ORDNANCE

[ Printed book ] Ordnance Survey of Scotland. Book of Reference to the Plan of the Parish of Campbelton in the County of Argyll [ & Parishes of Southend Killean and Kilkenzie]

Author: 
[ Ordnance Survey of Scotland ]
Publication details: 
London: Spottiswoode, 1868
£220.00

Three books of Reference, Campbelton, Southend and Killean and Kilkenzie, all in the County of Argyll. Pp. [34]; [16]; [20], half lea., mbd bds, worn, spine damaged, hinge strain front endpaper, faint foxing, ow good. Some pencilled notes.

[The Duke of Wellington, British soldier, conqueror of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo.] Manuscript letter by a secretary, on his behalf, to 'Mr: Briggs', suggesting a meeting with 'the Gentleman mentioned in Mr. Briggs's note'.

Author: 
The Duke of Wellington [Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington] (1769-1852), conqueror of the French in the Peninsular Campaign, and of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo; prime minister
Duke of Wellington
Publication details: 
27 November 1826. London.
£120.00
Duke of Wellington

1p, 4to. In fair condition, on aged and somewhat brittle paper, with unobtrusive repair to one corner. Folded three times. Certainly not in Wellington's distinctive hand. Reads: 'The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Mr: Briggs and begs to acquaint him that he is going out of Town this night. / But he will be happy to receive the Gentleman mentioned in Mr. Briggs's note at the Ordnance Office Pall Mall on Friday next at three oClock. / London / 27th: Novr: 1826.' See Image.

`[HMS Beacon, HMS Britannia and HMS St Vincent.] Three separate returns of armaments for three Royal Navy ships, each in manuscript, two on printed forms.

Author: 
HMS Beacon, HMS Britannia, HMS St Vincent [Royal Navy ships in the nineteenth century; the Admiralty, Whitehall]
Publication details: 
Return for HMS St Vincent dated 31 July 1833; the other two from the 1830s. [to the Admiralty, Whitehall]
£280.00

HMS Beacon (launched in 1820 as HMS Meteor and renamed in 1832) was a survey ship (having been under her previous name a Hecla-class bomb vessel), sold in 1846. HMS Britannia, the third of the name, was launched in 1820. She took part in the Siege of Sebastopol, and later in 1854 was driven ashore on the Russian coast, thereafter serving as a training ship until being sold for breaking in 1869.

[James Smith, humorist, co-author with his brother Horace Smith of the celebrated ‘Rejected Addresses’ (1812).] Autograph Letter Signed to John Wilson Croker, regarding his post as Assistant Solicitor to the Board of Ordnance.

Author: 
James Smith (1775-1839), humorist, co-author with his brother Horace Smith [Horatio Smith] (1779-1849) of the ‘Rejected Addresses’ (1812) [John Wilson Croker (1780-1857), politician and diarist]
Publication details: 
‘18 Austin Friars [London] / 26 June 1826’.
£120.00

See his entry, and those of his brother and the recipient, in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 4to. Bifolium. The letter had been torn in half, with loss of a strip of paper from the second leaf, resulting in damage to a couple of words from the valediction; it has been carefully repaired with archival tape, and is otherwise in fair condition, lightly aged, with slight fading of the ink on the first page. The large signature ‘James Smith’ is clear and undamaged. Addressed to ‘J. W. Croker Esq’. An interesting letter, casting light on the workings of the Georgian civil service.

[James Wyld the Elder; Map Making] Autograph Letter Third Person of Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos (1776–1839), to James Wyld the Elder, cartographer about the Ordnance Map.

Author: 
The Duke of Buckingham [James Wyld the Elder, English cartographer and geographical publisher].
Publication details: 
Address not deciphered, 5 Nov. [1823]
£75.00

One page, 12mo, bifolium, stain partially obscuring address, chipped (without loss of text), text clear and complete. The Duke of Buckingham requests Mr Wyld will inform him whether there are not more parts of the Ordnance Map [?] than those which he has sent him, and also whether he has [sent?] the Maps of London & Norway which the Duke ordered at the same time he did the Ordnance Map of England.

[ T.F. Colby; Ordnance Survey; Ireland ] Autograph Letters Signed "Ths. Colby" to unnamed correspondent about Ordnance Survey of Ireland.

Author: 
T.F. Colby [ Thomas Frederick Colby FRS FRSE 1784 –1852), major-general and director of the Ordnance Survey
Publication details: 
"Ordnance Map Office| Tower 19 Feby 1828".
£450.00

Two pages, 12mo, fold marks, one edge stained and roughened (perhaps blank second leaf of bifolium removed, and item tipped into album), text clear as follows: "The points which are partally fixed in Ireland extend to the southward as far as Bray Head on the East Coast. And they can be given to the Admiralty Surveyor if required in the course the present year. The North East Coast is already surveyed, and may be copied by the Admiralty surveyors at any time.

[Vice Admiral Thomas Brodrick.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos: Brodrick') to the Board of Ordnance, renewing a request for an armorer for his ship the Phoenix, 'now that I am going to Longreach and my Smallarms Coming on Board'.

