Lot Essay
The arms are those of either the 1st, 2nd or 3rd Barons Edgcumbe of Mount Edgcumbe, Devon. Richard Edgcumbe (1680-1758) was created 1st Baron Edgcumbe in 1742. Before his elevation to the peerage, he served as M.P. for Cornwall, St. Germans, Plympton, and Lostwithiel. He was a favorite of King George II, supposedly because he was even shorter than the diminutive monarch. His eldest son, Richard, 2nd Baron Edgcumbe (1716-1761), held a variety of political positions, including Lord of Trade, Lord of the Admiralty, comptroller of the Royal household, and lord lieutenant of Cornwall. He was also an amateur poet and painter, and the childhood friend and first patron of Joshua Reynolds. A compulsive gambler, he had four children with a mistress but never married. He was succeeded by his younger brother George, 3rd Baron Edgcumbe (1721-1795), pursued a naval career and fought the French in the Seven Years' War, serving under Admiral Byng at Minorca and Admiral Hawke in the Battle of Quiberon Bay. He rose to the rank of Admiral, and was created Viscount Mount Edgcumbe and Valletort in 1781, and 1st Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in 1789.