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[ George Arnald and Sir Thomas Lawrence, painters. ] Autograph Letter Signed from 'G. Arnald' 'To the President and Council of the Royal Academy', requesting relief for the widow of artist Thomas Whitcombe. With Autograph Note by Lawrence in reply.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper. Arnald's appeal begins: Appealing to the 'known humanity' of Lawrence and the Council, Arnald writes on behalf of 'Mrs. Abigail Whitcombe, widow of Mr. Thos. Whitcombe late of Clarendon Square, marine painter, and for 40. Years an annual contributor...

[ Admiral of the Fleet James Gambier, 1st Baron Gambier. ] Autograph Signature ('Gambier'), given immediately after the Battle of Basque Roads.

On piece of 6 x 12 cm laid and watermarked paper, cut from an order. In fair condition, aged and worn. Above the good firm signature, in another hand, is: 'Given onboard [sic] the Caledonia in Basque Roads 17 April 1809'. At foot, in a nineteenth-century hand: 'Gambier's autograph'. Gambier's...

[ Michel Panaieff, Russian ballet dancer. ] Autograph Signature ('Mischa Paniaieff') on photograph.

Black and white photograph of Panaieff in costume and dance pose, cut from a magazine. 15 x 10 cm, with border. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Good firm flourishing signature across the image, reading: 'Mischa Paniaieff | Lancks [sic] | 1936'.

[ English book trade and 'ringing' of auctions. ] Eight items including three typewritten articles, two by London bookseller Frank Marcham: 'The English "Knock-out."', 'London Dealers and their "Knock-Outs." and 'The Romance of Books and Manuscripts'

A fascinating collection of material, casting light on a furtive and little-discussed aspect of the English antiquarian book trade. (For further information see 'Anatomy of an Auction: Rare Books at Ruxley Lodge, 1919' by J. I. Freeman and A. M. Freeman, and 'Out of Print and into Profit', ed. G...