Documents & Manuscripts

Discover hand written letters, original manuscripts, historical documents, diaries, and so much more in this section. There's even a sub category for Illuminated Manuscripts, for those who search for gold!

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Subcategories in Documents & Manuscripts

Documents & Manuscripts Books & Ephemera

[INDIAN PAINTING: AN IMAGINARY "DYNASTIC" SCENE WITH IMAGINARY WRITING]. Painted in gold and color, overpainted on a partially printed leaf with manuscript annotations

[INDIAN PAINTING: AN IMAGINARY "DYNASTIC" SCENE WITH IMAGINARY WRITING]. Painted in gold and color, overpainted on a partially printed leaf with manuscript annotations

by Anonymous Indian Artist

India, 19th or 20th century. Good. Painting with extensive gold, applied on a partially printed leaf with some manuscript annotations (ca. 358 x 260 mm), hinged on plexiglas so that the verso is visible, matted (matte size: 475 x 327 mm). Minor staining to the paper, but the painting is in excellent condition. An intriguing Indian painting with extensive gilding which mimics Persian dynastic or genealogical manuscripts but was in fact written in a fake language. Likely created for the tourist trade,... Read more about this item
Item Price
£323.80
[INDIAN PAINTINGS ON MANUSCRIPT LEAVES: A BULL AND A CAMEL]. A pair of paintings in gold and color, overpainted on a manuscript of a Persian / Urdu dictionary

[INDIAN PAINTINGS ON MANUSCRIPT LEAVES: A BULL AND A CAMEL]. A pair of paintings in gold and color, overpainted on a manuscript of a Persian / Urdu dictionary

by Anonymous Indian Artist

India, 19th or 20th century. Good. Two paintings on manuscript leaves (ca. 300 x 220 mm), both hinged on plexiglas so that the verso is visible, both matted (matte size: 400 x 315 mm). Edges of manuscript leaves significantly worm-damaged, without loss to painting of the bull, but intruding in several places into that of the camel. Colors vibrant and gold quite bright. Very attractive paintings. Two delicate Indian paintings that were likely made for the tourist trade, painted on manuscript leaves that... Read more about this item
Item Price
£323.80
[INDIAN PAINTINGS ON MANUSCRIPT LEAVES: TWO NOBLEMEN BEARING SWORDS]. A pair of paintings in gold and color, overpainted on a manuscript of Ibn Sina's "Book of Healing

[INDIAN PAINTINGS ON MANUSCRIPT LEAVES: TWO NOBLEMEN BEARING SWORDS]. A pair of paintings in gold and color, overpainted on a manuscript of Ibn Sina's "Book of Healing

by Anonymous Indian Artist

India, 19th or 20th century. Good. Two paintings on manuscript leaves (ca. 260 x 170 mm), both hinged on plexiglas so that the verso is visible, both matted (matte size: 400 x 270 mm). Manuscript leaves significantly worm-damaged and repaired, nonetheless these are both ttractive paintings, beautifully rendered. Two delicate Indian paintings that were likely made for the tourist trade, painted on manuscript leaves that have nothing to do with the images. The Arabic text above the painting of the... Read more about this item
Item Price
£323.80
Autograph letter signed, 19 March 1934

Autograph letter signed, 19 March 1934

by RUHL, Arthur

One page, 8vo, integral blank, on New York Herald Tribune letterhead, to "Dear Karl." Folded at center, in fine condition. Arthur Ruhl was a Harvard-educated sports journalist. A letter of condolence: "My heart goes out to you. The blessing of having those we love with us for long years is a consolation by itself, but when the break comes there is no mending our sorrow...
Item Price
£20.24
In England Now That Spring. polaroid poems, found texts, visions & collaborations, records of a journey thru Scotland and England May 1978

In England Now That Spring. polaroid poems, found texts, visions & collaborations, records of a journey thru Scotland and England May 1978

by McCAFFREY, STEVE and bpNichol

Toronto: Aya Press, 1979. A fine copy. 8vo. 23 illustrations in text, being full-page line drawings or engravings with text superimposed on images. Original morocco-backed boards; slipcase. FIRST EDITION, DELUXE LIMITED ISSUE, letter "u" of 26 lettered copies signed by the authors and containing a leaf of original manuscript in three ink colors; from an edition of 726.
Item Price
£526.18
Easy Street

