Details
DEVONSHIRE, Georgiana, Duchess of (1757-1806). A collection of 7 autograph letters signed ('Georgiana Devonshire', 'G. Devonshire') to the poet and biographer William Hayley (one), her banker [Jean-Frédéric] Perregaux (2) and others unidentified (probably also to Perregaux), Aix[-en-Provence], Pont Ste Maxence and n.p., [November 1792] and n.d., in English (one) and French, 13½ pages, 8vo and 4to; with a transcript of a poem, 'Fragment of an Heroic poem' annotated 'On Lady Eliz[abeth] F[oster] by the D[uche]ss of D[evonshire], Chatsworth 1789', and one other item.
DEBTS AND COMPLICATIONS. The letters in French all in some way touch on Georgiana's famously involved financial affairs, worrying about payments gone astray, and trying to arrange settlements of debts to members of her circle -- in one letter, apparently written shortly after childbirth, she admits 'je crains que je serai beaucoup en votre dette ... je suis bien faible ayant ete un peu incommodée -- mais j'espere vous voir bientot et vous montrer mon fils', another begs Perregaux to be discreet about her financial affairs ('Je vous prie Monsieur de ne pas faire mention de nos arrangemens dargents &cc'), and especially not to talk about them in front of others; other topics include the organisation of a journey to Lyon for her servants and those of Lady Elizabeth Foster, and in November 1792 arrangements for returning to England 'notre malheureux necessaire'. The letter to the poet and friend of Blake, William Hayley, regrets that 'my troublesome head ach prevented my visiting [Hayley's estate at] Eartham', asking him to excuse on the same grounds her handwriting, 'my misfortune renders my eyes so very weak that I write with pain & difficulty'. (8)
DEBTS AND COMPLICATIONS. The letters in French all in some way touch on Georgiana's famously involved financial affairs, worrying about payments gone astray, and trying to arrange settlements of debts to members of her circle -- in one letter, apparently written shortly after childbirth, she admits 'je crains que je serai beaucoup en votre dette ... je suis bien faible ayant ete un peu incommodée -- mais j'espere vous voir bientot et vous montrer mon fils', another begs Perregaux to be discreet about her financial affairs ('Je vous prie Monsieur de ne pas faire mention de nos arrangemens dargents &cc'), and especially not to talk about them in front of others; other topics include the organisation of a journey to Lyon for her servants and those of Lady Elizabeth Foster, and in November 1792 arrangements for returning to England 'notre malheureux necessaire'. The letter to the poet and friend of Blake, William Hayley, regrets that 'my troublesome head ach prevented my visiting [Hayley's estate at] Eartham', asking him to excuse on the same grounds her handwriting, 'my misfortune renders my eyes so very weak that I write with pain & difficulty'. (8)
Special notice
In all other circumstances no VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT payable at 17.5% will be added to the buyer''s premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.