3rd Mar, 2026 10:00

The March Auctions 2026

 
Lot 515
 

515

Lot Withdrawn

Lot Withdrawn

[An extensive Scottish family Archive circa 1810s-1940s]

A collection of documents and manuscripts relating to the wider Rintoul, Spencer and Jarvie families, Glasgow and Edinburgh including James Lockhart Spencer (died 1849) one of the largest and wealthiest vendors of hardware and furnishings in Glasgow; Colonel Charles Louis Spencer DSO CBE (1870-1948), a merchant, a soldier, a yachtsman and a generous donor to museums in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The Diary of Charles Louis Spencer in manuscript, 4to, 2 volumes, 1888-1889, pasted with poster of Eiffel Tower to back pastedown of one volume [Charles was educated at Kelvinside Academy, and then from 1895 to 1896 at the College Chaptal in Paris], prefaced ‘Savage Reader, If this effort should fail to please, you remember what Sir Walter Scot says in Ivanhoe ‘I have done my best, no man can do more’ and I suppose that the same applies to boys. Votre devoue C. L. Spencer’

Manuscript Diary for Charles Louis Spencer, 1889-1890, folio, manuscript decorative title, the diary completed in a neat hand, often humorous accounts of daily life ‘Everything is getting nice and green (except the customers)’ with mentions of his father’s career as a photographer

A manuscript volume of poetry, 4to, most dated 1914, including some loosely inserted typewritten pages

A collection of 12 folders of letters and documents bound, relating to the Spencer, Jarvie [Jarvey], and Rintoul families, predominantly 1800-1930, bound chronologically, both business and personal correspondence including indentures, documents and correspondence relating to Anderston Ropeworks, Glasgow, Cash books; multiple letters to Andrew Rintoul [1820s]; Several letters addressed to Quebec [James Jarvie to William Jarvie], Andrew Rintoul, Margaret Rintoul letters, marriage certificate of William Elton and Helen Jarvie 1828; family letters, fire policy documents for Mr John Spencer 1830; Robert and David Rintoul letters; Eliza Rintoul letters; admittance of John Spencer as Burgess, Burgh of Glasgow 183?, correspondence regarding the purchase of fabrics, cod oil , etc.; various receipts of purchase of household goods and furnishings by John Spencer, 1830s including furniture from James Bennet and a piano from Carron Company; a letter from John Backhouse regarding the cargo of the ship ‘Atlantic’, dated 1833; James Jarvie letters; inventory and taxes calculated on the death of James Jarvie, ropemaker 1846; several pieces of varied printed ephemera; a Summons dated 1865 Nedrick Jarvie against Andrew Rintoul and others; manuscript account of the estate of James Jarvie 1843; A manuscript account of D. M. Stewart ‘My trip to the North West provinces’, dated Calcutta, 22nd February 1868[folder 8]; sundry photographs of members of the Spencer and Jarvie families; Genealogical source material and photocopies of documents, including typescript article ‘Some Material for a History of the Name and Family of Rentoul, Rintoul, Rantoul, compiled by Robert S. Rantoul, documents and letters relating to WWI and Charles Louis Spencer; a few letters post 1930

A collection of account books and notebooks to include one 12mo, burgundy roan late 1820s partially in shorthand code, inscribed ‘Mr Gray at J. L. Walker, Albion Court’, inscribed with a list of books received from the North District Sabbath School Society … 1827, lists of Paupers of … St. John’s Parish, various biblical and scientific notes, recipes, etc., with a loose leaf manuscript poem ‘Evening’ loosely based on Byron ‘It is the hour’

Mr George Baillie’s Travels, typescript annotated draft, folio, with contemporary ink annotations and corrections, [covering 1830-1831], a review of Baillie’s travel diaries commencing ‘These several years past I have indulged the hope that some time or other I might have it in my power to visit foreign countries … I resigned my official situation … supplied myself with the necessary Books and Approval … dismissed my servants – locked up my house and finally as I might visit distant and dangerous climes I executed my Last Will and Testament’

