GEORGE

[Princess Elizabeth, daughter of George III.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Elizabeth') to Anna Maria Dashwood, regarding an offer from Lord Cathcart to place her father Sir Henry Dashwood's eldest son in the Life Guards.

Author: 
Princess Elizabeth (1770-1840), daughter of George III, Landgravine consort of Hesse-Homburg, artist [Anna Maria Tottenham-Loftus, Marchionesss of Ely; Sir Henry Watkin Dashwood; Lord Cathcart]
Publication details: 
Weymouth; 15 September 1799.
£250.00

The recipient Anna Maria Dashwood (1785-1857) was the daughter of Sir Henry Watkin Dashwood (1745-1828), and was fourteen years old at the time the letter was written. In 1810 she would marry John Loftus (1770-1845), 2nd Marquess of Ely. An Anne Dashwood – presumably a relation – had been a maid of honour of Princess Elizabeth's mother Queen Charlotte. The letter is written in the most affectionate terms, and concerns an offer by William Cathcart (1755-1843), 1st Earl Cathcart, to place Sir Henry Dashwood's eldest son Henry George Mayne Dashwood (1782-1803) in the Life Guards. 5pp, 4to.

[Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, son George III, father of Queen Victoria.] Two Secretarial Letters, both with Autograph Signature 'Edward', to Sir Thomas Strange, Chief Justice of Madras, recommending Richard Dodson Jebb and Sir Theophilus Pritzler.

Author: 
Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820), son of George III, father of Queen Victoria [Sir Thomas Strange (1756-1841); Richard Jebb; Sir Theophilus Pritzler; Sir Frederick Wetherall]
Publication details: 
Both from Kensington Palace. 3 February 1812 and 31 January 1815.
£250.00

Both items in good condition, lightly aged, attached together at one corner with thread. The two written by different secretaries. Both addressed to 'Dear Sir Thomas'. The second letter addressed to Strange at Madras. ONE: Kensington Palace; 3 February 1812. 4to, 4pp. Although many years have passed since their last meeting, he trusts that Strange 'will not forget that friend of our lives, when we became known to each other at Halifax, and when I flatter myself I had the good fortune of being numbered amongst your friends'.

[George Combe, phrenologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Combe') to educationist W. E. Hickson, praising his book 'History of Sunday' and discussing his 'broken down' health.

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society [William Edward Hickson (1803-1870), author and educationist]
Publication details: 
Edinburgh; 7 May 1857.
£200.00

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Second leaf, blank except for endorsement, with traces of glue from mount. Addressed to 'W E. Hickson Esq'. He thanks him for his 'kind remembrance', and for 'sending me your “History of Sunday”; It is a most valuable, & from its small compass & cheapness, a most serviceable, contribution to the great cause of human emancipation from superstition'. He states that he has himself 'lately published a work with the same end in view'.

[Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh ('Silly Billy').] Autograph Letter Signed ('William Frederick') to a duke, reporting that he has placed Edward Gage in his regiment, as requested.

Author: 
Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh ['Silly Billy'] (1776-1834), great-grandson of George II, nephew and son-in-law of George III
Publication details: 
Bagshot Park; 27 October 1830.
£120.00

1p, 4to. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. The letter reads: 'My dear Duke | I have much gratification in acquainting Your Grace that I have placed Mr Edward Gage in my Regiment, and I am sure You will believe that it affords me great satisfaction to have had so early an opportunity of meeting Your Wishes It will be necessary for him to lodge the purchase money at Messrs.

[Sir Everard Home, Serjeant Surgeon to King George III.] Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Messrs. Laddiges', i.e. firm of George Laddiges, Hackney nurseryman, regarding bananas cultivated to 'perfection', with reference to 'Mr Eyton' and Kew.

Author: 
Sir Everard Home, 1st Baronet (1756-1832), Serjeant Surgeon to King George III, brother-in-law and pupil at St George's Hospital of John Hunter (1728-1793) [George Laddiges, Hackney nurseryman]
Publication details: 
Sackville St [London]; 30 October 1826.
£200.00

An interesting letter regarding the early cultivation of bananas in London. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight nicking to one edge. Neatly written over nine lines. Reads: 'Sir Everard Home is much obliged to Messrs. Laddiges for a present of some very fine Bananas, which were quite ripe, and had a flavour Sir Everard had no idea that they ever could acquire in this Climate. He mentioned yesterday to Mr Eyton with astonishment who said they had fruited at Kew, but not He believed to such perfection'.

