Beschreibung:

Waistcoat of King George III a sleeved waistcoat of pale blue silk damask, with pale blue silk sleeves, with puffed insertion at the armholes, lined with cotton - circa 1820 ; and three autograph letters, signed from Rev. William Mansel to Rev. J. Drake of Kirkthorpe, Wakefield, Yorkshire, dated March 20th 1820, June 27th 1820 and July 19th 1821: ...'The descriptions of the funerals were very correctly given, the one that contained that of the King very well worth reading, as it contained local information, not noticed in others. A most melancholy event, the Duke of Kent falling almost at the moment with his lamented father. Windsor has certainly undergone a great change, yet it will ever possess its agreements and in the words of Pope: "Thy forrests Windsor and thy green retreats, at once the muses' and the monarchs' seats". Added to the magnificent castle, terrace, etc. it can never fail to possess attractions. The terrace is to be opened for promenades the first of May and I believe the band will play upon it in the evenings. But the numerous family of the late lamented Monarch, alas can not be seen to grace it. So large and so well favoured a family would alone excite admiration, even in the humblest sphere of life. But when you beheld a sovereign and his consort adorned with every virtue, enjoying the peaceable retreat of their domestic circle, anxiously endeavouring to difuse joy all around, it was a delightful sight indeed.... ...When in Yorkshire you expressed a desire to be in possession of some article worn by the late King. I am now happy to inform you I have procured you part of his attire which I consider rather interesting as I have no doubt it was the last article he wore in this world. During the whole of his last illness he always wore a large dressing gown, made of damask silk. Under it a waistcoat with sleeves made of the same material. The only difference between the gown and the waistcoat is that the gown is lined with silk, the waistcoat with cotton. The latter I have procured. I therefore request your acceptance of it. Captain and Mrs. Armitage will deliver it to you. They are gone to London for the Coronation but Capt. Armitage or some of the servants will return. Observe, there can be no mistake about this article. It was the identical one worn by the late King. I could get the gown belonging to it, but it so very much stained and not [?] in the front . Otherwise I assure you it is not to save the three guineas, the price of it, that I did not take it, and if you were to get it died [dyed] or scowered it could change the thing altogether. He was allowed a new gown and waistcoat every three months. But no doubt he did not wear them. I am offered a new gown and waistcoat for ten guineas, but these he never had on. I should tell you, I got this waistcoat from a page, who had been many years a footman to the King. He got the King's cloths [sic]. I was with him yesterday in his apartments in the castle and he selected this waistcoat. Out of all the things that he had not sold, indeed there are but very few remaining. Therefore I merely got it in time, as he is talking of selling the other immediately....Please observe, these things belonging to the late King are not publickly [sic] sold. Mr. Gollop with whom I have always been good friends appeared to make a favour of letting me have them. See colour illustration