Rare books from Lord Durham Rare Books (IOBA)

Durham: Lambert, J., 1800. 1st Edition. No binding. Good. ALEXANDER DAVISON IN AN EXECUTOR CAPACITY.Flat: 40cm x 31cm Folded: 13cm x 8 cm Mailed from J. Lambert to Alexander Davison [1750 - 1829] Interesting 2 page letter mailed c1800 to Alexander Davison who was the executor for the late Robert Lisle, Acton House. Lambert is asking Alexander for costs incurred relating to Lisle and the Lisle estate.Contents includes charges for Lambert's son to investigate Lisle's "pedigree" as per a letter Oct. 16, 1798 for hiring a coach to and from Newcastle. As well, later in the letter PS, Lambert is also asking for money for "a small bill" sent to Lisle but rejected and never paid. A little soiled with a 2.5cm x 2cm hole on cover page but does not effect any of the text, otherwise in good condition.A very interesting insight into the legal dealings Alexander Davison dealt with.Sent from Durham to Swarland (Morpeth) with Durham Horseshoe stamping on reverse, then sent on to London to Alexander Davidson with… Read More

New York City: Mason Morton Lodge No. 20, 1809. 1st Edition. No binding. Fair. SCARCE 1809 MASTER MASON MASONIC VELLUM CERTIFICATE.This original, 9.75" x 11" ornately Engraved and Printed on Vellum. August 12, 1809 (1809), Engraved "Master Mason" Masonic Certificate, Printed on Vellum, New York, Very Good condition including the original red seal, but wrinkled up inside the frame.Masonic Certificate affirms the status of Richard Hitchings as a "Master Mason," from the Morton Lodge No. 20, New York City, dated August 12, 5809 (1809), with its original white silk ribbon and impressed red wax seal. The brown ink manuscript portions and the signatures are well written and clear, the vellum folded and quite wrinkled, in fair condition thus. A genealogy is affixed to the reverse. It relates that Richard Hitchins was born in Cornwall, England in 1777 and married the widow Mary Gates in New York in 1804. Richard died in Canada on February 18, 1845 and is buried with a Masonic emblem on his tombstone. Housed… Read More

Toronto: The Copp, Clark Company, Limited, 1890. 1st. No binding. Very Good. 18, 4 p. 22 cm. Paper wraps. Disbound. Faint stain p. 16. Written by Lieut.-Governor Simcoe, in 1791, Prior to His Departure from England for the Purpose of Organizing the New Province of Upper Canada; to Which is Added Five Official Speeches Delivered by Him at the Opening or Closing of Parliament in the Same Province, with a Prefatory Notice by the Rev. Dr. Scadding. TPL 633.

Lympne Castle, Kent: Harry Margary, 1982. 2nd Edition. Framed. Near Fine. Size of Image: 17.5 x 22.5 inches (plus 2 inches of text at bottom)Size of glass frame: 25.5 x 28.5 inchesOriginally published in 1751, this circa 1982 reprint shows Serieux and Gloire taken from the French after battle at Cape Finisterre on 3rd May 1747.Text reads;Size of Image: 17.5 x 22.5 inches (plus 2 inches of text at bottom)Size of glass frame: 25.5 x 28.5 inches the Hon. William Rowley Esq., Admiral of the White Squadron of his majesty's fleet. This plate is most humbly dedicated, being the exact stern views of his majesty's ships INTREPID, of 70 guns,(late the SERIEUX) and the GLOIRE two of the six french ships of war taken the 3rd of May 1747 by the British fleet under the command of Lord Anson. Portraits of the French and Spanish ships taken by Lord Anson Vice Admiral of the Blue), Captain Buckle and Sir Edward Hawke (Rear Admiral of the White) in two strategically important sea battles in 1747. At this time,… Read More

1885. No binding. Very Good. NO DATE, CIRCA 1885Format: CDV or collectible cardOriginal image of an early photo of Sir John A. Macdonald Width: 3 7/8 inchesHeight: 2 3/8 inchesCondition & Surface: Very GoodCondition of Mount: Very Good,Tonal Range 1-10 (5 being Average): 7 Image based on a photographed probably by Notman.LAC: Online MIKAN no. 3218713 virtually the same (engraving) image of Sir John A. MacDonaldJohn A Macdonald was the Attorney General of Canada West from 1854 to 1858, 1858 to 1862 and from 1864 to 1867. Macdonald at the age of 52, was appointed as the first Prime Minister of Canada on 1 July 1867 (served in his first term until 1873). He was re-elected from 1878 to 1891 (second term) becoming the second longest serving Prime Minister for a total of 18 years, 359 days. In 1867 Macdonald was created Knight Commander of the Bath, becoming Sir John A. Macdonald. He was a "nation builder" during his first administration in 1867-73. Macdonald would pass while still in office in 1891, at… Read More

