THOMAS

(Name with quantity of letters and years of writing if known in brackets.)J.T.J. Hewlett to Henry Colburn*, publisher (1; 1844), declining dinner and planning his daughter's visit to the Colburns.Henry Colburn* (13 including one to Walesley, acting as Hewlett's agent; 1840-1844), publisher (BBTI). It appears that Colburn conducted the correspondence while Hewlett looked set for success, but put it in the hands of his staff later on (see below).

Small 8vo. Pages: x + 74. In original cream printed wraps. One of two hundred copies of the 'Small Paper edition'. In the 'Moray Library'. Internally sound and clean. Light spotting and wear to wraps. Minor foxing to endpapers. Trenchant observations on an interesting selection of late-Victorian authors.

Dimensions roughly three inches by four and a half wide. Good, on lightly aged paper with negligible trace of previous mount in one corner. Tick and pencil docketed on reverse. Bold, clear signature. Reads 'Yrs faithfully | [signed] Thomas Lipton'.

Three pages, 12mo. On aged paper, with a few closed tears and rust marking to blank verso of second leaf of bifolium. He thanks him for sending the books for examination. 'Mrs. Sotheby will take a photograph of the phiz of Peter Schoeffer, But as to the woodcut being of that I do not at present believe it - | The letters & papers are not of the time.' He asks him to translate a passage, comments further on Schoeffer, and asks if his correspondent has 'any new of Paper Factory for me.' Concludes 'Write me the full particulars of what Dutch Collection in the library of Sir Ths.

Two unbound bifoliums stapled together. Eight pages, on four leaves each roughly seventeen inches by eleven wide. A corrected proof, stamped at head of first page 'PROOF NO.' A frail survival of a significant document in London topographical history. Aged and worn, with several closed tears. A few manuscript emendations, notes and additions in different hands. For example, concerning a right of way, 'Messrs. Debenham can ascertain this from Mr. Pinder Simpson 20 Old Burlington St. W. the Collector'.

Dimensions of paper roughly ten inches by seven and a half wide. Clear impression on aged paper. Shows a standing magician waving a wand with a skull behind him and a kneeling servant hiding behind the hem of his gown, reciting a spell from a book on a table in front of him. The two demons he has conjured up stand to his left, looking rather pleased with themselves. Snakes, smoking cauldron, pin cushion, hourglass, knife, etc. Extracted from Barclay's Dictionary, where it was used to illustrate the word 'conjurer'.

Dimensions of paper roughly eleven and a half inches by eight wide. A good clean impression on grubby and lightly foxed paper. A meticulous head and shoulders view of a seated Hearne, in profile, facing to his left. One of the 72 engravings from chalk portraits by Dance of his friends which were published between 1808 and 1814.

On piece of paper roughly eleven inches by eight wide. 'Col[oure]d 2/6' engraved in bottom right-hand corner above caption. On aged paper, creased and with two closed tears of one and a half inches apiece, and one of half an inch, none of the three affecting the image. Full-length portrait of a somewhat simian Harrison, in black top hat and brown cut away jacket, clutching his arms in front of his belly with one glove removed, standing on a grassy hill (in front of Chester Castle?]. Two small ink docketings on reverse.

12mo bifolium. A frail, aged survival of a scarce and significant item, with wear, staining and several closed tears. THE LETTER (one page, on recto of second leaf of bifolium), signed 'R. T. Jefferies', asks 'Can you not give me your assistance at my next concert you would be conferring a favor on me by attending and I should also be glad if you could send a few vocal friends, will not any of the boys be able to attend. Please excuse haste'. In another hand on verso of second leaf, 'Rehearsals | Metropolitan Lecture Hall adjoining Gower St Railway Station Saturday 3#'.

One page, quarto. Aged, trimmed at head and with fraying at foot. 'Received by me the Right Honble. Lewis Lord Rockingham Assignee of Thomas Wentworth'. Witnessed by and with the signatures of George Cradock and Edward Vincent. Signed 'Rockingham'.

