Historical 1874 cover sent from Ardglass by Montagu William Lowry Corry (1838–1903), private secretary and one of the closest and most trusted associates of Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881), to Disraeli at 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, London. The cover is marked “Private” and addressed in manuscript to: “The Right Honble. B. Disraeli, M.P. 10 Downing Street Whitehall London” with “M. Corry” written at the lower left. The cover was sent in 1874 – the year in which Disraeli returned to power and began his second premiership. Montagu Corry, later 1st Baron Rowton, served as Disraeli’s private secretary from 1866 until Disraeli’s death in 1881 and became one of his closest and most trusted associates. Disraeli recommended Corry for a peerage, and in 1880 he was created Baron Rowton. Following Disraeli’s death, Corry also served as his literary executor. The reverse retains a particularly attractive large original red wax seal bearing a detailed heraldic device, with a crowned blind-embossed seal also visible on the envelope above it. An attractive piece of Victorian postal history with a direct personal association between Disraeli and one of his closest confidants, sent to 10 Downing Street during the first year of Disraeli’s second premiership.
Auction 01: Auction 01 – Historical Letters, Documents & Autographs — Melis Antiques & Art