MANUSCRIPT

1p., 8vo. In good condition, lightly creased. Although it is 'always difficult to nominate the best of anything' he would say that Bradman was the best batsman, Sobers the best allrounder and Warne the best legspinner. 'All the others would be "one of the best."' His biggest influence was his father, 'an outstanding club cricketer in Sydney, and then, when I played first class cricket, Keith Miller, Arthur Morris and Ray Lindwall'. His hobbies are 'work and golf'.

Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: 22 September 1856. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Docketted: 'Revd J. E. Kempe about Annie's XG. & Tait, new Bp of London | Sep 1856'. After discussing arrangements for meeting he turns to Tait, about to be consecrated Bishop of London. 'You ask about our new Bishop. I have reason to think it an excellent appointment.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. She apologises for the delay in writing, explaining: 'my hand has been dreadfully lame, & I have no secretary'. She explains that she has spoken to 'Mr. Craufurd' regarding the cottage, but that there is 'an old lady here, the widow of a farmer, a certain Mrs. Mead, who is supposed by Mr. Craufurd to have a prior claim'. She discusses whether Mrs Mead truly wants the cottage, and the possibility of making alterations to it, ending with remembrances to the recipient's father and mother.

2pp., 12mo. On the first leaf of a bifolium. In fair condition, aged, and with traces of mount adhering to the blank second leaf. He writes that Gladstone has asked him to thank her for sending 'the illustrated cards' issued by the Association, 'and to say that they appear to him to be suitable for the very good purpose you have in view'.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He considers that 'the scraps of Irish Architects' might be 'very useful for reference', and suggests offering them to the Royal Institute of British Architects or Association of Architects. In the latter part of the letter he makes suggestions regarding a meeting the following week.

1p., 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He thanks her 'for the opportunity she has afforded him of attending her concert, which he trusts to do accompanied by his mother'. He also 'acknowledges Miss Macirone's graceful compliments to the Art which he professes'. Little is known of Miss Macerone, but on 26 October 1846 the Boston 'Musical Gazette' reported: 'A young lady, Miss Macerone, who excels as a pianist and composer ! recently gave her first concert in London. She performed Mendelssohn's trio in D, ( in which Messrs.

The letter is 2pp., 8vo, and the order form 1p., 8vo. In good condition, on aged and worn paper. A skilful facsimile: Bacon has even included an interpolation on the first page to make it look more like an authentic letter.

1p., 16mo. On recto of first leaf of bifolium; second leaf attached to card, which carries notes in a Victorian hand. In good condition, lightly aged, but with thin strip cut away at top, presumably carrying details of place of writing. He is sending 'Mr L<?>'s sheets for the Printer', together with the title page, 'which however should not I think be printed off till we see whether he is to add any new matter - as that should be stated'. After stating that he has cut out a diagram, he concludes: 'I have not yet got any proofs'.

1p., folio. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with traces of buff card mount adhering to reverse, which is docketed: 'Wines To be sent for | To France for the Year | 1718.' Written in a fair bold hand, employing the long s, and amended in second looser hand. Reads: 'Wines To be sent for to France, For His Royall Highness.s service for the Year 1718. | 2 Tunn Pontac. | 3 Tunn Castle Margoux [sic] [amended to 'La '] | 4 Tunn La Fite or La Tour. | 15 Tunn Dessenam, Chateau Dassan & Obrian. [amended to 'High Mar<?>'] | 24 Tunn Claret | 1 Tunn ['Graves' added] White Pontac.?>

1p., landscape 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Reads: 'Yes, I feel sure that at the time I pencilled in C. L. Dodgson, the author of Alice in Wonderland etc. The Rev. R. St. John Tyrwhitt was a resident in Oxford, and the note may have been addressed to him across the table? He was the father of the present Admiral Sir R. J. Tyrwhitt.'

Green folder. [4] + iii + 89pp., 4to. Each page on a separate piece of paper, and the whole enclosed in a folder, on which Lister has written his name and address, and 'Prester John | R. P. Lister | 1st Carbon'. In very good condition, lightly aged, in aged and worn folder. With two-page 'Note to the Publisher' and page of 'Contents', the latter with dates pencilled alongside the 25 sections.

