Lot 424

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Description:

James Watt ALS Discussing the Grain Millers' Opposition to his Albion Mill—the First Grist Mill to Employ His Improved Steam Engine, & Considered to Be the First True Factory—Signaling the Start of the Industrial Revolution

Important Autograph Letter Signed, "James Watt," 1 page, 8" x 10", Birmingham, September 5, 1784,addressed in his hand on the integral transmittal leaf to "Joah Bates Esqr" at the "Victualling Office." Expected folds, address panel laid in to larger sheet, else fine.

A superb content letter from Watt to Joah Bates (1741-1799) a highly-regarded musician who was also helped finance London's Albion Mills: the first grist mill to utilize James Watt's improved steam engine. The mill, designed by architect Samuel Wyatt, was intended to relive the increasing demand for flour in the rapidly-growing metropolis. Although the new mill, constructed on the south bank of the Thames near Blackfriar's bridge, promised to reduce the price of bread substantially, not all welcomed it. The city's millers vehemently opposed the new concern, believing that threatened their livelihood.

In the present letter, Watt mentions a published address authored by a committee of London grist-millers and meal men who opposed the erection of the mill and observes that he intends to have a response printed in the same newspaper.

In full:

"Having received from Mr Brown the daily advertiser containing the address of the Millers committee in which I observe they have given me more honor than what I think belongs to me, and seem to direct their whole argument to the overthrowing [of] our patent, on the supposition we have communicated our exclusive privilege the company, I have thought it necessary to remove that imputation by a publick advertisement in the same paper, as we should be ruined could any legal advantage be got by them in that matter, and I cannot suppose that any of the Gentlemen concerned could wish us to be injured by our endeavours to advance the interests of the concern[.] I have desired Mr Brown to bring the advertisement to you & to leave it with you for your consideration as I am by no means satisfied with the draught yet[?] & do not wish it to be published untill [sic] I write again[.] And in the mean time I also wish you would turn your thoughts towards a proper answer on the part of the A[lbion]. M[ills]. Company — I remain with best respects to Mrs Bates & other friends...

Your's Sincerely,

James Watt"

Construction on the mill was complete by 1786, and employed Watt's double-acing steam engine to drive twenty pairs of millstones, each of which could grind up to nine bushels of corn per hour. The addition of a second boiler in 1789 increased the capacity of the mill so it was producing sales of £6,800 in flour per week. However, early in the morning of March 2, 1791 a fire engulfed the factory, gutting it beyond repair—much to the satisfaction of London's millers. In light of the millers' enthusiasm over the demise of the "dark Satanic Mills" (as William Blake later immortalized them in his poem, "And did those feet in ancient time"), the authorities strongly suspected arson as the cause. However the managers blamed a lack of grease on one of the corn machines near the kiln and determined the fire an accident. Although London's millers rejoiced that they could not resume production now that the Albion's monopoly on grain milling had ended, its destruction placed five hundred people out of work and proved a financial disaster for Bates, who had invested his entire personal fortune, together with £10,000 from his wife, into the concern.

Despite its short life, the Albion Mills demonstrated the potential for Watt's improved steam engines and the building itself became the symbol of the oncoming Industrial Revolution. In fact, the Wikipedia page on "Industrial Revolution" prominently features as its first illustration, Watts steam engine. This is one of the most important letters in the history of our developing civilizations and arguably as good as the famous letter to Robert Fulton written 18 years after our letter and which fetched over $65,000 in 1994.

Provenance. Messrs. Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, Catalogue of a Most Important, Interesting & Valuable Series of Autograph Letters And Historical Documents, being the English portion of the well known collection formed by a Foreign Nobleman, London, March 17, 1875, Lot 184.

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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