ENGLISH

1p., 12mo. In small type. On aged and creased paper. Signed in type: 'Beggar and Flames! | Gentlemen, | If I am not your Bum Bailiffe, [sic] | For any dirty work, | WM. BUSTER, JUNR.' The circumstances surrounding this spoof are unclear. It begins: 'In fact, I feel it a duty devolving upon me, to return you my sincere thanks for the honour you have done me, in electing me one of your Guardians.' The next paragraph concerns 'the slanderous assertion, which certain persons have industriously circulated, detractive of this honour, in fact, that I am the nominee of my own workman'.

The ten items total 19pp., 4to. Each is a bifolium, with the address and postmarks on the reverse of the second leaf. Each is docketed by Otard Dupuy. All ten are in excellent condition, on lightly-aged paper. The six firms are: Bevan & Smith, Liverpool, two letters (both 1850); Christopher Bushell & Co., Liverpool (1859); John Currie, two letters, both in French: London (1828) and Stockton (1828); A. Leveau, three letters: Aberdeen (1849), Exeter (1850) and Sunderland (1850); William Strachan & Co, London (1828); George Wildes & Co., London (1828).

2pp., 12mo. With stamped and postmarked envelope, addressed by Tinker to 'Chas. Mc.Carnie, Esqr., | Natl. Bank of W. V. Bldg, | Wheeling, W. V.' Tinker considers that 'The MSS.

2pp., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He begins: 'I have just received your work on the productive resources of India for which I beg to offer you my best thanks.' The subject has always been to him 'one of the deepest interest', and he rejoices that 'a gentleman of your knowledge has directed his attention to it'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium, with leaf dimensions 18 x 11cm. The letter appears complete, in good condition on lightly-aged paper, but a rectangle of about 5.5 x 11cm. (perhaps carrying the recipient's name) has been torn from the bottom of the second leaf.

2pp., foolscap 8vo. Good on two leaves of lightly-aged paper attached with rusty staple. Opening note reads 'Voici la première édition de ce journal. Là-dedans les garçons de 3R ont écrit pour vous beaucoup de choses interessantes. Le titre EPATANT! signifie "smashing"! Esperons que vous le trouverez vraiment épatant!' Crossword and short articles by M. Adams, P. Robinson and W. Winfield.

44pp., 4to. In original grey wraps, with coloured illustration by 'Scott' of a Restoration lady by a sundial and the word 'Watches' on front cover. In good condition, lightly-aged with slight rusting to staples. The catalogue is printed on art paper, without indication of date or publisher, but with a label printed in red from Adolph Scott Ltd, tipped in at the front, stating that 'Prices in this list are subject to 50 per cent.

1p., foolscap 8vo. On laid paper, with red embossed tax stamp in top left-hand corner. In fair condition, lightly-aged. The memorandum is seventeen lines long, and begins: 'Memorandum of an Agreement made this twenty second day of October One thousand eight hundred and seventy four. Between Mr J. Hain Friswell of Fair House, Bexley Heath, Kent, of the one part and Messrs. Henry S. King & Co. of 65 Cornhill London publishers of the other part. | The said Mr J. Hain Friswell has written a Work entitled "The better self" which he herby assigns to Messrs. Henry S.

On one side of a piece of wove paper, 15.5 x 9.5 cm. In fair condition, on aged paper, with one creased corner and a small nick at the head. The drop-head title is in capitals, with the second line having only the opening quotation marks (before the initial word 'BEWARE'). The poem is 29 lines long, with three seven-line stanzas followed by an eight-line one. At the foot of the poem: 'Albury. Mary Frances Tupper.' The first stanza reads 'The stamp of Rome is on their heart, | Take care! take care! | They play the Jesuits' crafty part, | Beware! beware!

1p., 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'dear Ernest'. Marked by Gye 'Ansd.' He is sending Gye 'a word of congratulations on the august appointment to Tangier'. He apologises that he cannot be 'part of the celebration on March 23'. He concludes: 'I hope you are pleased and that everything will prosper. | No answer required of course'.

1p., 12mo. On bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The note reads: 'Sept. 17th. 1928 | Dear Sir | I send you my signature with pleasure, and I am | Yours very faithfully | [signed] Arthur Quiller-Couch | L. S. Porter Esq.'

One page, 8vo, slightly crumpled and stained but text clear and complete, as follows: I remember that at Brussels there used to be female cooks who knew french and english cooking, could you find me one which knoiws well the english way [...] I should be glad to have one who could cook my dinner in regular english style with puddings, tarts, etc etc? I [want?] a quiet honest woman to whom I can confide the care of the small house I have at Aranjuez - the wages are indifferent. | Write to me if such a person is to be found and excuse the trouble I give you [...].

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good on lightly-aged paper. In original envelope, with stamp and postmarks, addressed by Morris to Baron at 18 Griffin Street, Witton, Blackburn. Morris begins by giving details of the availability of his 'Etymology of Local Names' and 'Historical Outlines', before informing Baron (a brazen autograph hunter) that he does not know 'Wm. Morris' Address, but a letter addressed to him & sent to his publisher would be forwarded'.

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'.

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'.