[George IV, King of Great Britain.] Warrant, signed 'George R.', and also signed by the Treasury Commissioners Berkeley Paget, Lord Granville Somerset and E. A. MacNaghten, regarding pensions to servants of younger princes, out of West Indian duties.

Author: 
George IV (1762-1830), King of Great Britain and Ireland; Lord Granville Somerset (1792-1848); Berkeley Paget (1780-1842); Edmond Alexander MacNaghten (1762-1832) [Barbados; Leeward Islands]
Publication details: 
'Given at our Court at Carlton House this 30th. day of July 1825 In the Sixth Year of our Reign'.
£250.00

2pp, folio. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice. Excellent bold signature by the king ('George R.') in the customary position at the head of the first page. Signed at the end of the document by three of the six Lords Commissioners of the Treasury: 'B Paget | G C H Somerset | E A McNaghten'. Embossed tax stamp in left-hand margin of first page, together with remains of red wafer.

[George IV, King of Great Britain.] Warrant, signed 'George R.', and also signed by Chancellor of the Exchequer Nicholas Vansittart, Lord Lowther and Lord Granville Somerset, regarding 'Pensions to late Servants of Younger Princes'.

Author: 
George IV (1762-1830), King of Great Britain and Ireland; William Lowther, 2nd Earl of Lonsdale (1787-1872); Nicholas Vansittart, 1st Baron Bexley (1766-1851); Lord Granville Somerset (1792-1848)
Publication details: 
'Given at our Court at Carlton House the 1st. day of May 1820 In the First year of our Reign'.
£350.00

2pp, folio. On a single leaf. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to inner edge of first page. Folded twice. Good firm signature of the king ('George R.') at top left of first page, which has a thin mourning border. Left hand margin of first page with embossed £1 10s tax stamp. Written out ('By His Majesty's Command') in a secretarial hand, and addressed 'To The Husband for taking up all Goods consigned from Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands on Account of the Duties of Four Pounds and one Half Pounds per Centum'.

[Sylvester, Lord Glenbervie and Thomas Steele, Joint Paymasters General of the Forces.] Both men's Autograph Signatures, with seals, to document witnessed by P. George Craufurd and Harry Harmood, appointing their attorneys.

Author: 
Sylvester, Lord Glenbervie [Sylvester Douglas, 1st Baron Glenbervie] and Thomas Steele, Joint Paymasters General of the Forces; Patrick George Craufurd and Harry Harmood of Army Pay Office
Publication details: 
'this 26th. day of March In the Forty first Year of His Majesty's Reign, and in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and One.'
£250.00

See the entries for Sylvester Douglas, 1st Baron Glenbervie (1743-1823), and Thomas Steele (1753-1823) in the Oxford DNB. The two men served as Joint Paymasters General of the Forces, 1801-1803. 2pp, foolscap 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip from mount adhering to the reverse of the leaf. Embossed tax stamp at top left of first page. The signatures of 'Thos. Steele' and 'Glenbervie' are at bottom right, with the men's seals in red wax beside them (Steele's in fair condition, and Glenbervie's lacking a segment from chipping). Witnessed at bottom left by P.

[Lord Charles Somerset and George Rose, Joint Paymasters General of the Forces.] Both men's Autograph Signatures, with those of witnesses Henry Hallam, William Stewart Rose, Henry Wrottesley and [Mark?] Blyth, to document appointing attorneys.

Author: 
George Rose (1744-1818) and Lord Charles Somerset (1767-1831), Joint Paymasters General of the Forces; Henry Hallam, historian; William Stewart Rose; Henry Wrottesley; [Mark?] Blyth
Publication details: 
'this 8th. day of November one Thousand Eight Hundred and five, in the forty Sixth Year o f His Majesty's Reign'.
£200.00

For information about George Rose (1744-1818) and Lord Charles Somerset (1767-1831) see their entries in the Oxford DNB. The two men served as Joint Paymasters General of the Forces, 1804-1806. Rose, who was a close friend of Lord Nelson, was mocked by Cobbett for enriching his family at the public expense. The present document, witnessed by one of his second sons the poet William Stewart Rose (1775-1843), appoints his eldest son, the future Sir George Henry Rose, (1771-1855), as one of the two attorneys of his office.

