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Autograph Letter Signed from the Whig politician Thomas Spring Rice [later Lord Mounteagle] to E. Moran of the Dublin Evening Post, describing '5 long years [...] devoted to the one object namely Limerick', 'Irish affairs' and 'the Catholic cause'.

Author: 
Thomas Spring Rice (1790-1866), 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon, Anglo-Irish Whig politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1835 to 1839
Publication details: 
[London. 1826.]
£450.00

4pp., 8vo, and 2pp., 4to. Signed 'Spring Rice'. The first 4pp. are on a 4to leaf folded once to make 4pp., 8vo, and the last 2pp., 4to, are on the first leaf of a bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Addressed, on the reverse of the second leaf of the bifolium: 'Private | E Morgan | Dublin Evening Post Office | Trinity St'. Spring Rice begins by thanking Moran and 'Mr Conway' [Frederick William Conway (1782-1853), Moran's editor at the Dublin Evening Post] for their communications.

Autograph Letter Signed from 'William Kay', on board 'H.M.S. Tauranga at Sea', to someone (male) to whom he is very affectionate, Louie ("son"??), describing a journey to Australia, with 'a lot of young Blue Jacket Boys on board'.

Author: 
William Kay [HMS Tauranga, Auxiliary Squadron of the Australia Station; Lou Blane; bluejackets]
Publication details: 
'H.M.S. Tauranga at Sea' [undated, but presumably on HMS Tauranga's maiden voyage to Australia, 1890].
£220.00

13pp., 12mo. On three bifoliums and a last single leaf. On aged and worn paper. A semi-literate, but spirited epistle. Little is to be discovered concerning the identity of the writer. Addressed to 'My Darling Son' and signed 'good bye, be good, ever yours and yours alone William Kay', but with a few hints that the letter may not in fact be from a father to his son. Kay begins by stating that he is going to fulfil his promise and write 'a long letter'.

Typescript of the unpublished war memoirs of J. L. H. Batt [Jack Lynden Batt], of 155th Battery, 172nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, entitled 'Nothing Spectacular 41-45', and describing incidents in North Africa and as a POW in Italy and Germany.

Author: 
J. L. H. Batt [Jack Lynden Batt] (b.1922), of 155th Battery, 172nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery [POWs; Prisoners of War; Second World War]
Publication details: 
Undated [written in the 1960s?]. Covering events from June 1941 to April 1945.
£1,500.00

i + 207pp., 8vo. Perfect bound in green card wraps, with green cloth spine. In good condition: lightly-aged and a little dogeared, in lightly-creased wraps with slight wear to spine. Tipped in onto the last page is an original 'Army Form B. 104-83', signed and stamped with date 16 March 1943, informing Batt's father that he was posted as missing on 27 February 1943 in North Africa. Nine chapters: 'The Western Desert'; 'Italy'; 'Gaschwyz'; 'Leipzig', 'Gaschwyz Again'; 'Boehlen, Leuna, Wiederitsch'; 'Lager Waldfrieden'; 'Russians'; 'Latvians'.

Typed transcript by J. L. H. Batt of the unpublished diaries of John Heath of 155th Battery, 172nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, describing Second World War 'happenings' in North Africa and in POW camps in Italy and Germany, With preface by Batt.

Author: 
John Heath and J. L. H. Batt [Jack Lynden Batt], both of 155th Battery, 172nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery [Lager 31, Stalag IV-G; POWs; Prisoners of War; Second World War]
Publication details: 
Modern transcript. Account of events between 5 January 1943 and 12 May 1945.
£850.00

ii + 177pp., 8vo. Each page on a separate leaf. Original typescript, not a carbon. In very good condition, in green card folder. The first paragraph of Batt's two-page preface reads: 'This transcript has been copied from original personal diaries of JOHN HEATH with whom I served in 155 Battery, 172 Field Regiment R.A.; an artillery unit of 25 pounder guns stationed at Mersham, Nr. Ashford in Kent. John and I were together through most of the happenings in North Africa, Italy and Germany described in these diaries until May 1945 when we got split up as the war in Europe was coming to an end.

Six manuscript record and minute books of the St. Alban Club for young men, Plumstead, filled with references to football and cricket, and containing a number of newspaper cuttings and items of printed ephemera.