Author: 
Vice Admiral Thomas Brodrick (died 1769), Royal Navy officer who served with distinction in the War of the Austrian Succession, the War of Jenkins' Ear and the Seven Years' War [Board of Ordnance]
Publication details: 
Deptford; 24 August 1743.
£150.00

For Brodrick's distinguished and eventful career, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, folio. In fair condition, aged and worn, with chipping to one edge carrying traces of grey paper mount, and closed tear at foot repaired on reverse with archival tape. Addressed at bottom left 'To the Honle: Board of Ordnance'. Reads: 'Gentlemen | I wrote you the 7th Inst: to desire that you would please to appoint an Armorer for his Majestys Ship the Phoenix under my Command and now that I am going to Longreach and my Smallarms Coming on Board I beg you Will appoint for me'. Endorsed: 'answer'd 26 August'.

[ Major-General Sir Henry James of the Royal Engineers, Director General of the Ordnance Survey. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry James.') to Sir John Fox Burgoyne, regarding Sir Emerson Tennent and 'abstracts from Meteorological observations'.

Author: 
Major-General Sir Henry James (1803-1877) of the Royal Engineers, British army officer, Director General of the Ordnance Survey, 1854-1875 [ Sir Emerson Tennent (1804-1869); Sir John Fox Burgoyne]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Ordnance Map Office, Southampton. 20 November 1856.
£80.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Addressed to 'Sir John F. Burgoyne. | Bart:'. He is sending 'a copy of the Abstracts from Meteorological observations taken at our Foreign stations, in which Sir Emerson Tennent will find the abstract from the observations taken at Columbo in the year 1853-4'. He is also sending abstracts from subsequent years which 'have not yet been printed'.

Manuscript account book of the estates of Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson of Charlton House, titled 'Account of Payments Allowances and Expenditures for the Charlton Woolwich and Leicester Estates | From Christmas 1797'.

Author: 
[Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson (1774-1821), 7th Baronet, of Charlton House; Woolwich and Charlton in Kent; Leicestershire]
Publication details: 
[Woolwich and Charlton.] Covering the period between 1797 and 1804.
£180.00

36pp., 12mo. In worn calf-bound account book. In good internal condition, on aged paper; detached from the worn leather binding, and with the front free endpaper (bearing the title) loose. Label pasted to front cover reads: 'Accounts | G. B. R. | Charlton | Woolwich | Leicestershire | 1797 to 1804'. The volume is the work of Wilson (who acquired the estates in 1798 on the death of his father) or of his land agent. Paginated by the writer to 64, and with the accounts for 'Land Tax paid and allowed' on pp.1-7, for 'Cash paid & allowed for' on pp.11-23, and 'Cash paid & allowed for.

[ Jefferson Miles, Proof Master General of Ordnance. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Jeaffreson Miles') to Robert Eddowes, Ordnance Storekeeper at Portsmouth, directing him to have all his receipts signed.

Author: 
Jeaffreson MIles [ Jefferson Miles ] (d.1763), Proof Master General of Ordnance [ Robert Eddowes, Ordnance Storekeeper at Portsmouth; Royal Navy ]
Publication details: 
Office of Ordnance [ London ]. 17 July 1753.
£250.00

1p., folio. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with postmark, 'To | Robert Eddowes Esqr | Ordnance Storekeeper | at | Portsmouth'. 24 lines of neatly-written text. An unusually emphatic communication, the possibility of fraud clearly being in the air.

[ William Griffin, Secretary to the Board of Ordnance. ] 'Copy' circular letter, in secretarial hand, signed by him ('W: Griffin.'), to the 'Officer Commanding the Oldham Regiment of Local Militia', calling in their 'Arms and Accoutrements'.

Author: 
William Griffin (d.1827), Secretary to the Board of Ordnance, London [ John Crossley of Scaitcliffe, near Rochdale, Lancashire, collector; Napoleonic Wars ]
Publication details: 
Office of Ordnance [ London ]. 10 April 1816.
£220.00

1p., folio. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with some chipping and a few closed tears to edges. Addressed 'To | The Officer Commanding | the Oldham Regiment of Local Militia. | Oldham Lancashire' (i.e. John Crossley of Scaitcliffe near Rochdale, who built up a notable collection of military memorabilia, dispersed after his death). Attached to a leaf of paper with a note by the recipient concerning the permission he has been granted to retain a 'Musquet and Set of Accoutrements'.

[ General Alexander Ross; Gunning ] Autograph Letter Signed "George Gunning" to Alexander Ross, sometime General, due in days to become Surveyor-General of the Ordnance. With copy of Ross's note, both about his engagement to Gunning's sister.

Author: 
[ General Ross ] George Gunning, Sir George Gunning, 2nd Baronet (1763-1823), of Horton, Northamptonshire, politician.
Publication details: 
Horton, 5 July 1795 [copy London, 3 July 1795]
£90.00

Both letters one page, cr. 8vo, bifolia, edges dusted and sl. worn, second leaf (a blank) of Ross's letter torn, texts clear and complete. ROSS's letter (file copy) says that Gunning would have heard of his sentiments from his sister, and her father has given permission, but he would also appreciate Gunning's approval "of the connexion [sic] that I am soon to join with your family." He asks for a reply to be sent to the Board of Ordnance" (hius new posting, see above).

