MANUSCRIPT

A friend of Dylan Thomas and a leading poet of the 1930s London literary scene, Dyment is the subject of a warm appreciation by Robert Graecen in The Times, 8 June 1971. The present collection consists of a series of amusing poems regarding various members of the animal kingdom. ONE: Typescript of 'Fur, Feather, and Fin | by | Clifford and Marcella Dyment'. Address at foot of title-page: 'Flat 5, 53, Harrington Gardens, London, S.W.7.' 46pp., 8vo. Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper.

The two volumes contain a total of 239pp., 12mo, in ink and pencil, with entries dating from between 29 November 1912 and 28 March 1950. In fair overall condition, with light signs of age and wear. In two Keuffel & Esser notebooks, each in remains of brown calf binding, the first with 'MINING | TRANSIT BOOK | 363' stamped on front cover, and the second with 'Cross Section Book | 375 S'. In manuscript on cover of first volume: '19<...> Dec. | The Psilomelane D | of the Francis <....> | by | Don <...> | Under Prof. A. C. L <...>'.

The eight items are unbound, in fair condition, on aged paper with loss to extremities of some documents.ONE: Printed parliamentary bill: 'Compulsory Weighing and Measurement. | A Bill To provide for the Weighing and Measurement of the Material used in the process of manufacture, as well as the Product thereof, in all Iron or Steel Works, Cement Works, Lime Works, and Chalk Quarries. | Presented by Mr. Barnes, | supported by | Mr. Keir Hardie, Mr. Hodge, [and nine others] | Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 22 February 1906.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper with spike hole through one word (the 'yours' of 'Very truly yours'). He apologises for being foreced to forego the opportunity of 'attending at the Institution, which I have often wished to revisit', as a result of the requirement for 'an extraordinary amount of attendance from me night as well as day, consequent upon the encrease [sic] of cholera cases, & some other matters, of possible emergency'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He informs him that 'the Duchess will be obliged to postpone her visit to The British Museum till next week', and asks what day would be convenient.

On 14 x 12.5 cm piece of card, with the cropped printed scorecard (completed in pencil in childish hand) on one side, and the autograph signatures on the otherwise-blank reverse. In good condition, lightly-aged. The five signatures are bold and strong in black ink, and read: 'P. Mead | Ed Tyldesley | E Hendren | J W Hearne | J W Hitch'.

1p., 12mo. Mourning border. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He writes that his 'visit to the Gallery' has to be on the following Friday, but asks the recipient not to 'in the least inconvenience yourself on my account, though I certainly should consider it a great pleasure to see you on the occasion'. According to his entry in the Oxford DNB: 'In 1860 William Chambers returned to Edinburgh and the firm. Robert Chambers and his wife travelled to America before he and his family moved to London so that he could oversee the firm's new London offices.

As befits the son of a City of London clergyman, Edward Mason Wrench was a well-educated and well-connected man (being presented to the Prince of Wales in his old age), attributes which enabled him to thrive at Chatsworth. His standing was also enhanced by an eventful army career. Wrench's obituary in the British Medical Journal (27 April 1912), describes how, after service in the Crimea, 'he was transferred to the 4th Lancers, went to Madras with that regiment in the following month, and served with it during the whole of the Indian Mutiny.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper. Arnald's appeal begins: Appealing to the 'known humanity' of Lawrence and the Council, Arnald writes on behalf of 'Mrs. Abigail Whitcombe, widow of Mr. Thos. Whitcombe late of Clarendon Square, marine painter, and for 40. Years an annual contributor to the Exhibition of the Royal Academy', who has previously received assistance, but is now 'almost totally deprived of sight, and otherwise afflicted', and is dependent on 'the assistance afforded by friends on whom she has no Claim'.

2pp., 8vo. On bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly-aged and creased paper. 52 lines of text, written in a close and difficult hand. He begins by explaining his silence 'depuis deux grands mois'. He refers to 'notre ennuyeux papier, comme Guilmer continue à appeler les journaux', and states that he has been doing 'un peu de redaction dans le Pays, soit la Revue de la Presse, soit les comptes rendus des Académies'. He begins by explaining his silence 'depuis deux grands mois'.

