EPHEMERA

On one side of a piece of wove paper, 25 x 10.5 cm. Spotted and lightly creased, with four small holes in the paper, but with text clearly legible throughout. Forty-four lines, arranged in eleven four-line stanzas.

8vo, 76 + [i] + [iii]. Rebound in attractive green paper wraps, including surviving front wrap (back wrap missing), damaged but reinforced, staples rusty. Final page a Calendar for 1911, followed by three pages blank but for heading 'MEMORANDA'. Verso of front wrap carries an advertisement, with photograph of shop front, for James' Boys' Clothing, 10 Lombard St., Belfast. Scarce. No copy listed in National Library of Ireland online catalogue, and only one copy on COPAC (at the British Library).

12mo, 8 leaves opening to make seven sets of columns running across seven pairs of facing pages. Stitched, and within original yellow printed wraps, with rough cloth weave. Lightly aged and worn, but in good condition overall, and free from any manuscript entries (i.e. not filled in). The front wrap is headed by a governmental crest, and carries eleven lines of text. Five lines of text, and the slug, on the back wrap ('The Officers engaged in the discharge of their duties under this Ordinance shall not disclose, except to the Governor, or in due course of law, the name of any Depositor.').

Four pages, 12mo. Good, on aged paper with one half-inch closed tear. Claims to be 'compiling an historic book [...] which has been left to the nation', and asks for his contribution. Provides a full-page list from the 'over 500 Autographs'. The collection 'could not be complete without' Montgomery's 'honoured name'. Asks for 'a few words (as many others have done) on the blank side so as to keep this for Gen Alexander & others who took part in your campaign'. Congratulates him on his 'brilliant Victory'.

One page, on piece of lightly aged paper, roughly six and a half inches by seven. Strip neatly torn away at head (not affecting text, but perhaps bearing recipient's address). Good, with a little damage from breaking of wafer and slight evidence of previous mounting on revese. Thirteen lines. He is sending the selected autographs, and will 'be happy to receive, at your leisure, those of Currie, Daubeny, Mc.Culloch, Flowers, Woodville & Phillips & Jones - or such 5 of them as you can best spare'.

Quarto: 28 pp. Unbound and stapled. Good, but with wear and discoloration to last leaf, and rust stains from staples. Illustrated catalogue of one of the leading firms of the period. Divided into seven sections: 'Fine Editions, Illustrated and Special Publications', 'Novels, Works of Fiction, &c.', 'Poetry and Standard Classical Literature', 'Technical, Reference and Miscellaneous Books', 'Juvenile Literature, Gift Books, &c.', 'Books for Little Folks and Toy Books for the Nursery' and 'Eveleigh Nash Co.'s Novels, Bartholomew Maps, &c.

Printed on one side of a piece of paper 43 x 33 cms. Good, on lightly creased and spotted aged paper. A printed plan, with two diagrams, designed to show the members of the various livery companies where to sit at the banquet for Samuel Wilson, Lord Mayor of London. The name 'R. Taylor' (of the Ward of Farringdon Without) is filled in in manuscript: 'The Situation for Mr. [R. Taylor] is marked in Red; And for his Lady ........Blue.'

Octavo: 32 pp. Stapled and unbound. Rather worn, particularly at first and last leaves. A few pencil marks and notes, and slight ink staining at head of first leaf. Twenty illustrations. 168 items; three-part index on final page. Influential catalogue, the collection sold in its entirety to Duke University. One of Birrell & Garnett's managers was Graham Pollard, co-author of the book which unmasked T. J. Wise as a forger.

Dimensions of photograph roughly nine inches by seven wide. Aged, lightly creased and a little scuffed. Slight loss to bottom right-hand corner of border, not affecting image. A bespectacled Malko in a double-breasted pinstripe jacket, in the act of conducting, baton aloft, and with violinist in the background. Malko has written his inscription over his torso, beginning 'Cnacudo', and giving the date 1949.

12mo. 20 pages. Stitched and unbound. Creased, aged and somewhat dusty. Historic first publication of 'the most persistent and single-minded free trade lobby England has known' (W. N. Calkins, Economic History Review, 1960).

