STUDIES

English soldier, father of Frank Abney Hastings (1794-1828; DNB). The condition of these items is not good: the paper being discoloured, brittle and flaking. A series of intemperate communications. Letter 1 is one page, 8vo, of a bifoliate addressed and docketed on the reverse of the second leaf. It reads: 'I have taken a copy of the enclosed, which I send you, that you may get it written fairly, and signed. I shall be easier when it is done'. Letter 2 is 1 page, 8vo, with the remains of the second leaf of the bifoliate docketed.

Educationalist and biographer of Kitchener and Edward VII. All items are in good condition, but bear traces of rust from paper clips. The card is 1 page, 12mo, with printed letterhead, and carries two stamps and postmark on reverse. He is going to London the next day and will stay till Thursday. He will be happy to see Grinling on Sunday or Monday if convenient and he will try to be at home. The letter is 1 page, 8vo. In it he thanks his correspondent for the 'interesting papers which I will return'.

English dramatist (fl. 1882; see Boase's 'Modern English Biography'). 1 page, on slip of paper 1½ inches by 4. Grubby and creased, and attached to another piece of paper, docketed in pencil. 'Dr Sir / I amin very good hopes of getting played very shortly - I think at Covent Garden. | Yrs siny | T H Reynoldson | Being sorely off for cash I shall feel very much indebted for the 13/- this morning. -'

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.'

Anglo-French actor best remembered for having presented Charles Dickens with the Swiss chalet he erected in the garden at Gadshill and in which he wrote Great Expectations. The recipient was a lawyer and antiquary. The signature is on a slip approximately two inches by four and a half, presumably part of a letter or envelope, and laid down on a piece of card. Miniscule loss to part of slip, but text unaffected. Inscribed 'Fred. Ouvry Esq. | Ch. Fechter', with the signature underlined and overlined by Fechter.

Politician and rugby player (DNB). The five letters all one page, 16mo, and each with two staple holes and in good condition. The autograph poem is on a printed bifoliate menu for the Cricket Society Spring Dinner (6 April 1962), 16mo, slightly discoloured. The letters relate to various Cricket Society Dinners. He agrees to attend the 1961 Spring Dinner at the Lords Tavern, but his private secretary P. Barling declines on his behalf an invitation to the autumn dinner as he is out of the country recovering from an operation.

English poet and essayist. On the first slip: 'Winthrop M. Praed'; on the second: 'Southampton November Six | 1837'. Both slips are discoloured from pasting in autograph album.

Long and unusually entertaining account 'Re Varnish', addressed to an American correspondent. A fascinating insight into the nature of Victorian entrepreneurship. 'It has long been an idea of mine that of all the Trades the most profitable one is Varnish [...] the Germans, clever as they are, can't make Varnish at all [...] nor for that matter can the Americans'.

Pen name of Frances Elizabeth McFall, novelist (1854-1943). 'Very sincerely Yours | Sarah Grand'. Fold line across middle of paper not affecting text. Remains of four small pieces of gummed paper on reverse.

Director and Principal Librarian of the British Museum (DNB). The first on dusty discoloured paper with closed tears to edges. Thanks Slocombe for having 'thought of me' and apologises for writing in pencil. Has been 'knocked over by a rather severe attack from which I am only slowly recovering'. The second and third letters are both replies to the Slocombes for seasonal expressions of goodwill and both are docketed in pencil by Slocombe. Three items,

Victorian novelist and satirist of the Raj. 'Dear Madam | I regret that I shall be away from England all winter | Yours truly | F. A. Steel." Creased, disoloured and docketed in pencil. Writing offset by folding of letter.

Victorian novelist (Mrs Henry Reeves). Docketed 'Authoress of "Coming thro' the Rye"'. Signed 'Helen Reeves' and docketed 'nee Mathers'. Closing two lines of letter above signature, and on reverse five lines (referring to "the dreadful time of yours", partly covered by glued-on piece of paper. Creased and discoloured.

Asks whether he is able to dine with them on 6 July. Neat square stamp in purple ink at head filled in in another hand with details of when received and answered. Small paper and glue mark at centre of otherwise-blank reverse.

Historian (1796-1874), whose most famous work was "The Lives of the Queens of England". One page, 12mo, on blue paper. "Believe me to be, dear Miss Georgina Jones very truly / Agnes Strickland / Octr. 21 1858". Unobtrusive numbering in one corner.