Lot 420: Kingsley (Charles, 1819-1875). A collection of

Kingsley (Charles, 1819-1875). A collection of forty-seven autograph manuscript sermons, c. 1842-72, most sermons between 20 and 40 pp., with one or two of greater length, many with corrections in the authorÕs hand, most signed with initials to upper wrapper, dated and titled, mostly stitched with three bound in paper wrappers, small 4to, together with a drawing in pencil and orange chalk of Mrs Charles Kingsley, inscribed to verso ÔMrs Kingsley on the sofa reading the paperÕ, somewhat soiled, 27.5 x 40 cm (10.75 x 15.75 ins), a pen and ink sketch on blue lined paper, depicting Mount Vesuvius erupting, with diagramatic section of the volcano, 28.5 x 21 cm (11.25 x 8 ins), a cabinet portrait photograph of Charles Kingsley by John Collier of Birmingham, inscribed by the authorÕs daughter Rose Kingsley to verso, a partly handwritten inner invitation from Windsor Castle to Canon Kingsley, Saturday 30th November 1872, an engraved portrait of Kingsley by C. H. Jeeks, dated 1876, seven typescript lectures on the history of art by the authorÕs daughter Rose G. Kingsley, and two related printed booklets. A substantial and important collection of original manuscript sermons by Charles Kingsley, the novelist, Christian Socialist, man of the cloth, amateur naturalist, best known for his childrenÕs story The Water Babies (first published in 1863). This unique collection of draft sermons by Kingsley span almost the entire period of his curacy of Eversley Church, Hampshire, from July 1842 onwards. Many of the sermons, written in a powerfully simple and direct way, and often taking their cue from a biblical quotation or phrase, draw comparisons between the Bible stories and KingsleyÕs abiding interests in the condition of working people, and the wonder of the natural world. . (approx. 60)