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Viscount Lonsborough (later 4th Earl of Essex). Two autograph letters signed “Lonsborough”, 29 Grosvenor Square, March 16 & 18 (c.1887–1890). Two closely related letters to a Mr Clark concerning the steam launch Asteroid, a Thames launch built in 1887 by Des Vignes and later used as a Henley umpire’s boat (documented, inc pictures, in the Henley Umpire Launches register).
Lonsborough thanks Clark for “placing the Asteroid at my disposal”, discusses preparations for the vessel, and asks whether another launch “with a cabin” might be available for taking his daughters on an excursion. In the second letter he decides “to stick to Asteroid”, noting uncertainty about borrowing another launch from “Mr Douglas”. A vivid glimpse into Victorian leisure boating and the professional world of Thames steam launches.
The writer is not the Earl of Londesborough (Denison family). The signature reads Lonsborough, the courtesy title of William Henry Forester De Vere Capell, later 4th Earl of Essex, who resided at 29 Grosvenor Square during this period. The content, handwriting, and lifestyle references match the Capell Lonsborough precisely.
A well‑documented association:
– Asteroid built 1887 by Des Vignes – Later used as a Henley umpire launch – Letters show Lonsborough arranging use of the vessel for family outings
A strong pair for collectors of Thames history, Victorian boating, Henley material, or titled correspondence.
Condition as photos.All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.Supplied with my standard digital Certificate of Authenticity & Provenance. See \'Provenance\' below
William Henry Forester De Vere Capell (1854–1916) was a British aristocrat styled Viscount Lonsborough from 1866 until he succeeded as 4th Earl of Essex in 1892; resident at 29 Grosvenor Square during the 1880s; educated at Eton and Christ Church, he served as JP and local dignitary, married American heiress Adele Grant in 1893, and presided over the final years of the Cassiobury Park estate before his death in class=\"MsoNormal\">From a single owner collection of 3,000+ items. A chaotic uncatalogued miscellany of items from 17th to 20th Century.
Containing, amongst many other things: ALSs (Autograph Letters Signed); Signed Photos, Posters, Ephemera, Album pages; Clipped Signatures; Signed Free Fronts; Misc Manuscript Items; etc, etc.
Combined Postage
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Overseas Customers:
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Returns
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- Items can be returned for a full refund if found not to be as described.
Overseas Customers:
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