Autograph Letters

Behnes (died 1864) was a sculptor, and Robins (1778-1847) a flamboyant auctioneer. Very good, on piece of paper roughly two inches by three and a half. From a collection of Autograph Signatures cut from petitions to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Blank reverse.

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

Wood engraver2pp., 8vo. Staining not obscuring the text. He promises to go to his house to "sign the Return you speak of" and announces a recent change of address.

Novelist. Part of an autograph letter, 4.5 x 3.5 ins, probably 8vo when intact. Surviving text as follows: "34 De Vere Gdns,/ W./ Oct. 29th// Dear Florence./ The acquaintance that I have been [fragment of page concludes but crosswritten text continues as follows]" int) & believe the [...?]/[...?] faithfully yours/Henry James". On verso as follows: "3// al - Tinsley Bros. or V[?] R. Maxwell (Miss Braddon's.) I don't know [word underlined] any of these people, but" [fragment ends.

Printer. Three pages, 8vo. "I write to tell you that the [memorial] tablet [for Wilkins Updike] is completed and in place at St. Paul's Church, Wickford, and I enclose herwith a small photograph of it which you might like to see (ENCLOSED]. He doesn't feel a memorial service is appropriate, buyt gives notice of what is planned in the Church to commemorate their grandfather (e.g. an essay prize on a point of local history). "As I considered myself simply a treasurer for the fund for the rest of the family.

Wealthy landowner (1771-1813), MP for County Durham, sued by George Stubbs for non-payment for his picture of Vane-Tempest's racehorse Hambletonian. Four pages, 12mo. Good, though grubby and on paper slightly discoloured with age. Tipped in along one edge on leaf removed from autograph album. From this showing little wonder he died of apoplexy. He has received his correspondent's letter containing one from 'Mr Smith'.

Srimathi Mirabai, Indian Classical Dancer - "India's Pavlova". One page each, large 4to, good condition, the second has a representation of an Indian dancer cut from corner (present in first), with some additions in Mirabai's hand. (6 Dec.) She gives information about her activities, the tour, her studies, her performances in India and Ceylon, enclosing a photo (not present). (21 Dec.) She gives some idea of the thinking behind the tour, testing whether Indian Classical Dancing would be successful in London and Europe. Her partner has returned to India but she has her eye on another.

Film director (1926-), husband of the actress Wendy Hiller (1912-). The note, 9 December, 1971, one page, 4to. "Here is David's response to my cry for help. Could you read it and give me a ring suggesting what should be done next. And please send David's letter back to me. The photo of the poster is, of course, yours." Signed "Karel". The letter, 10 November 1972, one page, 4to. "How nice to have your note. Yes, indeed, I am sending Mother out to work again! What's more with Tony!

(1788-1883) Arctic explorer, soldier, astronomer and magnetic surveyor. Three pages, 8vo, good condition, date "1825" written in pencil. Text as follows: "Copies of my book have been ordered by the Board of Longitude to be sent to Members of the Board, and to Institutions, in different parts of the United Kingdom. Perhaps if the eleven copies, addressed as on the following page, are sent to you, you will have teh kindness to frank them to their several destinations. I shall call at the Admiralty myself with this note to spare you the trouble of writing an answer.

Scottish poet and editor (1777-1844).

Cambridge divine (1791-1864) who arranged and catalogued all the University's papers. Two pages, 16mo, very good. 'Pray accept my best thanks for all your kindness with regard to that poor flighty creature Mrs Stone. I am very sorry to hear that Mrs Stoughton Money Kyrle [wife of James Stoughton Money Kyrle, 1813-52] has had the misfortune to become a widow. Will you be so good as to give my best remembrances to that amiable & most agreeable lady?'

Widow of Frank Harris. One page, 8vo, good condition. She reminds him that she signed a contarct for the publication of an abridged version of her "husband's "Book". "Life & Loves". She has yet to receive proofss for her approval, arguing that the book is not yet published. She asks when he will do so.

Novelist, essayist and dramatist, both in French, signed "Montherlant. ALS, in original envelope, 2pp., 4to. In the letter, he is sorry to have missed him and includes him among the few people he does want to see again. "Je pense rester en Afrique jusque vers mai". A "Mr Bradley left for New York. "Il devait, pendant son sejour las-bas, s'occuper du lancement des Bullfighters et m'ecrire pour me servir au courant. . .". He thanks him for his article ("intelligent et sympathique") asking if he knows anything of the author.

Noyes is in a printed list of 8 Harvard Library staff members at the top of this letter commencing "William C. Lane, Librarian". He appears as "Editor Quinquennial Catalogue". Letter, one page, 8vo, good condition. He ask Bellows for four things: i.details of the degrees he has received from other institutions; 2. memberships of learned societies etc.; 3. "professorial appointments" with details; 4. orders or decorations. Perhaps Bellows is looking for a job.

Two pages, quarto. On a discoloured piece of brittle, thin wove paper, with some fraying, several closed tears and a little loss (affecting three words). A long, able and closely-written defence of the discipline. '[...] | X appears decidedly opposed to an alarmed at the science, and feels himself awfully degraded with the comparisons drawn by Phrenologists between the human species and the lower animals - that they should exist, breathe, and partake of, in a limited degree, corresponding qualities with the human race.

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.

