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A series of free frank covers, 1834-1840, largely to members of the Howard Gibbon family. Most bear the signature of the 12th Duke of Norfolk, his son the Earl of Surrey [later 13th Duke], and grandson Lord Fitzalan [later 14th Duke], though there are also signatures of Thomas Greene and Abel Rous Dottin. Matthew Charles Howard Gibbon, Edward Howard Gibbon, and Mary Eliza Howard Burt, née Gibbon, were the illegitimate children of Charles, 11th Duke of Norfolk, recognised and assisted by the ducal family.

As well as the free frank covers, there is also an envelope addressed to Rev. Edward Howard Gibbon, [1850s?], with the signature 'Beauchamp' on the bottom left, a part letter from Sir Robert Buxton of Shadwell Court, Thetford, presenting compliments to 'Mr Gibbon', 22 Jan. [no year], and the end of a letter from John Thomas Pelham, Bishop of Norwich, to E. H. Gibbon [1857 or later].

Norfolk House, (London).—Declines to establish an institution for the relief of shipwrecked mariners in Suffolk.

(In the hand of an amanuensis, except the signature.)

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Transcript

Norfolk House
March 15th 1824

Sir,

In answer to your Letter of the 10th inst: I have to assure you that altho’ I cannot doubt of your qualifications to give efficacy to the object of any Institution for the preservation of Shipwrecked Mariners—Yet I must beg to decline originating the formation of any separate Establishment for this purpose in the County of Suffolk

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your ob[edien]t hble Serv[an]t
Norfolk

Captain George William Manby
&c &c &c

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The missing letters of words abbreviated by superscript letters have been supplied in square brackets.