[Sir William Knighton, Keeper of the Privy Purse, physician, secretary and confidante to George IV.] Autograph Note Signed ('W Knighton') [as Secretary to the Sovereign] to 'Sir Henry', arranging a meeting with the king.

Author: 
Sir William Knighton (1776-1836), Keeper of the Privy Purse and private secretary to George IV; previously Physician in Ordinary to him when Prince of Wales
Publication details: 
Carlton Palace [London]. 'Thursday Night' [no date, on paper watermarked 1821].
£200.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dear Sir Henry | The King desires to see You at Carlton House to morrow Morning at eleven oclock - punctually. | Yours affect | W Knighton'. Knighton was instrumental in clearing the king's enormous debts in three years from 1822. Such was his influence that letters from the King to Knighton were addressed to 'M[y] D[ear] F[riend]'. From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library.

[Sir Henry Halford and Sir Matthew John Tierney, royal physicians.] Autograph Note Signed by the two men, announcing that George IV 'is not able to receive company at the Drawing Room' due to 'an attack of the Gout'.

Author: 
Sir Henry Halford (1766-1844), physician to George III, George IV, William IV and the young Victoria; Sir Matthew John Tierney (1776-1845), Irish surgeon, physician to George IV and William IV
Publication details: 
Carlton Palace [London]. 23 April 1823.
£250.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with strip of paper from mount on reverse, which also has another strip of paper strengthening a crease. The document is written out by Halford, with Tierney signing beneath his signature. A general announcement, with no recipient named. Reads: 'The King is not able to receive company at the Drawing Room to day – His Majesty having experienced an attack of the Gout in the night. | Carlton Palace | April 23. 1823 - | Henry Halford | Matthew John Tierney'.

[Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, son George III, brother of George IV and father of Queen Victoria.] Secretarial Letter, Signed ('Edward'), requesting Sir Francis Freeling to take particular pains in sending a letter to Germany.

Author: 
Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820), fourth son of George III, brother of George IV, father of Queen Victoria [Sir Francis Freeling (1764-1836), Secretary, General Post Office]
Publication details: 
'Castle hill Lodge [Ealing] | 30th. June 1803'.
£250.00

3pp, 4to. Bifolium. Signature ('Edward') in the prince's hand, the rest of the letter by a secretary. In good condition, lightly aged, with slight damage to one corner of first leaf, and thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf, which is franked 'Kent & Strathearn', with postmark, and addressed to 'Francis Freeling Esquire | &c &c &c | Genl. Post Office | Lombard Street | London'. Folded four times.

[Thomas Pell Platt, orientalist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('T P Platt'), as Librarian to the British and Foreign Bible Society, to Rev. Charles Sumner [later Bishop of Winchester], Librarian to George IV at Carlton House, presenting a set of volumes.

Author: 
Thomas Pell Platt (1798-1852), English orientalist, Librarian of the British and Foreign Bible Society [Charles Sumner (1790-1874), Bishop of Winchester, librarian to King George IV at Carlton House]
Publication details: 
Bible Society's House | Earl Street, Blackfriars | March 30. 1825'.
£75.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, aged and worn, with creasing and heavy wear at head. Folded three times. Addressed to 'The Rev. C. R. Sumner'. Reads: 'Rev. Sir | As Librarian of the British & Foreign Bible Society, I have the honor to state to you that a Resolution has been passed by the Committee of that Society, requesting permission to offer to His Majesty as a mark of their dutiful homage a set of Copies of the Versions of Holy Scripture executed or reprinted at their expence.

[Official announcement of the death of King George III.] Printed periodical: 'The London Gazette Extraordinary', announcing the king's death.

Author: 
[Death of King George III] The London Gazette
Publication details: 
'Published by Authority. | Monday, January 31, 1820.' [Niumb. 17559.] London: 'Printed by Robert George Clarke, Cannon-Row, Parliament-Street.'
£150.00

3pp, small 4to. Bifolium on wove paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with closed tear at head of gutter. Customary tax stamp in red on first page. Each page with mourning border. In small print and double column.

[Sir Henry Halford, Physician Extraordinary to four monarchs, including George III in his madness.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Halford.'), mentioning 'the King' (George IV?), and referring to a child of 'Lady Harriet' (wife of the recipient).

