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BABBAGE CHARLES: (1791-1871) English Mathematician & Inventor. A.L.S.
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Description
BABBAGE CHARLES: (1791-1871) English Mathematician & Inventor. A.L.S., C Babbage, two pages, 4to, Dorset Street, Manchester Square, 7th January 1838, to a gentleman. Babbage announces 'I cannot readily suppose you have forgotten me nor do I wish at all to do more than give you every information you think requisite when you can act effectively must be left entirely to circumstances and your own judgement and I at least shall never urge you' and adds 'Most probably it will be desirable that I should be able to refer to books and papers when I see you & therefore I do not offer to visit you at Mortlake'. Babbage continues to explain 'I am almost always at home until twelve - and will be so for the next three days certainly. But if you sleep in town will you come and eat a beefsteak with me either on Tuesday at six or at any hour you will fix or else on Thursday. My house is undergoing a repair and I have only one habitable room or I would offer you a bed. I have two other subjects on which I wish to say a word.' Some extremely minor, very light age wear, VG Babbage generally favoured writing his letters on 8vo or 12mo paper, making the present, larger 4to example particularly desirable. Interestingly, American Book Prices Current, record several other letters by Babbage written on 4to paper, most written to eminent correspondents including Michael Faraday and Peter Mark Roget. It can safely be assumed therefore that Babbage held the recipient of the present letter in esteem given his choice of larger stationery. Babbage had a very large circle of friends and acquaintances who were frequent visitors to his home, where they were able to examine and admire the various examples of the analytical and difference engines. In 1838, the same year as the present letter, Babbage invented the pilot (or cowcatcher) during his time working for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. The device is mounted at the front of a locomotive to deflect obstacles on the track that might otherwise derail the train. An English Polymath, Babbage is best remembered for originating the concept of a programmable computer and is considered by some as the 'father of the computer'.
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BABBAGE CHARLES: (1791-1871) English Mathematician & Inventor. A.L.S., C Babbage, two pages, 4to, Dorset Street, Manchester Square, 7th January 1838, to a gentleman. Babbage announces 'I cannot readily suppose you have forgotten me nor do I wish at all to do more than give you every information you think requisite when you can act effectively must be left entirely to circumstances and your own judgement and I at least shall never urge you' and adds 'Most probably it will be desirable that I should be able to refer to books and papers when I see you & therefore I do not offer to visit you at Mortlake'. Babbage continues to explain 'I am almost always at home until twelve - and will be so for the next three days certainly. But if you sleep in town will you come and eat a beefsteak with me either on Tuesday at six or at any hour you will fix or else on Thursday. My house is undergoing a repair and I have only one habitable room or I would offer you a bed. I have two other subjects on which I wish to say a word.' Some extremely minor, very light age wear, VG Babbage generally favoured writing his letters on 8vo or 12mo paper, making the present, larger 4to example particularly desirable. Interestingly, American Book Prices Current, record several other letters by Babbage written on 4to paper, most written to eminent correspondents including Michael Faraday and Peter Mark Roget. It can safely be assumed therefore that Babbage held the recipient of the present letter in esteem given his choice of larger stationery. Babbage had a very large circle of friends and acquaintances who were frequent visitors to his home, where they were able to examine and admire the various examples of the analytical and difference engines. In 1838, the same year as the present letter, Babbage invented the pilot (or cowcatcher) during his time working for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. The device is mounted at the front of a locomotive to deflect obstacles on the track that might otherwise derail the train. An English Polymath, Babbage is best remembered for originating the concept of a programmable computer and is considered by some as the 'father of the computer'.
The History Makers - An auction of autograph letters & historical documents
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 1-185
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1. Interpretation
1.1. "Auctioneers" means " International Autograph Auctions Ltd. "
1.2. "Catalogue" means the brochure relating to a sale (including any addendum thereto) and any other related documents and advertisements.
1.3. "Conditions" means these terms and conditions of sale
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1.6. "Seller" means the person who is selling the lot or lots pursuant to these conditions.
1.7. "VAT" means Value Added Tax.
2. Bidding
2.1. The highest bidder for each lot shall be the Purchaser of that lot.
2.2. No person shall be entitled to retract a bid. The Auctioneers reserve the right of refusing any bid without giving any reason and of altering, adding to, dividing, consolidating or withdrawing any lot or lots for sale.