Easy Street

by PARKER, T. Jefferson

Royal Oaks,MI / Mission Viego, CA: A.S.A.P. Publishing, 2000. Softcover. Fine. First edition. Manuscript proof. Fine in plastic binder with protective sleeves. Limited edition of 18 copies that includes Signatures from the author, Elizabeth George, who wrote the introduction, Robert Crais, who provided the afterword and the illustrator, Phil Parks. This edition also includes an envelope with three original manuscript pages and a sketch by the publisher on the introduction page. Although not marked in... Read more about this item
Item Price
£323.80
Autograph letter signed, Radclyffe Hall, to a Miss Stitch regarding an invitation from the Writer's Circle to speak on her novel "Adam's Breed"..

Autograph letter signed, Radclyffe Hall, to a Miss Stitch regarding an invitation from the Writer's Circle to speak on her novel "Adam's Breed"..

by HALL, RADCLYFFE (1880-1943; English poet and author, best known for the ground breaking lesbian classic The Well of Loneliness.):

She writes that she is "greatly honoured that the Circle would care to hear me, and will do my best to give some idea as to how I evolved 'Adam's Breed'. I could speak on Monday October 18th at 6.45, if that will do, but I should like you to let me know for how long you would like me to speak.....". 37 Holland Street, Kensington, W.8. 28th June 1926. 1 1/4 sides 8vo on 2 conjoined leaves, on cream paper; remains of an album leaf on the blank reverse of the second side. Very... Read more about this item
Item Price
£400.00
Large Historiated Initial Featuring Illuminated Miniature of a Pope

Large Historiated Initial Featuring Illuminated Miniature of a Pope

by ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT LEAF

Germany: np, 1491. First edition. Framed. Very Good. LARGE HISTORIATED INITIAL DEPICTING A POPE, FINELY ILLUMINATED IN GOLD AND RICH COLOUR. Reading from a lectern, the Pope is depicted in full regalia, wearing the distinctive triple crown, or triregnum, and holding the crucifix-topped crosier. His robe is a deep blue and likely pigmented by lapis lazuli-a mineral so valuable in Medieval Europe that is typically reserved for the Virgin Mary and occasionally referred to as blue gold. A vista of green... Read more about this item
Item Price
£6,071.25
LIFE OF GENERAL MONK: DUKE OF ABERMARLE, & Richard Granville's JOURNAL

LIFE OF GENERAL MONK: DUKE OF ABERMARLE, & Richard Granville's JOURNAL

by ALBERMARLE, George Monck, Duke of

1724. [ALBERMARLE, George Monck, Duke of]. THE LIFE OF GENERAL MONK: DUKE OF ALBERMARLE, containing, I. A faithful account of his unparalledl'd conduct, surprizing actions, and providential success in accomplishing the restoration of monarchy. II. A particular relation of that most memorable march from Coldstream to London; the preparations for it in Scotland, and the happy consequences of it in England. III. Many mistakes committed by our historians, (particularly the Earl of Clarendon) concerning the... Read more about this item
Item Price
£526.18
PANSIES

PANSIES

by Lawrence, D.H

London: Privately printed for subscribers by P. R. Stephensen, 1929. Definitive Edition" (same year as first). "This edition is printed complete, following the original manuscript, according to my wish. [signed] D.H. Lawrence. Copy no. 338. Very sligth wear, about fine. Definitive Edition" (same year as first). "This edition is printed complete, following the original manuscript, according to my wish. [signed] D.H. Lawrence. Copy no. 338. [xiv], 125p. Portrait drawing as frontispiece. Title-page in... Read more about this item
Item Price
£607.12
SHERIFF'S BOND, HOLDING WILLIAM HUFF AND PATRICK McCARTY BOUND UNTO ROBERT HANNA, SHERIFF OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA TERRITORY

