CANNING

2pp., 12mo. On bifolium. The recipient's name has been smudged by Canning, and is illegible. It is 'utterly impossible' for him to 'do anything for Mr Blake', and he is as a consequence returning his memorial, 'which would with greater propriety be addressed to any other department of the Government than to that which I administer: & with the business of which Mr Blake's "claims," as stated in that Memorial have no concern'.

The three items in fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. All three addressed to 'My dear George' and one with valediction from 'your affectionate Father'. The letters are described below in reverse chronological order. ONE: AL. 3 October 1822. 8pp., folio.

10 printed items. In aged and worn condition, with seven items showing evidence of removal from an album and three items still attached to separated leaves from it. Comprising three card menus, five seating plans, a list of 'Resident Members' and a newspaper cutting. The Oxford New Tory Club was a university club to promote and discuss Tory principles, founded in 1861. Its records are in the Bodleian Library. ONE to THREE: menus for the years 1912, 1913 and 1914. Each a bifolium on card of 3pp., 12mo.

2pp., 12mo. 40 lines. Bifolium. Good, on aged paper. The reverse of the second leaf carries half of a red wax seal, as well as the address to 'James Loch Esqr | Bloomsbury Square'. The letter begins: 'My dear Loch | Some friends of mine from the Country are desirous of seeing Lord Stafford's & Lord Grosvenor's pictures some time next week; & they understand that the obtaining of Tickets is not a matter of course but that some little interest is necessary.' He asks for assistance 'with regard to Cleveland House [...] for Mrs Johnston & party (about 5 or 6 persons)'.

3pp., 12mo. 27 lines. Fair, on aged paper, with some closed tears along crease lines.

12mo, 2 pp. Fair, on lightly aged and creased paper. Although it is 'unnecessary' , she is writing 'in Sidney's name to implore for your Vote & interest on Friday next as against the Govt. - Independently of the grave question at issue as regards India no friend of Lord Canning's can be indifferent to the base & ungenerous treatment he has received'. Sidney is writing to the Bishop of Salisbury 'in the same sense', and if he cannot come to London for the vote, he will, she hopes, 'send his proxy'. Docketed on reverse 'Authoress'.

On the lower part of a letter, cut to form a rectangle, 11.5 x 18 cm. In good condition, with traces of stub from mounting along one edge, and a thin strip of paper, with Burgoyne's name in manuscript neatly laid down beneath the signature. Reads 'I have the honor to be | Your Excellency's | Most Obedient | Humble Servant | [signed] J. F.

12mo, 1 p. In a bifolium. Docketed by Stratford Canning on the reverse of the second leaf. Very good, on lightly-aged paper, with thin strip of stub from mount adhering to one edge. He 'cannot resist' staying there the next day, 'as Lady C. & I hope to bring our Daughter up to London on Tuesday', a day on which, if convenient, he will be 'most happy' to see Stratford Canning at the Foreign Office.

12mo, 1 p. On bifolium. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Stub from mount adhering to second leaf, which is docketed by Stratford Canning. In the letter Wolff thanks him for his 'very generous contribution', which has 'safely reached' him. He sends 'many respects to the Lady Stratford & Miss Canning'.

12mo, 1 p. On bifolium, with Stratford Canning's docketing on the reverse of the second leaf. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with thin strip of stub from mounting adhering to one edge. A 'strong wish is entertained' that Stratford Canning's name 'be added to the Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund'. He is enclosing a paper 'which will show its nature'. Canning notes that the letter was 'Ansd. 18 | No objection to be a member of the Committee provided I incur no responsibility beyond that of throwing an occasional mite into the subscription fund.'

Good, firm signature, boldly underlined, on piece of paper roughly 4 x 11.5 cm. Thin strip of glue from previous mounting to the right of the signature, and further traces on the reverse. Evidently collected by an autograph hunter. Simply reads 'George Canning.'

Laurence A201. 12mo: 15 pp. Stapled eight-leaf pamphlet. Very good, with a little rusting to staples, and in slightly grubby covers. Attractively printed. Note beneath title: 'This is a verbatim report with only trivial corrections of an impromptu speech at a luncheon given by Mr. Eric Macfadyen on October 30th, 1930, at the Savoy Hotel, on behalf of the building fund of the Settlement. It is thought that it would be interesting to have Mr. Shaw's words just as he delivered them without any attempt at rearrangement or revision.' Loosely inserted are a printed donation and bequeathal slips.

Both letters good, on lightly aged paper. Both items concern Canning's article on 'International Relations' in the October 1877 issue of 'The Nineteenth Century'. Letter One (12mo, 4 pages, bifolium with mourning border). Knowles hopes Canning has received the proof of the article from the publishers Spottiswoodes. A judicious bit of sycophancy follows.

4to, 3 pp, 26 lines. Discoloured and lightly stained, with a couple of closed tears, but with text clear and entire. Marked 'Private' and docketed 'No. 5932'. An interesting letter, written on the eve of Hastings' return to England from his post as Governor General of Bengal, giving 'the state of affairs here up to the latest moment', everything being 'quiet and prosperous'. Discusses the state of Government Bonds. 'Sir Edward Paget is in the River & will land tomorrow.

On piece of paper, 11 x 17.5 cm. Lightly creased, and with a little spotting at head. Reads 'Autograph | of | Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe | given to Mr J. H. Hall | at his request.' It is curious that Canning should have thought it necessary to emphasize that the autograph was not unsolicited.

English novelist and politician (1765-1846). The recipient (1763-1853) was a diplomat, and joint-editor of the 'Anti-Jacobin'. Three pages, 12mo. On discoloured, lightly-stained paper, with one corner of second leaf of bifoliate (with two words of text) broken off in breaking open letter, and still adhering to wafer. Had Hammond given 'a days notice' of his 'intention to come up', he might have been spared 'some hours of unnecessary Solitude'.