Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #114 begins on 11 Apr 2024

Thomas Francois Burgers (and others)

THOMAS FRANCOIS BURGERS - AUTOGRAPH ARCHIVE OF LOVE LETTERS TO HIS FUTURE WIFE MARY

Published: Utrecht, 1856 - 1857

Lot closed

Sold for: Register or Sign In to find out

Bids: 1

Visits: 52

Have a similar item to sell? Contact Us with the details.

How it works

Register

A remarkable series of eight (or nine) autograph love letters in English from Thomas Francois Burgers (future President of the Transvaal) to his wife to be Mary Bryson, written from Utrecht, where he was studying Theology, and either undated or dated 1856 or 1857. The letters on 8vo. sized paper are mainly 4pp. in length. One may be incomplete. Interestingly (and strangely),  the one letter, dated 19th. August 1856, has been written out in its entirety twice by Burgers, both signed and in his own hand, but with differences, not in text, but in layout - very odd. Possibly one was a copy for him to keep. All but the last of the letters are addressed "My dear Miss Bryson", are signed Thos Burgers, and reflect that it was not an easy courtship for young Thomas and for some time his declarations of love remained unanswered. (see additional letters below). However she ultimately acquiesces, and the last of Burger's letters in this archive, dated December 22nd. 57 is addressed "Dearest and beloved Mary" and is signed "Your own loving Tom". This letter contains a love poem to Mary entitled "A Christmas Carol", but apparently written by "Thomson". 

Accompanying Burgers' letters to Mary are the following autograph item:   

            1.  A 3pp. autograph letter from Burgers, dated March 20th.57, to Mary's mother, addressed "My dear Madam" and written after Mary's acceptance of his proposal of marriage, and requesting her consent to the union. Beautifully and passionately worded (see scan).

            2.  A 3pp. autograph letter from (ostensibly) Mary's mother, returning Burgers letter unopened at Mary's request "as her feelings towards you are not such that she can think of entering into any engagement with you.........". 

            3. A 2pp. autograph poem in Dutch, dated "26 December 1857/ Aan myn vriend Thom. Burgers". Signed  "H. C. Dibbets/Utrecht/December 1857". With a 4 line note at the end in Burger's hand "I send you the original..........It is a fine poem". The writer would appear to be Hendrik Cornelis Dibbits (born September 3, 1838 in Utrecht), then 19 years old and later Professor of inorganic Chemistry in Amsterdam. 

             4. A detailed 8pp. autograph letter dated "Batavia, January 1873" and signed Emma(possibly Burgers' daughter). This item has not been researched. 

Thomas François Burgers (15 April 1834 – 9 December 1881) was the 4th president of the South African Republic from 1872 to 1877. He was born 15 April 1834 the youngest child of Barend Jacobus Burgers (1775-1845) and Elisabeth Magdalena Theron (1792-1867) on the farm Langfontein in the Graaff-Reinet district of the Cape Province.In 1853 Burgers left for Europe where he studied theology at Utrecht in Holland and in 1858 he was admitted to the ministry. In the same year he married a Scots woman, Mary Bryson (1836-1929) and they had ten children. In 1859 Burgers became Hanover’s first parson. After his Presidency and a tumultuous time in the Transvaal, Burgers, returned to Hanover in the Karoo in 1877 where he farmed with ostriches on De Dammen outside Hanover. He died in 1881 at the age of 47. 

Burgers' autograph material is extremely scarce, especially items of major importance such as this one on offer. 

  • Overall Condition: Very Good
  • Size: 8vo.
  • Sold By: Ronald Levine - Modern First Editions
  • Contact Person: Ronald Levine
  • Country: South Africa
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 011643 8437
  • Preferred Payment Methods: EFT for South African customers and International Bank Tranfer for customers abroad. I am unable to accept payment by credit card.
  • Trade Associations: SABDA


© 2024 Paul Mills trading as AntiquarianAuctions.com. All rights reserved. Use of this website is regulated by our website Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.