Autograph Album.- 19th Century Authors, Artists, Musicians & Politicians

Album featuring a selection of letters by some prominent authors, artists, musicians and politicians, some addressed to George Meredith, including: Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (autograph letter signed 'Wellington', reading "I am really very sorry that it is wholly out of my power to hold out any prospect of improving your official situation. I have been nearly three years in office and I have not had one office in my fist, nor do I think that I shall have one for many years, while there are hundreds of applicants; neither have I any power of bringing you into Parliament", two pages,4to, London, 5 July 1830), Henry James (autograph letter to Miss Meredith, saying "I am full of regret and sympathy, full of commiseration for your father's ailment (His 'loss' is another affair!) which I beg you to express to him for me most loyally. He does well to take care of it and I beseech him to be extremely obedient", three pages, 34 De Vere Gardens, 25 September n.y.), General Boulanger (signed card), Joseph Chamberlain (brief note arranging a dinner with the recipient, one page, 72 Prince's Gate, 25 January 1887), Laurence Alma-Tadema (original pencil sketch of a female head, signed and dated 24-7-92), Pablo de Sarasate (dedication in Spanish, 20-12-93), Wilkie Collins (autograph letter to John Underhill, saying "I entirely agree with Mr Walter Besant 'No moving situation was ever yet depicted the writing of which did not cost the author anguish and tears'. I am astonished to hear that the question has been asked. May I suggest that it might be well to make sure, if possible, of addressing further inquiries to competent witnesses, that is to say, to writers of novels who are capable of depicting moving situations. With regards, for instance, to the two humourists who answer Mr Besant by the word 'bosh', in one case, and by 'finding it droll', in the other, it might be worth while - if you can lay your hands on a person whose time is of no value - to discover whether they have either of them written anything that anybody (not affected with disease of the lachrymal gland) could possibly cry over", two pages, 82 Wimpole Street, 12th April 1888), Rider Haggard ( second page of an autograph letter signed, 69 Gunterstone Road, n.y.), John Ruskin (autograph letter "My dear Con, Merry and merry and happy Christmas to you and to all who love you - that's a wide wish, I know! Now- when and how do you [...] want me to come to you. I will be at your orders (provided they are very peremptory) any day after New Year's day", one page, 25 December 1863), Robert Louis Stevenson (letter signed, marked 'dictated' and written in another's hand, describing the favourable impression left upon him by a gentleman called Lysaght and adding "I head we may soon expect the Amazing Marriage. You know how long and with how much curiosity I have looked forward to the book.", four pages, 8vo, Vailima, Apia, 17 April 1894), James Abbott McNeill Whistler (autograph note asking the recipient whether he has received his previous letter and informing him he won't be able to attend a meeting", n.d., Paris), John Singer Sargent (letter informing the recipient he won't be able to meet him, one page, 33 Tite Street, n.d.), Thomas Hardy (autograph letter to Meredith, saying " I have received through your publishers a copy of Modern Love, for which I return you my warm thanks. I have taken it with me on a walk this afternoon, a volume of nice poems being convenient for out-of doors, where one requires a large supply of thought with very little eye-labour", two pages, 8vo, Max Gate, Dorchester, 30 January 1892), Rudyard Kipling (autograph letter to George Meredith, reading "I venture to forward you a copy of a memorial praying that Rev. W.E. Henley be put on the civil list. May I ask you, if you see fit to sign it, to return it in the addressed envelope enclosed", one page, 8vo, Rottingdean, November 1897), Kate Greenaway ("You write to me and I don't answer but I know I hear of me from his letters [...] they must often be very dull. Are you coming up for the Jubilee - ... I hope it is going to be fine, it would be such a great disappointment if it were not. I have been away for the last three Sundays but it seems to take a lot of time somehow, we are of course a long way off the station here", three pages, 8vo, 39 Frognal, Hampstead, 5 June 1897), Theodore Roosevelt (printed letter conveying his birthday wishes to George Meredith, signed in ink by Roosevelt, two pages, The White House, 9 January 1908), Alfred Parson, Walter Severn (original watercolour depicting a landscape), Henry Irving, Walter Pater, Georges Clemenceau (second page of an autograph letter, in French), William Russell Clark (autograph letter and a few others, some browning and age toning throughout, some letters loosely inserted, cracking to front joint, spine partially unglued, wear to corners and extremities, oblong folio, 19th century.