Author: 
Sir Henry Halford (1766-1844), physician extraordinary to George III, George IV, William IV and the young Victoria
Publication details: 
Wistow Hall, Leicestershire. 21 August [no year, on paper watermarked 1825].
£180.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged. With thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the blank reverse. The recipient is not named. He informs him that he will 'not be in Town' before the following Monday, instead of the Thursday, explaining that he 'was not able to leave the King until Saturday last – and a sejour here of less than a week would hardly justify a journey of 103 miles and back again'.

[William Heberden, Physician-in-Ordinary to George III.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Heberden') on putting 'Dr Halloran's proposal' on administering arsenic to the king to the mad-doctors Robert Darling Willis, Thomas Monro and Samuel Foart Simmons.

Author: 
William Heberden the younger (1767-1845) [the madness of King George III; Robert Darling Willis; Thomas Monro; Samuel Foart Simmons; William Saunders Hallaran]
Publication details: 
Pall Mall [London]. 7 November [no year, but between 1810 and 1820].
£350.00

The present item dates from the final period of the king's mental instability, 1810-1820. Heberden – the son of the 'father of rheumatology' William Heberden the elder (1710-1801) – had been appointed Physician-Extraordinary to the queen in 1795, and by 1809 was Physician-in-Ordinary to both queen and king.

[Thomas Garth, Equerry to George III, and alleged lover of the King's daughter Princess Sophia.] Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Mr Ford', discussing the king's forthcoming movements.

Author: 
Thomas Garth (1744-1829), British Army officer, chief Equerry to George III and alleged lover of his daughter Princess Sophia, by whom he is said to have fathered a son [Richard Ford (1758-1806)]
Publication details: 
'The Kings Mews Tuesday August 13th, 1799'.
£280.00

1p, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Reads 'Major General Garth presents his Compliments to Mr Ford and informs Him that Their Majesties and Princesses stop to breakfast at Hartford Bridge – and once afterwards for five Minutes at Stoney Cross – The Compton Arms – between Rumsey & Kingwood.' Postscript: 'The Majr Genl: supposes Mr Ford is acquainted that The King leaves Windsor 17th next.' Ford – the son of Queen Charlotte's physician, James Ford – was clearly enquiring with regard to the king's itinerary for security purposes.

[William Pitt the Younger, Tory Prime MInister.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Pitt'), asking Earl Gower to move the address in the House of Commons on George III's recovery from his first bout of mental instability.

Author: 
William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806), Tory Prime Minister during the wars with France and Napoleon [George Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Duke of Sutherland [as Earl Gower] (1758-1833); George III]
Publication details: 
Downing Street [London]. 6 March 1789.
£500.00

The letter is written a few weeks after the king's recovery from his first bout of mental instability. In the period immediately preceeding the king's recovery a Regency Bill had been making its way through the House of Commons. It was made redundant by the king's recovery; had it been enacted the Prince of Wales, as Regent, would almost certainly have dismissed Pitt in favour of his rival Charles James Fox.

[Sir William Knighton, Private Secretary to George IV.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Knighton'), praising the 'Merits' of the unnamed recipient, and reporting the king's complete satisfaction with his actions.

Author: 
ir William Knighton (1776-1836) of Horndean, physician and Private Secretary to King George IV
Publication details: 
Horndean [Hampshire]; 26 December 1823.
£250.00

3pp, 12mp. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with short closed tear at gutter. Folded three times. Having received the unnamed recipient's letter at Horndean that morning, he writes that there is no reason why he should not 'take to morrow Week, in place of to morrow, as I know it will be equally convenient to His Majesty'.

[Robert Fulke Greville, Equerry to George III.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Robt: F: Greville') [to Richard Ford?], respecting the 'appointment on trial' of the Bow Street Runner William Anthony as a member of the king's retinue, stationed at Windsor.

Author: 
Lieut-Col. Robert Fulke Greville (1751-1824), Equerry to George III, 1781-1797, and MP [Richard Ford (1758-1806), London police magistrate; Bow Street Runners; Duke of Portland, Home Secretary]
Publication details: 
The Queen's Lodge [Windsor]. 1 April 1796.
£300.00

For the context of this letter see David J. Cox, 'A Certain Share of Low Cunning: A History of the Bow Street Runners, 1792-1839' (2010): 'From 1792 at least two Principal Officers were also permanently stationed at Windsor after the King had received several death threats.

[Robert Fulke Greville, Equerry to George III.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Robt: F: Greville.') [to Richard Ford?], respecting a seditious communication found in the town of Windsor, which he is forwarding to the Duke of Portland, Home Secretary.