Author: 
[The St. Alban Club, Woolwich; St Alban's (Plumstead) Football Club; Hugh Lambert Ogle, Vicar of Plumstead; Edwardian football and cricket]
Publication details: 
St. Alban's, Plumstead. 1902, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908.
£350.00

In six 'Boudoir' diaries (printed by Joseph Mead, London), of uniform format and layout, but in different colours. Very good, on aged paper, with slight damp damage to a couple of the worn bindings. Although containing numerous entries, the volumes are by no means completely full of entries: there are none, for example, beyond March in the 1907 volume, or beyond Apirl in the 1908 one. Of interest is the club's proximity to the Manor Ground, Plumstead, home until 1913 of the Woolwich Arsenal F.C.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Benjamin Britten') and Typed Letter Signed ('Ben') from the composer Benjamin Britten to the publisher Hans Juda, with seven other items including an Autograph Card Signed from Britten's secretary Jeremy Cullum.

Author: 
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), English composer [Hans Juda [Hans Peter Juda] (1904-1975), art collector, publisher of the magazine 'The Ambassador']
Publication details: 
Britten's and Cullum's letters from The Red House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk. The nine items dating from 1962, 1964 and 1965.
£600.00

The nine items are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Items One, Three and Four, from 1962, and stapled together, as are the other six items, dating from 1964-5. ONE: Autograph Letter Signed ('Benjamin Britten') from Britten to Juda. On letterhead of The Red House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk. 25 July 1962. Responding to Item Three below, Britten thanks Juda for 'sending the magnificent book on Graham Sutherland', which Britten is 'very glad indeed to have'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Dhruva') from the Anglo-Indian sculptor Dhruva Mistry to Jennifer Jones of Art and Architecture magazine, regarding a planned talk to be titled 'Victoria Square: Work in Progress'.

Author: 
Dhruva Mistry (b.1957), CBE, RA, British sculptor born in India [Jennifer Jones; Art and Architecture magazine]
Publication details: 
On his monogrammed letterhead. 14 September 1993.
£350.00

1p., 8vo. Good, on lightl-aged paper. He thanks her for her telephone call, and hopes to give 'an illustrated talk about my work from 1980 onwards and culmination of themes towards sculptures for Victoria Square'. He will 'touch upon my conscious concerns for outdoor pieces in public, and working with others'. He ends by giving the title of the talk, 'If it is not too late'.

Typed Letter Signed ('Eduardo Paolozzi') from the Scottish sculptor Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi to Hans Brill, expressing interest in a proposition, and suggesting a meeting to discuss it.

Author: 
Eduardo Paolozzi [Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi] (1924-2005), Scottish sculptor [Hans Brill (1930-2001), librarian, art teacher and collector]
Publication details: 
107 Dovehouse Street, London. 13 May 1994.
£350.00

1p., 8vo. Good, on lightly-creased paper. He writes that he was 'very interested' to get Brill's letter. 'I will certainly work on something: I have many ideas, and you will probably be able to select something from what I will show you.' He suggests 'a drink at the Chelsea Arts Club one evening? I now have an answering machine, so you can leave a message there - or even with Monica at the College'.

TLS ('Henry') from sculptor Henry Moore to art collector Hans Juda, concerning an Inland Revenue 'ruling (which I think applies only to me)'. With autograph directions from Moore's house Hoglands to Hoddesdon, and copies of four letters by Juda.

Author: 
Henry Moore [Henry Spencer Moore] (1898-1986), English sculptor [Hans Juda [Hans Peter Juda] (1904-1975), art collector, publisher of the magazine 'The Ambassador']
Publication details: 
Moore's letter and the directions on separate Hoglands letterheads, the letter dated 29 March 1973 and the directions undated. Copies of four Juda letters dated 13 May 1965, 23 March and 3 April 1973, and 29 August 1974.
£500.00

ONE: Typed Letter Signed ('Henry') from Moore to Juda ('Dear Hans'). On letterhead of Hoglands, Perry Green, Much Hadham, Herts. 29 March 1973. 1p., 12mo.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Nina Kandinsky') in French from the widow of the Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky to the collector and publisher Hans Juda, praising an exhibition catalogue and giving details of how to meet in Paris.

