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Thomas de Quincey

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:800.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Thomas de Quincey

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Auction Date:2015 Apr 15 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
British author (1785–1859) best remembered for his now-classic memoir of his experiments with drugs, Confessions of an English Opium-Eater. ALS, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7.25, October 13, [1857]. Letter to his solicitor, John Sudlow, on worries about his daughter and her husband’s involvement in the British army stationed in India. In part: “Two years ago my second daughter married Lt. Col. Baird Smith—favourably known as an artillery officer, and by his plans of Irrigation for Scinde, Lahore, &c. The station, at which he resided, was a small and obscure one, viz. Rourkee…However the sappers and miners, all natives, that happened to be quartered at Rourkee, were among the earliest Mutineers; but not till they had been tempted away, and absorbed into Delhi. Meantime, no place could be entirely safe; and one alarming incident, which exposed…the strength of the place, occurred at a very early stage of the insurrection…a detachment of about 40 native troopers had ridden in to the station, and desired to speak with the commandant Col. S[mith]…went out, and naturally in some anxiety. The men had not announced themselves as mutineers, but he had little doubt…The men replied that such was not their way of thinking. 'Very well,' said the Col., 'then come to this open area, where you can feed your horses, whilst we discuss'…Naturally they followed him without suspicion; and in a few seconds found themselves arranged before a battery…With this advantage, he disarmed and also dismounted them…Major—, who had made himself enemies on every side, was dismissed for the command of the artillery in Delhi; and Col. S. was summoned to succeed him. There at once my poor Florence was stripped of her special protector; and already in the earliest stage of the tumult she had given birth to a daughter; so that secret escape, in the event of necessity arising, would become 10 times less feasible. After this my anxiety became insupportable…This day's second telegraphic report leaves me no other fear than that the Scoundrels will never stand to face us, or give us an opportunity of that vengeance which every just man desires." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in De Quincey’s hand.