Mid 19th Century Student notebooks with records of sermons preached

A collection of ambrotype frame photographs of the Spencer and Rintoul families and other daguerreotypes, predominantly family portraits [possibly produced by John Spencer, who had been a manufacturer of optical and photographic equipment at 34 Union Street, Glasgow]. Several portrait photographs produced by a company in Montreal [The Spencer Family had business interests and customers in Canada, the USA, Calcutta and Colombo under Charles Louis’ and his older brother John Spencer]

Silhouette portrait miniature of James Lockhart Spencer in ebonized frame, and two others

A pocket game book for ‘Livingston Shooting Season 1895’, four notebooks in manuscript predominantly on genealogical history of the Spencer family, a manuscript account book for James Jarvies, 1835, a manuscript diary 1839-1870, partially filled

The Second Voyage of the Ship Cruachan to the Land of the West … by Charles Louis Spencer, assistant Navigating Officer. With an introduction by the ingenious Mr Tailtackle’, notebook, 12mo, roan, partially filled in manuscript, n.d., scattered drawings

A law students notebook 4to, quarter roan and green boards, [presumably for Sir John Spencer Muirhead (1889-1972) Scottish solicitor, academic, and Territorial Army officer in both World Wars. Studying at Oriel College Oxford, and later becoming lecturer in Roman Law at Glasgow University from 1920 to 1954. He was president of the Law Society of Scotland in 1950]. Partial pencil notes on Scottish Territorial Army movement 1914- … [mentioning C. L. Spencer]; further enclosed a copy fo the Glasgow Herald, May 15, 1846

A hardstone armorial seal, 19th Century

Sundry religious volumes, 19th Century (4)

Manuscript Recipe and notebook, 8vo, marbled boards, 1816

Glasgow Union Banking Company Account Book for Sir John Spencer 1839-1845

Manuscript transcripts of Sermons, mid-19th Century, filled 8vo notebook with morocco label for ‘Mary Burns’, indexed to rear

A manuscript music notebook for Miss Margaret Rintoul 1817, landscape 8vo, quarter roan, to include predominantly Scottish songs, 86 numbered pages with several pages lacking to front

Petty Cash Book for Robert Jarvie & Sons, Anderston Ropework, Glasgow, Stubcroft Street, 1830s [C. L. Spencer’s mother was Robina Jarvie], loose leaf ‘Division of Family Estate of the late Mr Rintoul agreeably to his will by Robert Rintoul Executor’; a document of Fire Policy for the Lancashire Insurance Company ‘Mrs Robina Jarvie or Spencer’, 1895, sum insured £5,500; documents relating to the late John Spencer’s Estate and others

An account book of wages paid, 1830s, folio, apparently related to Robert Jarvie & Sons, Anderston Ropework, folio

A manuscript inventory of Anderston Ropework’s ‘debt goods’, 1817, mentioning Robert and William Jarvie, folio, contemporary paper wrappers

A manuscript ledger or account book with entries for subcontractors, customers and suppliers, many of the entries referring to cordage and rope 1814-1819

[J. S. Muirhead] A folio volume of communications and documents relating to WWI, 51st (Highland) Divisional Signal Company to include manuscript and typescript reports, sketches, annotated maps, a loose leaf leaflet on the ‘German Trench Telephone System’, fold out Diagrams of Communications, Ciphers, blue print maps, fold out enemy communication maps; defence Scheme Maps, hand coloured and annotated; a copy of ‘The Salient’, a photostat periodical for the Signal Corps ‘by Tommies for Tommies’ with cartoons, poems and articles; several loose leaf aerial photos; two folders enclosing folding loose maps titled ‘War Office Exercise No. 4’ and ditto No. 5, 1928

Henry L. Stimson (1867-1950) two page typescript letter from Stimson to Col. J. Spencer Muirhead, dated June 5, 1940, signed, quoting correspondence with Churchill 'Hitler is moving so much faster than a great democratic nation can act' [Stimson was an American statesman who served as Secretary of War 1911-13 and 1940-45, thereby overseeing American military efforts during World War II.], in original postmarked envelope with label laid down 'Opened by Examiner 944'

