A most interesting letter and account written by two people on single sheet over three sides.

On one side is an account in Italian written by the astronomer Giovanni Battista Donati, who in his lifetime discovered six comets, three of which are named after him including the first comet ever to be photographed (he also has a moon crater named in his honour).

The account is addressed to a Countess and relates to the appearance of "The Great Comet of 1860", now known as Comet C/1860 M1. The note is written in Italian on the 25th June 1860 from Florence, the comet having been first sighted on June 18th in Italy. I have roughly translated the beginning as being an explanation from Donati to the Countess that the comet was first seen on the Saturday. I don't know what it goes on to say.

The previous two sides were written a day later, to "George" from a person who signed off with a signature that I've yet to identify (though I believe this to be the Count or Countess). These pages relate to what the writer describes as a "laughable" incident involving Donati that they wish to share with "George". It transpires that on hearing of the appearance of this new comet, the writer wished to speak to Donati, but he has told them that he is too busy to be seen and the observatory (at Florence where he worked) was not to be visited. However, the writer was subsequently told by a man there that despite Donatis bad manners, he had in fact no authority to bar admittance, and therefore they have attended and viewed the comet from there. Then follows a short contempary description of what was seen. This is being forwarded to "George" alongside Donatis note to the Countess.

I don't know who George or the Count & Countess were, but the way the letter is written suggests that "George" knows (or knows of) Donati. I know that the Royal Astronomer at the time was Sir George Biddle Airey, I'm not saying that he was the recipient but within the context of the subject matter and the the social standing of the writer it's not beyond the realms of possibility. The closest I can get to on the signature is Bacdile or similar.

The letter rings true in respect of Donati, though he was on the staff of the Observatory of Florence from 1852 onwards, he wasn't appointed director until 1864. In his defence, he may well have been too busy to entertain what he may well have considered amateur astronomists regardless of their rank in society, as at the time he was probably quite engaged in his pioneering work on the spectroscopic study of the Sun, the stars and comets.

He died aged 46 from Bubonic Plague some eight years after this letter was written.

Great letter written of a contempary event.

Please see photographs provided which serve as the best possible description.

I post all paper items protected and in proper card backed envelopes.

I never add additional folds, if the item is shown with a parcel postage price that is because it is oversized and will not fit in a small or large letter envelope.

I'm always happy to combine postage when I can.

I only ever use GSP for international shipping, if you are buying more than one item please wait until they provide you with a final invoice as they cannot combine shipping retropectively.

Thanks for looking.