AUTOGRAPH

Bookseller (see DNB). One page, 8vo, conjoint blank laid down on backing paper. Text clear and complete, as follows:"I have just learned that the assignees of Sherwood & Co [publishers] are within a month to make a final dividend in that Estate & write this note to inform you of that circumstance in order that time may be given to the Bond Bill holder to preapre their proofs."

Elizabeth Vassall Fox, Lady Holland, Society Hostess (DNB). Remnants of laying down process, chipped, text complete and clear, as follows: Lady Holland informs Mr Jeffery that in the set of English Poets sent to here there are six volumes wanting viz. 59, 60, 61, 62, 63 & 64 - which she wishes him to find as soon as possible in order to have the collection bound - She retruns one number of the Edinburgh [Review] as by mistake he has sent her two- / Holland House / Friday"

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.]

Civil engineer, 1803-1859 (DNB). Three pages, 8vo, affixed by verso of conjugal leaf to mount, advising him of contacts in Italy: "Ten years or thereabouts have slipped away since I was in Italy and it is scarcely credible that when I received your note I began to think over my old friends in that quarter of the world. I found they were all, or nearly all, removed or dead - Fenzi the Banker at Florence is I believe alive, but his bank stopped a few years ago and I don't know what are his circumtances or I would give you a note to him ...

Scientist, 1818-1898 (DNB).Two pages, 8vo, affixed by margin of verso to mount), accepting an invitation and explaining his delay in replying. "I have this moment arrived from Edinburgh where I have been canvassing for the Chair of Chemistry. This therefore must be my apology for not having replied to your note of invitation of the 26th (?), which was not forwarded to me. I shall have much pleasure in waiting upon you on Friday, unless summoned back to Edinburgh by my canvassing Committee before that time.

Scottish painter (1796-1864).Good Signature of Roberts and others (Calder Marshall and Witherington and one illegible).clipped from an appeal to the Artists' Benevolent Fund.

Commander-in-Chief. c.3 x 4", laid down, fold marks and slight staining but mainly good condition, last few lines in which he says "my dear Duke, / Yours most sincerely / George."

Three pages, 4to, fold marks, some marking, text clear and complete. In response to Knox's letter he has been looking out for "a Bag of good Demerara Coffee for you, and have at last succeeded." His brother-in-law who was "purchasing a few Bags for his Friends" selected a bag for him. "I have forwarded it to you by the Trusty Steamboat, with Excise Permit - it is addressed to you at Glassford Street - the Import Mark & Number are P[with tail] No.

Piece of grey card, dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches. In poor condition: grubby and discoloured, and crudely mounted on a piece of card. Novelist and journalist (1841-1907). Clearly in reply to a request for an autograph, Hatton has written, in a large hand, 'With pleasure - | Yours very truly | Joseph Hatton | Dec 1901'. Neatly docketed with a number '30' in a circle.

Commissioner (Office of the Master General of the Ordnance). Duncombe is instructing a Mr Sherborne of the Tower of London to go to Chatham, Gravesend and Woolwich to see "how many gunnes are mounted & of w[ha]t nature". He expects a report the following morning. The barbarian who cut the signature off also cut off the date, but this letter could well predate the Dutch raid up the Thames Estuary in June 1667 which particularly affected the fleet at Chatham, and indicate preparations.

One page, 4to, grubby, small pieces torn out with loss of two words and the "B" of the Bath address. "Some person having (I suppose with a view to turn my Novel into ridicule) circulated a great many Printed Letters of which I <?> one; I beg the favor[sic] of you to get the advertisement on the other side inserted in the Sun, which will be of more effect than the Bath [? prob. local paper.] / I am sorry to be so often troublesome to you [?.] I hope however you will have the goodness to excuse and am . . ." Verso has address and a note by bookseller, "Mr[s] Mathew".

Laird (presumably the 'Francis Laird of Peterborough Court Fleet Street' whose will was proved in May 1825) was the author of 'A topographical and historical description of the County of Rutland' (1815) and 'A topographical and historical description of the County of Worcester' (1818). Upcott (1779-1845) was a noted aniquary and collector of autographs. One page, quarto. In poor condition, grubby and creased, with fraying to extremities and traces of mount and some loss to one edge (affecting one word of text). Repaired loss of triangular fragment from breaking open wafer.

Cartoonist. One page, 8vo, in blue crayon [?] smudged and slightly soiled. Text as follows: Punch Table // Dr. Sir/ I have had the opinion of the Punch staff & without hesitation all agree there is nothing whatever of Leech in it, neother the design, drawing or writing. There is not a touch of Leech in it . . ." [Several words underlined for emphasis.]

Cartoonist. Subscription of letter as follows: "Believe me / yours faithfully / Will Owen", c.3.5 x 1".

Artist. Portion of letter, c. 3 x 1", stained from laying down especially verso, saying: "am my dear John / Faithfully yours/ WP Frith".

Journalist and author (see Dictionary of National Biography and Allibone). One page, 8vo, some soiling but text clear and complete, difficult hand, saying: "There has been no [perhaps word (underlined) meaning retraction?] in Punch [underlined]. I am prepared to sustain all I said to you upon oath, and to prove that the injury to me is serious. The enclosed, as you will see, is marked "Private & Confidential"; but it is a part of the "case", and I, therefore, submit it to you." It appears that St John feels he has been libelled in "Punch" and is seeking redress.