Author: 
Nina Kandinsky [née Nina Nikolayevna Andreevskaya] (d.1983), wife of Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944) [Hans Peter Juda (1904-1975), art collector and publisher]
Publication details: 
In envelope addressed from 135 Boulevard du Général Koenig, Neuilly-sur-Seine. 20 October 1968.
£90.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition: lightly-aged and creased with light wear at head. Stapled to air mail envelope (lacking stamp), addressed to Juda at The Penthouse, 10 Palace Gate, London. She thanks him for the catalogue, which is 'très bien fait'. She thinks back 'avec plaisir' to her stay in London, and will be very happy to receive him at her Paris address, whose telephone number she gives. Postscript reads: 'J'èspere [sic] que l'exposition a une bonne presse? [signed] N. K.'

Autograph Letter Signed ('Oliver') from artist and stage designer Oliver Messel to collector Hans Juda, describing his terms for the sale of the originals of two 'designs for the Glyndebourne brochure' in 1952, which Juda's firm helped produce.

Author: 
Oliver Messel [Oliver Hilary Sambourne Messel] (1904-1978), English artist and stage designer [Hans Juda [Hans Peter Juda] (1904-1975), art collector and publisher; Vagn Riis-Hansen]
Publication details: 
No place or date. [2 December 1952.]
£220.00

1p., folio. Fair, on lightly-aged paper; with staple- and punch-holes in left-hand margin. Docketed in pencil, at head 'file Oliver MESSEL', and at foot '2/XII/52'. He thanks him for 'your charming messages [...] about the designs for the Glyndebourne brochure', which were 'given me by Vagn' (Messel's partner Vagn Riis-Hansen). 'For the one design ie.

Engraved portrait of Major Patrick George Craigie, CB, from a photograph by Reinhold Thiele & Co., with anonymous printed biography of 'Major P. G. Craigie, C.B.' in 'Heywood's Authentic Series of Press Biographies', in green printed folder.

Publication details: 
Heywood & Co. Ltd., 150, Holborn, London. Biography dated 'October, 1902.'
£160.00

The two items and the folder are all lightly-aged and in good condition. Green card folder, with 'Heywood's Authentic Series of Press Biographies. | Major P. G. Craigie, C.B.' and 'C/21' printed on front. The printed biography is 9pp., 8vo, on nine loose leaves attached to one another by a brass stud. The engraving, by Art Repro Co, from a photograph by Reinhold Thiele & Co. of Chancery Lane, is on a piece of thick paper 29 x 21 cm. Dimensions of plate 15.5 x 10.5 cm. A bearded Craigie stands in formal attire with right hand in pocket.

Manuscript 'Secretary's Books' of the 'St. Andrews Colleges Chess Club', with signed annual reports by various Club Secretaries and signatures of Club Presidents. [University of St Andrews].

Publication details: 
Dating from between 26 February 1957 and 7 March 1966.
£120.00

165pp., 4to. In a single (despite plural 'Books' in title) ruled notebook.Title on the front pastedown: 'ST. ANDREWS COLLEGES CHESS CLUB | SECRETARY'S BOOKS.' The first of the Secretaries' annual reports, 'Given at the A. G. M. on February 26th. 1957' by Robert J. V. Logan states that at the time it is 'just over three months since the Club came into re-existence [...] The Club has been meeting on Tuesday evenings in Joe's Café, where members have been playing each other.' Signatures of Grant Waller, John Smail, Michael A. Brewer, Duncan Pirie, R. H. Billington, Harry Cleghorn, W. J. P.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Teddy Craig') from Edward Gordon Craig to Nannie Florence Dryhurst, anarchist, suffragette, giving details of his charges for designing and printing bookplates. With proof of Craig's bookplate for Dryhurst.

Publication details: 
Letter on letterhead of 17 Sunderland Terrace, London W2. Neither item dated.
£250.00

Letter: 1p., 12mo. On letterhead of 12 Sunderland Terrace, London, printed in orange with orange border. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He states that his daughter Nelly (1904-1975) has given him her bookplate block 'to get printed for you'. He quotes prices for 100 and 300 prints, 'only to old friends so please dont tell anyone else!! If you will just let me have a P.C I will get them done in two days.' Nelly has also told him that Mrs Dryhurst's husband Alfred Robert Dryhurst (1859-1949) 'wanted to know my price for a bookplate (but perhaps she got that wrong) anyhow I generally charge £10.

