MANUSCRIPT

Heavily influenced by its author's own journalistic career, 'The Pen and the Sword' is not only of great significance in the development of Michael Foot's thinking, but is also an important work in the study of Jonathan Swift. The book was a firm success, going through four printings between 1957 and 2008. It was first published in London by Macgibbon and Kee, with the subtitle 'A Year in the Life of Jonathan Swift' (the year in question being 1710).

Four 8vo volumes, uniform in design and layout. Vol. I: xvi + 646pp. Vol.II: xii + [1] + 813pp. Vol.III: xiii + [1] + 774pp. Vol.IV: xi + [1] + 830pp. In fair overall condition, lightly aged and worn. Titles in white and yellow on blue cloth bindings. Unlike the other three volumes, the first volume is bound in unwaxed rough cloth, which has faded and worn, that volume also having bumped corners. Noet: post will be expensive!

2pp., 12mo. Written in a small close and neat hand. In good condition, on lightly aged paper.

'Plato and his Dialogues' was Lowes Dickinson's last book. It was warmly received on its posthumous publication, with its contemporary relevance recognised. In a review of May 1932, the Classical Association's journal 'Greece and Rome' declared: 'Here is material for the most exciting and stimulating discussions'. The same review said of the BBC series on which the book was based: 'if all such talks could have so happy an issue, wireless might be said to have justified itself'. And in October 1932, in another BBC radio talk, Lowes Dickinson's literary executor E. M.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with head of the document trimmed and blank second leaf with traces of mount. He acknowledges 'the receipt of your letter enclosing a Memorial from the Committee of the Manchester Health of Towns association' and apologise for the delay in the acknowledgement, 'owing to the great pressure of business'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of grey paper mount on blank reverse. He does not think the recipient has 'chosen badly as regards the name', and is 'proud to think' the contents 'are to be dedicated to me'. In a postscript he writes: 'Can I help you in looking over any of the proofs?' Leigh had gracefully acknowledged the influence of Locker-Lampson's 'London Lyrics' in the introduction to his 'Carols of Cockayne' (1869).

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He is sorry that the recipient has 'taken so much trouble respecting my portrait. I never have sat for my picture, and must resquest you will excuse my doing so now'.

In fair condition, aged and with traces of mounting on reverse. She is engaged on the afternoon of 15 June, but will hope to 'come in & see you some other time'. Postscript: 'It was delightful to meet & greet the other day!'

2pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. On two leaves stapled together. The letterhead, printed in red, is a cartoon portrait of the artist with palette and brush, pointing to the address on a blackboard. A long chatty letter, listing the titles and prices of an order Malcolm has made, describing his activities at a time when he is 'pushed like mad', arranging an 'interview for ERG', discribing the contents of the four albums of his stamp collecting ('I wouldn't call myself a philatelist . . . .

ONE (12 January 1975): 1p., 4to. In good condition. First page of letter only, and lacking signature. A generally positive review ('When I write, I suffer from excess, a disease which you and your contemporaries, Aldis, Brunner, Bulmer, etc long since cured yourselves of. [...] The story was, as I am sure you know, good.'), but with some caveats ('I also don't think that a female covered with body hairs would also have hair reaching down to her waist.'). TWO: 1p., 8vo. Signed in green ink. In fair condition, on aged paper with wear at head.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Aged with with some damp staining. Geikie is glad to receive Cadell's letter, and will be 'delighted to have you on the long excursion if it takes place [last four words underlined]'. The excursion is however in doubt, as 'only five members of the Class have sent in their names and one with some doubt'. There are 'many calls' on his time, and unless more names come in the excursion will be cancelled. The letter concludes: 'I am disappointed with the want of enthusiasm of this year's Class.

1p., 12mo. On aged and ruckled paper, with closed tear unobtrusively repaired. In the author's distinctive, heavily-inked hand. He writes to inform him that he has 'the MS of the piece I wrote about', and that if it meets with his approval 'it may fill up the gap till Black Mail is completed'. He continues: 'I repeat it is a most powerful drama as strong as the Dead Hearts | Will you and Churchill come and hear me read it? [last two words underlined three times] | If so - when? | Will you drive over tomorrow???? | If so - at what hour? - Telegram back and I will be in Price and condition.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged paper, with light staining and wear at foot. The letter concerns the question of whether the Duke of Buccleugh or Sir Laurence Dundas is to be Governor of the Royal Bank. In his view there are no other candidates, and he hopes 'our Friend George Fairholme will not go astray upon that question'. Knowing that Fairholme is 'particularly attached to Lord Marchmont', he has written to him, and quotes part of the 'flattering' reply he has received.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged. Reverse of second leaf, with part of red wax seal and Keswick postmark, addressed to Ross at Tadcaster, and forwarded to the Crown Inn, 'Harragate', Yorkshire. He begins by explaining that a delay to his departure for Scotland is the reason for the late reply. 'To morrow or next day we shall set out. The moment I reach Edinburgh I shall see Cathcart & immediately write you most minutely every thing regarding the Richmond Scenery | All this Party send you their best Compts.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn. Addressed, with red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Mrs. Cockburn Ross | Pooles Hotel'. He begins by explaining why he has not replied to her letter sooner, his clerk having placed it 'with some Letters of Business'. Archibald Black, who was formerly in his service, is 'a good natured honest Creature', but he cannot advise her to hire him. On the poor mans account I would not wish to be more particular than just saying that it is not owing to any objection to his moral Character that leads me to dissuade you from engaging him'.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper. He writes that he had 'heard the Report propagated by Sir John of your having given different accounts to the Father & the son', but considering the source he did not believe it, and 'the excerpts of Letters' directly refute it. 'I am extremely pleased with Lord Polwarth's Letter to you & as to any thing else I think you have no reason to feel any regret'.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He has communicated the recipient's letter, with the memorial regarding 'the amelioration of the Distillery Laws', to 'Sir Charles Ross & Brigadier Genl Mackenzie', and they have been well received. 'One of the Gentlemen submitted the Memorial to the perusal of the Lords Stafford & Seaforth who as I understand are zealous for the reform of those Laws'. Seaforth has signed.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, with postmark, on reverse of second leaf, 'To John Cockburn Ross Esqr. | Thorpe <?> | by Willerby | Yorkshire', and redirected to 'Crown Inn | Harrogate'. Recommending, 'in the view of preparing yr. young Son for commercial life', 'Mr. Jay who conducts the Commercial Academy', who was 'long ago in the House of Livingston & Co. Merchts at Rotterdam. He married a Daughter of Mr. Livingston and when the troubles in Holland forced him to leave it settled at Leith where he was involved in connections that proved unssuccessful from the disturbed state of Europe'.

