Reference code: GB-0033-ADD
Title: Additional Manuscripts: Edward Bradley material
Dates of creation: 1849-1890
Extent: 1 box
Origination: Cuthbert Bede (pseudonym of Edward Bradley, 1827-1889)
Language:
English
Edward Bradley was born in Kidderminster in 1827. He was a student at the University of Durham, where he graduated in 1848 and then took a Licentiate in Theology. He was ordained in 1850, and became successively curate of Glatton-with-Holme
(Huntingdonshire) in 1850, Leigh (Worcestershire) in 1854, Bobbington (Staffordshire) in 1857 and Denton (Northants) in 1859. In 1871 he was made Rector of Stretton (Rutland) and in 1883 he moved to Lenton, near Grantham. He died in 1889.
He was best known, however, as a writer and illustrator, under the pseudonym Cuthbert Bede, whose most famous work
The adventures of Mr. Verdant Green is the tale of the misadventures of a student at Oxford. Bradley drew his own illustrations as well as writing the text, and contributed to magazines such as
Punch as well as producing other books.
Various (see each accession).
The items are kept in the Additional Manuscripts sequence
Summary catalogue of Additional Manuscripts
Hutton, Katherine,
The adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, or an idea in need of a publisher, (
Durham University Journal special supplement, 1994).
Hutton, Katherine, “A catalogue of manuscripts, drawings and watercolours by Edward Bradley (“Cuthbert Bede”, the Victorian comic novelist) in Durham University Library and other
Durham Collections” (ii+94pp). Typescript based on an M.Litt. thesis. Copy kept in Palace Green Search Room.
Edward Bradley (“Cuthbert Bede”) manuscriptsAdd. MSS. 169.-174 11 February 1853 - 13 December 1853
Six autograph letters of Edward Bradley, relating to the Verdant Green drawings, etc, Stilton, Leigh.
The numbering does not accord with the chronological sequence because the two 1854 letters were wrongly dated 1853 when the letters were
originally catalogued (some letters are undated). Unless otherwise specified each letter consists of one sheet.
14ff.
Size: 18 x 11 cm.
Bought Myers, £5. 5s., 1948.
Add. MSS. 169 11 February 1853
Autograph letter signed, to “Sir” [Spiers and Son, Oxford] from Stilton, [Peterborough, curacy of Holme], Huntingdonshire, re drawings related to
College Life.
4pp.
Add. MSS. 170 23 February [1853]
Autograph letter signed, to “Dear Sir” [Spiers and Son, Oxford] from Stilton, Peterborough [curacy of Holme, Huntingdonshire] re drawings related to
College Life, and illustrations for The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman.
7pp. (2 sheets)
Add. MSS. 171 16 June [1854]
Autograph letter signed, to “My dear Sir” [at Oxford?] from Leigh, Worcester, re proximity to Oxford and illustrations for
The Further Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Undergraduate.
4pp.
Add. MSS. 172 25 June 1853
Autograph letter signed, to “My dear Sir” [Spiers and Son, Oxford] from Stilton, [Peterborough, curacy of Holme], Huntingdonshire] re changes to the published form of
The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman.
4pp.
Add. MSS. 173 7 November [1853]
Autograph letter signed, to “My dear Sir” [Spiers and Son, Oxford] from Stilton, [Peterborough, [curacy of Holme], Huntingdonshire on the success of
The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman.
4pp.
Add. MSS. 174 13 December [1854]
Autograph letter signed, to John Leighton [at Oxford?] re Bradley's contribution (of
College Life etchings etc.) to be presented to Mr. Spiers in a “Memorial of Literature and Art”.
3pp.
Add. MSS. 277. - 278 1863-1864
Letter from Edward Bradley, 25 June 1864, at Denton, offering a paper on Texts to
Once a week, and carte de visite photograph signed “Cuthbert Bede, Brighton, Sep 23 1863” on the back, with photographer's stamp of Hennah & Kent, 108 King's Road, Brighton and
no.20523
Cf. Add. Ms. 734/14 (undated carte-de-visite of an older Bradley).
Also with photograph, scrap of paper with inscription in an unknown hand “Leon[ar]d Inges, Cocken Durham”
4ff.+1.
Size: 17x11cm and 10x6cm.
Bought from Myers, 7s. 6d., July 1951.
Add. MSS. 473. - 474
Bought from C and I.K. Fletcher, list 91, item 21, £1. 5s., October 1954.
