Collection of Correspondence to Sir Frederick Young, a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG), and Well Traveled Imperialist

On offer is a collection of six mostly-unrelated pieces of correspondence addressed to Sir Frederick between 1876 & 1888. Two from Sir John Forbes Watson at the India Office, one from the office of Queen Victoria, and three letters of congratulations for Young’s appointment. In January of 1888, the distinction of K.C.M.G. (Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George) was conferred on Mr. Frederick Young in recognition of his services to the colonies and especially in relation to the position which he held since 1874 of Honorary Secretary to the Royal Colonial Institute.

Item 1:
Letter dated January 4th 1876 from Sir John Forbes Watson on blind embossed India Office letterhead, thanking Sir Frederick for a volume of writing that addresses the idea of colonial connection in the moment of Free Trade. Acknowledging Young's appreciation of his work on the India Institute, and sharing that his text on the formation of the Colonial Museum in its final draft (‘as soon as it is printed will send you a copy.’ ) Watson shares that he has brought the proposed plans to Lord Carnavon's attention, and that ‘they meet with his full approval."

Three page letter on a single sheet, folded to 4-½  x 7-¼  inches. Previously folded for delivery with some anachronistic notation and age toning. Very Good condition.

Item 2:
Letter dated at 22 The Mall, Clifton, on 5 October 1876 from Sir John Forbes Watson on blind embossed India Office letterhead, to Sir Frederick acknowledging the passage of a policy by the Colonial Institute, offering to reimburse costs, and encouraging continued action.

Three page letter on a single sheet, folded to 4-½  x 7-¼  inches. Previously folded for delivery with some anachronistic notation and age toning. Very Good Condition.

John Forbes Watson (1827-1892) was a Scottish physician for the Bombay Medical Service, and served in England as the Director of the Indian Museum in London and in the India Office. While holding those positions he developed the idea of a “portable industrial museum,” which led to his writing The Collections of Textile Manufacturers of India in two series (1886 & 1872-77), and The Textile Manufacturers and Costumes of the People of India in 1866.

Item 3:
Letter dated at Balmoral, June 16, 1882 from Frederick Edward Grey Ponsonby, signed to Sir Frederick Young, acknowledging and sending thanks for sending a paragraph that the Queen has read.

One page, 7-¼  x 4-¾  inches. Previously folded for delivery with some anachronistic notation and age toning. Very Good condition.

Major-General Sir Henry Frederick Ponsonby (1825-1895) was a British soldier and royal court official who served as Queen Victoria’s Private Secretary from 1870-1895 as well as Keeper of the Privy Purse from 1878-1895.

Item 4: 
Letter on Clopton House, Stratford-on-Avon letterhead, dated January 27, 1888 from Sir Arthur Hodgson. A letter of congratulations on the recent honour Sir Frederick Young has received, noting it was long over-due.

Two pages on a single card 7 x 4-½  inches. Previously folded for delivery with some anachronistic notation, age toning, and minor discolouration at the bottom. Very Good condition.

Sir Arthur Hodgson (1818-1902) an Anglo-Australian pioneer, squatter, politician and squire. Hodgson was educated at Eton from 1828–33 and then entered the Royal Navy and was a midshipman from 1833–37 on HMS Canopus on the China station. From 1837–38 he studied at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and in 1839 moved to Australia. Hodgson entered political life as the prime mover of the Moreton Bay and Northern Districts Separation Association, but his trenchant advocacy of convict labour, colonial peerages, national education and a restricted franchise drew the fire of the lower orders. In 1870 Hodgson returned to England.

Item 5:
Holograph letter on King's College Hospital embossed letterhead, dated February 2, 1888. From Mosse Macdonald acknowledging, in flowery language, the great honour that Sir Frederick Young has just received from the Queen.

Three pages on a single card, folded 8 x 4-⅞ inches. Previously folded for delivery with some anachronistic notation and mild age toning. Very Good condition.

Mosse Macdonald (1856-c.1920) was Secretary of King's College Hospital (London) from 1884-1889 and a poet. The son of Thomas M. Macdonald of Nottingham, educated at King's School, Canterbury, and Brasenose College, Oxford (scholar); BA 1879. A Curate at St John's, Fulham, 1879-87 and Perlethorpe, Nottinghamshire; and chaplain to Lord Manvers, from 1887. He had a book published by A.D. Innes in 1894 titled Poems by Mosse MacDonald, dedicated to his father.

Item 6:
From Sir Francis Philip Cunffe-Owen, a four page holograph letter signed on Science and Art Department, South Kensington blind embossed letterhead, dated 26 January 1888, marked "Private". To Sir Frederick Young, sending congratulations on becoming a Brother 'Knight of Our Most Noble Order'.

Four pages on a single leaf, folded to 5 x 8 inches. Previously folded for delivery with some anachronistic notation and mild age toning. Very Good condition.

Sir Francis Philip Cunffe-Owen (1828-1894) British exhibition organizer and the Director of the South Kensington Museum (V&A Museum today) in London.

Sir Frederick Young K.C.M.G., was born on 21 June 1817 in Limehouse, London, the son of George Frederick Young, M.P. He was educated in Homerton before becoming a merchant in London. In 1869 he began an association with the Royal Colonial Institute that was to last for the rest of his life and saw him become the Institute's Vice-President and Honorary Secretary. He was awarded in 1888 with his K.C.M.G. status. Young served as a J.P. and Deputy-Lieutenant. He promoted the permanent union of the colonies with the Mother Country and published works on imperial federation and the empire. He also travelled widely, visiting Canada, Greece, South Africa and Turkey.