VICTORIAN

English wit and man of letters (1774-1850). All three letters in octavo and skilfully mounted onto quarto paper. Two letters of three pages and one of two pages. All three in very good condition. Playful, witty communications to an intimate friend, characteristic of a droll, caustic wit, 'capital at the dinner table', who 'loved a joke, even in court' (Dictionary of National Biography). LETTER ONE (2 pages): Declines an invitation.

Octavo. 16 pages. Disbound pamphlet from the Churchill Babington collection. Good, but with first and last pages somewhat grubby.

Octavo. 55 pages. Disbound pamphlet from the Churchill Babington collection. PRESENTATION inscription to Babington from author (dated February 1840) on light-brown printed front wrap. Very good, but with front wrap grubby and foxed, and rear wrap lacking. Scarce: only three copies on COPAC.

Octavo. 22 pages. Disbound pamphlet from the Churchill Babington collection. Good, though on slighly discoloured paper and with first and last pages somewhat grubby.

Octavo. 13 pages. Disbound pamphlet from the Churchill Babington collection. Good, but foxed and with title grubby and stained. Cutting [from the Guardian, September, 1890] of correspondence relating to Cardinal Newman and the authors of 'Tracts for the times' loosely inserted.

Octavo. 16 pages. Disbound pamphlet from the Churchill Babington collection. Very good, though paper somewhat discoloured and lightly foxed.

Octavo. 22 pages. Unbound pamphlet. Twelve leaves. Stitched as issued. Good, though grubby, and with some damage to blank last leaf. Scarce: only four copies on COPAC.

Sandland was the author of 'The wanderer, and other poems' (1845). Roughly four and three quarto inches by seven and three-quarters. Grubby, folded twice and mounted on larger piece of light-green paper. Sonnet beginning 'ON they went with a step that was measured and slow' and concluding 'In this temple of quiet, where Nature is free, | Here they left in repose the Apostle of Peace.' MS reads (at head) 'To the Writer of | The Funeral of Mr Cobden | Morning Star Saturday April 8th.

Twenty illustrations, each roughly four inches square and each with its own caption, on a sheet of paper roughly forty-four inches by eight and a half inches, folded into a booklet four and a half inches square, in original printed blue paper wraps. Extremely scarce. No copy on COPAC. Frail, on discoloured brittle paper, creased and with several closed tears. A charming account, timed between 5 a.m.

[William Macready (DNB)], actor-manager, declining a manuscript play. Originally from a larger archive, the residue of which is described in #3157 (Hewlett's papers), this and other items appear in my ABE inventory in book id#s 3124-3156.

Frederick Yates (DNB), actor-manager, making a suggestion to make something (a play) of his "sketch" (perhaps an episode later used in Peter Priggins?). Originally from a larger archive, the residue of which is described in #3157 (Hewlett's papers), this and other items appear in my ABE inventory in book id#s 3124-3156.

Saunders & Otley, publishers (BBTI), declining to "undertake the work he mentions". Originally from a larger archive, the residue of which is described in #3157 (Hewlett's papers), this and other items appear in my ABE inventory in book id#s 3124-3156.

Non-conformist divine, theologian, preacher and miscellaneous writer (1830-1902). The letter: two pages (on first leaf of bifoliate), 12mo, very good though a little grubby. The declaration: one page, 12mo, creased and grubby. A line from the 'P' of Parker's florid signature on the letter extends horizontally across to the recto of the otherwise blank second leaf of the bifoliate, the verso of which is glued to a quarto leaf. The declaration is glued over the second leaf of the letter, partly obscuring the tip of the signature line.

British military and naval architect (1862-1947). One page, quarto. Very good. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. He has not answered sooner as he 'has been away from home'. 'I thank you for the matter supplied & I regret that at present I am unable to put myself forward for election but trust that should circumstances permit me to do so at some future time I may then receive the kindly consideration of the Council.' Signed 'W. R. Apps'.

British linguist (1871-1942), Professor of German in the University of London. One page, 12mo. Very good. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. 'In answer to your letter of October 2nd., I have pleasure in sending a Report on the Viva Voce German Examinations held in 1915.' Signed 'H. G. Atkins'.

British archaeologist, anthropologist and numismatist (1856-1930). Two pages, 12mo. Very good. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. He is forwarding a cheque for his subscription of two guineas. 'My wife & I hope to be present at the Conversazione on the 17th., but I am hardly ever able to get to a meeting. | Do you think an architectural or archaeological Paper wd. be out of place on some evening?' Signed 'H. J. Dukinfield Astley'.

British colonial administrator (1845-1922), Lieutenant-Governor of Burma, 1897-1903. One page, octavo. Very good. Bearing R.S.A. stamp. He cannot attend the R.S.A. meeting the following Tuesday as he will be out of town on that date. Signed 'F W R Fryer'.

