Description:

Robert Southey
n.p., n.d.
Robert Southey 6pp Manuscript Notes on Unfinished History of Portugal
Manuscript

A collection of holograph manuscript notes by English Poet Laureate and historian Robert Southey all relating to his epic book on the history of Portugal. 6pp in English and Portuguese, each measuring approximately 4.25" x 6.5", n.p., undated. Included within are a range of material and anecdotes compiled for the history, including a lengthy list of references for Southey's later use, many with brief descriptions of content. The book in question, which occupied much of his early career, would remain unfinished. Pages exhibit varying degrees of age toning, soiling, and flattened creasing. Areas of uneven margins throughout. Otherwise, very good.

Excerpts include:

"Portuguese Materials./
P.21. No 11. 44-5 Antonio Fogassa to Cecil & his recommendation as a fit person to accommodate matters between England and Portugal. 1569.
…P.118. No. 63. 47. Antonio petitions Elizabeth to raise a penny in the ground from her subjects for his use. 1590…." [etc. including many references to Robert Cecil, Lord Burghley, Elizabeth I, and Sir Francis Drake.]

"Feyjoo [referring to Benito Jerónimo Feijoo]/
In 1730 a child was born at Medina Sidonia with two heads- double trunk & arms- but single below the middle. As the birth was dangerous, one of the feet which made its appearance was baptized. On this two questions arose & were referred for solution to Father Feyjoo. Was the child one or two individuals? If two, had the baptism of the foot regenerate both?... Cartas Eruditas T.S. P.82. Madrid 1753."

Robert Southey (1774-1843) was an English poet of the Romantic school, and Poet Laureate from 1813 until his death. He first traveled to Portugal in 1795, and later published a collection of letters written during his time there in the late 1790s. Indeed, the Iberian Peninsula would be a subject he often returned to in his writing, as can be seen in another series of published journals. Despite this passion for the region and its history, Southey is perhaps most remembered for the poem "After Blenheim" and the original version of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".

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: 4.25" x 6.5"
  • Medium: Manuscript

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