1866 Letter Regarding Research For the Book ‘A Thousand Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe’ Sent by Author and Sportsman John MacGregor (1825)

On offer is a handwritten 1866 letter from John “Rob Roy” MacGregor that reads:

1 Mitre Building
Temple, London
Nov 23. 66
Madam,
My friend Mr. Nordenfelt writes to me from Stockholm that he has sent to you a copy of a march air used in the Swedish army & he says he hopes you will translate it into English.
If you have received the… & can give me a translation within the next few days say by Wednesday next it will be in time for use in my new book but if it is late then I fear I must wait until another edition is required.
Perhaps you will be good enough to answer this note that I may know if it has… for the address is…
Yours faithfully,
J. MacGregor

In 1866, John MacGregor published A Thousand Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe, which popularized the design and, more importantly, the concept: "in walking you are bounded by every sea and river, and in a common sailing-boat you are bounded by every shallow and shore; whereas, ...a canoe [can] be paddled or sailed, or hauled, or carried over land or water".

John MacGregor, nicknamed “Rob Roy” after a renowned relative, was a Scottish explorer, travel writer and philanthropist. He is generally credited with the development of the first sailing canoes and with popularising canoeing as a sport in Europe and the United States. He founded the British Royal Canoe Club (RCC) in 1866 becoming its first Captain and also founded the American Canoe Association in 1880.

MacGregor worked as a barrister in London, and was an accomplished artist who drew all the illustrations in his travel books.

This item is a single page watermarked ”J. Allen & Sons Super Fine”, folded in half and blind embossed in the upper left corner "Ivory ". It measures 4-½ x 7 inches, folded. Additional fold creases are apparent, and there is a torn hole near the centre, as well as a pair of old taped tears at the bottom. The lower third of the back page demonstrates greater aging than the rest of the item. Fair condition.