ISAMBARD

17.5 x 25 cm. In good condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper. In the bottom left-hand corner, in a close contemporary hand, in ink: 'The site for Hungerford Suspension Bridge. | from J Sachs, 203, Strand'. (203 Strand was the address of Abbott, Barton & Co., advertising agents.) In pencil at bottom left: 'Clifton -', with the word 'River' in lighter pencil towards the centre. The view, in grey pencil wash, shows a pleasing view down the Avon Gorge, with the Bridge's two towers the only part of the structure completed.

Clifford was introduced to the laying of Atlantic telegraph cables by Sir Charles Bright, whose wife was his cousin. He served as an engineer on all the Atlantic cable expeditions from 1857 to 1866, designing the paying-out machinery used on the Great Eastern in 1865 and 1866. He worked at Greenwich as chief engineer for the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company until his retirement in 1894. ONE: From Blackheath; 6 April 1892. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Signed 'H. Clifford.' In good condition, on lightly-aged paper.

8vo, 60 pp (paginated 3873-3932). Disbound. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Royal crest at head of first page, beneath which: 'Anno Quinto Georgii IV. Regis. | Cap. clvi. | An Act for making and maintaining a Tunnel under the River Thames, from some Place in the Parish of Saint John of Wapping in the County of Middlesex to the opposite Shore of the said River in the Parish of Saint Mary Rotherhithe in the County of Surrey, with sufficient Approaches thereto. | [24th June 1824.]'.

Dimensions of print roughly 12.5 x 18 cm. On original white paper windowpane mount (23 x 28.5 cm). Engraved label (3 x 9.5 cm), with text printed in gilt on navy blue paper. Bright, clean impression, on discoloured mount with creased label. Depicts fashionably dressed pedestrians proceeding along the length of the tunnel. Two children play on the cobbled central track. A series of small holes have been neatly cut within the alcoves of the tunnel. On display of the print within a lightbox, these would simulate the gas lighting used to illuminate the tunnel.

Liberal statesman (1792-1861). One page, 12mo. In good condition despite slight discoloration and traces from previous mounting on reverse. Folded twice. Marked 'Private'. Reads 'I accept with much pleasure and many thanks your obliging Present of the Photograph of the Great Ship. I shall not cease to take the most lively Interest in the success of this stupendous Enterprize. [sic]' Signed 'J R G Graham'. Brunel designed the Great Eastern steamship between 1852 and 1858.