GORDON, Charles George (1833-1885). 'Chinese Gordon'.
Curious collection, including two Autograph Letters Signed and numerous family photographs, contained in a hessian-lined leather-covered wooden box. The letters, in all 4 pages 8vo, 114 Beaufort Street, Chelsea, 3 March and 20 April 1880.
The earlier letter is to Sir Linton Summers soliciting advice about the offer of the post of Private Secretary made to him by the Marquis of Ripon; the second politely accepts an invitation from Lady Summers.

'... I met with Sir Bruce Seton ... . I thought I was going to be called to account about the pamphlet which I did not send to the Papers. ...'

Amongst the other items in the collection are: An early photographic copy of an original daguerreotype of Gordon at the age of 11 (1844) with his uncle William Augustus.
 A photograph of the interior of Gordon's house.
 Two carte-de-visite photographs of Gordon, one in formal uniform with medals, the other in Chinese robes.
 A carte-de-visite photograph of Gordon's mother.
 Two photographs of a river with battlements beyond (possibly Khartoum?).
 A specimen of the 'Gordon Ribbon', together with a letter from R S Standen, sending the ribbon to Gordon's sister.
 A pamphlet entitled Why Did He Go?, laying the blame for the Khartoum disaster squarely on the shoulders of Gladstone.
 Copy of a letter to the Principal Medical Officer in Hong Kong, discussing Gordon's reference for Moffitt, together with a carte-de-visite photograph of Moffitt.
 An elaborate Gordon family tree.
 A lengthy contemporary obituary of Gordon.
 The box has a Chinese inscription in the lid, and was probably Gordon's own.
[No: 7501]