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INCLUDES AQS BY OSCARWILDE:“ONLYTHE BEAUTIFUL ISTRUE”
241
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(ALBUM—JOHN RUSKIN.) John Ruskin; Maud A. Bateman; and Grace Allen.
Ruskin Birthday Book.
Signed, or Signed and Inscribed, by over 80 mostly British authors,
artists, statesmen, actors, etc., including an Autograph Quotation Signed by Oscar Wilde,
and, tipped in, Autograph Letters Signed by Ruskin, Robert Browning, Oliver Wendell
Holmes,Walter Sickert, and others.The book, a calendar with brief quotations by Ruskin
printed on the verso pages for each day of the year, and on the facing pages, a space for
each corresponding date. Many inscriptions in spaces corresponding to inscriber’s birthdate,
about as many are Clipped Signatures or ALsS pasted into the space under the date. 4to,
green morocco lettered in gilt by Hatchards, covers detached, spine faded, edges worn;
joints cracked, about a dozen scattered leaves with closed tears at edges, few scattered leaves
nearly detached, some items inexpertly removed from album and laid in, moderate even
toning throughout, bookplate of Harry Glemby on front pastedown.
Orpington, 1883; inscriptions:Vp, vd [most circa 1883]
[10,000/15,000]
Mounted to preliminary blanks: Hablot K. Browne (“Phiz”).ALS, to “Mr. Jackson,” sending thanks.
[London], 8 June 1876 * John Ruskin. ALS, “JRuskin,” to “Darling Maudie [Bateman],”: “Yes,
the Birthday book is quite lovely . . . as well done as good girls could do it . . . .” 1 page, 8vo, with
integral blank mounted to page. Coniston, 23 December 1883.
8 February: John Ruskin,Autograph Inscription Signed,“1819 / At Montrose St.Valentine’s 1884”
* 27 February: Ellen Terry * 22 March: Randolph Caldecott * 1 May: Marie Corelli * 7 May:
Robert Browning. ALS, to “Dear Miss Bateman,”: “. . . [T]he Birthday Book . . . I am sure you
have made as attractive as such a compilation can be. . . .” 1 page, 8vo, with integral blank mounted to
page.Venice, 23 November 1889 * 31 May:Walter Sickert (2).ALS, to “Dear Miss Bateman,”:“. . .
How interesting & delightful Ruskin’s writing is! . . .” 1 page, 8vo, with integral blank mounted to
page; complete separation at horizontal fold. [London], nd; AQS: “If Millet had been born a modern
cockney, he would have found sublime themes in Upper Street or Piccadilly.” Inscribed on page.
[London?], 26 July 1890 * 13 July: Alfred Chantrey Corbould. Ink drawing, Signed at lower left,
additionally Signed in red ink at left, showing a horse and rider. Inscribed on page. 2x2 inches. 1886
* August: OliverWendell Holmes.ALS, to “My dear Miss Bateman,” sending his autograph. 1 page,
8vo, detached integral blank mounted to page; chipping along right edge with loss of few letters of text.
Great Malvern, 11 July 1886 * 26 September: William Charles Kingsbury Wilde. Autograph
Inscription Signed, “WilliamC.K.Wilde / Frére Sauvage [(Oscar Wilde’s) wild brother].” Inscribed
on page. Np, nd * October: John Ruskin. ALS, to “Sweetest Maudie”: “. . . I don’t want you to be
the least bit older for this birthday . . . but if it’s only a festa, when all your friends are to think of you,
truly it will always bring fairer colours with the fall of the year than any that touch its clouds or leaves
. . . .” Laid in. 1
1
/
2
pages, 8vo, written on rectos of two sheets, personal stationery; loss to upper right
corner of first leaf and upper edge of second. “Kenmore Castle” [Galloway], 1 October 1883 * 16
October: Oscar Wilde. AQS: “rien n’est / vrai que le Beau.” Inscribed on page containing no other
autographs. Np, nd * 29 December:William E. Gladstone. Signature, “WGladstone.” Inscribed on
page. Np, nd * others.