Grants awarded in 1955

A Charter granting Masses to be said for Vincent and Isabella Fynch, written on vellum with a seal in good condition

Grant not listed in Dugdales Monasticon, written in Norman French it is a fine example of the period and has a good impression of the seal of Henry of Lancaster, Lord of Monmouth. Illustrated as plate V of AR

137 pages written in a beautiful charter hand in red, green and black ink, of immense importance for the economic and religious historian. Add MS 48978. Presented by Mr & Mrs A Ehrman. Illustrated as plate I of AR

Contains 280 water colour drawings of plants with manuscript notes and a number of drawings including a sea monster found a Malta in 1649. Presented by Sir Eric Miller. Illustrated as plate IV of AR

Letters from authors whom Blakeney had approached for permission to reprint at his small private press, often revealing much of the authors attitude to his work. Add MS 48979, 48980

Presented by CER Clarabut

Presented by John W Oliver with 20 books and 6 pamphlets of literary interest, mainly 18th and 19th century

Early edition of the notorious novel Fanny Hill with the supressed passage. Presented by EJ Dingwall with another edition, probably not printed before 1760 and The Woman of Honor, 1768 also attributed to Cleland

Contain letters from William Fermor about import and export of coffee and the sufferings of Catholics under the land tax plus a letter from Pitt to Earl Camden in 1805 concerning emergency meansures to withstand an invasion. Presented by John Ehrman

8 folio volumes bound in vellum containing pedigrees of Shropshire families with coloured armorial bearings

Subscription and signature are autograph, text throws light on negotiations for an alliance between England and France against Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. Arthur Gimson donated 40 of the total purchase price. Add MS 48988, f 40

James Unwin was Gainsboroughs attorney; the letters give a charmingly intimate picture of the artists life at Bath. Add MS 48964. Presented by Sir Eric Miller. Illustrated as plate II of AR

Second edition. No other copy recorded, 2 uncoloured and 50 coloured plates

Book bound in Aberdeen. Presented by A Ehrman

Fine copy of the scarcest edition, presented by CER Clarabut

Scarce second edition of Marstons last play presented by Arthur Gimson together with John Reynolds: The Scripture Genealogy, 1739 and Batty and Langleys Ancient Architecture 1742, replacing a copy destroyed by enemy action in 1941

Only known impression of the first printed map of the Isle of Wight, perhaps an early proof. Illustrated as plate III of AR

Used to record details of each binding produced personally by Cobden Sanderson including buyers name and price obtained in the important period before the Doves Bindery was established. Mr & Mrs A Ehrman gave 50 10s and Arthur Gimson 25 towards the purchase