Autograph Letters

The photograph, by 'V & Co.', is roughly 8.5 x 14 cm, printed in blue. Apparently cut from a magazine, it is laid down on a leaf of pink paper taken from an autograph album. It is captioned with d'Alvarez's name, and shows her left profile. Across the bottom, in a sprawling hand, she has written 'Sincerely | D'Alvarez | Oct 20th'. On the reverse of the leaf on which the photograph is laid down are three autographs: the first reads 'With all my good wishes | ', the second 'Adela Verne | Oct. 20th. 1921', and the third 'Milan Yovanovitch Bratza | 20/10/21 | Stoke-on-Trent'.

The 12mo letter has been cut into two sections, both laid down on a piece of mustard paper, with typed caption. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The body of the letter is on a piece of paper roughly 11 cm square. Six lines of text, enclosing 'autograph & quotation' (not present), and apologising for having 'no photo available'. 'Glad you enjoy my books, & thanks for your good wishes'. The smaller piece, with letterhead and Styles's dating, is roughly 8.5 x 3.5 cm.

12mo, 1 p. Mourning border. Nine lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on worn and lightly-aged paper. Asks if Clarke knows 'Dutch, or Danish or both enough - to give us in the Christmas number of the Athenaeum a column upon each or one or either of those countries under a general group of "Literature of Foreign Countries in 1869"?' Requests an answer by return.

Folio, 1 p. Twenty-six lines. Text clear and complete, with three minor autograph corrections. On wove paper with an American watermark. Good, on aged paper.

Both signatures on the same side of a light-green leaf removed from an autograph album, roughly 18 x 14 cm. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The first signature is the larger of the two: 'Wilhelm Backhaus | Nov. 20th. 1922.' The second reads 'Lindley Evans. | 20/11/22'.

On one side of a piece of pink paper, roughly 18 x 7.5 cm, cut from an autograph album. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. At the head James has written ' "The Sun-God" W. G. James', with the opening two bars beneath this, beneath which he has written the words 'I saw the master of the Sun -' In the bottom right-hand corner: 'Yrs Sincerely | William G. James'. James's music for Aubrey de Vere's poem was first published in 1921.

Dimensions of card 14.5 x 11 cm. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Cloudy print of landscape on recto of second leaf, signed in pencil 'R Macaulay Stevenson'. Neat pen inscription on recto of first leaf: 'My dear brother-artist Sassoon and dear Madame Sassoon this is just from Stansmore and myself to wish you a Merrie Christmas and a Happy New Year | [signed] R Macaulay Stevenson | Kirkcudbright | Yuletide 1934'.

12mo, 2 pp. 23 lines. Text clear and complete. On first leaf of a bifolium, with the second leaf laid down on rectangle of paper cut from album. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Drawing her attentiont to 'the important, but as yet little attended to, subject of the compulsory drinking usages', a 'topic [...] of increasing moment'. His 'largest work' on the subject is 'at present out of print, & the reserved copies all exhausted', so he is sending 'a small tract extracted from it', together with 'another Vol.

Both items good, on lightly-aged paper. ONE. 15 October 1842. 4to, 3 pp. Philip Henry Howard has placed in Hall's hands 'a memorandum relative to some questions proposed by you, with regard to Thomas Fell of Lancaster', and he provides information which he considers shows that Fell 'disapproved of the course of events, in 1547 - absented himself & never appeared in public life again - but a private memoir would tend to verify this suspicion'. TWO. 26 October 1842. 12mo, 3 pp.

12mo, 5 pp. 78 lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. His unnamed correspondent's paper was sent to Russell 'by Mr Bagshawe, who expressed his opinion that it would not suit our pages'. Gives his reasons for concurring with Bagshawe, and thinking that the paper 'would to our readers be heavy & uninteresting'.

12mo, 2 pp. 34 lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He received Walford's manuscript and 'did free my spirit, as I promised I would, without loss of time'. The matter is now in the hands of the printer of the Daily Telegraph, who, 'at the time of going to press, is master of of the situation, and often delays, from night to night, giving a place to our best-loved paragraphs.' Turner marked his copy with 'a mem to the effect' that it should be shown to 'Mr. Arnold'.

Folio, 3 pp. Fair, on lightly-creased and aged paper. The lengthy form is printed, and completed with typewritten additions and its own 'Registry No.'

On both sides of the card, which is not addressed, having fitted inside an envelope. Aged, but with text clear and complete. Inviting Constable to play golf with him at Littlehampton. He can be there at 12.28 pm. 'I go to Coates on Friday'.

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium. With two pages of lists of plants by Shepherd. Good, on aged paper. In remains of original envelope. The letterhead advertises that the firm also has a branch at Ashford. Begins: 'We can supply you with the shrubs &c you kindly enquire about at the Prices named on other side - your orders for which will have our careful attention'. Three are marked with a cross, being 'very critical trees to move' for which the firm 'can undertake no responsibility as to their success'. Prices given for fifteen types, from 'Spruce Trees - 4 ft.

Cheque, printed in blue. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Written out for ten pounds and signed 'Ella R. Christie'. With various stamps and perforations, not affecting Topelius's signature. Christie's translation from Topelius, 'Fairy Tales from Finland', was published by T. Fisher Unwin in 1896.

All texts clear and complete. All four items in fair condition on lightly-aged paper, with occasional light wear along folds. ITEM ONE: Autograph testimonial by 'F. G. Lucas | Brigr. General | late Comdr. 42nd. Infy. Brigade M.E.F.' Dated 26 April 1919. 12mo, 1 p. He always found Barton 'active, intelligent and hard working, and he did noticeably well while on an independent appointment'. ITEMS TWO AND THREE. Autograph testimonial by 'Badcock Lt Col. | 2/6th. G. R.' 12mo, 1 p. Undated.