FIELD MESSAGE BOOK: Landscape 8vo notebook with 43pp of manuscript, in a number of different hands (one of them apparently Grubbe's), including seven full-page maps, with two further pages of carbon copies, preceded by 3pp. of printed text titled 'Field Message Book / (For the use of Dismounted Regimental Officers and Non-commissioned Officers of Cavalry and Mounted Infantry.)' In pencil and ink on graph paper pages. In detachable brown cloth cover, with explanatory label ('Cover for Army Book 153').

[4] + 74pp., 4to. On 78 pieces of paper, bound with metal clasp in blue card folder, with white paper label with title on front cover ('THE DESERT MINSTREL | AND | OTHER POEMS | BY | VINCENT LOCKE ELLIS') and second label with address on inside front cover. In good condition, lightly-aged, in aged and worn folder. In worn manila envelope, with note by R. P. Lister (see below) reading: 'Typescript of collection of poems (unpublished) by Vivian Locke Ellis'. Three-page 'Index' gives the titles of the 69 poems, beginning with 'To W. de la M. [i.e. Walter de la Mare] from V. L.

Both letter and typescript in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. In envelope with three postmarks between 9 and 11 September 1928, addressed 'For: Franz Felix, Esq. | Apt. 3-c | 790 Riverside Drive, | New York City.' LETTER: 1p., 4to. He explains that he is sending the 'MS' [sic] that day by registered mail, and asks Felix to keep it 'strictly confidential for the present', adding that he has 'not even told Mr. Brown [his publisher] what it is about'. If Felix has time to 'make up a sketch' Buck will collect it and take it to Brown.

ONE: Elkin Mathews catalogue. xii + 125pp., 8vo. 776 items, with a number of facsimiles. In grey printed wraps. Internally in fair condition, on aged paper, cocked at foot, in heavily-worn wraps with repair to rear cover. Containing numerous annotations in Senhouse's close, neat hand, mostly in pencil, giving bibliographical information relating to various entries, with reference to his own collection. Next to the entry for a first edition of 'English Bards and Scotch Reviewers' Senhouse writes: 'my copy "H S" Sold to Quaritch'.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. The letterhead, printed in gothic type, in black with red capitals on the first line, reads: 'On letterhead of 'Odd Volumes: | United once a month to form a perfect Sette. | Objects: Conviviality and Mutual Admiration.' Bevan apologies to Cooke for being unable to 'come to your Gathering', as he is 'engaged that evening to take out my wife'. In a postscript he also apologises for not having 'come to the Trips', having been 'too much away'. For more information on the recipient, see his entry in Who Was Who.?>

On irregular piece of paper (4.5 cm wide, and up to 2.5 cm high). In good condition, lightly aged. Good firm hand. Reads 'Free | J Jekyll'.

Bound up on stubs in brown leather half-binding, grey cloth boards, with 'SOMERSET HERALD | S. TUCKER' on spine. Ownership inscription of Alex Thomson Grant, the Red House, Wemyss Castle, Fife, 1909. The contents in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, in heavily-worn binding. 81 items on stubs, mainly comprising 62 letters by Tucker, 16 as 'Rouge Croix', 1874-1880 (with additional receipt by him); and 46 as 'Somerset', 1880-1887. A few of Tucker's letters signed with his name (as 'Stephen Tucker | R. C.'), but most with his title only.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged grey paper, laid down on paper mount, and slighty discoloured by glue used. He apologises for being unable to provide him with the desired order, 'but on any particular day you may require one I shall be glad to assist you as far as I can'. He suggests that they speak 'after lecture'. In a contemporary hand, written at foot of mount: 'Professor Robert Bentley F.L.S. (Professor of Botany) Author | born 1821.'

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper, with vertical closed tear along crease line to second leaf. Poem of thirty-six lines, arranged in six six-line stanzas. Biblical quotation ('2 Sam iii. 38') as epigram. The first stanza reads: 'We see no more your kindly face, | We hear no more your cheery voice, | But in our hearts you keep your place | And in your joy we can rejoice | Oh happy soldier of the King, | Rich trophies to whose Feet you bring'.