On piece of 6 x 12 cm laid and watermarked paper, cut from an order. In fair condition, aged and worn. Above the good firm signature, in another hand, is: 'Given onboard [sic] the Caledonia in Basque Roads 17 April 1809'. At foot, in a nineteenth-century hand: 'Gambier's autograph'. Gambier's actions during the battle, the victory in which was credited to him rather than Lord Cochrane, led to a Court Martial. Gambier was exonerated, and Cochrane's naval career ended.

Jacob was one of the ten children (seven sons) of Archdeacon Philip Jacob (1803-1884). Both items are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: 'HMS Leopard | Dec 12th. 1854'. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. To 'My dearest Brother'. The fifteen-year-old Jacob has a shaky grasp of spelling and punctuation.

Black and white photograph of Panaieff in costume and dance pose, cut from a magazine. 15 x 10 cm, with border. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Good firm flourishing signature across the image, reading: 'Mischa Paniaieff | Lancks [sic] | 1936'.

The three items in good condition, lightly aged. The first two with mourning borders (for his wife, who had died in 1852). Lovelace's handwriting is idiosyncratic. ONE: 12 February [1852]. From 6 Great Cumberland Place. 1p., 16mo. Acknowledging receipt of 'a memorial from certain inhabitants of Limpsfield, as well as the letter of Mr. Elliott'. TWO: 9 January 1853. 1p., 12mo. Stating that he has 'felt it inexpedient to comply with the requisition transmitted to me in February last'. THREE: 30 July 1854. 1p., 4to. Addressed to King as 'Dear Locke'.

Black and white photograph of Kirsova in costume and dance pose, cut from a magazine. 13 x 9.5 cm. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Good firm signature across bottom left of image, reading: 'Hélène Kirsova | 1936'.

A fascinating collection of material, casting light on a furtive and little-discussed aspect of the English antiquarian book trade. (For further information see 'Anatomy of an Auction: Rare Books at Ruxley Lodge, 1919' by J. I. Freeman and A. M. Freeman, and 'Out of Print and into Profit', ed. G. Mandelbrote.) Of the eight items, all but Item Two below are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. It would appear that some of the material at least was published, but precise details are not known.

15pp., folio, on 10 leaves of laid paper. In a number of hands, with marginal glosses. In good condition, on aged paper. The conclusion reads: 'Wee will also &c that ye aforesaid Sr. Jno Foster have &c these our Letters Patent under our great Seal of England &c without fine or Freedom because before mentiond & expressed &c in Witness &c Tested at Gothamburg ye 28th. of March'. On reverse of last leaf: '17. Eliz. [i.e. 1575]. The document begins: 'The Queen to all to whom &c.

Iv + 224pp, 8vo. Ownership inscription of 'Jennifer Samuel 16.12.58'. In good condition, lightly-aged and worn. The diary is arranged with two days to a page, and with fourteen lines available for each entry. Seven pages of 'cash account', giving expenditure from January to July, at end. Almost without exception, each page is fully filled in, mostly in pencil.

On 18 x 8 cm piece of paper, tipped-in on a leaf removed from an album. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: '24.1.06. | Dear Sir; | We have no mummies to sell. You should apply to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. | Ys faithfully | E A Wallis Budge. | C. D. Sherborn, Esq.' Budge had been Keeper since 1894. Sherborn is best-remembered for his 'Index Animalium', 'an 11 volume, 9,000 page work that catalogued the 444,000 names of every living and extinct animal discovered between 1758 and 1850'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. He finds that he will be able to arrange 'a course of 3 afternoon lectures for you on Welsh and Irish Music . . at the Royal Institution during next week'. He asks Graves to 'communicate with the Assistant Secretary as to date and exact title'. He ends by stating the fee.

