Social history

Thirty-six broadsheet pages. On aged paper, with chipping to extremities and first and last leaves detached, but with text clear and entire. Articles on 'The Four New Railways', with photographs, by Sir Herbert Walker, Felix J. C. Pole, Arthur Watson and R. L. Wedgwood. Other articles include 'Electrification - The Metropolitan's Experience' by R. H. Selbie, 'Railways - Their Position and Prospects' by Sir Sam Fry, 'Railway Rates under the New Regime' by Sir W. M. Acworth and 'Finance of British Railways' by W. J. Stevens.

1. 1910/1911: Manuscript record of stock situation at the various branches. At the other end of this book are stock and production records within the factory.2. Early 1900's: Another manuscript record giving the names of various suppliers of shoes together with cost and selling prices.3. 1915/1917: Weekly records of work done in various factory depts. with costs calculated and weekly loss or gain worked out.4. 1928: Letter to shareholders concerning the raising of a £5,000,000 overdraft in order to acquire Freeman, Hardy & Willis Ltd.5.

Broadsheet. Twenty-two pages. On browned high-acidity paper, with slight wear and loss to extremities and along central horizontal fold. Attractive full-page illustration cover illustration by Clifford Webb. Articles include 'Telegraphy and telephony. From Morse apparatus to the teleprinter. World-wide conversation.' by Colonel Sir Thomas Purves, and 'Generation of Electricity. Supremacy of the steam turbine. Economy of space and fuel.' by Robert H. Parsons. Also 'The making of a natural philospher. Heredity and environment.

One page, on leaf roughly six and a half inches by eight wide. Aged and creased. Unobtrusively repaired with archival tape. Attractive letterhead (according to which the firm, previously at 41 Coleman Street, was established in 1819) with illustration showing a gentleman angler in top hat fishing in rushes by river beside a crouching servant holding a net. 'ARTIFICIAL BAITS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION MADE BY H. J. ALFRED.' In the spirit of the times Fellows took all of eighteen months to pay a bill of thirteen shillings. Signed 'Recd W H Alfred'.

Two pages, 4to, dusted and otherwise marked, but text clear and complete. He "begs leave to represent the the State of my account of Fees & Disbursements in obtaining the Act of Parliament 'for rendering more commodious & for better regulating the port of London' which ammounts to ____________"5989.12-". He has received £4400 "by your warrants out of the Parliamentary hand, £100 of the Dock Company, balance due £489.12". He explains a complication involving the Dock Company's payment.

Manuscript, 221pp., 4to, recased, qtr lea., marbled boards, worn. The Index in the front lists the preferments in the bestowal of twenty-six Bishops from Canterbury to Durham (pp. 1-123), the Dean of Lincolnshire, the Duke of Devonshire, Earl of Burlington, the Duke of Rutland (pp.124-129), Royal Patronages in forty-eight Counties, pp.131-221 (incl. "Dignities in the Royal Patronage", pp.135-141). The body of the work gives details of the above including columns of figures headed "First Fruits". Two printed works have a relationship with this manuscript.

Three pages, 12mo. Very good. The letterhead, in red, carries Mayhew's crest, with his initials 'HM' and motto 'LABOR VINCIT'. An insight into doings within the Mayhew family. As her correspondent has 'not been here', she is concerned that she 'must have offended you in some way or another'.

The society's letterhead has a circular engraving, 1 1/2 inches in diameter, of Jesus and a fallen woman, surrounded by the quotation ':JESUS SAID UNTO HER, NEITHER DO I CONDEMN THEE: GO, AND SIN NO MORE.' It describes the Society as 'Being "THE LONDON FEMALE PENITENTIARY," founded at Pentonville, 1807, and "THE GUARDIAN SOCIETY," founded 1812, for the RESCUE, RECLAMATION, and PROTECTION of BETRAYED and FALLEN WOMEN from all parts of the United Kingdom, and now united under one management." 1 page, 8vo. Grubby, with staple marks and a closed tear affecting two words of text.

Three pages, small octavo. With embossed crest. Aged, and with some wear to extremities, but text clear and complete. In English. He sends two walking sticks. 'Might I ask you to send one to the honored Mr. Gladstone and beg him to accept it from me as one of his Hamburg admirers, who knows how fond he is of working with the saw.' The other stick is for Currie, 'as a small remembrance of the pleasant time I spent with you at Hamburg and Kiel.' 'Inside the sticks you will find a saw, which can be taken out and fastened on to the hook.

Two pages, octavo. Good, with some creasing at head and foot. He has just returned from visiting his brother and sister-in-law at Liss, and will send his 'The Wood of Time' (1938). 'Since I wrote the poems it contains, poetry, like most of the other arts, has undergone a complete revolution; indeed began to undergo it before "The Wood of Time" was published.' Despite this he is pleased it 'did not fall entirely upon deaf ears. Since that time I have written several other things, but have really published nothing of the same nature.' He is glad she is still writing.

One page, 12mo. Good, if a little aged and lightly creased. He apologises for the delay in 'sending the drawing that now I ask you to please me by accepting' (not present). He asks her to accept it as a present for 'that almost superannuated festivity' of Christmas. 'I send you a coat-of-arms as that includes a certain amount of letterpress which you will I think prefer to a simple drawing'. He has delivered all the drawings bought by Mrs Samuel's friend and has received his thanks.' Signed 'E. T. Rees'.

Assembled by Morley Stuart, editor of the Cambridge Daily News. The bulk of an interesting collection from which the "high spot" items have been removed leaving mainly local and university interest. The collection was assembled during the first half of the twentieth century, by a figure at the political, religious and academic heart of one of England's foremost cultural centres. Approximately a hundred and twenty letters, in various formats up to and including quarto, the vast majority to Morley Stuart in his capacity as editor of the Cambridge Daily News.

