LONDON

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[ Max Halbe, German 'Naturalist' dramatist. ] Typescript of an unpublished English translation of 'Youth. A Love Drama in Three Acts. By Max Halbe'.

Author: 
Max Halbe (1865-1944), German dramatist, a main exponent of Naturalism
Publication details: 
Mrs. Marshall's Type Writing Office, 126, Strand. [ London. ] 8 May 1900. Translated from the '(6th Edition) | Berlin, 1898.'
£350.00

86pp., 4to. With each of the three acts bound into separate grey wraps, with typed labels on covers. Internally in good condition, on aged paper, in worn and aged wraps. This unpublished anonymous translation predates the one by Sara Tracy Barrows, with an introduction by Ludwig Lewisohn, published in New York by Doubleday in 1916. There is no record of an English production.

[ Nigel Playfair and Philip Carr. ] Typescript of ' "Shock-headed Peter" A Children's Farce with Songs, Adapted by Philip Carr and Nigel Playfair from The well-known Pictures and Verses of "Struwwelpeter" Music by Walter Rubens'.

Author: 
Nigel Playfair; Philip Carr; Walter Rubens [ Struwwelpeter; Shock-headed Peter; Edith Craig ]
Publication details: 
[ London, circa 1900. ] With label and stamp of Samuel French, Ltd, 26, Southampton Street, Strand, London, W.C.2.
£450.00

106pp., 4to. In good condition internally, on lightly-aged paper, in worn grey-cloth binding, with large and wordy French label on front cover. Rubens's score is not present. The text is preceded by twelve pages carrying: a 'List of Scenery and Properties', 'a 'Scene Plot', 'Light Plots', 'Property Plot', 'Hand Properties', 'Prompter's Cues' and 'Costumes and Wigs'. Possibly a prompt copy, with a number of passages deleted, and a few minor emendations made, in pencil, as well as call notes typed on the versos of some leaves, opposite the relevant text.

[ Maurice Willson Disher, theatre critic and author. ] Unpublished typescript of his play 'Plain Clothes [initially titled 'Nature is so Coarse']. Harlequinade in Four Acts and Plain Clothes by All the Worst Authors [originally 'M. Willson Disher'].'

Author: 
M. Willson Disher [ Maurice Willson Disher ] (1893-1969), British theatre critic and author [ Leonard Sachs and Peter Ridgeway; Ridgeway's Late Joys; the Players Theatre, London ]
Publication details: 
'Please return to: | M. Willson Disher, | 24 Bradstock Road, Ewell, Surrey [originally 'Russell's Water, | Nr. Henley-on-Thames. | Oxon.' ]. Undated.
£500.00

102pp., 4to. Typed on rectos only, and bound with pink string in grey card wraps with white paper label. Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in worn wraps. Extensive manuscript emendations throughout, and with a manuscript passage (1p., 4to) on leaf loosely inserted, for adding to p.21. The title-page of the play is revised, with the typed title 'Nature is so Coarse' replaced by the manuscript 'Plain Clothes', and the author's name 'M. Willson Disher' replaced by 'All the Worst Authors'.

[ Percy Nash, actor and dramatist. ] Typewritten early draft of the musical comedy 'The Suffrage Girl', under the title 'A Woman's Vote', with extensive manuscript emendations and additions, drawings of two sets, and a page of the musical score.

Author: 
[ Percy Nash [ Percy Cromwell Nash ] (1869-1958), actor, dramatist and film director] [ Votes for Women; Suffragettes; Women's suffrage; Harry Gordon Selfridge; Selfridge's department store, London ]
Publication details: 
[ London, circa 1911. ]
£1,800.00

The present item is anonymous, but is certainly an early draft of 'The Suffrage Girl', the play written by film pioneer Percy Nash while an executive at Selfridge's department store in London, and performed by the store's employees in 1911 at the Court Theatre. (For more information see E. D. Rappaport's 'Shopping for Pleasure: Women in the Making of London's West End' (Princeton, 2001), as well as S.

