INDIA

A piece of laid paper, 7 x 20 cm, cut from a letter by an autograph collector. Fair, on aged and lightly-creased paper, with some staining on the reverse from the glue used in mounting the item. Reads '<...> of 15 Nov next, or by the following steamer on Dec: 3d. | I have the honor to be | Sir | Your most obedient servant, | E Perry | Supreme Court, Bombay | May 1st. 1852.' On the reverse: '<...> year, and whether a warrant under the sign manual may not be directed to <...>'.

Cut from an envelope into a 'T' shape, with the front panel bearing the address and signature roughly 8.5 x 22.5 cm, forming the cross stroke, and the area from the back of the letter bearing the seal, cut into a roughly 6.5 x 5.5 cm rectangle, hanging down from this like the vertical stroke of the letter. Good, on lightly aged and creased paper. Reads 'To the Right Honorable, | Sir Stafford Northcote, Bart | Secretary of State for India | London | J Lawrence'. The circular red wax seal is 3.5 cm in diameter.

The envelope is roughly 8 x 13 cm. Aged and lightly ruckled. The signature is on the front, in the bottom left-hand corner, with 'Private' in the top left, and the address in the middle, 'The Duke of Argyll | India Office'. The seal has been stamped through paper onto dark brown wax. The envelope has been torn open at the back flap. Can be dated to after 1869 (when Mayo became Viceroy) and before 1874 (when Argyll ceased to be Secretary of State for India).

Both photographs 23.5 x 18.5 cm, mounted on the sides of a leaf of discoloured paper removed from an album. Both in good condition, one with light fading to the extremities. Both pictures are elaborately-planned and well-executed. The first, filling the whole of the photographic paper, is bordered by foliage, with two Indian maidens flying at the head, and a group of hats and pith helmets at the foot, with two waiters (one with champagne in a cooler labelled 'Culla Club', captioned 'Bombay Effervesces'.

British soldier and historian (1878-1962). One page, quarto. Very good. Bearing the Society's stamp. '[...] I will be permitted by my duties to have the honour of attending at the Royal Society of Arts on the 17th. Instant at 4.30 pm in order to receive the Medal awarded to me by the Society. | I have also to acknowledge with thanks the kind invitation of the Council to attend in the Council Room before the Meeting [...]'. Signed 'G Duff Sutherland Dunbar'.

Quarto: 88 pp. Unbound and in worn original yellow printed wraps. On aged, discoloured paper, with last dozen leaves and back wrap with damage (by burn?), affecting only a few words of text, but requiring repair. This copy addressed on back wrap to 'T C Haliburton Esq MP | Atheneum Club | Pall Mall' (Thomas Chandler Haliburton, 1796-1865). An uncommon item: COPAC only lists copies at Cambridge, Bristol, the National Library of Scotland and the British Library.

12mo (21 x 13 cm), 1 p. On green paper. Clear and complete. On aged, creased and grubby paper. Reads (manuscript text in square brackets): Messrs. Williams & Norgate present their compliments to [Sir John Philippart] and beg to inform [him that the Asiatic Socy Calcutta send them the Journal, as it is published to be forwarded to him, if he does not require it, W & N will return the numbers to Calcutta'. Docketed in a contemporary hand at head: '10 packets returned 31st May 1870'.

4to: viii + 257 pp. In original grey printed wraps. Internally tight, on lightly-aged and foxed paper. Wraps spotted and worn, with chipping to extremities. The preface describes the work as 'una bibliografia descrittiva degli studi di Indianistica fatti in Italia nel periodo che va dal 1911 al 1937.' A descriptive bibliography of Indian studies in Italy, 1911 to 1937. Scarce in Britain: COPAC lists copies at the British Library, Oxford and SOAS.

12mo: 8 pp. Unbound. Text and illustrations complete and clear. On grubby, creased and spotted paper. Title enclosed in a decorative border, and carries a 9.5 x 6.5 cm illustrating the article 'Serpent Worship in India'. Second article entitled 'Mission-work in East Africa.' Third article, 'Native Catechist Preaching', accompanied by a full-page illustration captioned 'West African Native Catechist Preaching'. Fourth article: 'Progress in Shaou-Hying' by the Rev. J. D. Valentine. Fifth and final article, 'Baptism and Death of a Santal Boy' ('The Rev. H.

