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Auction: 21066 - Historical Documents, Postal History and Autographs
Lot: 243

Napoleonic Wars
St. Helena
c. 1818 printed pass with manuscript additions signed by Sir Thomas Reade, Deputy Adjutant General, who was responsible for the security surrounding Napoleon.
"Permission is given to Captain Purvis / for the purpose of visiting the Interior of the Island,/ Longwood Grounds excepted) / Adjutant General's Office / James's Town … date…. / "To the Officers, and Non-commissioned / Officers commanding Guards and Picquets"

The pass has faults. It is trimmed with wear to the lower right corner, not affecting the signature of Reade. A rare ephemeral item.


Notes: Captain Richard Fortescue Purvis, the son of Admiral John Child Purvis, recorded his visit to St Helena on the Thomas Grenville, a ship that was carrying rice from Cape Town to St Helena. Reade had expressed interest in meeting the son of "his old friend" Purvis, but when Purvis went to obtain the permit here preserved, he complained in a letter to his father that "he wrote (my name) down without the slightest emotion, or checking the pen in its course", and gave Purvis no recognition at all.

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£400