27pp., 4to. Unbound. On thirteen bifoliums, and one loose leaf, formerly attached with string. Corner of first page embossed with small circle containing Prince of Wales feathers and words 'SUPERFINE SATIN'. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. Headed: 'Oporto 2d May 1793. | An Essay on Earthquakes occasioned by a most dreadful convulsion of Nature that was horribly felt here this morning. This is written from immediate feeling by a Father for his Children'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly-aged.

The five letters total 10pp., 12mo. On five bifoliums. In good condition, lightly aged. An interesting correspondence, from one of the trustees of the new National Portrait Gallery to its (as yet unknighted) secretary. ONE: 'Brit. Mus. | Saturday afternoon' [1859]. 1p., 12mo. Begins: 'Lord Macaulay [another trustee] tells me that he intends to visit the Portrait Gallery with some friends at 3 on Monday.' TWO: Chevening. 2 November 1859. 2pp., 12mo. After thanking him for 'the drawings for Lady Stanhope' he exclaims: 'Another terrible storm yesterday!

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly-aged. She is out of town, and Scharf's letter has followed her to Cheshire and Lancashire, and she is sending a letter of introduction to Lord Essex, whom she hopes will 'afford you every facility in your interesting pursuits'. She is flattered 'at the manner in which you always speak of my Grove Catalogue - it was a great pleasure to me & I much regret that other duties & occupations have prevented me for a time from continuing my Biographies'. She concludes by wishing him 'every success in your Blenheim Catalogue'.

The three items totalling 11pp., 12mo. On three bifoliums. In good condition, lightly aged. ONE: 23 February 1860. 3pp., 12mo. She begins: 'I cannot receive yr. repeated welcome remembrance of old Remp[ston]e. days, without a line of thanks for the pleasurable thoughts they awaken - a boon, to a Recluse, who lives much on the past & on the far-off present, which a friendly telescope may bring before her'. She congratulates him in graceful terms on his 'success'.

3pp., 12mo. He is pleased to find that Scharf is 'making progress with the catalogue and with identifying the pictures'. He thanks him for sending information 'on various points', and assures him that 'Ash [...] will be most ready to carry out anything for you'. Scharf's 'Catalogue Raisonné; or, A List of the Pictures in Blenheim Palace; with Occasional Remarks and Illustrative Notes' was published in London in 1862.

Totalling 14pp., 12mo. On four bifoliums. In good condition, lightly-aged. The correspondence indicates the closeness between Scharf and the family of the man responsible for his appointment as Secretary to the National Portrait Gallery. Topics include: the obtaining by her son [Edward Stanhope (1840-1893)] of 'a first Class in Mathematics the first in that branch at Ch[rist]. Ch[urch, Oxford].

2pp., 8vo. Bifolium on grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. He has received Scharf's 'private list' (of paintings to borrow?) and will let him know 'which I can spare immediately'. In the meantime, as Scharf is in town, he suggests that he go and see 'what I have' in 1 Stable Yard, St James! - The pictures there belonging to me are a Canaletto - view of Venice - a Rubens - His own daughter - an Original of Mrs. Siddons, by Sir W. Beechey & a View of Jerusalem by D. Roberts'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly-aged. Scharf had illustrated her 'Life in Ancient India' (1856), and she writes informally, expressing regret at the news of his move 'from the Classic No. 1., a house consecrated to the Arts by your occupation of it & ever to be remembered with respect, regard, pleasure & all good feelings'.

Charles Harry Lawrence (hereafter CHL) was perhaps the finest gunmaker of the twentieth century. At the age of 14 he joined James Purdey & Sons as an actioner's apprentice, and he remained with the firm for the rest of his life. For fifteen years, ending in 1970, he was the firm's managing director. He was twice (1954 and 1962) Master of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, and was Chairman of the Proof House Committee for 27 years from 1954. Having previously received an MBE for his war work, he was awarded an OBE in 1978.