Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26066 - Historical Documents, Autographs and Ephemera
Lot: 1158

Great Britain
The Waterloo Ball 1815
1888 Six sided letter written by Lady Louisa Tighe (1803-1900), daughter of the 4th Duke of Richmond, recalling in detail the famous Ball given by her Mother in Brussels on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo. The Duke of Wellington, alarmed by the news of the impending Battle, allowed his Officers to attend the Ball but they were ordered to leave surreptitiously for battle, so as not to raise concern.
In this letter she mentions the Duke as a personal family friend. "I have a bit of His hair which I cut off in the year 1815 quite a treasure, & I told him years ago I had it still, as well as the watch. He laughed and said the Hair I had was his but that his valet gave some of his White Horse's hair Copenhagen by name, to many who wrote for his Hair."
Lady Louisa was the last person alive to have been at the Waterloo Ball. The letter, written and posted from Ireland, has the original envelope addressed to Mrs Tristram, Hampton Court.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£120 to £150

Starting price
£100