Emma, Lady Hamilton
Series of 7 autograph letters signed ('E H', 'Emma' and 'Emma Hamilton') , to Sir Richard Puleston,
writing with a characteristic mixture of effusiveness, cheerfulness and self-pity during the financial troubles of her final years, describing her current condition ahead of a visit ("...you will not see me an ambassadress nor in splendor but you will ever find me firm and my mind uncorrupted[.] Shame on Those who will let me and Nelson's daughter pass the first of August [the anniversary of the Battle of the Nile] in anguish'..."), her pleasure at Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Leipzig ("...[In England] all Triste faces turned merry any man that meets a nother says well we have got Little Bony in a scrape the dog is ours..."), despair at her bankruptcy, and with profuse expressions of gratitude for his help, 12 Templeton Place, 150 Bond Street and n.p. (2), 24 July 1813 - 12 June [1814] and n.d. (4), 10 pages, 8vo and 4to, address leaves, seals, seal tears to 2 letters, with minor loss of text to one letter, traces of stitching
[with]: Captain Edward Thornborough Parker, autograph letter signed to Lady Hamilton, with news of Nelson's improved health and imminent return from the Baltic ("...he says he will not let much grass grow under his feet after he lands until he sees you..."), 4 pages, 4to, HMS St George, Kioge Bay, 14 June 14 1801; C. Lutwidge, autograph letter signed, to Lady Hamilton, arranging to dine together, 2 pages, 8vo, integral address leaf, Arglye Street, London, 3 May [1803-6]; John Dawson, letter signed, to "Sir", enclosing a statement of monies paid for the sale of Merton Place, 1 page, 8vo, 22 April 1812, with enclosure, including the sale of the house, furniture, books, wine, etc., as well as taxes and debts, 2 pages
(11 pieces)
LADY HAMILTON APPEALS TO AN ADMIRER. Colonel Sir Richard Puleston had described himself earlier as feeling "as among millions, your bequeathed Guardian and Protector" (Flora Fraser, Beloved Emma (1986), p.356) and continued a friend during her difficult final years. These letters, chiefly from 1813, chronicle Emma Hamilton's spiralling debt and ill-health. Several are written from rented rooms where she lived on parole from Southwark debtor's prison, and they continue to desperate period before her final flight to France:
"I will sell as many things as I can get fifty pounds for then I shal have only have fifty if you can procure me That I will give a receipt for it to be received of mssrs Davisons & Co paid next for the 21st of October when he receives two hundred & twenty pounds for me good as the bank pray do it if you Love me..." PROVENANCE:The Spiro family collection; their sale, Part 1, Christie's, London, 3 December 2003, lot 160
Emma, Lady Hamilton
Series of 7 autograph letters signed ('E H', 'Emma' and 'Emma Hamilton') , to Sir Richard Puleston,
writing with a characteristic mixture of effusiveness, cheerfulness and self-pity during the financial troubles of her final years, describing her current condition ahead of a visit ("...you will not see me an ambassadress nor in splendor but you will ever find me firm and my mind uncorrupted[.] Shame on Those who will let me and Nelson's daughter pass the first of August [the anniversary of the Battle of the Nile] in anguish'..."), her pleasure at Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Leipzig ("...[In England] all Triste faces turned merry any man that meets a nother says well we have got Little Bony in a scrape the dog is ours..."), despair at her bankruptcy, and with profuse expressions of gratitude for his help, 12 Templeton Place, 150 Bond Street and n.p. (2), 24 July 1813 - 12 June [1814] and n.d. (4), 10 pages, 8vo and 4to, address leaves, seals, seal tears to 2 letters, with minor loss of text to one letter, traces of stitching
[with]: Captain Edward Thornborough Parker, autograph letter signed to Lady Hamilton, with news of Nelson's improved health and imminent return from the Baltic ("...he says he will not let much grass grow under his feet after he lands until he sees you..."), 4 pages, 4to, HMS St George, Kioge Bay, 14 June 14 1801; C. Lutwidge, autograph letter signed, to Lady Hamilton, arranging to dine together, 2 pages, 8vo, integral address leaf, Arglye Street, London, 3 May [1803-6]; John Dawson, letter signed, to "Sir", enclosing a statement of monies paid for the sale of Merton Place, 1 page, 8vo, 22 April 1812, with enclosure, including the sale of the house, furniture, books, wine, etc., as well as taxes and debts, 2 pages
(11 pieces)
LADY HAMILTON APPEALS TO AN ADMIRER. Colonel Sir Richard Puleston had described himself earlier as feeling "as among millions, your bequeathed Guardian and Protector" (Flora Fraser, Beloved Emma (1986), p.356) and continued a friend during her difficult final years. These letters, chiefly from 1813, chronicle Emma Hamilton's spiralling debt and ill-health. Several are written from rented rooms where she lived on parole from Southwark debtor's prison, and they continue to desperate period before her final flight to France:
"I will sell as many things as I can get fifty pounds for then I shal have only have fifty if you can procure me That I will give a receipt for it to be received of mssrs Davisons & Co paid next for the 21st of October when he receives two hundred & twenty pounds for me good as the bank pray do it if you Love me..." PROVENANCE:The Spiro family collection; their sale, Part 1, Christie's, London, 3 December 2003, lot 160
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
