Search Results: Autograph & Manuscripts from James Cummins Bookseller

N. P., n.d.. 1 vols. 4to. Matted, framed and glazed. 1 vols. 4to.

1958. 5 typescript leaves [all manuscript signed], 1 manuscript letter, and two envelopes postmarked 1953 and 1958 respectively. A fine collection of letters and a wonderful literary association. 5 typescript leaves [all manuscript signed], 1 manuscript letter, and two envelopes postmarked 1953 and 1958 respectively. A collection of letters from Laura Z. Hobson to editor Saxe Commins. Saxe Commins (b.1892 - d.1958) was an editor at Random House from 1933 to 1957. He was an editor for many of the greats, such as Eugene O'Neill, Theodore Drieser, Sinclair Lewis, W.H. Auden, Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) and William Faulkner (who would stay at their house), and Budd Schulberg among others. Laura Z. Hobson (b.1900 - d.1986) was an author well known for her 1947 book Gentlemen's Agreement. In a couple of letters from August of 1953 she discusses work owed to Commins, as well as his illness, which he would eventually die from years later. This was a time when Hobson was writing her fifth novel, which was… Read More

Ashprington, Devon, 1558. One folded parchment leaf 215 x 545 mm. Ink on parchment, old folds, some darkening on recto, pencil notes on recto, one small paper label on verso reading "371. One folded parchment leaf 215 x 545 mm. Tudor local administration in action. Pencil notes on verso read "Elizabeth" and "Ashpryngton" next to the corresponding words in ink. This account roll records expenses and incomes from Ashprington, Devon. Ashprington is in south central Devon and is mentioned in Domesday Book. This account provides a look into Tudor regional administration in early modern England.

[First published, New York: Wm. A. Pond, 1869. Two stanzas and chorus, on one page, in ink. 4to. Fine. Two stanzas and chorus, on one page, in ink. 4to. "Sweet Genevieve" by Stephen Foster's Friend, George Cooper. One of the most popular songs of the 19th century, with music by Henry Tucker, "Sweet Genevieve" is one of the few surviving song by George Cooper (1838-1927?), whose friendship with Stephen Foster in the last few months of Foster's life has been well documented. The two evidently collaborated on some songs together, which are now lost. It was Cooper who discovered the prostrate body of his stricken friend on the Bowery the day before Foster died, and who informed the family of his death. Autograph lyrics of George Cooper are of the utmost rarity.

n.p., n. d.. 1 vols. 9 3/8 x 3 inches. On a slip of paper with the added manuscript notation "This is a verse of an unpublished poem by William Kennedy, author of many pieces of high poetic merit and History of [indecipherable] Texas. this is in his own handwriting. David Robertson." David Robertson was a Glasgow publisher. 1 vols. 9 3/8 x 3 inches. Author of "The Rise, Progress and Prospects of the Republic of Texas". Kennedy is known as the author of"The Arrow and the Rose" (1830) and "Fitful Fancies" (1827). Earlier on he had assisted William Motherwell on "The Paisley Magazine, in 1830 he collaborated with Leitch Ritchie. In 1838 he accompanied the Earl of Durham to Canada as his secretary and subsequently travelled in Canada and the United States. He spent several years in Texas and published "The Rise, Progress, and Prospects of the Republic of Texas." Of this work Howes writes "Paints a favorable picture of Texas, and may have hastened English recognition of her independence".

[Paris], 1845. One page, integral address leaf, seal. 1 vols. 8vo. Folds, inlaid to a larger sheet, some soiling, else in very good condition. One page, integral address leaf, seal. 1 vols. 8vo. Expressing his appreciation and thanks for the gift that awaited him after his absence of several days.

18 pages, signed at the end "Adrian H. Joline". 1 vols. 12mo. Stab hole in top left corners, else fine. In blue cloth slipcase and chemise. 18 pages, signed at the end "Adrian H. Joline". 1 vols. 12mo. Joline was the pre-eminent collector and writer on autograph collecting at the turn of the century. HIS MANUSCRIPTS ARE RARE.

