CRAWLEY‚ Sir Francis. 11594

Manuscript Receipt Signed ‘Fr Crawley’‚ for five pounds received from David Cunningham‚ receiver “of those revenues belonging to his majesty when he was Prince”‚ for acting as deputy steward to William Earl of Salisbury. 1 page 12 x 8 inches‚ integral blank leaf‚ in good condition. 19 March 1629. Sir Francis Crawley (1584-1649)‚ judge‚ serjeant at law from 1623. He gave judgement in the King’s favour in the Hampden case (1637-38)‚ for which he was impeached in 1641. He probably joined the King at the start of the Civil War‚ because in 1643 he was in Oxford.

Price : £275.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

DALRYMPLE‚ Sir David. 12432

Legal acknowledgment‚ signed ‘Dav: Dalrymple’‚ agreeing to list a legal case. 4 x 7 inches‚ mounted‚ in good condition. 20 December 1782. Sir David Dalrymple‚ 3rd Baronet‚ Lord Hailes (1726 –1792) was a Scottish advocate‚ judge and historian. Lord Hailes's most important contribution to literature was the Annals of Scotland‚ of which the first volume‚ From the accession of Malcolm III‚ surnamed Canmore‚ to the accession of Robert I‚ appeared in 1776‚ and the second‚ From the accession of Robert I‚ surnamed Bruce‚ to the accession of the house of Stewart‚ in 1779. It is‚ as his friend Dr Johnson justly described this work at the time of its appearance‚ a "Dictionary" of carefully sifted facts‚ which tells all that is wanted and all that is known‚ but without any laboured splendour of language or affected subtlety of conjecture.

Price : £45.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

DARTMOUTH‚ William Legge‚ first Earl. 7043

Signature ‘Dartmouthe’‚ cut from the end of a Treasury document. 2½ x 5 inches‚ in good condition. Whitehall‚ 24 March 1710/11. William Legge‚ Earl of Dartmouth (1672-1750)‚ Privy Councillor‚ statesman‚ Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.

Price : £30.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

ELIZABETHAN STATESMEN. 11791

Lower section only of a Privy Council or Treasury letter issued early in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I‚ bearing the signatures of William Paulet‚ Marquis of Westminster‚ Richard Sackville‚ under-treasurer of the Exchequer‚ and Francis Mildmay‚ Chancellor of the Exchequer. 7 x 8 inches‚ in good condition‚ folds‚ traces of corner mounting on verso. Westminster‚ [?1560-1565]. Uncommon signatures: William Paulet‚ first Marquess of Winchester (1474-1572)‚ statesman‚ Elizabeth I’s Lord Treasurer. Sir Richard Sackville (d.1566)‚ under-treasurer of the Exchequer. Sir Walter Mildmay (1521-1589)‚ Chancellor of the Exchequer and Privy Councillor‚ and founder of Emmanuel College‚ Cambridge.

Price : £650.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

GASCOYNE‚ Bamber‚ the elder‚ and GASCOYNE‚ Mary. 13703

A lengthy Letter Signed ‘Bamber Gascoyne’ (1790)‚ discussing the army’s forthcoming “Secret Expedition”‚ and other preparations for war; together with an Autograph Letter Signed ‘M.Gascoyne’ (1783) sending congratulations on the birth of a son in the family‚ with family news. 2 letters‚ 4pp. and 2 pp. 9 x 7 inches‚ minor blemishes only. 4 June 1783; 11 October 1790. Found among the correspondence of John Blackburne (1690-1786) and his sucessors. Bamber Gascoyne of Childwall Hall‚ Lancashire (1725–1791)‚ politician. Gascoyne was the son of Sir Crisp Gascoyne and Margaret Bamber. After his education at Felsted‚ he served as member of Parliament for several constituencies including Maldon (1761–63)‚ Midhurst (1765–68)‚ and Truro (1774–84). From 1779 to 1782 he was a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty in the administration of Lord North. He married Mary Green‚ whose parents Isaac Green and Mary Aspinwall were Americans‚ and was the father of Bamber Gascoyne (junior) and Isaac Gascoyne. “These preparations for War are going on very fiercely‚ but yet Peace or War stands tottering as the Needle in the Compass‚ & has almost as many variations - it is thought its point will be fix’d by monday next.”