Add. MSS. 473 13 January [1866]
A.l.s. from Edward Bradley at Stilton to Mrs Moseley
Re the delay in the publication of her poems, articles by his uncle at Leamington, and his own articles in the London Review and Gentleman's Magazine.
Dated by references to 1865 and the Gentleman's Magazine.
2ff.
Size: 18x11cm.
Add. MSS. 474 1865
“The Kingfisher”, by Edward Bradley.
(A poem, in the author's manuscript, signed Cuthbert Bede).
1f.
Size: 18x11cm.
Add. Mss. 734/2 and 739, other copies of the same poem dated respectively 1857 and 1875. The 1857 copy has a footnote by Bradley that the poem was published in
Sharpe's Magazine, new ser., v.1 [1852], p.179. The text of the 1857 copy differs slightly from the other two which are identical.
Add. MSS. 624 15 September 1887
A.l.s. from Edward Bradley at Scarborough.
Paper 2ff.
Bought from J. Wilson, Birmingham, 21 October 1960, 7s. 6d.
Missing for some time (January 1999).
Add. MSS. 732 c.1849 - 1860
Mostly sketches by Bradley for illustrations in his publications.
65 items
Purchased at Hodgsons no. 6 sale, March 1957, lot 250/2
Add. MSS. 733 c. 1855 - 1890
Press notices, material for projected anthologies, manuscript and printed articles, proofs, cuttings, sketches, letters etc.relating to Bradley.
47 items
Purchased from Myers, 1957 who had bought it at Hodgsons no. 6 sale, March 1957, lot 250/1
Add. MSS. 734 c. 1857 - c. 1888
Manuscripts of Edward Bradley ("Cuthbert Bede", the Victorian comic novelist). Principally letters from Bradley 1857?-1888, with poem
The Kingfisher 1857, carte de visite, printed press notices of readings by Bradley 1883 and programme of readings by him 1884, etc.
16 items
Purchased from an unidentified source, 1956.
Add. MSS. 735 c.1861
Autograph letter signed, 10 December [1861 or 1862] from Edward Bradley ("Cuthbert Bede"), Denton, Peterborough to "Dear Sir", concerning Bradley's forthcoming book
The Curate of Cranston [published 1862].
1 p.
Bought from I.K. Fletcher, 1957
Add. MSS. 736 1875
“The Kingfisher”, autograph fair copy of poem, signed Cuthbert Bede [pseud. of Edward Bradley] and dated 4 November 1875; on printed letterhead, Stretton Rectory, Oakham.
1 p.
Bought from I.K. Fletcher, 1962
Add. MSS. 737 1867?
Autograph letter signed, 10 July [1867?] from Edward Bradley ("Cuthbert Bede"), Kidderminster (on headed paper from Denton Rectory, Peterborough) to "My dear Sir", concerning mss relating to Richard Baxter. Promises to send papers for the
L[eisure] H[our] for [18]68.
3 p. (1 sheet).
Bought from Peter Eaton, 1969
Add. MSS. 738 18--
Autograph letter signed E[dward] B[radley] ("Cuthbert Bede"), [n.d.], to "My dear Sir" referring him to Bradley's father for copies of a lithograph of St Mary's Chancel for himself and Mr Galton.
3 p. (1 sheet).
Bought from Jarndyce, 1975
Add. MSS. 739 1868
Autograph letter signed, 11 January 1868, form Edward Bradley ("Cuthbert Bede"), Denton Rectory, Stilton, Peterborough, to "Dear Sir", thanking him for a parcel of books including a volume of Tillotson.
3 p. (1 sheet).
Bought from Myers, 1975
Add. MSS. 740 1879
Autograph note, 25 February 1879, from Edward Bradley ("Cuthbert Bede"), Stretton, Rutland, recommending
Boxiana for the London Library as a reference book.
1 p.
Bought from Myers, 1975
Add. MSS. 741 1883
Autograph letter signed, 5 October 1883, from Edward Bradley ("Cuthbert Bede"), Stretton Rectory, Rutland, to "Dear Sir" about subscription to
Northamptonshire Notes and Queries and about a lecture to be given at Northampton, with a sketch of the preferred arrangement of the platform.
3 p. (1 sheet)
Bought from Myers, 1975
Add. MSS. 742 1873
Autograph letter signed, 4 January [1873] from Edward Bradley ("Cuthbert Bede"), Stretton, Rutland (on mourning paper) to Mr Waugh about "penny readings" and other parish duties, payments from
Figaro, and the publication of Little Mr Bouncer.
