LAMBERT, Marché-au-Charbon, 12, Brux' [Brussels, Belgium; circa 1917.
£120.00

2pp., 4to. On a single leaf, both sides of which are headed 'Répertoire Lecombe'. Printer's slug at foot of 'Verdun on ne passe pas!' Both lyrics printed in two columns (no score to either). In good condition, on aged and worn high-acidity paper. 'Ce sont les Yeux' begins: 'Chacun dans la vie cherche son idéal.' The 'Dernier Refrain' reads: 'Et bien des yeux de mère, | Sont tournés vers la frontière | Où là-bas leurs chers petits enfants | Pour sauver la France donnent leur sang.

[Rev. R. H. Barham's autograph antiquarian notes in William Courthope's book:] Synopsis of the Extinct Baronetage of England; Containing the Date of the Creation, with the Succession of Baronets, and their respective Marriages and Time of Death.

Author: 
William Courthope; Rev. R. H. Barham [Rev. Richard Harris Barham, 'Thomas Ingoldsby'] (1788-1845) [William Hardy]
Publication details: 
Book published by J., G., and F. Rivington, St. Paul's Church Yard, and Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, London. 1835.
£220.00

xii + 256 pp. Autograph inscription on title-page: 'William Hardy | Nov. 5. 1850 - | N.B. the corrections are by the hand of the Revd. R. H. Barham | The extinct Peerage at the end is not part of this Synopsis'. (Bound in at the end of the volume is a sixteen-page printed list of 'The Dormand and Extinct Peerages of England'.) Barham is listed (p.vii) among the subscribers to the work. In fair condition, on aged paper, in worn red leather library half-binding, with front hinge sprung and front free endpaper and half-title detached.

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