Thomas Graham, Master of the Mint and William Gladstone, a collection
£1,200
Rare Books, Maps & Manuscripts
Auction: 7 May 2014 at 12:00 BST
Description
A royal order appointing Thomas Graham Master of the Mint, dated 26th May 1853, ink on vellum, ruled in red, engraved border 44x61cm, with attached seal of Queen Victoria; [AND] A collection of letters to Thomas Graham, comprising: - A letter from Charles Wood, Secretary of State for India, dated December 5th 1859 on headed notepaper, asking the recipient to meet with him the following day to discuss designs for Indian coins, one sheet folded, each leaf c.8.5x11cm - Three letters signed by William Gladstone during his second term as Chancellor of the Exchequer, to the Master of the Mint, discussing coinage, dated March 9th 1860, August 6th 1860 and November 25th 1862, folded size c.18.5x11cm, all written on 11 Downing Street headed paper - Two further letters to Thomas Graham, dated 1862, from an unknown recipient, relating to coinage
Footnote
Note: Thomas Graham was born in Glasgow in 1805 and developed a keen interest in chemistry, founding the Chemical Society of London in 1841. In 1855, he was appointed Master of the Mint, and remained in that role until his death in 1869, with a handsome annual salary of £1500. He was the last person to hold the office as an independent position, as in 1870 it became a subsidiary office of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.