Autograph Letters

One page, 8vo, good condition. Somewhat mysterious but concerning a book or books by Herman Melville. Pardon me for not answering your kind note before. Although I cannot agree that you have received anything approaching an equivalent for your copy of Omoo, I am naturally very gratified that you are good enough to think differently . . .

Two pages, 8vo, good condition. A bookseller called Glaishier at Greenwich sent me a small Trollope letter to see to other day. It was in bad condition, but I think the signature was undamaged and if your friend only collects signatures it might be worth his asking to se this. | If, however, he wants a complete letter (as probably he does for an important collection) I think he might get one from Bernard Halliday [underlined], 1King Richards Road, Leicester or from Maggs Brothers [underlined with address]. Both these will be expensive.

Total 4pp., 8vo, text readable but sometimes faint,good condition. (Nov. 1947) He's been too ill to write but has marked the books he wants. Any sort of copy not even firsts[.] They are only for work. [This from the most fastidious of collectors (Muir, Minding My Own Business, p.101)]. He'll go through the list again just in case. Those Press cuttings & photos were most useful. (Dec. 1947) He thanks him for another Hobbes, revealing his greatest want, The Vineyard. Fletcher is to stop looking for the life of 1911 since Jennings' publishers have sent a copy.

12mo, 15 pp. In modern brown paper wraps (easily removed). Clear and complete. In fair condition, on aged paper. Wraps stamped 'J467'. This item has a complicated publishing history (not made easier by the large number of microfilm reproductions listed on COPAC). This copy has 'Price Two Pence.' at the foot of the title, which - with a triangular geometric vignette made up of ten flowers - is enclosed in a frame. The reverse of the last leaf is blank and there is no cancel.

Dimensions of paper 23 x 17 cm; dimensions of image c.16 x 10.5 cm. In fair condition on lightly-aged paper. Captioned at foot 'Nathaniel Hawthorne'. Head and shoulders illustration, with Hawthorne looking at the viewer with his head slightly towards his right shoulder. Placed in modern 34 x 26.5 cm cream card frame with gold and light-green border. Professionally executed in a traditional style. The artist's monogram, centred beneath the illustration, consists of a stalk topped by simple flower design, and with the date '26' at the foot.

9 x 14 cm. Backed on piece of card, and hence with the details of the addressees obscured. Fair, on aged paper with central vertical crease. Sending 'Compliments au père et à la mère. Bon veux pour le nouveau né!' Written while waiting for trial, following Déroulède's re-arrest for treason. He was found guilty and banished for ten years. His funeral procession in Paris attracted a larger crowd than any since Victor Hugo.

One page, 12mo (ish), poor condition, some reinforcement of edges, text by an eccentric typewriter faint but readable, minor corrections by Mannin's pen. I didn't know VENETIAN BLINDS was out of print. I will ask Jarrolds about this. Most of my books were blitzed in 1940 and the typed [Typescripts?] competely destrpoyed. I am getting them reprinted gradually, but had evidently overlooked V.B. | I too think RED ROSE is a good picture of poor old Emma - in fact I know[underlined] it is. But in my own view my last novel THE DARK FOREST is my best book, and I don't think I shall do better.

A total of twelve 12mo pages and two 4to pages. All texts clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The first letter addressed to 'Mrs Norbury', and the others to 'Grace'. After a first letter of 1948, in which he complains that he is 'becoming more & more a home dweller', the correspondence continues in 1951, with Keith thanking Mrs Norbury for a gift of sugar ('Its arrival made my housekeeper Miss Holman quite elated'), and sending Lionel Norbury encouragement on his Hunterian Oration ('My heart goes out to the Orator & to his Better Half').

12mo, 1 p. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of mount on blank reverse. He only has 'time for a single line before Post'. He is adopting the recipient's 'suggestion of putting my name among the Vicars | "47. John Raine. Presented November 1834', and is sending copy. The note concerns an entry on Raine in the following: 'Reports and Papers Read at the Meetings of the Architectural Societies of the Counties of Lincoln and Nottingham, County of York, Archdeaconries of Northampton and Oakham, County of Bedford, Diocese of Worcester, and County of Leicester', Vol. 15 (1879).

