PONSONBY

4pp., 12mo. 49 lines. Bifolium. On aged and creased paper, with remains of stub. In what appears to be a reference to the memoir by Lady Ponsonby that was published after her death (London: John Murray, 1927), Sichel (at the risk of appearing 'an impertinent Bore') thanks her 'for that adorable manuscript': 'You have made me so happy these days, transported me so entirely to the world I longed to see, that it would really be ungrateful not to say how much I thank you. The whole Court lives, and the Queen most of all, & Prince Albert.

12mo, 16 pp. Stapled. In original pink printed wraps, with engraving of the two women, on a country path, on cover. Good, on lightly aged and dusty paper. Cutting of photograph of marble memorial to the couple loosely inserted. Scarce: the only copy on COPAC at Oxford, by whom it is dated to the 1920s. Main title on front wrap, with the title given at the head of the text being 'Lady Eleanor Butler and the Hon. Miss Ponsonby.'

4to, 36 pp and a manuscript title-page. All texts clear and complete. Disbound (from a commonplace book?) and apparently complete. Fair, on aged, brittle gilt-edged paper, with a few closed tears (in particular to the last couple of leaves). The book is presumably in Mrs Macdonald's hand, and the only indication to her identity is the final note (see below), signed 'F. M. M.', which shows her to have been an educated member of the middle classes. Divided into three parts. The first part is 'Useful Remarks for the Mistress of a House' (25 pp, paginated from 1 to 23).

12mo: 1 p. Good, though lightly creased and discoloured, and with the blank reverse tipped in on a strip of paper removed from an autograph album. He thanks her for her kindness, and has 'duly received the £3' for two books: a work by 'Mrs. Evans' and a copy of 'Two Sisters' (by Elizabeth Thomasina Meade).

One page, quarto. Good, on lightly aged and creased paper, with strip from mount adhering to right-hand margin. He is pleased to be of assistance to General Ponsonby and his officers, and is happy to agree to the authorisation for Banso, as far as it concerns him. His English rights have been purchased by Curtis & Brown of London, to whom application must be made. He does not think they will ask for any remuneration. Asks the recipient to pass on his respects to the general, and in a postscript wonders whether he can tell him a good story concerning a lion hunt.

English architect (1849-1930), designer of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Admiralty Arch and the new front of Buckingham Palace; President of the Royal Academy, 1919-24. The recipient (1867-1935) was a courtier, Private Secretary to Queen Victoria. One page, quarto. Good, though grubby and creased, and with one small grease stain in bottom right-hand corner (not affecting text). 'The arrangement of the Summer Exhibition of the Royal Academy will be completed and the Galleries ready for the Royal Private View on Thursday the 1st.