CENTURY

1p., 12mo. Laid down on a leaf removed from an album. Fair, on aged and dusty paper, with slight creasing to one corner. Reads: 'I shall probably look in at your homes on Monday | Yrs trly | [signed] W Carus Wilson | Aug 26 | Carterton Hall | Kirby Lonsdale'. Wilson ran Clergy Daughters' school which the Bronte sisters attended (fictionalised as ''Lowood' in 'Jane Eyre'). Charlotte Bronte blamed the harsh conditions at the school for the early deaths of her two elders sisters, and for the ill-health of her younger sisters, Anne and Emily.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. She has delayed writing 'till she could send the seal of the late Bishop (which she would like returned at Mr. Johnson's convenience)'. As it is 'the original, and therefore recorded', she thinks 'it would be as well to adhere to it'. She does not have ' a coloured sketch, so cannot answer the questions but doubtless all information would be given by the College of Heralds'. She concludes by stating that she is 'very pleased that a memorial will be raised to her old friend Dr. Hill, in the Parish where he worked so long and so well.'

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged grey paper. Fildes explains that he has just returned from Paris to find his correspondents' letter of 19 May, inviting him 'to hear Mr Du Maurier's discourse to-morrow night'. He cannot avail himself of the 'great pleasure', and of their' 'courtesy', as he has 'an engagement which cannot possibly be put off'. He ends by apologising for not answering sooner. On 25 May 1892 The Times reports a lecture that day at 'Prince's Hall: Mr. Du Maurier on "Social Pictorial Satire," Mr. Alma-Tadema, R.A., in the chair, 9.'

Landscape 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: 'Dear Dan; / You're one of the birds I just love to be praised by! / As ever / [signed] Will Irwin'.

2pp., 12mo. Fifteen lines. On bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. The male recipient is not named. She apologies that 'the crowd of Christmas engagements' has meant that his letter has gone unanswered until now. 'With regard to the question you ask, my feeling is that where an artist and an author can contrive to work well together illustrations are a decided improvement to novels. But it is most trying to an author to see his characters presented to the public in a way utterly unlike his own conception of them.' In her view it is 'clear gain' if a book can be 'well illustrated'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. As she 'cut the string' of the parcel, she 'wondered what could possibly come to me from St Andrews', '& lo! these beautiful thoughts in their lovely garb appeared to my delight'. It was wonderful of Miss Grae to 'think of it', and of 'the little girls to make such a beautiful book', the binding of which her husband finds 'admirable & excellent'. She will 'read the charming pages on foggy days such as these'. She wishes that 'these last 3 blacknesses had been spent at St Andrews by all of us'.

The book is in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in worn and chipped dustwrapper, the inner flap of which bears the presentation inscription: 'Sarah Harvey, / 39, Maids Causeway, / Cambridge. / from Bertha Roeder, her cousin, - / 1962.' The first letter (11 January 1930), is 2pp., 12mo, on a bifolium with the blank reverse of the second leaf tipped in onto the front pastedown. In very good condition. The things 'Frau Roeder' has to tell him 'will be a real help', and since she tells him that she thinks that her sister 'Mrs.

1p., 12mo. On bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. In original stamped and postmarked envelope, initialed by Hardwick. In the letter Hardwick informs Baron that his 'History' (published in 1851) is out of print: 'The few remainders were sold about four years ago.' He recently saw a copy 'in one of hte Manchester second hand booksellers' catalogues on sale for 17/6'. He gives the names of two booksellers to approach ('Gray, 25, Cathedral Yard, or Sutton, Portland-st. Oxford st.') and is forwarding 'a circular respecting my forthcoming work' (not present).

4pp., 12mo. On bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The four sides of the bifolium having been filled, the valediction and signature are written upwards across the first page. She thanks the recipient for 'the interesting page of extracts', and for 'the flattering manner in which you allude to my father's mother, Flora McDonald'. Having previously seen the text in an articles she is forwarding, she considers that the lady author has 'taken an unwarrantable liberty by reflecting severely on Flora's descendants for neglecting to keep her grave in good order'.

