British Prime Minister (1784-1865). 3 autograph letters signed. London. Small 8vo. 5 pp.
380 €
(98042/BN63605)
Three letters written on mourning stationery, following the death of Palmerston's Brother, William Temple. Two letters, dated 24 August 1856, were written on the same day he died. The first letter informs the recipient of Sir William's death ("My brother Sir William Temple died this morning between eight and nine o'clock") and requests a post-mortem cast: "I would be glad to have a cast made of his face which is not much altered and I wish you would do this for me without loss of time". The following letter, sent on the same day, informs the recipient that Palmerston has changed his mind, as a bust of his brother was already made recently: "I have since learned from my Brother's servant that there is at Naples a bust of him which is a satisfactory likeness and therefore I do not wish to have a cast taken which under the circumstances could not be the foundation of a likeness as satisfactory as that which was taken during life".
In the third letter, dated 2 May 1857, Palmerston apologizes for failing to keep an appointment. - The letters were most likely addressed to William Behnes, one of the Britain's most successful portrait sculptors in the 19th century..