[ Sir Charles Wyndham and Percy Burton, translators. ] Typewritten drafts, with extensive emendations in Wyndham's autograph, of 'The Blind Passenger. A Play in Three Acts by Oscar Blumenthal and Gustav Hadelburg.'

Author: 
Sir Charles Wyndham [ born Charles Culverwell ] (1837-1919), English actor-manager, and Percy Burton; Oscar Blumenthal and Gustav Hadelburg
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated. [ London, circa 1904. ]
£750.00

Item Three below does not name the translators, while Items One and Two do not. Item Three has the characters' names anglicised and the text more stilted than that of One and Two. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Typescript of the whole play, with each of the three acts bound separately. 127pp., 4to. The first two acts bound in grey card wraps, with typed labels on covers, the unbound leaves of the third act attached with a brass stud. First two acts with stamp of Miss Christian of the Trafalgar Type Writing Office, London.

[ Peter Brook, English director. ] Typed prompt copy of his 1949 production of 'Dark of the Moon', with autograph and typed stage directions and typed pages of new text, including a new ending. With programmes of both London productions.

Author: 
Peter Brook (b.1925), English theatre and film director [ Howard Richardson and William Berney ]
Publication details: 
Hart Stenographic Bureau, 156 West 44th St, New York 18. Undated [ circa 1945 ]. In manuscript on first page: 'The property of The Company of Four [ Tennent Productions ], Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, W.6.' [ For 1949 production. ]
£1,500.00

Brook's 1949 production of 'Dark of the Moon' was praised by the critics, and favourably compared with a rival production of 'Oaklahoma!' 'I'm not sure', Brook wrote, 'whether it's a good thing to be original in the theatre. The critics slated my Romeo and Juliet for being too original, but they applaud the quality in Dark of the Moon.' J. C. Trewin, in his 1971 biography of Brook, states that the play had attracted Brook's attention 'when he saw pictures in an American magazine and observed with rapture that there were witches in the cast.

[ Peter Ustinov, actor and playwright. ] Corrected typescript of his unpublished play 'The Man behind the Statue', performed under the management of Robert Donat at the Opera House, Manchester, in 1946.

Author: 
Peter Ustinov [ Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov ] (1921-2004), English actor and author [ Robert Donat (1905-1958), Oscar-winning actor ]
Publication details: 
'The property of: Robert Donat, 23 Three Kings' Yard, Davies Street, W.1. [ London ]' Undated [but only performed at the Opera House, Manchester, in 1946. ]
£580.00

158pp., 4to. Typed text on rectos only. With manuscript emendations (possibly in the hand of Judith Spearman, stage manager) throughout, including deletions and a few short additional passages, as well as stage directions. Makeshift thumb index at head. In fair condition, with moderate signs of age and wear, bound with pink ribbon into buff card covers. Typed label on front cover, together with 'Judith Spearman' and 'Effects' in pencil.

[ Lajos Bíró, Alexander Korda's scenario chief at London Film Productions. ] Unpublished typescript of '"Hollywood of Course" A Play In Three Acts By LAJOS BIRO'.

Author: 
Lajos Bíró [ Lajos Biro ] [ born Lajos Blau ] (1880-1948), Austro-Hungarian novelist, playwright and screenwriter who worked for Alexander Korda at London Film Productions
Publication details: 
'Copyright 1942 by British and Continental Plays Ltd.'
£400.00

168pp., 4to. Pages typed in black and red (by Active Secretarial Bureau, Wardour Street) on versos only. Bound in grey card wraps, with red tape spine. Typed title on cover, with circular red label of 'British and Continental Plays Ltd'. The main characters include the unnamed members of a continental royal family, together with 'Baroness Sibyl Konigsmark' and 'Section-Leader Grumb', and the scene is set at an Old Castle and Summer Palace, and 'Late in June of the year 1941. Three o'clock p.m.' and periods shortly following.

[ John Coulter, Irish Canadian playwright. ] Typescript of 'Sleep My Pretty One. A Play in Three Acts'.

