ATHENAEUM

1p., 12mo. Mourning border. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He writes that his 'visit to the Gallery' has to be on the following Friday, but asks the recipient not to 'in the least inconvenience yourself on my account, though I certainly should consider it a great pleasure to see you on the occasion'. According to his entry in the Oxford DNB: 'In 1860 William Chambers returned to Edinburgh and the firm. Robert Chambers and his wife travelled to America before he and his family moved to London so that he could oversee the firm's new London offices.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly-aged, and laid down on a piece of card. Reads: 'July 26 | My dear Faed, | Would you mind seconding me at the Athenaeum? I believe Tom Hughes has put down my name. | Yours faithfully | William Black.' According to Black's entry in the Oxford DNB, he 'studied landscape painting for a short time in the Glasgow School of Art, but, becoming connected with the Glasgow Citizen, gradually exchanged art for journalism'.

1p., 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He thanks her 'for the opportunity she has afforded him of attending her concert, which he trusts to do accompanied by his mother'. He also 'acknowledges Miss Macirone's graceful compliments to the Art which he professes'. Little is known of Miss Macerone, but on 26 October 1846 the Boston 'Musical Gazette' reported: 'A young lady, Miss Macerone, who excels as a pianist and composer ! recently gave her first concert in London. She performed Mendelssohn's trio in D, ( in which Messrs.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, with traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse. In an apparent attempt to drum up business, Skelton writes:: 'In consequence of your suggestion I presume to request the favor of you to receive a few of my engraved Portraits, to present to the Noblemen & Gentlemen, Members of the Athenaeum Club, and shall be gratified if the enclosed may prove acceptable.'

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on aged and worn paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Prof. Candy, | I think you would wish to see enclosed which please return after perusal. | If you hear of anything kindly let me know. It is the most pressing difficulty we have and we see no present way of surmounting it. | With renewed thanks, | always sincerely yours, | Mackenzie Bell'.

2pp., 12mo. Stabbed as issued. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with wear to two edges. The first page reads: 'This day is published, price 12s. 6d. in extra boards, | The First Volume of the Athenaeum, A Magazine of Literary and Miscellaneous Information. (Published Monthly) containing, [there follows a list of eighteen topics, in two columns] | Conducted by J. Aikin, M.D. | London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, Paternoster-row; and Cadell and Davies, Strand.' In bottom right-hand corner of page: '(Turn over)'.

1p., 4to. Addressed on reverse, with red wax seal, to 'C. W. Dilke Esq:'. Hayward writes that he is enclosing a note (not present), which was sent to him 'in one to me received only today though apparently written on Wednesday last. A d - d foreigner kept it in his pocket in the interim.' Clearly referring to a fee for an article, he continues: 'The lady will be quite satisfied with what you name, but I suppose it may stand over till she does something else'.

2pp., 4to. 29 lines of text. Bifolium. In very good condition, on lightly-aged mourning paper, with broken black wax seal. Reverse of second leaf addressed to 'E Magrath Esq | Athenaeum | Pall Mall'. The letter begins: 'Yes, Truth, (as you say) is better than a thousand apologies. | From the Evng I was last in town (when I met your respected & kind friend Mr. J.

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Docketed at head of first page: 'Sir John Conroy Bt | Fellow Balliol Coll.' He regrets that he cannot 'do London either on the 12: or before that day', and so will not be able to 'help in any way about your Son's election at the Athenaeum'. He concludes: 'I trust it will go all right.'

12mo, 1 p. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He is 'unable to make an offer for the back Vols of The Athenaeum - our stock in house being sufficient to meet demands'.

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.

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.

4to, 68 + viii pp. Frontispiece and eight plates, as well as numerous illustrations in text. In original printed wraps, with advertisements. Eight pages of advertisements at end. Text and illustrations clear and complete. A scarce item (the only copy on COPAC at the V & A Libraries) on aged paper, in chipped and worn wraps, with title page creased, and some sections detached. Inscribed by the editor, at head of front wrap, 'From Edward King | to his Brother Savage W. Linnell | In Memory of a joyous afternoon in Venice. | Nov.

On rectangle cut from letter, 3.5 x 11 cm. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with neat vertical crease at one edge (away from signature) and minor traces of previous mounting on reverse. Reads '<...> to his Admission. | Believe me very faithfully Yours, | Henry Ellis', with reverse reading '<...> now with my Successor, Antonio Panizzi Esq | James C. Webster Esq'. From Webster's autograph collection.

On piece of laid paper, 5.5 x 8 cm. Clear signature on lightly-aged and spotted paper. From the collection of James C. Webster, Secretary, Athenaeum Club, London, who has written, above the signature, 'Royal Society of L<...>', and beneath it, 'Sir Philip Francis | author of "Junius"'.

On rectangle cut from letter, 7 x 11 cm. On dusty paper. Laid down on page removed from autograph album. Reads 'Wishing you the joys & compliments of the Season, believe me | Your's faithfully, | W. H. Smyth. -' Docketed by Webster at foot: '24/12/56. Admiral Smyth Vice President Royal Society a learned Pundit.' From Webster's autograph collection.

