Description:

Samuel Pepys Signed Naval Document Dating from End of His Diary Period, In Early 1669

A manuscript document signed by Samuel Pepys (1633-1703), best known for keeping an important Restoration-era diary, as "S Pepys" at lower right, and possibly endorsed by Pepys in the docket verso reading "20: Ffebr: 69 / The P. O: to make out a [illegible] / to widdow Woodcock for mending / Fflaggs & Ensignes." The document is dated August 24, 1668; January 21, 1669; and, in the section which Pepys signed, February 20, 1669. N.p. but presumably the Navy Office in Seething Lane, London, England. Also countersigned by Colonel Thomas Middleton, Surveyor of the Navy, just above Pepys's signature; and by Tom Wilson, a secretary, twice near the center. Expected wear including paper folds, even toning, and isolated edge darkening, else near fine and in surprisingly legible secretarial handwriting. 7.675" x 6.675." Provenance: From the estate of a Maryland collector, purchased from Walter Benjamin Autographs (New York, New York) in October 1980.

This document, of considerable merit in itself, becomes doubly interesting when one considers that it was signed during the last months when Pepys kept his famous diary. Pepys faithfully recorded entries in this journal between January 1660 and May 1669, remarking on many monumental events in English history, such as the Great Plague of 1665-1666 and the Great Fire of London in 1666. His entry from the date of this document, February 20, 1669, confirms that he conducted naval business that Saturday morning. In part: "Up, and all the morning at the office, and then home to dinner…" Later that day, Pepys attended a play, hosted a dinner party, and commissioned one of the Queen's French lady's maids for a gift for his wife. (See attached diary entry, in full).

The document pertained to a detail of naval administration, specifically, the repair or replacement of naval flags and ensigns at Chatham, Kent, in southeastern England. Pepys and his fellow naval officials directed that funds "out of his Majts stores" be paid to "Widd Woodcock of Chath:" for repairs done to "Flaggs & Ensigns" in poor condition, "being much ratteaten & torne." The memorandum also included instructions as to "Thread & Workmanship to ye woman abovementioned." Chatham had become a Royal Dockyard after 1568. It was an important shipbuilding hub and also the site of numerous coastal fortifications.

Samuel Pepys served as Clerk of the Acts on the Navy Board between his appointment in the summer of 1660 through 1673, when he was then promoted to Chief Secretary of the Admiralty. He served in this latter role until 1679. Pepys is credited for attaining this high position in royal government because of his diligence and hard work rather than aptitude. Nevertheless, Pepys implemented many procedural changes which modernized and professionalized the English Navy. See Samuel Pepys's entry from the 11th Edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica (1910-1911) included with the lot for reference.

Pepys's cosigner Colonel Thomas Middleton (died 1672) had served in the Parliamentary Army during the English Civil War. He acted as Navy Commissioner at Portsmouth from 1664-1667, and as Surveyor of the Navy between 1667-1672.

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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