UNIQUE LETTER TO SIR JOSEPH BANKS (INC. HIS MS DRAFT REPLY) ...

by Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd
1/4

Estimate

£70 - £100

Fees

UNIQUE LETTER TO SIR JOSEPH BANKS (INC. HIS MS DRAFT REPLY) CONCERNING THE UNEXPLAINED LEVITATION OF A CAT: 24 July 1789 EL (reinforced on centrefold with archival tape) from Mayfair to Joseph Banks in Soho Square (naturalist & botanist instrumental in numerous worldwide expeditions & the cultivation of exotic specimens in Kew Gardens) with fine "W" Westminster Office "SA" Dockwra & fair L368 time stamp on the reverse. Detailed description within (witnessed by the author & his sister) of a panting cat leaping from a chair and in mid-air: "her body became more & more light, swelled, and distorted, and she then, gradually & perpendicularly arose in a walking posture to the height of nine or ten feet from the floor, where after being suspended for a few seconds, she descended...". Includes a draft of Banks' brisque reply in his own hand. Cross Reference: AUTOGRAPHS

+ Calendar 2025-03-05 11:00:00 2025-03-06 23:59:59 Europe/London Worldwide & Great Britain Stamps & Postal History *** If you REGISTER TO BID for this auction, Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd. will pay the £3 + VAT fee. *** *** Viewing times and places for this auction may be subject to change. Please check here for updates. *** Part 1 Worldwide Stamps & Postal History Wednesday 5 March 2025 at 11am GMT Lots 1-719 Featuring the Mike Parker collection of Haiti stamps & postal history, and countries Aden to Zululand. Part 2 Great Britain Stamps & Postal History Thursday 6 March 2025 at 11am GMT Lots 720-1359 Featuring the John Colton collection of Free Franking marks 1690-1840, and the John Sussex RDP FRPSL collection of the Scottish Highlands. ARRANGEMENTS FOR VIEWING CAVENDISH HOUSE, DERBY Mon. 17 to Friday 21 Feb.....................................................................9.30am - 4.30pm Mon. 24 & Tue. 25 Feb........................................................................9.30am - 4.30pm Mon. 3 & Tue. 4 Mar............................................................................9.30am - 4.30pm Wed. 5 & Thur. 6 Mar. (AUCTION?DAYS)..........................................NO VIEWING THE SPRING NATIONAL EXHIBITION, THE ROYAL PHILATELIC SOCIETY LONDON PLEASE NOTE: Boxes, albums & large packets will not be available. Please contact us with requests. Thur. 27 & Fri. 28 Feb........................................................................10.00am - 5.00pm Sat. 1 Mar...........................................................................................10.00am - 3.00pm ARRANGEMENTS FOR AUCTION DAYS BIDDING IN THE ROOM - Places are limited so please contact us as soon as possible to book. You can also place bids by post, by using the form on our website, through easyliveAuction.com (free registration for online bidding), or by using an auction agent. Please contact us (preferably by email) with any further requests or queries. Please watch the website www.cavendish-auctions.com for updates. SCANS - VIEWING BY EMAIL Illustrations for all lots in this catalogue are available on our website. Please check the website first before requesting images. Requests should be made as soon as possible; last minute requests cannot be serviced and no images will be provided on the day of the sale. To be fair to everyone we can only provide a reasonable number of scans to be sent to you by email. PLEASE NOTE: Payments should be made by the registered buyer and not by third parties, unless it has been agreed at the time of registration that you are acting as an agent on behalf of a third party. Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd
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Auction Date:
5th Mar 25 at 11am GMT

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