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1744 ORIGINAL ANTIQUE FRAMED LETTER HMS ANGLESEA LT. GENERAL JOHN COPE SIGNATURE

Dated 20th December 1744, an original signed letter from Lt. General Sir John Cope (1690-1760) to his Army Agent in Pall Mall London, William Adair (1700-1783).

The letter concerns a Return for the detachment under his command aboard ship, and is written as the ship waits 'in the Downs' for a favourable westerly wind (the Downs is an anchorage in the Channel off the coast of Kent).

Lt. General John Cope was commander in chief of the Army in Scotland at the time of the Jacobite Rebellion, and his army was defeated at the Battle of Prestonpans on 21 September 1745.

The letter mentions the Captain of HMS Anglesea (1742), Jacob Elton, who was killed during the action that saw the ship taken by the French ship Apollon a few months later in March 1745.

The letter has fold marks and the remains of its red wax seals, one tear where the letter was opened. It is framed in double glass to show both sides of the paper. The ebonised wood framing looks to be Georgian or early Victorian, and is undisturbed as found.

Marks and wear to document, mount and frame from age and handling.

Visible letter 27cm x 19cm. Frame 43.6cm x 35.6cm. All approx.

Please see photos for detailed condition.

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