The two signatures are on one side of a 14 x 18cm leaf of cream paper removed from an album. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with laid down. Good clear examples. Beecham's signature 'Thomas Beecham' is above that of 'Ethel Frank'. Probably given on Franks first visit to Britain in 1921. Small magazine cutting of photograph of three musicians laid down on reverse.

2pp., 4to. On watermarked laid paper. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Twenty-nine lines of text. Law was appointed prebendary of Carlisle in 1773 and archdeacon four years later. In 1782 he left for Ireland. According to his entry in the Oxford DNB, Paley, 'his friend and successor in the archdeaconry, accompanied him to Ireland and preached his consecration sermon'.

Wallace, a well-known painter of landscapes and still life subjects in oil and water-colour, was born at Kendal in the Lake District and studied in Kensington at the Byam Shaw and Vicat Cole School of Art. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1922, and at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Royal Institute of Watercolour Painters, and with the Lake Artists' Society. He was a full member of the Royal Society of British Artists. The present collection casts an interesting light on the efforts of a good English artist to be of use to the war effort. Ten items.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of glue from mount on reverse of letter and envelope. Envelope, with penny red, addressed by Lovell to 'Dillon Croker Esq. | 3 Gloucester Road | Old Brompton'. Reads: 'Mrs. Lovell begs to thank Mr. Croker for his polite note and for the trouble he has kindly taken - | Should there be any occasion Mrs Lovell will gladly avail herself of Mr. Croker [sic] offer of further assistance.'

Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: TLS from Curtis to Francis. 1p., folio. Signed 'L. Curtis'. A circular letter, with signature, date and name of recipient added. Curtis begins the letter: 'I am writing to ask whether you would care to acquire a replica of a portrait of Lawrence which has now come to be known as "the ghost portrait." Its history is as follows: In 1923 Eric Kennington made a portrait in pastel of Lawrence, who was then a fellow in residence at All Souls.

Both items in good condition, on aged paper. Lovell begins the first letter (3pp., 12mo) by expressing disappointment at not having heard from Webster yet 'with the M.S.', and offers to 'save [him] any trouble in explanations' by calling on him. If that is not acceptable he asks him to 'let me have the copy with your notes upon it & I will work at once. And if you have any thing more agreeable in the way of criticism to communicate it will put me in better spirits'.

Both items in good condition, on lightly aged paper. Letter: 2pp., 12mo. The letter begins: 'Mrs. Kean has given me back possession of the two Plays. The Wife's Secret & The Trial of Love. & the advice of Mr. Coyne was that I should add them to the Dram[ati]c. Authors Society's list.' Under the circumstances, he asks whether Lacy would be 'desirous of printing them & if so what would be your arrangement?' He suggests a meeting the following day. Autograph prelims: 3pp., 4to. Bifolium, with bottom half of second leaf torn away.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper, with light glue stains on blank reverse of second leaf. Lovell writes in jaunty tones: 'When I quitted Town I left your incomparable Cardinal in the plenitude of his power & on my return I find him still in the ascendant & his glory undiminished! - Such a man belongs to posterity & my posterity are anxious to pay (?) [the question mark is Lovell's, the implication being that they want to get in to a performance without paying] their homage to him.

The colourful life of the 'deeply eccentric Bradford-born writer' Jaeger is the subject of a good obituary in the Scotsman, 2 October 2008. In his youth Jaeger was adopted by Lady Margaret Sackville, and moved in Edinburgh high society. While studying at Montpelier University he developed a close friendship with the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore. While living in Bognor Regis he made the acquaintance of Julian Maclaren-Ross, with whom he sampled the wares of Fitzrovia.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He informs the recipient that he is 'happy to have it in my power to comply with your request for the admission of your Son as a Cadet in the Royal Military College', and that he has 'inserted him in the List of Candidates for Examination' on 1 October 1805. He states that he is sending 'the usual Circular letter, which will give you the necessary information respecting the qualifications required, and articles to be provided by the Young Gentleman on his admission into the Establishment'.