[George Sinclair, gardener to the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey.] Parts of two Autograph Letters Signed to different seedsmen, both with good content, one relating to the subscription to Sinclair’s ‘Hortus gramineus Woburnensis’.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Large fragments, both with interesting content, from the beginning of letters to unnamed seedsmen (both addressed to ‘Dear Sir’, but the two docketed by different individuals, suggesting different recipients). Neither has the signature present (presumably supplied to autograph hunters for placement in Sinclair’s ‘Hortus gramineus Woburnensis’, described in the ODNB as‘an expensive folio volume containing dried specimens of the grasses’). Both items in good condition, lightly aged, and with creases from having been folded up. ONE: The first leaf only of a letter docketed ‘Mr G. Sinclair / Letter’. Undated, but from around the time of the publication of the ‘Hortus gramineus Woburnensis’. 2pp, 4to. Thirty-six lines of text. He is ‘truly sorry that necessity compelled me to apply to you to relinquish the copy you subscribed for. It was not by any means on account of Mr G.s having presented you ith a copy that I applied, but as you was among the last subscribers - and to two other subscribers in the same way I have applied, with one of which I was successful - and Mr Wilson having been also the last, has relinquished his (promised also to a friend) on this account. His Grace [the Duke of Bedford] has presented him with one.’ He asks that ‘the copy in question be sent to the Bedford office, Bloomsbury. to Mr Marsden who will return the money for it.’ Changing the subject he passes on a message from ‘Mr Wilkie’: ‘he says he feels very comfortable, and very sorry that it is not in his power to have his seeds from you as Government provides every thing then wanted’. Sinclair’s foreman ‘Moffat is still here but I should hope in the course of a short time he may be provided for to make room for Mr Murray who I shall consider a good acquisition. I give here 18/ with Lodgings &c.’ He reports that ‘The Duke of York is expected here next Wednesday with some high &c’s &cs [Right Honourables?] - The consumption has been enormious [sic] all this winter.’ The letter breaks off, at the foot of the second page: ‘I will feel obliged therefore to have by next Thursdays coach 6 dozen Brocoli. 4 dozen Endive and [...]’. TWO: 1p, 4to. Fourteen lines of text. With a strip from the bottom (no doubt carrying the valediction and signature) torn away. Docketed on the otherwise-blank reverse: ‘1816 / Mr. Sinclair / Letter’. He hopes the recipient has recovered from his indisposition, and is surprised not to heard from him. ‘I shall be obliged to you to inform me what the selling prices, two years ago, of the Telopia speciosissima (Warata), the Camellia Warata, Camellia Dble Buff, and Olea fragnans, were - It is of some importance for me to know the selling prices of these articles at least to know within a little of what they were or now are.’ He ends by assuring him that his answer ‘is merely private for myself’.