Holograph translation into English by American transcendentalist and abolitionist Franklin Benjamin Sanborn, of Martial's 'Venisti centum', beginning 'I kept my bed; to ease my pain'.

Publication details: 
Concord. 17 February 1886.
£250.00

On both sides of white card, 6.5 x 10 cm, with three lines in Latin (beginning 'Venisti centum') on one side, signed at foot 'H. B. Sanborn | Concord Feb 17. 1886', and the English translation in six lines on the other side, also signed at foot: 'F. B. Sanborn | Concord Feby 17 '86'. The translation reads: 'I kept my bed; to ease my pain | You came, good doctor, with your train; | A hundred hands, colder than Boston greeting, | Fingered my pulse to count its languid beating. | I had no fever, Dr Puff!

Autograph Letter Signed written from Greece by the Scottish historian George Finlay to a 'dear Cousin' [of the Haldane family] in Scotland, including descriptions of 'repeated shocks of earthquakes' and of an agitation for war against the Turks.

Publication details: 
Athens. 7 October 1853.
£180.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He is delighted that 'any thing should induce you to send me even the few lines you have written', and declares that he will 'always be most happy to do anything in my power to serve any friend of yours, and not the less that the name of Gairbraid and all its pleasant recollections is connected therewith.' He asks for news of the recipient's health, and that of 'my aunt Mrs Haldane'. The summer in Greece has been a hot one, and 'the people of Athens are kept in a state of alarm by repeated shocks of earthquakes.

Autograph Letter Signed ('H B Swete') by the English biblical scholar Henry Barclay Swete, giving detailed advice 'to an intending fellow traveller in the Holy Land', with a description of his 'own route'.

Publication details: 
On letterhead of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. 2 February 1873.
£280.00

4pp., 12mo. On two bifoliums. Good, on lightly-aged paper. To an unknown recipient. The letter begins: 'Dear Sir | I shall be glad to be of any service to an intending fellow traveller in the Holy Land.' In eight numbered paragraphs, discussing: dragomans ('I was fortunate enough to secure a trustworthy native servant at Jaffa, who had all the knowledge & experience of a dragoman, without the insolence & extravagance which is common to the class. His name was Abdullah of Bethlehem. [...] He charged me on an average £1.

Part of letter ('Ju: Milbank') from Lord Byron's mother-in-law the Hon. Lady Judith Milbanke, requesting the recipient's support for her husband in 'the approaching Election for the County of Durham'.

Publication details: 
Seaham. 27 October 1806.
£120.00

Lower part of letter with ruled border, laid down on part of leaf from autograph album. Dimensions: 7.5 x 18.5 cm. Lightly aged and ruckled. Reads: '<...> your support at the approaching Election for the County of Durham - having for so long possessed the confidence of this County, it is his utmost ambition to have it continued and should he be honoured with yours, it will be considered the highest obligation | I am Sir | Your faithful Servant | [signed] Ju: Milbank | Seaham | Octr: 27. 1806.' Contemporary ink note reads: '[Lady Milbanke afterwards Lady Noel Milbanke, mother of Lady Byron.]'

[Printed temperance pamphlet poem, one of 'New Series of Penny Tracts'.] Poor Betsy Rayner: The Power of Kindness. By Mrs. Sewell, Author of "Mother's Last Words," "Our Father's Care," &c., &c.

Publication details: 
Seventh Edition. Fortieth Thousand. London: Jarrold and Sons, 12, Paternoster Row. [Jarrold and Sons, Printers, Norwich.]
£120.00

16pp., 16mo. Unbound and stitched. On worn and aged paper, with loss to bottom outside corner of title leaf; spine strengthened with contemporary gummed paper. On reverse of title is a page of advertisements for 'Household Tracts for the People'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('R. S. Lauder') from the Scottish historical painter Robert Scott Lauder to the Liverpool painter W. G. Herdman, regarding to the sending to Edinburgh of one of his pictures, with another by his brother James Eckford Lauder.

