Item 7 - Incomplete letter from Charles William King to unidentified correspondent

1 folded sheet.

Found with material marked as given to the library by Carl Frederick Pantin in Jul. 1955.

The beginning of the letter is missing, but it seems to have been written at around the same time and to the same correspondent as Add MS a 732/6, since both refer to a lot of iron rings bought from Eastwood. Mentions rings with stones showing a Priapus, 'very curious', an 'AΠΙC' [Egyptian sacred bull], and a combat scene, as well as a 'fine Pegasus... clearly modern', which 'bears witness against its fellows'. Thinks the iron rings were 'foisted in amongst Eastwood's by the auctioneers', since he did not have anything of the kind last year, whereas King recalls seeing several of the others. Advises extracting the 'three fine gems' and having them set more suitably.

Will return the collection by the end of the week, but wants to show them to someone. Thinks the forger must be German rather than Parisian. Recommends sending the collection to [Augustus Wollaston?] Franks, who is 'the great authority on metal work.

Found at the front of O.10a.6, a bound volume of King's notes on 'Antiques Gems and Rings'.