Cardinal Henry Edward Manning – Autograph Envelope, 15 October 1875 Addressed to T. H. Barker Esq, Secretary of the United Kingdom Alliance, Manchester

A genuine manuscript envelope in the hand of Cardinal Henry Edward Manning (1808–1892), written during his early period as Cardinal (created 1875). The envelope is addressed to T. H. Barker Esq, long‑time Secretary of the United Kingdom Alliance, the major British temperance organisation headquartered at 44 John Dalton Street, Manchester.

Front: T. H. Barker Esq 44 John Dalton Street Manchester London S.W. postmark: OC 15 75 Red 1d Queen Victoria stamp (“Postage One Penny”)

Reverse: “Cardinal Manning” docketing on flap (contemporary filing hand) Printed flap: ARCHBISHOP’S HOUSE / WESTMINSTER / S.W. Manchester receiving mark: OC 25 75

Context: Thomas Holliday Barker (1818–1889) was one of the most active moral‑reform secretaries in Victorian Britain. As Secretary of the United Kingdom Alliance, he corresponded widely with leading reformers, including William Lloyd Garrison. By 1875, Manning was increasingly involved in national social questions — temperance, working‑class welfare, and moral‑legislation campaigns — making correspondence between the Archbishop’s House and Barker entirely consistent with Manning’s public role.

This envelope represents direct engagement between a major Catholic figure and one of the most influential temperance organisers of the period. It is not connected to Manning’s diplomatic or theological work, but to his social‑reform correspondence, which is significantly scarcer.

A scarce and desirable Manning autograph envelope with strong historical context.

Condition as photos. Guaranteed Original. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.

  • Henry Edward Manning (Jul 1808 – Jan 1892) was an English prelate of the Catholic Church, and the second Archbishop of Westminster from 1865 until his death in 1892. He was ordained in the Church of England as a young man, but converted to Catholicism in the aftermath of the Gorham judgement.


  • 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. 

    Complete with digital .jpg CoA - as photo - for you to print if needed

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