Bonhams 1793 : THORNHILL (JAMES) Document signed in three places, listing "Bills Received" for the Coronation [of King George II], 1727

Document signed in three places ("J Thornhill"), listing "Bills Received" on 27 September 1727 ("...Imprest Money on the Coronation [of King George II]...£40:00:00..."), 11 November 1727 (10 separate items relating to royal palaces, from George II's accession in June to September), and 23 December 1727 ("...The Remainder of the Coronation Bill... £74:02:00..."), less expenses (including the office cleaner), each net amount then receipted as paid by Thornhill ("Recd: this by me J Thornhill"), Thornhill's signatures dated 27 September, 11 November, and 28 December 1727, 2 pages, on a small 4to sheet, presumably removed from a ledger, guard, September to December 1727

Sold for £750 inc. premium

Footnotes

'THE REMAINDER OF THE CORONATION BILL': Sir James Thornhill's bill for the coronation and early months of the reign of George II. George II's coronation on 11 October 1727 was a particularly magnificent, if not very well organized, occasion with 'the queen being ablaze from head to foot with jewels, most of them hired' (J.M. Rigg, DNB). It is remembered today however for seeing the performance of four anthems by Handel, including the inimitable 'Zadok the Priest' which has been a constant in the services ever since; indeed the service has been recreated by Robert King and the King's Consort for Hyperion Records, 2001, and a re-enactment was staged at the Proms in 2002.

We have found no record of any manuscript material by Thornhill 'the least studied of the great names in British art history' (Tabitha Barber, ODNB) having appeared at auction.

Category: Books / Books, Maps and Manuscripts

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