WHITELEY, William. 14746

£75

Description

Autograph Letter Signed ‘William Whiteley’, to J.B.Curgenwen, enquiring at length about taking a pew at Christ Church when he is resident in the district in the autumn. 4 pp. 8 x 5 inches, in good condition, one small corner blemish only. Printed address: William Whiteley, Westbourne Grove, London W., 3 March 1886. William Whiteley (1831-1907), “The Universal Provider”, opened a small shop with two assistants at 31 Westbourne Grove in 1863. By 1876 he had fifteen shops and 2000 employees. At his death his estate was valued at £1,452,829. He was shot dead on 24 January 1907 by a young man claiming falsely to be his illegitimate son.