GLADSTONE

English physical chemist (1827-1902), fellow of the Royal Society and father-in-law of the first Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald. Seven pages, octavo (paginated 140-146). Unbound. Stitched. In original grey printed wraps. Good on paper discoloured with age and with slight foxing to top of leaves. Wraps worn and grubby and with slight loss and closed tear. INSCRIBED on front wrap 'With J H Gladstone's kind regds'. Front wrap stamped 'SOTHERAN. SACKVILLE STREET. LONDON'.

A clean copy, on good thick paper, of an engraving, three versions of which are in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG D8332, NPG D8333, NPG D8334), where they are dated 1889, and described as being etched 'after a photograph originally published in the Pall Mall Gazette 'Grand Old Man' extra'. Dimensions of paper roughly nine inches by six, dimensions of image roughly five inches by four. Burton's signature is faintly etched at the foot of plate, and the print is docketed in pencil 'W E G' at the foot of the paper, with 'Burton 1/-' on reverse.

(c.1813-1900), wife of the Liberal Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone (1809-98). 2 pp, 12mo. "I am very sorry your note has not been answered. The truth is I am overwhelmed with applications & it is with very great regret that I must refuse your request. / I hope to be in Wells soon & in any case I could not make another engagement." Two spots of glue from previous mounting adhering to the reverse.