Description:

Watt James

James Watt, Scottish Inventor, ALS Re: European Intellectuals & Scientists in the Republic of Letters

 

2pp autograph letter inscribed overall by Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer James Watt (1736-1819), and signed by him as "James Watt" on the bottom of the second page. Also includes an integral address leaf in Watt's hand. Written at Heathfield Hall, Birmingham, England on July 10, 1801. On cream bifold paper bearing a "Watt & Co. Patent Copying" watermark. One very light circular stain appears on the first page, barely affecting a few words of text. Expected paper folds, slightly darkened edges, and a few chipped edges. Toned corner of the address leaf. Else very good to near fine. 7.75" x 9.875". A letter of valuable association which references a number of interesting intellectuals and industrialists, and alludes to tumultuous global events!

 

Watt penned this charming letter to Madeline Delessert née Boy de la Tour (1747-1816), the wife of Etienne Delessert (1735-1816). Madame Delessert's family had close ties to the philosophe Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Etienne Delessert was the founder of the first fire insurance company and first discount bank in France.

 

Of especial interest is James Watt's characterization of the current political climate on the eve of the Napoleonic Wars. France had been reeling since the French Revolution, and indeed, Etienne Delessert had escaped execution during the Reign of Terror only because Robespierre was guillotined first. Relations between Napoleon's France and Great Britain were strained and would continue to worsen over the next decade.

 

James Watt also mentions the "Boulton family" in the letter. This referred to the kinfolk of his business partner, Matthew Boulton (1728-1809), with whom he had established an extremely successful steam engine concern in 1775.

 

In full, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

 

"Heathfield, Birmingham, July 10th, 1801

 

My Dear Madam

 

I take the opportunity of my son Gregory's making a short visit to Paris to recal myself to your memory & at the same time to procure him the pleasure of your acquaintance, your attentions to him will very much add to the obligations I already feel myself under to you, & I hope he will endeavor to render himself worthy of those you shall please to bestow upon him.

 

It was a great mortification to Mrs Watt & myself that our absence in Scotland prevented our having the pleasure of receiving Mr & Madme Gautier here when they were so kind as to visit Birmingham & we beg to be kindly remembered to them both.

 

We beg also to be remembered to Mr Delessert, to Mr B. Delessert & all the other members of your worthy & friendly family -- In more peaceable times than the present, it would have given me much pleasure to have made a journey to Paris in company with Mrs Watt & to have seen once more those kind friends who have survived the troublesome times which are now passed away & which are sincerely lamented.

 

I do not write any news as my son will inform you of the welfare of all your friends, here, (the Boulton family & Miss De Luc who is at present with them.) Miss Boulton is the only invalid, she has long been confined by a disease which does not promise to be soon cured.

 

Mrs Watt joins me in best wishes & in kind compliments to you & all friends with you and I remain

 

My Dear Madam

 

Your affectionate friend

& Servant

 

James Watt".

 

In 1784, Jules Paul Benjamin Delessert (1773-1847), one of Madame Delessert's sons, had been sent to study at the University of Edinburgh. Benjamin's studies abroard enabled the Delessert family to become acquainted with a number of important Scottish intellectuals, including economist Adam Smith and geologist James Hutton. Benjamin had met James Watt on a visit to Birmingham, and also resided at Windsor with the Swiss geologist and meteorologist Jean-André Deluc (whose daughter is mentioned in the present letter as staying with Matthew Boulton.) Delessert was profoundly influenced by his friends from the British isles.

 

James Watt's son Gregory Watt (1777-1804), a mineralogist and geologist, died of tuberculosis at age 27. According to contemporaries, the younger Watt had "displayed brilliant talents in the higher pursuit of sciences and literature and great things had been predicted for him." James Watt is considered to have never fully recovered from his son's death.

 

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.

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

November 5, 2019 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000