Autograph Letters

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. She begins: 'I felt much gratified by yr. kind attention to my request, with regard to my lithographs; I should have sent you 2 or 3 more copies immediately, had I had them by me, in the hope that you might be able to part with them, before the season at Southwold was quite over, - I now take the liberty of charging you with 2 more copies'. She invites Mrs Thompson to visit, and states that her husband will return in three weeks from 'a miss[ionar]y. excursion to the islands of Guernsey &c'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He writes to apologise that he 'cannot get away to see the Holbein' at the previously arranged time, because he has a meeting with 'my accounting officer'. He suggests an alternative time, and apologises 'heartily for my mistake'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of mount to the corners of the blank reverse of the second leaf. The letter begins: 'Dear Gilbert | Thomas told me yesterday - at your gallery - that he had heard you had an attack of rheumatic fever'. He hopes that this is not true, as it is 'a most painful complaint', adding: 'I beg that you will give me a line as soon as you feel well, which we al must [hope] will be very soon'.

1p., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse. Docketted: 'fo 369 | G F'. He asks to be sent 'the following goods of the very best quality by the next Oxford Van which leaves daily Old Change about one O Clock.' Four items are listed: various reams of 'drawing Atlas', 'drawing Elephant', 'Plate Elephant' and 'the best & largest letter press demy'. Also '2 quires of the best Plate French Grand Eagles'

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In very good condition, neatly placed by the second leaf in a windowpane mount. He has 'received an intimation' that his picture is in Bond Street ('from whence I must fetch it'), and is writing to say that he has 'two Pictures by my Father (one very small but a beautiful little bit) the other the Peak in Derbyshire; a Landscape by Smith of Chichester & a copy of mine after Liverseege all of which I would lend to the Crystal Palace if you would like to have them'. He can deliver these to Bond St on collecting the other.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Scriven begins: 'I am afraid you will have thought I had forgotten to send the plate of Norfolk: the truth is, I decided on doing a few touches to that hand noticed by you & Mr Lackington; and although it was but a very little, I did not like to trust its going without first seeing a proof, as we can never be quite sure, on at all touching the copper, how it may come afterwards.' He ends by sending his 'best respects to Mr Lackington and the rest of your Gentlemen'.

2pp., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He will have to forgo meeting Britton, as he the previous evening he received 'a Message from the Horse Guards to attend there on Saturday at 3 O Cl'. He has 'just finished a Whole Length of Ld Hill, & its on that acct. I am summoned, I was yesterday Introduced with it To His Majesty so you see my present situation'. He will send the prints the following Tuesday, 'as they are in my press'. Turner's engraving of Hill is captioned: 'Painted by Henry W. Pickersgill Esq. R.A. Engraved by C. Turner, A.R.A.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He reports that he shared the 'bounty' of the recipient's 'delicious present' with his brother, who has been 'confined to the house for a month'. He reports that 'Mr Watts and family are well', and hopes that 'Mr Stack is so'.

Each item is 1p., 12mo, the note being the last of the three. All written in green ink, the first on green paper, and the other two on pink paper. The three in very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Written in an attractive, calligraphic hand. ONE: She writes that she is enclosing 'four rough designs [not present] for the woodcut frontispiece to the "Glade [sic] of Glenbella', and asks to be informed by return of the firm's choice, and she will 'get on with it at once'. She ends with a query about galley sheets. TWO: Docketted with brief pencil accounts.

4pp., 12mo. 55 lines of text, written in a neat, clear hand. On bifolium, with second leaf neatly placed in paper windowpane mount. The letter begins: 'I herewith send the electrotype of the Trowel, [not present] which is I think a beautiful specimen of the peculiar but slow process.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with one closed tear along a crease line repaired with archival tape. He writes: 'Dear Sir | I have read the article, which is in the highest possible degree favorable, & the writer has thoroughly understood his subject. Could you let me have it again on Monday morning, to keep till after my Motion on Tuesday? I will return it to you on Wednesday morning.' Wilmot-Horton's name is written in a contemporary hand at the foot of the second page.

2pp., small 4to. In fair condition, on aged paper, with slight loss to one edge. He begins: 'Sr! | I wrote to you a Post or two ago to desire you to send me Voyage de M. Condamine sur la Riviere des Amazons impr. a Paris en 1745. If you have it not in your Shop Pray enquire for it, & send it to me at Ombersley near Worcester: and I wish you would inform me if M. Condamine or any of his company that went with him to Peru, have publish'd any other account of any part of their Expedition? I have read Don Ant.

Six pages, 12mo, closely written, fold marks, good condition. "[...] on Obeah as practised in Demerara, I have exceedingly little information to give, having had but little personal contact with it and only knowing it as a thing much talked about and I believe, largely made use of by the black people. It is no uncommon thing for a person bearing ill will towards another to resort to an Obeah man in order that he may work them some harm.

Two pages, 12mo, bifolium, tipped on to larger piece of paper, substantial, good condition.

