BIBLIOMANIAC

On a piece of paper cut from a letter, roughly 3.5 x 9.5 cm. On lightly aged and slightly grubby paper. Good firm signature, beneath which, in a contemporary hand, 'I knew his daughter Stepny'. Gulston's wife Bridgetta (1749/50–1780) was the second daughter of Sir Thomas Stepney.

Four pages, 12mo. Aged and stained. Asks if he will favour him 'by signing in a collection of autographs in which the Queen and every member of the Royal family, Tsar & Tsaritsa, Kinngs & Queens of Denmark, Spain, & the Belgians, the Pope, all the ambassadors, Judges, Royal Academicians, leading Statesmen &c. &c. &c. have signed.' It has been shown to Lord and Lady Aberdeen 'who were very interested'. 'I may add I am a cousin of late B[isho]p of <?> (Burn).' States time when it would be convenient for his correspondent to sign. 'I live @ 26 Wolverton Gardens W.

Diplomat (1755-1846) and bibliophile, one of the British Museum's greatest benefactors. Grenville's book collection, formerly in the Museum at Bloomsbury, is now kept with George III's books in a glass tower in the new British Library at Euston. Both items in very good condition, glued to the remains of a brown-paper mount. In a somewhat shaky version of Grenville's distinctive neat hand, so perhaps late productions. The note reads 'My Dear Sir | I am very sorry that, hearing of Lady Cawdor's illness I had promised Mr Gaskell to dine with him if I did not dine with Lady C.