Fonds MC 1 - Le Neve Correspondence

The collection of which these letters form part was made by Peter Le Neve (1661-1729), the Norfolk antiquary and herald. The letters passed via Tom Martin to Sir John Fenn, who added further material of East Anglian interest. They then came into the hands of Robert Fitch of Norwich (d 1895), the items being lettered F and numbered. At some stage they were sewn up for binding, probably during re-ordering by Fenn; some disparate items are still sewn together. In 1947 they were sold, with much related material, at Sotheby's. The bulk was purchased by Robson Lowe Ltd. at whose sale (see no. 133 in list) it was dispersed, a large amount finding its way into American hands. Lot 163, less one item, and a further 94 items without a lot number were purchased by Captain Hamond in May and June 1948, having been left unsold at the auction.