Verse
The Answer [to Mr. Shadwell] (‘That I have only answer'd Mum’)
First published in Poems on Affairs of State...Part III (London, 1698). Summers, II, 245-7. For Shadwell's accompanying ‘Letter…to Mr. Wicherley’, see SdT 2-6.
WyW 1
Copy in: A folio miscellany of poems on affairs of state, largely in a single professional hand (up to f. 372r), with later additions on ff. 372r-203r(c.1738-45), 203 leaves, in contemporary speckled calf (rebacked). c.1700 [-1745].
Once owned by C. Stuteville (inscribed f. 2r) and later, c.1880, by the Grimston family and by the Byrom family, of Kilnwick Hall, East Yorkshire. Bought from E.L.G. Byrom in 1921.
WyW 2
Copy in: A large folio miscellany of poems on affairs of state, probably in several hands, one professional hand predominating, with (ff. 1r-2r) a ‘Table’ of contents, 200 leaves, in contemporary blind-stamped calf. c.1695.
Bookplate of William, Earl of Craven (1608-97), soldier and Privy Counsellor, of Hampstead Marshall, Berkshire.
WyW 3
Copy in: A formal folio miscellany of poems on affairs of state, including eleven by Rochester and Sodom, as well as apocryphal items, probably in a single professional hand, 444 leaves (including a six-leaf index). c.1690s.
Cited in IELM, II.ii as the Vienna MS: RoJ Δ 12. Discussed in Rudolf Brotanek, ‘Beschreibung der Handschrift 14090 (Supplement 1776) der Nationalbibliothek in Wien’, in Festschrift der Nationalbibliothek in Wien (Vienna, 1926), 145-62. Recorded and selectively collated in Vieth and in Walker.
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna, Cod. 14090, ff. 17r-18v.
WyW 4
Copy in: A folio miscellany of poems on affairs of state, in a single professional hand, in two volumes: Vol. I, including twelve poems by Rochester and Sodom, as well as apocryphal item, spp. 1-461 (plus index); Vol. II, pp. 462-842 (with irregularities of pagination). This MS is closely related to Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna, Cod. 14090. c.1690s-1700.
Later owned by Alexander Dyce (1798-1869), literary scholar and editor, who records that £50 ‘was given by Perry, for these 2 volumes’.
Cited in IELM, II.ii (1993), as the Dyce MS: RoJ Δ 15.
Victoria and Albert Museum, Dyce MS 43 (Pressmark Dyce 25.F.37-38), pp. 20-3.
An Epistle to Mr. Dryden (‘As when great Kings with petty Princes joyn’)
First published in Poems on Several Occasions. By His Grace the Duke of Buckingham (London, 1717). Posthumous Works (London, 1728), pp. 18-29. Summers, IV, 63-9.
WyW 5
Copy in the neat hand of Alexander Pope, headed ‘An Epistle to Mr. Dryden; Occasion'd by his desiring me to join with him in writing a Comedy By Mr. Wycherley’, on two pairs of conjugate folio leaves. Early 18th century.
In: An unbound folder of verse MSS, in various hands and paper sizes, 138 leaves. Volume CCXXXVI of the Trumbull Papers, of the Trumbull family, including chiefly William Trumbull (1576/80?-1635), diplomat and government official. Later belonging to the Marquess of Downshire, of Easthampstead Park. Formerly Berkshire Record Office Trumbull Add 17 and 18.
Sotheby's sale catalogue, The Trumbull Papers (14 December 1989), part of lot 39.
The hand identified by Hilton Kelliher.
Hero and Leander in Burlesque (‘The Towns of Sestus and Abidus stood’)
First published (with lacunae) in London, 1699. Posthumous Works, Vol. II (London, 1729). Summers, IV, 73-102. The complete text unpublished.
*WyW 6
An exemplum of the first printed edition with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription on a flyleaf, ‘For Anthony Henley Esqr from his most oblig'd and most humble servant W. Wycherley’ (subsequently heavily deleted). Most of the spaces left by the printer in the text of the poem filled in Wycherley's own hand: namely, his autograph insertions on pp. 26 (2 lines), 27 (2 lines), 28 (1 line), 29 (½ line), 30 (1 line and a one-word change), 32 (1½ lines), 34 (one word), 37 (five-word alteration), 39 (two words), 41 (4 lines and a three-word alteration), 46 (1 line), and 74 (one letter added to a word). [1669].
Later owned by one ‘F. J.’, whose notes on endpapers are dated 2 March 1789 and 9 March 1791. Later owned by Alexander Dyce (1798-1869), literary scholar and editor. Formerly pressmark D.17.P.55.
This volume briefly discussed, and some of the MS readings quoted (not always accurately), in McCarthy, pp. 37-9, 45 (where also the later notes are misattributed to Alexander Dyce).