Two pages, 12mo. On aged and somewhat grubby paper, with a few closed tears to extremities. Text clear and entire. The recipients 'account for clubs' supplied to Samuel in June 1896 'has not been presented between that date and now'. Samuel thinks he paid the amount at the time'. '[O]n my return to town I will look through my receipts and communicate with you further.'

Four pages, 4to, good condition. "Mr. Dowton, The Father of the British Stage, is about to bid farewell to that profession which he has adorned for upwards of FIFTY YEARS. The following Noblemen and Gentlemen . . . have formed themselves into a Committee, for the two-fold purpose - first of Receiving Subscriptions, and secondly of conducting A BENEFIT . . .

One page, on rough-edged grey wove paper, roughly nine inches by six wide. An attractive production of twenty-two lines, with ornamental rules top and bottom, headed 'This Day is Published, | IN TWO VOLUMES OCTAVO, | PRICE ONE GUINEA IN BOARDS, | Monographia Apum Angliae; | [...] | By WILLIAM KIRBY, B.A. F.L.S. | RECTOR of Barham in Suffolk. | [...]'. According to BBTI John White traded between 1785 and 1816 and Stephen Couchman between 1774 and 1825.

Dimensions of paper roughly four and a quarter inches by three and a quarter wide; dimensions of print roughly three inches by two and a half wide. Heavily browned and foxed with age, with wear and loss to corners. Mounted on a larger piece of laid paper with glue and paper stains to reverse. Attractive head and tailpieces (with damage to bottom right-hand corner of tailpiece). An elegant production, reading 'William Wade, | Picture Frame Maker, Carver, Gilder, | & PRINTSELLER, | No. 86, Leadenhall Street, | - LONDON. - | (late Apprentice to Mr.

Printed in red and black on one side of a piece of paper roughly fifteen inches by nineteen wide. Good on aged paper with some offsetting. A few closed tears skillfully repaired on blank reverse with archival tape. Striking and attractive production with ornate thick decorative border and printer's slug in red ink, enclosing text in a variety of types in black, with 'ORDERS RECEIVED WITHIN' at foot. Two dates neatly corrected in a contemporary hand.

Good clean image of a seventeenth-century engraving, from an earlier idealised portrait of the putative 'father of printing'. It is of irregular shape, the background having been carefully cut away. Neatly mounted on piece of beige paper, illustrated with a brown pseudo-frame with decorative book devices in the four corners. Half-length portrait of a bearded Gutenberg in fur-lined hat and coat, with composing stick in left hand and stylus in right. Dimensions roughly eight and a quarter inches by seven wide. Engraved beneath is 'P Stent Excudit: R Gaywood fecit'.

On one side of a piece of paper roughly 22 x 14 cms. Good, apart from some repaired damage at head from scorching, resulting in loss to two lines of text. Title followed by the eight rules of the Society over twenty-one lines of text. At foot names of the sixteen members of the Committee (eight ladies and eight gentlemen), together with those of the treasurer and secretary. According to BBTI William Cowdroy Jr was a printer, publisher and newspaper proprietor between 1795 and 1824.

Two pages. On both sides of a piece of paper roughly twelve and a quarter inches by eight inches wide. Illustrated on both sides. An unusual piece of Post Office ephemera, and something of a period piece, on aged paper, with fraying to extremities. Begins 'The object of these instructions is to secure the apprehension of men and women who are negotiating stolen postal order forms and stolen penny stamps, the proceeds of thefts from Post Office. [...]'.

Leaflet. Two pages, 12mo. Tasteful bifolium on cream wove paper. Unbound. Good, though a tad grubby. Gill woodcut (roughly two inches by one and a half) on front: two hands around the front of a large 'V' with rest of word 'Veritas' on stem and cross at head. Apparently numbered in pencil bottom-right of woodcut 579.

Unbound. Large Octavo bifolium on grey wove paper. Good only, with creasing to corners (that would carefully iron out), and some marking to front cover. Title in large gold letters on front, details of edition on versos of both leaves, and specimen page on recto of second leaf. Illustration ('The author | A reproduction of Tegetmeier's frontispiece') on Arches paper (twelve and a half inches by nine wide) loosely inserted, together with printed 'Book order' leaf.