Printed in purple on six pages, on the rectos of six leaves, each roughly 34 x 21 cm. Three bifoliums, loosely inserted one in the other to make a pamphlet. Text neatly written and complete. Good, on aged and lightly-worn and stained paper, with the discoloration to the blank verso of the last leaf more marked than elsewhere. Begins with a paragraph explaining the context, and ending 'It is strongly rumoured that all the high administrative appointments are to be given to E. I.

12mo: 2 pp. Eleven lines of text. A bifolium, docketed on the otherwise-blank second leaf '8 June 1830 | Ld. Ellenborough'. Good: lightly spotted and with traces of grey paper mount adhering to edge on reverse of second leaf. He is enclosing a letter (not present) 'from Keene' (docketed [by Astell?] ('Kearney.)', and possibly the watercolourist W. H. Kearney). 'I must not enter into a Correspondence with him and he asks nothing definite.' Asks Astell to 'consider the matter' and to let him know his opinion on the coming Saturday.

12mo bifolium. Ellenborough's letter (15 lines of text) occupies the first leaf; with the pencil draft of Gough's reply (also 15 lines), with additions and deletions, on the recto of the second leaf. Very good, with traces of grey paper mount adhering in a thin strip to the reverse of the second leaf. Ellenborough will 'afford' Nichols 'every facility for the making of tracings from the Tiles at Southam'. If Nichols will let him know when he is coming he will 'make it a point to be here'. Suggests that Nichols might come 'after Church, about 2 o'clock, on Sunday next'.

Advert. leaf, Title-page, pp.[1]-302, sl. shaken, hinge strain, corners bumped, some marking, but still a goodlooking book. The first thrust of the plot isan expedition, plant-hunting in Northern India and the Himalayas which they cross to Seksura on the River Arun in Nepal(possibly invented names, perhaps inspired by Aranachan Pradesh). While there they hunted wild boar, attempted to climb Mount Everest (15 April 1868). They travelled to Khatang (which exists), Tashay,, Amarpore, a tiger hunt (successful), another tiger-hunt, jackals, lynxes.

The collection in good condition, with all but one of the six items carrying ring-binder punch holes. Item One, Articles of Agreement: Foolscap bifolium, 3 pp. Dated 16 September 1904. Printed seventeen-point agreement in the form of a manuscript facsimile. Signed by Johnson, Sir John Edge and Sir Stewart Colvin Bayley, and witnessed by 'W. Watson | R[oyal]. G[ardens] Kew' and 'Frank R. Marten | India Office'. Items Two and Three both with mourning border on letterhead of Minto House, Hawick. Item Two, Mary Countess of Minto ('M Minto') to Johnson. 4to: 1 p. 14 September 1914.

12mo, 2 pp. In poor condition, creased and with frayed edges and a closed tear to the second leaf of the bifolium, to which there is also slight loss. Text clear and entire, apart from one word. Addressed to 'Dear old Boy' and 'old fellow', from 'Your <?> Brother'.

12mo, 2 pp. Monogram letterhead. Good, with light foxing. Congratulating Fawcett on his 'triumphant election to Parliament'. 'The wire will this morning have communicated this most gratifying anouncement to millions of my fellow countryment in India, who will rejoice at your victory, which will enable you again to advocate their cause and protect their interests'. Praises Fawcett's 'noble and distinguished efforts to promote the welfare and prosperity of my countrymen'.

All items 4to, 1 p. All on aged paper: the first and last good; the second lightly creased and with the ink having eaten away at a few words, and some chipping at foot, affecting signature (partially repaired with archival tape), but with text clear and entire. All three bearing the Society's stamp and the first two docketed. Concerning his desire to become a member of the Society. In the second (autograph) letter he inquires whether 'any one from Bombay may be nominated for Membership of your Society by the Council in case he has no friends of his who are Members of your Society'.

