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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 155

(x) An archive of documents relating to Royal Navy Admiral Sir Sidney Smith

Document certifying that Colonel John Douglas of the Royal Marines disembarked with a company of marines from H.M.S. Tigre and served with the Turkish army on shore at Jaffa and the siege and capture of El Arish, signed by Smith, dated 11 January 1800, slight pinholes to upper corner, otherwise very fine condition;

Parliamentary Act “to enable His Majesty to grant a certain Annuity to Captain Sir Sidney Smith, in Confideration of the eminent Services which he has rendered during his command on the Coast of Egypt”, dated 24 March 1801, evidently removed from binding, slight pinholes to left margin as result;

Autograph campaign letter addressed to Sir Sidney Smith by Royal Navy Lieutenant John Westley Wright in Rosetta, Egypt, noting “All the good people of the Army feel & express a strong interest in whatever concerns you, my dr. Sir Sidney”, dated 19 July 1801, contemporary ink smudges and some ageing, otherwise in very fine condition;

Autograph letter written and signed by Smith to Sir John Stuart, who two days earlier achieved a great victory at the Battle of Maida, written aboard H.M.S. Pompee, dated 6 July 1806, attempt to reinforce edge with tape, minor paper loss along spine and minor edge tears, does not obscure text;

Request to supply the Cornwallis Packet at the port of Palermo with a Bill of Health in accordance with Quarantine laws, signed aboard Pompee by Smith, dated 7 January 1807, with remnant of red wax seal, some detail partially visible, some folds, ageing and stains, clear and legible;

Sworn affidavit signed by Smith confirming that “he has not enjoy’d the benefit if any public employment whatsoever either at sea or on shore” between 1 April and 30 June 1815, with additional signature of the diplomat David Richard Morier, reverse tape repair to left margin;

Autograph letter addressed to Captain Bone(?), marked ‘private’, noting “The Agamemnon’s defects as given by you to me are in my possession and will enable me to influence the decision of the Admiralty”, signed by Smith aboard H.M.S. Diana off the coast of Rio, dated 26 May 1809, pinhole at centre fold, and portrait of Smith has been affixed to reverse of letter;

Sold together with 5 portrait prints of Smith, one of which is in colour features Smith defending the bridge at Acre, overall very fine (12)

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

Estimate
£160 to £200

Starting price
£130