Documents and Letters

Percy Bysshe SHELLEY (1792-1822) Autograph Cheque Signed ("Percy Bysshe Shelley"), drawn on Messrs. Brookes & Co of 25 Chancery Lane, directing them to pay £38.12s.9d. to "I.S. Wright Esqr. or bearer." 1 page narrow oblong 8vo, London 28 February 1818. The Shelley family, including Claire Clairmont, had spent 1817 at...

William SOMERVILLE (1771-1860) Autograph Letter Signed (“W Somerville”) to Mrs. Hodson in Ripon, remarking on his views of medicine, and giving news of his daughters.3¼ pages 4to with address leaf, 6 Curzon Street, 2 February 1828. “I have now had an opportunity of making earnest and anxious enquiry about you and...

Lady Hester STANHOPE (1776-1839) Autograph Letter in the third person to Lord Auckland [then Postmaster General], requesting his aid for Captain Osborne of the Diana, who is recovering from a “dreadful hurt”. 5 pages 4to with integral address leaf, Thomas’ Hotel [Berkeley Square], 9 September 1803.        ...

William Thomas STEAD (1849-1912) Autograph Letter Signed (“W.T. Stead”) to an unidentified gentleman agreeing to see him. 1 page 8vo on letterhead of the Pall Mall Gazette, London, 9 January[?] 1889. “I shall be glad to see you at the time you name.” One of the earliest, and arguably greatest,...

Robert Louis STEVENSON (1850-1894) Autograph Letter Signed (“Robert Louis Stevenson”) to “Dear Dr. Davies”, thanking him for a medical pamphlet, and hoping that “we shall still be spared that spectacle of tragic folly, another war”.1 page 8vo with integral blank leaf, n.p. [but Vailima], n.d. [c.1890]. “The pamphlets [arrived] with many...

Ellen TERRY (1847-1928) Autograph Letter Signed (“Ellen Terry”) to “Dear Mrs. Ellis”, regretting that she is unable to meet her as she is “engaged . . . to a birth day festival of one of my nieces. . .” 1 page 8vo, 22 Barkston Gardens, 7 October 1890. “I am...

William Makepeace THACKERAY (1811-1863) Autograph Letter Signed (“W M Thackeray”) to “My dear Mrs Hawes” sending his apologies, and an explanation, for his absence from her dinner.1 page 8vo with integral blank leaf, Kensington, 7 July n.y. [annotated on the blank leaf “1851”]. “I must beg you once more to bear...

Camille Alphonse TREZEL (1780-1860) Letter Signed (“Trezel”) to “Monsieur le Commandant”, informing him that he has been advised by the President of Greece that the resignation which he had requested has been accorded. 1 page large 4to in French, in a simple black and gold frame, c. 45 x 41...

Admiral Sir John Borlase WARREN (1753-1822) Autograph Letter Signed (“John Borlase Warren”) to “My Dear Lord” mentioning success “in our confined sphere of action” and discussing “the campaign in Spain” and its effect on British interests.3 pages 8vo, n.p., n.d. [but 1807-1810].  “Any command either public or private from you; will...

 [WATERLOO] Autograph Letter Signed (“J. Wallace”) to the Dean of Windsor, giving an account of “the intelligence … from London of the splendid victory obtained by the allies”. 3 pages 4to with integral address leaf, ½ past 7 oclock, n.p., n.d. [but 22 June 1815].  On Monday, 19 June 1815, Major...

Richard WELLESLEY, 1st Marquess Wellesley (1760-1842) Autograph Letter Signed (“Wellesley”) to an unidentified gentleman, thanking him for his support when “unjust and insidious attempts” had been made to reproach his actions. 2 pages 4to, Oxford Street, 29 May n.y [but probably 1806-07].                ...

Arthur Wellesley, Duke of WELLINGTON (1769-1852) Autograph Letter Signed (“Wellington”) to The Lady Cowley, regretting that he is unable to assist with her request. 1 page 8vo with integral blank leaf, London, 9 June 1845. A late letter to his niece, written when his handwriting had become exceptionally difficult. “I...

David WILKIE (1785-1841) Autograph Letter Signed (“David Wilkie”) to the French artist Baron Gérard, a letter of introduction for his sister, who wishes to be “allowed to see and admire” his paintings.1 page 8vo in French with integral address leaf, London, 4 October 1834. Trans: “The kindness you showed me...

Emile ZOLA (1840-1902) Autograph Letter Signed (“Emile Zola”) to “Monsieur et cher confrère” regarding the German translation of Germinal.1¼ pages 8vo in French, Mont-Dore, 26 August 1884.                                   Trans: “You are too late, I...