vormals Erzherzog Johann Salvator, Militär und Schriftsteller (1852-1890). Autograph letter signed ("Johann Orth"). [London]. 01.02.1890. 2 SS. Gr.-8vo.
$ 4,793 / 4.500 €
(33454/BN28637)
After renouncing his ties with the Imperial family, Johann Orth purchased a captain's license and bought the British barque "Saint Margaret" in January 1890. Together with his recently wedded wife and the entire crew, he got caught in a storm while sailing along Cape Horn on the night of 20 to 21 July and sank; neither he nor the crew was never heard from again. This fine letter (addressed to Anton Weissenböck, the manager of Castle Orth) gives detailed information as to which objects had been found aboard the "Saint Margaret": "all the silverware, china and glasswares, as much kitchenware as strictly necessary for the preparation of fine dinners for eight persons, 3 tablecloths for 12 persons, 8 tablecloths for 6 persons, 9 tablecloths for 4 persons; 20 small, grey napkins, 17 sheets, 18 pillowcases, 32 towels; bottles of wine: champagne 31, Hochheimer Dechantei 6, Hochheimer 10, Issan 10, Johannisberger 8, Madeira 3, Sherry 10, Muskat 4, Julien 14, Chablis 10, Rücksheimer 8, Vöslauer 42, Grinzinger 74, Larose 4, Julien 3, Oporto 1, Runkelsteiner 2; liqueurs: all; my white flannel trousers; my gun with bullets (green paper cartridges - not the brass ones) [...]".