John Jay McCloy (1895 – 1989) was an American lawyer who served as Assistant Secretary of War during World War II under Henry Stimson. single page typescript letter signed by John J. McCloy to Colonel J. S. Muirhead, British Army Staff, 1703 K Street W, Washington D.C.', on headed US War Office headed paper with printed address 'The Assistant Secretary of War Washington', '...the degree of unselfish cooperation between the British and American officers in Allied Force headquarters was truly impressive...', dated March 25, 1943

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874 – 1965) single page letter on House of Commons headed paper, in original addressed envelope to Miss Ann Rintoul Spencer, postmarked 1945 in House of Commons stationery envelope, the letter and signature in contemporary facsimile, dated 1945 [Churchill issued a great many of these facsimile letters during the war years]

A large folio album of family photographs for the Rintoul, Muirhead and Jarvie families with another smaller album of photographs (mostly named in pencil), several loose 19th century portrait photographs and three cabinet cards of men in costume (Langfer London & Glasgow), unnamed sitters

A vellum genealogical chart of the Spencer, Rintoul and Jarvie families up to the early 20th Century, annotated ‘This family record compiled by Charles Louis Spencer from Family Papers and the Public Records. 1898-1901’

A 19th Century rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid box containing family letters, predominantly relating to Brigadier Sir John Spencer Muirhead, DSO, MC, TD, DL (1889-1972) and family, including letters from the front, school letters, several photographs of battle and family

[J. S. Muirhead] A typescript WWI memoir by a nephew of Charles Louis Spencer entitled ‘The Record of a Hobby’ spanning roughly 1909-1917 and relating to experiences as a soldier and officer in the Glasgow Group Royal Engineers, folio, 163 numbered pages with contemporary corrections in ink

Estimate
£4,000 - £6,000
 

Buyer's premium: 30.00%

Register to bid

 

Lot Withdrawn

[An extensive Scottish family Archive circa 1810s-1940s]

A collection of documents and manuscripts relating to the wider Rintoul, Spencer and Jarvie families, Glasgow and Edinburgh including James Lockhart Spencer (died 1849) one of the largest and wealthiest vendors of hardware and furnishings in Glasgow; Colonel Charles Louis Spencer DSO CBE (1870-1948), a merchant, a soldier, a yachtsman and a generous donor to museums in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The Diary of Charles Louis Spencer in manuscript, 4to, 2 volumes, 1888-1889, pasted with poster of Eiffel Tower to back pastedown of one volume [Charles was educated at Kelvinside Academy, and then from 1895 to 1896 at the College Chaptal in Paris], prefaced ‘Savage Reader, If this effort should fail to please, you remember what Sir Walter Scot says in Ivanhoe ‘I have done my best, no man can do more’ and I suppose that the same applies to boys. Votre devoue C. L. Spencer’

Manuscript Diary for Charles Louis Spencer, 1889-1890, folio, manuscript decorative title, the diary completed in a neat hand, often humorous accounts of daily life ‘Everything is getting nice and green (except the customers)’ with mentions of his father’s career as a photographer

A manuscript volume of poetry, 4to, most dated 1914, including some loosely inserted typewritten pages

