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Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. S. Hillard') from George Stillman Hillard (later District Attorney for Massachusetts) to the abolitionist Rev. Samuel Joseph May, describing his acquaintance with the first Harvard Professor of German, Charles Follen.

Author: 
George Stillman Hillard (1808-1879), Massachusetts District Attorney [Rev. Samuel Joseph May (1797-1871), abolitionist; Charles Follen [Karl Follen] (1796-1840), first Professor of German at Harvard]
Publication details: 
Boston; 11 March 1840.
£280.00

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. 89 lines of text. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed, with red circular postmark, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Revd. Samuel J. May | South Scituate'. Hillard describes 'Dr. Follen' as 'an intimate and dear friend to me'. He looks back 'with melancholy pleasure upon the happy hours' he spent in the society of 'so pure and elevated a being'. He has 'never known a better man; I do not know that I may not say, that I have never known so good a man.

Autograph Letter Signed from the herald painter for the College of Arms Gerald Cobb to the architectural historian Peter Reid, regarding a staircase in Bishopswood and his new book.

Author: 
Gerald Cobb (1899-1986), Queen Elizabeth II's herald painter for the College of Arms at the time of her coronation, and authority on ecclesiastical architecture [Peter Reid, architectural historian]
Publication details: 
College of Arms, London EC4. 7 June 1979.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. Seventeen lines of neatly-written text. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He apologises for the delay in replying to Reid's letter, and knows 'nothing about the staircase you mention as coming from a house in Holborn, & now in a house in Bishopswood.' He 'looked it up in R[oyal]. C[ommision]. H[istorical]. M[onumments]., (Vol. II) Hertfordshire (par. of Walford-on-Wye) but Bishopswood is only mentioned re some romann remains.' He hopes Reid is 'enjoying the Herefordshire countryside', and is himself finding life 'rather hectic'.

Five Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Howard Colvin') from Sir Howard Montagu Colvin to his fellow architectural historian Peter Reid., discussing various country houses and stately homes.

Author: 
Howard Colvin [Sir Howard Montagu Colvin] (1919-2007), architectural historian [Peter Reid]
Publication details: 
All on Oxford letterheads: three from St John's College, one from 50 Plantation Road and one from 28 Museum Street. 7 and 14 August 1966, 6 August 1978 and 7 September and 4 November 1979.
£180.00

Totalling 7pp., 12mo. All in good condition, on aged paper, except for the fourth, which has light water staining from the bases of a cup. The first three letters addressed to 'Mr. Reid', and the last two to 'Peter'. In the first letter Colvin discusses Redbourne House in Derbyshire, Salle Park, Norfolk, and Barrington Park, Gloucestershire. 'I am going to Burford on Thursday and will see if I can get a sight of the exterior despite the churlish owner.

Autograph Letter Signed ('John Fowler.') from John Beresford Fowler, English interior designer, to 'Mr. Reid' [the architectural historian Peter Reid], regarding a 'minute 1750-ish "Eye Catcher"'.

Author: 
John Fowler [John Beresford Fowler] (1906-1977), English interior designer [Peter Reid, architectural historian]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Hunting Lodge, Odiham, Hampshire. 30 May [no year].
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. 18 lines of text. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks Reid for his 'explanation': 'Of course that's what it must be. It never occurred to me I'm afraid!' It was 'extremely kind' of Reid 'to write and to add such very nice things as a foot note'. If Reid is ever 'this way' Fowler will be 'delighted to show you this minute 1750-ish "Eye Catcher".'

Typed Letter Signed ('John Simon') from the British Chancellor of the Exchequer John Simon to J. J. Smith, regarding the exemption from military service of the only sons of widows.

Author: 
John Simon [John Allsebrook Simon] (1873-1954), 1st Viscount Simon, British politician, beginning as a Liberal and ending a Conservative, who served as Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor
Publication details: 
14 Great College Street, Westminster. 16 February 1916.
£120.00

1p., 8vo. Fair, on aged and lightly-worn paper. The letter begins: 'If the only son of a widow, upon whose earnings the mother depends, does not volunteer, he will, if unmarried, and of military age, be entitled to appeal for exemption from the Military Service Act. Mr. Walter Long expressly stated in the House of Commons that it was the intention of the authorities to exempt such cases.' Simon goes on to discuss the position of 'the Local Tribunal', and to point out the position of those who attest. He has added in pen: 'Appeal must be made before March 2nd'.

