Description:

Benjamin Disraeli ALS: "Nothing but the critical state of affairs has kept me at my post, but if I die of it, I cannot desert it now"

A 8pp autograph letter signed by British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) as "B" at the conclusion of the letter, and also free franked as "Beaconsfield" on the accompanying original transmittal envelope. Written in London, England on August 16, 1877 on bifold mourning stationery with "2, Whitehall Gardens / S.W." letterhead. Expected paper folds. The first bifold has split neatly down the center into two double-sided sheets. Else clean and near fine. 4.5" x 7." The envelope bears an elegant black wax seal featuring a rooster and laurel branches. Also present are several philatelic markings including four hand-stamps. Letter-opened at top and partly torn at front.

Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli wrote this lengthy letter to his friend "Mrs de Burgh." Marianne de Burgh née Tollemache (ca. 1809-1880) was the wife of Hubert de Burgh, a land owner in West Drayton, now part of Greater London. Mrs. de Burgh served as a companion to the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel (1797-1889), George III's daughter-in-law and Queen Victoria's cousin.

This very letter appears in Volume VI, 1876-1881 of editor George Earle Buckle's "The Life of Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield" (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1920), p. 170. See this book for further details and some interesting editorial notes.

In part, with original usage and punctuation:

"I am grieved I did not see you before you left town -- but I have been very ill + continue very ill + am really quite incapable of walking up stairs - Gout + Bronchitis have ended in Asthma, the horror of wh: I have never contemplated or conceived. I have seen more than one person die, but I don't think th suffered the oppression + despair wh: I have sometimes to encounter - +, sometimes I am obliged to sit up all night, + want of sleep at last breaks one down.

Nothing but the critical state of affairs has kept me at my post, but if I die of it, I cannot desert it now - I have managed to attend every Cabinet, but I can't walk at present from Whitehall to Downing St, but am obliged to brougham even that step, wh: I once could have repeated fifty times a day…"

Disraeli would serve two terms as British Prime Minister, in 1868 and between 1874-1880. The portrait Disraeli paints of himself in the Summer of 1877 is as a horse prepared to die in the traces. Disraeli's poor health did not prevent him from diligently discharging his ministerial duties while serving the queen whom he adored.

Disraeli had suffered acutely from the complaints he mentions in his letter for many years. After Disraeli's second term as British Prime Minister ended in April 1880, his health further deteriorated. He developed a case of bronchitis in March 1881, and his condition worsened over the following month. Disraeli died at his Mayfair, London home of 19, Curzon Street on the morning of April 19, 1881 at the age of 76. Public grief was universal, from Queen Victoria, distraught from losing one of her favorite advisers, to even William Gladstone, Disraeli's greatest political rival.

Also in the letter, Disraeli mentions Montagu Corry, 1st Baron Rowton (1838-1903), who served as Disraeli's private secretary between 1866-1881.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

March 3, 2021 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000