Settle, Elkanah

The first to the Duke of Somerset, claiming that only the "Greatness of the subject could encourage my present presumption in laying the Enclosed Essay at your Graces Feet," and the second joining "the Universal Congratulation of Your Lordship's Eminent Services to His Majesty," two pages, 4to and 8vo (195 x 150 mm and smaller), one with integral blank, early eighteenth century; slight spotting and smudging. [with:] autograph note by the antiquary Thomas Percy, Bishop of Dromore, concerning the letters, two pages, 8vo. Blue folding-box and slipcase.

Thomas Percy, Bishop of Dromore, 1729-1811 — John R.B. Brett-Smith (1917-2003; Sotheby's, 27 May 2004, lot 525). acquisition: Purchased at the foregoing sale through Bernard Quaritch

Rare letters by a major figure of the Restoration theater. The accompanying note by Thomas Percy discusses Settle's practice of sending unsolicited specially bound copies of his occasional poetry to prominent figures: "Mr Samuel Johnson has told me that Settle latterly had one Standard Elegy & Epithalamiom [sic] printed off with Blanks which he filled up the name of any considerable person who either Died or Married..."

According the Percy, the first of these letters accompanied a copy of Settle's poem on the Hanoverian succession, Eusiobia Triumphans (1702), that was presented to Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset. (See the preceding two lots for examples of Settle's presentation bindings.)