SHERIFF'S BOND, HOLDING WILLIAM HUFF AND PATRICK McCARTY BOUND UNTO ROBERT HANNA, SHERIFF OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA TERRITORY

by Indiana Territory, Franklin County

1813. Original manuscript. Very Good. One page, folio, written in sepia ink. Sheriff's bond in the "penal sum of fifty six Dollars & seventy-five Cents with Interest thereon from the Twenty second day of March 1809 for the true payment whereof we do bind our selves and each of our heirs....This Third Day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & Thirteen...." Written below in another hand is an order for William Huff to "appear before the Judges of our Court of Common pleas at Brookville on... Read more about this item
Item Price
£80.95
An autograph letter signed ('M. van Buren') to 'My dear Gow'

An autograph letter signed ('M. van Buren') to 'My dear Gow'

by Van BUREN, Martin (1782-1862, 8th President of the USA, 1837-41)

Very Good. Small octavo, 2 pages (the first leaf of a bifolium, with an oval blindstamp enclosing the initials 'P & S' in the top right-hand corner); Clifton Springs, 25 September 1861. Outer surface printed with vertical ruled lines; horizontal creases where folded for posting; trifling light marks; in very good condition, albeit the ink is a little light throughout. 'I intended to stay here only one week & to be able to spend the next with yourself & my excellent friends the Martins. As it is, I... Read more about this item
Item Price
£291.00
JOURNAL OF TRAVELS IN ENGLAND, HOLLAND AND SCOTLAND, 3 VOLUMES

JOURNAL OF TRAVELS IN ENGLAND, HOLLAND AND SCOTLAND, 3 VOLUMES

by SILLIMAN, Benjamin

1820. SILLIMAN, Benjamin. A JOURNAL OF TRAVELS IN ENGLAND, HOLLAND AND SCOTLAND, AND OF TWO PASSAGES OVER THE ATLANTIC, IN THE YEARS 1805 AND 1806; WITH CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONS, PRINCIPALLY FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS OF THE AUTHOR. 3 VOLUMES. Third edition. New Haven: S. Converse, 1820. 311, 312, 309 pp. 8vo., mottled calf with gilt red leather spine labels, spines with gilt rules. Ex-library with faded 19th century paper spine labels, interior stamps. Bindings a bit edgeworn, leather attractive.... Read more about this item
Item Price
£303.56
[MANUSCRIPT TRAVELOGUE TO THE BRITISH MUSEUM AND CRYSTAL PALACE EXHIBITION 1851]

[MANUSCRIPT TRAVELOGUE TO THE BRITISH MUSEUM AND CRYSTAL PALACE EXHIBITION 1851]

by Van Drival, Eugène

[London and Paris], 1851. Very good. Together 2 vols., folio. Vol. I: 127 pp. manuscript written on rectos only, with insertions of the author's Port of Entry, various MS slips, maps, a folding letterpress plan of the British Museum, and a large folding depiction of the Museum of Practical Geology. Vol. II: printed documents bound into an album of blank leaves, some of which have extensive MS annotations and articles in the hand of the author. Bound in contemporary French quarter green basane, marbled... Read more about this item
Item Price
£1,699.95
Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel: 14 May 1948

Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel: 14 May 1948

by FREEMAN, Paul

New York: Israel Discount Bank Limited, 1976. Softcover. Fine. Reproduction of an original manuscript from the official english translation of the original Hebrew document. Oblong folio. Stapled wrappers. Fine.
Item Price
£40.48
[MEDIEVAL & RENAISSANCE MANUSCRIPTS]. Latin Manuscript Books Before 1600: A List of Printed Catalogues and Unpublished Inventories of Extant Collections. Third Edition

[MEDIEVAL & RENAISSANCE MANUSCRIPTS]. Latin Manuscript Books Before 1600: A List of Printed Catalogues and Unpublished Inventories of Extant Collections. Third Edition

by Kristeller, Paul Oskar

New York: Fordham University Press, 1965. Hardcover. Fair. Octavo, 284 pages, original cloth, no dust jacket. Water damage to case, text unaffected. ¶ An important bibliography of printed and manuscript catalogues of pre-1600 Latin manuscripts in European libraries -- from A-Z (i.e from Aachen, Germany to Zwolle, Holland). Still essential.
Item Price
£16.19
Zeisberger's Indian Dictionary; English, German, Iroquois - The Onondaga and Algonquin - The Delaware

