Description
A long Autograph Letter Signed ‘J.R.Auldjo’, describing his journey from Wallachia to Switzerland, delays caused by “the infernal quarantine” prison, wishing he had brought a carriage from Bukarest, the romantic scenery, the full rivers, hoping to leave his dungeon tomorrow thanks to a letter from the Governor of Hermandstadt, sending this letter by a travelling merchant, etc. 2 pp. 10 x 8 inches. In good condition. Prison at Rothenthurm [Switzerland], 27 May [1826]. Rare: a recent discovery. John Richardson Auldjo (1805 –1886), Canadian-British traveller, geologist, writer and artist. He was British Consul at Geneva. He was a close friend of Edward Bulwer-Lytton and a member of Sir William Gell’s inner circle at Naples. In 1827, during the early stages of his tour, he decided to climb to the top of Mont Blanc, going with six guides. At the summit he shared a bottle of wine with the guides and then sat down to write a short letter to his sister. The letter, still preserved today and signed on the back by all six guides, is one of the most evocative items in the Archives of the Alpine Club. Auldjo’s 1828 written account of the ascent, with his own illustrations, was a success and ran to three editions.