Author: 
John Coulter (1888-1980), Irish Canadian playwright [ Laurence Olivier ]
Publication details: 
'Please return to: Laurence Olivier Productions, St. James' Theatre, King Street, London, S.W.1.' [ Circa 1951. ]
£400.00

136pp., 4to. Duplicated typescript (by Catherine Billinghust, Westminster) with pages on rectos only. Bound in grey card wraps, with red and black cloth spine and title typed on front cover. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. '12' in manuscript at head of cover. 'Sleep My Pretty One' has been described as 'a study of a young girl driven to distraction by the death of her mother and the, to her, totally unacceptable remarriage of her father'.

[Joseph Joachim and his wife Amalie.] Eleven Autograph Letters Signed from Joachim (seven in English and four in German) and three more from his wife (all in German), to the English composer Clara Angela Macirone, with Joachim's calling card.

Author: 
Joseph Joachim (1831-1907), Hungarian violinist and composer, friend of Johannes Brahms [his wife Amalie Joachim [née Schneeweiss; 'Amalie Weiss'] (1839-99); Clara Angela Macirone (1821-1895)]
Publication details: 
From London, Brussels, Hanover; between 1862 and 1868.
£950.00

An interesting sidelight into a neglected area of Joachim scholarship, the 'Joseph Joachim - biography and research' website containing no references at all to Macirone. Joachim's acquaintance with England (where his elder brother Henry settled) had begun while he was still a child, when his teacher Felix Mendelson (himself a prodigy) had brought him to the country, where his playing caused a sensation. 14 letters, in fair condition, on aged and worn paper. The combined letters total 34pp. in 8vo and 12mo, with Joseph Joachim's eleven letters consisting of 25pp. of this amount, of which 15pp.

[ Unity Theatre, London, 1944. ] Unpublished typescript of the first Soviet thriller performed in London, under the title 'Comrade Detective': '"Face to Face" | A Soviet Thriller | by | Bros. Tour and L. Sheynin | Translated by Herbert Marshall'.

Author: 
Herbert Marshall [ Herbert P. J. Marshall ] (1906-91), English Russophile author, filmmaker, theatre designer and husband of Fredda Brilliant (1903-99) [ Bros. Tour and L. Sheynin [ Herbert Marshall ]
Publication details: 
'All enquiries to: | HERBERT MARSHALL | 5, Kensington Palace Gardens, | W.8. | Tel. BAYswater 3214.' [ London, 1944. ]
£500.00

114pp., 4to. Typescript by May Hemery Ltd in black and red ink, with pages on rectos only. In black card covers, with label on front. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear, in worn covers. See Steve Nicholson, 'British theatre and the Red Peril: the Portrayal of Communism 1917-1945': 'Originally called 'Face to Face', 'Comrade Detective' was translated, designed and produced by Herbert Marshall on the suggestion of the wife of the Soviet Ambassador.

[ J. W. Benson Ltd., Ludgate Hill, London watch and clock makers and gold and silversmiths. ] Trade catalogue of 'Silver Goods | Empire Plate | Canteens', profusely-illustrated and fully captioned.

Author: 
J. W. Benson Ltd., Ludgate Hill, London watch and clock makers and gold and silversmiths
Publication details: 
J. W. Benson Ltd., Ludgate Hill, London. '60th Edition, Section 'E' (x)'. Undated (1930s or earlier).
£120.00

[1] + 52pp., large 8vo (27.5 x 21.5 cm). Stapled in silver wraps with elegant design in pink and black. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight rusting to staples. Profusely illustrated with photographs of items captioned with prices.

[ F. Britten Austin, novelist. ] Typescripts of acts I and 3 of his unpublished only play, 'The Thing that Matters'. With numerous manuscript additions and directions, plus extra typed material.

