Helen Robinson Aspinall: Watercolours and drawings in a manuscript commonplace book
Scope & Content:
A bound manuscript commonplace book, in several hands, including ten watercolours, and some sketches, by Helen Robinson Aspinall (most are initialled 'HRA'). The subjects are largely character studies.
Stephen Critten: Original manuscript of 'Death Rocks the Cradle'
Scope & Content:
Original ink manuscript of the novel Death Rocks the Cradle by Stephen Critten, published in 1933 by William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. under the pseudonym 'Neil Bell'. Bound in blue cloth (by Messrs. Collins) with a descriptive autograph note by the author on the front flyleaf. Note: authorsh...
Letters from British Social Reformers: John Bright, Richard Cobden and Joseph Hume
Scope & Content:
Selection of autograph letters from prominent British social reformers. Letter from John Bright, dated 15 Jul 1847, requesting information from the Home Office for a constituent, and discussing political parties. Letter from John Bright to Mr W Currey, dated 20 Jan 1875, expressing a wish to call...
Account book of works carried out in the construction and furnishing of Wentworth House, London, for William Wentworth, second Earl of Strafford. Many entries acknowledge receipt from Mr Hull, the Earl's agent, and they detail the professions of the workmen, such as plasterers, glaziers, gilders,...
Letters from spymaster Francis Drake to diplomat Charles Stuart
Scope & Content:
Letters from Francis Drake as minister in Munich to diplomat Charles Stuart as secretary of legislation in Vienna. These letters convey information about troop movements and political alliances and include some sections in cipher and some copies of official correspondence. Letter No 6, dated 1 No...
A book of manuscript poems, written predominantly by Sophia Mary Jane Bonnell in her own hand, and signed variously "JB", "Jane Bonnell" or "Sophia." A typed label on the cover describes this as "A Book of Souvenirs containing Poems written by Sophia Jane Bonnell between 1801 and 1820", though t...
Anonymous Notes and Extracts on the Ideal Education of a Daughter
Scope & Content:
Pocketbook containing an anonymous handwritten account of the author's plans and thoughts on the ideal upbringing and education of a daughter. The account describes both the traits the author considers desirable for his daughter to acquire, including truthfulness, humility, courtesy, grace and r...
Letter from Queen Victoria to Alfred Tennyson with draft reply
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A letter from Queen Victoria to Tennyson, dated 12 Jul 1885, thanking him for his poem celebrating the marriage of Princess Beatrice, and requesting that Tennyson use his influence to dissuade William Gladstone from running in the next general election. Her letter also asks Tennyson if he has rea...
Single volume diary describing the journey of W R Bevan, mining engineer, to Damaraland (now central Namibia) as part of the South West Africa Expedition. The diary starts on 6 Jun 1900 with Bevan's arrival in Southampton from Swansea where he met the other expedition members, whose names are lis...
Journals of excursions by Edward and Vernon Barnard
Scope & Content:
Two journals recording excursions made by brothers Edward and Vernon Barnard around the United Kingdom and in Belgium. Each day's entry begins with a copy of the original notes recorded at the time as a memoranda and then goes on to detail the events in more depth. These volumes include some s...