Contemporary manuscript volume containing documents concerning the legal action brought in the Court of Chancery by Rev. John Cowper and others against Rev. Evan Price, Headmaster, the Free Grammar School of King Edward VI, Berkhamsted, and others.

Author: 
[The Free Grammar School of King Edward VI in Berkhamsted; Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke (1690-1764), Lord Chancellor; Rev. John Cowper (1694-1756); Rev. Evan Price]
Publication details: 
Circa 1755.
£280.00

123pp., folio. Paginated. In contemporary brown tooled calf, with two metal clasps, and a metal ring at foot of rear board. Internally good and tight, on aged paper, in worn binding. A fair copy, neatly written out in a mid-eighteenth-century chancery hand, with the body of text on each page bordered by two vertical red lines. The Free Grammar School of King Edward VI in Berkhamsted was founded by John Incent, Dean of St Paul's, in 1541.

Autograph Letter Signed from 'Chas. Hamilton', informing Henry Dundas that 'Doctor Morris of Parliament Street' has cured three men 'labouring under the same disorder which now afflicts our gracious Sovereign [King George III].

Author: 
Charles Hamilton (1753-1828), 8th Earl of Haddington [Michael Morris (d.1791) MD; Henry Dundas (1742-1811), 1st Viscount Melville; the madness of King George III; John Sheldon (1752-1808), anatomist]
Publication details: 
Without place or date, but written during the King's first attack, 1788-1789.
£220.00

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Text complete, on aged paper with a number of closed tears repaired with archival tape. The second leaf of the bifolium, lacking a strip at the top, is docketed 'Dr. Morris of Parliament Street's Success in curing Persons afflicted with Complaints similar to that which His Majesty labours under'. Considering the political content at the end of the letter, the author is probably Charles Hamilton, at the time of writing known by his courtesy title of Lord Binning.

Autograph Letter Signed ('N: Wm. Wraxall:') from the diarist and politician Sir Nathaniel William Wraxall congratulating Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville 'on the Event of the late Business [i.e. impeachment] in Westminster Hall'.

Author: 
Sir Nathaniel William Wraxall (1751-1831), diarist, politician and traveller [Henry Dundas (1742-1811), 1st Viscount Melville; Sir John Macpherson (c.1745-1821), Governor-General of Bengal]
Publication details: 
'Brompton. (Sir John Macpherson's) | Monday. 30th. June, 1806.'
£125.00

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with one minor damp stain. Dundas was the last ever British minister to be impeached. He was acquitted of corruption charges on 12 June 1806.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm. Salt') from the antiquary and book collector William Salt to the editor of the Gentleman's Magazine John Bowyer Nichols, making editorial comments and enclosing a list of 'Buckler's Engravings'.

Author: 
William Salt (1808-1863), antiquary whose book collection is now the William Salt Library in Stafford [John Bowyer Nichols (1779-1863), printer and editor of the Gentleman's Magazine]
Publication details: 
Sandgate, Kent; 11 August 1843.
£120.00

Letter: 2pp., 4to. 28 lines of text. List: 1p., on a 12mo strip. Both letter and list in very good condition, neatly placed in windowpane mounts on the two leaves of a bifolium. Salt is 'just finishing the List of Manuscript Erdeswick's' and will bring it to Nichols when he returns to London. He wonders whether Nichols has 'nearly come to the end of the Book in your reprint? I do not think you will make your first sheet answer satisfactorily - without printing the whole or part of it over again - but of course you will be the best judge of that'.

Autograph Letter in the third person from the biblical scholar Rev. Dr Thomas Hartwell Horne, declining an invitation to a conversazione of the Rt Hon. Lord Londesborough because of the state of his health.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Thomas Hartwell Horne (1780-1862), biblical scholar and bibliographer [Albert Denison [formerly Conyngham], first Baron Londesborough (1805-1860), connoisseur]
Publication details: 
Rectory House, Nicholas Lane, Lombard Street; 10 May 1851.
£36.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. 'Revd. Thos. Hartwell Horne presents his respectful Comps. to the Rt. Hon. Lord Londesborough; and regrets that the state of his health will not allow him the pleasure of being present at his Lordship's Conversazione, on the 21st. inst.'

