- 295
Cook, Captain James--Forster, George
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- A Letter to the right honourable The Earl of Sandwich, First Lord Commissioner of the Board of Admiralty, &c. London: G. Robinson, 1778
- Paper
FIRST EDITION, 4to (292 x 234mm.), [ii], ii, 26, 6pp., sewn as issued, uncut, red cloth clamshell box
Literature
BCJC 4773; Holmes 28; Sabin 25127; Streeter IV, 2411
Condition
A very good copy
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Very rare.
Forster gives the whole account of his and his father's experiences with Lord Sandwich and the Admiralty relating to the writing of the narrative of Cook's second voyage, and claims his father had not been allowed to write the official account as promised, partly because of the objections of Lord Sandwich's mistress. It contains many statements which, if correct, would show Sandwich, Daines Barrington, and the Admiralty in a very poor light. On the contrary, Holmes states it would be “preposterous to suppose that [Lord Sandwich] did anything quite as odd as the younger Forster alleges” (Holmes).
Forster gives the whole account of his and his father's experiences with Lord Sandwich and the Admiralty relating to the writing of the narrative of Cook's second voyage, and claims his father had not been allowed to write the official account as promised, partly because of the objections of Lord Sandwich's mistress. It contains many statements which, if correct, would show Sandwich, Daines Barrington, and the Admiralty in a very poor light. On the contrary, Holmes states it would be “preposterous to suppose that [Lord Sandwich] did anything quite as odd as the younger Forster alleges” (Holmes).
It has been suggested that the rarity of this Letter is due to the destruction of copies on behalf of those pilloried by Forster's attacks.