Lot 56
Press Ganging - Urquhart, Thomas
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 14 February 2018 at 10:00 GMT
Description
Letters on the Evils of Impressment with the Outline of a Plan for Doing them Away... London: published for the benefit of the Maritime Society, by J. Richardson... 1816. 8vo, original boards, with a manuscript note reading: "Mrs Wilberforce will be much obliged to Dr. Watson to call upon her as early as he can this morning at the Bishop of Oxford's house 61. Eaton Place, Monday June 22-, Mr Wilberforce feels very unwell & is anxious to see Dr Watson", joints splitting, spine peeling
Footnote
Note: The letter from Mrs Wilberforce, lightly laid into the book, is thought to refer to William Wilberforce, whose son, Samuel, was Bishop of Oxford. However, the note could equally refer to Samuel himself. Part of the book is entitled: "A letter to Wm. Wilberforce, Esq. M.P. on the subject of Impressment...", appealing to Wilberforce, as an abolitionist, to stand against the practice of press ganging.
Provenance: From the collection of the Late John Davie Manson Robertson, CBE, DL, FRSA