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Madam | Thank you for your reminder about reading the paper tomorrow night. | I will be at the Guild before 8, and get the slides.' Strang was Master of the Art Workers' Guild.

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Daffarn | I will be in any time in the afternoon after 2.30 on Friday, & will be pleased to see you and your friend Watson. | The work goes on slowly but I think I will finish in time.'

1p., 16mo. On bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-spotted paper. The note reads: 'Mr. Webster in reply to Mr. Gotta's note desires to say, with his compliments, that his Picture, in the Royal Academy, is engaged.'

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Docketted by recipient 'Mr. Robinson on my Spanish portraits.' A pencil note identifies the writer as 'Hy Reeve', perhaps the journalist Henry Reeve (1813-1895).

1p., 4to. In good condition, on aged paper, laid down on a grey-paper mount. The letter is addressed 'Gentlemen'. In the first paragraph he explains that having received their letter, he sent 'Dr Clarkes Plates [...] to the Writing Engravers but have not as yet received them back'. He has sent the bearer of the present letter to find out when they will be done, and he has been told to tell them the answer he receives. The second paragraph reveals that the bearer of the letter is himself an engraver: 'I understand that he applied to you for the engraving of one of your Portrait Plates.

3pp., 16mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He is posting a watch, which he describes as his 'small offering to Michael'. 'Please tell your husband that my wife is honestly much pleased with the excellent drawing of my "honest phiz", as Calverley calls it, though from her intimate knowledge of the original she thinks certain points open to criticism.' He continues in the same vein on the same topic for a page.

The two items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: 1p., 4to. Regarding the loan by him to Hubbard of drawings, and delivery options for them. TWO: 1p., 12mo. 'You vanished very suddenly after our Meeting and I did not have the chance of discussing arrangements with you. Will you please let me know what time it passes through Tonbridge on the following Monday.' He hopes to bring two more pictures 'straight to Albany from Charing Cross, arriving about mid-day? If you are not to be there I will take them to the Royal Academy and deliver them in the afternoon.'

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper with damp stain along one edge. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr. Scott'. He is sending 'by Bearer 4 sorts of french paper, 2 sheets of each, which you will be so good as to see that it is properly prepared before it is used - The grand Eagle with the watermarks will require a great deal of brushing with a hard brush as I think that many of the specks will brush off they being chiefly superficial'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. He apologises for the 'very short letter' and 'long delay in answering'. He reports that 'the rings came in your order but I have not had a chance to use them and will not have now until next Spring or Summer'. He is sending money as requested. 'My three plates of the trees came very nicely - one has just gone to the "Studio" so you may see it there later on.' He will write again when he has time for 'a rational note'.

1p., landscape 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-stained paper. The note reads: 'Dr Sir, | I shall do myself the pleasure of waiting upon you the beginning of the week, when I hope to have something interesting to shew you for Mr Boydell - believe me | Dr Sir | Yrs truly | J Hassell'.

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, with slight creasing and chipping at head. In answer to an enquiry, he states regarding 'the Portrait of the Marchioness of Abercorn' that 'though Mr Moon & I have not yet completed our arrangements I consider that the Plate is his property & not mine as you appear to have been informed'. He concludes by thanking him 'for the favorable opinion you are pleased to express both of the plate in question & the engraving'.

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. 21 lines of text. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. As Doubleday has not 'sent the last', he has 'done your 3rd Cut of "glorious Apollo" from the print alone endeavouring to give the antique style as faithfully as I could.' He thanks him for his 'bit about the "archaic" term', and is certain 'that that [last word underlined] - like many other derivations from Greek & Latin roots, are most frequently used improperly[. T]he taste for hard words is certainly on the increase among all classes - from the advertising tailor upwards.'

1p., landscape 12mo. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. The first paragraph reads: 'Dear Mr Pavière, | I will look carefully at the prints you send in (as, indeed, & of course, at all of them), and hope you may be successful at the election. The whole of the members will this year, at last, express their opinon on the candidates work, but the final decision rests, as it must under the charter, with the Council.' In the second paragraph he expresses pleasure that 'you are interesting your gallery in prints'.

2pp., foolscap 8vo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. The breaking of the seal has resulted in slight loss at the foot of the gutter, affecting two words of text. Verso of second leaf addressed, with two postmarks and red wax seal, to 'Alexander Williamson Esqr | Alisons Square | Edinburgh'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on brittle lightly-aged paper, with closed tears along crease lines unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. Having received the recipient's letter he wishes 'to express my regret that Mrs. Hyde should have considered it necessary to send me any apology on an occasion like the present'. He condoles 'in the melancholy event', of which he 'heard with great regret, and it has deprived me of a Friend whom I highly respected & esteemed'.

Colonel Lethbridge commanded the 1st Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and was mentioned in despatches twice, and decorated several times, during service in the Great War. For more information about the two brothers, see their entries in 'Who Was Who'. Totalling 8pp., 4to; 30pp., 12mo. The ten 12mo letters are in good condition, lightly-aged, while the four 4to letters are aged and worn, with chipping to extremities.