DISRAELI, BENJAMIN. A GROUP OF TWO AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED, AND A CARTE-DE-VISITE, SIGNED

Autograph letter signed ("Disraeli"), to the Archdeacon of London (“Dear Mr Archdeacon”), 3 pages (7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in.; 190 x 240 mm) on mourning paper, single sheet folded. Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe, dated 13 April 1860; minor offsetting, some adhesive marks, not affecting text. — Autograph letter signed ("Disraeli"), 4 pages (9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in.; 242 x 190 mm) on paper, single sheet folded, embossed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer seal, written recto and verso, dated 16 April 1859, to William Vesey FitzGerald; old folds, minor toning, one or two spots. With franked autograph envelope. April 16, 1859. — Carte-de-visite (2 1/4 x 3 1/2 in.; 58 x 89 mm). Albumen print mounted on card, signed ("Disraeli") on lower margin, Poulton royal warrant to verso; minor toning, one or two spots.

Sandra Mayer, "Portraits of the Artist as Politician, the Politician as Artist: Commemorating the Disraeli Phenomenon." Journal of Victorian Culture 21.3 (2016): 281-300

Writing to FitzGerald, current Member of Parliament for Horsham, Sussex, Disraeli discusses the formation of the next Parliament, urging Fitzgerald to renounce his seat and stand for Liverpool; to the Archdeacon, Disraeli, discusses amendments to a document intended to be circulated relating to the Church Rates and the bill proposed by Sir John Trelawny in the House of Commons …This is a critical moment in the history this Country. On the elements of the next House of Commons, the character of the English constitution depends. It is of the greatest importance, that the large constituencies sh^d be enlisted on the side of the Conservative party…I know the sacrifice of giving up a seat like Horsham, & the confidence and regard of neighbours who are gratified at having introduced you into public life, where you have distinguished yourself, but to be member for Liverpool private feelings ought to give way…You will be glad to hear that I prevailed on my friends & neighbours not to mention the first resolution of the Lords Committee. They unanimously agreed that with our present prospect in the House of Commons, any concession or compromise would be premature & precipitate. In short, everything now depends on the resistance to the third reading of Sir John Trelawny’s bill. If that be defeated, the Church Rate question will share the fate of the Appropriate Clause & future legislation on the subject will be limited to the points recommended in the £rd, 4^th & 5^th Resoution of the Lords’ Committee…

These letters, written when Disraeli was Chancellor of the Exchequer and in opposition after his first administration fell, reveal the extent of the painstaking politicking in the worlds of Church and State. In the letter to FitzGerald, he attempts to rebuild the Conservative party after his defeat in 1868. In this case, he failed to persuade the MP for Horsham to move from his tranquil Sussex constituency for the more rumbustious atmosphere of Liverpool.