EAST

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.

The Card is good, apart from two rust stains at the head from a paperclip. Stamped and postmarked, and addressed to Fowler at 16 Conynge Square, Clifton, Bristol. Six lines. Concerns Lee's sister Elizabeth, a writer of textbooks, translator and contributor to the Dictionary of National Biography, whose death on 10 July 1920 was, according to the New DNB, 'a source of much sorrow' to Lee. He thanks Fowler for his letter of sympathy, adding that his sister 'greatly valued her association' with you Fowler and his 'approval of her work'.

4to: 1 p. Good, though lightly stained and ruckled, and with seal removed from bottom right-hand corner. 18 lines of text. The document describes part of a previous agreement by 'Edward Wenyefe of Brottenham' to buy the Manor of Harleston Hall from 'Richard Muskett of Walpoole in the County of Suffc', and states a new agreement by Muskett that 'the sd Edward Wenyefe shall from the day & day hereof take the wholl proffitt of the sd Tenement [...]'. Signed 'Richard Muskett' and witnessed by 'Richard Walker', 'Tho: Sparrow' and Ed: '. J. J.

On piece of laid paper, dimensions 6 x 11 cm. Good. Clearly complying with a request for an autograph. Reads 'With much pleasure | [signed] Napier of Magdala | March 1884'.

The four items, all on aged and lightly spotted paper, are attached by four rusty staples. One (five pages, octavo): In reply to the firm's inquiry regarding 'the prevention of rising spaces in Monotype', Marshall states that, instead of giving information, he 'would rather send you the method and you try it out and prove for yourself its value, then pay me afterwards'.

All six items aged, but in reasonable condition overall. ITEM ONE: Cloth (British army?) map, roughly thirty-six inches by twenty-three wide, in colours, of 'SIAM (THAILAND) (EXTREME SOUTH) MALAYA (F.M.S.) SUMATRA (CENTRAL), with 'SIAM (THAILAND) (PART OF) SUMATRA (NORTH)' on reverse. With pin holes in corner borders (not affecting map). ITEM TWO: Dutch cloth-backed map, roughly twenty-two inches by thirty-five, in colours (Lith: G. Kolff & Co. Batavia'), for the 'Java Motor Club', of 'MIDDEN [middle] JAVA'. With a little damp staining to reverse.

Two bifoliate leaves, three pages, disbound, some damage to edges and soiling but text clear and complete. [Title continued] "portant qu'en attendant l'Enregistrement des Lettres Patentes sur les Arrests du Conseil des 22. Mars dernier & premier du present mois de Septembre, Pierre le Sueur sera mis en possession de la vente exclusive du Tabac pour la Compagnie des Indes." Wroth and Annan 1028; colophon "A Paris, De l'Imprimerie royale, 1723". Scarce.

Three pages, 12mo. Grubby, and with one corner of second leaf of bifoliate dogeared. Neat strip of stub along edge of verso of second leaf of bifoliate. The recipient (1775-1858) was a botanist, antiquary and collector of autographs. An interesting letter, revealing Blundell's involvement in the publication of a little-known magazine called 'The Wrangler'.

British soldier and statesman (1759-1833); Governor of Ceylon, 1811-20; conqueror of the Kingdom of Kandy, 1815. Two pages, large octavo. In his capacity as Quarter Master General, Brownrigg informs Brock that 'the Establishment of Entrenching Tool Carts, and Tools attached to the several Regiments in Great Britain, shall cease on the 24th of June next, and that the Horses, Harness, and Carts used for carrying the Tools shall be forthwith Sold by Publick Auction.' Gives instructions for delivering over the 'Horses, Carts, and Harness'.

Miscellaneous writer and traveller in Greece and the Far East (1758?-1841), DNB. Two autograph letters signed, edges discoloured, texts clear and complete. (7 March) "Sir/ I yesterday received your new Catalogue in which I find two articles which I am desirous of having No 2634. Belon (Pierre) & 3440 Ranwolfs Travels. provided they are in pefectly good condition [underlined from "as"] [.] I possess a copy of the same edition of Belon, but it [superscript] being very much stained I should be glad to get another that is perfectly well preserved.

Folio bifoliate. 3 pages. In good condition, though somewhat grubby and with minor loss to one corner and some fraying to extremities. Supplemental document (to indenture of 16 May 1919) by which the Magadi Soda Company surrenders to the Crown the hereditaments and premises comprised in a lease to land at Kilindini on the Island of Mombasa in the Mombasa District of the Seyidie Province of the East Africa Protectorate. Neat Colonial Office accession stamp at foot of recto of first leaf, with 'DUPLICATE' stamped at head of same leaf.

The Examiners' Office in early C19th England. Winburne has made suggestions for improving the Examiners' Office. Dancer replies with a review of the nature and problems of the Office, the nature of witnesses (unclean, diseased), the place of interview (a prison room, etc.). Dancer describes the onerous nature of the examiner's job, the need for experience, and finally refers to the "most eligible plan" which is in minutes supplied to Winburne.

English writer (died 1887), traveller in the Middle East, and philanthropist. Four pages, 16mo. Good, but with traces of grey-paper mount adhering to verso of second leaf of bifoliate, to which adheres a cutting relating to the circumstances of Lady Strangford's marriage. She has been in bed for ten days, and although 'still in a state of great weakness - and non-writingness', writes to apologise for Lord Strangford's mistake: 'as he was expecting to be accosted by a lady much of your size he answered accordingly with an enquiry for her husband.

The firm, apparently antique dealers (although it also bought and sold false teeth), was established in 1833. All items are addressed to Slocombe, with whom the family (to whom he was perhaps related by marriage?) were clearly on intimate terms. Grubby, dusty, creased, dogeared and with several closed tears. The first six letters are from J. B. Fraser, the first four being on the letterhead of 'R. D. & J. B. FRASER, LIMITED.' ('ESTABLISHED IN THE REIGN OF WILLIAM IV.') Letter 1 (Ipswich, 4 Jan 1899, 4 pages, 8vo), from J. B. Fraser, concerns 'Edith', who is recovering from illness.

8vo. 42 pages, in original grey printed wraps. Grubby, and with staining to front wrap and first leaf. On verso of front wrap: '(With the Author's Compliments).

Wilshere (1804-67) was M.P. for Great Yarmouth William, MP for Great Yarmouth between 1837 and 1846). The notice: 2 pages, 4to. In very good condition despite minor spotting and two closed tears caused by folding. The letter: 1 page, 8vo. In very good condition. The envelope (addressed to 'W. Wilshere Esqr. M. P. | 12 Stratton Street | Piccadilly | London') in very good condition with red wax lion seal and postmarks. Postage stamps removed. The letter urges Wilshere to 'support the view of the Case of of [sic] the Silk trade taken by the writer Mr Ambrose Moore'.