Two Autograph Letters Signed ('Charles Spence') to the printers John Bowyer Nichols and his son John Gough Nichols.

Author: 
Charles Spence of the Admiralty, Devonport [John Bowyer Nichols (1779-1863); John Gough Nichols (1806-1873)]
Publication details: 
Both dated 11 November 1852.
£75.00
SKU: 6015

Letter One (12mo: 4 pp, to 'My dear Mr Nichols', good, on discoloured paper): Explains that he has given 'a note of introduction to a most particular friend of mine Mr Lawrence of Ipplepen near Totnes and Launceston Cornwall'. Lawrence 'was a great friend of the late Mr Arundel of Landulph' and is 'a great friend of Mr Bray of Tavistock'. He is 'a man of ancient Cornish descent & from its first families'. Spence thinks Nichol will find Lawrence 'a valuable West Country Correspondent, well up in County history and nothing loth in the pursuit of antiquarian lore[. I]n fine I am sure you will hereafter tell me that I have done well in introducing him to you'. Asks how 'we get on with the Camdens and when will more come out'. He is 'truly anxious to see some productions'. Regarding 'the approaching funeral of the Mighty Dead' [the Duke of Wellington's state funeral on 18 November] he 'should like to see it but like Sternes Starling "I cant get out".' Letter Two (12mo: 1 p, to 'J B [and] J G N Nichols Esqs', good, on discoloured paper, with slight loss to second leaf of bifolium, which carries the address to 'The Messrs Nichols, 25 Parliament Street, Westminster'): Letter of Introduction for 'the bearer of this note Mr N H P Lawrence of Ipplepen near Totnes': 'He has been a kind friend to me and the lapse of years in fact making him ann old when[.] When you shall have known him you will I am sure appreciate him as I do.'