Byron, George Gordon Noel, Lord

giving him permission to publish manuscripts with terms agreed with John Murray ("...I am no judge but am very sure what you ask will be proper..."), apologising for being a poor correspondent, and thanking him for a copy of Hodgson's translation of the poem Charlemagne, 2 pages, 4to, Piccadilly Terrace [London], 1 April 1815, integral autograph address leaf with franking signature and postal markings, endorsed by Hodgson ("The Last Letter from B before he left England in 1815"), portion of letter torn away with loss of signature and about 8 words of text, newspaper cutting edge-mounted on address leaf

Harry B. Smith (1860-1936), owner of A Sentimental Library (New York, 1914); A.S.W. Rosenbach; The Peddie School Collection; Christie's New York, 15 December 2005, lot 30A

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when 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."

"...I hope you are not becoming 'sentimental and ludicrous' because I don't write letters - which you know for a long time past - except on indispensible and urgent occasions. I have never done and am too old to begin again..."

This letter to Byron's friend Francis Hodgson (for whom see lot 73) was written during Byron's brief and disastrous marriage, just after the couple had taken up residence on Piccadilly. Early in the following year Hodgson acted as an intermediary in a hopeless attempt to reconcile the couple after their separation, and shortly after that Byron left England for the last time. This was the last letter Byron wrote to Hodgson from England, and he did not renew his correspondence with Hodgson until 1820 (as shown in the series of Byron's letters to Hodgson sold in these rooms, 29 October 2009, lot 19).