ANGELA

An interesting sidelight into a neglected area of Joachim scholarship, the 'Joseph Joachim - biography and research' website containing no references at all to Macirone. Joachim's acquaintance with England (where his elder brother Henry settled) had begun while he was still a child, when his teacher Felix Mendelson (himself a prodigy) had brought him to the country, where his playing caused a sensation. 14 letters, in fair condition, on aged and worn paper. The combined letters total 34pp. in 8vo and 12mo, with Joseph Joachim's eleven letters consisting of 25pp. of this amount, of which 15pp.

1p., 16mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Docketted on reverse of second leaf 'Sir H Bishop June 17th/46' (17 June 1846 was a Wednesday, so probably a mistake for the previous day). He is much obliged by her 'kind thought, in sending me a Ticket for you Concert', but it is uncertain whether he will be in London at that time, 'but I wish you, most sincerely, every success'.

Letter: 1p., 12mo. In good condition. Written in a difficult hand, regarding 'Tickets' for a 'really remarkable Show'. Photograph: 9 x 6 cm. Sepia. In good condition, laid down on paper removed from album. Depicts Burdett-Coutts, in Victorian finery with bustle and veil, seated at a table, with gloved right hand pressed to her cheek (not found on Google images)..

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with negligible traces of mount on blank reverse of second leaf. Written in a somewhat difficult hand. The letter begins: 'My Votes are I am happy to say at liberty I enclose them'. She continues by expressing her 'distress' at the health of one of her sisters, who has been 'at St Leonards - she is I am thankful to say now out of danger'. She sends the best wishes of 'Mrs Burns', noting that 'the Election is in April'.

Both items in fair condition, on aged paper. NOTE: 1p, 12mo. He thanks her for an invitation to one of her concerts, 'rendered, as it is, more agreeable by the compliment she so agreeably pays to the sister art which he pursues'. LETTER: 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He would have replied sooner to her concert invitation, 'but the arrangement of pictures for the Gt Exhibition occupied my time up to the last moment of opening and has done for many weeks'. He has been 'so wearied with my late work that I am proposing to get away from town for a little rest the very concert day.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly-aged. The letter reads: 'My dear Miss Macirone | Mrs. Cowden has recd. your letter, & forwards the enclosure to Clara [the Countess of Gigliucci, another sister]. | Mrs. C. C's hands are so afflicted that she writes with greatest difficulty; so I write for her. We Villa-ites know no one of the name of "Macirone" excepting your own distinguished family. We rejoice to hear you have regained yr. health, & that sweet Minnie is flourishing. We all send kindest remembrances. Excuse gt. haste'.

Closely and neatly written on five bifoliums. Text totalling 14pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with minor damage at head of third letter, and wear to extremities of the fourth. The first two letters (1856 and 1859) addressed formally, the third to 'Angela & Minnie', and the fourth and fifth to 'Angela'. She writes the first letter (1856) before her sister Clara's 'approaching visit to England', to thank Macirone for writing to express the pleasure she had received from Charles Cowden Clarke's sister's writing.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. She has delayed writing 'till she could send the seal of the late Bishop (which she would like returned at Mr. Johnson's convenience)'. As it is 'the original, and therefore recorded', she thinks 'it would be as well to adhere to it'. She does not have ' a coloured sketch, so cannot answer the questions but doubtless all information would be given by the College of Heralds'. She concludes by stating that she is 'very pleased that a memorial will be raised to her old friend Dr. Hill, in the Parish where he worked so long and so well.'

4to, 2 pp. 44 lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. With stamped envelope addressed in autograph. Discussing the appalling final illness of 'poor Margery', beginning 'What happened was Cruel. Quite suddenly and I forget now how long ago - perhaps 3 months - all her insides fell out as it were.