4 p. (1 sheet)
Bought from Myers, 1976
Add. MSS. 743 1889
Autograph letter signed, 29 June 1889, from Edward Bradley ("Cuthbert Bede"), Lenton Vicarage, Grantham, to "My dear Sir", a temporary assistant required for clerical duties because of Bradley's throat complaint.
2 p. (1 sheet).
Bought from J. Wilson, 1977
Add. MSS. 744 1870
Autograph letter signed, 17 November 1870, from Edward Bradley ("Cuthbert Bede"), Denton Rectory, Peterborough, to Dr Maitland, thanking him for pointing out an error in Bradley's article on
“MacCallum More” in Once a Week and also mentioning Bradley's family history.
4 p. (1 sheet).
Bought from Myers, 1978
Add.MS. 1570/1-2 1856 & 1878
Two Edward Bradley letters [1827-1889, novelist and writer, under the pseudonym “Cuthbert Bede”].
2 items.
Presented by Katherine Mezzacappa, October 2005 (Misc.Acc. 2005/2006:27).
Add.MS. 1570/1 21 November 1856
Letter from Mark Lemon [(1809-1870) author, and editor of
Punch] from 198, Strand, London to Edward Bradley thanking him for “the conondedrums as Power used to call them” and enclosing (not present) the “L.I.N.”
[London Illustrated News?] of Aug. 30 with a request that he condense the explanatory matter.
3p. on 1f.
Add.MS. 1570/2 5 February 1878
Letter from Edward Bradley from Stretton Rectory, Oakham (to the publishers?) about the
Quiver sheet almanac, observing that its type is too small for the use of agricultural labourers so he has adopted another with bolder type, and that the content is in the wrong proportions.
2p. in 1f.
Add.MS. 1586/1-4 1848
Three letters from Edward Bradley [1827-1889, novelist and writer, under the pseudonym “Cuthbert Bede” ], and one statement of account, 1848 and undated [probably the same year], all relating to payments for poems
and articles contributed by him to
Bentley's miscellany. Two of the letters are addressed from University College, Durham, where Bradley was an undergraduate, and the other from his home in Kidderminster. The titles of a number of the pieces accepted by
Bentley's are mentioned, and also “an original kind of sonnet on Billiards” on which he awaits their response.
6p.
Presented by Katherine Mezzacappa, September 2001 (Misc.Acc. 2001/2002:79).
Add.MS. 1587/1-3 1874-1888
Letter from Bradley at Stretton Rectory, Oakham, 10 September 1877, to a library about problems returning some books. Letter from Bradley from Lenton Vicarage, Grantham, 29 February 1888 commending some woodcuts of Charles Dickens. Fragment
(1874?) from Edward Bradley thanking A. Benthall of the G.P.O. (for redirecting the letter?)
3p. & 1 piece.
Presented by Katherine Mezzacappa, January 2004 (Misc.Acc. 2003/2004:21).
Add.MS. 1588 11 March 1885
Letter from Edward Bradley to Edward J. Taylor of Bishopwearmouth on arrangements for giving a lecture in Sunderland. Stuck to board. On reverse of board engraved portrait of Revd. Thomas Maurice from the
European Magazine, 1801.
1p & envelope, mounted on board.
Presented by Katherine Mezzacappa, January 2004 (Misc.Acc. 2003/2004:32).
Add.MS. 1674 [c.1870s]
Short stories and pieces about student life at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and occasionally Durham by Edward Bradley (alias Cuthbert Bede) (1827-1889). Some are noted as published in various publications of the time. Others were
probably intended to accompany perhaps a reissue of etchings originally published under the title
College Life in [1849/50], namely items 2-10, with a title page (item 1) and a note by [Bradley] (item 11) to a publisher describing the original “publication” of the etchings and his
intentions for the new volume (?not realised).
Paper bundle, 19 items, those with more than 2f sewn together
Bought from Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers of 45 Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3PA, (item 55 in
The Museum Miscellany 1655-1977), December 2008, Acc No Misc.2008/9:51.
Add.MS. 1674/1 [c.1870s]
“College Life” title page and lists of etchings and contents.
2f
Add.MS. 1674/2 [c.1870s]
“Wine Parties”.
8f
Add.MS. 1674/3 [c.1870s]
3.
“Knocking In and Durham Zephyrs”.
