ARLINGTON

On a piece of paper roughly 4 x 7 cm. Very good, on slightly discoloured paper. Reads '<...> 34 years of His Maies <...> | [signed] Arlington'. The second of the two versions of Arlington's signature reproduced by Rawlins ('Five Hundred Years of British Autographs', p.63, no.8). Arlington was the first 'A' in the CABAL ministry, the name made up of the initials of the five privy councillors who conducted Charles II's government after the fall of Clarendon in 1667: Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley and Lauderdale.

The letter, two pages, 12mo; and the note one page, 12mo. Both on grubby, aged paper. The letter with small spike hole at head. LETTER: '[...] The only other things I go in for are Early English Furniture and Early MS. letters. If by any chance you come across any of these I should be very grateful indeed if you would let me know'. NOTE: 'Many thanks | I enclose 12/- for the two plates.'