IV. Letters and Notebooks of Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-59)
SCHOOL REPORT, letterpress completed in manuscipt, headed "Institution de Mr. Massin ... 2nd Semestre de l'Année Classique 1821. Bulletin de Mr. Isambard Brunel," one page, 4to.

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SCHOOL REPORT, letterpress completed in manuscipt, headed "Institution de Mr. Massin ... 2nd Semestre de l'Année Classique 1821. Bulletin de Mr. Isambard Brunel," one page, 4to.
Listing I. K. Brunel's prizes for Mathematics, French Language and drawing, giving short summaries of his performance in 9 of a possible 13 subjects, with additional remarks on his health ("Bonne") and general conduct ("Irréprochable. -- "Ce jeune homme a donné à tous les professeurs la satisfaction la plus complète, et il donne pour l'avenir de brillantes espérances."
With an autograph reference signed by Massin for one year's attendance as a boarder and pupil in the course of Elementary Mathematics at both the Collége Charlemagne and his own institution, one page, 8vo, Paris, 18 October 1821, Massin writing of his pupil: "il y a observé les succès les plus honorables et que sa conduite n'a mérité que des Eloges." (2)

Lot Essay

I. K. Brunel was first educated at Dr. Morell's boarding school at Hove. When 14, he was sent to France to finish his schooling and is known to have attended the college at Caen, Normandy, and the Lycée Henri-Quatre in Paris, before undergoing a period of apprenticeship under Louis Breguet, the famous maker of chronometers, watches and scientific instruments. It would have been during this apprenticeship that he attended the Institution de Mr Massin, although this fact has hitherto gone largely or even entirely unrecorded. I. K. B. then returned to Britain in 1822, and at age 16 began work in his father's office.

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