Oct 29, 2009 - Sale 2192

Sale 2192 - Lot 72

Price Realized: $ 510
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 300 - $ 400
HERSCHEL, JOHN FREDERICK. Autograph Letter Signed, "JFWHerschel," to an unnamed Member of Parliament, requesting information about proposed legislation affecting bank deposits and its impact upon the "Friends Society" and similar organizations. 4 pages, 4to; fold and minor soiling on terminal page. Collingwood, 10 May 1844
Set Alert for Similar Items

Additional Details

"I have just seen in the Times of yesterday the Draft of a bill for the future regulation of Savings Banks. . . . If the bill is intended to affect only Savings Banks it will be to the 'Friends Society' merely an inconvenience--but if it be intended as the precursor of a general reduction of interest in the case of such Societies . . . it will I fear so far cripple us that in a district like this which is felt to be an unpromising one it will leave us very little chance of success. . . . I have therefore written to Mr. Hennisar requesting him to write circulars to all the Parishes recommending them to take no public steps . . . till we have some distinct knowledge of the footing on which we are to Stand.
"You will of course as an M.P. . . . be able to enlighten us as to these points. . . ."
Herschel (1792-1871) was the English astronomer son of Sir William Herschel, noted for his observations made during an expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He was also a pioneer in photography, being the first to apply the terms "positive" and "negative" to images.