Author: 
F. Britten Austin [ Frederick Britten Austin ] (1885-1941) [ Percy Burton, theatrical agent and motion picture pioneer; Arthur Bourchier; Helen Maud Holt (1863-1937) [ Mrs Beerbohm Tree; Lady Tree ] ]
Publication details: 
F. Britten Austin, Northgate House, Bishops Stortford, Herts. Undated [ circa 1921 ].
£580.00

126pp., 4to. (Act 1 has 55pp. and Act 3 has 71pp.) Each act bound in grey card covers. Worn and aged, with the remains of the purple ribbon used to bind the leaves into their covers. A heavily reworked typescript. As is customary, the typed text of the play is on the rectos only, but leaves with additional typed and manuscript (presumably autograph) text have been inserted. Numerous manuscript additions and deletions to the text on the rectos, with additional typed passages on pieces of paper laid down onto the facing versos, which also carry further manuscript changes.

[ Edward Knoblock, playwright and novelist. ] Unpublished typescript of 'The Great Exhibition | A Play in two Acts | with songs of the Victorian Days | by | Edward Knoblock'. With a Typed Note Signed from Joan Ling Ltd to W. J. MacQueen Pope.

Author: 
Edward Knoblock [ born Edward Gustavus Knoblauch ] (1874-1945), American-born British playwright and novelist, author of 'Kismet' (1911) [ W. J. MacQueen-Pope (1888-1960) ]
Publication details: 
21 Ashley Place, SW1, under label of Joan Ling Ltd, London. Without date.
£450.00

137pp., 4to. Typed text on rectos only. Bound with red ribbon into red wraps, with typed label on front cover. In fair condition, aged and worn, in heavily-aged wraps. Pencil annotations to the list of characters. Bound in before the beginning of almost every scene is a manuscript leaf carrying a page giving the layout of the set. The label of Joan Ling Ltd, Gloucester House, 19 Charing Cross Road, WC2, is pasted over Knoblock's typed address 21 Ashley Place on the title page. Knoblock's papers are at his alma mater Harvard.

[ Lord William Pitt Lennox. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Willm P. Lennox') to an unnamed recipient, regarding the sale of a copyright to the London publishers Hurst & Blackett.

Author: 
Lord William Pitt Lennox (1799-1881), British Army officer and author [ Hurst & Blackett, London publishers ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Hall Place, Tunbridge. 16 July 1863.
£80.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition. The subject of the letter is probably Lennox's Fifty Years' Biographical Reminiscences', published by Hurst and Blackett in 1863. Lennox is 'extremely flattered' at the contents of the recipient's letter, but has 'disposed of the copy right to Messrs Hurst and Blackett. 13. Gr. Marlborough St.', to whom he refers the recipient. 'Had I been in London I would have done myself the pleasure of expressing my thanks in person'.

[ Farnham School; James Lackington ] Autograph Letter Signed ('S. Locke') to London bookseller James Lackington, including a list of schoolbooks he wishes to purchase.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Samuel Locke (c.1768-1849), Headmaster of Farnham School, 1800-1823 [ James Lackington (1746-1815), London bookseller ]
Publication details: 
Guildford [ Surrey ]. 1 November 1793.
£56.00

2pp., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He begins by asking Lackington to send a volume through his brother, and take back two volumes in exchange. 'I gave you 11S for them a few Weeks since, & tho' they are not one penny the worse, yet I cannot but expect you will allow yourself a fair profit'.

[ Charles Forbes René de Montalembert, Comte de Montalembert. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'le Cte de Montalembert'), in French, to an unnamed recipient

Author: 
Charles Forbes René de Montalembert (1810-1870), Comte de Montalembert [ Abraham Hayward; John Wilson Croker ]
Publication details: 
Paris. 26 April and 25 May 1856.
£180.00

Both in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: He thanks him for offering to translate his book ('The Political Future of England'), but considers his knowledge of English law too shaky to permit him to give any encouragement. He suggests that the recipient come to an arrangement with 'Mr. Abraham Hayward, Queen's Counsel, 1 King's Bench Walk, Temple', who is acting for de Montalembert in the matter.

