QUEEN

2pp., folio. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Castellani, who had accompanied the Italian royal family into exile in Portugal in 1946, is responding to two letters from Bilainkin, loyally attempting to conceal the unhappy state of relations between the royal couple ('We were never happy', the Queen declared after her husband's death; and there were rumours of homosexual affairs on the King's part).

4pp., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. She begins: 'I could not but tell the Queen how kindly you had expressed the pleasure which the Royal visit at Stowe had given to the Duke & Duchess. - And Her Majesty was exceedingly pleased and flattered - and desired me to tell you from her, how delighted both she & the Prince had been by their reception, & the whole visit; which to Her Majesty & the Prince, had but one drawback - and that was, the not having met you there, which would have realised the great wish they both entertain, of being introduced to you'.

2pp., 16mo. On bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. After presenting his respects, Lane states that he'regrets that he is so engaged for three or four months that he must not undertake any more - / He has found the copying miniatures so injurious to his eyes and the drawings so unsatisfactory in the printing that he is at all times unwilling to engage in very small Drawings -'. He concludes by thanking her for 'her most kind & gratifying note'.

Both items good, on lightly-aged paper. Rosa Hood's sister Adelaide Fanny was the wife of Herbert F. Gye, and letter and reply are written informally. Hood's letter: 3pp., 12mo. She received Mrs Gye's letter that morning, 'and the Queen has read it' and is 'quite pleased with your reply'.

4 pp, folio. Paginated [1] to 4. Bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with some damage to margins of first leaf on removal from album. Docketed in a contemporary hand 'The last Speech Sent to Papa 1877'. Subjects include the Balkans, Bulgaria and Turkey (hostilities, armistice, Ottoman Empire, etc); her Imperial title assumed at Delhi; famine in India, transvaal Republic causing trouble for natives; other Bills (Ireland etc). No copy on COPAC.

The two volumes folio, 20 pp, and folio, 18 pp. Both in the same neat hand and in uniform original bindings of green boards, with green cloth spines and white decoratively-cut paper labels on front covers, each carrying a description of the contents addressed to 'Königin Adelheid von Großbritannien'. The first account book (1844-1845) has part of the second leaf (pp.2-3) torn away; and the second (1847-1848) is lacking the fourth leaf (pp.9-10).

4to, 2 pp. On first leaf of a bifolium. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged laid paper with watermark of 'A ANNANDALE & SONS'. Stuck down on the reverse of the blank second leaf of the bifolium is a square of paper from the leaf to which it was attached in an album, and beneath this square, visible when held up to the light, is the inscription: 'Imperfectly printed | Annie Stirling Stuart | Castlemilk | 1871'. The poem is 48 lines long, arranged in twelve stanzas. Signed 'H. M.

4to, 1 p. Nineteen lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Thanking him for 'the two charming letters' which Luke wrote to Cobham and his wife. 'It is always a great encouragement when one is in a new and unfamiliar job to receive a pat on the back from someone who has been in the game all his life.' Cobham's 'loud and noisy family' make Government House 'a bit of a family home', but he will try and 'stiffen it up for State functions, receptions, etc. although noises are still apt to drift down from the upper quarters'.

8vo, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Blank reverse. Fair, on aged paper. Paginated 9, with 'Numb. 3.' in the top right-hand corner. Returning thanks for the 'speech from the throne', and for Marlborough's victory at Ramillies, 'A Victory so Glorious and Great in its Consequences, and attended with such Continued Successses, through the whole Course of this Year, that no Age can Equal.' Tonson's and Goodwin's appointment, by Smith, is signed in type.

8vo, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Blank reverse. Fair, on aged paper. Paginated 205, with 'Numb. 96' in the top right-hand corner. In small type. Returning thanks for the speech from the throne, giving 'the Account of the French King's persisting to Invade Your Dominions, and to Impose a Pretender upon these Realms'. Calling for, among other things, 'the severest Punishments' to be 'inflicted upon such as shall Assist in so Unnatural a Design, as that of Betraying Your Majesty and their Country'. Tonson's and Goodwin's appointment, by Smith, is signed in type.

Three pages, 12mo, good condition. She expresses delight at receiving a bouquet from "Her Royal Highness" and wishes her thanks for the latter's "kindness and consideration for me" to be conveyed to the Queen, an her appreciation expressed.

