[ William Bowyer, London printer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Bowyer') to 'Mr. Redknap', regarding a threatening letter from a creditor. With engraving of Bowyer by James Basire.

Both items are in fair condition, lightly aged, with the letter inserted in a windowpane mount, and the engraving laid down on the recto of the second leaf of the bifolium of which the mount forms the first leaf. The letter is 1p., 4to., and addressed on the reverse 'To Mr. Redknap'. Written in a difficult hand, it concerns a threatening letter Bowyer has received, stating that the sender (whose name is indecipherable) 'will hardly stay so long without Money', considering that 'Mr. Miller is going to Bath, & will not return probably within a Month'. Bowyer 'wd. not pay him any till the Account, as far as we have gone, is adjusted about Apprentices &c.' In a postscript he informs Redknap that he will not 'be at White Fryars to Morrow Morning'. The engraving (which is reproduced with Bowyer's entry in the Oxford DNB) is on 29.5 x 23.5 cm. paper, with the dimensions of the image 24.5 x 19 cm. It is captioned 'Gulielmus Bowyer, Architectus verborum, Aet. LXXVIII.' Engraved in small letters beneath the plate: 'Jacobus Basire ad vivum del. et sculp.'