[George IV as Prince Regent, and former Prime Minister Lord Sidmouth as Home Secretary.] Warrant, signed 'George P R' and 'Sidmouth', appointing 'George Philips Esqr. Captain in the York Chasseurs', with signatures of Robert Lukin and Thomas Butts.

On one side of a 29 x 39 cm piece of vellum. In fair condition, with the usual discoloration found in vellum. A printed document, completed in manuscript, with a good example of George IV's signature as Prince Regent ('George P R') at top left. The royal seal has been removed from the space beneath the Prince Regent's signature. The signature of the Home Secretary ('Sidmouth') is at bottom right, somewhat faded. The document is a warrant appointing 'George Philips Esqr. Captain in the York Chasseurs', 'Commanded by Our Trusty and Welbeloved Major General Hugh Mackay Gordon'. Printed at the head of the document: 'In the Name and on the Behalf of His Majesty.' Tax stamp on blue paper in left-hand margin, with corresponding label on the reverse. Beneath the text, towards bottom left is the signature of William Blake's patron, Thomas Butts, as Assistant Commissary of Musters: 'Entered with the Comsry General of Musters. | Tho: Butts'. In the margin beneath the tax stamp: 'Entered with the Secretary at War | Robt Lukin' (i.e. Robert Lukin (1772-1835). From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library. Hunter and his mother Ida Macalpine had a particular interest in the illness of King George III, and their book 'George III and the Mad Business' (1969) suggested the diagnosis of porphyria popularised by Alan Bennett in his play 'The Madness of George III'.