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Lot 79
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Benjamin Disraeli Archive, 30+ Original Signed Letters from His Early Career
Benjamin Disraeli Archive, 30+ Original Signed Letters from His Early Career
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Description:

Benjamin Disraeli Archive, 30+ Original Signed Letters from His Early Career

A large archive of correspondence penned by British politician Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) during his early career, addressed to family members, friends, fellow politicians, and business associates.

The archive of 35 letters and 5 envelopes ranges from February 1834 to December 1859 for a total of 95+ handwritten pages. Disraeli's signature appears in these letters and envelopes as "BD" (2); "D" (11); "B Disraeli" (18); in the third person as "Mr. Disraeli" (1); and in the third person as "The Chancellor of the Exchequer" (1). Inscribed in pen on a variety of stationery papers. Condition is generally very good to near fine, with expected folds and light wear. Isolated foxing and occasional mounting traces. Scattered closed tears along folds and isolated loss corresponding to wax seals. The average size of the letters is 4.5" x 7.125."

Over the 25-year period of their correspondence included here, Disraeli would serve as a Member of the House of Commons and undertake two terms as Chancellor of the Exchequer. His two terms as British Prime Minister occurred nearer the end of his career, in 1868 and between 1874-1880.

The archive is not exhaustively described and should be closely inspected. Please refer to catalog images for further details.

The archive is comprised of, in chronological order:

- N.p., undated but pencil-inscribed in another hand as February 26, 1834. A 2pp autograph letter signed by Disraeli as "D" and addressed to an unidentified correspondent regarding future plans.

- N.p., undated but pencil-inscribed in another hand as June 20, 1835. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "BD" and comprised of an integral address leaf addressed to Disraeli's older sister Sarah Disraeli (1802-1859) (his signature can also be found within her name as "Miss Disraeli.") Concerning a ball, and Disraeli's boast that "Many good judges thought my dress the handsomest in the room."

- N.p., undated but bearing a January 29, 1836 postmark. A 3pp autograph letter comprised of an integral address leaf addressed to Sarah Disraeli. Unsigned at the conclusion of the letter, though his signature can be found within her name as "Miss Disraeli." Discussing Disraeli's political ambitions, and a royal pregnancy. Disraeli would be elected to the House of Commons in 1837.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, January 14, 1840. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli." Regarding the scheduling of a company's annual meeting. Disraeli lived at 1, Grosvenor Gate between 1839-1872.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, May 27, 1844. A 4pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to "Do Cooke Taylor," presumably a newspaper editor. Disraeli refers to two of his novels in this letter, "The Wondrous Tale of Alroy" (1833) and "Coningsby, or The New Generation" (1844), requesting to know the identity of a critic who had given him positive reviews for the later novel. "Alroy" was Disraeli's sixth novel, and explored the life of David Alroy, an Iraqi Jew who claimed to be the Messiah and organized an uprising against Muslims in the 12th century Middle East. Disraeli's twelfth novel "Coningsby" commented on contemporary British politics.

- N.p., undated, but pen-inscribed in another hand as August 21, 1844. A 8pp autograph letter signed as "D" and addressed to Disraeli's sister "Sa." Concerning personal matters such as "MA" (Disraeli's wife Mary Anne Lewis, married in 1839); social gossip; literary publications; and political events. In part: "I have just come from the F.O. [Foreign Office] where I have seen about some letters for him. I don't at all believe in war, tho' it is rumored."

- Bradenham Manor, High Wycomb, October 27, 1844. A 3pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to the Editor of "The Sun," thanking him for his recent support. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope. Disraeli's father Isaac resided at Bradenham Manor until the latter's death in 1848.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, June 2, 1845. A 2pp autograph letter signed in the third person as "Mr. Disraeli." Addressed to Ernest Charles Jones (1819-1869) and accompanied by its original transmittal envelope. Jones was a German-born and German-educated leader of the British Chartist Movement who had been imprisoned for sedition in the late 1840s. Jones had requested permission to refer to Disraeli's latest novel "Sybil, or The Two Nations," in articles produced for the German-language newspaper "Deutsche Londoner Zeitung." "Sybil" was Disraeli's thirteenth novel. In it, Disraeli condemned the deplorable living conditions of the working poor and recommended political reforms like universal male suffrage.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, January 29, 1846. A 3pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to "T. Ouseley Esq." Thanking his correspondent for his "honest support of honest principles" regarding Native Industry.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, February 3, 1846. A 3pp autograph letter magnificently signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to Richard Taylor and the "Gentlemen attending the Bull Room." The signature is of an unusually large size, measuring 2.75" x 5" alone. Concerning a present recently offered to Disraeli by "those noblemen + gentlemen who are still faithful to the cause of native Industry." Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, February 26, 1848. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" asking his correspondent "W. Day Esq" to visit him in town. The blank last page is laid down on a larger paper mount.

- N.p., undated, but pen-inscribed in another hand as February 18, 1848. A 4pp autograph letter signed as "D" and addressed to Disraeli's sister "Sa." Regarding the upcoming Exchequer bill debate and "political business in general."

- Grosvenor Gate, London, April 19, 1850. A 4pp autograph letter signed as "D" and addressed to "Hon: Ed: Phipps," most likely an editor. Concerning the printing placement (or preferably the suppression) of "a very puerile + affected" letter of Disraeli's, which he fears would be misinterpreted. Partial tape residue along the gutter of the last page.