On piece of paper cut from letter, 4.5 x 10.5. With both sides lightly-sprinkled with ink dots. Reads 'Believe me | Yours | John P Gassiot'. Reverse, with printed letterhead, gives the beginning of the letter: 'Sir | I was informed Yday Evg. that <...>'. Docketed by Webster 'Sent List | 28/2/57'. From Webster's autograph collection.

12mo, 4 pp. Bifolium. Good, on aged paper. He has been 'hunting among papers, & found a great quantity of notable letters from notable people but they are mostly confidential - or dealing with some private matters'. He would have liked to gratify her wishes 'in a more liberal fashion, 'but I hope the enclosed may serve'. He wonders whether she is 'packing up for India - - perhaps for Worthing'. The valediction on the final page ('Believe me | sincerely') is followed by a large bold signature which with its underlinings covers an area 11 cm square.

The dimensions of the envelope are roughly 6.5 x 12 cm. The flap has been gummed down and the reverse bears traces of glue from previous mounting. The front of the envelope is good, though slightly grubby. Reads 'James Claude Webster Esqe. | Secretary | Athenaeum Club | Pall Mall'. Docketed in a contemporary hand, in the top left corner, 'Charles Kean the Actor. | Decr. 1857.'

Part of a letter, 11 x 5.5cm, stained but surviving text clear,as follows: (recto) "of the Athenaeum [Club] for a period of two months. | J.E. Webster Esq.". (verso) I have the honor to be, | Sir, | Your obedient servant, | Charles Sumner."

English historian (1809-91), author of a celebrated account of the Crimean War, and of the book 'Eothen' (1844). The recipient Trevelyan (1807-86) was another historian, and Macaulay's brother-in-law. Three pages, 12mo. With mourning border. Good, but on discoloured paper, and with traces of glue from previous mounting adhering to blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. Date on watermark 1875. Interesting assessment of one celebrated historian by another.

Publisher ("Hurst & Blackett"). Two pages, 8vo, conjoint blank leaf, verso with remnants of laying down process, mourning black edge, text clear and complete, saying that he'll call on Dixon the following morning at the Athenaeum Office "to settle the acc[oun]t for the last issue of New America and also to consult y[ou]r wishes as to the new volume wh[ich] is to be prepared for the Autumn" [ "Spiritual Wives (pubd 1868]) which led to him being accused of indecency.]

One of the editors of the Dictionary of National Biography (born 1882). The recipient (1886-1957) was a noted archaeologist. Two pages, 12mo. In poor condition: creased, grubby, worn, stained and repaired. Weaver has just been reading Crawford's 'extremely interesting autobiography with its most original title' ('Said and done.

One page, 12mo. Very good. Neatly mounted on piece of orange paper. In Dilke's difficult hand. Concerns a 'Report': 'The only specific fact is that the misprints <?> cost to each of one shilling. [...] The enormous cost of about £12 per draft is to the Fund. How much the <?> cost to the <?> is not stated - <?> as 'almost too small to be noticed' - which is <?>. Why do they not publish the <?> expenditure. Then we should know what is the amount of an 'almost too small'. If you ever get an Acct with that fact set forth I should be glad to look at it.' Signed 'C W Dilke'.?>

Antiquary and critic (1789-1864), editor of the 'Athenaeum'. Cawood was a musician and composer. Two pages, 12mo. Black bordered. Verso of second leaf of bifoliate laid down onto larger piece of docketed grey paper. In good condition apart from some glue damage to right-hand margin of recto of first leaf (not affecting text). Difficult handwriting. 'I am much obliged to you for the "Notes on the Woollen Hair" which I have just found.

Antiquary and critic (1789-1864), editor of the 'Athenaeum'. For Lankester (1814-74) see the Dictionary of National Biography. One page, 12mo. In good condition, mounted on a larger piece of docketed pink card. Difficult handwriting, presumably making payment for magazine contributions. 'On looking over your account I find that you have run off & that there is a balance due to you I therefore present a cheque for Ten Pounds by way of winding up the old year.' Signed 'C Wentworth Dilke'.

Antiquary (1803-85), first editor of Notes and Queries. Sepia. Dimensions roughly 2 1/4 inches by 3 1/2 inches. Faded image of a bespectacled Thoms knees upward, seated in profile at a table examining a small book on top of another book and leaning against a pile of six others. The oval is in a frame beneath which, in copper-plate letters (in the photograph and not manuscript), 'William J Thoms'. Stuck to a piece of card on the reverse of which is a grubby, foxed, nineteenth-century plate of William Cowper the poet.

Gives details of where he is to be found in the coming week ("from 4 to 5 on each of those days at the Athenaeum club, I think at any rate by appointment, or I could call on you at the Temple at 4-15 on one of those days"). With marks and remains of gummed paper on reverse of otherwise-blank second leaf.

British Labour politician (1865-1944), leader of the Labour Party in the House of Lords, 1935-40. 1 page, 16mo. In good condition, although creased and a little worn at head. 'I am sorry that you found it difficult to reach me. I leave here fairly early on the days that the House is in session & I must be there practically all the time.

Victorian writer and humorist. Difficult handwriting. 'My dear Sir/ | Will Monday be equally convenient to you? If no I shall be happy to see you either here or in town, as shall best suit your leisure.' Docketed with large underlined '2' in blue pencil, creased and discoloured. Blank second leaf damaged by removal from album, and with glue stains and remains of blue paper.