Description:

Benjamin Disraeli Obtains a Truffle Dog!

Bifolium autograph letter signed on Hughenden Manor letterhead, 4" x 6". Dated "Dec 2, 1862", and signed by Benjamin Disraeli "D". Expected folds, else near fine.

Disraeli writes to Lady Georgiana from his country home, Hughenden Manor located near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England:

"Dear Lady Georgiana,

You, & Sir William are most kind to remember our wishes. We have obtained a truffle dog, only a week ago, but he has not yet arrived. He comes from Hampshire,

Hughenden, is in chaos, but I hope the garden will be achieved in time for your next visit, then it will be an Eden"

Disraeli may be remembered for his influential voice in world affairs, however, he also had an intriguing pastime of hunting for truffles. This fantastic letter reveals the "country" side of Disraeli, written from what he considered his "Eden" (his home in the Country), and discusses the anticipated joy of obtaining a "Truffle Dog". Dogs can be trained to detect anything provided it has a scent ' criminals, drugs, explosives, money, health conditions, dry rot etc, and a "Truffle dog" sniffs out Truffles, an expensive delicacy that was considered to be as valuable as gold in England. Many species are rare, edible and as they are considered to be delicacies, are among the world's most expensive foods. There are dozens of different species, but the best species can cost over '10,000 / kilogram. A single white truffle was once sold for '165,000.

Although an image of Disraeli hunting for Truffles with his new pet is intriguing, Disraeli is remembered for his political battles with the Liberal Party leader William Ewart Gladstone, and his one-nation conservatism or "Tory democracy". Because of him, the Conservative Party was the party most identified with the glory and power of the British Empire. In 1852, Disraeli became chancellor of the exchequer in Lord Derby's minority government. He served as chancellor under Derby in three such governments, reforming parliament in 1865 with a bill that doubled the existing electorate. When Derby retired in 1868, Disraeli "climbed to the top" as the new prime minister. He oversaw a shift towards the emergence of two parties, each with their own, coherent, policies. 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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