[ Clifford Dyment, Anglo-Welsh poet. ] Corrected author's typescript of 'Fur, Feather, and Fin', co-written with wife Marcella Dyment, with copy of the Carrefour Press limited edition of the book, signed by him and illustrator Hafis, with extra plate

Author: 
Clifford Dyment (1914-1971), Anglo-Welsh poet; Marcella Dyment [ nee Salzer ] (d.1968); 'Hafis' [ Hafiz Joachim Bertschinger ] (b.1933), Lebanese-Swiss artist; Daphne Fraenkel; A. E. R. Larking
Publication details: 
Typescript: Flat 5, 53 Harrington Gardens, London, SW7. Undated. Carrefour Press limited edition: 27 Letterstone Road, London, SW6. 1968.
£750.00

A friend of Dylan Thomas and a leading poet of the 1930s London literary scene, Dyment is the subject of a warm appreciation by Robert Graecen in The Times, 8 June 1971. The present collection consists of a series of amusing poems regarding various members of the animal kingdom. ONE: Typescript of 'Fur, Feather, and Fin | by | Clifford and Marcella Dyment'. Address at foot of title-page: 'Flat 5, 53, Harrington Gardens, London, S.W.7.' 46pp., 8vo. Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper.

[ The Compulsory Weighing and Measurement Bill, 1906. ] Eight items from the files of the London and North Western Railway, including a copy of the bill and correspondence with the Iron, Steel and Allied Trades Employers' Federation of Great Britain.

Author: 
The Iron, Steel and Allied Trades Employers' Federation of Great Britain (J. R. Winpenny of Middlesborough, Secretary); London and North Western Railway; Compulsory Weighing and Measurement Bill, 1906
Publication details: 
Middlesborough and Crewe. 1906 and 1907.
£120.00

The eight items are unbound, in fair condition, on aged paper with loss to extremities of some documents.ONE: Printed parliamentary bill: 'Compulsory Weighing and Measurement. | A Bill To provide for the Weighing and Measurement of the Material used in the process of manufacture, as well as the Product thereof, in all Iron or Steel Works, Cement Works, Lime Works, and Chalk Quarries. | Presented by Mr. Barnes, | supported by | Mr. Keir Hardie, Mr. Hodge, [and nine others] | Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 22 February 1906.

[ Robert Chambers, Scottish publisher. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('R. Chambers') to an unnamed recipient, regarding a visit to 'the Gallery'.

Author: 
Robert Chambers (1802-1871), Scottish publisher and geologist, brother and business partner of William Chambers (1800-1883)
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Athenaeum [ London ]. 30 October 1861.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. Mourning border. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He writes that his 'visit to the Gallery' has to be on the following Friday, but asks the recipient not to 'in the least inconvenience yourself on my account, though I certainly should consider it a great pleasure to see you on the occasion'. According to his entry in the Oxford DNB: 'In 1860 William Chambers returned to Edinburgh and the firm. Robert Chambers and his wife travelled to America before he and his family moved to London so that he could oversee the firm's new London offices.

[ English book trade and 'ringing' of auctions. ] Eight items including three typewritten articles, two by London bookseller Frank Marcham: 'The English "Knock-out."', 'London Dealers and their "Knock-Outs." and 'The Romance of Books and Manuscripts'

Author: 
Frank Marcham, London bookseller [ Percy Muir of Elkin Mathews Ltd; The English antiquarian book trade and the 'Knock Out'; the 'Ring'; the 'ringing' of auctions ]
Publication details: 
[ London. ] One item dated December 1931, another dated 10 September 1936
£950.00

A fascinating collection of material, casting light on a furtive and little-discussed aspect of the English antiquarian book trade. (For further information see 'Anatomy of an Auction: Rare Books at Ruxley Lodge, 1919' by J. I. Freeman and A. M. Freeman, and 'Out of Print and into Profit', ed. G. Mandelbrote.) Of the eight items, all but Item Two below are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. It would appear that some of the material at least was published, but precise details are not known.

Autograph Diary of Jennifer Samuel, twenty-year-old student under H. J. Eysenck at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, and amateur actress training for a career in the theatre at the City Lit.

