[ Richard Ford, English traveller in Spain. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Richd Ford') to Lord Colville, discussing Spanish wines (Manzanilla, Montilla, Amontillado).

Written on both sides of a 13 x 11 cm piece of paper. Cropped, resulting in loss of text from both sides, and with the front of the letter (i.e. the side not bearing the signature) bearing traces of glue from mount. Otherwise in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Ford begins by stating that Colville's 'letter of the 7th has been to Heavitree [his country house near Exeter] & back, & only reached me this morning'. He continues by explaining that 'The Manzanilla is to be had at Gormans 16. Mark Lane, & if you use my name, you will be sure to be well served.' (In the third edition of his 'Handbook for Travellers in Spain', published later in the year, Ford would write: 'Excellent manzanilla is to be procured in London, of Gorman, 16, Mark Lane. Drink it, ye dyspeptics!') The recto of the letter ends here, but there is clearly text lacking as a result of the cropping, as the letter continues on the reverse: '[…] day. But you will come & meet Keir – who is now in the North, when I will put before you some real Montilla, a Cordovese wine: the finest sherry is called Amontillado from its approach to its flavour | Yours most truly | Richd Ford'.