ALS and TLS, the TLS, on letterhead of 24 York Terrace, Regents Park, London; 3 October 1921; ALS, on letterhead of Brackenburn, Manesty Park, Keswick; 8 July 1930, 4pp., 12mo. A significant letter (TLS), relating to the formation of the PEN Club. 'Dear Mr. Lynd, | Several people who are interested in the business of books, including Mr. J. D. Beresford, Mr. Sidney Pawling, Mr. St. John Ervine, Mr. J. G. Wilson, Mr. Cecil Palmer and Mr.

ALS, 14 Brookside, Cambridge; 19 August [1928], 2pp., 12mo. Written on returning the proofs of two articles. 'I see you have cut out my proof of the early intrusion of the Friar Tuck element into the Robin Hood cycle: - the only piece of information in the article which a student could not easily find elsewhere! However, I don't suppose any students will bother about any part of these articles except the Bibliographies, so it probably doesn't matter.' He continues with a few scholarly points.

ALS, on letterhead of Lochnagar, Bycullah Park, Enfield; 17 December 1912, 3pp., 12mo. He thanks him for the 'letter & all its encouragement [...] The book represents rather under a year's work at verse & I only hope I shall not someday have to wish it had never been other than firelight.

5 ALsS, total 8pp., 12mo.One, on letterhead of 4 Downside Crescent, Hampstead; 'Tuesday' [December 1908]. Concerning Nevinson's sacking as a Daily News journalist following his heckling of the Liberal Chancellor Lloyd George at a meeting in December 1908 in which the Daily News editor Gardiner was also on the platform (see L. J. Satre's Chocolate on Trial, Ohio University Press, 2005, pp.141-144). Begins: 'Yes, it's true enough. Gardiner sacked me directly after the meeting.

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.

The production to which the first item relates was Toole's last before being forced by gout to retire from the London stage. Both items in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper; the first with short closed tear at head. Both printed on one side only. Item One: 33 x 21 cm. Headed 'Mr. J. L. Toole's Company. | THOROUGH-BRED. | PROPERTY PLOT.' Listing, under 'Stage' and 'Hand', all the props needed for the three acts, the last (and shortest) entry reading '[ACT III.] HAND. | Field glasses, cases. Race cards for all. Letter (WILHELMINA). Set of bones (TOSH). Coins (all). 2 tambourines.

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'.

3pp., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'Dear Sir', but from the context clearly addressed to Cruikshank. (That Cruikshank and Prince were correspondents is shown by a reference in Rosa Baughan's 'Character Indicated by Handwriting' (1880), which describes a 'long letter' from Cruikshank to Prince.) Prince begins by apologising for not thanking Cruikshank for his 'Exposure of that "Scamp's" devices'.

2pp., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with minor water staining and a couple of spike holes. An intriguing communication, beginning: 'I would not, if I were you, allow myself to be so worried.' Smirke feels that, as 'Mess: Saunders & Co have not been backward in representing themselves as Principals in the matter', and as they 'are as largely as - or more largely, interested' than Lloyd himself 'in obtaining a payment, they had better themselves address Sir Robert'.

1p., 12mo. 11 lines in a somewhat shaky hand. Date added in pencil, presumably by Frederick. He is glad to learn that Frederick's wife has been 'deriving benefit from change of air & rest'. He counsels against the couple's returning to London, as this will 'run the risk that she should lose the benefit of either of these advantages'. If RIce's 'cold and inflammation should increase so as to be serious', he will let Frederick know and he can join him in London. In the meantime he urges him to 'stay quietly at your ease if you do not hear to the contrary'.

Totalling 36pp., 4to. In fair condition, bound by Escott with brown paper into paper wraps, with the front wrap signed by Escott and bearing the typed label 'LETTERS from HERBERT PALMER on "Minstrels of Christ" and my second book of verse "Soar for Victory", amended in February 1948 to "Back to the Fountain."' An interesting correspondence, casting light on the workings of the mid-twentieth century publishing industry, from the point of view of a successful traditional poet strongly opposed to modernism.

[4]pp., 12mo. Stapled in original pink printed wraps. Cover has drawing of Bounds by Willsons of Leicester, whose slug is in the bottom left-hand corner of the cover. First page has drophead title 'Life of Miss Alice Bounds', and the piece is signed in type at the end by 'W. Y.' It begins: 'I was born in Calcutta, East India, in the year 1877.

4pp., 16mo (11 x 16.5 cm). Fair, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Appropriately brief and dimutive biography (35 lines), describing Piyott (erroneously) as 'undoubtedly the smallest adult human being ever known to live'. Followed by 'Copy of Birth Certificate of the Smallest Man on Earth' in type. The latest dated event in the biography is a tour by Pyott 'through the whole of South Africa during 1903-4'. Pyott stood 23ins and weighed 24lbs, and is said to have been carried around Edgeley Park during Stockport County home matches in the palm of a man's hand.

2pp., 4to. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks her for her 'kind letter and transcription letters', and will be 'grateful to receive prints of your drawings by William Havell. Truly, those at the V. & A. are not very good, and I feel sure that there are much finer ones in existence.' He was 'amused by Auntie Jane's letter to her nephew', and will 'try and come down to Reading to see your Havells later on'. He would also like to see those of 'Mrs. Wilson'. He considers 'Luke Havell's children - a very gifted family'.

1p., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. She thanks him for writing to her, and sending 'the two charming postcards'. She continues: 'I, also, often use the History of Christian Names - what a lot of research it must have meant for dear Miss Yonge!' Charlotte M. Yonge's 'History of Christian Names' was first published in 1863, with a revised version appearing in 1884.