11. Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery / Lane, John Henry H.V.

19th century original british Passport for “Mr.John Henry H. V. Lane (British Subject) travelling on the continent”, signed in July of 1886 by later prime minister Archibald Philip, Earl of Roseberry, then Foreign Secretary under Gladstone during his brief third ministry.

London, Given at the Foreign Office, 1886. 27.7 cm x 38.2 cm. 1 sheet. Original Softcover. Excellent condition with only minor signs of external wear. Signed by Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery. Fantastic and important document of british foreign office history.

12. [Clerke, Agnes Mary].

Collection of eight publications by and about Agnes Mary Clerke plus one autographed / signed manuscript-letter by Agnes Clerke [The letter answers the request of a fellow german Astronomer who complimented her on her History of Astronomy and asked for her permission to translate her latest work). The recipient is possibly german astronomer R.Engelmann who wrote about Nebula. The letter dates from 1891 and is written in perfect german (Agnes Clerke was known to have written reviews and letters in French, German, Greek and Italian). This rare collection includes the following books: 1. A.M.Clerke – Geschichte der Astronomie während des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts. Gemeinfasslich dargestellt. (Autorisierte deutsche Ausgabe von H.Maser) – First german edition of “A popular History of Astronomy during the 19th century” from 1889 – with a signed, contemporary manuscript letter by Agnes Clerke in german (!) regarding this publication / 2. Agnes Clerke – Familiar Studies in Homer (London, 1892) / 3. Agnes Clerke – “The Herschels and Modern Astronomy” (with a loosely inserted portrait of Sir William Herschel) (London, 1895) / 4. Agnes Clerke – “A popular History of Astronomy during the 19th century” (The important Fourth Edition, revised and corrected by the author) (London, Adam and Charles Black, 1902) – Famously: With the vintage photographs pasted to frontispiece and titlepage / 5. Agnes Clerke – “The System of the Stars” – Second Edition (London, 1905) / 6. Agnes Clerke – Modern Cosmogonies (London, 1905) / 7. Agnes Clerke – “A popular History of Astronomy during the 19th century” 1908-Reprint of the important Fourth Edition, revised and corrected by the author) (London, Adam and Charles Black, 1908) / 8. Mary Brueck / Mary Brück – Agnes Mary Clerke & The Rise of Astrophysics (Cambridge University Press, 2002).

A mixture of first and later editions. Berlin / London, Springer / Cassell / Longmans & Green and others, 1889 – 1908. Octavo. More than 2500 pages with many illustrations and diagrams etc. / The vintage letter has two pages filled and signed by Clerke in ink / The only modern publication within the collection is a very important monograph on Clerke by scientist Mary Brueck / Mary Brück, published by Cambridge University Press (275 pages). Original Hardcovers in bespoke protective collector’s Mylar. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. A stunning collection of all the major publications by this important woman astronomer. Agnes Clerke paved the way for women in science and must be seen as the pioneer female astronomer. The price includes worldwide free shipping of the collection per UPS Express Courier.

13. Richardson, Josiah (Editor) / [J.F. Lloyd – Photographer – Carmarthen / J.C.Portnell – Carmarthen].

Song and Speech. [Unique collection of the short-lived “Song and Speech” – Magazine, edited by Josiah Richardson in 1891 and accompanied by an autograph / manuscript letter-signed by Richardson].

Two Volumes in One (14 Issues in Total). Strand / London, “Song and Speech”, 1891-1892. 18 cm x 24 cm. Volume 1: No.1-12, 192 pages / Followed by parts of Volume 2: No.13 – No.1: 16 pages, No.13 – No.2: 16 pages. With numerous black-and-white illustrations and photographs throughout. [The pagination of this periodical changed from original 16 pages per number at the beginning of Volume I, to 8 pages towards the end of the first Volume. With the start of Volume II , in 1892, the periodical changed again to 8 pages per issue and also changed its numbering. We were not able to verify if this magazine was published beyond the May – Issue of 1892]. Hardcover / Private, decoratived half-leather with gilt lettering and ornament on spine. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. With the very interesting provenance of two Welsh men of Carmarthen: Victorian photographer J.F.Lloyd and J.C.Portnell. Bound by: ‘The “Welshman” Newspaper and Steam Printing Co. Lt., Bookbinders, Machine Rulers, & c., Carmarthen’ – with their bookbindery-label on pastedown. Includes manuscript-draft of a speech on endpaper titled ‘John Jones Chairman’, written by photographer J.F.Lloyd, Carmarthen. The calligraphed titlepage of this privately bound compilation shows the watermark ‘Annandale Polton’, of ‘Annandale and Polton Paper Mill Company’, which operated from 1825 until after the Second World War. Contains hand-written note on Page 1, dated January 29, 1896, signed by Editor Josiah Richardson’. This note also contains the blindstamped address of Josiah Richardson at ‘Gordon House, Wandsworth Common, S.W.’. In this note, Richardson telles the recipient that “I hope soon to go on with the publication of my Journal & should then be pleased to number you among my subscribers – Faithfully your Josiah Richardson”. The date of this note leads to the assumption that by 1896, the magazine had already ceased to exist and Richardson answers to one of his fans by expressing his hope to go on. The Volume also includes a manuscript – Index to the rear of the Volume. A very rare and uncommmon compilation of this early Magazine, with very interesting articles from “Pronounciation in Singing” to “Alteration of Music by Singers” to “Vocal Physiology” (Breathing / Principle of Breathing etc.), to “Stammering” etc.