A collection of 12 folders of letters and documents bound, relating to the Spencer, Jarvie [Jarvey], and Rintoul families, predominantly 1800-1930, bound chronologically, both business and personal correspondence including indentures, documents and correspondence relating to Anderston Ropeworks, Glasgow, Cash books; multiple letters to Andrew Rintoul [1820s]; Several letters addressed to Quebec [James Jarvie to William Jarvie], Andrew Rintoul, Margaret Rintoul letters, marriage certificate of William Elton and Helen Jarvie 1828; family letters, fire policy documents for Mr John Spencer 1830; Robert and David Rintoul letters; Eliza Rintoul letters; admittance of John Spencer as Burgess, Burgh of Glasgow 183?, correspondence regarding the purchase of fabrics, cod oil , etc.; various receipts of purchase of household goods and furnishings by John Spencer, 1830s including furniture from James Bennet and a piano from Carron Company; a letter from John Backhouse regarding the cargo of the ship ‘Atlantic’, dated 1833; James Jarvie letters; inventory and taxes calculated on the death of James Jarvie, ropemaker 1846; several pieces of varied printed ephemera; a Summons dated 1865 Nedrick Jarvie against Andrew Rintoul and others; manuscript account of the estate of James Jarvie 1843; A manuscript account of D. M. Stewart ‘My trip to the North West provinces’, dated Calcutta, 22nd February 1868[folder 8]; sundry photographs of members of the Spencer and Jarvie families; Genealogical source material and photocopies of documents, including typescript article ‘Some Material for a History of the Name and Family of Rentoul, Rintoul, Rantoul, compiled by Robert S. Rantoul, documents and letters relating to WWI and Charles Louis Spencer; a few letters post 1930

A collection of account books and notebooks to include one 12mo, burgundy roan late 1820s partially in shorthand code, inscribed ‘Mr Gray at J. L. Walker, Albion Court’, inscribed with a list of books received from the North District Sabbath School Society … 1827, lists of Paupers of … St. John’s Parish, various biblical and scientific notes, recipes, etc., with a loose leaf manuscript poem ‘Evening’ loosely based on Byron ‘It is the hour’

Mr George Baillie’s Travels, typescript annotated draft, folio, with contemporary ink annotations and corrections, [covering 1830-1831], a review of Baillie’s travel diaries commencing ‘These several years past I have indulged the hope that some time or other I might have it in my power to visit foreign countries … I resigned my official situation … supplied myself with the necessary Books and Approval … dismissed my servants – locked up my house and finally as I might visit distant and dangerous climes I executed my Last Will and Testament’

Mid 19th Century Student notebooks with records of sermons preached

A collection of ambrotype frame photographs of the Spencer and Rintoul families and other daguerreotypes, predominantly family portraits [possibly produced by John Spencer, who had been a manufacturer of optical and photographic equipment at 34 Union Street, Glasgow]. Several portrait photographs produced by a company in Montreal [The Spencer Family had business interests and customers in Canada, the USA, Calcutta and Colombo under Charles Louis’ and his older brother John Spencer]

Silhouette portrait miniature of James Lockhart Spencer in ebonized frame, and two others

A pocket game book for ‘Livingston Shooting Season 1895’, four notebooks in manuscript predominantly on genealogical history of the Spencer family, a manuscript account book for James Jarvies, 1835, a manuscript diary 1839-1870, partially filled

The Second Voyage of the Ship Cruachan to the Land of the West … by Charles Louis Spencer, assistant Navigating Officer. With an introduction by the ingenious Mr Tailtackle’, notebook, 12mo, roan, partially filled in manuscript, n.d., scattered drawings

A law students notebook 4to, quarter roan and green boards, [presumably for Sir John Spencer Muirhead (1889-1972) Scottish solicitor, academic, and Territorial Army officer in both World Wars. Studying at Oriel College Oxford, and later becoming lecturer in Roman Law at Glasgow University from 1920 to 1954. He was president of the Law Society of Scotland in 1950]. Partial pencil notes on Scottish Territorial Army movement 1914- … [mentioning C. L. Spencer]; further enclosed a copy fo the Glasgow Herald, May 15, 1846

A hardstone armorial seal, 19th Century

Sundry religious volumes, 19th Century (4)

Manuscript Recipe and notebook, 8vo, marbled boards, 1816

Glasgow Union Banking Company Account Book for Sir John Spencer 1839-1845

Manuscript transcripts of Sermons, mid-19th Century, filled 8vo notebook with morocco label for ‘Mary Burns’, indexed to rear