4to, 2 pp. Twenty lines. Text clear and complete. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of mount adhering at head of reverse. He has been on an 'interesting and agreeable' tour. 'If my name is worthy of standing amongst the Patrons of the Splendid Work forthcoming under your auspices I shall be proud to enroll myself with them; and shall be ready to obey the call of your publisher whenever you direct him to me.' He praises Dibdin's 'Tour in France and Germany' (1821), and thanks him for selecting 'so fine a copy'.

4to, 1 p. In bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf with circular 'RUSHYFORD' postmark in black ink. On aged and creased paper, with traces of mount adhering on second leaf. Giving details of the 'allowance to the Trade', which he admits is 'small', for volumes in large and small paper. 'Only 500 Copies being printed it is not worth my while to push the sale by a large allowance'.

On rectangle cut from letter, 3.5 x 11 cm. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with neat vertical crease at one edge (away from signature) and minor traces of previous mounting on reverse. Reads '<...> to his Admission. | Believe me very faithfully Yours, | Henry Ellis', with reverse reading '<...> now with my Successor, Antonio Panizzi Esq | James C. Webster Esq'. From Webster's autograph collection.

On piece of laid paper, 5.5 x 8 cm. Clear signature on lightly-aged and spotted paper. From the collection of James C. Webster, Secretary, Athenaeum Club, London, who has written, above the signature, 'Royal Society of L<...>', and beneath it, 'Sir Philip Francis | author of "Junius"'.

16mo, 1 p. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr Rodd | Little Newport St.' Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of mount adhering at head of reverse of second leaf. He is returning the books as he already possesses two of them, '& the other he is not anxious to have'.

Folio, 1 p. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Removed from an album, and with docketing on second leaf slightly obsucred by thin strip of paper in margin. Written while Huskisson was Secretary to the Treasury, and requiring Sweetland to provide to the Lords Commissioners 'an account of the Revenues of Gibraltar for the last three Years distinguishing the amount under each head of Revenue and also a Statement fo all Payments charged upon the said Revenue'. Despite his achievements, Huskisson is now best-remembered as the first railway fatality.

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium, with the reverse of the second leaf carrying the address ('J. Sykes Esqr: | 22 Arundel Street | Strand', with two postmarks and docketing by Sykes. Nineteen lines. Text clear and complete. On aged paper, with wear to second leaf. Sykes 'will not be surprized to hear' that on the previous day 'Poor Georgina [...] paid the Great Debt'. Colpoys has arranged for her funeral to be 'conducted - in a Decent Private manner', and for her to be buried 'in the Parish of Kensington where she Died - Mr.

On rectangle cut from letter, 7 x 11 cm. On dusty paper. Laid down on page removed from autograph album. Reads 'Wishing you the joys & compliments of the Season, believe me | Your's faithfully, | W. H. Smyth. -' Docketed by Webster at foot: '24/12/56. Admiral Smyth Vice President Royal Society a learned Pundit.' From Webster's autograph collection.

8vo, 1 p. Typed and signed in light-blue, beneath green letterhead, and with 'CARL VAN VECHTEN' 'watermark' at centre of page. Text clear and complete. On lightly aged paper, worn and dogeared at extremities. He thanks her for the copy of 'the Academic Observer (Gertrude Stein number) which intererested me so much that I am writing to ask if I may have another copy for a friend of mine, Please.' Autograph note explains that the 'friend' is one 'who also collects Steiniana'. Docketed in pencil on reverse: 'Miss Mallory | Keep this until I call - someday I will. | [signed] M. Lucha'.

12mo, 3 pp. Bifolium. Sixteen lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper, folded twice. He would have consiered 'Mr. Gatty's application [...] together with those of others', but he had 'already made other arrangements for filling up this appointment'. He regrets that he is 'unable to meet his wishes'. Postscript concerning Gatty's divorce.