14. Foster, Vere [Henry Louis / Lewis] / [Emily Albinia “Alba” Foster] / [Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire].

Amazing Vere Foster-Collection including Educational Materials and as a centerpiece the “Presentation Copy of “The Two Duchesses” with Autograph / Manuscript – Letter by Vere Foster to his niece, Emily Albinia “Alba” Foster. With a stunning, unpublished, two-page-letter, revealing several important details about the immediately favorable reviews and reception of the book [″in the Daily Telegraph”] and Vere Foster’s disdain about some criticism from one J.Donohue [which led to an alteration in the second edition of the book]. Vere Foster is also expecting a review to appear in the “Athenaeum” but reports “the Athenaeum has nothing yet”. Vere Foster apologizes to his niece for the delay in sending the book and explains that he had left 12 “parcels″£ with Blackie’s agent and gave instructions to send them but a few days later found they had been “untouched”. / The Two Duchesses – Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire – Family Correspondence of and Relating to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, Earl of Bristol (Bishop of Derby), The Countess of Bristol, Lord and Lady Byron, The Earl of Aberdeen, Sir Augustus Foster Bart, and Others, 1777-1859. [See Full list of items which are part of this collection, on our website under the topic “Libraries & Collections”].

First Edition. London / Glasgow and Dublin, Blackie & Son Limited, 1898. Octavo (15 cm x 22 cm). Pagination: Frontispiece, IX, [3], 497 pages with 18 Illustrations (including frontispiece and one Vignette of the two Duchesses opposite page 1). Hardcover / Original, publisher’s green cloth with gilt lettering on spine. Very good condition with some minor signs of wear only. This is an astonishing find for the Vere Foster Research Community and the letter gives significant insight into the importance the publication had for him, its reception as seen by Vere Foster and it solves the riddle why an altertaion was necessary for the second edition [which Vere Foster explains in a brief note to the reader at the beginning of the second edition]. The heartfelt inscription to his niece Albinia Foster is also of great importance and to our knowledge the only presentation-copy of this book on the international market for the several decades we can look back at auction records.

15. Foster, Vere [Henry Louis / Lewis] / [Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire].

The Two Duchesses – Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire – Family Correspondence of and Relating to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire / Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire, Earl of Bristol (Bishop of Derby), The Countess of Bristol, Lord and Lady Byron, The Earl of Aberdeen, Sir Augustus Foster Bart, and Others, 1777-1859. First Edition. With 17 illustrations.

London / Glasgow and Dublin, Blackie & Son Limited, 1898. Octavo (16 cm x 22,5 cm). XII, 497 pages with 16 full-page-illustrations and one small vignette, showing the Two Duchesses in cordial embrace. Hardcover / Original, green publisher’s cloth with gilt lettering and ornament to spine and armorial supralibro to cover with the Motto of the “British chivalric Order of the Garter”: “Honi soit qui mal y pense” [″shame on anyone who thinks evil of it”]. Very good condition with some minor signs of wear only. “Presentation Copy of “The Two Duchesses” with Autograph / Manuscript – Letter by Vere Foster to his niece, Emily Albinia “Alba” Foster. With a stunning, unpublished, two-page manuscript letter, revealing several important details about the immediately favorable reviews and reception of the book “Two Duchesses” [″in the Daily Telegraph”] and Vere Foster’s disdain about some criticism from one J.Donohue [which led to an alteration in the second edition of the book]. Vere Foster is also expecting a review to appear in the “Athenaeum” but reports: “the Athenaeum has nothing yet”. Vere Foster apologizes to his niece for the delay in sending the book and explains that he had left 12 “parcels” with Blackie’s agent and gave instructions to send them, but a few days later found they had been “untouched”. One of the most important finds of Vere Foster – Material in recent years with no sign of similar material on offer in the past years on the international market.