Author: 
Lieut-Col. Robert Fulke Greville (1751-1824), Equerry to George III, 1781-1797, and MP [Richard Ford (1758-1806), London police magistrate; Bow Street Runners; Duke of Portland, Home Secretary]
Publication details: 
'The Queens Lodge Windsor | Saturday Janry. 9th: 1796.'
£300.00

The subject of the letter is clearly a seditious communication found in the Windsor area and brought to Greville's attention, which he is forwarding for the attention of the Home Secretary, the Duke of Portland. David J. Cox casts light on the context in his 'A Certain Share of Low Cunning: A History of the Bow Street Runners, 1792-1839' (2010), stating that from 1792 'at least two Principal Officers were also permanently stationed at Windsor after the King had received several death threats'.

[Sir Henry Halford, physician extraordinary to four monarchs, including George III in his madness. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Halford') to Sir Henry Ellis, Principal Librarian at the British Museum, asking for help in writing royal biographies

Author: 
Sir Henry Halford (1766-1844), physician extraordinary to George III, George IV, William IV and the young Victoria [Sir Henry Ellis (1777-1869), Principal Librarian at the British Museum]
Publication details: 
Pall Mall [London]. 7 November [no year].
£250.00

4pp, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of tissue from mount adhering to one edge. Folded three times. An interesting letter, in which Halford asks Ellis for assistance in the writing of royal biographies for the Royal College of Physicians (of which he was President from 1820 to 1844), while explaining that it would not be 'proper' to go 'lower' than George II.

[George Cruikshank, Victorian caricaturist, friend and illustrator of Charles Dickens.] Autograph Signature ('Geo Cruikshank').

Author: 
George Cruikshank (1792-1878), Victorian caricaturist and book illustrator ('the modern Hogarth'), friend and illustrator of Charles Dickens
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£25.00

On 2 x 8 cm slip of paper, cut from document. In good condition, lightly aged, laid down on larger piece of white paper cut from leaf of an album. A distinctive, strong signature, reading 'Geo Cruikshank'. No other text. From the distinguished autograph collection of Richard Hunter, son of Ida Macalpine, whose collection of 7000 books relating to psychiatry is in Cambridge University Library.

[Caroline of Ansbach, signing as Regent ('Guardian of the Kingdom') to her husband King George II.] Autograph Signature ('Carolina R. C. R.', i.e. 'Regina Custos Regni') to warrant, also signed by Sir William Strickland, Secretary at War.

Author: 
Caroline of Ansbach [Princess Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach] (1683-1737), Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and Electress of Hanover, Consort of George II [Sir William Strickland (1686-1735)]
Publication details: 
'Given at the Court at Kensington this 23d. Day of June 1732. In the Sixth Year of His Majesty's Reign.'
£850.00

The Oxford DNB explains the context of the document: 'During his four absences in Hanover in 1729, 1732, 1735, and 1736–7 [George II] left her as regent entrusted with “all domestic matters”. Foreign affairs were dealt with by the king and the secretaries of state, one of whom accompanied him to Germany, but other affairs were left “entirely to the Queen with the advice of the Lords of the Council”'. 2pp, foolscap 8vo. On bifolium, the verso of the second leaf of which is endorsed: 'Warrant for placing upon Half Pay Captain Stanhope Yarborough'.

[Sir James George Frazer, author of 'The Golden Bough'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. G. Frazer') to 'Mr. Wright', regarding difficulty getting copies of his obituary of Australian anthropologist Lorimer Fison from publisher Alfred Nutt.

Author: 
Sir J. G. Frazer [Sir James George Frazer] (1854-1941), Scottish anthropologist, author of 'The Golden Bough' [Alfred Trübner Nutt (1856-1910); Lorimer Fison (1832-1907), Australian anthropologist]
Publication details: 
St Keyne's, Cambridge. 7 April 1910.
£400.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with two fold lines. Thin strip of stub from mount adhering to one edge. The subject of the letter is Frazer's obituary of 'the Rev. Lorimer Fison and Dr. A. W. Howitt' (their deaths being 'two heavy losses' suffered by 'Australian anthropology in particular'), published in Folklore, Vol. 20, No. 2 (Jun. 30, 1909), pp. 144-180. Frazer begins by thanking Wright 'for the copy of my article which you have succeeded in wringing from the clutches of young Mr Nutt', i.e. the publisher of 'Folklore' Alfred Nutt (himself a folklorist).