2.3. The Auctioneers reserve the right to fix a reserve price for any lot at a figure no higher than the lower estimate.
2.4. The Auctioneers reserve the right to bid on behalf of the Seller on lots which are subject to a reserve price. The Seller shall not be entitled to bid where the Auctioneers have reserved such a right.
2.5. In the case of a dispute as to any bid the Auctioneers may immediately determine the dispute or put up the lot again at the last undisputed bid or withdraw the lot.
2.6. The Auctioneers will accept written commission bids free of charge from any person who is unable to attend the sale. Bids will also be accepted by telephone and fax at the sender's risk.
2.7. Lots will not normally be sold at less than two-thirds bottom estimate.
3. Payment
3.1. Each Purchaser shall give in his name and address and proof of identity (if required) to the Auctioneers at a sale and shall if required pay such deposit as the Auctioneers may specify.
3.2. The Purchaser shall pay the Hammer Price together with a premium of 27% on the Hammer Price (this amount includes VAT and must not be shown separately or claimed as input tax). By the making of any bid the Purchaser acknowledges that his attention had been drawn to this fact and that he assents to the Auctioneers receiving the said commission. A 22.5% premium will be payable by Purchasers outside the European Union (EU). Zero-rated goods such as books will be subject to a premium of 22.5% whether within or outside the EU unless entered by a VAT registered Seller.
3.3. Items marked with an asterisk * in the Catalogue after the lot number and before the description will be subject to VAT at 20% on the Hammer Price (not chargeable to Purchasers outside of the EU).
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4. Risk
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5.3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 5.1. and 5.2. of these Conditions in the event of a dispute as to authenticity of any lot(s) the item or items in question should be returned to the Auctioneers within 21 days of receipt by the Purchaser of such lot(s) together with a formal statement by a recognised expert The Auctioneers shall at their option and without admission of liability reimburse the price paid by the Purchaser in respect of such lot(s). This does not constitute an approval service.
5.4. Neither the Auctioneers nor the Seller shall be responsible for any loss, damage or injury occasioned to or sustained by any person on the premises before, during or after a sale save in respect of death or personal injury caused by negligence of the Seller or the Auctioneers.
6. Capacity of Auctioneers
For all purposes of a sale the Auctioneers shall be deemed to be the agent of both the Seller and the Purchaser and they shall not be considered responsible for any default on the part of either the Seller or Purchaser.
7. Delivery
7.1. Lots will only be released once payment in full has been received from the Purchaser.
7.2 All lots are normally held at the sole risk of the Purchaser from the fall of the hammer. However, with effect from the 1st December 2013, the Auctioneer will indemnify the Purchaser against loss or damage to purchased lots from the fall of the hammer to the point of despatch at no extra charge to the Purchaser. Following receipt of payment lots will be despatched , at the Purchaser’s cost, by the most expedient means of transit (or in accordance with the purchaser’s written or emailed instructions).
With effect from the 1st December 2013 all shipments will be covered for the full value of the goods (including Purchaser’s premium but excluding import taxes) in the event of loss or damage. The charges for this service, which are as follows, will be added to the Purchaser’s invoice prior to shipment.
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Scale of Charges:
Shipment value including premium. Charge
Under £250 £5.00
£250-£500 £7.50
£501-£1000 £10.00
£1001-£2000 £20.00
£2001-£5000 £35.00
Over £5000 £50.00
7.3. Postage is subject to VAT at 20% within the EU
7.4. The Auctioneers will provide full customs declarations on the Hammer Price plus the Purchaser's premium and Purchaser's shall be responsible for any customs charges made by the country of import.
7.5. A charge will be made for the packing of deliveries which is subject to VAT at 20% within the EU.
8. Auctioneers Remedies
In the event that the Purchaser fails to pay for any lot(s) in full pursuant to these Conditions then the Auctioneers shall be entitled:
8.1. to rescind the sale of the relevant lot(s)
8.2. to resell the lot(s) without further notice either by public or private sale and the deficiency (if any) arising from such second sale together with all charges and expenses relating to the same shall be the responsibility of the defaulting Purchaser and shall be recoverable as and for liquidated damages.
9. Jurisdiction
These Conditions shall be governed by English law and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
Online Bidding
International Autograph Auctions Ltd. offer an online bidding service for bidders who cannot attend the sale, however please be advised that a charge of 3% + VAT is chargeable on all purchases made through any of the online bidding facilities offered.
In completing the bidder registration and providing your credit card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with International Autograph Auctions Ltd. you
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