English social reformer and essayist (1800-90), Jeremy Bentham's literary assistant. Dimensions of paper roughly three-quarters of an inch by two and a half. Signed 'E Chadwick' over light traces of stamps in red and green, on foxed paper discoloured with age. Small portion at head of 'E' trimmed away.

Motorcycle, motorboat and motorcar racer (1868-1940), leading figure in the motor business, 'in farming established the largest pedigree pig-breeding business in the United Kingdom [...] winner of many classic cycle races, the only British winner of the Gordon Bennett race, the International Harmsworth Motor Boat Trophy and the Championship of the Sea at Monaco [...] holder for over 17 years of 24 hours' motor-car record of 1581 miles' continuous driving, in this country, and then beaten by his own car' (Who's Who). Both items one page, quarto.

Geographer, entomologist, pioneer biographer, etc. ("In 1839 he was appointed conservator for the Department of Maps at the Royal Library in Paris and in 1840 secretary for life in the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres.") Total three pages, folio (2) and 4to (1), some damage, but texts clear and complete. (Ist ITEM, 1816) a "Conseil de Prefecture,Seance du Jeudi 17 Octobre 1816 / Present M. Narchand, Champion & LeConte, membres du Conseil, etc".

Piece of paper, laid down on detached album leaf, c.4" x 3", with signatures only of Nancy Astor and Margaret Wintringham, the first and second women MPs, withe note giving that information.

Architect (DNB). Two pages, 4to, marke and soiled but text clear and complete, laid down by conjugate blank leaf. He accepts their tender for "Plates & crown glass proposed to be furnished . . . to His Royal Highness the Duke of York, subject to " a satisfactory sample to the Clerk of Works "at the Buildings". He asks for prompt delivery of the sample so that the works may proceed immediately . He invites another tender, giving details.

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.

48pp., 12mo, unopened save title, original green wrappers, chipped, good condition"Yr Ail Argraffiad" (Second edition - no record found of a "First"). The author, in a "Notice" (the only English in the work), says "I have disposed of my Book called "The American," to Mr. J. Jones Printer, Llanrwst, and grant to him all the right and Claim to the same. / B.W. Chidlaw, A.M. / Paddy's Run, Ohio. / Llanrwst Decr. 25, 1839. The purpose of the pamphlet is to encourage Welsh emigration to Ohio, Indiana and Illinois at an interesting time.

Fifty-two long lines of text, on one side of a single piece of parchment, roughly inches by. '[...] Between John Guscotte of No. 19 Essex Street Strand [...] and Alexander Brown of No. 342 Strand in the County of Middlesex aforesaid Book Seller'. A ten-year lease for a consideration of sixty pounds and yearly rent of one hundred and four pounds. Includes conditions relating to the upkeep of the premises, whitewashing of the walls, display of advertisements, etc.

pseud. for Alfred Forrester. Oblong 8vo, paper covers (front dec.), 8 pp. only recto printed with cartoons, covers soiled, mainly good condition.

Newspaper editor (1846-1932). One page, 8vo, acknowledging good wishes for his 70th birthday.

Miscellaneous writer on subjects such as angling, ports and harbours, tobacco, wood-engraving - and playing cards (see below(DNB):Three ALs, signed (1) and initialled (2) to Smith, [1848], total 4pp., various formats, one in poor condition with minor loss of text.(March) Chatto asks Smith for specific books.

Linguist, writer and traveller (1792-1872). One page, octavo. Lightly creased and with a few closed tears. Reverse adhering to page from autograph album. Reads 'My dear Sir | Herewith the promised letters - | Yours most truly | John Bowring'. Docketed on reverse.

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.

One page, quarto. On grey paper. Addressed, with postmarks, on second leaf of bifoliate, which is damaged from breaking of wafer, to 'W. Feetham Junr. Esqr. | 4 Millbank Street | Westminster'. Informs Feetham that policy no. 6026 'has become one of the oldest 5000 Policies in this Office'. The addition brings the £2000 assured up to £2100. Docketed by Feetham 'Equitable Notices respecting additions to Policies'. Postmarked in rd 15 July 184<?>, with another postmark stating 'Chief Office | 1D. PAID'. Signed in type, 'ARTHUR MORGAN, Actuary.'

The invoice, one page, 4to, good condition, lists 16 items, total amount £14.2.0, from "a second hand single gun" for £10 to powder flask (5s 6d), powder, crest on stock etc. The receipt acknowledges payment and is in the hand of Jackson and signed by him.

British civil servant (1836-1909) and organiser of many international exhibitions. Two pages, quarto. Good, though a touch grubby, and with pin holes in top left-hand corners of both leaves. Ornate letterhead with lettering in front of clouds with sun rays behind and American eagle and flag to the left.

Financier and sportsman (see American DNB). One page, 4to, good condition. He asks for more Dagonet Brut to be sent to the Grand Hotel, Rome. He wants to be informed if there are any difficulties and would like them to find 50 dozen more. "You may find it in the hands of relaible houses in which case purchase it for me."

American capitalist (1849-1920); railroad tycoon. Two pages, 12mo. On discoloured, stained paper. The letter has been spiked and there is a hole through one word and a closed tear from this to an edge. 'Dear Sirs. | I have called you today. Send 8 doz. Dagonet Brut 84 care of H. M. Bland Gibraltar. I hope to find it there on my arrival. I would like to take more of the same wine - please advise me by letter to Gibraltar how many more you have at my disposal as I have forgotten the exact number you told me.' Signed 'W. K. Vanderbilt'.