Author: 
Jennifer Samuel (b.1938) [Professor H. J. Eysenck, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London; Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts; Bristol Theatre School; City Literary Institute]
Publication details: 
In 'Letts Desk Diary 1959' (Charles Letts & Co. Ltd. London).
£450.00

Iv + 224pp, 8vo. Ownership inscription of 'Jennifer Samuel 16.12.58'. In good condition, lightly-aged and worn. The diary is arranged with two days to a page, and with fourteen lines available for each entry. Seven pages of 'cash account', giving expenditure from January to July, at end. Almost without exception, each page is fully filled in, mostly in pencil.

[ Maria Ann Lovell, English actress and playwright. ] Autograph Letter in the third person to Dillon Croker, regarding his assistance.

Author: 
Maria Ann Lovell [ née Maria Ann Lacy ] (1803-1877), English actress and playwright, wife of the author George William Lovell (1804-1878)
Publication details: 
7 Mornington Crescent [ London ]. In envelope with postmark of 20 March [ no year ].
£25.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of glue from mount on reverse of letter and envelope. Envelope, with penny red, addressed by Lovell to 'Dillon Croker Esq. | 3 Gloucester Road | Old Brompton'. Reads: 'Mrs. Lovell begs to thank Mr. Croker for his polite note and for the trouble he has kindly taken - | Should there be any occasion Mrs Lovell will gladly avail herself of Mr. Croker [sic] offer of further assistance.'

[ George W. Lovell, English playwright. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Geo W Lovell') to Benjamin Webster, both concerning the manuscript of his play 'The Wife's Secret'.

Author: 
George William Lovell (1804-1878), playwright and novelist [ Benjamin Webster [ Benjamin Nottingham Webster ], English actor-manager, lessee of the London theatres the Haymarket and the Adelphi ]
Publication details: 
6 Mornington Crescent [ London ]. 'Thursday Morning' and 'Friday Eveng' [neither with date, but both circa 1846].
£80.00

Both items in good condition, on aged paper. Lovell begins the first letter (3pp., 12mo) by expressing disappointment at not having heard from Webster yet 'with the M.S.', and offers to 'save [him] any trouble in explanations' by calling on him. If that is not acceptable he asks him to 'let me have the copy with your notes upon it & I will work at once. And if you have any thing more agreeable in the way of criticism to communicate it will put me in better spirits'.

[ George William Lovell, playwright. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo W Lovell') to theatrical publisher T. H. Lacy, regarding the publication of 'The Wife's Secret' and 'The Trial of Love'. With autograph prelims of the former play by Lovell.

Author: 
George William Lovell (1804-1878), playwright and novelist [ Thomas Hailes Lacy (1809-1873), actor, playwright, and theatrical publisher; Charles Kean [ Charles John Kean ]; Ellen Kean ]
Publication details: 
Letter: Vale Lodge, Hampstead Heath. 28 July [ no year, but after the death in 1868 of Charles Kean ].
£150.00

Both items in good condition, on lightly aged paper. Letter: 2pp., 12mo. The letter begins: 'Mrs. Kean has given me back possession of the two Plays. The Wife's Secret & The Trial of Love. & the advice of Mr. Coyne was that I should add them to the Dram[ati]c. Authors Society's list.' Under the circumstances, he asks whether Lacy would be 'desirous of printing them & if so what would be your arrangement?' He suggests a meeting the following day. Autograph prelims: 3pp., 4to. Bifolium, with bottom half of second leaf torn away.

[ George William Lovell, English playwright. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo W Lovell') to Charles Kean, praising his 'incomparable Cardinal' (i.e. his performance as Cardinal Wolsey in 'Henry VIII'). With unsigned autograph note by Kean.

Author: 
George William Lovell (1804-1878), playwright and novelist; Charles Kean [ Charles John Kean ] (1811-1868), English actor-manager
Publication details: 
7 Mornington Crescent [ London ]. 28 August [ 1855
£80.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper, with light glue stains on blank reverse of second leaf. Lovell writes in jaunty tones: 'When I quitted Town I left your incomparable Cardinal in the plenitude of his power & on my return I find him still in the ascendant & his glory undiminished! - Such a man belongs to posterity & my posterity are anxious to pay (?) [the question mark is Lovell's, the implication being that they want to get in to a performance without paying] their homage to him.

