SMITH

Leno (1824-94) was a printer, publisher, poet and editor, and a significant figure in nineteenth-century radicalism. In 1845, while a printer, he led a group of radical workers who started a Young Men's Improvement Society and circulated a manuscript newspaper entitled the 'Attempt'. He then became branch secretary of the local Chartists. In 1849 the 'Attempt' became a printed journal, the 'Uxbridge Pioneer'. In 1861 he was editor of the 'Poetic Magazine' and in 1881 of the 'Anti-tithe Journal'.

Fifty-two long lines of text, on one side of a single piece of parchment, roughly inches by. '[...] Between John Guscotte of No. 19 Essex Street Strand [...] and Alexander Brown of No. 342 Strand in the County of Middlesex aforesaid Book Seller'. A ten-year lease for a consideration of sixty pounds and yearly rent of one hundred and four pounds. Includes conditions relating to the upkeep of the premises, whitewashing of the walls, display of advertisements, etc.

Hubert Smith was a man of many parts: local historian, town clerk of Bridgnorth, Shropshire; author of a book which combines a mountaineering interest with a gipsy interest ("Tent Life with English Gipsies in Norway"); linguist; etc. He was also a passionate pursuer of information about the Guitar and guitar music at a time when the instrument was not popular. [Smith kept autograph copies of all his correspondence.] Letter , 3 pages, 8vo, soiled but clear and complete. He thanks them for the latest payment of royalties on "Tent Life".

English humorist (1779-1849) responsible, with his brother James, for the extremely popular series of parodies entitled 'Rejected addresses'. One page, 16mo. Very good, on discoloured paper. Mounting on larger piece of grey paper, causing slight ruckling to one edge. Reads 'My dear Sir, | Will you give me the pleasure of your company to Dinner on Wednesday the 22nd at 1/4 before 7? | Yours very truly | [signed] Horatio Smith'. From the Sir Cuthbert Sharpe archive.

British statesman (1792-1861), Home Secretary under Sir Robert Peel. Three pages, octavo. Good, though on lightly-creased, discoloured paper. An interesting sidelight into the relations between two important nineteenth-century politicians.

British banker and politician (1801-71). Four pages, 12mo. Good, but dusty and on discoloured paper, with traces of stub adhering to verso of second leaf. Docketed with date.

Horton Smith is described on the title as 'K.C., M.A., late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge'. Attractively printed 12mo bifoliate on good quality paper, but with the blank verso of the second leaf still adhering to piece of the paper on which it was mounted. Newman's poem of 1833 and Smith's translation of 1902 facing.

Commissioner of Customs (circa 1775-1853), husband of Lady Anne Wellesley. The recipient is Emmanuel-Louis-Henri de Launay, Comte d'Antraigues (1753-1812). Two pages, 12mo. Folded twice. Somewhat grubby and discoloured with age, but in good condition overall. He was directed by the Marquess Wellesley to request that the Count call on him that day, in order to 'satisfy the object of your recent communications'.

English actor-manager (1837-1919), knighted in 1902. 3 pp, 8vo. An interesting letter in which he angles for some some royal patronage. "Dear Arthur / I am trying to arrange Agatha but there are difficulties - / I wonder whether Her Royal Highness is disengaged next Tuesday. We play a charming little piece on Tuesday afternoon about ¼ past 3 - which I am sure with her dramatic taste she will appreciate - It is a new comedietta called "Mrs Hilary regrets" [by Spenser Theyre Smith] that we played with great success at the Lyceum.

Edith Evans (1888-1976), distinguished English actress, created Dame of the British Empire in 1946; Claude Rains (1889-1967), English-born film actor, best known for his part in "Casablanca"; C. Aubrey Smith (1863-1948), England cricketer and actor, Hollywood's idea of the quintessential Englishman. Their signatures on a piece of paper, 7 by 4½ inches, mounted on a piece of pink card, along with those of six other members of the cast of the play "Daniel", performed at the St James's Theatre in London in 1921.

Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain (1872-1930). One page, 4to. appointing William Reginald Lloyd of Lampeter in the County of Cardigan a Commissioner for Oaths, Signed "Birkenhead. C." Entered by E. R. Cash, Deputy Registrar of Solicitors and bearing the stamp of the Lord Chancellor's Department and the £5 stamp of the Royal Courts of Justice.