1. [Malta / Cyprus Content] – Luke, Sir Harry.

Manuscript Notepad for a “Rambling Talk / Lecture on Malta / Cyprus / Corfu / Greece / Rhodes to Prof. Powicke’s mediaeval Students from Oxford 1943” [possibly Merton College in 1943]. On six pages of a loosely stapled collection of papers, Luke notes down important bullet points of a talk he is giving to the students of Sir Frederick Maurice Powicke, Oxford’s famous Mediaeval Historian. Each page is devoted to some of Luke’s postings. Especially Cyprus and Malta are touched on regularly and the pages filled with many details. Other locations he talks about were Corfu and Rhodes. The introductory page mentions for example “…in Malta, where I was L-G. for 8 years, such divergent persons as Publius & Sam. Taylor Coleridge”, Luke also mentions Pontius Pilate, Othello, S.Paul in Malta, etc. etc.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. [Oxford], c.1943. Small Octavo. 6 pages. Rusty staple. Harry Luke’s (Lukach) personal manuscript pages.

2. [Malta Content] – [Luke, Harry] Belloc, Hilaire / Clayton, Philip Thomas Byard [″Tubby”] / Scrivenor, Sir Thomas / Patrick Terence William Span Plunket, 7th Baron Plunket / [Blackwood, Lord Basil].

The Modern Traveller. By Hilaire Belloc with pictures by B.T.B. (that is Lord Basil Temple Blackwood). Inscribed and signed by Philip Thomas Byard Clayton: “To Sir Harry Luke, Lieut. Governor of Malta & Chairman of Toc H with Gratitude from Tubby” [″Tubby” was Philip Thomas Byard Clayton, the founder of “Toc H”). With two manuscript letters to Sir Harry Luke loosely inserted. LETTER No.I: The first letter is from Patrick Plunket (Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II and Deputy Master of the Household of the Royal Household (1954-1975)). On his personal stationery (Mount Offham, West Malling (Kent)) Patrick Plunket thanks Luke for making him aware of the book (″The Modern Traveller”) by Hilaire Belloc to which Plunket’s uncle Basil (Lord Basil Blackwood) has contributed the illustrations. Plunket writes on August 1st, 1966: “Dear Sir Harry, i am writing to say how grateful I am to you for telling me about the Modern Traveller. I have it now in front of me. Uncle Basil’s drawings are superb and depict our black brothers as I am sure they would not wish to be shown today. But especially the travellers are equally ludicrous ! In fact the whole book is a delight and will be specially treasured. It makes one even sadder that my uncle insisted on joining up when we was over-age. Yours very sincerely – Patrick Plunket”. [Blackwood was killed in action in a night raid at Boesinghe near Ypres on 4 July 1917] / LETTER No. II: The second letter included in the book is from fellow colonial administrator, Sir Thomas Scrivenor to Luke in which Scrivenor alerts Luke of the fact that he enclosed an “Unpublished Ballade” by Hilaire Belloc (Typescript). He continues to talk about a piece of poetry Scrivenor wrote in reference to the Corona Club and in anticipation of a Dinner when Duncan Sandy was Secretary of State for the Colonies. The This Typescript is also included.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. London, Edward Arnold, 1923. Octavo. 80 pages with illustrations. Illustrated Hardcover. Stronger signs of external wear to the book. The manuscript letters and poems in excellent condition. From the private collection / library of colonial governor, diplomat and historian, Sir Harry Luke.

3. [Malta Content] – [Luke, Harry Charles] / 400 Year Anniversary of Great Siege of Malta.

Unidentified Manuscript Letter Signed (MLS) / Autographed Letter Signed (ALS) regarding Luke’s resignation [possibly from an order or other form of organization regarding Malta]: “Everyone at the meeting on Saturday was really sorry to hear of your resignation and it was immediately unanimously agreed that you should be invited to be the Guest of Honour at the next Dinner. I think this is particularly appropriate this year, when the 400th anniversary of the Great Siege is being celebrated – and who is there who knows more about the History of Malta than you do !”.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. [London], 29th of April, 1965. A4. Two pages on one sheet with envelope. From the personal collection of Sir Harry Luke.

4. [Malta Content] – [Luke, Harry Charles] / [General Sir John Philip Du Cane].

Manuscript Letter Signed (MLS) / Autographed Letter Signed (ALS) from a friend of Sir Harry Luke, informing Luke about making contact for him with “Johnny du Cane”, clearly because of Luke’s imminet posting as Lieutenant-Governor of Malta, which had been announced the very same day. Du Cane had at this moment been Governor of Malta since 1927: “My dear Harry, I have written to Johnny du Cane for you. He is a real good [?], very intelligent and gloriously indolent – Which a men thinks me in everywhere ! – Ever yours – Archie Weyall [?]”.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. Petwood / Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, 30th of June, 1930. Octavo. One page letter with envelope. From the personal collection of Sir Harry Luke.

