$175.00

SKU: A01891 Categories: ,

Description

Description: In this autograph letter signed, Admiral Smyth acknowledges the work of a newly appointed printer and conveys his wife’s appreciation regarding “Saturday night’s treat” to Sir John (most likely the explorer Sir John Barrow). In his characteristic style, Smyth may be paying homage to Sir George Brydges Rodney for his victory over the French in the Battle of Saintes or Dominica when he dates his letter “12 April (Rodney!)”:                                                                                                       

“My dear Sir John–

The new printer has begun pretty well, –& I think I hit upon the 10 page space exactly.  Pray don’t forget to tell him to save a short copy for my collection. He can send it to your office.

When your letter came in Mrs. Smyth had just written a note to say how pleased she was with Saturday night’s treat.   

Yours ever truly,/ W.H. Smyth 

(Postscript) Mr. Walesby & self have become great friends.”

Written on a folded 5” x 7” sheet of ivory paper that has a crown embossed at the top left corner.  Item #A01891

William Henry Smyth (1788-1865) was an English Royal Navy Officer, hydrographer, astronomer and numismatist. He is noted for his involvement in the early history of a number of learned societies and has authored numerous books. His Bedford Catalogue, Vol II of the Cycle of Celestial Objects (1844), containing his 1,604 double stars and nebulae, became a standard reference work for many years. In 1845, he received the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society and then the Presidency of the Society. 

Sir John Barrow (1764-1848) was an Imperial explorer, a colonialist in favor of settlement and acquisition of land, and a prolific writer. He was appointed the Second Secretary to the Admiralty, a position he served for 40 years. He wrote the report of the Mutiny on the H.M.S. Bounty, the biographies of Sir Francis Drake and Captain Cook.  

Condition: Fold lines, otherwise very good.