MADAME

1p., 12mo. On bifolium with mourning border (her son Alexander had died on 17 January). Aged and worn, with short closed tears along fold lines, and remains of tissue mount along gutter. Written three years before her death, in a crabbed and difficult hand. Unsigned, as was usually the case with her letters to her family. Addressed, with two postmarks, on reverse of second leaf to 'Dr. C. P. Burney | Greenwich'.

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, creased and lightly-aged, and laid down on a leaf removed from an album. In a close tiny hand, the note reads: 'Dear Mr. Mellon | can you oblige me with a private box for Monday evening next? The largest you can afford. | You are a naughty man. | Your's most truly | Erminia Rudersdorff'.

1862 Diary of Sergeant Browne, principal flautist in the Royal Artillery band, Woolwich, Over 425 pages. Played at the opening ceremony of the International Exhibition under Costa, having been at the rehearsal attended by Meyerbeer - good descriptions of both events - and at the Horticultural Gardens next door throughout the length of the exhibition and elsewhere (Crystal Palace, Willis's Rooms, private houses, Lord Mayor's Show "nonsensical custom").

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He thanks him 'for the valuable additions to our theatrical wardrobe which you have been so kind as to send us this morning', adding that he can assure Guy 'that we shall make good use of them and will remember with gratitude the source from which they came, for Madame Albani was one of the best beloved friends of the College since its earliest days'.

3pp., 12mo. On bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, on aged paper. Her letter to him is 'the essence of sweetness': it has 'touched me deeply and will not soon be forgotten'. He supposes that she is unaware that 'Parratt and I travelled down to Windsor in the same train with you - indeed in the same carriage'.

3pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. She has sent Madame de Veauce a wire, and fears she will find her 'too tiresome for words'. She has been 'struck down by a return of a trouble that I thought I had been cured of 15 years ago - entérite or colitis - and so I have had to have a doctor and go onto a régime'. Her husband is 'staying on to take the girls about' and they will all return to England in a week. She thanks her for recommending a hotel, but fears that 'the Boulevard Montmartre would be too noisy'.

Both items in good condition on aged paper. A dramatic, almost novelistic correspondence, regarding 'the Signora' (named in the second letter as 'Mme Sineo', who is staying at her house in Torquay and is apparently too frail to return to her London house. Letter One: Docketed 'No 1'. 12mo, 4 pp. Peard states that she has not 'written of late about the Signora. She has got fairly well again, but she does not seem to us fit to return to London, & I hear that her doctor does not think she ever will be fit.

Four pages, 8vo, stabholes, edges grubby, mainly good. It advertises the contents of the first three volumes, Royal and Noble personages who appear, literary characters,followed by "Opinions of the Press" forming the main bulk of the Prospectus.

12mo: 123 + [iv] pp. Engraved title (dated 'Octr. 1823') featuring engraving Heath from design by Corbould. Four pages of publisher's advertisements at rear. In contemporary green leather binding with decorative gilt spine and pattern to edges of boards, marbled endpapers and marbling to edges. Contemporary ownership inscription of 'Miss L. Smith'. A tight, sound copy, on lightly-aged paper, with light staining to engraved title, and wear to binding. COPAC only lists copies of this edition at Durham, St Andrews, Oxford and the British Library.

Biographer (1792-1878). 2pp., 4to (airmail-type paper). She sends good wishes and her sympathy for Madame Mohl's abandonment of her "visiting course" in England through indisposition, depriving her of "long leisurely talks & drives". She recalls the first of their "causeries" "when my carriage waited 2 hours in the street, servants marvelling at the lapse of time during which I remained in the twilight, "prosing" wi[th] you, unconscious of the darkening shadows". She describes her recent illness, some travels, and visits (e.g.

8vo, 3 pp. Bifolium with dimensions of leaf 18.5 x 14 cm. Good, on slightly grubby and lightly creased paper. Small slip of paper mount adhering to one margin (not affecting text). Written in a bold and distinctive hand. He will not be able to make 'an appearance with "Lhada" [?]' as he is 'sorry to see that I am in Brighton the 22nd and 23rd of April, where I sing with Madame Donalda'.

8vo, 2 pp. Twenty-two lines of text. Bifolium. Address, postmark and seal on reverse of otherwise-blank second leaf of bifolium. On aged and lightly creased paper, chipped and foxed. Text clear and entire. Acting on Falconet's advice, the Count has sent 'une Procure en regle à Mr Recamier [husband of the celebrated Madame Récamier?] à fin qu'il puisse retirer l'argenterie des mains de Mr Delamarre à l'expiration des trois mois'. He is grateful for Falconet's assistance in terminating 'cette facheuse affaire'.

Actor and dramatist (1802-1879). Three pages, 8vo, some marking but good condition. He asks for a mention of his Benefit. It is his last night at the Haymarket before he joins Madame Vestris at the Lyceum. He names the play, "The Beaux Startagem", adds that "Mr John Reeve son of the late celebrated comedian will also make his first appearance in Public in one of his father's characters, while Mr Buckstone will follow in Mr Planche's highly successful Drama of "The Jacobite".m He encloses cards (for entry?).