Journalist (1855-1931), editor of Vanity Fair, 1889-1904. One page, quarto. Very good, if a little dusty. Docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp. There is 'no apparent chance' of F. V. Brookes delivering his 'promised lecture' at the R.S.A. 'Of course I would be willing if necessary to read this paper for my old friend; but [...] I would very strongly urge that it would be better in every way to postpone this lecture for some time. Its subject is one that is peculiarly Mr. Brooks's own, and I think no one else would deal with it so well.' Signed 'Oliver A. Fry'.

Parliamentary legislative draftsman (1841-1924), Benjamin Jowett's literary executor. Three pages, 12mo. Very good, with traces of glue to blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. Docketed in pencil. 'Miss Flora Shaw has asked me whether I could send you an early copy of the paper which I am to read at the Imperial Institute to-morrow afternoon. | The paper has not been printed, & the only spare copy which I have is the rouggh copy from which I had another typed for my own use. | I fear that this is very illegible.

British diplomat (1858-1918) 'H. M. Consul-General for the Vilayet of Beirut, Syria, and for the Lebanon, 1908-14' (Who's Who). One page, octavo. Very good. In reply to the Secretary's letter 'regrets very much not having been able to take advantage of the Council's kind invitations [to attend two lectures] owing to his absence at Bournemouth on sick leave.' Signed 'H. A. Cumberbatch'.

Indian politician (born 1881); Acting Governor of Bombay, September 1947; Governor of the United Provinces, 1949-52. One page, quarto. Docketed and stamped. Apologises for late reply ('owing to absence from Bombay and other reasons') and has pleasure in accepting 'the invitation extended to me to be nominated for Fellowship of your Society'. Signed 'H. P. Mody'.

The South-Western Polytechnic was opened at Manresa Road, Chelsea, in 1895, to provide scientific and technical education to Londoners. It changed its name to Chelsea Polytechnic in 1922. Renamed Chelsea College and formally incorporated into the University of London, 1971. An important collection, casting much light on the foundation of the College. In very good condition overall, despite being on paper discoloured with age and by glue. Five items.

English aristocrat (1838-1919), author of 'Safe studies', 'Nuts and chestnuts', etc. etc. Paper dimensions roughly four inches by two inches. Very good. From autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of cream paper. Written in lilac pencil. Reads 'Lionel A Tollemache'. Docketed at foot in pencil.

Archdeacon of Westminster and Dean of Canterbury (1831-1903). Two pages, 12mo. Good but grubby and with some staining from glue and with head of verso attached to larger sheet of green paper, some of which adheres to letter. He is 'very full of engagements in Lent; indeed I am more occupied in this way than is good at all for me or for others. I admire the resolute penitence of in preaching his year & no more. I alas! have about a hundred to preach, & many many other duites w[hic]h bring me nothing but hatred disparagement. So I know you will excuse me.' Signed 'F W Farrar'.

Scottish author. Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by one and a quarter. Very good, with some light glue staining. From autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of blue paper. Reads '[...] your welcome letter which | [...] | [...] your loving friend Jean M. C. Miller Morison'. Docketed in pencil 'Poet & Critic - "The Purpose of the Ages" etc'.

Victorian phrenologist (1788-1858) and natural philosopher. Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by two and a quarter. Very good. From autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of lilac paper. Crease line affecting first line of text. Reads 'I am | My dear Major Mair | Very truly yours | Geo. Combe'. Docketed in pencil at foot by Dame Sarah Elizabeth Siddons Mair (died 1941) '(Phrenologist) | Written to my Father - S. E. S. M.'

Victorian novelist and hymn-writer (1795-1872), author of 'Tales of the Saxons'. Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by two. Very good though somewhat grubby. Folded once (not affecting signature). From autograph album. Mounted on piece of green paper. Reads '[...] I heard - remember me very kindly to him & to your sister & daughters. | I am, as ever, | faithfully yours | Emily Taylor.'

British Assyriologist (1845-1933). Paper dimensions roughly four inches by three inches. Very good. From autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of pink paper. Reads '[...] 1.30. I shall be here till the middle of next week, but my afternoons are being terribly wasted by the meetings of w[hic]h. the good people here seem to be so fond. | Yours sincerely | A. H. Sayce.' Docketed at foot in pencil.

Politician and children's writer (1829-1893). Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by two and a half. Very good. From autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of blue paper. Reads '[...] himself, & the flatterers to whose advice he has listened rather than to those who have not feared to tell him the truth - | Vy truly | Brabourne'. Docketed in pencil.

novelist (1859-1943). Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by two inches. Very good. From autograph album. Mounted on larger piece of pink paper. Reads 'Yrs sincerely | Annie S. Swan.'