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Collection of autograph letters

1803-1908

Henry Pease Correspondence (supplied title)

1846-1876

letters

Two framed letters relating to the use of locomotives on the Wylam railway (attached to " Puffing Billy")

Framed letters relating to the use of locomotives on Wylam Railway

Letters, cast brass, composing 'S&MR No4', ex Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Railway carriage side.

Brass letters

['Sir John Barton's scheme for preventing forgery of Bank of England notes' / John Barton. ca.1819. 1 sheet, bearing fifty engravings, each 1 1/2" square and each of a unique pattern. Sheet originally mounted on piece of linen which bears the title [assigned in 1931?] and "Various combinations of engraved cubes probably done on Lathe with overhead motion & some in dividing Engine". See MS 1359 for letter relating to this item]

Sir John Barton's scheme for preventing forgery of Bank of England notes'

circa 1819
[Letters, 1880 Dec 22 to 1881 Feb 19] / Josiah Wade. [7 items, to Col. Stuart Wortley, Patent Office Museum, South Kensington, offering an Anglo-American Arab platen printing press to stand in contrast to the Franklin press and discussing the relative merits of the two machines]

Letters, 1880 Dec 22 to 1881 Feb 19 / Josiah Wade

1880-1881
[Letters, 1922 Nov 1 to 1938 Nov 28] / J.A. Fleming. [Letters from the Science Museum accession file (ScM 678) regarding examples of thermionic valves, cymometer and model of Sturgeon's first electro-magnet given by Fleming to the museum. Includes some correspondence on the Dewar vacuum flask. 19 items]

Letters, 1922 Nov 1 to 1938 Nov 28, J.A. Fleming

1922-1938
[Letters (9)] 1904-1906, Upper Tulse Hill [and] The Athenaeum [to G.D.] Liveing/William Huggins. [Concern supply and cost of radium products, especially radium bromide; frequent references to correspondence with Pierre Curie; back of letter of 1904 May 16 has draft of letter from Liveing (to an unnamed correspondent) as chairman of the Radium Committee of the Royal Society.]

Letters (9) 1904-1906

1904-1906
[Letters (2)] 1871 Oct, Denmark Hill [to] J.C. Bayley/Henry Bessemer. [First letter discusses importance of removing phosphorous during steel-making and hints that Bessemer is approaching a breakthrough in his own process; second letter compares Webster's patent 2364/1868 with Bessemer's prior patent covering the use of acidic or hydrocarbon gases in steel refining.]

Letters (2) 1871 Oct, Denmark Hill [to] J.C. Bayley/Henry Bessemer

1871
[Letters (6)] 1895 and 1907 [to G.D.] Liveing/James Dewar, re his work on the low-temperature thermoelectric properties of bismuth; detection of impurities in bismuth; the writing of joint papers with Liveing especially on their investigation of CN band spectra; unfavourable comments on Crookes's and Ramsay's work on the argon spectrum; his own and his wife's poor health. One letter, 1907 Jun 18, states his need for radium bromide.]

Letters (6) 1895 and 1907 [to G.D.] Liveing/James Dewar

1895 and 1907
[3 letters] 1875 Sept-Oct [to] Maudslay, Sons & Field / N. Malacky, [re acceptance trials of engines in ships `Sentinella' and `Guardiano' for Italian Navy. With 5 indicator diagrams on tracing paper]

3 letters 1875 Sept-Oct [to] Maudslay

1875 Sept-Oct
Note sur les moteurs a petrole pour sous-marins / Jean Rey. 1917 Mar. [31p. ts. including 5 photos. Bound with 3 letters of 1932 Sept (2) and 1917 Mar (1) to Eng. Capt. Edgar C. Smith of Purley, from P. Augustin-Normand, Le Havre; J. Rey, Sautter-Harle, Paris; and the director of Sautter-Harle, respectively on the same subject (10p. ts.)]