17f
Add.MS. 1674/4 [c.1870s]
“Town and Gown”.
10f
Add.MS. 1674/5 [c.1870s]
“Punting on the Cherwell”.
6f
Add.MS. 1674/6 [c.1870s]
“A Cambridge “Stolos””.
2f
Add.MS. 1674/7 [c.1870s]
“Summer Studies”.
8f
Add.MS. 1674/8 [c.1870s]
“A Long Vacation Pastoral”.
5f
Add.MS. 1674/9 [c.1870s]
“The Billiard Room”.
6f
Add.MS. 1674/10 [c.1870s]
“The Proctor - the Wolf and the Lamb”.
9f
Add.MS. 1674/11 [c.1870s]
“Private! not for Publication; but to be shown to the Publisher”.
1f
Add.MS. 1674/12 [c.1870s]
“Æger: or Mistaken Identity”. Noted as written for The Illustrated London News, with woodcuts by the author.
33f
Add.MS. 1674/13 [c.1870s]
“A Long Vacation Vigil”. Noted as written for a summer number of The Illustrated London News, with illustrations by H.G. Hine.
21f
Add.MS. 1674/14 [c.1870s]
“The Only Man Left in College on Christmas Day”. Noted as written for a winter number of The Illustrated London News, with illustrations by W. McConnell.
7f
Add.MS. 1674/15 [c.1870s]
“Curious Cambridge Terms”, noted as extracted from the Lexicon Balatronicum (1811).
4f
Add.MS. 1674/16 [c.1870s]
“Oxford Jeux D'Esprit”, a synopsis of various Oxford publications.
11f (lower part of f.4 cut off and missing)
Add.MS. 1674/17 [c.1870s]
“The Oxford Statutes”, three letters of Bradley's (Letter I printed in Punch illustrated with his woodcuts) under the title “Mr. Peterloo Brown's Examination
of the Oxford Statutes”.
10f
Add.MS. 1674/18 [c.1870s]
“Tufts and Tufthunters”. Noted as contributed to Once a Week 1870.
9f
Add.MS. 1674/19 [c.1870s]
Printed obituary of Edward Bradley and notice of his will, also printed photograph of Henry Parry Liddon, with a title, and a fragment of a letter from him, signed.
5 items pasted on to 1 card.
Add.MS.1705 [later 19th century]
“A book written with a single pen”. Note about Philemon Holland and other writers who wrote complete books using only one pen, signed Cuthbert Bede. Appears to have been removed from an album.
1f.
Purchased from Charles Cox, May 2009 (Misc. 2009/10:52)
Add.MS.1709 30 May 1883
BW photo of Edward Bradley, seated, in a suit, in front of an ivy-covered wall, by Mr Collinge, titled “Cuthbert Bede”. Print-out of a digital copy.
1f.
Digital image sent by Alan Clark, 12 October 2009 (Misc.2009/10:66).
Add.MS.1711/1-19 1840s
Pictures by Edward Bradley
Add.MS.1711/1-18 were purchased from Bertram Colgrave, 29 March 1957. These appear to be part of a group offered for sale by Bradley to the Durham Union Society in 1890, from which they only bought two from
Ye Freshmonne. Add.MS. 1711/19 was apparently found in Old Shire Hall basement and passed to the Library by Andre Moffat - it appears to be very similar to the other items.
Add.MS.1711/1 February 1846
“The high-road between the Houghall and Maiden's Castle woods, Durham [winter sketch]”. Ink drawing of path between banks, topped by large trees, with small figures in the landscape. Signed
“EB Feb: 1846”. Title written on separate strip of paper.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with separate title strip
Size: 129 x 121 mm
Add.MS.1711/2 1847
The banks of the Wear, near Prebends Bridge, Durham, with two figures. Watercolour, signed on separate strip “Cuthbert Bede. 1847”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with 4 labels from mount
Size: 174 x 61 mm
Add.MS.1711/3 1847
“Senate room in the Castle, Durham”. Unfinished ink and monochrome watercolour on grey paper. Signed “EB. Decr. 1847”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece
Size: 242 x 396 mm
Missing. Not found in 2010; last recorded in 1980s.
Add.MS.1711/4 March 1848
“Double piscina - in ruins of Finchale Abbey Durham”, caption on separate strip. Pencil and sepia. Signed “EB. March 1848”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with 2 labels from mount
Size: 155 x 121 mm
Add.MS.1711/5 May 1848
“In the Courtyard. Durham Castle”. Pencil vignette on buff paper with white highlights, of the arms of Cuthbert Tunstall on the wall of Durham Castle, dated “May 1848”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with later 20th century label from back of frame.
