Printed Document Signed by Gladstone William, Signed (1 results)

This powerhouse British statesman and politician served four terms as Prime Minister (between 1868 and 1894) and four terms as Chancellor of the Exchequer, among many other important posts. Printed DS, 1p, 8" X 9¼", n.p., n.y. [ca. 1875]. Good plus. Lightly soiled, with original folds (not weakened), age toning and several small edge chips; couple of small discreet archival mends on verso. Self-mailer, with verso bearing printed return address of "Secretary of Address" at Charing Cross in London. This document relates to the Bonn Conferences of 1874 and 1875, conducted by Catholic priest and theologian Ignaz von Dollinger, whose goal was to reunite various Christian Orthodox Churches and the Anglican Church. Printed portion states: "We, the undersigned Bishops, Clergy, and Communicants, in communion with the Church of England, while we abstain from entering upon the high and holy doctrines, upon which, by the providence of Almighty God, so happy an agreement was reached at the conferences held at Bonn in August last, between members of the Old Catholic, the Orthodox Oriental, and the Anglican Churches, desire to express our profound gratitude to Almighty God, for putting it into the hearts of those His Servants, of different sections of his divided flock, to meet together in unity and brotherly love, for the furtherance of His Glory and the welfare of His Kingdom." This goes on for two more paragraphs, closing with thanks "to its originator and President, Dr. Von Dollinger." The lower third bears seven signatures in bold brown ink, all but the first also followed by a title. Top to bottom: WILLIAM E. GLADSTONE; STEPHEN E. GLADSTONE (1844-1920), the third of Gladstone's eight children, who adds "R.[ector] of Hawarden St. Asaph"; ALBERT V. LYTTELTON (1844-1928), who adds "C. do." (Curate?); CHARLES GAMLEN, who likewise adds "C. do."; JOHN LIGHTFOOT (1826-?), who adds "Lay helper Hawarden"; JOSEPH BAINES, who adds "Curate of St. John's Hawarden"; and lastly WILLIAM H. GLADSTONE (1840-91), the first of Gladstone's children, a 20-year Member of Parliament who adds "M.P." A wonderful assemblage containing the famed prime minister and two of his children together with several clergymen from the tiny village on the Welsh/English border where Gladstone lived, long the hometown of his wife's family. Accompanied by a circa 1900 5" X 8" sepia tone book-weight printed head-and-shoulders portrait of Gladstone in old age.