Manuscript letters to her parents from Constantinople

Item author: Mary Nisbet, Countess of Elgin
Item date: 1799 - 1805
Grant Value: 5,000
Item cost: 45,000
Item date acquired: 2002
Item institution: British Museum
Town/City: London

The letters describe many important military and diplomatic matters, especially the defeat of the French in Egypt and the granting of the momentous firman which allowed Lord Elgins group of artists in Athens to begin removing sculptures from the Parthenon. Also includes a description of Emma Hamilton and Nelson whom the Earl and Countess encountered in Naples on their way out. Illustrated at p.14 of AR