A manuscript music notebook for Miss Margaret Rintoul 1817, landscape 8vo, quarter roan, to include predominantly Scottish songs, 86 numbered pages with several pages lacking to front

Petty Cash Book for Robert Jarvie & Sons, Anderston Ropework, Glasgow, Stubcroft Street, 1830s [C. L. Spencer’s mother was Robina Jarvie], loose leaf ‘Division of Family Estate of the late Mr Rintoul agreeably to his will by Robert Rintoul Executor’; a document of Fire Policy for the Lancashire Insurance Company ‘Mrs Robina Jarvie or Spencer’, 1895, sum insured £5,500; documents relating to the late John Spencer’s Estate and others

An account book of wages paid, 1830s, folio, apparently related to Robert Jarvie & Sons, Anderston Ropework, folio

A manuscript inventory of Anderston Ropework’s ‘debt goods’, 1817, mentioning Robert and William Jarvie, folio, contemporary paper wrappers

A manuscript ledger or account book with entries for subcontractors, customers and suppliers, many of the entries referring to cordage and rope 1814-1819

[J. S. Muirhead] A folio volume of communications and documents relating to WWI, 51st (Highland) Divisional Signal Company to include manuscript and typescript reports, sketches, annotated maps, a loose leaf leaflet on the ‘German Trench Telephone System’, fold out Diagrams of Communications, Ciphers, blue print maps, fold out enemy communication maps; defence Scheme Maps, hand coloured and annotated; a copy of ‘The Salient’, a photostat periodical for the Signal Corps ‘by Tommies for Tommies’ with cartoons, poems and articles; several loose leaf aerial photos; two folders enclosing folding loose maps titled ‘War Office Exercise No. 4’ and ditto No. 5, 1928

Henry L. Stimson (1867-1950) two page typescript letter from Stimson to Col. J. Spencer Muirhead, dated June 5, 1940, signed, quoting correspondence with Churchill 'Hitler is moving so much faster than a great democratic nation can act' [Stimson was an American statesman who served as Secretary of War 1911-13 and 1940-45, thereby overseeing American military efforts during World War II.], in original postmarked envelope with label laid down 'Opened by Examiner 944'

John Jay McCloy (1895 – 1989) was an American lawyer who served as Assistant Secretary of War during World War II under Henry Stimson. single page typescript letter signed by John J. McCloy to Colonel J. S. Muirhead, British Army Staff, 1703 K Street W, Washington D.C.', on headed US War Office headed paper with printed address 'The Assistant Secretary of War Washington', '...the degree of unselfish cooperation between the British and American officers in Allied Force headquarters was truly impressive...', dated March 25, 1943

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874 – 1965) single page letter on House of Commons headed paper, in original addressed envelope to Miss Ann Rintoul Spencer, postmarked 1945 in House of Commons stationery envelope, the letter and signature in contemporary facsimile, dated 1945 [Churchill issued a great many of these facsimile letters during the war years]

A large folio album of family photographs for the Rintoul, Muirhead and Jarvie families with another smaller album of photographs (mostly named in pencil), several loose 19th century portrait photographs and three cabinet cards of men in costume (Langfer London & Glasgow), unnamed sitters

A vellum genealogical chart of the Spencer, Rintoul and Jarvie families up to the early 20th Century, annotated ‘This family record compiled by Charles Louis Spencer from Family Papers and the Public Records. 1898-1901’

A 19th Century rosewood and mother of pearl inlaid box containing family letters, predominantly relating to Brigadier Sir John Spencer Muirhead, DSO, MC, TD, DL (1889-1972) and family, including letters from the front, school letters, several photographs of battle and family

[J. S. Muirhead] A typescript WWI memoir by a nephew of Charles Louis Spencer entitled ‘The Record of a Hobby’ spanning roughly 1909-1917 and relating to experiences as a soldier and officer in the Glasgow Group Royal Engineers, folio, 163 numbered pages with contemporary corrections in ink

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Auction: The March Auctions 2026, 3rd Mar, 2026

 

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