ORIGINAL AUTOGRAPH LETTER — 5th EARL SPENCER — ALTHORP ESTATE — SCARLET FEVER RISK — 1880
A genuine autograph letter signed “Spencer”, written from Spencer House, St James’s Place, S.W., and dated 5 May 1880. Addressed on the reverse to “Ed Angood”, almost certainly an unidentified Althorp estate worker, likely connected with stable or carriage operations.
The letter concerns whether it is safe for Spencer to travel to Althorp, given recent scarlet fever in the family of Walter Shears, another estate worker. Spencer notes that he would need to go into the stables, use saddles and carriages, and see Shears — showing the practical health‑risk management typical of Victorian estate operations.
A particularly interesting line appears in the letter: “Will you let me know, & give your reasons if you say yes,” This phrasing reveals Spencer’s expectation that an estate worker should provide a reasoned, accountable judgement, not merely an opinion. It shows the internal culture of Althorp, where trusted staff were expected to justify decisions affecting health and estate operations — a rare glimpse into aristocratic management practice.
This is a rare survival of Spencer’s estate‑management correspondence, written just as he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (May 1880). The content is unusually personal and specific, revealing the day‑to‑day concerns of one of Britain’s major aristocratic households.
TRANSCRIPTION
Spencer House, St James’s Place, S.W. 5 May 80
Dear Sir Will you let me know, & give your reasons if you say yes, whether it will be safe to go to Althorp now, recollect that I should have to go to the Stables, use the Saddles, carriages &c, & see Walter Shears whose children have had Scarlet fever. Yr ffy Spencer
Condition as photos. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.
John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer (Oct 1835 – Aug 1910), known as Viscount Althorp from 1845 to 1857 (and also known as the "Red Earl" because of his distinctive long red beard), was a British Liberal Party politician under, and close friend of, prime minister William Ewart Gladstone. He was twice Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
PROVENANCE:
One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.
Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.
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