Description:

Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
London, England, February 8, 1844
Duke of Wellington 3rd Person ALS Re: "his Duty… to attend in the House of Parlt. of which he is a Member"
3rd person ALS

A 1p autograph letter signed in the third person by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) as "the Duke of Wellington" in the first sentence. February 8, 1844. London, England. Inscribed on watermarked bifold paper. The inner pages and outer leaf are blank. Expected wear including gentle even toning and flattened transmittal folds, the leftmost vertical fold well-creased and with closed tears/splits at top and bottom. Else near fine. 4.625" x 7.25." Provenance: Ex-James Smalldon, 1964.

Wellington wrote in full, with original spelling and punctuation:

"London Feb.y 8. 1844

P.M. The Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to the Prime Warden + Wardens of the Goldsmiths Company, and is much concerned that he cannot attend them on Friday the 9th Inst. as he cannot consistently with his Duty omit to attend in the House of Parlt. of which he is a Member on the day in which he will sit for the discussion of publick Business.

The Prince Warden + Wardens
Goldsmiths Hall."

The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths - today known as the Goldsmiths' Company - was first recognized in 1300 with the onset of royal hallmarking. In 1327, the organization received a royal charter, tasking it with ensuring the proper measurement and quality of gold and silver items. One of the original twelve great livery companies of the city of London, the Goldsmiths' Company was overseen by a governing body called the Court of Assistants, comprised of a Prime Warden and other Wardens. Wellington directed this letter to "Goldsmiths' Hall," the third Hall to house the guild. The new palatial Hall located at Foster Lane and Gresham Street was completed in 1835. The Hall was the site of an inaugural banquet in July 1835 at which the Duke of Wellington delivered a celebratory speech.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington dominated military and political affairs in early 19th C. Britain. Wellington began his exceptional military career in the late 1780s, rising to hero status after his combined allied forces defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. A masterful military strategist, Wellington participated in 60 battles during his lifetime, and twice served as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, the second term from 1842-1852. After his return to civic life, Wellington took an active role in government. He served twice as Prime Minister, between 1828-1830 and in 1834. When he wrote this letter in 1844, Wellington was in the middle of his third and last term as Leader of the House of Lords (1841-1846).

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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  • Dimensions: 4.625" x 7.25"
  • Medium: 3rd person ALS

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