16. Wells, Percy A. (1867-1956) / [Letter by Morris, Mary ‘May’ (Designer)] / [Letter by Allom, Sir Charles Carrick (english decorator)] / [Letter by Garnett, Prof. William (Experimental Physics)] / [Letter by Henry, Jacob Solomon (Furniture Maker)] / Letter by Hems, Harry (English architectural and ecclesiastical sculptor)] / [Letter: Image, Selwyn (British Artist & Designer of the Arts & Crafts Movement)] / [Letter: Russell, Sir Sydney Gordon (English Designer & Craftsman) / [Letter: Quennell, Marjorie (Courtney) (British historian, illustrator and Museum Curator at The Geffrye Museum) //

Small Archive / Manuscript Material, Letters, Designs, Books and Pamphlets as well as vintage photographs of Furniture like Chairs (Percy A. Wells Chair), Wardrobe, Advertising of Exhibitions [chaired for example by Christopher Hussey], etc. etc. This material all originates from Percy A. Wells’ personal collection and sensationally also includes a manuscript notebook / sketchbook with his drawings, designs and a detailed, typescript with autobiographical memories in which Wells details his decades of being involved in Furniture Design. Loosely inserted in the manuscript notebook / sketchbook, is a signed manuscript letter on stationery of Kelmscott Manor by Mary ‘May’ Morris, daughter of the Pre-Raphaelite artist and designer William Morris and his wife and artists’ model, Jane Morris [included is ephemeral material which for example informs about a pair of Episcopal Gloves, designed by William Morris’s daughter [May Morris] and the clipping continues: “Those who remember Morris’s attitude towards the Church will smile and reflect upon time’s revenges”]. The collection includes an abundance of information which easily can lead to a monograph on the life of Percy A. Wells. Detailed description of the Archive and all materials contained below (more details will be listed constantly).

Dulwich / Shoreditch / London a.o., Percy A.Wells Private Library, c.1900-c.1920. Octavo / Quarto / Folio. Hardcover Folder with loosely inserted material like letters and photographs, envelopes, signed and inscribed books and rare pamphlets with designs etc. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Fantstic Archive and lots of unpublished material of one of the more eminent Cabinet, Furniture and Chair – Designers which resulted from inspiration by William Morris’ Kelmscott – School. Percy A. Wells Chairs are still in regular demand today and sell for stunning prices (3000 £ etc.).

17. Congo / Kongo – Leopold II of Belgium (1835-1909) – King of the Belgians and Owner / Absolute Ruler of the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908.

Collection of four very important and meaningful manuscript letters by Leopold II to his administrator and Foreign Minister of the Congo – Free-State, Baron Adolphe de Cuvelier (1860-1931) with a total of 16 pages filled with Leopold’s instructions on pressing issues regarding a warning about an imminent visit by the Rector of the Mill-Hill Missionaries [probably Herbert Alfred Henry Vaughan (1832 – 1903)] and Leopold’s qualification of the visit of being detrimental to the Congo Free State (″ne travaillent pas pour l’État”). Leopold continues in another letter to talk about the hostile positions of english officials (consuls) and missionaries (″que les consuls anglais et les missionnaires anglais se conduisent bien mal envers l’État”). Interestingly, Leopold also touches on the nuisance of the german press criticizing Belgian Railway Lines and he is of the opinion that this is all happening in order to force the german parliament [″Reichstag”] to finance the building of the Tanganyika Railway [between Dar es Salaam and Kigoma]: (″cherche à effrayer l’opinion [en] Allemagne à propos de mes chemins de fer afin d’obtenir du Reichstag des fonds pour la ligne allemande vers le Tanganika”.

16 pages of MLS, Manuscript Letters (signed) on 10 leaves of Leopold’s official stationery “Château de Laeken” and “Palais de Bruxelles”. Laeken / Brussels, Château de Laeken [Palace of Laeken], 1901 – 1906. The leaves with different sizes (13,5 cm x 9 cm) and (18 cm x 11,5 cm). Excellent condition. Unsigned. Tremendously rare to find original letters by Leopold II on the open market in which the Colonial Free State and the protection against inquisitive visitors is discussed in such clear and instructive fashion. Leopold’s correspondence with Adolphe de Cuvelier shows how he is very much trying to still protect and influence the narrative of his Colonial Slavery Outpost even in the final years of his life.

