ENGLISH ESSAYIST, POET AND STATESMAN; WITH RICHARD STEELE PRODUCED THE NON-POLITICAL SPECTATOR. Document Signed, one page, quarto, Whitehall, January 29, 1717/18. Addison, signing on the verso of an account of Henry Worsley’s extraordinary expenses on behalf of the King, makes a two-line statement authorizing payment. The lower left corner has been torn off, affecting … [ Read More ]
english
Browning, Elizabeth and Robert
ENGLISH POETS ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING AND ROBERT BROWNING Autograph Note Signed Elizabeth and Robert Browning, one page, octavo, London, October 21, 1856. On card stock, to the Women’s Hospital in New York. Written in the hand of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Robert Browning adds the place and date, “London, October 21. ’56” beneath his signature. … [ Read More ]
Browning, Elizabeth Barrett
ENGLISH POET Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, octavo, 43 via Bocca di Leone [Rome], Friday, undated. To “My dear Reverend Hanna.” With the original black-bordered mourning envelope addressed in her hand. “Will you allow us to introduce to you Mrs. Hamilton and her daughter, country-women of your own, who will commend themselves to you, … [ Read More ]
Browning, Robert
ROBERT BROWNING. English poet. Autograph Letter Signed, three pages, octavo, London, February 14, 1882. To “My dear Leighton,” the British painter Sir Frederic Leighton. “I do more indeed than ‘care to have’ a copy of that address which I certainly had ‘interest enough in to listen to.’ I think, did the case relate to any … [ Read More ]
Byron, George Gordon
GEORGE GORDON BYRON. English poet; wrote Childe Harold. Autograph Note Signed, initials, one page, oblong octavo, July 28, 1813. [To John Murray.] “The enclosed lines you will insert in paragraph named after the line ‘That wakes and wafts the fragrance there.’” The verse quoted by George Byron comes from his poem, The Giaour, which was … [ Read More ]
Christie, Agatha
“….THE WORLD IS ALREADY PARTIAL TO DETECTIVE FICTION AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME. HAMLET COULD CERTAINLY QUALIFY AS A DETECTIVE DRAMA….” English mystery writer; creator of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Typewritten Letter Signed, Agatha Mallowan, one page, octavo, Churston Ferrers, near Brixham, South Devon, June 12, 1972. To Dear Mrs. Frink. “As … [ Read More ]
Christie, Agatha
ENGLISH MYSTERY WRITER; CREATOR OF MISS MARPLE AND HERCULE POIROT Typewritten Letter Signed, Agatha Christie, two pages, quarto, Winterbrook House, Wallingford, Berkshire, October 23, 1972. To Michael Underwood, Esq., Riverbank, Datchet, Bucks. “I got your letter this morning. As far as my own personal feelings are concerned I have always enjoyed the private quality … [ Read More ]
Collins, Wilkie
ENGLISH NOVELIST; WROTE “THE WOMAN IN WHITE”. Autograph Quotation Signed, one page, octavo, London, February 17, 1883. From The Woman in White, Collins writes: “Women can resist a man’s love, a man’s fame, a man’s personal appearance, and a man’s money; but they cannot resist a man’s tongue when he knows how to talk … [ Read More ]
Coward, Noel
English actor, playwright and composer. Autograph Musical Quotation Signed, one page, on a 3 by 8 inch sheet, undated. Noel Coward writes seven measures of his song, “I’ll Follow My Secret Heart,” with words to the refrain, “I’ll follow my secret heart my whole life through.” Inscribed to Lionel Aucoin. Noel Coward’s song, “I’ll Follow … [ Read More ]
Coward, Noel
“…THE BIGGEST SMASH HIT IN NEW YORK.” English actor, playwright, and composer best known for highly polished comedies of manners. Typewritten Letter Signed, May 21, 1958, octavo, on stationary with the address 404 East 55th Street, New York. To “My dear Bink” (Hugh Beaumont). “Thanks ever so for your letter. “Yes, I am very keen … [ Read More ]
Doyle, Arthur Conan
