Autograph Letter Signed
Rockhills, England: Not published, 1856. No edition. Unbound. Quarto (4to). Very good+ condition. Item #005696
Three page letter written entirely in the hand of English architect and gardener Sir Joseph Paxton, and signed by him. An excellent letter of political content. Dated March 4 1856, it reads "My dear Lemon [quite likely Mark Lemon, editor of Punch magazine and co-founder of The London Illustrated News], I fully intended to go down tonight to Boston but Sir Wm Clay's motion on which my constituents are very strong comes on tomorrow. So that I cannot carry out my intention - On finding however the nomination fixed for Thursday, I [am] determined to be there on that day on which I think I can do our friend Ingram [quite likely Herbert Ingram, co-founder of The London Illustrated News (1843)] more good, than on any other either in the mob orator way or whatever part he wishes me to play. I will go down tomorrow night by the mail or if I can get so early from the house by the train which leaves here at 5PM. In either case I will go direct to the Peacock where I trust to you to procure me a room. I am dear Lemon, yours faithfully [signed] Joseph Paxton." Paxton is noted for his use of glass and iron in a proto-modern manner. Beginning his career as a gardener and estate manager, he then built two greenhouses at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, for the Duke of Devonshire. The first was the Great Conservatory (1836-1840); the second was a smaller building, designed to protect the Victoria Regia water lily. This work served as a model for the Crystal Palace, built for the Great Exhibition of 1851. He was knighted for the success of this design. Autograph, Manuscript.
Price: $650.00