Autograph Letter Signed ('T. Campbell') from the Scottish poet Thomas Campbell, Lord Rector of Glasgow University, to an unnamed recipient, describing a mistake regarding 'my Letter to the Students'

Author: 
Thomas Campbell (1777-1844), Scottish poet, Lord Rector of Glasgow University, 1826-1829, and editor of the New Monthly Magazine
Publication details: 
Without date or place. [Written while Rector, between 1826 and 1829.]
£65.00

1p., 12mo. On aged and creased paper, with short vertical closed tear at head (not affecting text). The letter reads: 'Dear Sir | By a sad mistake the Copies of my Letter to the Students were not sent off on Saturday | But 250 have been struck off which will sufficiently answer for the present demand - | Yours in haste | [signed] T. Campbell

Autograph Letter Signed ('W W Mather') from the geologist William Williams Mather to Luther Tucker, defending the Western Agriculturalist, which he edits, and attacking the editor of the rival Ohio Cultivator, Michael B. Bateham.

Author: 
William Williams Mather (1804-1859), geologist, Vice-President and Professor of Natural Science in Ohio University [Luther Tucker (1802-1873), editor, Genesee Farmer; Michael B. Bateham (1813-1880)]
Publication details: 
Columbus, Ohio; 28 January 1851.
£120.00

1p., 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He writes that he has 'received the package containing the Cultivator up to the end of 1850', and that he will pay him after the Ohio State Board of Agriculture meeting on 13 February. He suggests exchanging 'he Western Agriculturalist with the Cultivator that year. 'It has, I presume, been sent to you by the publisher. The first number is not a fair specimen of what the work is intended to be, either in variety of matter, or in the style of mechanical execution; but hope the work will improve on acquaintance'.

Autograph Letter Signed from Jeremy Bentham's amanuensis Richard Doane to the French revolutionary Marc-Antoine Jullien at Paris, conveying information about Bentham, the Earl of Shelburne and E. Dumont; with list of works sent to Jullien by Bentham.

Author: 
Richard Doane (1805-1848), barrister and amanuensis and editor of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832); Marc-Antoine Jullien (1775-1848), protégé of Robespierre; Pierre Étienne Louis Dumont (1759-1829)]
Publication details: 
Queen's Square Place, Westminster; 14 November 1825.
£580.00

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with thin strip from mount adhering to margin of verso of second leaf, which is addressed to 'Mr. M. A. Jullien de Paris.' Printed slip from nineteenth-centrury catalogue describing the item laid down on first leaf. Doane begins 'My dear Sir, | Through the medium of M. George (whom I have had the pleasure of seeing since I wrote you last) I send de la part de M. Bentham the following works'. A list of thirteen items follows, from 'Christomathia 2 vols' to 'European Magazine for April 1823'. 'Those which are marked thus * Mr. B. wd.

Autograph Letter Signed ('T. C. Grattan') from the Irish writer Thomas Colley Grattan to Edward D. Ingraham of Philadelphia, regarding his article 'The Irish in America', published in the North American Review.

Author: 
Thomas Colley Grattan (1792-1864), Irish journalist and novelist, British consul in Massachusetts, 1839-1846 [Edward Duncan Ingraham (1793-1854) of Philadelphia, author]
Publication details: 
Boston; 1 May 1842.
£120.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf. Good, on aged paper. Replying to a letter of Ingraham's, he states that 'the only paper I have written on the subject you mention was an article ['The Irish in America'] in the North American Review, which appeared in the January number of last year, as well as I recollect.'

Autograph Letter Signed ('R. Garnett') from Richard Garnett, Keeper of Printed Books in the British Museum, to 'Mr. Colles', regarding a 'disagreeable' letter from the Italian librarian Guido Biagi concerning the writer Helen Zimmern.

Author: 
Richard Garnett (1835-1906), Keeper of Printed Books in the British Museum [Helen Zimmern (1846-1934), Anglo-German translator and author; Guido Biagi (1855-1925), Italian librarian]
Publication details: 
27 Tanza Road, Hampstead; 30 October 1900.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, stamped as received 31 October 1900, with a '6' in blue pencil. Garnett considers 'Signor Biagi's letter [...] indeed most disagreeable', but cannot see how it can be 'kept from Miss Zimmern's knowledge', as 'she has a right to know what he says of her'. 'Fortunately, however, I have by the same post a letter from her saying that she is coming to London to deliver lectures, and will [be] at 45 Porchester Terrace on Nov. 10'.

Autograph Letter Signed from the radical Thomas Cooper to fellow-Chartist William Lovett, announcing a course of lectures and criticising the Irish Chartist Feargus O'Connor. With printed handbill advertising a course of Cooper's lectures in Holborn.

