WATKINS

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on creased and aged paper, with one edge adhering to a mount from an album. The letter reads: 'Dear Sir | The Two Volumes of Coleridge's Memoirs were returned with the Life of Wordsworth. If they are send [sic] by to morrow any time - I will do my best - tho' to say the truth I would as soon write the History of the Devil. Inter nos. | Yrs truly | J Watkins | Monday Evg'. Docketted on reverse 'J. Watkins'. The letter may relate to a proposed review in the 'Monthly Review'. As his entry in the Oxford DNB states, surprisingly little is known about Watkins.

1p., 8vo. On recto of first leaf of a bifolium. Very good, lightly-aged. Nicely printed, in a variety of types and point sizes: 'Cricket and Lawn Tennis. | SEASON 1888. | Well Oiled & Seasoned CRICKET BATS | BEST MATCH BALLS, | Stumps, Pads, Gloves, &c. | The Demon, Champion, Challenge, Match, Eton, and other Racquets. | LAWN TENNIS BALLS, | By Ayres, Phillips (seamless), Feltham, Bussey, | and Slazenger. | A LARGE STOCK AT ALL PRICES. | AN EARLY INSPECTION RESPECTFULLY SOLICITED. | SPECIAL TERMS TO CLUBS. | T. J.

Both items in very good condition, lightly aged. ONE: Printed in blue on a 26.5 x 21 cm piece of light-green paper. In very good condition.. In a variety of fonts and point sizes. Among a number of different products advertised are 'Smokeless Cartridges', with the notice: 'T. M. WATKINS has for many years given special personal attention to, and has been highly successful in, the filling of Cartridges and Nitro Compounds, and can confidently recommend his make as the very best, and for shooting qualities equal, or superior, to anything in the market.' Also 'Schultze, E.C., or S.S.

The five documents are all in good condition, on five half-skins, the vellum having discoloured and aged in the usual way. Eton College was granted Chalcots by Henry VI in 1448. The history of the estate is dealt with in detail in the Victoria County History for Middlesex, vol.9 (Hamstead, Paddington), which includes the following relating to the present five items: 'In 1615-16 Eton leased Chalcots and Wyldes for 21 years to Philip Barrett (d. 1630), who left it to his wife Elizabeth.

Both letter and pamphlet in very good condition. Letter: 8pp., 4to. Written a few days before Russell's death on 12 March 1956. On the first page he describes how the London esoteric bookseller J. M.

3pp., 8vo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with remains of stub along one edge. Second leaf inserted into a paper windowpane mount. Written in a hurried and difficult hand. Taylor writes that he wishes to have a portrait put into a case 'by the workman you employ for such work'. He gives instructions, concluding 'The portrait I think the most satisfactory that has yet been taken of me.' The National Portrait Gallery possesses an albumen carte-de-visite of Taylor ('1864 or before') by John & Charles Watkins.