Voyages and Travel from Maggs Bros.

One of those who provided major funding for the second, successful transatlantic cable was Thomas Brassey, one of the world's major railroad builders of the 19^th century. His son, also Thomas, became an M.P. and Governor of Victoria in Australia. He also enjoyed sailing, as did his wife Anna, Lady Brassey. All of this is a complicated segue to our next item. Lady Brassey was a sailor herself, traveling around the world with her family on their yacht the Sunbeam. This was not a small yacht, nor was this quite roughing it like most of the early voyages of discovery. There were dozens of crewmen on board to serve the family. Still, Lady Brassey used her adventures to write a series of books, and these were very popular with the folks back home in England. Item 33 is a group of five original watercolors drawn by Robert Taylor Pritchett for her last book. He accompanied the Brasseys on a couple of journeys, including their last one which took them to India in 1887. Lady Brassey lived a wonderful life, with a beautiful family, great wealth, and lots of time to spend sailing at sea. Unfortunately, this last journey did not go so well. She was stricken with malaria and died on board. She was buried at sea off the coast of Australia. £8,000 (US $13,080).

Item 79 is The Memorial of Nathaniel Sackett, in behalf of himself and his Associates, published in 1785. His associates were all Revolutionary War veterans, and they were seeking Congress lease them a tract of land between Lake Erie and the Ohio River for the cost of “an ear of indian corn annually if demanded.” This may seem like a bargain price, even by 1785 standards, but Sackett explains why such a lease would be good for the United States. He claims that their settlement would help secure “the interior of the country from hostile and rapacious incursions.” The British were still ensconced up there in Canada and there were concerns they would attempt to destabilize the area. Additionally, Sackett says that such a settlement will make the land more productive, helping to generate funds to pay off the national debt. This rare piece contains a map of the area, one of the earliest of Ohio. £32,000 (US $52,290).

Maggs Bros. Ltd. may be reached at +44 (0)20 7493 7160 or travel@maggs.com. Their website is www.maggs.com