Literature Autographs

WILLIAM BOWYER Autograph Letter Signed.English printer and antiquarian. Known as 'the Learned Printer'.ALS. 1p. Antwerp. July 23rd 1743. To Mr Tunstall.  Integral with Tunstall's letter to William Bowyer regarding his edition of Cicero.  William Bowyer has appended his reply, from which his signature has been clipped and attached to an autograph printer's account for the editions of Anson's Voyages. Both items are sold together.The handwriting of William Bowyer has defeated us in places but the substance of the letter is as follows: "Good Sir, As Mr Thurlton is a joint adventurer with me in your work, I have referred myself.....

LADY BLESSINGTON autograph letter. Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington, known as Lady Blessington. Irish novelist, beauty and literary hostess.   AL. 1p plus integral blank leaf. No place. Wednesday evening, no month or year (but paper watermarked 1832). To Mr Oliver.   "Lady Blessington's compliments to Mr Oliver and will have much pleasure in seeing him tomorrow at 3 o'clock, but if Mr O could make it convenient to call at 2 o'clock it would oblige Lady B".   8vo Approx 7 x 4.5 inches. Small chip to foot of first leaf. Mounting traces to verso of integral blank leaf. All.....

THOMAS CAMPBELL AUTOGRAPH Manuscript. Scottish poet. Autograph manuscript being 6 lines in his hand on the poet Gray's opinion on Petrarch extracted from 'Mason on Gray'.  At the head is written in another hand "Hand-writing of T. Campbell (late in life). Presented by W.B." Approx 18 x 7 cms. Mounting traces to corners of verso.  Thomas Campbell made his name as a poet with 'The Pleasures of Hope' in 1799. In later life he was one of the group of men who were involved in the foundation of London University. The Works of Thomas Gray with a Memoirs of his.....

  THOMAS CARLYLE Autograph Letter Signed   Scottish satirical writer, essayist and historian.   ALS (AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED). 1p.  5th November 1869. Sending 3 of his books for the Wedgewood Library. Together with a contemporary portrait photograph.    "Messrs Chapman & Hall are directed to send you 3 vols, viz: Sartor & Heroes 1 Vol, Schiller & Sterling 1 Vol, Cromwell 3 Vols.  The utility of your enterprise will depend mainly on your judgement in earnestly and religiously choosing books that are nourishment to the mind of man, and vigorously rejecting what are poison (by far the more numerous class at.....

  LEWIS CARROLL Autograph Letter Signed   CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON (LEWIS CARROLL). English author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer.   ALS. 1p.  No place, no date.    "Dear Mr. Mayhew, Thanks for 24/- received today. Very truly yours, C.L. Dodgson. Love to the babies."    12mo.  Approx 5.5 x 3.5 inches. Some browning spots and localised brittleness from two old glue mounting spots on verso and a corresponding piece of old album leaf adhering to verso.  All else VG...

WILKIE COLLINS Autograph Presentation Signature. English novelist. Author of 'The Woman in White', 'The Moonstone', etc. A good, large autograph signature on heavy paper piece. With the sentiment "Very truly yours" and the date "20th February 1888" in his hand. This appears to be a presentation signature purposely provided, rather than a fragment extracted from a letter or other document.   11 x 7 cms (4.5 x 2.75 inches). Slight browning to top right corner, some mounting traces to verso. Very good.   ..

WILKIE COLLINS Autograph inscription in Prayer Book. British (English) novelist. Author of 'The Woman In White', 'The Moonstone', etc.   Autograph signature and inscription "Marion Halcombe Taylor, 11th August 1888, Wilkie Collins". On first blank leaf of The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, published by Eyre & Spottiswoode [n.d.].   16mo. Approx 5 x 3.25 inches. 541pp. Grained full limp morocco binding signed by the binder Loxley Brothers of Sheffield. Lettered gilt on spine an upper cover, blocked gilt with monogram, gilt dentelles, all edges gilt. Inner hinge cracked at joint. Some loss to top left corner.....

CHARLES DICKENS Signed Cheque. English novelist. Cheque drawn on Coutts Bank, the Strand, London, in favour of Lady Olliff  for the sum of three pounds four shillings and sixpence. 5th May 1862. Endorsed on verso by Ring & Brymer (the food suppliers and confectioners).  The date, payee's name and sum in the hand of Charles Dickens and signed with his characteristic signature.   The usual ink cancellation marks (partly touching signature). Very light mounting traces to verso, else in fine condition.    Provenance:  From an album compiled by Florence Pearl Faithfull (known as "Pearl"), later Lady Dilke.  Pearl Faithfull was.....

CHARLES DICKENS autograph letter Signed.British novelist. ALS.  1p.  Office of All the Year Round, 26 Wellington Street, Strand, London, WC.  Monday 25th M[a]y, 1868.  To [Charles] Mackay. Sold together with a contemporary steel engraved portrait."The sparrows shall be heartily welcomed whensoever they wing their way in this direction.  Consign them to me yourself, and no time will be lost.  Cordial thanks for your congratulations. Faithfully yours always, Charles Dickens." 8vo.  Approx 6.5 x 5 inches (16.5 x 12.75 cms). The blank leaf of the bifolium excised to a stub which had been used for mounting in an album.  Old mounting.....

  CHARLES DICKENS Autograph Letter Signed   British Novelist.   ALS. 1p (with integral blank leaf).  Gads Hill Place,  Monday third August 1857.  To F.M. Webb, Esq.   "Dear Sir, I am honoured by your obliging invitation, and should have been happy to accept it if my engagements had admitted of that response.  But they oblige me to forego the gratification offered to me by the Committee of management, to whom I beg to tender my respectful thanks. Dear Sir, your faithful servant, CHARLES DICKENS. P.S. My absence at Manchester has delayed my reply".  With good full signature.    8vo......