Zeisberger's Indian Dictionary; English, German, Iroquois - The Onondaga and Algonquin - The Delaware

by Zeisberger, [David]

Cambridge: John Wilson and Son, 1887. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 4to. [3], iv-v, [2], 2-236 pp. Red brick-colored cloth with a few blind rules on the front board, gilt lettering on the spine. Printed from the original manuscript in Harvard College Library. A large and useful dictionary, edited and brought to publication by Eben Norton Horsford. The binding slightly shaken but holding, a few annotations throughout the textblock.
Item Price
£89.04
1883-1890 GROUP OF THREE (3) HANDWRITTEN RECEIPTS TO COL. C.R. MUDGE, POST 114, G.A.R., MERRIMAC, MASSACHUSETTS

1883-1890 GROUP OF THREE (3) HANDWRITTEN RECEIPTS TO COL. C.R. MUDGE, POST 114, G.A.R., MERRIMAC, MASSACHUSETTS

by Mudge, C.R

Merrimac, MA, 1883. Original manuscripts. Very Good. Three receipts: (1) Heath Bros., Carpenters-Contractors-Builders, January 12, 1883, for a walnut shelf and brackets. (2) Bailey Sargent, written on the GAR Post's own decorative letterhead, Sept. 7th, 1883, for expenses of William Fry Concert Co. (3) Alex Smart, Dec. 19, 1890, for Littles Express, care of Horse, Story & Waterhouse bill, &c. Approx. 6" x 8" Merrimac, Massachusetts, was incorporated in 1876. The Colonel C. R. Mudge Post 114, of the... Read more about this item
Item Price
£24.28
1885 HANDWRITTEN RELEASE TO LIZZIE HEISEY OF THE LEGACY FROM HER LATE FATHER'S ESTATE, EXECUTED BY SAMUEL R. ZUG, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

1885 HANDWRITTEN RELEASE TO LIZZIE HEISEY OF THE LEGACY FROM HER LATE FATHER'S ESTATE, EXECUTED BY SAMUEL R. ZUG, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

by Pennsylvania, Lancaster County / Heisey, Lizzie G

1885. Original manuscript. Very Good. 3pp, folio, written in ink in a neat hand. Justice Zug is settling the estate of Joseph G. Heisey of Mount Joy Township, who died on April 30, 1883. Included is an account of all expenditures from the estate, including taxes, Susan Fassnacht for funeral services [95 cents], Felix Kauffman for a book [6 dollars], J.A. Coble for tomb stones [29 dollars], corn sold by a widow, &c., &c. The balance due to Lizzie and received by her is $280. Dated 29 September 1885.... Read more about this item
Item Price
£20.24
[WOMEN AUTHORS]. [MANUSCRIPT BEREAVEMENT COMMONPLACE BOOK, 1856 AND 1874]

[WOMEN AUTHORS]. [MANUSCRIPT BEREAVEMENT COMMONPLACE BOOK, 1856 AND 1874]

by [Anonymous Governess]

England, 1874. Fair. 8vo. Bound notebook, with writing on 98 pp., the remaining leaves blank (first leaf torn out). Original blue roan (worn and shaken, boards almost detached, spine defective, depredation to bottom edge of front cover), marbled endpapers and edges, double gilt lines to boards and spine. Text block clean with only slight stains to a few pages. Preserved in a 4-flap lig-free chemise housed in a protective cloth case. "I too, have laid my lily down..." SORROWFUL REFLECTIONS WRITTEN BY A... Read more about this item
Item Price
£1,780.90
[LAW, 1550-1750]. COLLECTION OF SIX EARLY NOTARIAL BOOKS INCLUDING ONE COMPLETE MANUSCRIPT]. 1. Notarial Manual [UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT] (France, ca. 1750); 2. Formularium [...] instrumentorum (Milan, 1605); 3. Formularium [...] instrumentorum (Milan, 1631); 4. Compilatio [...] ad Tabellionum (Brescia, 1621); 5. Stylus capibreviandi (Barcelona, 1594); 6. In Notariorum excessus, errores [etc.] (Venice, 1550)