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.

One page, 12mo. Grubby, and with traces of previous mount adhering to reverse. Small circle containing '170' in red in top left-hand corner. He is sending his autograph, 'which I could not do while at . I am glad you have read some of my stories; I presume those now in book form as "1001 Indian Nights." '

On one side of an irregular piece of paper, dimensions 13.5 x 18 cm. Ruckled, and with traces of glue from mounting on reverse. Signature clear and complete, but with minor damage to signature caused by removal from mount. Reads 'I request that you will be pleased to order that all Letters for me may be sent here.' Docketed on reverse (with slight cropping along right-hand edge), '21 Augt. 1836. Feversham Rt Hon S. Lushington M.P.', beneath which, 'Mr Johnson | to be attended t specially | 22 Augt.', and 'ansd 22nd Augt | DWP316 | Attended to | [signed] <?> Laurence | 23 Augt 1836.'

12mo bifolium, with the second leaf blank. Very good. Hall's request, on the recto of the first leaf, reads 'Mr. J. H. Hall presents his Compliments to Sir Bartle Frere G.C. Bart & would feel extremely obliged by the favour of his autograph to add to a collection.' Frere's reply, on the verso, reads 'Wimbledon Decr 17th. 1883. | Sir Bartle Frere presents his compliments to Mr. J. H. Hall; He has received Mr. Hall's letter of Decr. 4: desiring to have his Autograph -'.

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 letter, four newspaper cuttings and portrait are laid down on two quarto leaves, one of which also carries the manuscript biography. These leaves are discoloured and frayed at extremities, with several closed tears, and the cuttings are similarly damaged, but nowhere is there any loss to text. The portrait is very good, on slightly discoloured paper. The letter (12mo: 2 pp) is good, although discoloured and with small dog-ear to top right hand corner.

Two pages, quarto. Very good. 'It is great pleasure that I sit down to write to any one of my brother clergy of the diocese, as it seems an approach to that acquaintance with them which I hope before long to have an opportunity of making personally'. '[P]ressure of business' makes impossible 'any very specific answer' to the contents of his correspondent's letter, 'But they shall not be forgotten'. He will 'speak to the Military board as to the Bungalow appointed for public worship'. He laments that the 'situation with regard to the military' has not been adequately defined.

LETTER: Two pages, 12mo. Very good. Addressed on verso of second leaf of bifolium. Three postmarks (two in red and one in black ink) and red wax seal. Written after Wilson's appointment as Bishop, but before his departure from Islington, where he was Vicar of St Mary's. Addressing his 'dear friend' he excuses his silence, which is 'merely for the physical impossibility of answering a tenth part of the letters I receive'. His 'house has been over-full - IS now - I have not a bed free | At any time, however, I am to be found at Breakfast at 9 - & shall rejoice to see you'.

Dimensions of paper approximately 36 x 25 cms. Good, though lightly foxed and with corners a little dog-eared. His Lordship, in full-sleeved clericals, is seated, and bare-headed, looking to his right with a piercing stare. Dated 1815 by the National Portrait Gallery.

Three pages, 12mo. On aged and lightly spotted paper, with loss at head of crease (not affecting text) resulting from removal from spike. Letter of introduction for 'Mr Davison', [William Davison, discoverer of the Andaman Pale Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela davisoni)] 'who is on a visit to explore for its birds. He has been working with Mr. A. O.?>

Octavo: twenty pages. Unbound and stitched. Good, but with outer leaves a little grubby and creased. The word 'rack-rent' on page six has been underlined and three exclamation marks placed beside it in ink. As well as important botanical works, Clarke numbered political economy and education among his interests.

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.

Two pages,8vo. Good, on foxed paper discoloured with age. Gives details of his departure from Delhi from the main station on the following evening. 'I ask your favour to arrange for 9 guns salute to be fired at the time of departure.' Thanks him for 'all the trouble you had to look after my comfort, and attending to the ceremonial occasions.'