FOWLER

25 items. in good condition, lightly aged and worn. A small but evocative collection, ranging from a bill of sale of the family's effects in the year following the death of Mary Proctor's father in 1888, to a letter from her cousin in 1931, reprimanding her for spending too much money on unnecessary tickets. Mary Proctor was born in Dublin to British parents; the early part of her life was spent in the United States, and following the First World War she settled in England.

Seven items, all in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Housed in an elegant and sturdy custom-built brown buckram folder, with thick boards, flaps and red leather label, with 'Letters on Railways' stamped in gilt on the spine. The first item is a transcription of a set of accounts by Edward Pease, and the other six items are letters, whose authors are: William Green, John Gregson, Jonathan Binns, Oswald Gilkes, Augustus Maitland, William Shuttleworth.

Both items in very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Item One (galley proofs): On piece of 13 x 49 cm. paper. In manuscript at head: '7 Harley Gardens SW | Monday | Dear Mrs Butterworth | The Printer will send you a proper proof tomorrow | Yours in haste | E Lowe'. The first part only, in small type, with one minor correction. The article is attributed to Augusta de Grasse Stevens in Helen O. Black's 'Notable Women Authors of the Day' (1893). Item Two (manuscript biography): 4pp., 4to. With a few minor emendations.

2pp., 12mo. 18 lines of text. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks Reid for his 'explanation': 'Of course that's what it must be. It never occurred to me I'm afraid!' It was 'extremely kind' of Reid 'to write and to add such very nice things as a foot note'. If Reid is ever 'this way' Fowler will be 'delighted to show you this minute 1750-ish "Eye Catcher".'

All three items good, on lightly-aged paper. All bifoliums. Letter One (1 July 1901): 12mo, 4 pp. 42 lines. He is pleased to have received Childers' life of his father (published that year). 'I knew your Father well, [...] I was in the House in the Parliaments of 68 & 80 when he had his most serious work'. Praises his 'amazing pluck in going out as he did to Australia [Childers was first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne] & in his conduct there in the early days & during the gold discoveries time, the story of which in his letters is very curious'.

4to, 5 pp, on five loose and uniform leaves. Very good, on lightly aged paper. The first leaf is headed 'C. W. S. Acc' and is initialled at the foot 'Rt C. Wm. S.' The second is headed 'Sheet (2)', with the rest numbered 3 to 5. It is clear from sheets 2 to 5 that one leaf - what should have been 'Sheet (1)' - is lacking.

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'.

Thirty-two pages. Octavo. In original light-blue illustrated printed wraps. A scarce item, in frail condition, with the wraps worn, spotted and frayed, particularly at the spine. Closed tears to reverse of wraps, which is stamped 'MAY BE HAD OF J.S. CROPLEY, WINDSOR'. Rust staining from staples. Internally sound, tight and generally clean, with bottom outside corner dogeared. Ownership inscription of Tom Rowland Kent.