18. [Cumberbatch, Benedict] Cumberbatch, Henry Arnold / Rees, Helen / Basil Benwell Rees / William Benwell Rees / Etheldreda Blanche Barker / [Sir Winston Churchill / Sir Anthony Arthur Duncan Montague Browne [Private Secretary to Sir Winston Churchill]].

Large Family Archive of the Benwell Rees – Family, including William Benwell Rees (brother to actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s grandmother Helen Rees, by marriage to British Diplomat Henry Arnold Cumberbatch, who was Consul in Romania, Turkey and Lebanon ). The archive includes at least one manuscript letter by Henry Arnold Cumberbatch and around one thousand documents chronicling the lives of the ex-patriate Benwell Rees family from 1890-1970 in Alexandria and Monaco, including William Benwell Rees, whose marriage to Etheldreda Blanche Barker cemented the family’s role in the highest circles of Alexandria life. The archive also charts their son Basil Rees’ decade in Monaco under Princess Grace and Prince Rainer III where he served as President of the British Association in the 1950’s-‘60s and solicited a letter written by Sir Anthony Arthur Duncan Montague Browne, on Winston Churchill’s behalf on Chartwell headed paper in which the former Prime Minister declined to attend an event in Monaco [signed by Montague Browne]. The archive is held in five heavy volumes, bursting with a plethora of amazing and wonderful historical letters, ephemera, emotional messages and telegrams, old images, theatre-programmes, and especially also includes programmes of plays in which ancestors of Benedict played (J.M.Barrie, Shakespeare etc.). The original letters and documents paint an interesting picture of Benedict Cumberbatch’s grandmother’s side of the family history in the Levant, their service in the Middle East and their social lives. The five volumes are bound in bespoke red morocco over textured paper-covered-boards and they contain at least one reference to Helen Rees next to a newspaper-clipping and dozens of wonderful handwritten letters and cards. Each volume about four inches across spine with title in gilt to upper cover and around 100 leaves in each with documents mounted recto and verso throughout, with photographs, invitations, business materials and clippings that chart the family’s life in their service for the British Colonial Office. The five Volumes include for example: Volume 1: The Benwell Rees’: begins with Egyptian Gazette, 1890 and a programme for a performance c1900 at the Port Theatre, Marina, Alexandria of Rumpelstilkskin; visiting cards and contemporary reports of the marriage of W B Rees and Etheldreda Blanche Barker in Alexandria, February 1901; Windsor Hotels prospectus and flyer (a WBR enterprise); 1913 Casino de Monte Carlo ticket for Ethel Rees; Kings School Canterbury ephemera and St Johns’ College, Cambridge for Basil Rees from 1920’s, graduated June 1924. Volume 2: The Benwell Rees’ Vol II, 1920’s-1990’s: includes J M Barrie, Quality Street programme for English Girls’ School, Alexandria, 1941; invitations from Princess Grace of Monaco etc Volume 3: Basil Rees Vol III, cover nearly detached, 1953- Basil Rees living at 2 Rue Origene, Alexandria, and covering period of move to Palais Majestic, Monaco after which he served as President of the British Association and his sudden death in 1967. Invitations to dinner and place settings with the Prince and Princess of Monaco. Birthday greetings; international stamp collecting societies. Photographic ‘Permis de Sejour’ for William Benwell Rees in Monaco, October 1918. Volume 4: Basil Rees Vol. IV Begins with telegram from Rees to the Queen; mostly very extensive formal correspondence concerned with Rees’ Presidency of he British Association in Monaco; invitations, notes, printed volume of Statutes of association from 1950, royal correspondence with Monaco and Britain. Volume 5 and 6 (two large Volumes): Basil Rees 4-5-1902 AND Basil Rees 4-5 1902 [William Basil Benwell Rees ; Birth: 4 May 1902. Alexandria, Al Iskandariyah, Egypt ; Death: 10 Feb 1967 (aged 64). Monaco]. Volume I covers the early days of the Alexandria – Period and beautiful ephemera of a Rees-wedding (Miss Elaine Trevitt Briggs to Charles Owen Benwell Rees, social life in Alexandria, Theatre and Dinners etc. as well as the many Freemason – Engagements of the “Alexandria Lodge No.4184” in the year 1942 and also a rare Volume of Bye-Laws for the District Grand Lodge of Egypt and the Sudan Volume II covers William Basil Benwell Rees; Royal Navy ID card, British Forces, September 1943 – other material relating to Rees’ work as Duty Defence Officer at the Royal Navy Defence Base in Alexandria, HMS Nice. Volume begins in 1902 and includes Alexandria Dog Show, W B B Rees at Jesus College, Cambridge; Egypt NAAFI permits; lock of Basil Rees’ hair, aged 2 etc.

