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Auction: 17020 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 873

Autographs
William Hamilton
1794 (13 July) A.L.S. from Naples to John Coxe Hippisley in Rome, the letter includes, " ... what you did in taking upon you to negotiate with the Pope was certainly very well judged at that time - I should have been greatly distressed of Lord Hoods fleet had happened to come here a month ago, for we had not a sufficient supply of corn for ourselves ...". The letter continues to mention the maneuvers of Lord Hood's fleet in the Mediterranean and concludes, "Be assured that I will give you the earliest intelligence of the motions of our fleet". and is signed "Wm Hamilton". The wrapper is rated "8" in red ink and there is an indistinct postmark; usual folding creases and the opening faults have been expertly repaired


Also 1801 (21 April) A.L.S. from his house in Piccadilly to Sir William Herschel requesting a visit from his friends in the Italian nobility from Naples, "who are curious to see your famous Telescope." He continues to let her know that the King of Naples " ... has agreed to give you a super situation at Naples to pursue your astronomical observations in the clear atmosphere of Naples ..." and is signed "Wm Hamilton". (2 letters). Photo

Sir William Hamilton (1730 – 1803) was a Scottish diplomat, antiquarian, archaeologist and vulcanologist. After a short period as a Member of Parliament, he served as British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples from 1764 to 1800. He studied the volcanoes Vesuvius and Etna, becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society and recipient of the Copley Medal. His second wife was Emma Hamilton, famed as Horatio Nelson's mistress. Emma first met Nelson in 1793, when he came to gather reinforcements against the French.

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