Violinist and composer (1822-1901). One page, 12mo, apparently a cutting from a book of autographs, reading "Alfredo Piatti / Bristol 8:bre October 1844, Bristol. 1844". Also present are the signatures of "Mary S Steele / Bristol Oct 1844" and "". According to the DNB Piatti went on a provincial tour following his English debut at Mrs Anderson's concert in London in May 1844.

Playwright (1855-1934), knighted in 1909. One page, 8vo. "19th May, 1900. / Dear Mr Burton, / Many thanks. / Yours very truly / Arthur W. Pinero". In bad condition, with tear through signature and paper and glue from mount stuck to reverse.

French authority on English literature, and in particular on the poet Algernon Charles Swinburne. The recipient (1878-1959) was editor of the 'London Mercury' at the time of writing. One page, quarto. In poor condition, with fraying and closed tears to edges. 'I herewith return revised proofs of my French Novelists. | May I remind you that I should be glad to have some galley proofs if it can be easily arranged?' Signed 'Georges Lafourcade'.

English author (1838-1902). The recipient was later Baroness Rockley. Both items are very good. They can be dated from the reference to the Noel's mother (nee Susan trotter, died 1885) and the mourning border. ITEM ONE (three pages, 12mo): 'I send you a very rough little story, for the Children's Hospital book. I do not know whether it will suit your purpose, but I must just let it go as it is.

English jurist (1843-1914), Warden of All Souls college, Oxford. Two pages, 12mo. On discoloured, grubby, creased paper, with a small closed tear and some bleeding due to damp on the verso. Extensive damp damage to blank second leaf of bifoliate. Docketed as 'To Pinkham'. Before leaving Oxford the previous week he 'ordered a somewhat miscellaneous collection of books' to be sent to his correspondent's library. 'It was a small collection - a few biographies, some college histories and one or two books which chanced to be in the booksellers catalogue & which looked interesting.

Editor and journalist (1785-1870). The recipient (1784?-1874) was a writer on military matters, and editor of the United Services Journal. Two pages, 12mo. Good, though grubby, and with docketing, rust from paperclip and biographical details typed in line at head. A formal letter, unsigned and in the third person. 'Mr Redding presents his Compts. to Sir J. Phillepart with but scanty recollections for it is many years since they met and wishes to remind him of an article sent to the U[nited]. S[ervices]. J[ournal]. thro' Mr Hunt.

Wife (1799-1888) of the English poet Bryan Waller Procter ('Barry Cornwall', 1787-1874), and stepdaughter of the noted jurist Basil Montagu. One page, 12mo. Very good on slightly paper, and with closed tear to blank second leaf of bifoliate. Written on behalf of her husband during his final illness. 'Mr Procter desires me to say that you have his ready permission to print The Old Arm Chair | I regret to say that my husband is now too feeble to write to you.' Signed 'Anne B. Procter'.

Novelist and miscellaneous writer (1822-98). Dimensions roughly five inches by three. Grubby and with minor fraying, loss and closed tears to edges (not affecting text). Printed halfpenny stamp and two postmarks in black ink. Addressed to 'Mrs. Black | 5 Hazlitt Road | W. Kensington | W.' 'I have not received ye Ladies Pictorial, but fine - all very well done with great sympathy & tenderness & so well written - I have begun by informal LSaturdays - & shall be very glad to see you if you could come'. Signed 'E: Lynn Linton'.

Upper middle-class English writer (1916-74), editor of the 'Spectator' magazine 1947-9, biographer of Queen Mary, beaten to death by gay lover. The recipient (1912-82) was a writer under the pseudonym Alice Acland. Born Anne Acland-Troyte. Her first husband was Robert Egerton Grosvenor, 5th Baron Ebury, and her fourth Anthony Freire Marreco, the last survivor of the seven-strong British prosecuting team at Nuremberg, with whom she lived in Ireland. A series of camp, gossippy and revealing letters to a close friend.

Groom in Waiting and Equerry to Queen Victoria (d.1897). Gardiner says that Currie's arrangments for the King of the Belgians cannot be bettered. He will order the carriages for 11 and meet at Westminster Bridge. Currie has added a list of names, English and Belgian, presumably of people involved in the visit.

English ecclesiastic (1778-1858). Two pages, octavo. Creased, and with one edge of verso adhering to leaf from autograph album. 'I hope you will excuse the great liberty I take in asking you to help me a little in finishing the Marbling, Enclosing, Ventilating &c of the Cathedral | I have been robbed of 20,000 by the Union Bank, so that I am compelled to solicit aid from the Congregation & kind friends in my extremity'. Signed 'D Calcutta'.

English psychologist (1842-1923). Three pages, 12mo. Good, on slightly discoloured paper with a little light spotting. He apologises for the 'shockingly long time' it has taken him to glance at the 'Harleian books' she has lent him. 'The fact is that my eyes have been weak and I have only been able to read much of them under particularly favourable conditions of light not easily to be realized in England at this season.' He has enjoyed his 'excursion across the pages - both those of the prose writers and those of the poets.

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.

Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1811-85). Two pages, octavo. Good, on slightly discoloured paper, with some staining to corners from previous mounting. An amusing example of its type, casting a glimmer of light on the Abercorn papers now in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. 'My dear Hardwicke | This is to introduce George Knox to you, who is this moment summon'd from the Priory to Dublin to resist very active & insidious machinations against his next Election to the College. | I recommend him to you as a perfectly amiable & kind hearted Man.