HISTORY

British naval historian (1856-1905), author of a standard history of the Royal Navy (7 vols, 1897-1903). One page, on piece of stiff paper, roughly four and a half inches by three and a half. In poor condition, discoloured and stained, and with one small hole and some fraying to extremities. Reads 'Thanks for yours of the 8th. | I am afraid that I can only express the hope that you will, in this case, keep the price as low as possible, - as I do not know the business aspects of the question.

Architectural historian (1904-92) and curator of Sir John Soane's Museum, 1945-84. Seven leaves, all very good, though some lightly creased and all with staple holes in top left-hand corner. The first three letters to Mercer and the last three to Samson. Three letters docketed. ITEM ONE (two pages, 12mo, 7 August 1958): He is 'much attracted' by the Society's invitation 'to give three Cantor lectures on Country Houses', 'especially as I understand the text of the lectures would be published'. There is however 'one rather grave difficulty.

English politician (1649?-1717); Secretary to Sir William Temple at the Hague, 1668; on diplomatic missions to Rome, Stockholm and Copenhagen; Secretary of State to William III; Member of Parliament. One page. Dimensions of paper roughly seven inches by eleven. Poor: paper discoloured and with some loss to edges (affecting three words of text) and a closed tear. Recently repaired with archival tape and at an earlier period backed with paper. Verso attached to smaller leaf of blank paper. Fourteen lines of text.

4to. 4 pages. In poor condition: on paper creased, discoloured and frayed, with several closed tears, but with the text entirely legible. Apparently a copy, and docketed 'No. 1'. Seymour (1759-1801), the commander in chief at Jamaica, died of yellow fever on 11 September. 'R. M.' begins this unusually forthright document by informing the Commissioners that Seymour's death has caused their 'Letter relative to the public service' to pass under his inspection.

4to and 8vo. Somewhat grubby and creased, but in good condition otherwise. The six items, all addressed to Messrs Coutts & Company, are, in chronological order: ITEM 1, 5 manuscript pages, 4to, headed 'Duchy of Cornwall, | Buckingham Gate, S.W. | 1912.

Monteath (1887-1961) was Under-Secretary of State for India and for Burma, 1941-7. Both items are lightly creased and dusty, but in good condition. CARBON COPY (one page, quarto): Lindsay writes that at the previous day's meeting of the R.S.A.

American educator and philosopher (1921-2002), one of the key figures during the reorganization of the University of Chicago’s undergraduate college in the 1960s and 70s. All ten items quarto: five items one page in length and five two pages in length. Text legible throughout, but all items creased and some on paper discoloured with age. With occasional fraying to edges and a few closed tears. Several with pencil notes by Bonham-Carter on reverse.

English scientist (1889-1977), who worked with Rutherford in Manchester. All eight items quarto and very good. Most carrying the Society's stamp and some docketed. All signed 'Margaret Fishenden'. Mostly concerning the delivery and publication of a lecture on 'Domestic Heating'. Letter of 11 January 1926 suggests a number of people who should be invited.

Architectural historian and one of the editors of 'Country Life' (1876-1930). The thirteen items are in good condition, although grubby and with occasional creasing. Two items have minor rust staining from paperclips to corners. All but one item one page, quarto. Often docketed or bearing the R.S.A. stamp. Primarily concerned with lectures at the R.S.A. by Weaver, and their proofs in the Society's journal.

Museum Director and Bibliophile (DNB). One page, 4to, with conjugate blank, good quality paper, edges sunned irregularly, text clear and complete. The page is headed with a substantial view by E.H. New of the Museum. The text comprises a printed acknowledgment of a contribution for "the addition to our Collection" which Cockerell has dated and signed in manuscript. He has also written the name of the correspondent ("Mrs A.J. Finberg") and the title of the contribution ("Study of Apple boughs by Samuel Palmer").

An important piece of local history. Neatly engrossed on one side of piece of stained and discoloured parchment, dimensions approximately 24 inches by 22 inches. Signed at foot by Lediard and with his seal (in poor condition). Signatures of five witnesses on reverse. In poor condition but with text mostly legible. Four holes, two of them affecting text, at intersections of folds in document.

Andrew Spottiswoode ( Boase), of the printers and publishers (BBTI as printers only), proprietor of Hood's Magazine from early 1844 (see Jane Hood #3138). Hewlett has obviously followed Hurst's suggestion (above) that he contact Spottiswoode about the editorship of the Pictorial Times and contributions. The latter here replies that there is no vacancy and comments that it is not desirable "to fill up the Pages of a Newspaper with Novels".

