![ELGIN, Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl (1766-1841). Autograph letter signed (‘Elgin’) to C.R. Broughton, B[room]hall, 13 June 1812.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/CKS/2017_CKS_14299_0062_000(elgin_thomas_bruce_7th_earl_autograph_letter_signed_to_cr_broughton_br050900).jpg?w=1)
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ELGIN, Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl (1766-1841). Autograph letter signed (‘Elgin’) to C.R. Broughton, B[room]hall, 13 June 1812.
Two pages, 224 x 183mm, bifolium, integral address leaf (repaired seal tear).
Lord Elgin eagerly reports on the arrival of the Elgin Marbles and the possibility of their sale to the British Government. After expressing some frustration at the state of his accounts, Elgin announces triumphantly the arrival of his Marbles: ‘I am very happy to say, all my Marbles are safe arrived – So that nothing is now in the way of an arrangement with Government – By which, I trust, to be very shortly above all the Embarassement in which you have so kindly helped me. What I now want is only till that transaction’.
Following the removal to Britain in 1812 of his final collection of Parthenon marbles – a shipment totalling around 80 cases – Elgin’s flagging hopes of negotiating a sale to the nation were revived, and with them, his chances of clearing the large debts he had incurred since 1801, when he first encountered the marbles. His financial difficulties would not be alleviated immediately: it would take until 1816, after a select committee of the House of Commons pronounced that Elgin had not misused his powers in removing the marbles, that the government would commit to their purchase, entrusting them henceforth to the British Museum.
Two pages, 224 x 183mm, bifolium, integral address leaf (repaired seal tear).
Lord Elgin eagerly reports on the arrival of the Elgin Marbles and the possibility of their sale to the British Government. After expressing some frustration at the state of his accounts, Elgin announces triumphantly the arrival of his Marbles: ‘I am very happy to say, all my Marbles are safe arrived – So that nothing is now in the way of an arrangement with Government – By which, I trust, to be very shortly above all the Embarassement in which you have so kindly helped me. What I now want is only till that transaction’.
Following the removal to Britain in 1812 of his final collection of Parthenon marbles – a shipment totalling around 80 cases – Elgin’s flagging hopes of negotiating a sale to the nation were revived, and with them, his chances of clearing the large debts he had incurred since 1801, when he first encountered the marbles. His financial difficulties would not be alleviated immediately: it would take until 1816, after a select committee of the House of Commons pronounced that Elgin had not misused his powers in removing the marbles, that the government would commit to their purchase, entrusting them henceforth to the British Museum.
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