'The History of Polperro by Jonathan Couch, Esq, From the ea...

Hammer

£820

'The History of Polperro by Jonathan Couch, Esq, From the earliest times to the year 1867' MS written, 160 pages, half red leather, rubbed to extremities, gilt embossed title to front board and spine, separate index. Although unproven, this lot could be considered an original transcript of Crouch’s work that later became the basis of the 1871 printed version by his son Thomas Quiller-Crouch (see lot 746). Very similar content is seen between the two works, although evidently written in very differing styles. The opening (and for comparison) of 'Smuggling' reads thus; MS page 76. 'Its probable that at a very remote date it was common practice for men who followed the sea as a means of employment to be accustomed to bring spiritous liquors from the opposite coast of France for their own use.....Can it be a subject of wonder then, that when a tax was laid on spirits as they were brought into the nation, and in consequence of this new regulation, certain troublesom forms were exacted for the security of the tax....Smuggling was the result,' Printed 1871. 'Our town was probably a stronghold of the contraband trade in early times, and my description would be incomplete without some mention of it.....A commodious creek led into a deep and secluded valley, very difficult approach by land; where lived a race of hardy and reckless sailors, and amphibious artizans, for whom a life of adventure, and great, though precarious, profits had many charms. As this has not been signed by Jonathan Couch, I cannot confirm that this is an original manuscript used in the creation of the printed work, but there are many clues to suggest that it is. First, we have to consider the script. The cataloguer has had the pleasure of comparing this lot with an original manuscript from the Morrab Library in Penzance, 'A Natural History of Cornish Fishes' (MOR/COU/1). As you can see from our images (17-21), there are both similarities and differences. 'A Natural History...' being a bound volume of his notes and sketches which would eventually be published in 1836. The work was probably created quickly and whilst on the harbour wall of Polperro '....where he was careful to have his specimens fresh from the water, whenever practicable, and before death's ''effacing fingers" had dulled their beauty' (p17 1871). Lot 747 has clearly been written in the comfort of a study, with considerably more care. To the rear of the book, where the writer has transcribed letters concerning Polperro, the similarities of script are extremely compelling (please see image 19). p5 1871. '....Here, I presume, Jonathan Couch got his own free and clear handwriting, easy to read as print, as all handwriting should be,' Secondly, the title provided in the separate index, has a variation of the title, 'History of Polperro by Jonathan Couch Esq, from the earliest times to the year 1867'. Meaning the title suggests that the manuscript was completed three years prior to Couch’s death. There certainly doesn't seem to be any reference in the printed work, to when Couch decided to stop writing this work. It seems to the cataloguer too specific a date, if you are not the original creator. Thirdly, this work has been written on good quality laid paper. Running through the textblock are various watermarks with the manufacturer name and date, C. Ansell 1858 1860 1862 1864 1865, J. Whatman 1858, G. Green & Son 1861, amongst others. Predating the publication of the printed work and adding to the mystery. To compound the idea, as to whether this is a work in Couch's hand, the title page of the index is signed and dated by a H. L. Rowett 1898. (The subscribers list to the printed edition notes a H. L. Rowett obtaining four copies). This is a significant manuscript that certainly needs further investigation. Regardless of the outcome, a scarce and unique work.