Publication details: 
35 Upper Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London. 23 January 1847.
£65.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with thin strip from mount adhering to blank reverse. Addressed to 'W. G. Herdman Esqr. | Liverpool'. If his brother's picture ('Mr J. E. Lauder') and his own 'are not by this time sent off'', he would like this done immediately, 'as they must be in Edinh. by the 1st of Feby.'

Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Fawkes') from the Yorkshire MP Walter Fawkes to the London cartographer and map seller William Faden, sending good wishes on his retirement, and requesting maps for his 'beautiful collection' from his successor.

Publication details: 
'Farnley. Tuesday.' [Farnley Hall, Yorkshire. 1824.]
£60.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium, with address ('Mr. Faden. Charing Cross. London'.) on reverse of second leaf, from which the seal has been cut away. He begins by informing Faden that his servant will call to pay his bill. 'I wish you would desire Mr. Wyld [James Wyld the elder (1790-1836)] your successor to send me the largest & best maps extant of Sweden, Norway & Lapland - maps I want in my otherwise beautiful collection very much'. He also enquires after 'Walker's new Map of India 16s', and a 'new map of Ceylon - where my eldest daughter is gone - as the Governor Sr. Edward Barnes' wife -'.

Autograph Letter in the third person from the Duke of Northumberland to the Norwich antiquary Robert Fitch, thanking him for the engraved portrait of a relation, sending a subscription, and making an enquiry.

Author: 
Hugh Percy (1785-1847), 3rd Duke of Northumberland [Robert Fitch (1802-1895), FSA, FGS, Sheriff of Norwich, antiquary]
Publication details: 
Syon [Syon House, Brentford]. 12 August 1842.
£70.00

4pp., 12mo. 26 lines. Bifolium. He thanks Fitch 'for his present of the engraving of Alleyn Percy, the Master of St. John's College, Cambridge, on its foundation in 1615', which he will 'much prize' as he has 'no portrait of this Individual'. He is enclosing his subscription for the 'twenty Portraits of celebrated persons, which are publishing under the direction of Mr. Hudson Gurney, and Mr Dawson Turner', and directs that these be forwarded to the care of 'Mr. Williams' at Northumberland House, London.

Autograph Letter Signed from the Scottish engineer James Thomson to 'Miss Jaffé', regarding an introduction to Professor Carey Foster.

Author: 
James Thomson (1822-1892), Scottish engineer [George Carey Foster (1835-1919), English chemist and physicist]
Publication details: 
Oakfield House, Hillhead, on letterhead of the University of Glasgow. 27 July 1879.
£60.00

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He regrets that 'too much time has elapsed' since her letter to 'our Mary': 'I wished to write sooner but I have missed doing so through great pressure of various urgent engagements'. He is enclosing (not present) 'an introduction to Prof. Carey Foster, which I hope may be useful unless you have already got the advice you wanted'. The recipient is probably a member of the family of Sir Otto Jaffe (1846-1929), Lord Mayor of Belfast.

Autograph Letter, in the third person, from Sir John Hobhouse [later John Cam Hobhouse, 1st Baron Broughton], requesting tickets for an exhibition at the British Institution.

Author: 
John Cam Hobhouse [Sir John Hobhouse] (1786-1869), 1st Baron Broughton, Whig politician and best friend of Lord Byron
Publication details: 
Berkeley Square [London]. 26 June 1843.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium on mourning paper. In good condition, lightly-aged. Reads: 'Sir John Hobhouse presents his compliments and would be very much obliged to the Secretary of the British Institution to send him two tickets for the exhibition of this evening.'

Autograph Letter Signed ('John S. Pakington') from the British Conservative politician John Somerset Pakington, 1st Baron Hampton, to General Sir Robert Gardiner, Governor of Gibraltar, discussing his 'printed but unpublished Report' on the 'Rock'.

Author: 
John Somerset Pakington (1799-1880), 1st Baron Hampton [Lord Hampton] British Conservative politician [General Sir Robert Gardiner (1781-1864), Governor of Gibralar, 1848-1855]
Publication details: 
Eaton Square [London]. 1 March 1856.
£150.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium on mourning paper. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He writes to thank Gardiner for sending him 'a copy of your printed but unpublished Report to His Majesty's Government on the danger of governing Gibraltar as a Colony'. Gardiner's report 'forms an appropriate termination' to his 'administration of the affairs of the "Rock," & I shall read it with the interest and attention due to your long Experience in that Fortress'. He ends by sending his compliments to Lady Gardiner.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Westland Marston') from the playwright John Westland Marston, inviting Robert Cole to 'a Bachelor party' for the National Magazine.

