For the sake of convenience, we may classify the specimens in our collections under the following heads:—
1. Signatures, unaccompanied by other written matter.
2. Signatures appended to short letters or documents; the body of the matter being typed, printed, or written by a private secretary.
3. Signatures appended to short letters or documents which have been wholly written by the celebrity in question. (Such are known to collectors as Holographs.)
4. As No. 3, but letters or documents of some length.
Of the above four classes, the specimens coming within the first are obviously the least valuable, for they are the most frequently met. Copies may be found on the fly-leaves of books, on photographs of celebrities, etc. The second class, unfortunately, is gradually ousting the third class, since the typewriter is speedily becoming universally used for all but private letters. Specimens in the second class are worth a trifle more than those in the first, and a great deal less than those of the third. Specimens in class 3 are those which the average collector should aim most at securing; those in class 4 are a trifle too unwieldy for all but the advanced collector.
FACSIMILE OF A PORTION OF THE LETTER WRITTEN BY CROMWELL TO LENTHALL, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, ANNOUNCING THE VICTORY OF NASEBY.
From the original in the British Museum.
A BATTLEFIELD SOUVENIR.
The mug bears two verses of poetry which are somewhat significant, as they reveal the character of the Tyrolese peasant and soldier. Translated, they run as follows:—