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.

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.

Disbound, poor condition. SIGNED by George Bancroft (American historian and politician, 1800-1891). Bancroft is listed as an alumnus in this book.

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'.

A clean copy, on good thick paper, of an engraving, three versions of which are in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG D8332, NPG D8333, NPG D8334), where they are dated 1889, and described as being etched 'after a photograph originally published in the Pall Mall Gazette 'Grand Old Man' extra'. Dimensions of paper roughly nine inches by six, dimensions of image roughly five inches by four. Burton's signature is faintly etched at the foot of plate, and the print is docketed in pencil 'W E G' at the foot of the paper, with 'Burton 1/-' on reverse.

One of 125 copies printed for K. Garth Huston, M.D. by Richard J. Hoffman, Printer, Van Nuys, California. Pamphlet,13pp., reprint of the original edition (1745), grey wraps, nr fine.

"Or the ptomaines chemically physiologically and pathologically considered in relation to scientific medicine". Introduction by Professor Armand Gautier. Pp.xxv.252 plus 4pp. press opinions and advts of Brown's other books, original cloth gt, good to very good condition. Ex lib "Medical Society of London", some unobtrusive stamps, etc. From the library of the librarian of the Medical Society of London, Nehemiah Asherson.

Communications and Television pioneer. Pamphlet, 12pp., 4to, somewhat soiled and chipped, small tear at fold mark. INSCRIBED by the author "With Kind Regards / A.B. [Arthur Blok]".

Historian of Science (see Dictionary of National Biography). 1. "Wohler's 'Synthetic' Urea and the Rejection of Vitalism: A Chemical Legend" (Reprinted from "Nature", 20 May 1944, 8pp.; 2. "The Scientific Periodical from 1665 to 1798" (From the Philosophical Magazine Commemoration Number, , July 1948, pp.122-132); 3.

Small 8vo. Pages i-vi, 3-86 (nothing apparently lacking). Original publishers' catalogue for 1879 at rear. Good tight copy, in worn original brown cloth, gilt. PRESENTATION COPY 'For The Library of the Medical Society of London with The Authors Compts'. With stamps, labels, and other evidence of library provenance. From the collection of the Society's librarian Nehemiah Asherson, and carrying a note by him, over the Society's stamp on the half-title 'DISCARDED FROM THE LIBRARY | RESCUED FROM Pulping | 1971/2'.

Disbound, 24 pages, 12mo, partly unopened, sl. damaged but no loss of text. Penny chapbook.

FIRST EDITION. 207 pages, octavo. Bound up with the front and back wraps laid onto the boards. Lacks half-title. Worn copy on spotted and discoloured paper.

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.

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'.

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'.

Pickford's are the world's oldest removal company, founded in Manchester in 1630. Hickling is presumably the Methodist preacher (1765-1858) who was active in the north of England. Dimensions of paper roughly nine inches by three and a half. Good only: paper discoloured and lightly creased. Two small punch holes. Small engraving of banking premises with negligible loss due to punch hole. Order 'No. [868] £[147..8..4] Manchester [April 22d..1814] | [Two Months] after date pay to the order of [Mr. Jno.. Hickling]'. Signed (presumably by one of the brothers) 'Thomas & Mattw. Pickford'.

English essayist and biographer of Charles Lamb (1868-1938). One page, quarto. Good only, on discoloured and creased paper. Lucas finds Ross's 'Heads and tales, etc.' (London: Rich & Cowan, 1934), a collection of interviews with the famous, 'incorrigibly lively'. 'I do not share all your sympathies but you have made a very entertaining thing out of question and answer. While I was reading, it occurred to me that a new kind of interview might be based on the "Questions I should not put to So-and-so". To G[eorge]. B[ernard].

One page, quarto. On grey paper. Addressed, with postmarks, on second leaf of bifoliate, which is damaged from breaking of wafer, to 'W. Feetham Junr. Esqr. | 4 Millbank Street | Westminster'. Informs Feetham that policy no. 6026 'has become one of the oldest 5000 Policies in this Office'. The addition brings the £2000 assured up to £2100. Docketed by Feetham 'Equitable Notices respecting additions to Policies'. Postmarked in rd 15 July 184<?>, with another postmark stating 'Chief Office | 1D. PAID'. Signed in type, 'ARTHUR MORGAN, Actuary.'