1830s Richard Wilson 2p Letter ALS - William Tooke Lawyer - Soc of Arts Randolph For Sale

1830s AUTOGRAPH LETTER — TO WILLIAM TOOKE F.R.S. (1777–1863) Chaplaincy Election & Society of Arts Involvement

DESCRIPTION: An interesting early‑19th‑century autograph letter addressed to William Tooke FRS (1777–1863), the British lawyer, politician, Fellow of the Royal Society, and later President of the Royal Society of Arts (1862). Tooke was closely involved in major educational reforms of the period, including the founding of University College London and work with the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. His address at Holborn Court, Gray’s Inn appears clearly on the lettersheet.

The writer, “Richd. Wilson”, cannot be securely identified. He reports that “Mr. Randolph” has been elected “by a very considerable Majority to the Chaplaincy of the Factory”. The precise nature of this chaplaincy is unclear; while factories sometimes employed chaplains or held religious services, there is no documented formal system of elected ‘factory chaplains’ in London during this period, so the phrase likely refers to a local or private institutional appointment rather than a structured public office.

Wilson asks Tooke to take the Chair at a Society of Arts meeting the following evening, indicating Tooke’s recognised standing within the RSA long before his later presidency. The letter provides a valuable glimpse into Tooke’s London intellectual network and the informal administrative culture surrounding RSA meetings.

The address panel (fourth page) reads:To Wm. Tooke Esqre. Holborn Court, Grays Inn

FULL DIPLOMATIC TRANSCRIPTION:

My dear Sir,

Allow me to express my obligations to you for the interest which you so obligingly took on behalf of Mr. Randolph, who through the interest of your friends & others was this day elected by a very considerable Majority to the Chaplaincy of the Factory.

One favour granted frequently brings on other solicitations, but I am in hopes that you may be able, in the instance I am about to task, to speak without much inconvenience; it is to take the Chair for me at the Society of Arts to morrow evening – I sleep in the Country to carry to my Wife the pleasing tidings of this day’s success. If you are not able to go yourself, perhaps you may be able to prevail on some other Vice P. to do it – pray let me know.

Condition as photos. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.

William Tooke FRS (1777 – 1863) was an English lawyer, politician, and President of the Society of class="MsoNormal">One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.

Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.

Complete with digital .jpg CoA - as photo - for you to print if needed

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