“FROM THE UNCLE REMUS STORY OF TALKING SNAKES AT THE BEGINNING OF GENESIS DOWN TO THE ABSOLUTE RAVING LUNACY OF THE APOCALYPSE AT THE END OF THE VOLUME” Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, one page, octavo, undated. English novelist and detective story writer; creator of Sherlock Holmes. “From the Uncle Remus story of talking snakes at the … [ Read More ]
Fielding, Henry
THE VERY RARE AUTOGRAPH OF THE AUTHOR OF “TOM JONES” HENRY FIELDING. English novelist and playwright. Document Signed, H Fielding, one page, oblong octavo, June 27, 1750. Fielding attests that “William Moncke late of Northend in the parish of Fulham and county of Middlesex Esq. maketh oath that his son John Moncke and his daughters … [ Read More ]
Fleming, Ian
Creator of James Bond. “I BARELY BUDGE WHEN I AM WRITING. OTHERWISE I JUST DON’T GET ON WITH IT.” Autograph Letter Signed, “Yours Ever, Ian,” one page, quarto, undated. On imprinted stationery, Goldeneye, Oracabessa, Jamaica, to “Dear Allou”. “A thousand thanks but I barely budge when I am writing. Otherwise I just don’t get on … [ Read More ]
Greene, Graham
English writer. Collection of 8 Mimeograph Manuscripts for the motion picture, The Third Man, based on the novel by Graham Greene, comprising the Treatment, the Screenplay, the Second Draft Script, the Synopsis and Dialogue Screenplay, Dialogue Cutting Continuity Script, Release Script Reels 1 – 12, Narrator Portuguese Script, and Spanish Script. The 1949 London Film … [ Read More ]
Kipling, Rudyard
KIPLING’S PLAY-BY-PLAY OF AN ICE HOCKEY GAME “IT WAS GLORIOUS. PLAIN, STRAIGHT, HAMMER & TONGS, BELL FOR LEATHER – HOCKEY….” RUDYARD KIPLING. English writer. Autograph Letter Signed, six and one-half pages, octavo, Engelberg, [Switzerland], June 14, 1911. On imprinted stationery of the Hotels Cattani, to [C. H. S.] Taylor. “Our honour has been saved! I … [ Read More ]
Lawrence, T. E.
Lawrence of Arabia. British archaeologist, soldier and writer. Document Signed, T.E. Shaw A/c, two pages, quarto, September 6, 1933. A Royal Air Force engine test form, recording data concerning oil pressure, water and oil temperature, and fuel consumption. The sheets were used in the testing of marine engines that powered dinghies used to shuttle air … [ Read More ]
Morris, William
WILLIAM MORRIS. English poet and artist; founded the Arts and Crafts Movement. Printed Proof Sheet Signed, with initials in purple ink in the upper left margin, one page, quarto, undated. With handwritten corrections in purple and black ink. The proof sheet, bearing a large decorated woodcut initial “W”, is page 78 of the Kelmscott … [ Read More ]
Richardson, Samuel
SAMUEL RICHARDSON. English novelist; author of Clarissa Harlowe. Partly printed Document Signed, one page, legal folio, January 2, 1743. Samuel Richardson signs a statement headed, “Tonnage, 1694 &c.”, saying that he has received six pounds from the Treasury, funds paid out to him as the assignee of George Churchill and Hugh Chudleigh and by virtue … [ Read More ]
Sayers, Dorothy Leigh
“…ONE STATEMENT OF YOURS…IS VENOMOUS, BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THOSE ACCUSATIONS, OF THE HAVE-YOU-STOPPED- BEATING-YOUR-WIFE VARIETY, AGAINST WHICH THERE IS NO CONCEIVABLE DEFENCE….” DOROTHY LEIGH SAYERS. English mystery novelist; creator of the memorable sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey. Typewritten Letter Signed, Dorothy Leigh Sayers, three pages, quarto, Witham, Essex, July 25, 1947. To Dr. James … [ Read More ]
Scott, Sir Walter
SIR WALTER SCOTT. Scottish poet, novelist, historian and biographer. Autograph Manuscript, two pages, oblong quarto, undated. Headed The Earl [afterwards Duke] of, the manuscript comments on various topics, including a play about Queen Elizabeth, inventions, universal corruption, and historical events. “They cannot for example but be delighted to learn that the account of the new … [ Read More ]