American physician (1763-1828), son of Josiah Bartlett, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. One page, octavo. On creased, discoloured paper. Several closed tears repaired on reverse with archival tape. Forty-four lines in a close hand, beginning 'The 2nd objection you make to my idea that "all Sin proceed from the want of wisdom" requires some explanation.' and ending 'I agree with you that the animal powers often lead people to do wrong actions'.

4pp., folio, tears and other damage marginally affecting text. She writes at length about the loss of a daughter, describing her last days and the family's grief. The daughter had been heavily involved in charitable works and involved with the activities of a "Benevolent Society. She gives some other family news, including the activities and state of health of Joseph Gales and news of the community, and talks of their friend "Judge Johnson" becoming Governor of Louisiana. A very substantial letter.

Noted Dickens scholar (1856-1904). Croker was the son of the Irish antiquary Thomas Crofton Croker. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with a few stains. 'I am sorry to learn that the Dickens items which you so kindly lent to the Exhibition have not yet been returned to you, and am making enquiries at once. | [...] some of my memoranda went astray when they were removed from one room to another at the Memorial Hall during my absence, and the paper containing your address could not be discovered. | I have reason to believe that good things are in the safe custody of Mr. Miller (Hon. Sec.

An important piece of local history. Neatly engrossed on one side of piece of stained and discoloured parchment, dimensions approximately 24 inches by 22 inches. Signed at foot by Lediard and with his seal (in poor condition). Signatures of five witnesses on reverse. In poor condition but with text mostly legible. Four holes, two of them affecting text, at intersections of folds in document.

Andrew Spottiswoode ( Boase), of the printers and publishers (BBTI as printers only), proprietor of Hood's Magazine from early 1844 (see Jane Hood #3138). Hewlett has obviously followed Hurst's suggestion (above) that he contact Spottiswoode about the editorship of the Pictorial Times and contributions. The latter here replies that there is no vacancy and comments that it is not desirable "to fill up the Pages of a Newspaper with Novels".

Frederick Oldfield Ward, temporary editor of Hood's Magazine (see "The Letters of Thomas Hood", passim). He discusses the prestige of a name (such as "Peter Priggins") and speculates that authors write better under the name "to which their fame is attached". Colburn is trying to insist that Hewlett cannot use this name, but Ward advises a "more independent and more honorable position with regard to Colburn." He mentions Hood's health on several occasions, later mentioning his death. He asks for stories not dependent on College life, explaining why.

Pickersgill (1782-1875) and Uwins (1782-1857) were both English artists who exhibited at the Royal Academy. Very good, on a piece of grey paper roughly two inches by four. From a collection of Autograph Signatures cut from petitions to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Blank reverse.

Two pages, quarto. On a discoloured piece of brittle, thin wove paper, with some fraying, several closed tears and a little loss (affecting three words). A long, able and closely-written defence of the discipline. '[...] | X appears decidedly opposed to an alarmed at the science, and feels himself awfully degraded with the comparisons drawn by Phrenologists between the human species and the lower animals - that they should exist, breathe, and partake of, in a limited degree, corresponding qualities with the human race.

English antiquary and archaeologist (1810-77). The recipient (1831-1912), son of Thomas Crofton Croker, was an Irish antiquary. Both letters one page, 12mo. Both grubby, discoloured and stained. The first with closed tear to one corner. LETTER ONE (dated from postmark on accompanying envelope addressed to Croker, with Penny Red stamp): He has 'Fairholt's letter safe, and, though I cannot put my hand on it this moment, I will take care of it for you.

English novelist and politician (1765-1846). The recipient (c1778-1863) was an influential Brighton solicitor, owner of Queen's Park. One page, octavo. On discoloured and lightly creased paper, with fraying and several small closed tears, but with no loss to text. An affectionate letter inviting Attree to Harlow. 'Fred.

Divine and author (1806-82). The recipient (1811-90) was a musical writer and composer, and the priest-ordinary of the Chapel Royal, St James's. Three pages. Poor: creased, dogeared, frayed, and with traces of previous mount adhering to blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. He received the note and inclosure the day before. 'We have copied the beautiful Kyrie Eleeson, and I now return it with many thanks for the trouble you have so goodnaturedly taken in my behalf.' He wishes he could have been at Leeds for what 'must have been a truly gratifying sight.

