[Colonel Edward Corbett, Conservative Member of Parliament.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edwd Corbett') [to his publisher Richard Bentley?], discussing tables on mail coaches in his book 'An Old Coachman's Chatter'. With proofs of the tables.

Author: 
Colonel Edward Corbett (1817-1895) of Longnor Hall, Shropshire, Conservative Member of Parliament [Richard Bentley]
Publication details: 
'Longnor' [Longnor Hall, Shropshire]. 4 June 1890.
£220.00
SKU: 14919

The two items relate to the book 'An Old Coachman's Chatter with Some Practical Remarks on Driving. By a Semi-Professional. Edward Corbett, Colonel late Shropshire Militia.'(London: Richard Bentley and Son, 1890). Both the letter and the proofs are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. LETTER: 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. 34 lines of text in a particularly difficult hand. He will endeavour to 'throw all the light' he can on the subjects mentioned in his correspondent's letter, beginning:: 'I think the time between Cape Curig & Holyhead must be correct. The distance is 40 miles & the time allowed 3h 53m, which is just about what would be required.' After a paragraph discussing the '2d & 3d tables' he writes: 'I dont know where you have got these Tables from but in the Post Office Directory, from which I supplied the list & rates, no Famouth mail was given, only one to Exeter & another through Exeter to Devonport. Please see my remarks at the bottom of the table.' He concludes: 'Would it not be interesting to the public, especially now, at the jubilee of the penny post, to insert a Table giving the rates of postage in olden days? If so I have a copy of "Pattersons [sic] roads" which gives one, & which I could sent to you to be copied.' PROOF: 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. The first page, in two columns, is headed '1837. Scotch Mails. DOWN.' The second page is headed '1837. Irish Mails. DOWN'. The third page (printed lengthwise) is headed 'Western and Foreign Mails. - 1837. - Up and Down.'