Description:

British Empire
various, ca. 1880-1900
British Empire, 1880-1900! Political & Military Notables Archive, 10+ Signers, Nearly 20 Pieces, Ex-Forbes
Archive
A sizable collection of historical material autographed by political and military notables of the British Empire, who served in India, Ireland, Canada, Australia and South Africa, ca. 1880-1900. The archive is comprised of 17 pieces total, including autograph letters signed, autograph notes signed, autograph endorsements, signatures, typed letters signed, manuscript notes, and original transmittal envelopes. The 13 signers include British statesmen; British aristocrats; English, Irish, and Scottish career military officers and war heroes; and a few miscellaneous historical figures. Expected surface wear including flattened paper folds, wrinkles, and toning. Isolated minor instances of closed tears, mounting traces, ghost ink impressions, partly rusted paper clip impressions, and former collector's inscriptions. Else very good to near fine. Ex-Collection of Steve Forbes.

Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition.

A common thread running throughout the entire archive is Dr. Thomas DeWitt Talmage (1832-1902), an American ex-preacher and editor of the "Christian Herald" between 1890-1902. Many pieces in the archive were either addressed to Dr. Talmage or members of his family, or were collected and annotated by Dr. Talmage himself. The group features 13 signers including two women, in alphabetical order:

- Ishbel Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair (Lady Aberdeen)
- John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair (Lord Aberdeen)
- John Bright
- D.S. Dodgson
- Sir Robert William Duff
- Sir Henry Havelock-Allan, 1st Baronet
- James John McLeod Innes
- Alfred J. Newton
- Sir William Olpherts
- Lula Romero
- Dr. Thomas DeWitt Talmage
- Lord Tankerville
- Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley

The lot includes, in chronological order:

- [Undated] A 2pp autograph letter signed by one of the Lords Tankerville, the noble family installed at the ancestral estate of Chillingham Castle in Northumberland. Twice signed, once in the text and once at the conclusion, the first time as "Lord Tankerville." August 10, [n.y.] On watermarked bifold mourning stationery with "Chillingham Castle, / Belford, / Northumberland" embossed letterhead. Regarding scheduling. 4.5" x 7."

- A 3pp autograph letter signed by British politician John Bright (1811-1889), who sat in the House of Commons for nearly 50 years, as "John Bright" on the third page. January 20, 1880. Rochdale, Lancashire, England. On laid bifold paper. Addressed to Dr. Talmage regarding the "considerable sufferings in parts of Ireland, particularly in the Western districts," and differentiating between domestic aid and "foreign help." 9" x 7."

- Signature of Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley (1833-1913) on a larger sheet of watermarked laid paper, autographed in between his official terms as Governor of the Transvaal and Commander-in-Chief of the British Army. Signed as "Wolseley Genl / 25th June 1888." N.p. 4.5" x 7." Accompanied by its original transmittal letter on crowned "W" stationery, "With Lord Wolseleys [sic] compliments."

- A 4pp autograph letter signed by John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair (1847-1934), twice signed, the first time as a partial signature in the text when referring to his wife; and the second time at the conclusion as "Aberdeen" on page four. June 26, 1892. At the family's London residence at 1 South Audley Street. On watermarked bifold stationery with the letterhead "Dollis Hill / N.W." address contemporaneously crossed out. Addressed to Dr. Talmage and extending a luncheon invitation. 4.5" x 7."
Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope also engrossed by Lord Aberdeen. The correspondence dates before Lord Aberdeen began his term as Governor General of Canada (1893-1898), and after he completed his first term as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1886).

- A 3pp typed letter signed by Ishbel Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair (1857-1939), signed as "Ishbel Aberdeen" on page three; with several emendations by hand. July 19, 1892. Haddo House, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. On watermarked bifold stationery crowned with an "IA" monogram. Addressed to Dr. Talmage regarding travel directions, and reading materials related to Lady Aberdeen's continuing education opportunity for British domestics, the "Onward and Upward Association." 6.5" x 8."

- A 8pp autograph letter signed by John Hamilton-Gordon, 4x signed, three times within the text, all when referring to his wife; and at its conclusion as "Aberdeen" on page eight. July 28, 1892. Haddo House, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. On two sets of laid bifold stationery, each with "Haddo House, / Aberdeen" embossed letterhead. Regarding inaccurate American press reports about the Aberdeens and the "servant question," referring within the letter to the "Household Club," an enrichment program for servants developed by Lady Aberdeen. 5" x 8."

- Signature of Sir Robert William Duff (1835-1895) on a larger sheet of watermarked laid bifold paper with "Government House, Sydney" letterhead. Signed as "R.W. Duff / July 27th - 94" in his role as Governor of New South Wales. [Sydney, Australia.] Unfolded measures 9" x 7.125." Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope.

- A 3pp autograph endorsement in the hand of Sir Henry Havelock-Allan, 1st Baronet (1830-1897) on laid bifold stationery with "Union Service Club / Pall Mall S.W." embossed stationery. N.d. but 1894. [London, England.] Havelock, a British officer who fought during the Indian Rebellion and was wounded at the Siege of Lucknow (May - November 1857), provided a list of book recommendations about the Sepoy Mutiny to Dr. Talmage, providing commentary such as "not good" or "graphic but inaccurate." Talmage has added an autograph note signed as "T.D.W.T." on the outer leaf. 8.875" x 7." Accompanied by a partial envelope inscribed "Gen. Havelock / Battle of Lucknow."

- Several autographs on an album page laid down on a larger mount, 6" x 9." Ca. October 24, 1894. London, England. The mount is annotated by Dr. Talmage as: "The signatures of the four great living heroes of Lucknow. I obtained these signatures at the table of General Sir Henry M. Havelock in [the] United Service Club, London, where he had invited those generals to meet me," and initialed by him as "T.D.W.T." at lower left. The signers include: D.S. Dodgson, as "General Dodgson / C.B."; Sir Henry Havelock-Allan as "Sir H M Havelock / Alum Lt. Genl / VC KCB / Blackwell Hall / Darlington"; James John McLeod Innes (1830-1907) as "Lt. Genl McLeod Innes V.C. CB"; and Sir William Olpherts (1822-1902) as "General Sir William Olpherts/ V.C. and K.C.B." Evidently Dr. Talmage had recycled this piece of paper, as there is a partial autograph letter signed of a New York merchant found verso.

- Two 2pp autograph letters signed by one Lula Romero of the Mexican Legation, one dated January 8, 1898, one dated January 25, 1898. N.p. Regarding scheduling visits. With a manuscript paper slip inscribed "Madame Romero / Mexican Legation."

- A 1p autograph note signed by Alfred J. Newton (1845-1921), then in his role as Lord Mayor of London, as "Alfred J. Newton / Lord Mayor." June 5, 1900. [London, England.] On a watermarked leaf of stationery with "The City of London Imperial Volunteers" letterhead. Announcing the surrender of Boer forces at Pretoria, the capital of the Transvaal, on June 5, 1900. The City of London Imperial Volunteers was a fighting force formed during the Second Boer War. 5" x 8."

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  • Provenance: The archive was purchased at Swann Galleries in September 1993 and is accompanied by a former auction catalog description. Ex-Collection of Steve Forbes.
  • Dimensions: average size: 4.5" x 7"
  • Medium: Archive

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