Forty-eight Autograph Letters Signed, and one Autograph Card Signed (all 'T. H. Holdich') to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts. With two letters written on his behalf and two enclosures.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Hungerford Holdich (1843-1929), English geographer, President of the Royal Geographical Society
Publication details: 
Between 1914 and 1919. All from 41 Courtfield Road, London SW7.
£165.00
SKU: 8598

The fifty-two items (in various formats) are in very good condition. Texts clear and complete. On lightly-aged paper. A cordial correspondence regarding the business of the Society, Holdich's close association with which is not noted in his entry in the Oxford DNB. On 21 February 1917 Holdich writes to 'accept the honour of appointment to the office of Vice President of the Society of Arts'. On 7 November 1914, of his 'opening address to the Society' he writes: 'I am not particularly well satisfied with it - [...] I have not been able to keep clear of technical matter altogether but I have done my best to be intelligible.' A letter of 23 February 1917 proposes the awarding of an Albert Medal to 'Wilbur Wright, the real original flying man'. On 13 July 1914 he writes: 'The enclosed will amuse you! I am charmed to think that I should be one of the "only artists known in India". What a benighted country it is!' And on 21 October 1914, regarding an address by Wood: 'I have suggested one or two verbal ammendments for your consideration because I do not think that we are justified in taking anything but the most confident view of our winning through this war. I believe that all associations similar to ours will "maintain their labours" and carry on as usual. I do not see why they should not - nothing has happened yet, so far as our Society is concerned, which we can fairly call "passing through tribulation" '. A letter of 23 June 1915 is accompanied by a pamphlet relating to the 'Professional Classes War Relief Council', and one of 18 February 1918 by a letter to Holdich from E. Merry, Acting Secretary, The Decimal Association,