ELDON

viii + 200pp., 8vo. In contemporary calf binding, brown endpapers. Internally good and tight, on lightly-aged paper; in heavily-worn binding with chipped black label. Eldon's circular armorial bookplate on reverse of front free endpaper, and his ownership signature ('Eldon') both above this and on the reverse of the following fly-leaf. The decay of the binding is unfortunate as it has a restrained elegance, with spine in five compartments, blind-stamped pattern on the boards, and gilt dentelles.

Both items in very good condition, on aged paper, and both with minor traces of mount. The letter is 1p., 12mo, on a bifolium. The envelope is a leaf of paper, also 1p., 12mo. It is addressed by Eldon to 'John Cross Esq | 19 Lincolns Inn', franked in the bottom left-hand corner 'Eldon', and is without postmarks. It carries the seal in black wax, with the barest of impressions. Docketed in pencil in a contemporary hand '1819'.

8vo, 1 p. Eleven lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with a couple of spots from the leaf to which it was attached adhering to the blank reverse. Docketed at head in ink: 'Mem I know not to what application this refers.'; and at foot in pencil: 'Mem I was not the writer of the Letter referr'd to! | R T'. Eldon has received the recipient's letter, 'with a paper inserted from Mrs <?> Campbell or Clark. This paper is addressed to me under a very common Misapprehension of the Chancellors powers & duties'.

One page, 12mo. Very good. Unobtrusive trace of previous mount adhering to blank reverse. He is engaged to dine with Sir Alexander Grant [Sir Alexander Cray Grant, 1782-1854] on the day in question and 'cannot, therefore, have the Pleasure of dining with you & Lady Holland, to whom present my Respects, and Regret. | I fear before that day the Constitution in Church & State will be in a bad way - if I could have waited upon you, I am sure my Constitution & Spirits would have been much improved during my Visit.'

On both sides of a piece of paper roughly eight and a half inches by five and a half. Both sides of text enclosed within decorative border. A scare survival, in poor condition, worn and spotted with frayed edges and several closed tears. Text clearly legible. Headed 'FOR GRATUITOUS DISTRIBUTION.' Thirty-nine lines of text on reverse. Begins 'The following predictions of this venerable pillar of Church and State were at the time sneered at, as the senile and effete expressions of a bigoted octogenarian. What a lesson has he left to those who now hold the rudder of the State in their hands'.

Lord Chancellor of England (1751-1838). Dimensions roughly four and a half inches square. Paper spotted and discoloured. Traces of previous blue-paper mount adhering to blank reverse. Unobtrusive archival-tape repair to closed tear. Reads 'May God support him in the Time of his great Calamity! | I shall be infinitely obliged by your allowing me to hope that thro' you I may occasionally hear of his Health | I remain, Dear Sir, | Yr obliged Servant | Eldon'.