Unique group of personal letters from the 17th Earl of Derby to Mrs Mirabel Topham, circa 1946-1948, seventeen black-edge typed letters, each headed PRIVATE with embossed address of KNOWSLEY, PRESCOTT, LANCASHIRE and telephone number, addressed to Mrs Topham, owner of Aintree Racecourse, and personally signed YOURS SINCERELY, DERBY in black ink by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby; the majority written during 1946 expressing his gratitude for Mrs Topham's raceday hospitality and complimenting her on the first post-War Grand National meeting, others discussing the appointment of a new Clerk of the Course and similar matters; three letters dated 1947 and one in original black-edged envelope, stamped, addressed and post-marked PRESCOT JAN 28th 1948 written just a few days before Lord Derby died on 4th February 1948; 13 on notepaper 19 by 12.5cm, four on 24.5 by 19cm., together with similar letter to Mr A.R. Topham (1937), one typed reply from Mrs Topham and a b&w photographic portrait of the Earl, in original Van Dyk of London folder mount, signed below DERBY in black ink, with the accompanying letter in response to Mrs Topham's request for his photo, all very good condition (20) Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby (1865-1948) was a British soldier, Conservative politician, diplomat and racehorse owner/breeder. He was twice Secretary of State for War and Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire between 1928 and 1948 and owned three Epsom Derby winners - including the great Hyperion whom he also bred - in the race named after his ancestor, the 12th Earl.
£200 - £300
Unique group of personal letters from the 17th Earl of Derby to Mrs Mirabel Topham, circa 1946-1948, seventeen black-edge typed letters, each headed PRIVATE with embossed address of KNOWSLEY, PRESCOTT, LANCASHIRE and telephone number, addressed to Mrs Topham, owner of Aintree Racecourse, and personally signed YOURS SINCERELY, DERBY in black ink by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby; the majority written during 1946 expressing his gratitude for Mrs Topham's raceday hospitality and complimenting her on the first post-War Grand National meeting, others discussing the appointment of a new Clerk of the Course and similar matters; three letters dated 1947 and one in original black-edged envelope, stamped, addressed and post-marked PRESCOT JAN 28th 1948 written just a few days before Lord Derby died on 4th February 1948; 13 on notepaper 19 by 12.5cm, four on 24.5 by 19cm., together with similar letter to Mr A.R. Topham (1937), one typed reply from Mrs Topham and a b&w photographic portrait of the Earl, in original Van Dyk of London folder mount, signed below DERBY in black ink, with the accompanying letter in response to Mrs Topham's request for his photo, all very good condition (20) Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby (1865-1948) was a British soldier, Conservative politician, diplomat and racehorse owner/breeder. He was twice Secretary of State for War and Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire between 1928 and 1948 and owned three Epsom Derby winners - including the great Hyperion whom he also bred - in the race named after his ancestor, the 12th Earl.