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The dong with a luminous nose
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Unpublished woodcuts for the Tale of Cupid and Psyche
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Title page is manuscript in red and black with illuminated initial. Mounted on cardboard leaf. Contains drawings and proofs designed by Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898) illustrating the William Morris (1834-1896) tale "Cupid and Psyche". Morris himself cut the majority of the blocks. The text and images were intended for "The Earthly Paradise: A Poem", but Morris was unable to find a satisfactory typeface for the images. The work was published in 1868 containing just one illustration. The plates are identified and numbered in manuscript by Sydney C. Cockerell (1867-1962). Plates are numbered 1-44 (some in multiple states) with several missing (9, 11, 14-17, 20, 33). Also includes woodcuts of Medusa’s Head, trial block proof for the Story of Pygmalian and the Image. Also includes a letter from S.C. Cockerell to H.C. Marillier (1865-1951). Ephemera laid into beginning include: handwritten inventory of plates by Cockerell, a sheet and a half of typewritten contents of the portfolio, a half sheet, typewritten describing the contents of the portfolio containing "Borders & initials for Love is enough" and a small envelope entitled: Cupid & Psyche Note, which contains an auction catalog clipping describing the contents of the portfolios and identifying George Wardle as the previous owner. Wardle was the general manager of Morris' Queen Square workshop.
637674
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Memoirs and reminiscences
Manuscripts
Crosby writes of events in his life, beginning with his birth in New York on July 18, 1818. After spending his early days on his parents' farm, he studied law and became an attorney in 1841. In 1843, he became "Attorney of the Supreme Court of the State of New York." In this capacity, Crosby began to become aware of the tension between California and Mexico, and upon learning of the opportunities for lawyers in California, he decided to relocate there in 1849. The discovery of gold in California urged his decision. He traveled by steamship, and writes of his journey, including a stop in Cuba. He landed in Panama and traveled up the Chagres River, then across to the Pacific Ocean, where he took another steamship to San Francisco, arriving in late February, 1849. Many of the passengers had traveled to search for gold; as Crosby writes, "There was a general disposition to get away from the city, to the gold mines." Crosby prospects himself at several locations. He describes the events leading up to the California constitutional convention in Monterey, as well as details of the convention itself. He describes the convention as "a very harmonious body and I think the members only had the interest of the people at heart." Crosby also relates his experiences as part of the "Land Commission," the function of which was "to Settle Private Land Claims in California," as well as his experiences serving as an ambassador to Guatemala. Crosby claims to have been given "secret instructions" by the President to see if Guatemala might be suitable for the relocation of the recently freed American slaves, but is skeptical that this plan would work. He describes the country and its inhabitants at length, for he feels "there is a great misapprehension among our people with regard to those tropical countries." Crosby relates of the social order of San Francisco, especially events connected to "a very noted cortezan" known as "the Countess." This manuscript appears to be a copy, for it is written in several different hands, and appears to be incomplete, as it ends abruptly.
mssHM 284