Victoria and Albert Museum, Dyce 10,790 (Pressmark Dyce S 8vo 10790).
Wycherleys extempore Poem on ye Peace (‘As springing show'rs make fading flowers to smile’)
Unpublished?
WyW 7
Copy of a ten-line poem ascribed to ‘Witcherley’ on a small slip of paper.
In: Miscellaneous literary papers, unbound, assembled by Adam Ottley (1685-1752), Registrar of the diocese of St David's, Wales. Among papers formerly at Pitchford Hall, Shropshire.
National Library of Wales, Pitchford Hall (Ottley) English Literary MSS (uncatalogued), A, A10.
Dramatic Works
The Plain-Dealer
First published in London, 1677.
WyW 8
Extracts.
In: A folio miscellany of extracts, in a single cursive hand, 351 leaves, in modern half brown morocco on marbled boards. c.1685-1700s.
Sotheby's, 13 July 1855, lot 1364.
Letters
Letter(s)
WyW 9
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, 22 March 1705/6. Early 18th century.
In: MS volume of correspondence.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 14-15, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 205-6. An adapted extract from the letter edited by Pope in The Posthumous Works of William Wycherley, Vol. II (London, 1729), and in Letters of Mr. Pope (London, 1735). Reprinted in Summers II, 227.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, f. 171r-v.
WyW 10
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, 11 November 1707. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 29-30, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 206-7. An adapted version edited by Pope in The Posthumous Works of William Wycherley, Vol. II (London, 1729), and in Letters of Mr. Pope (London, 1735). Reprinted in Summers II, 229-30.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, f. 172r-v.
WyW 11
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, 6 December 1707. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 34,6, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 207-8.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, f. 173r-v.
WyW 12
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, from Shrewsbury, 19 January 1707/8. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 38-40, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 208-10.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, f. 174r-5r.
WyW 13
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, 13 November 1708. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 52-4, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 210-11.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, f. 176r-v.
WyW 14
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, 19 February 1708/9. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 54-6, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 211-13. An adapted and abridged version (redated ‘Feb. 19, 1706/7’) edited by Pope in The Posthumous Works of William Wycherley, Vol. II (London, 1729), and in Letters of Mr. Pope (London, 1735). Reprinted in Summers II, 228-9.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, ff. 177r-8r.
WyW 15
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, 17 May 1709. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 58-9, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 213-14. An abridged version edited by Pope in The Posthumous Works of William Wycherley, Vol. II (London, 1729), and in Letters of Mr. Pope (London, 1735). Reprinted in Summers II, 235.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, ff. 179r-80r.
WyW 16
Copy of Wycherley's letter to Alexander Pope, 23 May 1709. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited from this copy in Sherburn, I, 61-2, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 214-15.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, ff. 180v-1r.
WyW 17
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, 14 June 1709. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 64-6, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889, misdated ‘June 4’) in Summers, II, 215-17.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, ff. 182r-3r.
WyW 18
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, from London, 14 February 1709[/10]. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 78-9, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 217-18.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, f. 184r-v.
WyW 19
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, 1 April 1710. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 79-80, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 218-19. A slightly abridged version edited by Pope in The Posthumous Works of William Wycherley, Vol. II (London, 1729), and in Letters of Mr. Pope (London, 1735). Reprinted in Summers II, 238-9.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, ff. 185r-6r.
WyW 20
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, 27 April 1710. Early 18th century.
In: the MS described under WyW 9.
Edited in Sherburn, I, 84-5, and (from W.J. Courthope's printed transcript of 1889) in Summers, II, 219-20. A slightly abridged version edited by Pope in The Posthumous Works of William Wycherley, Vol. II (London, 1729), and in Letters of Mr. Pope (London, 1735). Reprinted in Summers II, 240.
The Marquess of Bath, Longleat House, Portland Papers, Vol. XIII, f. 187r-v.
WyW 21
Copy, in John Caryll's hand, of a letter by Wycherley to him, from London, 17 May 1704. c.1704.
In: A folio volume comprising copies by John Caryll, of Ladyholt, Sussex, of letters sent to him by various correspondents, c.120 leaves. c.1710-35.
Donated by Sir Charles W. Dilke, MP.
Edited in Summers, II, 242, and in Connely, p. 280.
*WyW 22
Autograph letter signed by Wycherley, to Lord Halifax, 12 May 1704. 1704.
In: A folio composite volume of letters, in various hands and paper sizes, 107 leaves, in modern black morocco gilt.
Bequeathed in 1829 by N. Hart, Esq.
