English writer, art historian, man of letters, and antiquarian (1717-1797) whose literary reputation rests on the first Gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto, and his collected letters, which are of significant social and political interest. Scarce and significant ALS signed “Hor. Walpole,” one page, 6.5 x 8, September 16, 1784. Handwritten letter concerning the discovery of Queen Catherine Parr's corpse. In full: "I am extremely obliged to you, Sir, for the trouble you have been so kind as to take in giving me such very curious information. I had never heard of that discovery of Queen Catherine Parr's corpse, & am ignorant of its having ever been published. If it was not, it was depriving the public of a very singular event: and it is much pity that no drawing was made of her Majesty's face; nor any precautions taken to preserve the body in the state it was found. I would by no means neglect an early opportunity of returning you my thanks, Sir, for so obliging a favour; but as I have a set of company with me for two or three days, I have not time to say more at present, tho perfectly sensible of your goodness." In fine condition. Accompanied by a modern transcript of the letter sent to Walpole, describing the state of Parr's body upon its discovery. The last of the six wives of King Henry VIII, Catherine Parr was buried in St. Mary's Church at Sudeley Castle upon her death in 1548. The coffin was thought lost for years before being rediscovered in 1782.
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