Autograph Letters

Signature cut from document, 4 x 2", stating, "humble Servant | Hill | General Comdr in Chief", with a few words in a different hand on the reverse.

A substantial letter, 3pp., foolscap 8vo. 100 lines of text. Bifolium. In very good condition, on aged paper, with one closed along crease line neatly repaired with archival tape. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with Chatham postmark, frank, and black wax seal, to 'Viscount Ingestrie M:P. | 2 Wilton Crescent | Belgrave Square | London'. An interesting document, in which a distinguished Victorian naval architect makes detailed criticisms of an innovation in his field. (HMS Gorgon was designed by Sir William Symonds and launched in 1837.

Four pages, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper, with small pinholes to both leaves and slight loss at the head of the second. Substantial first part of long letter, and hence lacking the signature. BBTI has Trelawny [for Trelawney] William Saunders at 6 Charing Cross between 1846 and 1853, and Edward Stanford's entry in the Oxford DNB records that he was an apprentice there, returning as partner in 1852 ('The partnership was dissolved by mutual consent in July 1853.'), and that it was Saunders who proposed Stanford for membership of the Royal Geographical Society.

2pp., 4to. On bifolium, with reverse of second leaf addressed to 'Rev. T. Greenwood, | Leeds.' In good condition, on aged paper, with slight discoloration to second leaf. BBTI lists Gawtree as active in Leeds between 1817 and 1822; he took over the Leeds Intelligencer in 1818. The first paragraph reads: 'An opportunity has very unexpectedly occurred this morning of sending a packet. - I inclose you Blackwood, wch. we recd. uncommonly late this month.

1p., 4to. On aged paper, with damage and discoloration to one margin. Eliza Urquhart begins her letter: 'Gentlemen, | Mr Urquhart has desired me to acquaint you that he thinks it would be adviseable immediately to see Mr Spotswood [i.e. Spottiswoode, then an employee of the book's printer Andrew Strahan] on the subject of accelerating the printing of his work, as from the present tardiness with which the proofs are sent, he thinks the Season will inevitably be lost'.

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE (letter): 1p., 12mo. In a neat and elegant hand, it reads: 'Tuesday Night | Dear Laura | I send the tickets; as Goldsmith sent the portion of Lord Clare's haunch of venison to Sir Joshua - | "To paint it or eat it, whichever he pleased" | I am glad you like the Philharmonia | Your affecte. Friend | John Hullah'. TWO (cutting of sheet music): Written in pencil on one side of a 6.5 x 15 cm piece of paper, docketted 'Written by John Hullah 1861 | for

'. With a few words in Hullah's hand at head.

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

1p., 4to. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'J. D. Powles Esqr'. 15 lines of text, neatly and closely written. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Walker (not to be confused with the army officer in the East India Company) was the author of a work on Columbia, published by Baldwin, Cradock & Joy in 1822. For information on Powles, who employed a young Benjamin D'Israeli to write pamphlets supporting his interests, see the end of this description.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper. Accompanying the document is an undated and unsigned twentieth-century English translation, on letterhead of Lincoln House, Beauchamp Road, East Molesey, Surrey, headed 'A very free translation - guessing at illegible words'. At the time of writing Thiers was in government, in the Ministry of the Interior.

3pp., 4to. 71 lines closely and neatly written. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with minor repairs to wear with gummed paper. Addressed, with three postmarks (one Portsmouth), on reverse of second leaf, to 'John Hervey Esqre | Ballangrew Cardross | by Stirling | N. Britain'. He reports that his regiment arrived at Minorca a few days previously 'from Fitwan Bay': 'on our leaving the coast of Africa a separation of the Fleet took place one half went direct of [sic] Malta & the other to this place to get Provisions, and water'.

The letter is 12mo, 2 pp, 30 lines. In good condition, with the text clear and entire, and with wear to 0.5 cm strips at head and tail (not affecting the text) where the letter overlaps the top and bottom of the book. The blank second leaf of the bifolium is laid down on the verso of the book's half-title. Nicoll begins by apologising for sending 'a copy of the cheap edition' ('the cloth copies of the second edition are not yet ready, and I do not know when they will be out').

The document is 1p., 4to. It is in fair condition, on thin aged paper, with the remains of two red wax seals, and backed with paper. With the receipt stamp of the London & County Bank. The letter is in French, and signed 'Persiani' and relates to a payment from the Russian exchequer, drawn on Baring Brothers of London, to Alexandre Mintshaki, son of 'Son Excellence Mme. Sophie Mintschaki, défunte'. Malet's note reads: 'I certify the above to be the signature of Monsieur Persiani 1st. Secretary of the Russian Legation at Athens.

1p., 8vo. With mourning border. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-ruckled paper. After exclaiming 'How kind of you!' Pinero explains that he has been 'inoculated regularly since the autumn, and it has done me no good'. He continues: 'No, I won't say that; I might have been worse but for the injections.' He concludes by stating that he will show Shore's letter to his doctor, 'to prick his conscience'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He writes 'My dear Sir | I have the pleasure to accept your kind Invitation to Dine with you on the 4th March [amended from '28 Inst'] to meet the President and Council of the Royal Academy.' For more information about both men, see their entries in the Oxford DNB.

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.

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'.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with water staining to a couple of words. Written in a stylish, calligraphic hand. He begins by thanking the recipient for a letter and postal order, before continuing: 'In case you are interested, I also do paintings of antique weapons. An example of my work can be seen in the August 1962 issue of "Guns Review".' He explains that such illustrations can be in either black and white or full colour, and concludes: 'If you have a particular favourite I shall be pleased to quote.'

