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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 149

(x) A collection of documents relating to Admiral Sir John Thomas Duckworth, including orders addressed to him by Admiral of the Fleet James Gambier and a personal letter from Admiral John Orde detailing his dispute with St. Vincent

A warm and personal letter addressed to ‘My dear Sir!’, written and signed by Duckworth aboard H.M.S. Leviathan off the coast of Tournelles, dated 19 November 1798, tape repair to reverse margin, light pencil marks, text otherwise clear and legible;

Orders addressed to Captain James Bowen to assume command of Port Mahon’s dockyard, signed aboard Leviathan by Duckworth at Port Mahon, dated 22 November 1798, minor edge wear which does not interfere with text;

Orders addressed to Captain Henry D’Este Darby of H.M.S. Bellerophon to assume command of Port Mahon whilst Duckworth is away with his squadron reconnoitring Carthagena, signed aboard Leviathan by Duckworth at Port Mahon, dated 2 September 1799, three small holes along central folds, minor edge tears at fold, text remains legible;

Letter to Duckworth, addressed ‘My Dear Admiral’ and written by Admiral John Orde congratulating Duckworth on his success off Cadiz and going into lengthy detail about Orde’s dispute with St. Vincent, written and signed by Orde, dated 27 October 1799, small holes along folds, ageing, very minor interference to text which is legible;

A long, romantic autograph letter addressed to ‘My ever dearest, my most beloved, my dear dear Susan [Buller]!’, who was to become Duckworth’s second wife, floridly professing his love for her but also detailing the movements of the fleet and noting “my idea of Buonaparte's Policy is to throw in Sucour to Martinico, Guadeloupe, and the Garrison of St. Domingo…”, written and signed by Duckworth aboard H.M.S. St George on 9 February 1808, red wax stamp, some paper loss from stamp to reverse and a couple minor pinholes along folds, otherwise text is clear and legible, an interesting and unique historical letter;

Order from Admiral of the Fleet James Gambier addressed to Duckworth, ordering him to direct any transports carrying sick or wounded from the Army in Portugal to the Hospital at Plymouth, signed by Gambier on board H.M.S. Ville de Paris, dated 7 September 1808, light folds, otherwise in very good condition for its age;

Order from Admiral of the Fleet James Gambier addressed to Duckworth, ordering him to send Alcmene to relieve Naiad, signed by Gambier on board H.M.S. Ville de Paris, dated 13 September 1808, light folds and light ageing, otherwise in good condition;

Autograph letter from Lady Susan Duckworth addressed to her husband, ‘best and dearest of men’, reverse docketed by Duckworth ‘my dear Susan’, letter dated 17 January 1809, remnants of red seal, paper loss from seal, light edge wear in a few places, does not interfere with text;

Autograph letter addressed to William Griffiths discussing prize money and mentioning Lord Collingwood, written and signed by Duckworth aboard St. George, dated 20 February 1809, remnants of black seal, minor pinholes along edge fold, light staining, text clear and legible (9)

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£200 to £300

Starting price
£160