Two Manuscript Letters (MLS / ALS), signed and sent from J.H.Luke on Board a Cross-Atlantic Trip from Liverpool to New York via Queenstown [Cobh in Ireland] on Stationery of R.M.S.Teutonic, to his then nine-year-old son Harry Charles Lukach (later Sir Harry Luke). Letter One – “Queenstown, April 20th 93 [1893]”: “My dear Harry, Mama writes me that you are a good boy and this gives me great pleasure for now that I am away you are the only man in the house and although but a little one – it is your duty to look after Mamaas much as you can and see that she is happy and not troubled or worried – Be very attentive and obedient – I will be glad to hear you are acting as I bid you to. You would be surprised to see this enormous magnificent fine ship. I fancy she carries over 3000 people. Namely 300 first class passengers – 500 second class passengers – 1500 steerage passengers – 1000 sailors, stewards, Officers are 3300 in all. – It is quite a little world afloat – I send you a list of passengers & also a menu so you see we are not starving – altho’ out on the wide ocean. Poor Robinson Crusoe would have been content with one of the many dishes & had to put up with less comfort. Tell little Baby that Daddy send his love to her. Remember me to Mama. I hope you are getting on nicely at school – Your loving father J.H.Lukach” / Letter Two – “off New York – April 26th 93 [1893]”: My dear Harry, In 4 or 5 hours we will run into New York harbour and probably be landed this afternoon at 5 o’clock. Yesterday being the last evening on Bard we had a concert of which I enclose the programm. The Earl of Aberdeen – the future Governor of Canada – made a very interesting speech in which he alluded to the comic remark on the programm “carriages at 9.45” by saying that he trusts everybody had also ordered their “seahorses”. Over £ 60 – were collected for the poor orphans & the very jolly evening ended by singing God save the Queen & Hail Columbia. I am sure you will be glad to hear that the journey was conducted by being good for the poor little children who are suffering starvation. – We have seen no ships all the way but today its getting livelier for we have passed several small vessels. Tomorrow is holiday in America because of the great naval review that takes place in New York harbour and which I will go to see. I am sending you my chart showing the number of miles we ran each day which you must save. I hope you are a good boy & very obedient to your Mama – whom you are trying hard to please & make happy. I am very impatient to learn from home how dear Mama you & Baby are – with love – Your father J H Lukach – Remember me to Mama”.
[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. Queenstown [Cobh / Ireland] / New York / R.M.S.Teutonic, 1893. Octavo. Two manuscript letters (8 pages). From Sir Harry Luke’s personal Library.
EUR 275.000,--