British civil servant (1633–1703) who was promoted to Secretary to the Admiralty in 1673. Pepys is best remembered as the author of a nine-year, multi-volume diary, one of the essential documents of 17-century British history and literature. LS, one page, 7.25 x 11.5, no date [circa 1670s]. An official letter to a Mr. Smith seeking payment of a debt. In part [archaic spellings retained]: “We send you inclosed a bill of Mr. Maplesden for ffive hundred and seaventeene pounds of loose exchane servd … at Woolwich the 6th of March 1671[?] which he tells us you refuse to signe by reason … before you were appointed shopkeep of that yard. We do direct you to examin your predecessors books, and … to signed for ye bill & deliver it to Mr. Maplesden….” Light scattered soiling and toning and a few small chips and tears with expert archival repairs to reverse, otherwise fine condition. Pepys’s signature is clear and bold. R&R COA.