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf. Fair, on aged paper. He does not think he received 'Part II of Collectanea Topog. & Geneal.' 'As I believe that receipts are taken on delivery of that Work be so good as to send me any memorandum of the fact - if you do not possess it perhaps the Part may not have been left at my House'. Docketed, with details of the receipt, at head of first page.

On piece of paper cut from letter, 4.5 x 10.5. With both sides lightly-sprinkled with ink dots. Reads 'Believe me | Yours | John P Gassiot'. Reverse, with printed letterhead, gives the beginning of the letter: 'Sir | I was informed Yday Evg. that <...>'. Docketed by Webster 'Sent List | 28/2/57'. From Webster's autograph collection.

12mo, 1 p. 15 lines. Text clear and complete. Closely written in a difficult hand. Mention is made towards the beginning of the letter of 'l'Excellent G'. The recipient is going on a voyage, and Frederica hopes to see them at Oatlands on their return.

4to, 1 p. Eleven lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for having 'appriz'd' him 'of the proposed enclosure of Tooting Common, to which I am equally hostile with the Rector, & the other principal Gentlemen who have express'd their determination to oppose the Measure'. Lady Coventry joins him in sending 'kind remembrances' to Mrs Harrison and her family. The franked envelope is a sheet of folded paper, bearing Coventry's red wax armorial seal in good condition, and postmark. It is addressed 'Pershore Octr. Seventeen | 1817 | Thomas Harrison Esqr.

4to, 2 pp. Bifolium. Eighteen lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Having been presented with a copy of the first volumes of Lyttelton's 'History of the Life of Henry the Second', he has 'read the first Edition with the greatest Pleasure'. He praises the way in which Lyttelton is 'conducting the Narration with the Dignity so peculiarly necessary in that Species of Composition', as well as the 'Classical Elegance of Stile [sic]'. After more praise states 'Mrs Montagu's inoculation was an attempt worthy her Spirit & good Sense.

12mo, 2 pp, the autograph being on one side and Rickman's on the other. Fair, on aged paper, with traces of previous mounting on one side. Large bold signature 'J: Wolcot' with biographical note on one side, and the note, signed 'Clio Rickman', on the other: Written by the celebrated Peter Pindar, when entirely blind, on my calling on him the 3d of July 1809 my boy with me'.

4to, 2 pp. Bifolium, with letter on both sides of first leaf, and frank ('For Mrs Montagu at Mr Purdies in Orange Court, Bath'), with red wax seal (bust of a man), on reverse of second. 42 lines of text. Clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper, with strip of mount adhering to second leaf. Begins by describing her state of health, complaining of 'a Constant pain in my Head & Opression [sic] at my breast', for which she has been 'blooded'.

12mo, 1 p. Six lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Suggests a couple of alternative days on which he 'will be at liberty to give Sir W. J. Newton a sitting'.

4to, 1 p. Nine lines. Text clear and complete. Good, with minor traces of previous mount on reverse. He is returning 'the Franks that you sent to me last night', with the assurance that he is ready 'at all times to be of service' to him. He is sorry that he will not be able to see him before his 'Tour', and hopes to see him 'in good Health' on his return.

12mo, 1 p. Eight lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Begins 'The Queen has signed the Warrants, but things [sic] there is a mistake, as Duncan's Salary is but 80 L.' If her page's salary is £200, 'another Warrant must be made out [...] Mr. Rowland will do well to inquire about it.' The Queen's entry in the Oxford DNB stresses that she was never 'able to manage her money'.

12mo, 1 p. Ten lines, written lengthwise. Text clear and complete. Addressed on reverse to 'Mr. Cadell, Bookseller, Stran[d]'. Clearly relating to Hallifax's 'Sermon preached before the Lords spiritual and temporal', published by Cadell in 1782. He is sending a 'List of Presents to persons out of London'. Copies for 'the Mansf[iel]d Waggon' are 'to be sent on Sunday evening to Smithfield; the twenty-one copies for 'Dr Jowett of Cambridge need not be wrapped up in separate papers'.