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on creased and aged paper. Docketted on reverse: 'Ld de Blaquiere to Sir R A | 1772.' The letter begins: 'It may give you some pleasure to hear, & it may be of some use to you, to know; that Ld. Harcourt is appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. I have not however the merit of giving you the intelligence, it is, by my Lord's desire, and His Lordship tells me [last four words deleted] that I shall certainly attend him to that Country as the principal secretary.' He concludes by inviting Ainslie, on Harcourt's behalf, to dinner the following day.

1p., 4to. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'The Revd Mr Cory | Blithfield'. In good condition, on aged paper, with small closed tear in top left-hand corner. He informs Cory that Lord Bagot and his family will be visiting him, and playfully reminds him: 'You will recollect you owe me a Visit, at least you said you wd. favor me with your Company some day or another - I think you will never find us so pleasant as when surrounded by your excellent Blithfield friends.' He concludes by urging him to 'come & try our Air, which is said to be good'.

1p., 4to. Good, on aged paper, with small central spike hole made by recipient. The letter reads: 'Mr Bowyer begs Mr Hookham will send him the following Books as soon as possible | Parkhursts Lexicon for the Greek Testament[;] Smarts translation of Virgil; a translation of Sallust; there is one I do not know by whom it is translated it is in columns one side English and the other latin.' Postscript: 'Send them to Lady Bowyer Tunbridge Wells Kent'. A note in a contemporary hand at the foot of the page identifies the author as 'Sr. Geo B MP on Cathc.

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Reverse of second leaf with wax seal, postmark and address to 'Mr. Mitchell | High Street | Portsmouth'. The letter begins: 'Mr Cust wishes Mr Mitchell to send up Master Custs best uniform coat & waistcoat, & if any difference from those he has got the Trowsers; as soon as possible.' He complains that the shirts 'do not sit quite neat about the collar', before listing more requirements: '1 Pewter hand Bason, & cup. | 2 Bars common soap. | 1 Packet Windsor Do. | 2 Pair of Braces | 2 Log Books size for 3 yrs | 1 Watch Bill Book | 2 Bottles of Ink.

One page, 4to, fold marks, good condition. "I take great pleasure in sending you herewith a photograph of the 'Mermaid Tavern' bill, the original of which is in my private collection in Philadelphia. I am also enclosing a transcription of it. I secured this remarkable document from the late Sir Israel Gollancz many years ago." Rosenbach addsa manuscript postscript, "As for your suggestion I am sending the Mermaid Tavern bill to [Comander Tuffill?] and Mr Andre L. SimonThe transcription and photograph are PRESENT, the former with a note on Rosenbach provenance in Berry's hand.

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper with small closed tear along fold line. He is not sure whether, 'as a Permanent Official', he could attend Campion's meeting in Cambridge on 24 October, 'though I very sincerely wish well to your cause'. He has in any case 'accepted an invitation to a great dinner which the Lord Mayor gives on that day to Sir F. Roberts who goes to India as Commander in Chief.' He is not a great attender of public dinners, 'but this will be a large gathering ofr Indian soldiers and civilians, and I could not decline'.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and creased paper. He announces the publication of 'a book of outstanding literary importance, namely Meyerstein's "Life of Chatterton". Meyerstein is undoubtedly the greatest living authority on this subject, and his book, the result of nine years original research, contains much unpublished material. I believe it will be recognised as the standard work on Chatterton for many years to come.' He states that he has 'put a great deal of money and time into this book', and asks Wilson to help him 'make it a success'.

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Letter One: 2pp., foolscap 8vo. The letter begins: 'Dear Wortham: | I had no idea years ago when you were in Cairo, that 1933 would find us issuing "Gordon" books.

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Purdie's letter: 4pp., 4to. Closely and neatly written on a bifolium, with the last page cross-written over the third. Addressed, with postmarks and red wax seal, to 'G. P. Nicholson Esqre. | Wath | nr Rotherham'.

2pp., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with slight discoloration to reverse of second leaf, which also bears traces of mount along one edge. Addressed, on reverse of second leaf, to 'The Attorney General | &c &c &c | J R G Graham'. This letter - an unusually detailed survival for a communication from one officer of state to another during this period - concerns a House of Commons debate on the 'Moral and Religious Education of the Working Classes', held on 28 February 1843, and extensively reported in The Times, 1 March 1843, pp.3-4.

Austen-Leigh's three letters are all signed 'R A Austen Leigh'. ONE: ALS to Vellacott. 3 May 1942; 'as from | D2 Albany | Piccadilly W.1'. 2pp., 12mo. He asks if Vellacott can 'enlighten me on the following point - I am editing some letters of Dr. Goodall, who was Provost of Eton 1809 to 1840. There follows a sixteen-line transcript of a letter written in May 1838 from Goodall to his brother, regarding which he writes: 'Who would Mr.

1p., 8vo. On a bifolium. Addressed, with postmark, on the reverse of the second leaf: 'To the Overseers of the Parish of Darlington - | Durham'. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, with two spike holes. The document reads: 'Gentn. | A Single Woman of the Name of Ann Allison, belonging to this Parish is gone to inhabit in your Parish - you will therefore have the goodness to pay her 2/6 pr. Week - from the 28th. Inst.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. Addressed to 'Hugh Wortham, Esq., | 75 Courtfield Gardens, | London, S.W.5, England'. Signed in green ink. He has received Wortham's book (probably 'The Delightful Profession: Edward VII, A Study in Kingship', published that year). He is 'still in the midst of a rather big book', but once he has finished it, he will send his comments on Wortham's.