Edited in Summers, II, 242, and in Connely, pp. 267-8. Facsimile examples in Garnett & Gosse (1903), III, 163, and in T.J. Brown, ‘English Literary Autographs XLI’, BC, 11 (Spring 1962), 62-3.
WyW 23
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to John Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave, from London, 20 August 1677. c.1677.
In: Papers of John Boyle, fifth Earl of Cork and Orrery.
Edited in Robert J. Allen, ‘Two Wycherley Letters’, TLS (18 April 1935), p. 257. Reedited in McCarthy, pp. 86-8.
WyW 24
Copy of a letter by Wycherley, to John Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave, from Fleet Prison, 24 October 1685. c.1685.
In: the MS described under WyW 23.
Edited in Robert J. Allen, ‘Two Wycherley Letters’, TLS (18 April 1935), p. 257. Reedited in McCarthy, pp. 145-6.
*WyW 25
Autograph letter signed by Wycherley, to Alexander Pope, from London, 23 May 1709. 1709.
Facsimile in IELM, II.ii (1993), Facsimile XXIII, after p. xxi.
*WyW 26
Autograph letter signed by Wycherley, to Colonel James Grahme, 27 December 1688. 1688.
Edited, with a reduced facsimile, in Connely, pp. 214-15. Reprinted in McCarthy, p. 176.
Levens Hall, Levens Hall MSS, Grahme Correspondence, Bundle W, No. 4, [unnumbered letter].
WyW 27
Autograph letter signed by Wycherley, to Colonel James Grahme, [1689]. 1689.
Edited, with a reduced facsimile, in Connely, pp. 216-17. Reprinted in McCarthy, pp. 176-7.
Levens Hall, Levens Hall MSS, Grahme Correspondence, Bundle W, No. 4, [unnumbered letter].
*WyW 28
Letter by Wycherley, apparently autograph, to George Legge, Baron Dartmouth, from Fleet Prison, 9 July 1685. c.1685.
Formerly among the papers of the Earl of Dartmouth, largely dispersed.
Edited in HMC, 11th Report, Appendix, Part V (1887), p. 446. Reprinted in B. Eugene McCarthy, ‘Biographical Data on William Wycherley and his Father’, N&Q, 216 (January 1971), 34-6, and in McCarthy (1979), p. 144.
Documents
Document(s)
WyW 29
Wycherley's bill of complaint against the bookseller Samuel Briscoe, concerning the delay in the publication of his Miscellany Poems, entirely in the hand of a professional scribe, 23 January 1699/1700. 1700.
For this case, see Howard P. Vincent, ‘William Wycherley's Miscellany Poems’, PQ, 16 (1937), 145-8.
*WyW 30
Wycherley's deposition, the text in the hand of a scribe and signed by Wycherley, on behalf of George Rodney Bridges and his wife Anna Maria, Countess of Shrewsbury, in a Chancery suit between Bridges and Elizabeth Browne, 12 May 1693. 1693.
Recorded in Eleanore Boswell, ‘Footnotes to Seventeenth-Century Biographies’, MLR, 26 (1931), 341-5.
*WyW 31
An indenture between the playwright's father, Daniel Wycherley, and Thomas Lyster, also signed by William Wycherley, 30 September 1696. 1696.
Maggs's sale catalogue No. 570 (Spring 1932), item 488. Sotheby's, 18 June 1934, lot 519, and 21 July 1936, lot 337.
Will
*WyW 32
Wycherley's last Will and Testament, the text in the hand of a scrivener and signed in a shaky hand by Wycherley the day before his death, 31 December 1715, proved 13 January 1715/16. 1715.
WyW 33
A registered copy of Wycherley's last will and testament, 31 December 1715, proved 13 January 1715/16. 1716.
WyW 33.5
Copy of Wycherley's last will and testament, 31 December 1715, proved 13 January 1715/16. 1716.
Presentation Exempla of Printed Works by Wycherley
Miscellany Poems (London, 1704)
*WyW 34
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph inscription ‘For his worthy Friend Mr Portlock…’. 1704.
Sotheby's, 23 March 1907, lot 243, to Quaritch.
*WyW 35
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph inscription ‘For Sr Brocas Gardiner…’. 1704.
American Art Association, New York, 4 December 1935, lot 449, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue. Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 23 April 1946 (Hogan sale), lot 174.
WyW 36
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription to the Earl of Radnor (nephew of Wycherley's first wife, the Countess of Drogheda). c.1704.
Later in the library of Sir Andrew Fontaine (1676-1753), of Narford Hall, Norfolk, antiquary and art collector.
*WyW 37
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For My Lord High Treasuror, of England…’[i.e. the Earl of Danby]. Sotheby's, 4 June 1930 (Duke of Leeds sale), lot 707, to Rosenbach, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue. 1704.
