ALS & engraved portrait of the "Father of the Australian Commonwealth", Henry Parkes.
1882. Ephemera. Sir Henry Parkes, GCMG was a statesman and politician who is considered the Father of the Australian Federation. As the earliest advocate of a Federal Council of the colonies of Australia, a precursor to the Commonwealth of Australia, he was the most prominent of the Australian Founding Fathers. (Wikipedia). In an autograph letter dated "NY Feb 12th 1882", to an unidentified "Sir" he states that "You have evidently confounded me with Sir Harry Smith Parkes, who represents England in defence. Your note I presume will answer your purpose. Your Obnt. Servt. Henry Parkes" (Parkes was knighted in 1877).
The "Sir Harry Smith Parkes" mentioned in the letter (1828–1885) was a 19th century British diplomat who worked mainly in China and Japan. 5 x 7 1/2", plain laid paper, with a handsome & unusual photogravure of a young Parkes, 3 1/2 x 4" with ample margins, subtitled "From an Engraving by H.S. Sadd, 1854, Henry Parkes (facsimile signature). Very good condition. Item #8205
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