[Sir Robert Smirke, architect.] Autograph Letter Signed ('R Smirke') to an unnamed lady [Mrs Price?] declaring his eagerness to be introduced to the woman he would marry, Laura Freston, with whom he is 'more than half enamoured'.
Author:
Sir Robert Smirke (1780-1867), English architect, part of the Greek Revival movement [his wife, nee Laura Freston]
Publication details:
Upper Fitzroy Street [London]. 3 September 1818.
£56.00
SKU: 14070
1p., 12mo. 16 lines of text. Good, lightly-aged and laid down on a piece of grey paper. The letter begins: 'Dear Madam | I feel quite young again at the idea of the pleasure you promise me, & can assure you, with great Truth, that I shall be happy to be introduced to the young Lady you mention, with whom I am already more than half enamoured: - report speaks so highly of her manifold attractions.' He has such confidence in 'Mr. Price's skill & care as a driver' that he would like accept her offer of a seat in his gig. He ends with his 'best Complimts. to Miss Freston'. A year after writing the letter Smirke would marry Laura Freston, daughter of the Rev. Anthony Freston, great-nephew of the architect Matthew Brettingham.
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