Hannah More was one of the most successful British writers of the early 19th century. She managed to tread along the border of progressive and conservative thought. After an early, not too successful career as a playwright, she became a converted, evangelical Christian. She wrote several books for women, covering such topics as proper manners. Many traditionalists compared her favorably to the more radical Mary Wollstonecraft, considered one of the earliest feminists. Hannah was more conservative in terms of her vision of women's appropriate role, and yet she also was a promoter of women's education, and other humanitarian causes such as abolition of slavery. As such, she managed to appeal to multiple classes of people, her books thus being widely read. Item 5 is her Hints Toward Forming the Character of a Young Princess, published in 1805. It was first published anonymously, a guide for the young Princess Charlotte, presumptive heir to the throne (after her grandfather and father), but who died before either of them. This copy comes with a royalty receipt signed by More. Item 5. $1,800.
Item 31 represents a lot of hand work by a Buckinghamshire family between 1807 and 1820. It is a manuscript book of musical notation for piano. The notes have been written within hand-ruled staves. There are 178 ruled pages, filled with songs from Handel to marches, jigs and reels. There are signatures of William Henry Clarson and “Miss Rebecca.” One of the songs, composed in 1814, is Clarson's Rondo, and one imagines this family composition has not been played in many years. Several pieces are related to the Napoleonic wars, and their happy conclusion, at least by British standards. These songs are just waiting to be brought back to life. $1,500.
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