Author: 
Thomas Cooper (1805-1892), Chartist and religious lecturer [William Lovett (1800-1877), radical, Secretary of the London Working Men's Association and the first Chartist Convention; Feargus O'Connor]
Publication details: 
Letter: 134 Blackfriars Road, London; 12 February 1846. Handbill: Ostell, Printer, Hart Street, Bloomsbury. 1847.
£380.00

Letter: 1p., 4to. Bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with slight damage to second leaf, the reverse of which is addressed to 'Mr. Wm. Lovett | National Hall | 242, Holborn', with postmarks in black and red ink. Cooper begins: 'Dear Lovett | Please announce, in your bill that | "Mr.

Autograph Letter Signed ('R. H. Horne') from the poet Richard Hengist Horne asking the playwright James Robinson Planché to pass on his play 'Gregory VII' to Charles Kemble, and stating that he has sent another play to George Bartley.

Author: 
Richard Hengist Horne [Richard Henry Horne] (1802-1884) [James Robinson Planché, (1796-1880), playwright and herald; Charles Kemble (1775-1854), actor; George Bartley (1782?-1858), comedian]
Publication details: 
36 New Broad Street; 3 May 1842.
£120.00

3pp., 16mo. Bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of previous mounting to the reverse of the last leaf. Horne writes that he is enclosing a copy of his play 'Gregory VII' for 'Mr Chas Kemble'. 'I have not written his name in it, because as you were so kind as to interest yourself in the matter, I thought I would leave it in your hands so you may give it him; or say you asked me for a copy for the purpose, or say nothing - or anything. Isn't this a fine mode of expressing my confidence in your judgment?

Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos. H. Lacy') by the theatrical publisher Thomas Hailes Lacy, giving his reasons for abandoning an edition of the works of Thomas Heywood in favour of the unnamed recipient [John Payne Collier?].

Author: 
Thomas Hailes Lacy (1809-1873), English actor, playwright, theatre manager and theatrical bookseller and publisher of 'Lacy's Acting Editions' [John Payne Collier (1789-1883), editor and forger]
Publication details: 
17 Wellington Street, Strand, on inverted letterhead of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; 18 and 20 April 1854.
£380.00

4pp., 12mo. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Lacy begins by thanking the recipient for 'the kindly spirit that animates your favor received to day. '[A]t once and without Recitation' he states his 'extreme willingness to abandon the continuation of Heywood' in the recipient's favour. He will 'rejoice in any slight influence I can exert towards a guarantee to induce you to persevere'. Lacy's only wish is for 'the plays to be completed', and the recipient 'could certainly advance irresistible claims to a far greater amount of support than any one else'.

Signed Autograph Memorandum ('Ro Greenhow') from the historian Robert Greenhow, produced as part of his duties as librarian at the Department of State in Washington, concerning a correspondence between Madison and Monroe on 'natural improvements'.

Author: 
Robert Greenhow (1800-1854), translator and librarian at the Department of State in Washington, and author of works including 'The History of Oregon and California' (1844)
Publication details: 
24 June [no year].
£60.00

1p., 4to. Ten lines. Fair, on aged paper, with one unobtrusive closed tear. Greenhow describes the surviving correspondence concerning 'natural improvements' between Madison and Monroe, and speculates regarding a discrepancy.

Autograph Letter Signed ('T. Dibdin') from the playwright Thomas John Dibdin to G. B. Davidge, containing 'a List of the Patrons' who attending 'T. Dibdins Anniversary Dinner at Evans's Hotel | March 21st. 1838.'

Author: 
Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841), playwright, illegitimate son of dramatist Charles Dibdin (1745-1814), brother of songwriter Charles Dibdin (1768-1833) [George Bolwell Davidge (1793-1842)]
Publication details: 
Dramatic Author's [sic] Society, 42 King Street, Covent Garden; 5 March 1838.
£220.00

2pp., 12mo. The letter is on the recto of the first leaf of the bifolium, with the list, in three columns, on the recto of the second. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Dibdin reminds Davidge that at his 'first Anniversary Dinner' he expressed a great wish to serve Dibdin by his patronage, but that 'absence from Town' prevented him. 'The Company were so well pleas'd that each present sign'd a Paper to come again - it is now fix'd for my Birthday (the 21st. Inst) and I take the freedom of enclosing you a List of the Patrons in the Hope I may be allow'd to add yours and enclose you a Ticket'.