Antiquary (1787-1857) and Keeper of the Archives at Oxford, 1826-57. On slip of grey paper roughly two and three-quarter inches by three-quarters of an inch, neatly mounted on larger slip of thicker paper. Reads, in Bliss's distinctive and disciplined hand, 'a true Copy | Philip Bliss.' Presumably found inside a volume from Bliss's extensive library.

English artist and illustrator (1820-1912). Swain (1820-1909) was a noted wood-engraver, and the letter concerns his possible employment by Macquoid. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but on discoloured paper, heavily sunned along one edge and browning in one corner, with small closed tear at top of fold. Swain's price 'for Blocks will do - £8. 8. 0 for full page & £6. 6. 0 for front page -'. He has seen Williams 'who was very polite & promised me some work'. Williams is 'going to be married soon - wh: he said wd. "come in the way" of drawings at present'. Signed Thos. R. Macquoid'.

Pickford's are the world's oldest removal company, founded in Manchester in 1630. Hickling is presumably the Methodist preacher (1765-1858) who was active in the north of England. Dimensions of paper roughly nine inches by three and a half. Good only: paper discoloured and lightly creased. Two small punch holes. Small engraving of banking premises with negligible loss due to punch hole. Order 'No. [868] £[147..8..4] Manchester [April 22d..1814] | [Two Months] after date pay to the order of [Mr. Jno.. Hickling]'. Signed (presumably by one of the brothers) 'Thomas & Mattw. Pickford'.

Miniature painter and chemist (1802-75) with Carlisle and Newcastle connections. The recipient (1794-1860) was a miniature-painter and member of the Royal Academy. Both letters in poor condition, on discoloured, worn and stained paper, but with no loss to text. In LETTER ONE (two pages, 12mo) he states his willingness to meet Ross 'to talk over the matter to whicy your letter of yesterday refers', undertaking to 'enage with Mr. Thorburn to meet us'.

English chemist (1788-1866) who succeeded Sir Humphrey Davy as Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution (1813). Two pages, octavo. Very good, though lightly creased and with remains of previous mount adhering to one edge. Begins 'I have no doubt that much fraud is committed by the substitution of spiritious liquors of different strengths, for what is called woodspirit and wood naphtha'.

Four noted British artists of the earlier part of the nineteenth-century: Witherington (1785-1865), Jackson (1778-1831), Lonsdale (1777-1839), and Hofland (1777-1843), together with the sculptor Chantrey (1781-1841), and the art critic and connoisseur Balmanno (1780-1861), who left England for America in the early 1830s. Paper dimensions roughly three inches by four. Creased, and on paper discoloured with age, with show-through from remains of seal under Chantrey's signature. Reads 'J Chantrey | W. F. Witherington | John Jackson | James Lonsdale. | T. C. Hofland | Robert Balmanno'.

Irish administrator and Member of Parliament (1815-62). Consists of the front of the envelope, the dimensions of which are roughly five inches by three. Addressed to 'R. Byham Esq. | Ordnance Office | Pall Mall | London', and signed 'Th Redington'. Two postmarks in red ink: the first, in a circle, appears to read 'PAID | NW | 6 DE | 1846'; the second, in a circle topped with a crown, appears to read 'PAID | DE 7 | 1846'.

English historian (1809-91), author of a celebrated account of the Crimean War, and of the book 'Eothen' (1844). The recipient Trevelyan (1807-86) was another historian, and Macaulay's brother-in-law. Three pages, 12mo. With mourning border. Good, but on discoloured paper, and with traces of glue from previous mounting adhering to blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. Date on watermark 1875. Interesting assessment of one celebrated historian by another.

Poet and literary critic (1856-1930). One page, 12mo. Discoloured but very good. Folded once. One might almost think he was being sarcastic. 'The unflawed pleasure of my short visit to the Archdeaconry will never be effaced from my memory. Heartily I thank you all very much. | Most sincerely yrs | Mackenzie Bell | [autograph]'. Last word and square brackets Bell's.