Military and Naval History

Parsee shipping magnate (1857-1939). One page, quarto. Creased and discoloured, with a little spotting. Reads 'I am your Society's Life member since past many years | I shall feel obliged if you can procure me some recipe for making anti-fouling paint for use no steel steamers bottoms.' Signed ''. Docketed as answered over the Society's stamp.

Three pages, 8vo, conjoint leaves, wear at spine, not affecting text. "After many wanderings your letter of Feb 13th. has caught me here. I have been out of England since the middle of January,/ Your letter refers to a previous one wh. I have never received. / I am afraid that I cannot throw much light on the subject wch you refer. There is a big monument on the tope of Spion Kop, a column, wh. may be in the form of an obelisk but it is to the memory of the men who fell then generally, though I think, if I remember rightly, there are a number of individual inscriptions.

Five leaves, folio. One page blank. Unbound and stitched as issued. Good, but creased and foxed, with slight wear to extremities. Comprising bill (four pages), schedule, memorandum, arrangement of clauses.

One page, 4to. Very good, though on discoloured paper, and with traces of grey-paper mount adhering to blank reverse and minor damage at foot affecting one word. Reads 'I am favored with your Letter of the 1st. instant, enclosing One Guinea subscribed by Rudston Calverley Rudston Esqr.

Two pages, 4to. Very good, though on rather discoloured paper, and with strip of previous mount adhering to right-hand edge of verso. Johnston desires the settlement of the 'account of Incidental Expenses incurr'd during the period of [Johnston's deceased brother, A. Johnston's] command' in St Domingo.

British military officer (1794-1854). One page, 12mo. In good condition, but with traces of brown-paper mount adhering to the blank reverse. Formal letter in the third person. 'Lt Genl Lord Cathcart is continually receiving so many applications of a similar nature, that he is although with regret obliged to decline to comply with any of them.

General (1815-96) and President of Bolivia between 1880 and 1884. Dimensions seven inches by three inches. Creased and with several closed tears, and with ink employed in printing cheque faded to purple and lilac. One edge perforated and with perforated numbers '17 x 6' (not affecting signature). Order to pay 'General Narciso Campera' five pounds and sixteen shillings. Drawer's signature illegible. Signed 'Narciso Campero' on reverse.

Politician and essayist (1780-1857). The recipient (1788-1864) was an antiquary and member of the Roxburghe Club. Four pages, 12mo. In very good condition, although rather grubby and with traces of stub adhering to one edge. He finds 'a letter of Pope to Beau Nash transmitting him an inscription [^ (not copied)] for, as I guess, a statue or bust of Fredk. Prince of Wales.

Journalist, economist and politician (1800-90), M.P. for Leeds. Two pages, 12mo. In poor condition: grubby, folded three times and with two spike holes at foot. 'I am not aware that I have any power to obtain a Midshipman's Commission for any one: but if I had, I should not think it right to use it except in the application of the parents or guardians of the young man wishing for it. I must therefore request you to make your wishes known to your parents; & if they desire it I might forward to the Board of Admiralty a written application from them.

Diplomat (1755-1846) and bibliophile, one of the British Museum's greatest benefactors. Grenville's book collection, formerly in the Museum at Bloomsbury, is now kept with George III's books in a glass tower in the new British Library at Euston. Both items in very good condition, glued to the remains of a brown-paper mount. In a somewhat shaky version of Grenville's distinctive neat hand, so perhaps late productions. The note reads 'My Dear Sir | I am very sorry that, hearing of Lady Cawdor's illness I had promised Mr Gaskell to dine with him if I did not dine with Lady C.

English historian of the Crimean War (1809-91). On piece of paper roughly 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/4 inches. In very good condition. Remains of mounts adhering to blank verso. Reads '<...> be of use in making the collection. | I have the honour to be | Sirs | faithfully yours | A W Kinglake.'

Commissioner (Office of the Master General of the Ordnance). Duncombe is instructing a Mr Sherborne of the Tower of London to go to Chatham, Gravesend and Woolwich to see "how many gunnes are mounted & of w[ha]t nature". He expects a report the following morning. The barbarian who cut the signature off also cut off the date, but this letter could well predate the Dutch raid up the Thames Estuary in June 1667 which particularly affected the fleet at Chatham, and indicate preparations.

Liberal statesman (1792-1861). One page, 12mo. In good condition despite slight discoloration and traces from previous mounting on reverse. Folded twice. Marked 'Private'. Reads 'I accept with much pleasure and many thanks your obliging Present of the Photograph of the Great Ship. I shall not cease to take the most lively Interest in the success of this stupendous Enterprize. [sic]' Signed 'J R G Graham'. Brunel designed the Great Eastern steamship between 1852 and 1858.

On piece of laid paper, dimensions roughly 7 1/2 inches by 6 inches. Browning, creased and discoloured, with some foxing and staining. Reads 'Sir | Pay Capt. Eliphalet Thorp Six hundred pounds - and charge the State . . . Pay Table Office March 6th 1780 | £600'. Signature of 'Saml written over those of two members of the Connecticut Pay Table, Finn Wadsworth and John Chenevard, and with 'John Lawrence Esqr- | Treasurer' in bottom left-hand corner. Docketed on reverse 'Dan Parmule' and 'No 3239 | Order | Capt. Eliphalet Thorp | £600 | March 6th. 1780'.

Naval officer and Conservative politician (1846-1919), nicknamed 'the member for the navy'. Dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 9 inches. In poor condition: browning and with several closed tears. Reads: 'From the older Charlie to the younger Charlie may all good luck attend you fighting for tariff reform national defence and relief of the unemployed Beresford'.