4to, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper, with chipping and closed tears to extremities. Specifically addressed to the 'District Committee for Ward 6. Comprising the Oakley Square and Ossulston Districts'. Summoning the recipient to the town hall, to deal with an 'Agenda' of six numbered points. Facsimile of the signature of Barrett, who is styled 'Honorary Secretary to the Central Executive Committee.' No copy on COPAC or in the British Library.

12mo, 15 pp. In modern brown paper wraps (easily removed). Clear and complete. In fair condition, on aged paper. Wraps stamped 'J467'. This item has a complicated publishing history (not made easier by the large number of microfilm reproductions listed on COPAC). This copy has 'Price Two Pence.' at the foot of the title, which - with a triangular geometric vignette made up of ten flowers - is enclosed in a frame. The reverse of the last leaf is blank and there is no cancel.

4to, 2 pp. Bifolium. Eighteen lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Having been presented with a copy of the first volumes of Lyttelton's 'History of the Life of Henry the Second', he has 'read the first Edition with the greatest Pleasure'. He praises the way in which Lyttelton is 'conducting the Narration with the Dignity so peculiarly necessary in that Species of Composition', as well as the 'Classical Elegance of Stile [sic]'. After more praise states 'Mrs Montagu's inoculation was an attempt worthy her Spirit & good Sense.

4to, 2 pp. Bifolium, with letter on both sides of first leaf, and frank ('For Mrs Montagu at Mr Purdies in Orange Court, Bath'), with red wax seal (bust of a man), on reverse of second. 42 lines of text. Clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper, with strip of mount adhering to second leaf. Begins by describing her state of health, complaining of 'a Constant pain in my Head & Opression [sic] at my breast', for which she has been 'blooded'.

12mo, 1 p. Eight lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Begins 'The Queen has signed the Warrants, but things [sic] there is a mistake, as Duncan's Salary is but 80 L.' If her page's salary is £200, 'another Warrant must be made out [...] Mr. Rowland will do well to inquire about it.' The Queen's entry in the Oxford DNB stresses that she was never 'able to manage her money'.

Both items with text clear and complete, on aged and discoloured paper. First letter (12mo, 1 p, 14 lines): He informs Stocks that he will be 'delighted to do what you ask [...] it will be a sincere pleasure to me - There is only one If - which I hope will be but a formal one'. He will be on duty at Windsor Castle till 15 December, but has 'no doubt the Dean will take my place'. Second Letter (12mo, 1 p, 11 lines): He is 'grieved to hear of this sad loss [...] Walter Stocks was a good and true fellow I always had a warm place in my heart for him'.

4to, 1 p. Nine lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged and worn paper. He apologises for 'not sooner answering Capt Grindlay's note and thanking him for the very beautiful drawing which he sent him'. He reports that he showed the drawing to Prince Albert, 'who expressed himself much pleased with it, & admired particularly the grouping of the figures', referring to one of the original drawings for Grindlay's 'Scenery, Costumes and Architecture, Chiefly on the Western Side of India' (1826-30).

4to, 2 pp. 36 lines of text. Clear and complete. Good, on aged paper, with slight wear at on the reverse. Written as Comptroller of the Royal Household to Poynter as President of the Royal Academy. He is returning Poynter's letter, which he has shown the Queen, and reassures him that he has 'nothing [...] to fear about the contents of it ever being divulged'. The Queen has told Probyn to tell Poynter 'how very sorry she is to see how the business has worried' him. It concerns a plaster bust of Kitchener which the Royal Academy Council accepted as an exhibit.

A valuable eyewitness account of an historic event. H.M.S. Revenge was the flagship of Admiral Freemantle, and it was to its quarterdeck that Admiral Ludwig von Reuter would be brought in 1919, after issuing the order to scuttle the entire German fleet at Scapa Flow. The text of both items is clear and complete. Both good, on lightly-aged and spotted paper. Letter One (1918): Foolscap (32 x 20.5 cm), 4 pp. In manuscript at head of first page: 'Use this where you like, Dad! Tho' be careful of showing who wrote it.

Printed in small type on both sides of a leaf of laid paper, roughly 31 x 20 cm. Text clear and complete. On aged, worn and grubby paper. Closed tear to upper corner (not affecting text). At head of first page: '[39] Numb. 17'. At head of second page: '[40]'. The Queen's letter, of 28 lines, is placed in the midst of a report of the House's business.