Size: 111 x 91 mm
Add.MS.1711/6 May 1848
“In the Courtyard - Castle - Durham”. Pencil vignette on dark buff paper with white highlights, of a niche in the wall of Durham Castle, dated “May 1848”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with later 20th century label from back of frame and part of mount, retaining 19th century newspaper
Size: 145 x 95 mm
Add.MS.1711/7 28 May 1848
“The Prebend's Bridge and "Banks": Durham”. Watercolour, captioned on separate strip. Signed “EB. May 28th/48”. Captioned on back “The Prebend's Bridge and
the Bank Durham / Sketched May 28th 1848 / From a boat”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with title label
Size: 174 x 217 mm (round arched top)
Add.MS.1711/8 6 February 1849
“Neville's Cross. Durham”. Sepia with white highlights. Signed “EB Feby 6th 1849”.
Paper, mounted in matte 1 piece
Size: 205 x 290 mm
Etched and used in an article on Neville's Cross,
Gentleman's magazine, p.356-7 (1854).
Add.MS.1711/9 April 1849
“Jarrow church. The church of the Venerable Bede”. Watercolour interior view east of nave and pulpit through arch into chancel, with women sweeping beside pews. Signed “EB. April
1849”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with later 20th century label from back of frame, part of mount and separate title strip
Size: 193 x 224 mm
Add.MS.1711/10 4 April 1849
“Jarrow April 4th 1849, Bede's chair”. Pencil sketch, also captioned “The chair of the Venerable Bede preserved in Jarrow Church, Durham. Drawn from the original by Cuthbert Bede”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with 1 fragment of 19th century newspaper from mount
Size: 230 x 179 mm
Add.MS.1711/11 [1847 ?]
Watercolour of Prebends Bridge, from the east. Separate label strip “Drawn by Cuthbert Bede F[ebruary 1847?]”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with 3 labels
Size: 98 x 116 mm
Add.MS.1711/12 [1840s ?]
“The Dean of Durham”. Ink caricature of Dean Waddington.
This was the basis of the figure in
Ye Freshmonne (“He cappeth ye Dean”).
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with 3 labels from mount
Size: 117 x 56 mm
Add.MS.1711/13 [1840s ?]
“The Durham Handel”, also identified as “E.L. Farr”. Ink caricature of man at piano (Edward Lacon Farr)
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with later 20th century label from back of frame and mount, retaining 19th century newspaper
Size: 102 x 70 mm
Add.MS.1711/14 [1840s ?]
“The Minstrel's Gallery in the Dining-Hall - Durham Castle”. Ink sketch, also captioned “Sketched with a reed pen”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with 2 19th century newspaper fragments and label from mount
Size: 231 x 168 mm
Add.MS.1711/15 [1840s ?]
“The Prebend's Bridge, Durham; the Banks and River Wear from the Boat-houses”. Pencil, and buff wash with caption on separate strip. Drawn from a window in the Old Fulling Mill.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with label strip
Size: 266 x 352 mm
Add.MS.1711/16 [1840s ?]
“Stalls in Durham Cathedral on the north side of the Quire”. Ink sketch, signed “EB”. Detail of stalls, with 2 figures.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with label from mount
Size: 209 x 95 mm
Add.MS.1711/17 [1840s ?]
“ View of my room, Norman Gallery, Durham Castle - from the recess of the Norman window”. Pencil sketch of furnished room seen through swagged curtain, signed “EB”.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with later 20th century label from back of frame and part of mount
Size: 197 x 127 mm (round arched top)
Add.MS.1711/18 [1840s ?]
“Bar of the entrance gates Durham Castle”. Charcoal and white chalk on grey paper.
Paper, mounted on board 1 piece, with 6 pieces from mount
Size: 136 x 146 mm
Add.MS.1711/19 [1840s ?]
“Choristers singing on May-day on the summit of the Lantern Tower, Durham Cathedral” (“Bede” added on label). Ink drawing of view of cathedral from north, across Palace Green (the
cathedral and buildings on Palace Green are reversed east-west). A considerable crowd is on Palace Green, although the figures on the tower are hardly discernable.
Paper 1 piece, with 1 contemporary label
Size: 120 x 178 mm