- Coventry House, London, January 17, 1853. A 4pp autograph letter signed as "D" and addressed to Sir James Emerson Tennent (1804-1869), the Irish politician and historian who had served as Colonial Governor of Ceylon [Sri Lanka] between 1846-1850. The letter mentions "Lord Stanley," or fellow Conservative politician Edward Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby (1826-1893). Disraeli had served his first term as Chancellor of the Exchequer between February-December 1852.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, February 14, 1853. A 3pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to John Baldwin Buckstone (1802-1879), a London actor, playwright, and friend of British novelist Charles Dickens. Disraeli regrets that he cannot chair an evening meeting of the Theatrical Fund per Buckstone's request. The blank last page is laid down on a larger paper mount.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, March 24, 1853. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to Sir James Emerson Tennent (see above.) Recommending a barrister named Mr. Lucas who was affiliated with the University of Oxford. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope also signed "B Disraeli" and bearing a fine example of a red wax stamp verso.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, May 14, 1853. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "D" with a brief postscript addressed to a presumed literary contact named "S. Lucas Esq." Regarding the publishing format and circulation. The bifold paper has split along the gutter and has been professionally repaired.

- Torquay, Devon, October 3, 1854. A 3pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to Michael Henry Williams, a magistrate from Tredrea near Truro, Cornwall. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope also signed "B Disraeli."

Disraeli reports on recent news from the Crimean War, writing: "Our carriage was stopped, at every stage, with fresh rumors from the seat of war, but beyond the battle, of wh: we first heard at Sconar, on Sunday, all is still doubtful. At least, I am myself a little skeptical of the Tatar, in whom, however all believe..." The Crimean War had erupted nearly one year earlier, in October 1853, and this letter anticipated both the beginning of the Siege of Sevastopol and the Battle of Balaklava later in October 1854.

- N.p., n.d. but the integral address leaf is postmarked February 4, 1855. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "BD" and addressed to Sarah Disraeli (his signature can also be found within her name as "Miss Disraeli.") Regarding Disraeli's busy schedule, "hampered with engagements." Bearing large black wax seal.

- Hughenden Manor, High Wycomb, January 3, 1856. A 3pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" with a lengthy postscript and addressed to Messieurs Burley & Carlisle. Concerning financial matters. Disraeli lived at Hughenden Manor between 1848 and his death in 1881.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, February 5, 1856. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "D" and addressed to "S. Lucas Esq." Regarding Disraeli's delay in responding to Lucas's letter, and the "tranquil" state of affairs.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, April 13, 1856. A 4pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to Messieurs Burley & Carlisle. Regarding unsuccessful communication with an unidentified third party.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, June 2, 1856. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "D" and addressed to "S. Lucas Esq." Pertaining to the hiring of an unknown individual known as "Mather's demurrer" to the staff of the newspaper.

- N.p., undated but attributed to November 8, 1856 in the collection of Disraeli's correspondence edited by M.G. Wiebe, "Volume VI, Benjamin Disraeli Letters, 1852-1856" (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, Inc., 1997), p. 507. A 3pp autograph letter signed as "D" and identified to have been addressed to Samuel Lucas. Regarding the forgery case of Mather v. Maidstone.

- Hughenden Manor, High Wycomb, April 21, 1857. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to Messieurs Burley & Carlisle. Concerning a future course of action, deliberately described in vague terms.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, June 7, 1857. A 4pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to "W.T. Carlisle." Regarding financial matters linked to plantations in Ceylon.

- Hughenden Manor, High Wycomb, September 20, 1857. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "D" and addressed to "S. Lucas Esq." Concerning a "grave" state of affairs.

- Hughenden Manor, High Wycomb, September 28, 1857. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to "W.T. Carlisle." Disraeli promises to visit Carlisle in London, to clear up confusing instructions.

- Hughenden Manor, High Wycomb, October 26, 1857. A 3pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to "W.T. Carlisle." Concerning affairs in Ceylon.

- Hughenden Manor, High Wycomb, December 30, 1857. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to "W.T. Carlisle." Regarding a "stirring + satisfactory" state of affairs.

- [Chancellor of the Exchequer, 11 Downing Street, London], April 3, 1858. A 1p autograph letter signed as "D" and addressed to "S. Lucas Esq." Regarding an audience later that day. Disraeli had accepted his second term as Chancellor of the Exchequer just over one month earlier, in late February 1858; he would fill this post until June 1859.

- Chancellor of the Exchequer, 11 Downing Street, London, June 2, 1858. A 3pp autograph letter apparently signed by Disraeli's younger brother Raphael "Ralph" Disraeli (1809-1898). The younger Disraeli conveyed the wishes of his elder brother Benjamin, "The Chancellor of the Exchequer," to Messieurs Burley & Carlisle. A split horizontal fold on the first page has been repaired.

- Chancellor of the Exchequer, 11 Downing Street, London, January 6, 1859. A 1p autograph letter signed in the third person as "The Chancellor of the Exchequer" requesting a meeting with Messieurs Burley and Carlisle the following day.

- Grosvenor Gate, London, June 23, 1859. A 2pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to Messieurs Burley and Carlisle. Regarding the minimum sale price of an associate's estates in Ceylon. (Disraeli's second term as Chancellor of the Exchequer has expired about two weeks earlier, on June 11, 1859.)

- Grosvenor Gate, London, December 5, 1859. A 4pp autograph letter signed as "B Disraeli" and addressed to Sir James Emerson Tennent (see above). Congratulating Tennent on the publication of "your work on Ceylon," almost certainly referring to Tennent's "Ceylon: An Account of the Island, Physical, Historical, and Topographical, with Notices of Its Natural History, Antiquities, and Productions" (London: 1859).

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.

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