Richard William Penn Curzon-Howe (Boase), Lord Chamberlain to Queen Adelaide, 1830-31 and 1834-49. One page, 8vo, heavy glue staining toand bottom, not affecting text which is clear and complete, saying: "Lord Howe presents his Comps to Mrs Day, and is commanded by Queen Adelaide to convey Her Majesty's permission that the proposed Sale shall take place under Her Majesty's Patronage."

Poet and mountaineer son of Ernest and Grace Rhys. One page, 4to, good condition, suitable for framing, Poem, two stanzas, 16 lines, title at end "[On attempting Snowdon Aug . 09]", starting "When first afar I saw thy mighty height . . . fading in beauty 'fore thy gifted sight. / But when thy foot, O Searcher into Heav'n! . . . "Await," I heard, "thy better wiser year."

Two pages, 8vo, browned and with tear at fold, but text clear and complete. He describes how someone called to ask him to buy benefit tickets for a charitable purpose. He declined on principle, but noticed later an address and decided to write to that address to explain that he would wish to help anyone in whom his correspondent took an interest. He encouraged another visit from the original agent. [Presumably the fact that Ross (DNB) was a fellow-artist influenced his course of action.]

Bishop of Oxford (1851-1911). Thanks for a Report and congratulations on the work he has done. Thanks for partridges and a recollection of his first Diocesan Conference. Thanks for a brace of pheasants. 3 items,

Later chaplain-general of the forces, author (DNB). One page, 8vo, remnants of laying down process on blank conjugate leaf, letter in good condition. "I will be happy to supply your place on Sunday morning [presumably taking a service] - & much regret the cause of your absence. / I too have had my gout, but it is pretty well over."

Thomas Hartwell Horne. Biblical scholar, bibliographer, and polemic (DNB) Three pages, 8vo, remnants of laying down process, good condition. He is sending a copy of his "Manual of Parochial Psalmody" and its companion volume, "Selection of Tunes". He also is sending "a copy or two of my little publications.

Writer and M.D. (DNB) Two pages, 12mo, good condition. "I return the proofs herwith. It is much improved by the Editorial Notes and will [?] in this moment in the M. & N. Gaz [ Naval & Military Gazette?] It was very kind of you to admit it so promptly - & I feel assured it will be much read in Paris. A note from the author (Paris 17th) says - "Several officers here in the main agreed with me (in conversation) & others have sincerely thanked me for opening their eyes.

Scholar, ed. Pepys Diary, etc. One page, 8vo, good condition. "I enclose subscription for Philological Society I am sorry to miss you in London - I hope you are comfortably settled at Glasgow."

Novelist. Four pages, 8vo, good condition. She responds to a question by revealing that she is working on a new novel called "Scarlet Sials" (pub. 1924, BLC) "all about the Isle of Wight and a rather fascinating love intrigue and social tragedy". She says it's "full of the sea . . . (Solent, Spithead) and the drifts of orange flower scented air form the Lotus Island, and is a great delight to write in the midst of fogs & General Elections". She mentions the Redwing Yacht Club ("cherry-coloured sails") but is torn from them by her being a speaker at election meetings ("blue" - Tory).

Novelist. Three pages, 8vo, chipped but text complete. She is pleased that his translation of her "A Long Time Ago" is to be printed in the "Revue des Deux Mondes". She is worrieds that her earlier letter enquiring about publication went astray

Scottish lawyer and politician, friend of Walter Scott (1751-1839). 2pp., 4to, good condition. He is submitting letters to his correspondent for him to "peruse" and plans a discussion of "the matter" in a carriage. A note has been added "Of Sir Walter Scott" ( Scott died 21 Sept. 1832, and Adam was a friend), but there is no internal evidence of this.

General, of Blair Adam, M.P., lord lieutenant of Kinross, and "a most eminent orator and Scotch judge" (DNB) One page of text, 4to, with conjugate leaf with Heath's address, postal marks (Blair Adam, etc.), some damage to latter, but text leaf in good condition. "Lord Chief Comr Adam presents his Compliments to Mr Heath with many thanks for his very elegant and acceptable pesent of the two copies of the Keepsake and the prints. / The Lord Chief Comr has received them in safety and the Picture is again here in its proper place".

Poet and Journalist (DNB). Three pages, 8vo, evidence of having been laid down, minor damage not affecting text, ow good condition. "My terms for a [?] Lecture at Hull would be Ten guineas and my travelling expenses". He suggests an approximate date, and outlines the subjects of his lectures on offer: "1. Poetry and Song: - and the influence of songs upon the character & fortunes of nations. 2. The popular & national Songs of England 3. The popular & national Songs of Scotland." He gives reasons for advising the first.

Historical painter (1799-1879). Landseer's signature with others (Crowly, Ross, Graves, Lewis, Cury), probably cut from document relating to the Artist's Benevolent Fund. A line has been drawn thorugh Landseer's signature and the words "not eligible" added.