Lot 7: GORDON, CHARLES GEORGE.

15 AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED, TO THOMAS GIBSON BOWLES
a revealing correspondence to the proprietor of Vanity Fair protesting his dislike of publicity ("...I do not like to be put before the world in any way...") whilst providing a summary of his family background and career and an assessment of his own character, discussing at length Isma'il Pasha, the deposed Khedive of Egypt, warning that "Europe wishes to destroy not reform Turkey" and that "By the present mode of operation, we weld together Sultan & people to resist us" (13 November 1880), with the final letter explaining his aims in Sudan on the eve of his final departure ("...it is only advice I can give, of course. I am hopeful of the success, for they are sharp enough to see I can have no other motive than their welfare..."), also covering such subjects as his awkwardness in London society including a meeting with Florence Nightingale, his fondness for Vanity Fair, and the dissemination of a pamphlet on marine warfare, 50 pages, 8vo, Southampton, Bantry, Twywell Rectory, Thrapston, London, and "At Sea", 25 October 1880 to 21 January 1884, together with two letters by Gordon's sister, a draft letter by Bowles, and one other letter, dust staining to some letters