*WyW 38
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For his much esteem'd & honourd Friend, Sr George Browne…’. 1704.
American Art Association, New York, 5 January 1938 (Joseph B. Shea sale, Part II), lot 458.
*WyW 39
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For his worthy hond Friend, Anthony Englefeild, Esqr…’, also with his deleted inscription ‘For Dr. Charlton’. 1704.
Charles W. Traylen, sale catalogue No. 77 (1972), item 92. Christie's, 20 November 1980, lot 282, to Maggs. Maggs's sale catalogue No. 1234 (1997), item 169, with a facsimile of the inscribed page.
*WyW 40
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For ye Ladys, att Mrs Fox'is…’. 1704.
W.H. Robinson's sale catalogue No. 73 (1941), item 633, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue.
*WyW 41
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For The worthy Dr [Grinling] Gibbons…’. 1704.
Also inscribed ‘Ex Dono Eli: Gibbons’ [i.e by Gibbons's daughter Elizabeth]. Sotheby-Parke Bernet, New York, 15 November 1977 (David Borowitz sale), lot 279. Blackwell's sale catalogue A1 (1979), item 115, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue. Christie's, New York, 10 December 1999, lot 257, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue.
*WyW 42
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For Sr John Guise…’, and with an autograph inscription ‘dedicated to Sr John Guise’ on p. 389 above the poem ‘In Praise of Laziness’; a MS correction also in the second line of this poem. 1704.
Sotheby's, 30 June 1933 (Earl of Roseberry sale, 5th day), lot 1306, to Scheuer, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue. Christie's, New York, 16 November 1984, lot 404, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue.
*WyW 43
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For Anthony Henley Esqr…’. 1704.
Howard S. Mott, Sheffield, Mass., sale catalogue No. 209 (July 1983), item 510.
This is presumably the presentation exemplum to Henley which ‘F. J.’, in his notes dated 9 March 1791 in the Dyce exemplum of Hero and Leander (see WyW 6), records having purchased ‘of Mr Payne, Bookseller, at The Mews-gate’ from ‘the library of the late Earl of Northington’.
*WyW 44
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For ye best friend in ye world, of hir Sex [Miss Luttrell]…’. 1704.
Sotheby's, 19 June 1934, lot 398, to Maggs, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue. W.H. Robinson's sale catalogue No. 84 (1940s), item 335, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue. Parke Bernet Galleries, New York, 27 November 1950, lot 773.
*WyW 45
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For Thomas Lyster Esqr…’. 1704.
Sotheby's, 5 March 1934, lot 177, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue. W.H. Robinson's sale catalogue (1934), item 29, with a facsimile of the inscription.
*WyW 46
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For his Grace ye Duke of Ormond’. 1704.
Sotheby's, 6 February 1900, lot 793, to Sabin.
*WyW 47
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph presentation inscription ‘For ye fayrest Lady in Kent, Mrs Jane Twisden…’. 1704.
Puttick & Simpson's, 10 July 1861 (Dering sale), lot 679. Anderson Auction Company, New York, 1 May 1911 (Robert Hoe sale, Part II), lot 3526, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue. Sotheby's, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 27 November 1950, lot 773. 18 June 1962, lot 743, to Holloway.
This volume evidently once in the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), manuscript and book collector, and recorded in a 19th-century MS (Phillipps MS 8101) ‘Catalogue of Books and Pamphlets being part of the Library of Sir Roger Twysden Bart of Roydon Hall in the 17th Century’, a catalogue now at the University of Salford.
*WyW 48
A printed exemplum with an unspecified ‘fine inscription in the author's autograph’. 1704.
A.S.W. Rosenbach's sale catalogue [No. 22] (1911), item 132.
*WyW 49
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph inscription ‘For ye fayrest Lady in Kent, Mrs Jane Twisden…’. c.1704.
Puttick & Simpson's, 10 July 1861, lot 679; Sotheby's, 18 June 1962, lot 743, to Holloway. Anderson Auction Company, New York, 1 May 1911 (Robert Hoe sale, Part II), lot 3526, with a facsimile of the inscription in the sale catalogue. This volume is also recorded in Phillipps MS 8101, a 19th-century MS ‘Catalogue of Books and Pamphlets being part of the Library of Sir Roger Twysden Bart of Roydon Hall in the 17th Century’, a catalogue preserved at the University of Salford.
Works (London, 1713)
*WyW 50
A printed exemplum with Wycherley's autograph inscription ‘For his much esteem'd and honourd Friend, Sr George Browne, from his humble Servant, W: Wycherley’. 1713.
Bookplate of John Sheepshanks, 1852. American Art Association, New York, 1 January 1938 (Joseph B. Shea sale, Pt II), lot 458.