EDGBASTON

12mo, 6 pp. Bifolium and single leaf. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Closely and neatly written. An important and revealing letter, written while Belloc was still at school.

12mo: iv + 164 pp. In original green cloth, with the title in gilt on the front cover. All edges gilt. Slightly foxed. Good and tight, in lightly worn cloth. A curious collection, with the index of first lines containing such entries as 'Sweet Edgbaston bells' [this poem dated 1844], 'Dear Varinka', ' 'Twas a boy in a cut-off jacket' and 'They call me little Trottie'. All three series are excessively scarce. The only copy of this third series on COPAC is in the British Library, and the only copy on WorldCat in California.

In 4to and 8vo as stated below. All items unbound. The collection as a whole in reasonable condition, although lightly aged and worn. Some items with detached plates or leaves. Most items annotated in pencil, probably by the 'Mr Merry' named in the receipt in item 10.1. [4to, 16 pp, in printed wraps, 221 lots] [Instructed by Mr. James W. Partridge to Sell by Auction, on the premises] The Old Grammar School, Alvechurch, Worcestershire. Catalogue of the Sale of Valuable Old English Furniture, Old China, Oil Paintings, Morland, Mezzotint and Stipple Prints, &c.

12mo, 3 pp. Very good, with a strip of cream paper from previous mounting adhering to the blank verso of the second leaf of the bifolium. He has 'received a Catalogue of the Friends Book Society's Annual Sale held by your and Mrs Barrow's kind invitation'. He and his wife 'should have enjoyed being present very much: if for no other reason, yet in remembrance of thirty years ago, when I used to enjoy the Sales exceedingly', but they will be 'in London on the day fixed'. Shorthouse was born into the Society of Friends, but joined the Church of England.

British economic historian (1860-1927), a disciple of Arnold Toynbee, and proponent of the historical method pioneered in Germany by such scholars as Roscher, Hildebrand and Knies. The manuscript items are all 12mo, the typed item quarto. All twelve docketed and bearing the Society's stamp, and signed 'W. T. Ashley'. The collection is in very good condition, though grubby in parts and with one or two creased corners. An interesting and characteristic correspondence. ITEM ONE (3 pages, 12mo, 5 August 1913): Declines proposal to act as examiner.

English novelist (1834-1903), influenced by Ruskin and Pre-Raphaelitism, author of the influential 'John Inglesant'. Three pages, 12mo. Very good. The recipient Hugh Nettlefold (1858-93) was a screwmaker residing in Hall Field House, Sir Harrys Rd, Edgbaston. Reads 'We shall be very pleased to see you and your friend to tea tomorrow [^ Wednesday] at five o'clock. I will take care to be at home at that Time & shall be quite disengaged until six oclock <...> regards from my wife'. Signed 'J. Henry Shorthouse'. Nettlefold replies 'I will call for you about 1/4 to 5 tomorrow.