5. [Malta Content] – Luke, Harry Charles / [Lieutenant Governor of Malta (1930 – 1938)].

Collection of Manuscript Letters Signed (MLS) / Autographed Letters Signed (ALS) as well as Telegrams from friends, colleagues and family regarding Harry Luke becoming the new Lieutenant Governor of Malta [In Malta this was a position equal to a Governor at other locations]. The news of the promotion, while welcomed after the ordeal of waiting for news in the judgement for Luke handling of the Wailing Wall incident in Jerusalem, reached Harry Luke at a troublesome time. Luke’s father had been ill since the year 1926 and would pass away two weeks after his loving son Harry would find relief in finally being awarded a position deserving of his many achievements. Congratulations rained in from everywhere and many combined the congratulations with speaking their mind and offer support regarding Luke’s Palestine-troubles. While some of the congratulations are strictly formal, several are outspoken about how deserving this promotion is: “….it is a definite vindication in advance – Bless you it is perfectly splendid & I gather that your talent for settling religious difficulties will not be wasted there !”.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. London and other Places, June, 1930. Octavo. From the personal collection of Sir Harry Luke.

6. [Malta Content] – Luke, Harry Charles / Skewes-Cox, Lieut.– Colonel Miles.

Letter to and from Lieut.-Colonel Miles Skewes-Cox.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. 1965. 22,5 cm x 20,5 cm. [6] pages. From Harry Luke’s (Lukach) personal library.

7. [Malta Content] – [Luke, Harry Charles] Howard, George William Frederick (Carlisle, 7th Earl of).

Diary In Turkish And Greek Waters. By The Right Honourable, The Earl Of Carlisle.

Second Edition. [This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. London, Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, 1854. 19,5 cm x 13,5 cm. XI, 353 pages. Original Hardcover. Half leather binding. Harry Luke’s (Lukach) personal copy. With annotations and markings by Harry Luke. Bumping to corners and spine. Otherwise in good condition.

8. [Malta Content] – [Luke, Harry Charles] King, Sir Edwin.

The Knights Of St. John In The British Realm. Being the Official History of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. [With Ephemera].

Third Edition Revised and Continued. [This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. London, St. John’s Gate, 1967. 23 cm x 15 cm. XXII, 307 pages, 47 illustrations. Original Hardcover with original dustjacket in protective Mylar. Harry Luke’s (Lukach) personal copy. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear.

9. [Malta Content] – [Luke, Harry Charles] Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office / Downing Street.

Typed Letter Signed (TLS) addressed to Harry Luke and signed OGR Williams on “Downing Street Stationery” / “The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office”: “Sir, I am directed by Lord Passfield to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th of July and to inform you that the Crown Agents for the Colonies are being authorised to pay to you subsistence allowance at the rate of 25/– a night in respect of your attendance at the Colonial Office Conference for the period 23rd of June to the 15th of July (inclusive). I am, Sir, your obedient servant, OGRWilliams [?]”.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. [London] Downing Street, 23rd of July, 1930. A4. One page with envelope “On His Majesty’s Service”. From the personal collection of Sir Harry Luke. Important letter stating Luke’s attendance at the Colonial Conference in 1930, shortly before he started the Governorship on Malta.

10. [Malta Content] – Luke, Harry [then Lieut. Gov. of Malta] / Rear Admiral, Sir Arthur Bromley / George V. / Princess Elizabeth & The Duke of Edinburgh.

Autographed Letter, signed (ALS) by Rear Admiral, Sir Arthur Bromley & Lord Chamberlain Inviation, alerting Luke “Dear Mr.Luke – The Secretary of State who is acting for the Secretary of State for the Colonies during his absence in Canada would like to present you and Mrs. Luke to their Majesties the King and Queen after tea at the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on the 21st. If you intend to be present at the Garden Party will you please meet me at the north side of the Royal Tea Tent on 5 o’clock on that afternoon ?……Yours very truly A[rthur] Bromley – Rear-Admiral. Ceremonial Secretary, 14th July, 1932. / The letter was sent on July 8th, 1932, in an official envelope of the Lord Chamberlain to Luke c/o Colonial Office in Downing Street but was redirected to St.James’ Club and accompanied by an official Invitation – Card “The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by Their Majesties to invite Mr. & Mrs. H.C.Luke…..”.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. [Oxford], c.1943. Small Octavo. 1 Letter (ALS) and 2 Royal Invitation-Cards in Lord Chamberlain-Envelope. From Sir Harry Luke’s personal library. Luke added to this envelope an additional Royal Invitation-Card which was addressed to Luke in later life, by the Lord Chamberlain in July 1949 after the Lord Chamberlain was “commanded by Their Majesties [then Princess Elizabeth and her husband, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh] to invite ‘Sir Harry Luke’ to an Afternoon Party in the Garden of Buckingham Palace on Thursday 7th July, 1949, from 4 to 6 o’clock (Weather Permitting)”.