On piece of paper roughly eleven inches by eight wide. 'Col[oure]d 2/6' engraved in bottom right-hand corner above caption. On aged paper, creased and with two closed tears of one and a half inches apiece, and one of half an inch, none of the three affecting the image. Full-length portrait of a somewhat simian Harrison, in black top hat and brown cut away jacket, clutching his arms in front of his belly with one glove removed, standing on a grassy hill (in front of Chester Castle?]. Two small ink docketings on reverse.

The item was obviously inserted in a book borrowed from the Times Book Club. The postcard leaf is detachable from the information leaf, the first page of which is headed "The Times Book Club" adding "If you wish to keep this volume, the attached post card should be filled in and posted." The second page says "The published price of this book is [7/6 - entered by hand].The first page of the postcard gives categories to be filled in by the customer (title, author) and the printed statement !I am keeping the copy of this book which I now have.

On both sides of a piece of paper roughly eight and a half inches by five and a half. Both sides of text enclosed within decorative border. A scare survival, in poor condition, worn and spotted with frayed edges and several closed tears. Text clearly legible. Headed 'FOR GRATUITOUS DISTRIBUTION.' Thirty-nine lines of text on reverse. Begins 'The following predictions of this venerable pillar of Church and State were at the time sneered at, as the senile and effete expressions of a bigoted octogenarian. What a lesson has he left to those who now hold the rudder of the State in their hands'.

Disbound, worn and some pages chipped, but text complete, worn leather spine with title "Circulars to Surveyors 1876 [-1883]", first six pages comprise a manuscript index to contents. The contents comprise a presumably comprehensive collection of the circulars sent to "Heads of Departments and Surveyors" of the General Post Office between 1876 and 1883, some folded (some of those with tears but still complete).

The collection as a whole, with items varying in size from 12mo to quarto, is in good condition, if a shade grubby and with some items on discoloured paper. Features: One letter (13 May 1949, one page, octavo) from E. D. Johnson to 'Mr. Webb'. One letter (21 December 1906, one page, 12mo) from Goolden to Bateman, with copious notes on second leaf of bifoliate. Two letters (9 February 1913 and 2 November 1916, both 12mo, the first of two pages and the second of one page) from M. H. Spielmann to Bateman. One letter (14 February 1913, 3 pages, 12mo) from Fred Falkner to Bateman.

Dimensions of paper roughly five and a half inches by eight. Good, but on paper discoloured with age and with some glue-staining to reverse, which has not shown through. Docketed on reverse. An attractive example of Georgian calligraphy, within a thin black border.

For this eccentric club see 'The History of I Zingari' by R. L. Arrowsmith & B. J. W. Hill (1982). From the Mark Bonham Carter archive. Roughly five inches square. In poor condition: grubby and creased with several closed tears. Text entirely legible. Ink notes on back (by Bonham Carter?) including picture of sailing ship and reference to Somerset Maugham Prize. Reads 'The Governor, I Zingari, has pleasure in sending you a "Testamur" as a proof that you have successfully passed the probationary period.

Gadshill was purchased by Dickens for £1770 in 1857, and remained his home for the rest of his life. Dimensions of photograph approximately six inches by four. Sepia. In good condition, with one tiny closed tear and minor creasing to two corners. Shot from the front lawn and showing the front of house, with extension and part of conservatory to its right.

An irregular rectangle of paper, roughly five inches by three and a half, with the image of a 1950's television printed on one side in light and dark brown. In good condition, with negligible glue-staining to front. The screen, roughly 1 1/2 inches by 2 inches, is cut away, with the image of a waving bespectacled man with a chimp laid underneath on piece of transparent plastic.

Small 8vo. 80 pages. Numerous woodcuts. In original grey printed wraps, with cloth spine. Internally good, with some light spotting and discoloration. Binding worn and grubby; front fep splitting. Ownership inscription. Interesting and informative introduction discusses 'the advance made in less than seventy years in popular art and literature'. Publisher's note (p.xxviii), 'The letter-press of the present volume exactly reproduces that of the original Christmas Box.