Later chaplain-general of the forces, author (DNB). One page, 8vo, remnants of laying down process on blank conjugate leaf, letter in good condition. "I will be happy to supply your place on Sunday morning [presumably taking a service] - & much regret the cause of your absence. / I too have had my gout, but it is pretty well over."

Writer and M.D. (DNB) Two pages, 12mo, good condition. "I return the proofs herwith. It is much improved by the Editorial Notes and will [?] in this moment in the M. & N. Gaz [ Naval & Military Gazette?] It was very kind of you to admit it so promptly - & I feel assured it will be much read in Paris. A note from the author (Paris 17th) says - "Several officers here in the main agreed with me (in conversation) & others have sincerely thanked me for opening their eyes.

Born 1781, died 1848. Dimensions approximately four inches by five inches. In good condition. Neatly mounted on a larger piece of paper, which is docketed 'Baron Hormayr is still famous for the part he had in the revolt of the Tyrol in 1809. Four lines in closely written gothic scrip, with signature. Scan on application for contents.

Admiral (see DNB). 4 pages, 8vo, small piece of tape masks the month and another word, ow good and clear. His correspondent's letter to him has depressed him because it underates the "immense appriacation we as Seamen have for the patriotic line you have lately taken up." He is "delighted" with Maurice's book [prob. "Military History of the Campaign of 1882 in Egypt" published this year, 1888]. "I quite agree with you in all you say & consider your views the real statesmanlike Views of that immensely important point.

English aristocrat and military commander (1819-1904; DNB), grandson of George III and cousin of Queen Victoria. 2 pages, 16mo. In good condition despite minor discoloration and one ink stain. He asks her to forgive him for being unable to come to her house the previous day 'as I had most fully intended to do'. Signed 'George'.

1 page, 8vo. Grubby but in good condition. 'In case you have not already seen it, I beg to enclose you a leaflet relating to my new book. | I shall be grateful for any help that you can give it.' Signed 'G. E. Manwaring'. The book was 'My Friend the Admiral. The life, letters, and journals of Rear-Admiral James Burney' (Routledge, 1931).

Maternal grandfather of Queen Mary (1774-1850). In very good condition. Paper dimensions approximately 1 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Reads 'Adolphus Frederick. | Lt: Genl: & Col. in Chief.'

Uncle (1773-1843) of Queen Victoria, notable book collector. Paper dimensions approximately 1 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. In good condition. Florid signature 'Augustus Frederick' above printed word '(Rank)' beside 'Lieutt. Coll. Com.' in manuscript, which in turn is above printed word '(Corps)' beside 'Loyal North Britons' in manuscript.

An Album, 55pp. with newspaper cuttings laid down, 4to, coves worn and sunned but contents intact and in good condition. Headings mainly "Press", presumably short for a local paper (Western Daily Press prob.), and "T & M", "Daily Press", "Mercury", "Express", etc. Subjects:duties of the Newhaven Master of Bristol, Britol Docks Commitrtee, Custom of thePort, The Destruction of the Avon Bank, The Dock Toll, The Canals Problem, The Alien Pilotage, Highest Bridge in the World, Appointment, The Housing Question at Avonmouth, etc, etc.

Distinguished and much-decorated American general (1896-1993), who during World War II led a squadron of army bombers in a series of intrepid raids on the Japanese mainland. In good condition. On a piece of paper 3 inches by 5 inches.

British naval officer and inventor (1853-1924; DNB). 1 page, 16mo. In good condition. Attached to larger piece of card, docketed with a brief biography. 'I shall be delighted to come tomorrow at 4. pm. | Yours sincerely | Percy Scott'.

For Keppel (1809-1904) see the DNB. On a slip of paper, 1 inch by 2¾, probably cut from a letter. Grubby and creased, and docketed in ink 'Admiral Keppel'. Mounted on a long slip, together with the signature of his brother 'Edwd. S[outhwell]: Keppel' (b. c. 1801), Rector Of Quidenham, Norfolk, on a piece cut from another letter, 1¼ inches by 3. This second signature is in better condition and is preceded by "Dear Sir | Yours very truly'. Two items,

English historian and biographer of Pepys (1899-1985). All six letters are 1 page, 8vo. In poor condition: creased, frayed and discoloured, with ruststains from a paperclip. All six are signed 'Arthur Bryant' and three are addressed to Mrs Cecil Roscoe, presumably the recipient's husband's name. Two of the letters are addressed to Roscoe at the Society of Women Journalists, Stationers' Hall. In the first letter Bryant says he would be pleased to address the Society. He might however be forced to cancel, 'owing to my absence from the country on Service duty'.

2 pages, 8vo, both with Royal Air Force letterhead bearing the motto 'PER ARDUA AD ASTRA'. Not in good condition - creased, frayed, torn and discoloured - but a marvellous and immediate piece of history, regarding what one authority describes as the 'strategic bombing [...] principally against the Ruhr, on which No.149 concentrated during the winter of 1940-1'. The letter begins 'Dear Mum, | Just a line to thank you for the photographs, I think that one of you is very good.

Educationalist and biographer of Kitchener and Edward VII. All items are in good condition, but bear traces of rust from paper clips. The card is 1 page, 12mo, with printed letterhead, and carries two stamps and postmark on reverse. He is going to London the next day and will stay till Thursday. He will be happy to see Grinling on Sunday or Monday if convenient and he will try to be at home. The letter is 1 page, 8vo. In it he thanks his correspondent for the 'interesting papers which I will return'.