Note sur les moteurs a petrole pour sous-marins / Jean Rey. 1917 Mar

1917; 1932
[Letters (3)] 1857 May-1859 Apr, Penshurst, Kent [to] Robert [Millward] / James Nasmyth. [In one letter, of 1858 Oct 25, he wishes 'the government would let me have a trial of my Steam ram' ... for 'it is now 10 [16?] years since I gave the Admiralty all the plans'. He continues 'My steam hammer shaped Engines are now all the go on marine engines for screw ships for the merchant service' ... 'It is pleasant to see the products of ones hand taking [foremost?] place as useful agents to the progress of man ... if the world reaps the benefit I don't care much about having the honor or credit']

Letters (3) 1857 May-1859 Apr

1857-1859
[Volumes (2) of ca.46 letters describing tours made to north Wales (1815 Aug - Sept) and to Scotland (1816 Jan - Aug), and to Paris, north west France and Belgium (1817 Jul - Aug) . Cobb, secretary to the East India Company, travelled with his wife. All letters are addressed to 'Jack' (his brother?), John Cobb, at East India House, London. /1 consists of ten or eleven letters re a trip to north Wales between Aug 3 and Sept 2 1815, and 23 letters re a trip to Scotland between Jun 22 and Aug 13 1816. These letters refer often to modes of transport, condition of roads etc, but chiefly comment on sites seen and places visited. On the second trip Cobb has to give evidence at a trial in Edinburgh. There is reference to Walter Scott, clerk of sessions. /2 consists of 13 letters re a trip to Paris, north west France and Belgium between Jul 7 and Aug 26 1817. Inserted are numerous other letters, passes and introductions. It is prefaced by a printed map of the Low Countries showing principal towns and distances between them]

Volumes of ca.46 letters describing tours made to north Wales (1815 Aug-Sept) and to Scotland (1816 Jan-Aug)

1815-1817
[Small portfolio case of c.98 letters, 1898 Jun-1903 Jun, to J.D. Hamilton Dickson / Sir James Dewar, chiefly re experiments concerning vacuum flask]

Small portfolio case of c.98 letters

1898-1903
[Ms. letters (11), 1867 Oct-1868 May, to his father / J. Newstead, detailing his experiences in training whilst a medical student at Bartholomew's Hospital, London. In great detail, Newstead relates the work he does (dissecting, ward rounds, studying and exams). Six letters are dated; two bear illustrations]

Ms. letters (11)

1867-1868
[Collection of letters (85) 1891 Nov-1924 Dec, to Sir Gilbert Thomas Walker. Walker, applied mathematician and meteorologist, was Director General of Observatories in India from 1904 to 1924. In 2 folders]

Collection of letters (85) 1891 Nov-1924 Dec

1891-1924
[Letters (9) to Sir Arthur and Lady Rucker] / Oliver Lodge. [11 items, 1894, 1905-1913. Nine autograph letters to Rucker (4) and to his wife (5) on scientific subjects and re a proposed trip to France. Four are written from the University, Birmingham, two from Mariemont, Edgbaston. With an annotated carbon copy of Lodge's paper 'Atomic Theory and Radioactivity' (8p ts.), and a portrait photo of him, seemingly from 'Sir Oliver Lodge. A Biographical Sketch' by J.H.P. (1906), bearing facsimile? signature]

Letters (9) to Sir Arthur and Lady Rucker, Oliver Lodge

1894-1913
Letters (5, ts.), Schloss Welsbach, Post Meiselding, Karnten [i.e. Carinthia, Austria, to] Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Prandtl, Munchen/Carl Freiherr Auer von Welsbach. [In German; with 3 envelopes. Acquired with inv. no. 1980-916, six samples of lanthanide compounds prepared by Auer von Welsbach]

[Letters (5) to Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Prandtl/Carl Freiherr Auer von Welsbach]

1923-1926
Letters and copy letters and associated material of Clerk to the Melksham Turnpike Trust Commissioners re dispute with the Wiltshire Somerset & Weymouth Railway Company over whether or not to build a bridge to take the road over the railway. Directors of Railway include H G & J W Awdry, 1884-1846. [46 items]

letters re melksham turnpike trust

1844-1846
Letters, paper, manuscript letters from Letters from Andre Chapelon to Col. H.C.B. Rogers, 20 September 1969 to 15 June 1978. Extensive collection of letters on technical and engineering matters, written by Andre Chapelon to Col. Hugh Cuthbert Bassett Rogers. Includes extensive autobiographical notes and Chapelon's comments on the draft chapters and illustrations for Rogers' book "Chapelon: Genius of French Steam" published in 1972. Also includes Chapelon's reminiscences on a visit to Brighton to inspect Bulleid's 'Leader' class locomotive.