Author: 
John Westland Marston (1819-1890), poet and playwright, friend of Dickens and Dante Gabriel Rossetti [John Saunders (1811-1895), editor with Marston of the 'National Magazine'; Robert Cole]
Publication details: 
November 1856.
£65.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. The letterhead has been cut away from the first leaf, taking with it the number of the month, but not affecting the text; otherwise fair, on lightly-aged paper. Marston invites Cole to 'a pleasant little meeting of some of our friends and contributors at the Office': 'We are altogether a Bachelor Party and as free from formality as a set of Australian Bush Men or Gold-diggers'. Saunders has also written 'begging the pleasure' of Cole's company. He ends by sending his regards to Cole's daughter, whom he hopes has 'recovered from her cough'.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Ll Jewitt') from the antiquary Llewellynn Jewitt to 'Mr Doxey' [the numismatist the Rev. John Smith Doxey], regarding an article for his journal 'The Reliquary'.

Author: 
Llewellynn Jewitt [Llewellynn Frederick William Jewitt] (c.1816-1886), antiquary, illustrator, engraver, natural scientist, author of The Ceramic Art of Great Britain (1878) [Rev. John Smith Doxey]
Publication details: 
Winster Hall [High Peak, Derbyshire]. 26 August 1874.
£65.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The manuscript of Doxey's article is 'safe to hand' and Jewitt is 'much pleased [both words underlined twice] with the plates & coins. It is very nice indeed.' The article is too late for the next number, 'the difficulty being the engravings'. 'If you dont mind I think I should like to give your article the "place of honour" - ie the opening article - in the following number'.

Typed Note Signed from the novelist Naomi Mitchison to 'Miss Steele', asking her to forward a letter.

Author: 
Naomi Mitchison [Naomi Mary Margaret Mitchison, née Haldane], Lady Mitchison (1897-1999), novelist and social activist [The Bournemouth Little Theatre Club, founded 1919]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of River Court, Hammersmith Mall, W6. 12 December 1932.
£40.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. She writes that she is enclosing a letter, which she would like sent on 'to the Manager of the Bournemouth Little Theatre Club if you will, as I do not know the address'.

Autograph Letter Signed from the Welsh antiquary Octavius Morgan, discussing in detail a watch by Johann Sayller of Ulm in the possession of the unnamed recipient of the letter, and the evils of modern restoration of clocks and watches.

Author: 
Octavius Morgan [Charles Octavius Swinnerton Morgan] (1803-1888), Welsh antiquary and Conservative Member of Parliament for Monmouth [Johann Sayller of Ulm; clocks and watches; watchmaking]
Publication details: 
9 Pall Mall [London]. 21 June 1861.
£120.00

3pp., 12mo. 52 lines. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for sending for his 'inspection the old watch which is a nice specimen', but would have been of more interest had it been left in its original condition'. He describes the alterations, and his reasons for believing that they were 'done by a French man, & I should think prior to the time of your late Brother'. Morgan possesses a watch by Sayller, and he 'once saw an extremely curious & beautiful clock of his in a case of silver'.

Autograph Letter Signed from the satirist Percival Leigh to 'My dear Brooks' [fellow 'Punch' contributor Shirley Brooks], regarding his writing, the nature of the joke, the unsuitability of his Hampshire surroundings to literature, and other matters.

Author: 
Percival Leigh (1813–1889), satirist, the first writer to carve his name into the 'Punch' table [Charles William Shirley Brooks (1816-1874), editor of 'Punch' from 1870 to his death]
Publication details: 
Shirley Warren, near Southampton. 28 July 1865.
£120.00

4pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He considers the cut excellent, and is grateful to Brooks for having 'managed so well' with his article. 'Many such an article of mine has been sacrificed, though absolutely a pretty good one, and comparatively to that which stood in its place, superexcellent. But such is my luck. By the by, don't measure the quantity of all that I do by what appeareth.' He reports that 'Fred is much amused with the verses on the Queen's first baby. I said that there are two men here besides himself who understand a joke.

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