Letters by explorers

Richard Cocks, inscription cut from the title-page of a book ("This book was geven me per Mr William Nealson, at Ficando in Japan the 20th February 1613 Ric Cocks") also inscribed by William Nealson ("Guilielmus Nealsonus Philo-Mathematicus in Gresham College dona Mr Henricus Briggs August 10 1609"); Roderick Murchison, autograph letter signed, declining to give the recipient one of Livingstone's letters to him, 1 page, 8vo, Brighton, 11 October 1862; Richard Burton, autograph letter signed, 2 pages, 16mo, 12 November 1875; Sir Gore Ouseley, four autograph letters signed, to William Stouch, upholsterer, 7 pages, 4to, 1817-21 

Richard Cocks (1565-1624) was the first head of the East India Company's factory in Hirado, Japan. He lived in the country from 1611 to 1622 and his diary is one of the key records of early Western involvement in Japan. He received this book from William Nealson, the factory's assistant book-keeper. Autograph material by Cocks is exceptionally rare on the market.