Price : £100.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

HALIFAX‚ George Montagu Dunk‚ 2nd Earl. 13944

Autograph Letter Signed ‘Dunk Halifax’‚ recommending a doctor for his correspondent’s son‚ suggesting Dr. Barry‚ “an Irish Physician of great Emminence”‚ a specialist in treating consumptive illnesses‚ thanking his correspondent for his financial services‚ and “for your Goodness to Mr. Montagu at his late Canvass”. 2 pp. 9 x 7 inches‚ remains of guard‚ outer edge worn‚ pinholes‚ otherwise good. Bushy Park‚ 6 December 1760. George Montagu Dunk‚ 2nd Earl of Halifax (1716-1771)‚ statesman. Halifax‚ the capital of Nova Scotia‚ was named after him. In 1763‚ he signed the general warrant for the "authors‚ printers and publishers" of The North Briton number 45‚ under which John Wilkes and 48 others were arrested‚ and for which‚ six years later‚ the courts of law made Halifax pay damages.

Price : £100.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

HANWAY‚ Jonas. 13337

Manuscript Receipt for the proceeds of the sale of Grain‚ bearing a good example of the signature of Jonas Hanway. 9 x 7½ inches‚ in good condition. Received 31 August 1784. Jonas Hanway (1712-86)‚ merchant‚ traveller and philanthropist‚ travelled across the Caspian Sea and into Persia (1743-45). He wrote An Historical Account of the British Trade over the Caspian Sea (4 vols.‚ 1753). His second work was A Journal of Eight Days' Journey from Portsmouth to Kingston upon Thames (1756)‚ to which he appended An Essay on Tea. Many other works followed. The American War of Independence kept Hanway occupied at the victualling board and at the Marine Society‚ the society contributing 7955 men and 4271 boys to that war.

Price : £100.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

MOLYNEUX‚ Dorothy. 1870

An elegantly phrased Autograph Letter Signed‚ to Richard Phelps‚ politician (Under-Secretary 1763)‚ thanking him for his letters‚ and giving news of her sister and others (‘our usual Tranquillity of mind and Body’)‚ and sending their best compliments to Mr.Pitt. 3 pp. 8 x 5.5 inches‚ some very light staining‚ otherwise good. Avignon‚ 5 March 1762. Dorothy Molyneux‚ daughter of the 5th Viscount Molyneux. (1679-1738). Mr.Phelps’ letter would have been received ‘with much greater pleasure had they been deliver’d by his own Hand; but as our Situation & your present Destiny did not admit of our meeting the third Time abroad I acknowledge my Self much oblig’d to you for having accompany’d my English Letters wth oen from your Self wch give me so agreeable an Acct. of your Military & Ministerial Employments.’

Price : £85.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

MONTAGU‚ John‚ 2nd Duke of Montagu. 13672

Autograph Letter Signed ‘Montagu’‚ acknowledging “your Lordship’s concerning Mr. Frampton” and his wish to obtain a commission in the Army. A good one page example‚ 8 x 6 inches‚ integral blank leaf docketed. 13 August 1738. John Montagu‚ 2nd Duke of Montagu (1690 – 1749). In 1745‚ he raised a cavalry regiment known as Montagu's Carabineers‚ which‚ however‚ was disbanded after the Battle of Culloden. He was made a Knight of the Garter in 1719‚ and was a fellow of the Royal Society and a Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England. In 1739 the country's first home for abandoned children‚ the Foundling Hospital was created in London. Montagu was a supporter of this effort and was one of the charity's founding governors. He also financed the education of two notable Black British figures of the age‚ Ignatius Sancho and Francis Williams‚ sending the latter to Cambridge University.

