Thursday, November 29, 2012

Antiquarian News


From the National Library of Scotland
The poetry of Joseph Macleod 18 December, 2012 6pm

Leading experts on Joseph Macleod (1903-1984) are to provide an overview of his work. Macleod wrote long poems under the pseudonym 'Adam Drinan'. Andrew Duncan and James Fountain will discuss their re-issue of three works of modernist verse which fully display this extraordinary poet's innovation while focused on the place that was most dear to him - Scotland. Each book is unique in its own right. Refreshments will be served after the event. 

Putting Scotland on the map: The World of John Bartholomew and Son
7 December 2012 - 7 May 2013


John Bartholomew and Son was one of Scotland's most influential firms. This exhibition showcases material from the Bartholomew Archive to explore how this Edinburgh-based company produced their world-renowned maps.

Told though oral history recordings, photographs, tools and some of the unique manuscript maps from the Bartholomew Archive, this is the fascinating story of a firm who really did help to put Scotland on the map. 




Books, Manuscripts, Letters and Albums including
An album of letters by Charles Dickens


Wednesday 12th December at 11am

The Dickens' material will be of special interest, for instance lot 54 is a cache of Dickens letters - the archive of Sir George Russell
Wooley and WallisAn album of 93 autograph letters to Sir George Russell, barrister and politician, written between 1858 and 1892, including 39 by Charles Dickens (written between 1863 and 1867), many with the original envelopes, and 2 cabinet photographs of Charles Kingsley and Charles Dickens, the latter signed by the author, together with a memorial album to Sir George with c. 78 autograph letters of condolence and appreciation, newspaper cuttings, obituaries, etc., the letters in both albums window-mounted, uniformly bound in matching full morocco, gilt by Sotheran (2 albums)
£25000-35000

Sir George Russell (1828-98), 4th Baronet, of Swallowfield Park near Reading, was a barrister and Conservative politician, who was elected MP for Wokingham in 1885, sitting in the House of Commons until 1898. He was Judge at the County Court, first for Derby and then for East Kent, having settled in Kent on his marriage in 1867. On the death of his elder brother Sir Charles in 1883, Sir George inherited the baronetcy and with it Swallowfield Park, which had been purchased by their grandfather, the first Baronet, Chief Justice of Bengal, on his return from India in 1820.

Like many of his contemporaries Sir George was closely involved in the world of London clubs, particularly the Garrick. He had many friends in legal, literary and artistic circles during the 1850's and 1860's. It was during this period he met Charles Dickens for the first time and Dickens responded to their mutual interests and concerns by writing to Russell on May 1st 1863. They became close friends, sharing philanthropic and humanitarian concerns in education and the conditions of the poor, as well as passionate interest in culture and the patronage of the arts. Russell was instrumental in moves to reform the Garrick Club to make it a meeting place for writers and Dickens' letters to him show the course of this, and the closeness of their friendship.

Dickens met Wilkie Collins in 1851 when Collins, twelve years his junior, was setting out to establish his reputation as a writer. Collins became 'one of his dearest and most valued friends' (Foster), and their lives became closely interwoven. Dickens joined the Garrick Club in 1854, and Collins shortly after. They both resigned for the second time in 1865. The present correspondence shows that Dickens' friendship with Russell brought the latter closely into Dickens' circle. Contact with Wilkie Collins was frequent.

The Catalogue may be viewed here

Enquiries: Liz Merry tel. 01722 424500 or lizmerry@woolleyandwallis.co.uk

Viewing Times
Saturday 8th Dec. 10am – 1pm
Monday 10th Dec. 10am – 7.30pm
Tuesday 11th Dec. 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 12th Dec. 9am – 10.45am

Catalogues £12 (£15 by post)
Salisbury Salerooms Ltd
51-61 Castle Street
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 3SU 


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