Letters from Andre Chapelon to Col. H.C.B. Rogers

1969-1978
[Letters (3)] 1848 [&] 1849 [to] Capt. [Constantine] Moorsom/Robert Stephenson. [/1: describes an unsuccessful attempt, due to fast tides, to float the first tube of Conway rail bridge using pontoons. First page bears engraving of Conway Castle and Bridge by W. Pritchard, Carnarvon; /2 he is exhausted by extensive rail travel; asks Moorsom to "bring the levels of the Carnarvon branch" adding that "it would be well for Forster and Clark to be in London at the meeting" too; /3 he hopes to attend Board meeting but has little to add. "I am doing everything in my power to press forward the preparations for floating" (the tubes of Britannia Bridge) but is "exceedingly anxious". Hydraulic presses are "progressing very rapidly".]

Letters to Capt. Moorsom RN/Robert Stephenson, re Conway and Britannia bridges

1848-1849
[Letters (6), 1864 Jan-Mar, re clocks made by John Harrison] From Museum file relating to a 1715 Harrison 8-day clock (inv.no .1884-80 part 1). /1-2, from G. Wallis, Art Museum to F.P. Smith, Patent Museum, concern the above clock, presented by George Empringham to Art Museum which Wallis offers to Smith on loan. /3-6, three of which are from Empringham of Brigg, Lincs. to Smith, concern another Harrison clock, in poor condition, in the possession of a friend of the former's. 14p. on six leaves]

Letters (6), 1864 Jan-Mar, re clocks made by John Harrison

1864
[Collection of autograph letters, notes etc. 1747-1907, some with press cuttings and photographs; 5 referral forms to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Jan-Aug 1832. See below]

Collection of autograph letters

1747-1907
[Ms. volume of copy letters, business and personal, of Richard Beamish; ms. volume of letters to, and copy/draft letters from, Richard Beamish. See below]

Ms. volume of copy letters

1835-1840
/1: [Letter, ca.1821?] White Lyon Street [to] Richard Taylor, Shoe Lane / W. Turnbull. [Watermarked 1821. He forwards a new copy of book by Agnesi.] /2: [Letter, ca.1823?] White Lion St [to] Richard Taylor, Shoe Lane / W. Turnbull. Watermarked 1823. Re return of Turnbull's copy of book by Agnesi]

Letters

1821-1823
Three letters dating c.1846 regarding the Grand Junction and London North Western Railway.

Three letters dating c.1846 regarding the Grand Junction and London North Western Railway

1846
U.K. Letters patent no.603069, 1946, relating to the manufacture of "Paludrine"

U.K. Letters patent no.603069

22 letters from Robert Stephenson to Samuel Smiles, 1854-1858, along with a 14 page essay on the construction of the Rocket. The letters give Smiles information for his biography 'The Life of George Stephenson' and details about Robert's own career. 21 of the letters and the essay are in Stephenson's own hand, 1 is only signed by him.

Letters from Robert Stephenson to Samuel Smiles 1854-1858

1854-1858
[Holograph letters (17)] 1816 Jan-Dec, Heathfield [to] Mr John Morley, London Street, [London] / James Watt, [re personal and financial matters Dated 4, 16, 18, 29 Jan; 1 & 19 Feb; 7 & 18 Mar; 13 May; 7 & 11 Aug; 14 & 28 Oct; 4 & 18 Nov; 5 & 16 Dec; all 1816]

[Holograph letters (17)] 1816 Jan-Dec

1816
Thirteen letters relating to Thwaites

Letters relating to Thwaites

Letter, Chaplin & Horne, re a notice concerning the carriage of goods on Shrewsbury & Hereford & L.N.W. Railway, 12 & 13 October 1858, (Other IDs 76/25/440).

Chaplin & Horne

1858
[Letters (3), 1853-1869, to George Wallis / Joseph Whitworth: 1869 Oct 16, The Firs, Fallowfield, Manchester, thanking him for his congratulations on the honour conferred: Whitworth was created a baronet in 1869; 1853 Sept 3, Fentons Hotel, St. James St., expressing delight at success of Niagara picture and hoping to see it the following Wednesday; 1856 Dec 21, The Firs, promising to attend Wallis's lecture the following day and offering him accommodation]