Autograph Note Signed "Clarendon" (sometime Governor of New York and New Jersey) to an unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Edward Hyde, 3rd Earl of Clarendon (1661
Autograph Note Signed "Clarendon"
Publication details: 
Somerset House, [London], 12[?] October 1713.
£280.00
Autograph Note Signed "Clarendon"

One page, 18 x 15cm, small piece missing making day of date obscured, chipped, portion torn off below signature, other edges trimmed with no loss of text, text clear and complete as follows: "I am desired by a friend of mine to intreat your favour for John Weely of Captain Gilmoyden's Company in thge Train of Artillery for a Fee, which I am told is the usuall Reward from the Board of Ordnance to Men that have served well, and I am told that Collonell Hopkey has certified the Board of Ordnance in this Man's behalf, if soe I hope you will not take it amisse if I intreat your favour for him,

Collection of papers relating to the military career of General Sir William Cator, from the Peninsular War to the Crimean War (during which he was Director-General of Artillery). Comprising three commissions, a printed memoir, five manuscript items.

Author: 
General Sir William Cator (1785-1866), K.C.B., Royal Artillery, Director-General of Artillery during the Crimean War [British Army; Peninsular War]
Collection of papers relating to the military career of General Sir William Cato
Publication details: 
London, Constantinople and other places. From c. 1853 to c. 1866.
£450.00
Collection of papers relating to the military career of General Sir William Cato

An short account of Cator's career is to be found in the Gentleman's Magazine for June 1866. This collection of nine items is of particular importance, considering the fact that - remarkably for such a distinguished figure - he was not accorded a Times obituary, and has no entry in the Dictionary of National Biography. The absence of biographical material may be due to the contemporary criticism of Cator's department for its handling of the provision of supplies during the Crimean War. All items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with texts clear and complete.

Secretarial Letter, Signed by Cameron, to Dickson, complaining that the latter's charges for work on the Ordnance Survey are 'very high'; ALS, 'Robt. H. Forman" of the War Department to Dickson; copies of Dickson's replies to both men.

Author: 
Major-General John Cameron, Director-General of the Ordnance Survey, 1875-1878 [William Dickson, Clerk of the Peace of the County of Northumberland; Alnwick]
Major-General John Cameron, Director-General of the Ordnance Survey
Publication details: 
London and Alnwick. All from 1855. Cameron's letter on letterhead of the Ordnance Map Office, Southampton.
£150.00
Major-General John Cameron, Director-General of the Ordnance Survey

All four items with text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The four items pinned together and placed in the stamped envelope of Cameron's letter, addressed to Dickson as 'Clerk of the Peace of the County of Northumberland | Newcastle upon Tyne'. Casting interesting light on the workings of the Ordnance Survey. Letter One: Cameron to Dickson ('for Lieut: Colonel James | Director, absent on duty'), 19 September 1855. 4to, 1 p.

Autograph Letter Signed to Richard Byham, Secretary to the Board of Ordnance, Pall Mall.

Author: 
James Hammond of the Ordnance Office, Jersey [Revolutions of 1848; French Royal Family; Louis XVIII; Board of Ordnance; Ordnance Office, Pall Mall]
Publication details: 
2 March 1848; Jersey.
£150.00

12mo, 3 pp. Ruckled and stained, with the verso of the second leaf of the bifolium (carrying the address) laid down on a leaf detached from an autograph album. The 'Royal Family of France' are causing 'a very deep interest' and 'a portion of them have found their way to this Island'. He reports that the 'Duchesse d'Orleans and her two Sons, and the Duc de Montpensier have arrived here from Granville - they were brought over by a Jersey Boat the Master of which has been most liberally rewarded'.

Autograph Frank with address to R. Byham.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Nicholas Redington
Publication details: 
Undated, but with dated 6 and 7 December 1846 on postmarks.
£18.00

Irish administrator and Member of Parliament (1815-62). Consists of the front of the envelope, the dimensions of which are roughly five inches by three. Addressed to 'R. Byham Esq. | Ordnance Office | Pall Mall | London', and signed 'Th Redington'. Two postmarks in red ink: the first, in a circle, appears to read 'PAID | NW | 6 DE | 1846'; the second, in a circle topped with a crown, appears to read 'PAID | DE 7 | 1846'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Richard Byham, Secretary [of ?].

Author: 
Richard Pigot
Publication details: 
21 May 1848; Roseland Cottage near Reading.
£50.00

Presumably Richard Pigot (1774-1868) who is described in Boase, Modern English Biography, as being a colonel in the dragoon guards at the time of writing and a general from 1851. 2 pages, 8vo. In good condition, but with one margin still adhering to the remains of a stub. 'I enclose you a letter to my old friend Lord Anglesey in favour of Mr Frederick Foster [...] I shall feel obliged to you by your interesting yourself in his behalf to obtain any vacancy that may occur in the Ordnance as a Messenger.

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