The letters provide a fascinating insight into the development of the transatlantic publishing industry. They are closely typed with single spacing, and both centre around Walton's employment situation and his complaints about the sending over from America of 'Mr. Russell', about whose 'absolute worthlessness to the business' he complains. Adair's letter: 2pp., 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper.

2pp., 8vo. On both sides of a leaf of scored 29.5 x 23 cm paper. Aged and folded. The first page is numbered 330 in the top left-hand corner, and headed "I love to hear the Story"'. The first page carries the first and third verses of Miller's hymn, scored for piano, signed at foot 'Frederic Clay.' On the reverse, with no heading, is the score of the second verse: 'I'm glad my blessed Saviour was once a child like me / To show how pure and holy His Little ones might be'.

Scored on two facing pages, on two 25 x 34 cm leaves of music paper attached to one another along one edge with a thin strip of glue. Good, on lightly-aged paper, in red card folder with white label. Scored for voice and piano, with the two verses of libretto by Tom Taylor. Signed at end 'Frederic Clay. / Tenor Ballad from "Court & Cottage".', with ownership inscription alongside: 'Henry Wodehouse / 24 Upp. Brook St.' (According to the Survey of London, Hon.

1p., 4to. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with unobtrusive closed tears along crease lines. 'Mr. Ben Fack [Falk?], the photographer, will, I am sure, give you such a photograph of me as you may select from the assortment he has, if you inform him of your business.' She asks him to send her a sample, if 'the tumblers prove a success, as far as my likeness is concerned [...] If I like it I will possibly order a quantity.'

4pp., 12mo. 75 lines. On bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. The entire document is in Mary Berry's autograph. The letter proper, of 57 lines, is signed 'Devonshire Cottage / a true Copy / M Berry', the joke, such as it is, being that Mary Berry has copied out a document written by Devonshire Cottage itself to its owner, the Hon. Mrs George Lamb (Caroline, or 'Caro George' Lamb, from whom the Berry sister's were leasing it).

2pp., 16mo. On bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. After presenting his respects, Lane states that he'regrets that he is so engaged for three or four months that he must not undertake any more - / He has found the copying miniatures so injurious to his eyes and the drawings so unsatisfactory in the printing that he is at all times unwilling to engage in very small Drawings -'. He concludes by thanking her for 'her most kind & gratifying note'.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed by Elton, on reverse of second leaf, to 'John Taylor Esq.' (Taylor had assumed the editorship of the London Magazine on the death by duel of John Scott in February 1821.) Elton begins by informing Taylor that he has 'not been able yet to manage the Batrachomyomachia to my mind'. (Elton's translation of 'The Battle of the Frogs and Mice' would appear anonymously in the issue of October 1821, as the second of a series named 'Leisure Hours'.) He has instead 'sent some chit-chat to serve as an introduction'.

2pp., 12mo. Aged and creased, on Seymour's monogrammed letterhead. The letter, on the recto of the first leaf, is addressed to 'Gentlemen' (possibly Stamfords, the London firm of map-sellers). It reads: 'I shall be much obliged to you to send me the three Maps marked overleaf, mounted on <?> in a small parcel to be left at the Foreign Office to the care of F. B. Alston Th Esqre who will have the kindness to pay for the same. / The parcel to be directed to Sir Hamilton Seymour G.C.B. H.M. Minster, St Petersburg'.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged grey paper. He notes an advertisement for Campbell's 'Lives of the Chief Justices' in that morning's Athenaeum. 'Had I been earlier aware of the preparation of the work it would have afforded me much pleasure in offering for your Lordships acceptance a Copy of the probate Copy Will of the Lord Chief Justice Fitzjames which I have in my collection of M.S.S. &c.' The will is very long and contains 'much curious matter'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Fair, on aged paper. He suggests a book she should read to 'get a general idea of the facts known about dolmens & cromlechs', although the theories advanced by the author 'are not much accepted by archaeologists'. The book does provide 'some evidence of the late date they went on till', and this is 'a good corrective of the belief that they must be always of some amazing antiquity'. He points out that a 'Scandinavian King is associated with lines of stones to commemorate a battle'.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightl-aged paper. He regrets that 'absence from London' will prevent him from 'attending the lecture' of his 'old friend Dumaurier', to whom he wishes 'every possible success'. He thanks the recipient for 'the compliment implied' in his invitation. On 25 May 1892 The Times reports a lecture that day at 'Prince's Hall: Mr. Du Maurier on "Social Pictorial Satire," Mr. Alma-Tadema, R.A., in the chair, 9.'

