Printed 'Prospectus' for 'a Poetical illustration of the Career of Field Marshall the Duke of Wellington, and his Illustrious Companions', with the autograph signature of 'George Webb De Renzy, Major and Barrack-Master'

Author: 
Major George Webb De Renzy, of the 82nd Regiment, and Barrack-Master, Dundee [The Duke of Wellington]
Publication details: 
Castletown, Isle of Man. 1 January 1847.
£135.00
SKU: 12188

1p., 4to. Thirteen lines of text, daintily printed in small type. On lightly-aged and creased paper, with a number of short closed tears. Dated in print at the foot 'Castletown, Isle of Man, | 1847.' Beneath this De Renzy has written, in manuscript, '1st January, | [signed] George Webb De Renzy, Major | and Barrack-Master'. The text begins: 'The Work advertised in the "Times" and other Newspapers is a Poetical Illustration of the Career of Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, and his Illustrious Companions in Arms, embracing Effusions on the most striking and prominent Events connected with his martial Achievements. - It is likely to come under the notice of Her Majesty, the Queen Dowager, Prince Albert, His Grace of Wellington, and the Nobility, Gentry, and the Public generally. It will be copiously and beautifully illustrated, and as slect in the Matter and Manner of its style as may be inferred from the Character of the Presentation will admit. - One Hundred Copies will be presented to the Public Press, and one to each Contributor.' The final paragraph reads: 'The Compiler thus offers a fair field to the Aspirations of Genius, whether known or unknown to the world. The theatre is a spacious one, and presents a noble opportunity to those gifted Spirits who may be desirous of bringing their Names before the Empire, and giving to their fellows the brightest Scintillations of their Genius.' The book, with the slightly amended title 'Poetical Illustrations of the Achievements of the Duke of Wellington and his Companions in Arms', was finally published in 1852, by Simpkin, Marshall & Co. of London, and Sutherland & Knox of Edinburgh. De Renzy is an interesting figure. When in 1822 he published 'Enchiridion; or, a Hand for the One-Handed', the 'New Monthly Magazine' explained that, 'having lost his right arm at the battle of Vittoria', he 'was induced to turn his attention to the forming a set of instruments which should enable him to be at all times independent of any other assistance than such as he might derive from them'. The United Service Magazine found within the 'Poetical Illustrations' 'gems', which 'give the book - what it ought to possess - high literary pretensions'.