Details
EMMA, LADY HAMILTON (1761?-1815)
Autograph letter signed to 'My Dear Lord and Friend' [William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry], Richmond, 4 September 1808, 4 pages, 4to (address heavily cancelled and rewritten at head, traces of guard in centre fold).
AN IMPLORING LETTER TO ONE OF EMMA'S AGEING ADMIRERS, the 84-year old Duke of Queensberry, an old friend of Sir William Hamilton and 'at once the most lively and most disreputable of Emma's circle in London' (Flora Fraser. Beloved Emma (1986) page 303).
'[Y]ou are the only Hope I have in this world to assist and protect me in this moment of unhappiness and distress .... I think & hope fifteen thousand pounds will do for every thing for my sake for Nelsons sake for the good I have done my country purchase it [Merton] take it only giving me the portraits of Sir William, Nelson & the Queen all the Rest shall go ... If I cou'd but be free from Merton all paid and only one hundred pounds in my pocket you will live to see me blessing you my mother blessing you Horatia blessing you ... only let me pass my winter without the idea of a prison, tis true my imprudence has brought it on me and villany & ingratitude has helped to involve me but the sin be on them ... do not let my Enymys trample on me for god sake then Dear Duke good Friend think tis Nelson asks you to befriend Emma Hamilton'.
The Duke had offered to let Emma for a nominal rent his property at Heron Court, on the river at Richmond, and she also anticipated his leaving her a substantial sum in his will. By the spring of 1808 it was clear that the villa at Merton, valued at almost £13,000, must be sold and the present cri de coeur was despatched when a potential buyer withdrew. The Duke however resisted, although he generously paid off part of her debts. Her hopes were dashed again when on his death two years later he left her only £500.
Autograph letter signed to 'My Dear Lord and Friend' [William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry], Richmond, 4 September 1808, 4 pages, 4to (address heavily cancelled and rewritten at head, traces of guard in centre fold).
AN IMPLORING LETTER TO ONE OF EMMA'S AGEING ADMIRERS, the 84-year old Duke of Queensberry, an old friend of Sir William Hamilton and 'at once the most lively and most disreputable of Emma's circle in London' (Flora Fraser. Beloved Emma (1986) page 303).
'[Y]ou are the only Hope I have in this world to assist and protect me in this moment of unhappiness and distress .... I think & hope fifteen thousand pounds will do for every thing for my sake for Nelsons sake for the good I have done my country purchase it [Merton] take it only giving me the portraits of Sir William, Nelson & the Queen all the Rest shall go ... If I cou'd but be free from Merton all paid and only one hundred pounds in my pocket you will live to see me blessing you my mother blessing you Horatia blessing you ... only let me pass my winter without the idea of a prison, tis true my imprudence has brought it on me and villany & ingratitude has helped to involve me but the sin be on them ... do not let my Enymys trample on me for god sake then Dear Duke good Friend think tis Nelson asks you to befriend Emma Hamilton'.
The Duke had offered to let Emma for a nominal rent his property at Heron Court, on the river at Richmond, and she also anticipated his leaving her a substantial sum in his will. By the spring of 1808 it was clear that the villa at Merton, valued at almost £13,000, must be sold and the present cri de coeur was despatched when a potential buyer withdrew. The Duke however resisted, although he generously paid off part of her debts. Her hopes were dashed again when on his death two years later he left her only £500.
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.