Description

Dirty Dick.- Bentley (Nathaniel [nicknamed Dirty Dick], eccentric, 1735?-1809) Autograph Letter signed to Mr. Jones, Attorney at Law, Salisbury Square, 1p. with conjugate blank and address panel, [London], sm. 4to, Friday, 18 September 1801, "I flatterd myself I should have been able e'er this to wait upon you to execute the deeds you mention, but my leg not having heald so fast as was expected, my surgeon advises me to keep my bed a day or two longer... however I have his authority to fix next Tuesday... to wait upon you for the above purpose"; and 3 small engravings relating to Bentley, folds, small tear where opened.

⁂ ?The inspiration for Miss Havisham.

"On his father's death in 1760 Bentley inherited 'a good fortune' which he used to embellish his existing reputation as 'the beau of Leadenhall-Street' well known for his fine manners and dress. However, Bentley's celebrity now rested less on his fine dress than on the squalor in which he was said to live at his business premises, the so-called 'dirty warehouse' at 46 Leadenhall Street. Several pamphlets published at the turn of the century claimed that the shop had not been cleaned since his father's death, and speculated on the existence of a dining room that had been shut up following the death of Bentley's fiancée shortly before their marriage. Bentley's appearance and mannerisms also attracted considerable attention. Unwashed and dressed in shirt sleeves and an ill-powdered wig, he refused offers for his house to be cleaned claiming that its notoriety was good for trade. Certainly his reputation attracted a number of female visitors intrigued by rumours of his miserliness, the infamous 'blue room', and his supposed habit of sleeping in a coffin. In fact the majority emerged to speak of the gentlemanliness beneath the grime, politeness being 'his ruling passion'. At a time when refinement was a highly valued indicator of status and character, Bentley's quixotic personality proved fascinating for many commentators who speculated on his rejection of appropriate conduct and on the true meaning of politeness." - Oxford DNB.

Lot 164

Dirty Dick.- Bentley (Nathaniel) Autograph Letter signed to Mr. Jones, 1p. with conjugate blank and address panel, sm. 4to, [London], Friday, 18th September 1801, regretting that he is unable to meet to execute a deed, folds, small tear where opened.

Hammer Price: £300

Description

Dirty Dick.- Bentley (Nathaniel [nicknamed Dirty Dick], eccentric, 1735?-1809) Autograph Letter signed to Mr. Jones, Attorney at Law, Salisbury Square, 1p. with conjugate blank and address panel, [London], sm. 4to, Friday, 18 September 1801, "I flatterd myself I should have been able e'er this to wait upon you to execute the deeds you mention, but my leg not having heald so fast as was expected, my surgeon advises me to keep my bed a day or two longer... however I have his authority to fix next Tuesday... to wait upon you for the above purpose"; and 3 small engravings relating to Bentley, folds, small tear where opened.

⁂ ?The inspiration for Miss Havisham.

"On his father's death in 1760 Bentley inherited 'a good fortune' which he used to embellish his existing reputation as 'the beau of Leadenhall-Street' well known for his fine manners and dress. However, Bentley's celebrity now rested less on his fine dress than on the squalor in which he was said to live at his business premises, the so-called 'dirty warehouse' at 46 Leadenhall Street. Several pamphlets published at the turn of the century claimed that the shop had not been cleaned since his father's death, and speculated on the existence of a dining room that had been shut up following the death of Bentley's fiancée shortly before their marriage. Bentley's appearance and mannerisms also attracted considerable attention. Unwashed and dressed in shirt sleeves and an ill-powdered wig, he refused offers for his house to be cleaned claiming that its notoriety was good for trade. Certainly his reputation attracted a number of female visitors intrigued by rumours of his miserliness, the infamous 'blue room', and his supposed habit of sleeping in a coffin. In fact the majority emerged to speak of the gentlemanliness beneath the grime, politeness being 'his ruling passion'. At a time when refinement was a highly valued indicator of status and character, Bentley's quixotic personality proved fascinating for many commentators who speculated on his rejection of appropriate conduct and on the true meaning of politeness." - Oxford DNB.

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