Alexandria / Monaco / etc., c. 1902 – 1967. Octavo. Six Volumes with hundreds of pieces of Ephemera, an original Theatre Couplet, photographs, newspaper-clippings, Theatre Programmes etc. Half Morocco. Bindings stronger rubbed and slightly damaged.

19. [Lloyd, Howard & Lloyd, Mariabella Lloyd [daughter of John Eliot Howard].

Signed / Inscribed Bible and two Manuscript Letters (one with Letterhead of Grafton Manor, Bromsgrove), as well as a Photograph of Howard Lloyd & Mariabella Lloyd. The letters both to either their friend or servant Lily Crowther (with wedding-pictures of Lily Crowther and her husband included). One of the Letters is a thank-you-note signed by Howard Lloyd and Mariabella Lloyd, clearly directed at Lily Crowther and thanking her for her sympathy on their daughter’s passing. The other letter, on letterhead of Grafton Manor, is a manuscript letter, signed by Mariabella Lloyd in which she wishes Lily strength and blessing in her christian life.

London / Bromsgrove / Grafton Manor, 1907. Octavo. Hardcover / Original Publisher’s flexible leather-bound bible with two letters and several photographs loosely inserted. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear.

20. Palmer, Alice Freeman.

Manuscript Letter, signed (MLS) by Alice Freeman Palmer, American educator, President of Wellesley College, Dean of Women at then newly founded University of Chicago and most importantly, Advocate for College Education for Women. The letter, written in Cambridge, Mass. on March 16th, 1899 comes in its original envelope and is a wonderful example for her caring personality not only for women’s education but also for a mother’s anxiety who was worried about her son’s education and who found the courage to write to Alice Freeman Palmer and ask for her help. The six-page-manuscript-letter is addressed to a Mrs. Richmond in Adams, Massachusetts. Alice Freeman Palmer responds to Mrs. Richmond’s worries that her son may not be able to afford a second year at Harvard University. Alice Freeman Palmer writes: “My dear Mrs. Richmond, I have read your letter with the warmest interest and have discussed the possibilities with my husband, who is a Professor in Harvard. He has seen the Dean in confidence and they will do all they can to secure some Price Greenleaf Aid for your son for next year – as much as possible. Dean Briggs will send a blank to your son which he should fill out and return. I think the decision is mde here in June and then you will know how much you can reky on from that source. If your son decides to return to Harvard, my husband wil secure one hundred and fifty dollars in addition, to pay his tuition from a fund which he has for students whom he wishes to help; so that he can have any Greenleaf aid he receives & use in addition to his tuition bills. For how much can he get on in Cambridge ? We will do all we can to secure him work and as will the Dean but we cannot be sure there are as many students applying for the same thing. We hope he will get $ 250 from the Gren Leaf Fund. If he does and has 150.00 for his tuition, would it not be wise for him to come, hoping that you might do a little for him, and might get some work from time to time and live very economically, and so get through the year. He must do such good work in his sophomore year that he can stand a chance for a scholarship at the end, and I should think that would be likely. I hope very heartily that he can return to Harvard and you may be sure that we will help him in any way we can. He must come and see us at once and let me know how we can assist him. We shall hold your letter in strict confidence you may know. You can trust the Dean absolutely and his help is essential in getting your son the aid he needs; for the numbers who need aid quite as sorely are many more than the means to aid them. But your letter has made me feel that a boy as Frailed as yours deserves the chances to finish his college course, and I hope he can find a way to the next three years without any more delay. Let us hope too that your husbands business will improve, and your anxieties be removed and the other boys find their way after too ! Sincerley Yours, Alice Freeman Palmer”. [The Letter was loosely inserted in to an edition of George Herbert Palmer’s publication: “The Life of Alice Freeman Palmer”. The book is part of this collection.

Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin/The Riverside Press Cambridge,, 1908. Octavo. Portrait-Frontispiece, 349, [3] pages with 6-page Autographed letter signed (ALS), loosely inserted. Original Hardcover. Excellent condition with some minor signs of wear only.