Folio, 2 pp. Thirty-three lines in eight numbered paragraphs. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged and worn paper, with pinholes at head of both leaves. The first page with mourning border for Queen Victoria. Responding to a letter to Chamberlain written four days previously, and giving details of the appointment (pension, furniture, horse allowance).

4to, 1 p. Nine lines. Text clear and complete. On aged, creased and worn paper. He asks Wilde to send, by a Leicester coach, 'the four Sheet Map of Spain published by the late Mr. Faden, fitted into a travelling Case, to Lord John Scott, Aylestone', billing Montagu 'at Dilton Park near Windsor'.

12mo, 4 pp. 64 lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He was 'mistaken about the Marylebone Election - Having been a prisoner so much lately' he had 'not seen many electors & those whom I saw thought it was too late & regretted to see a split in the liberal party'. He 'did not influence a single vote being too unwell to take any part in it'. He 'left town to escape the excitement'. He has 'already troubled our new Representative with a little Parliamentary Business', and is sending Wyld 'some documents on the same subject by the Book post'.

Folio, 1 p. Twenty-three lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. His mother Lady Napier, who went to town the previous day, has 'taken charge of the 2 Vols of the Athenaeum' his correspondent sent him. 'Lady Napier has promised to call herself at Leicester Square & deliver the books to you'. If he should be in when she calls, Napier asks him to 'explain to her my theory as to the "Sources of the Nile", briefly embodied in the accompanying paper'.

12mo, 3 pp. Thirty-six lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed by Bonaparte, with stamp, red wax seal and postmarks, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Monsieur le Lieutenant-Colonel Lherbette Adt. au comm. de l'artillerie dans la 1re. division militaire | Vincennes'. Were he not leaving for the country, he would have presented in person 'Mr. Colt, citoyen des Etats-Unis, inventeur d'un ingénieux système d'armes à feu à plusieurs coups'.

12mo, 1 p. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with pinholes in corners from mounting. Expressing thanks, on behalf of his father, for Wyld's 'kind letter of congratulation to him on his Elevation to the Woolsack'.

12mo, 2 pp. Fifteen lines. Text clear and complete. Thanking Wyld for his 'Support on Thursday in the House of Commons, agreeing with the Lords' Amendment for the exemption of Pharmaceutical Chemists serving on Juries'. He hopes that the exemption will prove 'a Stimulus to Pharmaceutical education and thereby be of great service and increased safety to the Public'. Hills was Mayor of Cambridge from 1894 to 1895.

4to, 1 p. Text clear and complete. In original envelope, addressed by Lawrence and with his red wax seal and frank ('Abbott Lawrence'), 'To | James Wyld Esqre M.P. | &c &c &c | Charing Cross East'. On aged and stained paper. He thanks him for his 'New Map of Central America', which he will 'transmit to Washington, where I believe it will be thought, that you have made ample provision for the "Mosquito Indians"'. The following year Wyld would erect his 'Great Globe' in Leicester Square, where it would remain until 1862.

12mo, 2 pp. Nine lines. Text clear and complete. Addressed by Churchill on reverse of the second leaf, with red wax seal, and his frank: 'Witney Dec. thirty one 1826. | Mr. Faden | Map Seller | Charing Cross | London. | [signed] Churchill'. On aged and lightly-creased paper, with a spike hole. Asking Faden to 'send him a small Case map of Gloucestershire, as soon as possible', directed to him by 'Pratt's Gloucester Coach, to be left at Witney'.

4to, 1 p. Nine lines. Text clear and complete. On bifolium of paper watermarked 'J WHATMAN | 1855'. Aged and lightly-stained. Reads 'I have the Honor to inform you that Parliament having been called to meet on Thursday the 3d of December Business of great Importance will then immediately be brought forward, and I trust that it may be consistent with your Convenience to attend in your Place in the House of Commons on that Day'. From the papers of James Wyld (1812-1887), cartographer and Member of Parliament for Bodmin.

Both 12mo, 2 pp. On bifoliums, the first with mourning border. Both texts clear and complete. Aged and lightly creased, with the first item bearing traces of being mounted in an album. Letter One: He hopes to be 'present at the next Sessions', and will be 'quite prepared after the County business is over, to attend the Committee of Subscribers to Sir William Heathcotes Portrait'.

12mo, 3 pp. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Not knowing whether Dallas is returned, he draws 'a bow at a venture', hoping that his 'arrows are not "bitter words"'. He intends to visit Galway, and asks Dallas to 'write me a line to mark out the desirable points to visit & a few hints as to where to stop'. He will be staying with William Cooper of Markree Castle, County Sligo. In 1842 Dallas established the Irish Church Missions, 'Soupers' which were particularly active in Galway during the Potato Famine.

12mo, 2 pp. Fair, on lightly aged and creased paper. Although it is 'unnecessary' , she is writing 'in Sidney's name to implore for your Vote & interest on Friday next as against the Govt. - Independently of the grave question at issue as regards India no friend of Lord Canning's can be indifferent to the base & ungenerous treatment he has received'. Sidney is writing to the Bishop of Salisbury 'in the same sense', and if he cannot come to London for the vote, he will, she hopes, 'send his proxy'. Docketed on reverse 'Authoress'.

12mo, 3 pp. Regarding the 'assigning of an income to the Regius Professor of Medicine out of the Ewelme Charity': 'I trouble you with a line to say that I have recommended the allowance of £250 a year, and that when the revenues of the Charity shall reach £1000 a year, it shall be submitted to the Court to increase the amount to £300 or £350'. Asks if there is 'any other matter connected with my office upon which you would wish for information, before I seek a week or two's repose? (of which I have had none, not even for an hour since I came into office.)'.