[1] + 36pp., 8vo. The diary is in good condition internally, in worn and aged covers. The author is 'Frank' and 'FRW', a Radley old boy, belonging to what he calls 'more or less an Anglo-Indian & City set'. (The family's surname is not given, but family members include 'Sybil and Ella'.) An officer in a militia regiment, he sails out from England on the RMS Goorkha (Capt. Williams), and returns to Tilbury on the Oratava (Capt. Morgan). Preceding the diary is a list of 24 'Unpacked' items, from 'Hair brushes' to '2 Pr Pants'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He is 'willing to undertake the office' under the rules mentioned: 'the two theatres you mention shall invariably be noticed - also the Panorama'.

On 3 x 5 cm piece of paper. Cut from letter and with some text on reverse. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads 'Very faithfully | Jos D Hooker'.

On 1 x 7.5 cm strip of paper cut from letter. In good condition, lightly aged. Close cropped and with some text on reverse.

On one side of 11 x 15.5 cm piece of paper. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. An interesting and unusual artefact of Devon social history. Reads: 'Messrs. Roberts & Carter, | To the Crier of Barum [the Latin name for Barnstaple] | 1835 | July 3rd Posting Bills, for sale of Rookebeare Estate 1s. 0d. | Crying do. 1s 0d | Augst 27th. Posting Bills for sale of Pinney Estate &c 2s 0d | Duryard 2s 0d | [total] 4s 0d' Bater's acknowledgment at foot reads: '28 August 1835 Recd the above | W Bater'.

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Monsieur Bennis a la librairie Anglaise Rue Neuve St Augustin No 99'. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper. He had believed that he had a reciprocal agreement with Bennis, allowing him to borrow 'quelques volumes du Cabinet Cyclopedia', but he has now learned that Bennis has, 'contre ordre', cancelled his 'demande de Carnets'. As a consequence, 'par reciprocité également', he is returning the four volumes that he last borrowed, and he asks him to close his account.

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'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He explains his 'great and chief excuse' for breaking his promise to call on her that morning. 'The fact is I have to give an address on Monday evening as President of the Society of Chemical Industry'.

1p., small 4to. He refers to 'lunch with the Bells' and 'Tattie', and apologizes for keeping the books for so long: 'They were a great help, especially Rory Fitzpatrick's God's Frontiersmen'. He ends with the news that he is revising his manuscript, 'and would like to send you a copy when it is eventually published'. The book Heren was working on does not appear to have been published.

Printed on both sides of an 11 x 23 cm piece of grey paper. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. A nice piece of ephemera. The front is tastefully laid out, with fancy lettering and the royal crest. Numbered in red ink 1379. Recording Miss Fordyce's guinea subscription to the association. The reverse has the terms of the Association engraved in copperplate over ten lines. It is docketed '£1 . 1 | Fine Art Association | 25 March 1857'.

1p., 8vo. On bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. The reverse of the second leaf carries part of a red wa seal, and is addressed to 'Wadeson esqr: | austin fryors [sic]'. He describes a transfer of Bank stocks he has authorised, and asks the recipient to check whether it has been done, and let him know 'in two lines directed to Hide Heath [Hyde Heath, Bucks?]'.

The three items in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. ONE: 4 April 1858. 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Addressed to 'Mr. H Moore | Messrs. Gambert & Co.' Regarding the financial arrangement surrounding his engraving 'The Miller's Daughter'. On the subject of 'the two repayment bills', he would 'rather not part with £50.00 for some two or three months to come'. TWO: 11 December 1858. 1p., landscape 12mo. Directing the firm to give the bearer 'six (6) Artists Proofs of Millers Daughter -, which I long since promised to the owner of the Picture'. THREE: 24 December 1860. 2pp., 12mo.