Shaw, George Bernard
“I NEVER…DREAM OF ATTEMPTING TO READ YOUR LONG LETTERS. … YOU WRITE THEM TO RELIEVE YOURSELF, WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST CONSIDERATION FOR ME… THEY MEET THE FATE THEY DESERVE.” “I HAVE READ THE PLAY. …IT IS MADE IMPOSSIBLE BY YOUR NYMPHOMANIA.” GEORGE BERNARD SHAW. British playwright, novelist and critic. Letter Signed, initials, two pages, oblong … [ Read More ]
Shaw, George Bernard
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW. British playwright, author, and critic. Typewritten Manuscript Signed twice, By Bernard Shaw, below the title, and with his initials at the conclusion, nine pages, large quarto, January 27, 1923. On green paper, entitled The Unprotected Child and The Law. With extensive revisions and corrections in George Bernard Shaw’s hand (shown in italic). … [ Read More ]
Shelley, Percy Bysshe
PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY. English poet. Autograph Document Signed, one page, 3 inches by 7 inches, London, December 23, 1815. Percy Bysshe Shelley requests Messrs. Brookes & Co. of Chancery Lane to “Pay to Mr. Clairmont three Pounds….” Pen cancellations passing through, but not seriously affecting the signature. Written shortly after completing (in mid-December) his long … [ Read More ]
Stevenson, Robert Louis
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. Scottish novelist and poet. Autograph Letter Signed, initials, one page, quarto, undated. To My dear Moors. “Our inevitable fellow has turned up. It seems he has been fired from the place he was in and is now staying with Folau at a cheaper rate: suppose we applied our money $5 each, … [ Read More ]
Thackeray, William Makepeace
English novelist. Pen and ink sketches, unsigned, two pages, octavo, [n.d.]. William Makepeace Thackeray has drawn three profile heads of a man wearing a top hat; a cat; two Egyptian pyramids with a fierce, crouching lion in the foreground; a begging dog; a crowing rooster; and a mouse. On the verso, he has sketched a … [ Read More ]
Wells, H G
English novelist nest known for his science fiction stories such as The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, and The War of the Worlds. Typewritten Letter Signed H G Wells, one and one-third pages, octavo, London, October 20, 1943. On his imprinted stationery, to [Joseph] McCabe. Fine condition. “Help! I’m having a hot time with the … [ Read More ]
Wilde, Oscar
Irish poet, dramatist and wit. Autograph Letter Signed Oscar Wilde, three pages, octavo, no date [ca. 1878], on his imprinted stationery from Magdalen College, Oxford, to “My dear Sir” [Rev. Matthew Russell]. Referring to “my recent success”. “I am sure you will excuse my not thanking you before for verses which in their depth and … [ Read More ]
Wordsworth, William
English poet. Autograph Quotation Signed, three lines from his poem The Fountain, boldly penned on an oblong octavo sheet dated “Easter Sunday, 1843” from Rydal Mount. “Often glad no more/ We wear a face of joy because/ We have been glad of yore.” William Wordsworth wrote The Fountain, A Conversation in 1799 and published it … [ Read More ]
Wordsworth, William
English poet. Autograph Manuscript Signed, six lines from John Milton’s Paradise Lost, penned on a quarto sheet, Rydal Mount, October 4, 1825. Wordsworth adds an amusing note below. “What call’st thou solitude? Is not the Earth With various living creatures, and the air Replenish’d, and all these at they command To come and play before … [ Read More ]
Wordsworth, William
English poet. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, quarto, Rydal Mount, September 21, 1846. To The Rev. Dr. Parkinson, introducing Mr. Pemberton Bartlett “a Student of St. Bees and recommend him to any attention which it may fall within your province to be able to give him the benefit of. He is a friend of Mr. … [ Read More ]