12mo, 3 pp. Bifolium. Thirty-three lines of text. Good, on aged paper, with slight traces of glue from mount on blank reverse of second leaf. Apologising for not being able to join Reynolds' party, because of the visit of 'a gentleman' who 'is coming from the country to me on business of importance to me'. This is also disappointing to his daughter, who would have accompanied him. He hopes his 'excellent friends', Reynold's 'colleagues', will not suppose him 'indffierent to their invitation! Especially now that my renewed health has permitted me to accept <?>'.

Printed on one side of a leaf of laid paper, roughly 30 x 19 cm. The address itself is 45 lines long. Text clear and complete. On aged, grubby and worn paper with closed tear to margin (not affecting text). A response to the Queen's 'Speech from the Throne', expressing happiness at 'the Succession of the House of Hanover, as limited by Parliament, upon which the future Security of Our Religion, Laws, and Liberties, depends'. Also refers to 'the Just and Honourable Peace Your Majesty has in View', and 'the best Way to bring this Treaty [of Utrecht] to Good Effect'.

4to, 1 p, 17 lines. He 'deeply appreciate[s] the spirit undlying the contents' of Cavangh's letter, which he found waiting for him on his return the day before 'after attending our beloved late King's Funeral'. 'As you say, the sword and scabbard must have belonged to my great Grandfather, the 4th Earl of Aberdeen, who was Prime Minister during theh Crimea War by the express command of Queen Victoria. He accepted the Premiership on the condition that he should be allowed to resign at the conclusion of the war.' Suggests a meeting in Aberdeen.

Scottish essayist (1810-82). Two pages, 12mo. With mourning border. Good, but on discoloured paper, and with some glue staining to blank second leaf of bifoliate. Concerns the work for which Brown is remembered, 'Rab and his friends' (1859). If he is ever at Crewe he will 'certainly avail myself of Mrs. Blunt's & your very gratifying invitation. His wife is 'more delighted, I think, with your letter about "Rab" than by any other - & she has kept it - being like all good wives greedy of her husband's praise.' Signed 'J. Brown'.

Scottish scholar, folklorist, poet and man of letters (1844-1912). Four pages, 12mo. Good, but the last page in particular grubby and stained. Shaky hand indicating old age. He wishes his correspondent (presumably a member of the noted firm of solicitors), 'or some other discreet and learned person, had seen the portrait [owned by Freshfield?] in its quite untouched condition. The eyes are not of the usual long heavy lidded kind, and the mouth is rather "restored," I think. | It should be of 1579, when Mary was allowed to send presents to James VI, which he was not allowed to accept.

12mo: 44 pp. Unbound. Text clear and complete on aged paper. Ten paragraphs on pp.7-10 have terse, sardonic phrases added at the end, apparently by a Jacobite sympathiser. For example, 'by <?> the old cause' added to one ending 'a Country brought to Ruin, or in a fair way to it.'; 'in this world' added to one ending 'will never come to Light.'; 'in a publick manur' added to one ending 'the secret Treaty now concluded.'; also 'much adoe about nothin'. Scarce: all but a handful of the entries on COPAC are for facsimiles. No 'finis' at end, but complete according to COPAC entries.

12mo: 159 + [9] pp. (Publisher's catalogue of 'Books Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell against Grocers-Alley in the Poultrey near Cheapside.' begins at foot of p.159 and continues for nine unpaginated pages, ending 'FINIS.') Lacks frontispiece. Woodcuts on pp.26, 61 and 121. In worn original calf binding. No endpapers. Aged and with worn fore-edge. Separate title to second part on p.89 ('The Secret History of the Lady Jane Gray', 'London: Printed for Nath. Crouch. 1710.') Scarce: COPAC only lists reproductions, with the note: 'R.B.

Printed on one side of a piece of vellum-style paper, dimensions roughly 270 x 205 mm. Ruckled and heavily discoloured: now light-brown in colour. Traces of previous paper mount adhering to blank reverse. Small triangle (edges shorter than 1 cm) chipped away, and repaired with archival tape. Text clear and entire.

The portion of the caption, missing in the description above, reads '[...] Virginia Water. This Print at first represents this enchanting lake by day, and upon holding it before the light, you will be presented [...]'. Dimensions of print roughly 16.5 x 22.5 cm. On original grey paper windowpane mount (24.5 x 35.5 cm). Engraved label (4.5 x 18.5 cm) beneath the print. Good, bright impression, but with damage affecting an area roughly 2.5 x 2 cm in bottom right-hand corner. On lightly aged and spotted mount.