Letters (3), 1853-1869, to George Wallis, Joseph Whitworth

1853-1869
[Letters (11)] 1807-1816 [to] Richard [and] Jane Trevithick/Henry Harvey. [/1: 1807 Sept 22, Hayle Foundry: concerns Trevithick's, and consequent, financial arrangements necessary to enable Harvey's sister Jane Trevithick to join Richard in London; /2: 1809 Mar 28, Hayle Foundry: Harvey has inspected "the Stone from St.Ives to Penzance and also in the neighbourhood of Penryn"; discusses possible arrangements and price for shipping "300 tons a fortnight" [for the Thames Driftway]; news of W[illiam] West and James Oats; /3-8: 1810 Jun 1-Aug 26, Hayle Foundry (and) Woolwich: four letters to Jane and two to Richard concerning Richard's recovery from critical illness; Richard's financial difficulties and measures to protect the family from his impending bankruptcy; inheritance of Trevithick property at Penpons [sic]. Constantly urges a return to Cornwall. (Some published in Life of Richard Trevithick/Francis Trevithick, 1872: /3 (complete) in v.1, pp. 340-1 and /8 (minor part) in v.2, p.154); /9-10: 1812 Nov 26 & 28, Holborn Hill, describes his attempts in London to secure for himself the receivership and management of [Hayle] Foundry against the nominees of Mr Blewett; reports conservation with Davies Gilbert re plans for Plymouth breakwater; describes his efforts to secure Trevithick's "certificate" (of discharge from bankruptcy?); /11: 1816 Apr 18, Hayle Foundry, concerns arrangements for trials of the Herland pole-engine (published in Life of Richard Trevithick/Francis Trevithick, 1872 v.2, p.101)]

Letters (11) 1807-1816 [to] Richard [and] Jane Trevithick

1807-1816
[Letters (6)] 1802-1828 [to] Richard Trevithick/Andrew Vivian. [/1: 1802 Feb 23, Camborne, gives news of Trevithick's family, local gossip and business affairs, (published in Life of Richard Trevithick/Francis Trevithick, 1872, v.1, p.114-5); /2: 1802 Mar 23, Southampton St., describes his attempts to secure their joint patent for the high pressure steam engine (no.2599 of 1804 Mar. 24), (published in Life of Richard Trevithick/Francis Trevithick, 1872, v.1, p.115-7.); /3: 1805 May 22, Camborne, describes death of his son, also Andrew, and his own attempts to sell his share in the joint patent of 1802 (Mar. 24, no.2599), (published in Life of Richard Trevithick/Francis Trevithick, 1872, v.1, p.229-30); /4: 1805 Jul 1, Camborne, concerns patent and business controversies, (published, almost complete, in Life of Richard Trevithick/ Francis Trevithick, 1872, v.1, p.230-1, unpublished lines concern shipping of "the Gig" from London to Cornwall); /5: 1806 May 30, Camborne, concerns, at length, performance of Cornish mine engines, outputs from individual mines and current projects, (published, with some minor paraphrasing and misreadings, in Life of Richard Trevithick/Francis Trevithick, 1872, v.2, p.150-2); /6: 1828 Jan 10, Camborne, Vivian has looked through his papers and cannot find "any thing relative to the business that will be of any use to you"; suggests Trevithick should contact Davies Gilbert.]

Letters (6) 1802-1828 [to] Richard Trevithick/Andrew Vivian

1802-1806, 1828
[Collection of manuscript letters (14), 1751 to 1870, of men of science, as per list on object file. See also below]

Collection of manuscript letters (14)

1751-1870
[Letters (2)] 1821 May 23 [&] 1822 Jun 10 [to] John Lecky, Cork / Charles Tulley. [Earlier letter, 1187/1, replies to Lecky's request for a telescope, giving detailed suggestions for construction, mounting etc. Later letter, 1187/2, announces despatch. Both letters bear pencil notes in a different hand, one stating "This must have been the Telescope Josh. Pike gave to Newtown School". Associated with inv. no. 1915-130, telescope in astronomy collection]

Letters (2) 1821 May 23 [&] 1822 Jun 10 [to] John Lecky

1821-1822
[Letters (8)] 1809 Nov-1812 Jun, Buckingham Street, Fitzroy Square [to] Thomas Farmer, Kennington Common / Wm.H. Wollaston. [14p. on 8 leaves, holograph signed. MS. 1190/1-3 (to 1810 Feb 14) concern manufacture of a platinum boiler for sulphuric acid; MS 1190/4 (of 1811 Jan 29) concerns repairs to it; MS 1190/5-8 (of 1812) deal with further repairs and manufacture of a second boiler? Some items bear rough notes and pencil sketches by Farmer and/or Wollaston. See also inv. nos. 1992-285 (MS 1190/9) and 1993-424 (MS 405)]

