HOLOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED, DATED NOVEMBER 27, 1845 TO EDWARD HAWKINS, ON THE NEW ENGLAND MONETARY SYSTEM.
Written on both sides of two sheets of Whatman’s Turkey Mill notepaper. Both sheets were folded for mailing and have been affixed at margins to hand-ruled paper borders for incorporation in an album. Accompanied by typewritten transcription of part. Overall condition is nearly fine, entirely legible and with clear signature. Item #6988
An interesting and substantive letter from Sir Henry Ellis (1777–1869), the Librarian of the British Museum, to numismatist Edward Hawkins (1780–1867), Keeper of Antiquities at the British Museum. Both men were founders of the Numismatic Society of London (later the Royal Numismatic Society). The letter concerns the monetary system of New England and mostly transcribes a letter from Robert Gamble written in 1713 to one Samuel Sutton in which he comments at great length on the use of uncoined silver and paper money among the population of New England. The Gamble letter was read before the Numismatic Society on the very day this letter was written; excerpts were then published in the November 29, 1845 issue of The Literary Gazette and Journal of the Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, &c. Ex Goodspeed’s Autograph Department, Boston, with their worn green document folder included; offered in their 1913 Autographs catalogue for $2.50; later in the library of Eric P. Newman.
Price: $275.00