1885. No binding. Very Good. NO DATE, CIRCA 1885Format: CDV or collectible cardimage of an uncommon photo of MacKenzie Width: 3 7/8 inchesHeight: 2 3/8 inchesCondition & Surface: Very GoodCondition of Mount: Very Good,Tonal Range 1-10 (5 being Average): 7 Canada's second Prime Minister, and, first Liberal Prime Minister."I have always held those political opinions which point to the universal brotherhood of man, no matter in what rank of life he may have taken his origin." Alexander Mackenzie, 1875. While in office, Alexander Mackenzie did several notable things:• introduced the secret ballot.• created the Supreme Court of Canada• established the Royal Military College of Canada at Kingston• created the Office of Auditor General.

Various: Henry Roxborough, 1973. 1st Edition. No binding. Very Good+. Roxborough, Henry Hall's original first tissue copy with title " Sport in Days of Yore",18pp. later revised edition copy with corrections and new tile ‘‘The Beginning of Organized Sport in Canada,'' 13pp. for an article that appeared in Canada - A Historical Magazine Spring 1975 Vol.2 No. 3 page 30-43. This publication was published by the Department of History McMaster University. There is a 1975 letter from Holt Rinehart & Winston including a contract signed by Roxorough for the publishing of this article.Included are previous original documents from 1973 & 1974 showing correspondence with the editor, David P. Gagan about the publishing on this story. Overall condition of all documents are very good+. Writing in Maclean's magazine in 1926, amateur sport organizer Henry Roxborough reminded his readers that "a nation that loves sport cannot revolt" (1926: 13)."To strengthen the body is to improve the vehicle of almost all our… Read More

1944. No binding & hard cover. Good. Kathleen Norris was an American novelist, poet and newspaper columnist. She was one of the most widely read and highest paid female writers in the United States. Collection contains 37 items dating from 1914 to 1944, specifically 3 Autographed Letters Signed (ALS), 1 Autographed Note Signed (ANS) and 1 Typed Letter Signed (TLS), 1 card with signature, 1 Custom postal cover signed, 4 B&w Photos and 6 Books with 10 items in total inserted inside books including 1 book written and by her husband, Charles G. Norris along with 3 ALS inserted inside.3 Autographed Letters Signed, and 1 Autographed Note Signed;• ALS to Mr. Perkins, n.d., telling Perkins to send book to Port Washington Long Island, New York, and she'll sign the books, with photoprint of Norris. • ALS to H.G. Jacobs, Brooklyn Daily, sending Jacobs her autograph, with outside of envelope, post-marked 27 November 1914.• ALS to Florence Doubleday, wife of the publisher Frank Doubleday, 3 pp., [1926], re… Read More

2009. Hard & Soft cover. THE QUEEN OF ROMANCE FICTION, A HOLLYWOOD ICON OF THE 1920s Elinor Glyn was an English author, journalist and screen writer and best known for Three Weeks (1907) a steamy romance novel which was shocking for its time. She specialised in romantic fiction which was considered scandalous for its time, although her works are relatively tame by modern standards. Her vibrant romances dealt with aristocracy and issues of morality in society. She popularized the concept of the It-girl and had tremendous influence on early 20th-century popular culture and, possibly, on the careers of notable Hollywood stars such as Rudolph Valentino, Gloria Swanson and, especially, Clara Bow.This large collection contains 168 items dating from 1902 to 2009, specifically, 60 Ephemera and archives, 103 Books and 5 Books about Elinor Glyn and related material. 60 Ephemera and archives:• Autograph page from a guest book signed by Glyn, Margot Glyn (her daughter), and others, 1-3 August 1912.• "The… Read More

1902. 1st Edition. No binding. Near Fine. 3 pp. 7 x 4 inches, in good condition, tiny filing hole. Hotel Cecil, Strand W.C. [London] red embossed logo letterhead, 30 June 1902 Autograph Letter Signed Wilfrid Laurier, while in office as Prime Minister of Canada, to Sir Frederick Young, thanking him for the copy of his last book (probably Pioneer of Imperial. Federation in Canada 1902), and explaining that he and his wife are unable to accept Sir Frederick s courteous invitation due to "many engagements of an official character". PS with WL initials.Laurier visited the United Kingdom in 1902, and took part in the 1902 Colonial Conference and the coronation of King Edward VII on 9 August 1902. Young met with Laurier at some functions with Laurier and in his book Young states "He agreed with Sir Wilfrid Laurier, that Canadians should have a place in the Councils of the Empire." p111. Sir Frederick Young (1817-1913), K.C.M.G., was born on 21 June 1817 in Limehouse, London, the son of George Frederick… Read More