Kingstree, South Carolina, 30th November n.y.. 1 vols. Sm. 4to. To Isabel Leighton Bunker (Mrs. Arthur H.) addressed as "My dear Schmolzil" and complimenting her "You look beautiful and distinguished the other night. Your escort was handsome & distinguished also-quite an eye full the two of you" and sends regrets that will be unable to attend her party. 1 vols. Sm. 4to. Accompanied by a carbon of a "Private Wire" to Bernard Baruch on the S. S. Berengaria dated 16 August 1935 wishing him a glorious trip and sending him an invitation to visit on his return, signed Isabel and Fred Willis (Frederic A. Willis). Isabel Leighton, Mrs. Frederic A., later Mrs. Arthur Hugh Bunker, was a war correspondent, playwright, actress, radio personality and author and very active with various social responsibilites. She was the author of "Where Away," and her short story "Fat Girl" was chosen for inclusion among the "100 Best Stories to Come of the War." Her theatrical successes include "Spring Again" and "Mercenary… Read More

n.p., n.d.. 1 vols. 8vo. Consisting of three-sixteen line verses apparently addressed to "May," a manuscript correction and light soiling, else very good. 1 vols. 8vo. A Scottish poet and literary man, Motherwell edited "The Harp of Renfrewshire" in 1819, wrote "Renfrewshire Characters and Scenery" as "Isaac Brown" in 1824 and in 1827 his work "Minstrelsy Ancient and Modern" brought him to the attention and subsequent friendship of Sir Walter Scott. He collaborated with Hogg on the 1835 edition of Burns. He was also at one time the editor of the "Glasgow Courier" and the "Paisley Advertiser." He was among the earliest to use Scandinavian mythology in his verse, an authority on ballads and was known for the wide range of emotion expressed in his verse. Among his best known poems were "Jeanie Morison" and "The Battle Flag of Sigurd." With a manuscript attestation reading "The preceeding verses are Motherwell, and in his hand writing. David Robertson, Glasgow, 6 Aug. 1849." David Robertson had… Read More

Genoa, Italy, 15th century -17th century. 43 leaves, in ink, on rectos and versos. In Latin and Italian. 1 vols. 24 x 17 cm. Contemporary vellum. Disbound, worn, some soiling, occasional perforations from ink burn. 43 leaves, in ink, on rectos and versos. In Latin and Italian. 1 vols. 24 x 17 cm. Notarial Documents of the time Christopher Columbus lived in Genoa. The journal of Antonio Da Passano, Doge of Genoa and Corsica (July 1675- July 1677), is a collection of notarial documents concerning the history of the patrician family Passano in the senate since the mid- 15th century. This journal also includes genealogical notes and two latin poems. There is great mention to John the Baptist; the patron saint of Genoa. The first portion of the manuscript, in a 15th century hand, bears the signature of Nicolaus de Credentia who was a cancellarius in Genoa contemporary with Christopher Columbus' time as a citizen in that very city. The manuscript provides a study of senate activity over the course of… Read More

n.p. [Paris], September 26th [18]82. 2 pp. pen and ink on folded sheet. With envelope. 8vo. Old ink stain, else near fine. 2 pp. pen and ink on folded sheet. With envelope. 8vo. Gounod, overwhelmed by work, writes "Please, kindly excuse me but I am worn out! Everyday, from the morning to the evening, the countless appointments and summonses fight over my life: I don't even have time to face my correspondence! So *more work.* ... Kindly let me know, with a note, the reason of your visit: if it is possible for me to help you, I will do it ...

Paris, 1855. 1 pp. pen and ink on Écoles Communales letterhead. Letter, 8 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. Frame, 14 1/2 x 18 1/4 in. Light edgewear and creasing, faint offset. Mounted and framed with photographic portrait. 1 pp. pen and ink on Écoles Communales letterhead. Letter, 8 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. Frame, 14 1/2 x 18 1/4 in. Gounoud writes in praise of "the new Solfege in three progressive lessons, that you have just published" noting its usefulness to music teachers in the instruction of modern music.

Jersey City, NJ, 1916. Manuscript throughout. 61pp., neatly written in ink on ruled paper. Inscribed on the first page "To my only daughter Josie" and signed and dated on the final page. 12mo. Contemporary flexible leather covers. Binding worn. Manuscript throughout. 61pp., neatly written in ink on ruled paper. Inscribed on the first page "To my only daughter Josie" and signed and dated on the final page. 12mo. Autobiographical Manuscript Memoir of a 19th Century American Photographer. Born on November 9, 1841, in Constance, Baden-Württtemberg, Germany, Gubelman arrived in New York in May 1854. The following year he found work with famed mapseller J. H. Colton "as pupil to Jos. Schedler who was in charge of the engraving dept, a ledding man as engraver of maps." In 1857, he relocates to Washington DC with Schedler, to draw maps on boxwood for wood engraving, though the following year he returned to New York, working as an engraver for Forbes in New York, being paid $8.00 a week. In 1858 he accepts… Read More