[LAW, 1550-1750]. COLLECTION OF SIX EARLY NOTARIAL BOOKS INCLUDING ONE COMPLETE MANUSCRIPT]. 1. Notarial Manual [UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT] (France, ca. 1750); 2. Formularium [...] instrumentorum (Milan, 1605); 3. Formularium [...] instrumentorum (Milan, 1631); 4. Compilatio [...] ad Tabellionum (Brescia, 1621); 5. Stylus capibreviandi (Barcelona, 1594); 6. In Notariorum excessus, errores [etc.] (Venice, 1550)

by Giovanni Battista Cavallini, Giovanni Battista de Madiis, and Francisco Solsana

France, Milan, Brescia, and Barcelona, 1750. Good. Together 6 vols., 4to., 8vo., and 12mo. Bindings vary (see below), some condition issues, for which SEE ALL 47 IMAGES ON OUR WEBSITE. TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF NOTARIAL MANUALS, INCLUDING ONE UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT, BEING AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION OF PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIALS WHICH PRESENT MUCH SCHOLARLY INVESTIGATION. 1. Notarial Manual [unpublished manuscript] (France, ca. 1750) in a contemporary binding; 2. Formularium [...] instrumentorum (Milan, 1605)... Read more about this item
Item Price
£3,642.75
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson

The Writings of Thomas Jefferson

by JEFFERSON, Thomas

Washington: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Assoc, 1905. hardcover. very good(+). Numerous illustrations with lettered tissue guards. 20 volumes, rubricated titles, 8vo, 3/4 blue crushed morocco, ornately gilt spines (tops of some spines lightly rubbed). Washington: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1905. Very good (+).<br/><br/> Definitive Edition Containing his Autobiography, Notes on Virginia, Parliamentary Manuaal, Official Papers, Messages and Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and... Read more about this item
Item Price
£6,880.75
[CALLIGRAPHIC MANUSCRIPT]: The Harper and Other Fables. By Aesop

[CALLIGRAPHIC MANUSCRIPT]: The Harper and Other Fables. By Aesop

by Aesop (author). Zimmerman, Lawrence (calligrapher)

New York: Transcribed and Illustrated at Cooper Union, 1952. Very good. Small folio (261 x 167 mm). Calligraphic manuscript on paper. [2], 8 pp. Loosely inserted ink and watercolor drawing. Original hand-sewn blue wrappers; stitched to upper wrapper is a paper label lettered in manuscript: "The Harper and Other Fables." Old scribbles on verso of loose illustration; slightest soiling on front wrapper. Manuscript written by Lawrence Zimmerman as a Cooper Union student, being an assignment in calligraphy... Read more about this item
Item Price
£242.85
[CORRECTED TYPESCRIPT]. On Collecting John P. Marquand

[CORRECTED TYPESCRIPT]. On Collecting John P. Marquand

by White, William (author). Marquand, John P. (subject)

1951. Very good. Typescript (3 pp.) with substantive and editorial corrections throughout. Two pronounced horizontal folds, 1" tear to p. 3. ADDED: cloth chemise in which the folded typescript was contained for many years, accompanied by a note from the editor of "The Amateur Book Collector" (see below). Surely this typescript belongs at Beinecke Library, Yale University, in which are preserved the papers of the novelist John P. Marquand (1893-1960). The typescript itself was sent to the editors of... Read more about this item
Item Price
£80.95
Memoirs of the Life of Robert Cary [sic], Baron of Leppington, and Earl of Monmouth. Written by himself, And now published from an original Manuscript in the Custody of John, Earl of Corke and Orrery. With some explanatory notes

Memoirs of the Life of Robert Cary [sic], Baron of Leppington, and Earl of Monmouth. Written by himself, And now published from an original Manuscript in the Custody of John, Earl of Corke and Orrery. With some explanatory notes

by CAREY, Robert

London: Printed by J. Hughs... for R. and J. Dodsley, 1759.. Second edition, 8vo, 236, (4 index) pp. Frontispiece, with a later manuscript genealogy bound in near the end. Modern maroon half morocco, marbled sides, a lovely copy. Carey was member of Elizabeth I's court and subsequently governor to the young Charles I.
Item Price
£120.00
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