Price : £65.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

NEWTON‚ John. 13031

Autograph Letter Signed ("John Newton")‚ to Mrs. Dawson‚ Aldcliffe‚ Lancaster‚ about his Letters to a Wife (published 1793) and their publisher‚ Joseph Johnson‚ announcing his imminent departure for Hampshire‚ telling her that he has sent "No 8 & 9 of the Brethren's mission paper"‚ rejoicing in Mrs. Dawson’s “happy delivery‚ & pray the Lord to bless the little boy‚ & all your children – Miss Catlett adds her love to mine.” 1 page 8 x 6 inches‚ generally in good condition‚ with the integral address leaf‚ lightly tipped on an old album page‚ with a small engraved portrait of John Newton above. The address leaf is signed for free postage by Henry Thornton‚ parliamentarian‚ son of John Thornton‚ patron of Newton and others in the evangelical movement. 3 August 1793. Rare‚ and a great addition to any collection about the Abolition of Slavery. John Newton (1725-1807)‚ the slave trader turned evangelical preacher and abolitionist. "...You may send for the 'Letters to a Wife' as soon as you please. I believe Mr Johnson is a good Bookseller. I have always found him honest‚ & of a generous turn – disdaining little sneaking things‚ which sometimes are found with Men‚ who talk more of Religion. Perhaps I may not see him again‚ before I leave town – but if Mr Dawson pleases to mention me‚ as having recommended Johnson to him‚ it will suffice..." In this letter Newton recommends Cowper’s publisher‚ Joseph Johnson. Johnson‚ the leading radical publisher of the 1790s‚ acted as agent‚ editor and publisher to Newton's friend Cowper‚ as well as being prime mover behind publication of Paine's Rights of Man‚ commissioning plates from William Blake‚ publishing the early works of Wordsworth and Coleridge‚ and much else. In 1793 he published Newton's Letters to a Wife‚ in two volumes‚ compiled in the aftermath of his wife's death in 1790. The letters in the first volume were written between 1750 and 1754 and describe his three voyages to Africa as a slaver; while the second describes life after conversion. John Newton collaborated with the poet William Cowper‚ a neighbour in Olney‚ in publishing a volume of hymns. Newton's contributions included 'Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken' and 'Amazing Grace'. Henry Thornton‚ who has signed the address leaf‚ was one of the founders of the Clapham Sect of evangelical reformers and a foremost campaigner for the abolition of the slave trade. The Life and Writings of Mrs. Dawson of Lancaster: with Nine Unpublished Letters from the Rev. John Newton‚ was published in London in 1828. Our letter‚ however‚ is not among them. This letter recalls Newton’s close circle of evangelical friends: “I calld at Mrs Claytons on Thrusday last (ye 1st Inst.) They were at dinner‚ & Mrs. Flower with them. She seemed hearty & chearful. So that request is quickly anserd.” Mrs. Dawson was the daughter of Mr. George Flower; a London merchant‚ and for many years deacon of the church at White Bow. Her elder sister was married to the Rev. J. Clayton of the Weighhouse Chapel.

Price : £3,250.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

REEVE‚ Sir Thomas. 13453

Manuscript Legal Judgment‚ extensively annotated and signed by Reeve‚ exploring a case of land law and tenants’ rights‚ relating to the cutting of timber and to trespass‚ in Watton in the county of Norfolk. 2 pp. 11½ x 7 inches‚ in good condition. 15 May 1731. Sir Thomas Reeve (1673-1737)‚ Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.

Price : £150.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

RUSSELL‚ Lady Rachel. 11736

Her signature ‘R Russell’‚ cut from a document‚ mounted on an old album page. 2½ x 3 inches‚ in good condition. Undated‚ c.1685. Uncommon. Rachel Wriothesley‚ Lady Russell (c.1636-1723)‚ heiress and author. Her second husband was William Russell‚ Lord Russell‚ who was implicated in the Rye House Plot and later executed. Her correspondence offers a keen insight into 17th-century English domestic life. In addition to her letters‚ Lady Rachel Russell also wrote diaries‚ essays‚ a catechism‚ and Instructions for Children.

Price : £150.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

SOUTHWELL Thomas George 1st Viscount. 10505

Autograph Letter Signed ‘Southwell’ informing his correspondent that “Doctor Smyth Master of Westminster School has some Pictures of mine in his possession which he will send to you together with a Chamber Clock of mine” and asking for these to be carefully packed and sent to Dublin. An atractive one page example 8½ x 7 inches neatly laid down. Dublin 8 May 1771. Thomas George Southwell 1st Viscount Southwell (1721-1780) Irish politician and freemason (Grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Ireland). He was appointed Constable of Limerick Castle in 1750 and Governor of County Limerick in 1762.

