[Verney Lovett Cameron, African explorer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('V. Lovett Cameron'), with initialled postscript ('V. L. C.') to 'Mrs. Marshall', regarding difficulties in setting up a tennis club in Croydon.

See Cameron's entry in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Having traversed the African continent from East to West in 1875 (the first European to do so), Cameron now turns his attention to the establishment of tennis club in Croydon. He has received a letter 'from Mr. Jaques about the tennis ground. The fencing is nearly finished and he seems in a hurry'. There is a problem however: lack of members. 'Do you know any people likely to join as we have only about half the number required and unless we can get recruits it seems likely to fall through.' There will, he writes, be great disappointment if such is the case, and he has written to 'Mr. Harland', who says he cannot joined. Cameron and his new wife (born Amy Mona Reid) called on the subject but only to find Mrs Marshall away from home. Postscript reads: 'We are going down to my Father's tomorrow & come back late on Wednesday. I hope when we return you will have enlisted some people for tennis. | V. L. C.' It is unclear whether the tennis club referred to in the letter is a precursor of Croydon Tennis Club, which was established in 1907.