Henry VIII.

informing him that "Richard Gresham of oure Citie of London with other stonde bounde by obligacion for the payment to oure use of the somme of Sixe hundred thirty seven poundes and ten shillynges at a certayn daie expired", and ordering that "for certayne consideracions us movyng" the payment of this sum should be delayed for two years upon existing sureties from Gresham, and that Heron should retain Gresham's bond, 1 page, integral address panel, oblong folio, Greenwich, 3 March 1513, spotting, adhesive residue on the verso

Sir Thomas Phillipps, MS 35570; Mrs Margaret Hughlock, sale in these rooms, 12 December 1977, lot 25 

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A firm and attractive early signature on a document relating to an important figure in the history of the City of London. This document is concerned with the early involvement with royal finances of (Sir) Richard Gresham (1485-1549), the founder of the "House of Gresham", perhaps the most celebrated London mercantile and financial house of the sixteenth century. At the time of this loan Gresham - not yet thirty - was already one of the major English cloth-merchants on the Antwerp Bourse, and was diversifying by trading in the Mediterranean. He had even greater successes later in his career speculating in property and dealing on the exchange, and was Lord Mayor of London in 1537-38. His more famous son, Sir Thomas Gresham, built up the family fortunes even further and became one of the greatest ever benefactors to the City of London as founder of the Royal Exchange and Gresham College (both of which survive to this day).