Price : £100.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

STANHOPE‚ Philip. 13196

Autograph Letter Signed ‘P.Stanhope’‚ as Resident at Hamburg‚ addressed ‘Dear Sir’‚ responding to his letters by providing some meagre news from Hamburg in return‚ including the uncertain possibility of a visit from His Danish Majesty‚ Stanhope himself expecting to receive orders to return to England. 2 pp. 9 x 7 inches‚ intgegral blank leaf‚ a few minor defects at centre fold from previous mounting‚ generally in good condition. Hamburg‚ 5 April 1759. Uncommon. “I can only inform you‚ that the Duke of Mecklenburg removed yesterday to Altona‚ where Mr de Champeane the French minister will follow him tomorrow‚ having hired Count Rantgau’s house for that purpose.”Philip Stanhope (1732 – 1768) was the illegitimate son of Philip Stanhope‚ 4th Earl of Chesterfield to whom the famous Letters to His Son were addressed. Born in England‚ his mother was a French governess‚ Madelina Elizabeth du Bouchet. Despite his father taking great pains to educate him‚ and also using his influence to obtain various diplomatic appointments for what he hoped would be a high-flying career‚ Stanhope was treated with disdain by many‚ because of his illegitimacy. He was a Member of Parliament for Liskeard and St Germans. The government in 1764 wishing to get possession of his seat‚ asked him to vacate it‚ and after some negotiation he agreed‚ on receiving payment of £1‚000‚ which was half the amount he (or his father) had paid for it. He was also successively Resident at Hamburg (1752-1759)‚ Envoy Extraordinary to the Diet of Ratisbon‚ (1763)‚ and finally on April 3‚ 1764 was appointed to the Court of Dresden‚ Germany.

Price : £350.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

TOWNSHEND‚ Thomas‚ 1st Viscount Sydney. 13991

Treasury Order for payments to Francis Earl of Hertford‚ “One of the Gentlemen of his Majesty’s Bedchamber”‚ signed by Thomas Townshend‚ J.Cavendish and William Dowdeswell‚ Lords of the Treasury. 1 page 13½ x 9 inches‚ cancelled as is customary with these Exchequer documents‚ integral blank leaf‚ a few minor marginal tears only. 10 December 1765. Thomas Townshend‚ 1st Viscount Sydney (1733-1800) was brought him back into office by Rockingham as a Lord of the Treasury on 12 July 1765. He became secretary of state for the home office in July 1782‚ after a few months as secretary at war under Rockingham. In those days the home department included responsibility for the colonies. He is famous for his support of the plans for a convict settlement in New South Wales. On 26 January 1788 Arthur Philip named Sydney in New South Wales in his honour.

Price : £275.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

WARWICK‚ Robert Rich‚ second Earl; PEMBROKE‚ William Herbert‚ fourth Earl; and others. 14089

Original Warrant‚ signed by the Earl of Warwick and others‚ as the Committee of the Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports‚ authorising “the addition of twenty men extraordinary to the present Complement of the Leopard’s Company”. 1 page 12 x 7½ inches‚ horizontal folds‚ integral blank leaf‚ in good condition. 19 November 1646. Robert Rich‚ Earl of Warwick (1587-1658)‚ Lord High Admiral of England (for Parliament) during the Civil War. Another of his titles was Lord of the Caribee Islands‚ and he was active in colonial ventures‚ becoming president of the New England Company‚ and a zealous member of the Bermuda and Providence Companies. The Leopard (34 guns) entered the navy of King Charles I in 1634. The other signatories include Philip Herbert (1584-1650)‚ 4th Earl of Pembroke. Pembroke‚ with his elder brother William Herbert‚ 3rd Earl of Pembroke‚ were the “incomparable pair of brethren” to whom the First Folio of Shakespeare was dedicated in 1623. The warrant is also signed by Algernon Percy (1602-1668)‚ 10th Earl of Northumberland‚ Lord High Admiral (1638-43)‚ and by Sir Walter Erle (1586-1665)‚ parliamentarian‚ and by Francis Lennard‚ 14th Baron Dacre (1619-1662).

Price : £575.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item

WESTMORLAND‚ Earls of. 7371

Three old album pages bearing the signatures of the 6th‚ 8th‚ 9th‚ and 10th Earls of Westmorland‚ all on part receipts or similar pieces. Together with a large engraved portrait (trimmed along upper edge) of the 10th Earl‚ engraved by J.Jones after Romney. Neatly inlaid to album leaves and annotated. 1714-1804. Thomas Fane‚ 6th Earl (1679-1736); Thomas Fane‚ 8th Earl (1700-1771); John Fane‚ 9th Earl (1728-1774); John Fane‚ 10th Earl (1759-1841).

Price : £100.00

Top of Page | Email About This Item