Manuscript of humorous poem 'The Chapter of Fashions | Written by T Dibdin' [Thomas John Dibdin], on the history of clothing and Regency dress, with variations from the printed versions, including an extra stanza.

Author: 
Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841), playwright, illegitimate son of dramatist Charles Dibdin (1745-1814), brother of songwriter Charles Dibdin (1768-1833) [Regency dress; Georgian clothing; fashion]
Publication details: 
Undated [circa 1802?].
£350.00

2pp., 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Divided into eight four-line stanzas, each with the same two-line refrain. The first stanza: 'Fashion was formed when the World began, | And Adam I am told was a very smart man, | As for Eve I shall say nothing more or less. | |But that Ladies of Fashion now copy her dress. | Yet barring all pother of this that & tother we all bow to Fashion in turn'. Containing witty references to the fashion for hunting boots and crops, New Bond Street, Tudor and Stuart clothing, Whigs and Tories.

Autograph Letter Signed ('R. W. Elliston') from the actor Robert William Elliston to his uncle Rev. Dr William Elliston, Master of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, describing his plans to buy the Royal Circus, rebuilt by him as the Surrey Theatre.

Author: 
Robert William Elliston (1774-1831), actor and theatre manager [Rev. Dr William Elliston (1732-1807), Master of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge; William Henry West Betty (1791-1874), actor]
Publication details: 
[London]; 15 December 1804.
£280.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium, addressed, with postmark, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Revd Dr Elliston | Sidney College | Cambridge'. Fair, on aged and worn paper. An interesting, informative letter, written to one of the two uncles who had acted as Elliston's childhood guardians. At the time of writing, Elliston, having thrived at the Theatre Royal, Bath, had moved to London, replacing Kemble on 20 September 1804 as leading actor at Drury Lane. The present letter shows Elliston's plans to branch out into management.

Manuscript itemised bill for books from 'Mr. John Nourse to Thomas Longman', with signed receipt by Longman at foot.

Author: 
Thomas Longman (1730–1797), London bookseller and publisher, nephew of the founder of the business Thomas Longman (1699-1755); John Nourse (1705-1780) bookseller at 138 Strand, London
Publication details: 
Nourse's bill is dated from London, for items purchased between 13 February and 5 October 1770. Longman's receipt is dated 4 April 1771.
£220.00

1p., landscape 8vo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with small spike-hole (not affecting text), and minor traces of previous mount on reverse, which is docketed 'J. Nourse to T. Longman, 1770.' The bill lists five items, from 'Johnsons Dicty 2 V. folio' to 'Sherwin's Tables', with the date of purchase and price, coming to a total of £14 8s 4d. The receipt at the foot of the page reads 'April 4. 1771 Received the Contents - | [signed] Thos Longman'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('R G Hazard') from the American industrialist and abolitionist Rowland Gibson Hazard to Messrs Livingstone & Co, regarding bonds and other interests. With a signed printed receipt from the Fireman's Mutual Insurance Company.

Author: 
Rowland Gibson Hazard (1801-1845) , American industrialist, founder of the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company, Rhode Island, politician, and abolitionist [Fireman's Mutual Insurance Company]
Publication details: 
Letter: Peace Dale, Rhode Island; 16 December 1838. Receipt: Providence; 7 August 1862.
£80.00

Letter: 1p., 12mo. Fair, on lighty-aged paper. Hazard does not 'hold the bonds you allude to', but still has some other interests in relation to a named party. He will be in New York 'ere long'. Docketed on the reverse: 'Does not hold La C Bond | Wil be in N Y before long'. The receipt is attractively printed on one side of a piece of 16 x 6.5 cm paper. In good condition. Hazard acknowledges receipt from the company of $56.87, the dividend on inusrance policy 1931. Signed by him 'Peace Dale Mg Co | [signed] R G Hazard Jnor'. The two items appear unconnected.

Autograph Letter Signed ('T: Cooke') from the Irish actor Thomas Simpson Cooke to the English actor Thomas Potter Cooke, complaining that 'Mr. Chilvers music copyist to the Coburg Theatre' has 'seriously injured' him professionally. With portrait.

