Auction 309-320 - Great Britain 1840–1841 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

1837: "Post Office Reform; its Importance and Practicability" by Rowland Hill, book published by Charles Knight & Co., 22 Ludgate Street, London; from the personal collection of Sir Rowland Hill, with black on white ex libris label adhered to inside of title page reading; "Presented by Lady Hill and the Members of the late Sir Rowland Hill's Family, in accordance with his wishes. Bertram House, Hampstead, November, 1880."  Book is complete with 104 pages including the appendix, rebound with spine in gold tooled red Morocco, in exceptional condition, an exquisite item, of immense historical importance being Sir Rowland Hill's personal copy and having the ultimate philatelic pedigree.rnRemark: Rowland Hill (1795 to 1879) married Caroline Pearson (1796 to 1881) in 1827, they had four children together: three daughters; Eleanor, Clara and Louisa, and one son named Pearson in acknowldement to Caroline's family name. Lady Caroline Hill was originally from Wolverhampton. Bertram House, Hampstead, was the home of Sir Rowland Hill for 30 years. In 1883, Pearson Hill, against stiff opposition from wealthy local residents, sold Bertrams House and three acres to the hospital board, enabling the house to be used as a nurse’s home and later the site for the Royal Free Hospital. In 1906 the Georgian buildings were demolished." rnProvenance: Ex. Sir Rowland Hill Estate, Bertram House, Hampstead, 1880. rnrn