Falkland Islands--Hamond, Admiral G.E.

six letters signed by George Robert Dawson and five by Charles Wood, successive Secretaries to the Admiralty (including two duplicates sent by different ships), a letter signed each by Sir John Barrow, and Brigg, both of the Admiralty, J. S. Fox, British Consul at Rio de Janeiro, Hamilton Hamilton, British Consul at Buenos Aires, J.H. Mandeville, British minister plenipotentiary at Buenos Aires, and James Renshaw of the US Navy, also copies of 12 further letters sent as enclosures, discussing such issues as the colonial venture by Luis Vernet, the massacre of Matthew Brisbane and other settlers, and sealing rights, in total 62 pages, folio and 4to, various locations, docketing, 22 January 1832 to 14 July 1836; [together with:] an autograph letter signed by William Hooker, to Sir Francis [Jackson?], on Falkland Island tussock grass, 3 pages, Kew Gardens, 23 August 1849, and a French map of the Falklands (Benard, 1874); each item individually mounted in a maroon album, in a matching collector's slipcase

Quentin Keynes; sale of his collection, Christie's, 7 April 2004, lot 66

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."

An important series of letters from a crucial moment in the history of the Falklands (Malvinas). Sir G.E. Hamond, Bt. (1779-1862), was Commander in Chief of the South American station from 1834 to 1838. Many of these letters discuss shipwrecks and sealing, giving a flavour of life on these wild and remote islands, but they also show Britain trying to introduce the rule of law following the first attempts at settler colonialism on the islands. In 1828 the German-Argentine Luis Vernet had attempted to establish a colony on East Falkland, a move that in 1833 spurred the British into re-establishing their claim of sovereignty over the islands. These letters include discussion of Vernet's claims for compensation and his wish to return to the islands, the trial of a group of gauchos accused on murdering settlers including Vernet's deputy, Matthew Brisbane, and - from the ambassador in Buenos Aires - warnings that feelings in Argentina were running high over ownership of the islands.