[ Benjamin D'Israeli, grandfather of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. ] Autograph Signature, with those of Francis Bradley Brodie of Dublin, George Hughes and Richard Bayly, Notary Public, on a legal document concerning a bequest to Brodie.

1p., folio. In good condition, on lightly aged and creased paper with slight loss to top left-hand corner. Laid out in the typical fashion of the period, with embossed tax stamp in top left-hand corner, and Bayly's stamp as notary public on square of paper over wafer. The document begins: 'Know all Men by these presents that I Francis Bradley Brodie of the City of Dublin have constituted and authorised and in my stead and place put my dearly beloved Wife Grace Brodie daughter of Luke and Grace Sparks deceased to be my true and lawful attorney to receive of Lionel Darell of the City of London Esqr such Bequest or Bequests as are mentioned in the Will of either the said Luke or Grace Sparks to be bequeathed to the said Grace by what Name or description soever she is therein mentioned [...]'. The document is signed by 'F B Brodie', and is 'Sealed and Delivered in presence of Us | Benj' D'Israeli | Geo: Hughes'. With 'Which I Attest | Richd Bayly | Noty. Pubc./.' The relationship between the three parties is unclear. According to the Oxford DNB, D'Israeli 'was born at Cento, Ferrara, emigrated to London in 1748, and began business on his own there in 1757 as an importer of Italian goods, especially the fashionable Leghorn straw hats. From 1776 he was also in business as a stockbroker, and in 1801 he became an English denizen and a founder member of the London stock exchange. On his death his estate was valued at £35,000.' In October 1781 the Gentleman's and London Magazine gave an account of the acquittal of Brodie and Ann O'Malley, in their trial for 'the alledged Murder, by Poison, of Owen O'Malley, Esq'.