[ George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer, Whig Home Secretary and book collector. ] Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Mr Payne' [ Thomas Payne the younger, of the London booksellers Payne and Foss ], regarding 'Mr Payne's Cards'.

Author: 
George John Spencer (1758-1834), 2nd Earl Spencer, Whig Home Secretary and book collector [ Payne and Foss, London booksellers; Althorp; Thomas Payne; Henry Foss; John Rylands Library, Manchester ]
Publication details: 
Spencer House [ London ]. 28 May 1830.
£90.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He writes that 'he does not at present know of any among his acquaintance who may be in want of a proper Person to fill the situations alluded to in Mr Payne's Cards', but that he will 'bear in mind the application, in case a suitable opportunity should occur to him, of which he would avail himself with propriety'. Spencer's library, of which Thomas Frognall Dibdin had the care, forms the basis of the John Rylands Library in Manchester. Both Spencer and Thomas Payne (1752-1831) have entries in the Oxford DNB.

[ The United Kingdom Tea Company, London. ] Two large advertisements, printed on Japanese tissue paper.

Author: 
The United Kingdom Tea Company, London [ The Commercial Sale Rooms, Mincing Lane ]
Publication details: 
Japanese Tea Company, 21, Mincing Lane, London. Undated [ 1890s ].
£90.00

The two advertisements are variants of one another, with much the same text in two columns of small type, surrounded by a decorative border with oriental influence (featuring flamingo, vase, bamboo). Both printed in black ink on one side of a 33 x 26cm piece of tissue. They are frail and unusual survivals: aged and creased with wear and slight loss to the extremities. Both are headed 'UNITED KINGDOM TEA COMPANY | SUPPLY THE FINEST TEA IN THE WORLD | FIRST HAND, DIRECT FROM THE MINCING LANE MARKET.' One is headed, in fancy type: 'THIS PAPER IS MADE IN JAPAN & IS A CURIOSITY'.

[ Robert S. Sievier, Anglo-Australian bookmaker, racehorse owner and gambler ] 'The Imperial Number' of 'The Winning Post' newspaper, entirely devoted to a commemoration of King Edward VII, well printed in letterpress on vellum paper.

Author: 
Robert S. Siever [ Robert Standish Sievier (1860-1939)], Anglo-Australian bookmaker, racehorse owner, gambler and journalist, editor of 'The Winning Post'
Publication details: 
[ London. ] 14 May 1910.
£120.00

For information about Sievier's colourful and disreputable career, see his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, which states that, under the name of 'Sutton', Sievier was 'the first bookmaker in Victoria to bet with bag and clerk, standing on a regular pitch and issuing numbered tickets for the horses backed'. In 1887 he returned to England afer his bookmaker's license was withdrawn following his assault on Lord Deerhurst.

[ George Sanders, English film actor. ] Typically-caddish Autograph Inscription to a six-year-old girl, given during shooting of 'The Saint in London'. With autographs of the brothers John Paddy Carstairs (director) and Tony Keys.

Author: 
George Sanders (1906-1972), English film actor; John Paddy Carstairs [ born John Keys ] (1910-1970), film director, and his brother Tony Keys, film producer associated with Hammer Films
Publication details: 
No place [ Twickenham Film Studios]. April 1939.
£90.00

The three inscriptions are all on one side of an 18 x 16 cm leaf taken from an album. In good condition, lightly-aged. Given during the shooting of the RKO film 'The Saint in London' (1939), which Sanders starred in and Carstairs directed. Sanders writes, at the head of the page, 'To Anne | I want to see you in about 8 years time! | George Sanders | April 1939.' Beneath this is: 'Anne - let's make it seven! | John Paddy Carstairs: | '39.' And beneath Carstairs' inscription: 'Six years. X. | Tony Keys'. The recipient was the daughter off a cameraman at Twickenham Film Studios.

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