Letters (8) 1809 Nov-1812 Jun

1809-1812
[Letter] 1871 Apr 29, 14 Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park [to] Colonel Scott / E. Frankland. [1p. Requests 'two separate orders to see the new Laboratories ... for Dr. Bence Jones the Secretary & Mr Harwood the Architect to the Royal Institution'. With reply (2p.) of May 6 from Chas. Rowe Dillon, Works Department, Council on Education, Kensington Museum. Frankland was professor of chemistry at the Royal School of Mines, having been professor at the Royal Institution; Scott was Director of Works at the South Kensington Museum]

Letter 1871 Apr 29

1871
[Letters (4)] 1832 Nov-Dec, Soho Iron Works, Bolton [to] Capt. E. C. Smith R.N. / Hick, Hargreaves & Co. Ltd. [8 ts leaves. They supply historical information on the life and work of Benjamin Hick, including a copy of the inscription on Hick's monument in Bolton parish church. The final letter, of Dec 20, encloses a xerox copy of a circular letter of 11 April 1833 from Hick to his customers announcing the expiration of his partnership with Messrs. Rothwell and that he will be carrying on 'the general business of Engineer, Millwright and Ironfounder at my own works Soho Foundry, Bolton']

Letters (4) 1832 Nov-Dec

1932
[8 letters] 1824 Jun-1826 Jun [to his parents in] Newcastle upon Tyne / Robert Stephenson, [re his venture to Colombia as engineer-in-chief to the Colombian Mining Association. Each holograph signed. Mostly to his [step]mother; all concern his venture to Colombia as engineer-in-chief to the Colombian Mining Association, 1824-1827. First three letters, written before sailing, principally justify his decision to go; the five written from South America describe some of his difficulties at work, living conditions, animal and plant life etc. and express increasing longing to return to England. Almost complete transcriptions of all eight letters are available]

[8 letters] 1824 Jun-1826 Jun [to his parents in] Newcastle upon Tyne / Robert Stephenson

1824-1826
[Letters, 1926 Dec 21 and 1928 Mar 8 to] Llewelyn B. Atkinson / A.A.C. Swinton, discussing developement of television and particularly Baird's apparatus. With photocopied letter of Atkinson to ScM]

Letters, 1926 Dec 21 and 1928 Mar 8 to Llewelyn B. Atkinson

1926-1928
Correspondence and photographs re Freddie Bartholomew.

Correspondence and Photographs re Freddie Bartholomew

1930s
Letters, G.H. Soole Correspondence, 50 letters from the railway photographer G.H. Soole to Ronald Whitworth of Hall Green, Birmingham,19 June 1936 to 28 October 1943. Also 9 copies of 'The Enthusiast' magazine, May 1936 to March 1937, published by The Railroad Enthusiasts, Inc., containing parts III to VIII of a series of articles by Soole entitled 'Canadian Journey'. Parts V, VII and VIII are duplicated. Subjects of the letters include Soole's trip to Canada in 1936 to travel on and photograph the Canadian Pacific Railway, railway journeys in the UK and opinions of enthusiast group, his founding of the Bristol Railway Circle, railway modelling, photography and other photographers including Maurice Earley, working for the GWR as a trainee, wartime experiences including bombing, service in the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Railway Operating Division in India. The correspondence appears to have been initiated when Whitworth bought some postcard prints of Canadian railways from Soole.

G.H. Soole Correspondence

1936-1943
Letters and Postcard from F.J. Stringfellow, as follows:- Letters dated Oct.30 1890; Aug. 11 1897; July 11 1899; Feb.1 1903; March 15 1903; April 5 1903; April 20 1903; Aug.15 1903; postcard dated May 12 (with sketch) 1903; and extract from letter dated May 10 1903

letters from F. J. Stringfellow

1890-1903
Letter, Chaplin & Horne, re a notice concerning the carriage of goods on Shrewsbury & Hereford & L.N.W. Railway, 12 & 13 October 1858, (Other IDs 76/25/440).

Chaplin & Horne

1858
Letter, Chaplin & Horne, re a notice concerning the carriage of goods on Shrewsbury & Hereford & L.N.W. Railway, 12 & 13 October 1858, (Other IDs 76/25/440).

Chaplin & Horne

1858
Letters, North Eastern Railway Letters, Four letters, 6 August 1875, (Other Associations 79/25/24).

North Eastern Railway Letters