PLAYFAIR

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.

43pp., 8vo. In good condition, lightly-aged, no wraps, disbound. Includes speeches by Jacob Bright, Eastwick, Bouverie, Scourfield, Lord John Manners, Beresford Hope, Lyon Playfair, James, W. Hunt, The only copy traced (other than surrogates) at the University of London. No other copy currently on the market.

15pp., 8vo. Drophead title. In fair condition, lightly-aged and worn, no wraps, disbound, with outer leaves separating. Reports of speeches by Bright, Playfair, Leslie, Fawcett, Howell, Taylor and Herbert. Two copies on COPAC and three copies on OCLC WorldCat.

On the 8 x 13cm cover of the envelope. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with loss at head and to top right-hand corner from removal from an album, traces of which adhere to the reverse. Playfair's signature ('Lyon Playfair') in the bottom left-hand corner is unnaffected, and the address, also in his hand, reads: 'Messrs George Routledge & Son | Broadway | Ludgate Hill | E.C.' The orange circular franking postmark is incomplete, and reads: 'LON | OFF | PAID | B | 9 FE 86'.

On one side of a piece of 2.5 x 8 cm thin card. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight creasing (not affecting text). Possibly in response to a request for an autograph. Reads: 'Nigel Playfair'.

12mo, 1 p. Text clear and complete. On lightly-aged paper with some creasing and a short closed tear at foot. He sent his report (on 'Wurlich's patent ') to Dr Playfair on 15 December of the previous year. 'With him therefore is all the delay.' Docketed by de Mattos on reverse, including 'Read at Board on 27th Jany 1853'.

Victorian chemist and politician who presided over a government enquiry into the working of the civil service known as the Playfair Scheme. 2 pages, 8vo, in good condition though creased, and with remains of blank conjugate leaf adhering to large sheet of blank paper. 'My dear Dr Dewar | Many thanks for your kind congratulations. I am not yet in Office [of Postmaster General, to which he was elected in this year] - not I believe for ten days more, so I am unable to do more than send your letter to the Secy. The former P[ost]. M[aster]. G[eneral]. still rules.'