Author: 
Thomas Simpson Cooke (1782–1848), Irish singer and composer [Thomas Potter Cooke (1786–1864), English actor]
Publication details: 
2 Leicester Place, Leicester Square; 17 November 1819.
£120.00

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed on the reverse of the second leaf to 'T: P: Cooke Esqre | Royal Coburg Theatre', with two postmarks. The two men do not appear to have been related. TSC requests TPC's 'friendly interference to endeavour at getting from Mr.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Saml Roberts') from the philanthropist and abolitionist Samuel Roberts of Park Grange, Sheffield, to the poet James Montgomery.

Author: 
Samuel Roberts (1763-1848) of Park Grange, Sheffield, silversmith, author and philanthropist, abolitionist and friend of William Wilberforce [James Montgomery (1771-1854), poet and hymn writer]
Publication details: 
Park Grange, Sheffield, Yorkshire; 20 April 1837.
£280.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed, with broken seal in black wax, on verso of second leaf, to 'James Montgomery Esqr'. 80 lines of text. He has been twice that day to Montgomery's Sheffield mansion the Mount 'to enquire about you - the first time in vain, and the second nearly so. There they are much as heretofore - but Miss Sarah meaning to write sermons you may have it before this.' Roberts declares: 'I think the present great Lions of the town are myself and mad dogs - perhaps you may think that they might be included under one head - yes - if that head was yours!

Autograph Letter Signed ('Tho Wilde') from the Solicitor General Sir Thomas Wilde to an unnamed individual, on 'The Lithgon Case'.

Author: 
Thomas Wilde, first Baron Truro (1782-1855), Lord Chancellor
Publication details: 
Dover Street; 9 January [1841].
£120.00

3pp., 12mo. Fair, on aged and worn paper. Wilde explains that he had previously written regarding the case, but 'by some accident the Letter has been mislaid (I believe) among my mass of papers, and I therefore fear it may not have reached you as I cannot learn who among the Servants dispatched it'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('C. Aubrey Smith') from Hollywood actor and England cricket captain Sir Charles Aubrey Smith to 'Mr. Melrose' [literary agent?], discussing the offer to him of two plays by Miss Smith Dampier.

Author: 
Sir Charles Aubrey Smith (1863-1948), Hollywood actor and captain of the England cricket team [Eleanor Mary Smith Dampier]
Publication details: 
Haymarket Theatre, London; 22 March 1923.
£120.00

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He writes that he has brought Miss Smith Dampier's play 'A Great Gentleman' up to London with him, and that it will be at Melrose's office in the afternoon. 'I have read it - but I do not like it as well as The Queen's Minister, from my own point of view, I mean. | The writing, of course, is what one would expect after reading Miss Smith Dampier's former play - but I had got a long way into the story before it gripped me'. He names the only two scenes which he sees 'vividly'.

Autograph synopsis and notes by the dramatist and editor of 'Punch' Tom Taylor of part of Act III of his 1866 play 'A Sister's Penance', written with Augustus W. Dubourg.

Author: 
Tom Taylor (1817-1880), playwright and comic writer, author of 'The Ticket of Leave Man' (1863) and editor of 'Punch [Augustus W. Dubourg]
Publication details: 
On government letterhead; undated [c.1866].
£750.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The first page headed 'Act III', and the whole tightly-written and filled with deletions, interpolations and marginal notes, providing a valuable insight into the creative process of one of Victorian England's most successful dramatists. The last page breaks off: 'Handeside confesses his own desperate attachment. Markham <...>'. 'A Sister's Penance' was a great success, with 83 performances at the Adelphi between 26 November 1866 and 2 March 1867.

Autograph Letter Signed ('William Huggins') from the astronomer Sir William Huggins, President of the Royal Society, to 'Mr. Viney' [of printers Hazell, Watson & Viney?], regarding the printing [of Huggins' 'Atlas of representative Stella Spectra'].

Author: 
Sir William Huggins (1824=1910), astronomer, President, Royal Astronomical Society (1876-1878), British Association for the Advancement of Science (1891), and Royal Society (1900-1905) [J. E. Viney?]
Publication details: 
Upper Tulse Hill, S.W. [London]; [circa 1899?].
£120.00

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The paper appears to have an 1890s watermark, and the correspondence may relate to the publication of Huggins's 'Atlas of representative Stellar Spectra', printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney for William Wesley & Son in 1899. Apparently impressed by the speed of Viney's response to his last letter, Huggins begins 'Your lightning is treble-greased.' He is returning the corrected proof, and sent 'a new copy with your name written on, by this morning's post as yr.

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