Documents and Letters

Sir Alexander DICKSON (1777-1840) Autograph Letter Signed (“A Dickson”) to Francis Freeling, regarding a packet sent to him by post which may or may not have been of importance.2 pages 4to with integral blank leaf, Woolwich, 15 May 1827. “On the 7th Inst. a packet by post was presented to me...

ERNEST AUGUSTUS, Duke of Cumberland and King of Hanover (1771-1851) Letter Signed (“Ernest”) to Colonel Gordon, explaining the reason why John Cooke had been recommended for a promotion.2 pages 4to with integral blank leaf, St. James’, 20 January 1805. “As I have understood that there is an explanation required of the...

FREDERICK, Duke of York (1763-1827) Letter Signed (“Frederick”) to Charles Cockerill, regarding the character of an officer serving in New South Wales.1¼ pages 4to with integral blank leaf, Stable Yard, 14 June 1809. “I have to acknowledge your letter of the 1st Instant with an enclosure from Mr. Campbell of New...

Elizabeth FRY (1780-1845) Autograph Letter Signed (“Elith Fry”) to “Dear Lady Ashley” [Emily, wife of Lord Ashley, later the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury], urging her to visit with her children. 2 pages 8vo, Upton, 14 July 1843.                           ...

Giuseppe GARIBALDI (1807-1882) Letter Signed (“G. Garibaldi”) to a lady, inviting her to discuss a “humanitarian endeavour” with Laura Solera Mantegazza from Milan.1¼ page large 8vo in Italian, Caprera, 14 July 1861.            “The grateful memory of the great benefits that my Italy has received from...

GEORGE IV (1762-1830) Document Signed (“George PR”) as Prince Regent “In the Name and on Behalf of His Majesty” [George III], addressed to the Lord Chancellor Lord Eldon, requiring him to affix the Great Seal to “an Instrument . . . containing a Full Power to . . . Sir...

Francois, Baron GERARD (1770-1837) Autograph Letter Signed (“F. Gérard”) to an unidentified Baron, recommending Mr. Richter, a young German painter, admired by Alexandre von Humboldt. 1½ pages 4to with integral blank leaf, in French, n.p., 8 November 1828.                          ...

General Charles George GORDON (1833-1885) Autograph Letter Signed (“C.G. Gordon”) as Governor-General of the Sudan, to “My dear Nugent” [his friend Colonel Nugent of the Royal Engineers].4 pages 8vo on onion-skin paper, Katarif, 24 April 1877 and “En route from Sennaar on Blue Nile to Khartoum”, 1 May 1877. “I wish...

Bret HARTE (1836-1902) Autograph Letter Signed (“B.H.”) to “My dear Duchess” regarding arrangements for a lecture.3 pages 8vo on paper headed “Consulate of the United States of America”, Glasgow, 13 January 1881.                                     ...

Wilhelm von HUMBOLDT (1767-1835) Autograph Letter Signed (“Humboldt”) to an unidentified gentleman, regretting that his correspondent had been unable to come to see him the previous day.1 page 8vo in French with integral blank leaf, n.p. [London], 8 October 1818.    Trans: “I very much regretted, my dear Sir, not having...

William HUSKISSON (1770-1830) Autograph Letter Signed (“W. Huskisson”), marked ‘Confidential’ to an unnamed correspondent, discussing trade relations with the United States, vehemently critical of U.S. President John Quincy Adams’ policies. 4 pages 4to marked ‘Confidential’, Eartham [West Sussex]. 5 January 1829.       In the wake of the Napoleonic Wars, Britain,...

Jean-Baptiste ISABEY (1767-1855) Autograph Letter Signed (“Isabey”) to a fellow artist, Monsieur Mansion[?] in Montmartre, sending him a penniless young man in need of lessons.1 page 8vo in French with integral address leaf, n.p. [but Paris], n.d. Trans: “Tomorrow morning a young man without means and who cannot pay his master...

Sir William JENNER (1815-1898) Autograph Letter Signed (“W. Jenner”) to “My dear Collins” [Sir Robert Collins, Comptroller of the Royal Household], asking whether the Duke of Albany [Queen Victoria’s youngest son, Prince Leopold] would “greatly favor me” with his attendance at the Conversazione at the Royal College of Physicians. 3...

Joseph JOACHIM (1831-1907) Autograph Letter Signed (“Joseph Joachim”) to “My dear Cracroft” telling him of a musical gathering the following Sunday.2 pages 8vo, n.p. [but London], n.d. “You will find Mr. Elefanti[?] and the young Count on Sunday at eleven at my rooms for breakfast. I am very much pleased to...

Stanislas JULIEN (1797-1873) Autograph Letter Signed (“Stanislas Julien”) to Monsieur Molins, regarding a shipment of books from Macao.1½ pages 8vo in French, Paris, 2 February 1846.Trans: “I have the honour to inform you that on 4 November 1845, my correspondent in Macao sent you three boxes of Chinese books for...

Bernard Germain, comte de LACEPEDE (1756-1825) Letter Signed (“b.g.d.l. lacepede”) to M. Serurier, thanking him for his donation of samples of wood from South America to the Natural History Museum in Paris.1 page folio in French with integral blank leaf, Paris, 31 October 1806. Trans: “I have received, my dear colleague,...

Austen Henry LAYARD (1817-1894) Autograph Letter Signed (“AH Layard”) to an unidentified lady, accepting an invitation, explaining a failure to respond, and making further arrangements. 2 pages 8vo with integral blank leaf on writing paper embossed with the crest of the Athenaeum, 9 Little Ryder Street, 30 May 1853. “It...

Chandos LEIGH, 1st Baron Leigh (1791-1850) Autograph Letter Signed ("Chandos Leigh") to "Sir" [identified within the text as Mr. Howe], regarding an unpaid bill for a second-hand carriage. 1 page 4to, Stoneleigh Abbey, 15 November 1824. The poet Chandos Leigh was a school friend of Lord Byron, and also a...

Ferdinand de LESSEPS (1805-1894) Autograph Letter Signed (“Ferd. de Lesseps”) asking the Commandant of the Benares to bring the chief mechanic of the ship to dinner with him, adding in a postscript “the passage through the locks of the Suez canal of a Mediterranean convoy will take place at a quarter...

Henry George LIDDELL (1811-1898) Autograph Letter Signed (“HG Liddell”) to “Dear Mr. Collins”, enquiring whether it would be possible to invite Prince Leopold to open the new children’s ward at the Radcliffe Infirmary.4 pages 8vo on mourning paper, Christ Church, Oxford, 22 April 1877. “I saw Sir John Cowell the other...