N.p. [probably Boston], 1832. 13-line extract from larger leaf, densely written, with several corrections. 1 vols. 10 x 14.3 cm. Right edge reinforced, small perforation (no loss), slight foxing. 13-line extract from larger leaf, densely written, with several corrections. 1 vols. 10 x 14.3 cm. Spurzheim Ms: Hard & Soft Brains. Fascinating and rare manuscript fragment from the advocate and co-founder (with Franz Joseph Gall) of the 'science' of phrenology, and the man most responsible for popularizing it. In August of 1832, Spurzheim came to America to deliver a series on lectures on brain anatomy, followed by a series of more popular lectures on phrenology in Boston, attended by a curious and enthusiastic public. Spurzheim died later that year in Boston. The current manuscript fragment, being in English, probably dates from this period of his lecture tour in America, shortly before his death. "softness and hardness of the brain, therefore, are more special diseases than softness and hardness of the… Read More

[St. Petersburg, 1844. One page, in ink, on the first page of a single bifolium. In French. 1 vols. 12mo. Fine. With envelope. One page, in ink, on the first page of a single bifolium. In French. 1 vols. 12mo. The Scottish Physician in Russia. "Monsieur - "Comme Monsieur votre père a eu la bonté de nous promettre de venir passer la soirée avec nous aujourd'hui, ce serait très aimable à vous de vouloir bien l'accompagner ... " Sir William Alexander Crichton (1791-1865) was born and educated in Edinburgh, where he received his MD in 1810. Through the influence of his uncle, Sir Alexander Crichton (1763-1856), who was the Tsar's personal physician, "Crichton obtained in May 1811 the post of medical supervisor, responsible for developing a mineral spa resort in the Caucasus mountain area, and his success in controlling a plague outbreak earned him the knight cross of the order of St Vladimir (fourth class). Following Napoleon's abortive invasion of Russia, he volunteered for army service and in… Read More

N.p. [Providence, RI?], 1868. 3 pages on a single bifolium, in ink. 4to. Fine. With light pencilled comment at top "A.G. Greene of Providence. 3 pages on a single bifolium, in ink. 4to. "Old Grimes" - A Manuscript. Written anonymously by a 20-year-old Brown University student, A.G. Greene (1802-1868), and first published in a student newspaper in 1823, "Old Grimes" quickly became part of the popular folklore of the nation, and, when set to music, one of the country's most familiar songs. Greene's poem was not published in book form until 1867, with illustrations by Augustus Hoppins. By then, Greene had acknowledged his authorship of the entire poem, with the exception of the first stanza -- which was known to him as a familiar refrain or nursery rhyme, and which he used as a lead-in to the rest of the poem. The first stanza reads: "Old Grimes is dead; that good old man; / We never shall see more / He used to wear a long black coat / All buttoned down before." A rare piece of American popular… Read More

12, Park Crescent Portland Place [London], 1887. One page in ink, on personal stationery. 1 vols. 12mo. Framed and glazed, with portrait. One page in ink, on personal stationery. 1 vols. 12mo. " My dear Roscoe, I have read your able address with deep interest & beg you to accept my thanks for the copy you have already sent me.

London: 8 Victoria Square, Pimlico, 1841. One page. 1 vols. 4to. Letter laid down, some wear along folds but not affecting content. One page. 1 vols. 4to. Thanking Young for his letter, writing that rheumatism in his wrist had prevented his responding earlier and congratulating him on locating Mr. Heldenmaier. Accompanied by a portrait of Campbell engraved by Edward Finden from a picture by Thomas Phillips.

Torre del Lago, Toscana, 1907. 1 p., ink on blue imprinted stationery, with envelope addressed to "Sybil Seligman, 7 Upper Grosvenor Str, London W". 1 vols. 8vo. Professionally double-matted with an early photographic portrait, envelope preserved on verso, slightly faded, else fine. 1 p., ink on blue imprinted stationery, with envelope addressed to "Sybil Seligman, 7 Upper Grosvenor Str, London W". 1 vols. 8vo. Puccini to his Mistress on "Madam Butterfly". A fine letter by the composer of Madam Butterfly to his mistress Sybil Seligman, "Cara Sybil," in receipt of a telegram concerning press notices as the opera is being acclaimed all over Europe - "veramente fulmineo". Vincent Seligman, Puccini Among Friends

N.p., 1873. 4 stanzas of six lines each, one page written in ink sheet of blank stationery. 4to. Fine. 4 stanzas of six lines each, one page written in ink sheet of blank stationery. 4to. Rexford's "Silver Threads among the Gold", with music by H.P. Danks, was first published in 1873; it has been a perennial favorite ever since, and has been covered by John McCormack, Bing Crosby, Jo Stafford - and is still a staple of barbarshop quartets.