1p., 12mo. Fourteen lines. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He is sorry to have put Monkhouse to 'the trouble of writing', and hopes someday to show him his 'best etchings'. 'I have been exhibiting etchings at R.A. for about 10 years: and my published work has been very favourably noticed in the "Times", "Athenaeum" "Academy" &c. &c.' He is enclosing (not present) an article which 'the Gazette des Beaux Arts' carried on his work, 'so long ago as 1876'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In stamped envelope, with Hawkhurst and Blackburn postmarks, addressed by Fenn to 'J T Baron Esq / 48, Griffin Street / Wittan / Blackburn'. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He informs Baron that to the best of his belief those of his works which he mentions 'are to be had from any of the large libraries'. He has 'only lately however decided upon issuing them in a cheap form and the first volume Poverty Corner price two shillings, has just been issued by Messrs Cassell, Petter, & Galpin. The others will follow.' He concludes by thanking Baron for his 'very kindly criticism'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium.Good, on lightly-aged paper. In stamped envelope, with London and Blackburn postmarks, addressed by Smith to 'J. T. Baron, Esq. / 18, Griffin Street, / Witton, / Blackburn.' He is only able to reply to Baron's not now, having been 'ill & confined to bed'. He thanks him 'for the kind expressions you use respecting my Life of Gladstone, which I am glad you like so much. I suppose you are aware that I have recently published (through Messrs. Hodder & Stoughton) a companion work, the Life of Mr.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Having received the unnamed recipient's letter of the previous day, Northwick will be 'most happy to give effect to your wishes by granting free access to my Pictures to you, & your Daughter, whenever it may be convenient to you to call at Connaught Place'. If the recipient calls before noon Northwick will probably 'have the pleasure of shewing them to you', if he comes after noon, or Northwich 'shd. happen to be from home, my Servants shall receive directions to admit you to see the Paintings'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with thin neat strip of paper mount at head of third page.

9pp., 12mo. Unbound pamphlet of five leaves. Fair, on aged paper, with rust to staple. Gives the two pieces played 'Before the Service', 'The Sentences', 'The Lesson', 'Hymn', 'The Nunc Dimittis' and 'The Blessing'. Scarce: the only copy on COPAC at the British Library, with a further four copies on WorldCat.

All items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The letters total 33pp., 12mo; and 31pp, 16mo; with nine on 12mo bifoliums, seven on 16mo bifoliums and two on single 16mo leaves. Nine are on Southgate House letterheads, and two on Winchester College letterheads. All are complete except the last, which lacks the last part. Mostly addressed to 'My dear Aunty' and signed in a variety of ways, from 'J. Bowyer B. Nichols' to 'BBN'. The first letter, dated 4 December 1871, sets the tone, showing Bowyer Nichols to be a precocious and spirited twelve-year-old.

One page, 12mo, some marking but mainly good, clear and complete. "Dear Sir, | Please deliver to the bearer the design for The Merchant of Venice | Yours truly | George Bentley | George Cruikshank Esq,". There are pencilled notes and figures on the verso, probably in Cruikshank's hand (figures from 1-10 repeated, then 1-7, then notes including the words large and small and a name, the meaning of which escapes me.

In ink on both sides of a 4to leaf of wove paper, watermarked 'J GREEN & SON / 1824'. None of Cruikshank's drawing or writing is affected, but one corner of the leaf has been cut away, and there is another thin strip cut from another. Fair, on aged paper. One page carries a full-length drawing of a bearded athletic man in shorts and sandals, making a sweeping theatrical gesture with his right hand, and holding a spear in his left. Beneath the drawing is Cruikshank's signature, and a study of the left foot.

On a 12mo bifolium of laid paper with 'DUNEDIN NOTE' watermark. Good, on lightly-aged paper. On the cover are a large black swastika and the words 'An Old-Time Greeting.' The poem, titled 'The Rune of the Swastika.' and signed in type 'J. S. M.', is on the recto of the second leaf.