[Thomas Pell Platt, orientalist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('T P Platt'), as Librarian to the British and Foreign Bible Society, to Rev. Charles Sumner [later Bishop of Winchester], on presenting a set of volumes to 'His Majesty's library'.

Author: 
Thomas Pell Platt (1798-1852), English orientalist, Librarian of the British and Foreign Bible Society [Charles Sumner (1790-1874), Bishop of Winchester]
Publication details: 
Bible Society's House | Earl St. London. | Octr. 11. 1824.'
£200.00

2pp, 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with dogeared corners. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'The Rev. C. Sumner'. Begins: 'Rev. Sir | I have been encouraged by the advice of friends to propose to you confidentially a question, to which you would much oblige me by returning a reply. The Committee of the British & Foreign Bible Society have occasionally transmitted to different quarters, as presents, a set of Copies of the version of the Holy Scripture executed by their aid, and the new edition, which they have published.

[Sir George Henry Richards, Hydrographer to the British Admiralty, responsible for many Canadian place names.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo Henry Richards') to '[Setcham?]'.

Author: 
Admiral Sir George Henry Richards (1820-1896), Hydrographer to the British Admiralty from 1864 to 1874, responsible for many Canadian place names
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Cottage, Fetcham, Leatherhead. 21 February 1895.
£60.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. A letter of seventeen lines, written 'In haste'. Written in a difficult hand. He begins by thanking him for his 'Satisfactory note', written in answer to a point by '[Shuter?]' which Richards was 'not able to answer then'. The postscript refers to the 'sad loss […] I never knew a better man & friend'. As a hydrographer on the coast of British Columbia from 1857 to 1862, Richards was responsible for the selection and designation of dozens of place names (e.g.

[George Vicat Cole,RA, Victorian artist.] Autograph Letter Signed to John Callcott Horsley, RA, enclosing a belated 'small donation' which missed his dinner for 'a charitable purpose'.

Author: 
George Vicat Cole (1833-1893), popular Victorian painter [John Callcott Horsley (1817-1903), artist]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Little Campden House, Kensington, W. [London] 6 March 1882.
£35.00

2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'I pray your forgiveness. I am sincerely ashamed of my bad behaviours in putting by your letter & forgetting to answer it, especially when it was written for a charitable purpose. With great pleasure I enclose a small donation & am sorry it was not in time for your dinner.'

[Henry Bathurst, Bishop of Norwich.] Autograph Letter Signed ('H. Norwich'), to a relative of Captain George Nicholas Hardinge, Royal Navy hero, on receipt of an engraving of him, discussing naval 'merit' in the Napoleonic Wars.

Author: 
Henry Bathurst (1744-1837), Bishop of Norwich, 1805-1837, supporter of Catholic emancipation [Captain George Nicholas Hardinge (1776-1813), RN; Thomas Payne the younger (1752-1831), London bookseller]
Publication details: 
Norwich. 14 September 1813.
£120.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, aged and worn; laid down on part of a leaf removed from an album. Bathurst's name written in two nineteenth-century hands at the head. The letter was evidently written on receipt of an engraving of Captain George Nicholas Hardinge (1776-1813) of HMS St Fiorenzo, adopted son of George and Lucy Hardinge, who was killed in a naval action off the coast of Ceylon.

[V-Letter from Karl Shapiro to George Barker, written in publication year of Shapiro's 'V-Letter and other Poems'.] A V-Mail [Victory Mail] letter (i.e. photographic print of autograph letter), praising Barker and criticising current 'War Poetry'.

Author: 
Karl Shapiro [Karl Jay Shapiro] (1913-2000), American poet [George Barker (1913-1991), English poet]
Publication details: 
A V-Mail [Victory Mail] letter. San Francisco. February 1944.
£500.00

An interesting communication from one noted twentieth-century English-language poet to another, and of additional significance as a V-Letter written in the year of publication of Shapiro's first successful collection, the Pulitzer Prize winning 'V-Letter and Other Poems' (1944). (See Diederik Oostdijk, 'The Wartime Success of Karl Shapiro's V-Letter' (2006).) The present item is a V-Mail [Victory Mail] letter: a 13.5 x 11 cm photograph print of an autograph letter bearing the censor's stamp.

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