Book Trade History

Oxford Bookseller and Publisher (1806-1884). Two pages, 8vo, chipped and sl. marked, but text mainly clear. "Sir/ At the requestof Mr. Hill and Mr. Renand I write you a few lines respecting the books you wished to enquire about -on the Articles I send - but it is the most scarce of 's pieces- The Harmony of Confessions is a very [underlined] book.

Chief Librarian, British Museum (1797-1879). One page, 8vo, bifoliate, sl. marked, fold marks, text clear and complete. "Mr Panizzi presents his compliments to the Lord Mayor . . . and regrets very much that a previous engagement will prevent him from having the honour . . ."

OUP. One page 8vo. A brief note about unpacking "Buenos Aires material" which had presumably been there for an exhibition.

Artist and Poet (1845-1915). Two Autograph Letters Signed, 2 pages and one page respectively, 4to, staining and damage especially to 1910 letter, but texts clear. (1904) Crane outlines his understanding of "the terms under which 'The Golden Primer' was produced" based on his co-author's (Meiklejohn) letters - three fifths of the proceeds. He quotes relevant detail from two letters,on of which discusses a cheap edition for schools. "I find a dummy copy of this with a cover design of mine & Blackwood's imprint". He thinks a re-issue in the "original form" a good idea.

Publisher. 2pp., 8vo. He discusses his reading which includes Blunden's "Cricket Country", some done for professional reasons.

Author. Two sides of card used, thanking Wilson for obtaining for him an invitation from John Buchan to be a guest at the National Book Trade Dinner and for the "splendid showing" he arranged for his book (probably "British Agent") at Bumpus's.

Agreement "to be associated in the exploitation of the said Play", 4pp., folio, manuscript correctionsand additions initialled throughout by the above parties, and finally signed by both. WITH: Typed copy of the agreemen,t5 May 1944, between Agatha Mallowan (Christie) and Bertie Alexander Meyer for the rights to produce a play, 4pp., folio, NOT signed; AND: Typed copy of agreement, 30 Sept. 1942, between the same parties for the rights to "Ten Little Niggers", 4pp., folio, some pencilled annotation, NOT signed; AND: Typed copy agreement, 9 Sept.

Author and editor (1722-1791). Two pages, 4to. comprising a note and a list of questions, a tear but not affecting text. Whalley requests Lye's help in getting answers to these questions concerning the history of Easton (Northants), a history drawn "from Mr Bs [Bridges'] Collections". Whalley eventually published "History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire" compiled from Bridges' manuscript collections in 1791.

Novelist. One page each, 8vo. He is responding to an invitation and outlining a busy schedule. 2 items,

Orientalist and Cambridge Professor (1783-1852). Two pages, 4to, responding to a request for advice for the son of the correspondent who is engaged in preparing a Hebrew Lexicon. Lee gives some solid advice but finally points out that he is engaged on a similar task. WITH: the manuscript text with corrections, two pages, 4to, in Lee's hand, of the examination for the Crosse scholarship (presumably a Cambridge prize) involving Greek, Arabic, Hebrew and Syriac. WITH: an 8vo print of Samuel Lee. Three items,

Compiler and educational writer, including "Scientific Dialogues" (1764-1816). One page, 8vo, sl. grubby and frayed but text clear and complete. "I enclose you what I drew up for the M{onthly] Magazine" asking for it to be returned as it is his only copy. He refers to the ill health of Mrs Calder [?], presumably the correspondent's wife to whom he sends good wishes and compliments. In a postscript he says "you will in No. Xii of Nicholson have an article on Will - freedom, by the author of the art.[?]Necessity".

Historian and essayist (1834-1895). One page, 8vo. He discussses Baron Tauchnitz's involvement in one of his books [probably the "Life and Times of Stein; or, Germany & Prussia in the Napoleonic Age" (Todd 1849, Cambridge, 1878)]. "As to the honorarium, I am advised that Baron Tauchnitz ought to make an offer".

Bibliographer (1807-1863). Total 5pp., three 8vo, one 4to, mainly concerning his exploration of his own family history (Boteville, etc.).

Two pages, 8vo, good condition. With a note identifying the writer who simply describes himself in his letter as "The Author of the accompanying volume of sermons" of which he asks the Editor to give an early notice. He offers the "accustomed remuneration [!] for this trouble through his publishers." He asks for the book to be returned to his publishers (Rivington) if no review is contemplated. N.B. Rivington published Hudleston's "Discourses on Religion and Morality".

Son and executor of J. Sheridan LeFanu, novelist (1814-1873). He approves the proposed transfer of "The Wyvern Mystery" to Messrs Downey & Co.

Irish war correspondent amd miscellaneous writer (1820-1907). 2pp., 8vo. One signed twice by Russell, the other initialled. The statement gives details of three articles contributed to the Miscellany, including "The Lewis - What is it?".

Russian-English publicist (1848-1925). Addressed to "The Manager, Kegan Paul & Co.", inscribed "With Mme Olga Novikoff's compliments".

Statesman and writer. 2pp., 8vo. He thanks Sharp for sending some books to him but points out that the books need not have travelled under Francis Freeling's cover as Croker's held good unrestrictedly.

General and military writer (1803-1885). One page, 8vo. He encloses a memorandum (?) about "Mr Fowler's Colonial Fishes of Canada" (drawings), asking if any of his friends would like to subscribe. The memorandum is written on a conjoint page and is from R.J. Fowler. He is anxious for his drawings to go to London and discusses them with their prices

Privately Printed. 50pp., 4to, grey wraps, sl. sunned, mainly vg.

Song writer (1849-1912). 2pp., 8vo. He expresses fulsome gratitude for being allowed to set a lyric (unnamed) to music.

Spanish scholar (1821-1890). 8vo. He wonders if a translation of a "newly discovered letter fro Cervantes" would be accepted by "Temple Bar" and whether the original Spanish text could be printed on the opposite page to the translation. In his second letter, he speaks of an article on "Don Quixote" inspired by him, expressing concern "about the art for the Bar" [Temple Bar]. Ingram lists several items (all BL).

One page, 8vo, signs of having been laid down text clear and complete. "Lord Clanricarde will be much obliged if the Librarian of the London Library will send him by the bearer, the Life & Memoirs of Lieutenant Drummond [over excision], some time Chief Secretary in Ireland."

Traveller, discoverer of manuscripts, diplomat and author, fourteenth Baron Zouche (or de la Zouche) of Harringworth (1810-1873). One page, 12mo, good condition though name of correspondent removed. "I shall have great pleasure in accepting your kind invitation to dinner on the 6th of June. If I am not at Paris at that time. I do not expect to be there, but am not quite certain. I will write again in case I should go."

Editor of Audubon (1851-1934). Two pages, cr. 8vo. He talks about his beginning to collect bookplates when Shorter was 2good enough to sedn me four or five prints of your Plates {?} for different subjects in your library". He asks for a recent one Shorter has acquired to put in books on Cornish literature, and any others he may have added. "My collection has grown to represent over 9600." He gives figures for "Authors & Writers" in Englandand the Drama.