London: Charles Eyre and William Strahan, 1774. 1st Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine. 5 RARE CORNERSTONE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1774 LEGAL ACTS A rare collection of laws that continued to inflame and finally triggered the American Revolution."...these Acts demonstrated a parliamentary power more dangerous to colonial liberty than mere taxing." Morison introduction, xxxivSet of Five "Intolerable Acts" or Coercive Acts, contained in two bound volumes for the year 1774. First editions, first printings preceding all American printings. Two volumes, Folio (11.5 inches). 14 George III (1774), Only 1,100 copies of each printed in 1774, all folio printings.Volume 1 (44 Acts total): 1043 pages + 1 blank page (being the text of Acts 1-44); Volume 2 (52 Acts total): pages 1045-2155 (being the text of Acts 45-96) + 30 pages (Table of the Statutes).A list of all the 96 total Acts included in both volumes will be provided upon request.The 5 Intolerable Acts, as issued under the direction of Frederick North (Prime… Read More

1967. No binding & hard cover. Twenty Canadian authors are represented in this collection dating from 1882 to 1967, containing 59 items specifically, 24 letters, 21 cards and post cards, 3 photos, 6 books, 1 movie herald, 1 issue of a journal, 1 printing block, 1 postcard and 1 leaflet. BARR, Robert (Scottish-Canadian short story writer and novelist). • TLS on letterhead of Idler Illustrated Monthly to the Corresponding Editor of the Youth's Companion, 10 March 1894, re praising the Youth's Companion and offering his hospitality in London. • TLS (tear and piece missing on left side affecting 2 words) to Nannie Manook, 21 April 1910, re her autograph book, was at Bad-Nauheim in Germany (no letters forwarded to him there), finally found her book after some searching, suggests that she not send her autograph book to others. • B&W photo from the Detroit Free Press, 10 June 1961, with reference to "Luke Sharpe", Barr's pseudonym when he was editor that newspaper. BEATTIE, Jessie L. (Canadian poet,… Read More

Various: Various, 1996. No binding & hard cover. Good. The collection has original material pertaining to 22 American women poets, dating from 1842-1996 a total of 63 items, specifically 30 letters, 14 pieces of ephemera, 8 typescripts / manuscripts, 8 books, and 4 photos. Includes 2 pieces from Louise Glück, the winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature:BATES, Charlotte Fiske (signed Charlotte Rogé; American poet and associate of Longfellow). • ALS to Mrs. Swift, 10 June 1891. Thanks Mrs. Swift for the "very sweet and heartfelt poem written for my wedding". Signed ms., split in the center, "At Philadelphia", July 4, 1876. On the left margin, Bates has written: "This is coming out in the Cong. this week, but as you will be away I give you this MS I have." The words "June Missionary Church" are written in the upper right of the sheet of paper.  This is a famous, patriotic verse poem in six stanzas separated here by horizontal lines drawn by the poet.BROWN, Alice (American novelist, poet, and… Read More

1964. No binding. Good. Thomas Edmund Dewey was an American lawyer, prosecutor, and politician. In addition to being the Governor of New York for three terms from 1943 to 1955, he was the Republican nominee for the Presidential elections in 1944 and 1948.The collection contains approximately 200 items, dating from Dewey's childhood days to 1964, specifically, 16 letters written by Dewey, 8 letters written by other people, 91 photos, 45 buttons, pins and jugates, 34 negatives, 2 cards/envelopes, a dinner program, and a pictorial campaign fan.  16 Letters:• 9 TLS to George T. Silver, a young man and sailor associated with the Bruce Engineering Company and the Young Israel party at Parkchester in the Bronx, New York. 1942-4. The correspondence includes: a letter from Dewey, 25 November 1942 and signed photo of Dewey; 2 letters from his secretaries (L.G. Rose, 4 September 1942; Paul E. Lockwood, 14 September 1943); a letter from the Republican National Committee (Archie O. Dawson), 29 October 1944; 2… Read More

Philadelphia: published by M. Carey and Son, 1820. Hard Cover. Good. Book:2 vols. Vol. 1, 288 pp; vol. 2, 309 pp. By the author of "Waverly," &c. Ribbed brown leather, gilt tooling on spine, new endpapers. Publication in 1820 by Samuel H. Parker in Boston is sometimes cited as the first American edition. 1820 date on title pages to both volumes. Deckled edges, small piece missing to p. 309 of vol. 2 but not affecting the text, no half titles. Foxing in both volumes, otherwise good condition. A scarce edition, 14 copies located by WorldCat. 5 ephemera:• Included is a part of the original ms. of "Character of the Late John, Lord Somerville" from an article published in the Edinburgh Weekly Journal, 27 October 1819. The article was reprinted in vol. 1 of The Miscellaneous Prose Works of Sir Walter Scott, Bart. Paris: Baudry's European Library, 1837. The passage consists of 10 lines in Scott's hand, beginning: "Lord Sommerville spent a considerable portion of his time in Scotland every year...."… Read More