Letter by George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 3rd Duke of Sutherland (1828-1892) to 'My dear M'. 4 p. With a letter by Charles Longuet Higgins (1806-1885) to 'My dear Lady' pinned to the first leaf. Some spots and traces of glue (for an album), some creasing. Extensive letter (59 lines) written fast and not very clearly about the possibilities of meeting, traveling between 'L. Never' or 'Inver' and (castle) Dunrobin, and various commitments ('The Ds. [Duchess] must be again here - for the Poultry show on the 27th'). In the attached letter, dated 'May 23rd 1881', Charles Longuet Higgins (a wealthy landowner from Bedford near London, 1806-1885) offers 'St. Anne's Society polling paper' to 'My dear Lady'. This possibly concerns the Royal Asylum of St. Anne's Society, a large London children's asylum, funded by rich Britons. The letters come with two rather creased and damaged, contemporary original photos, one of the Duke of Sutherland in a cap holding a large piece of game, a dog at his side; the other shows a coach with four passengers, two personnel and two draft animals. From the letter collection of John Arlott. And with a carte-de-visite portrait photo (in very good condition) of long-bearded George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower when in his fourties, made by W. & D. Downey in Newcastle on Tyne. The Third Duke of Sutherland, who was an extremely rich landowner, lived separated of his wife for many years and had a mistress, Mary Caroline Blair (1848-1912), the wife of his agent Captain Arthur Blair. This letter to 'My dear M!' could well be addressed to Mary Blair and occupied with finding a window to meet each other between appointments and obligations. Arthur Blair died mysteriously in a shooting accident on October 3, 1883, thought to be a suicide (or worse) - only 18 days after this letter. Sutherland married Mary Blair four months after his wife's death in 1888. After his passing and after some testament hitches, she was an immensely rich widow with a yearly income of a hundred thousand pounds. Seller Inventory # 272941

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Title: Autograph Letter Signed 'Sutherland' and ...

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Antiquariaat Fokas Holthuis / Paulbooks ILAB is a small book business selling rare used books, autographs, manuscripts, association copies and vintage ephemera. We have two branches, Fokas Holthuis specializing in Dutch and Flemish literature, (first and special editions, bibliophile and illustrated books, signed, inscribed, association copies and documents, private press editions and manuscripts, letters and literary archives); and Paulbooks in collectible English, French and German literature, history, politics, Americana, fine printing, typography, graphic design, psychology, sexuality and homosexuality from the past, erotica, transport (cars, zeppelins, trains, trams), quaint trade advertising ephemera, delightful children¿s books in many languages, periodicals, anything attractive and absurd, and all at fair prices.

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Antiquariaat Fokas Holthuis
Hyacinthweg 27, Den Haag, 2565 RE, Netherlands

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Books are in good antiquarian condition, unless described otherwise. Serious defects are stated, minor defects not always. All prices are in Euro, tax included, but without postage and bank charges which are at buyer's expense. Shipping of books after receipt of payment. Books may be returned within 7 working days (prior notification welcome). A full refund can be expected if the books do not match the description stated.
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