In my previous blog, I mentioned the five unsigned letters to John Spottiswoode from an un-named solicitor (Lot BK9/370) within the manuscripts sections of the auction.
The pick of the documents from the John Spottiswoode collection of letters is the signed letter from James First (1566-1625) (BK9/372). This letter from James First, King of England and King of Scotland as James IV is a signed folio document relating to lands, rents, leases etc to the Abbey of Icolmekille (Iona). It is sent from Theobaldes (Theobald’s Palace) 12 November 1618 to the Earl of Dunfermline and is expected to fetch between £600-£1,000 when it goes under the hammer on 20th February 2013 at the Dowell Street Honiton Saleroom in East Devon.
James I letter in Antiquarian book auction
Other excitements within this section of the book auction include a signed folio document from Charles First (BK9/366) (1600-1649) sent from Oatlands Surrey on 9th September 1638 to the Lord Advocate Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall, which carries a pre-sale estimate of £250-£400 and another folio document from Charles I relating to the handing over of the Great Seal (BK9/368). This letter was sent from Hampton Court on 16th September 1638 to John Spottiswoode, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Lord Chancellor of Scotland. The letter is docketed in the hand of his son, Sir Robert Spottiswoode and has a pre-sale estimate of £300-£500
Charles I letter in Antiquarian book auction
