Billy Ruffin Posted April 7, 2016 Posted April 7, 2016 Hi I'm really just asking hopefully for a little advice please? I have in my possession two letters written in reply to my father who passed away back in 2004. These letters were written in the late 1980's/early 90's IIR. One was in direct response to a question my dad had asked about HMS Sophie as he wanted to build a sailing model of it. Patrick's response was that it was based on HMS Speedy whose plans are readily available at Greenwich Maritime Museum. The other was in reply to my mum who had asked (naively I guess!) if Patrick would autograph a photograph of himself as my mum wished to give it as surprise biirthday present to my dad. The response was that he didn't like to do things like this but instead autographed a copy of his latest paperback with the message "From one septuagenarian to another" which was sent via the publishers. I still have the envelope sent from Patrick's home in the Mediterranean with the first letter. Unfortunately I don't have the book (which was my dad's prized possession) but I do have the letters. I don't want to sell these letters, but would like an idea of just how valuable they are. I've since found out via a TV documentary what a private person Patrick O'Brian was, so these letters seem even more significant, but having said that he was generous enough to reply to both! Has anyone any advice of how I'd go about a valuation, and where please? Thanks in advance
maturin Posted April 7, 2016 Posted April 7, 2016 http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=patrick+o%27brian&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xpatrick+o%27brian+signed.TRS0&_nkw=patrick+o%27brian+signed&_sacat=0
Billy Ruffin Posted April 7, 2016 Author Posted April 7, 2016 Thanks. I guess that gives me a very rough idea! 1
Billy Ruffin Posted April 7, 2016 Author Posted April 7, 2016 MODS I think I've put this post in the wrong section anyway - probably should have been in the Tavern. Could it be moved please? Thanks
Henry d'Esterre Darby Posted April 7, 2016 Posted April 7, 2016 How awesome that you have those letters! Definitely something to treasure. 1
ObiQuiet Posted April 7, 2016 Posted April 7, 2016 Excellent. You may find someone via hmssurprise.org who can help, or may even be a collector. 1
Billy Ruffin Posted April 7, 2016 Author Posted April 7, 2016 Thanks for that guys. As I said no plans to sell, but just like to know Pity there's no one in my family who I can pass them on to - not that I'm planning on going anywhere soon!
DeRuyter Posted April 7, 2016 Posted April 7, 2016 Certainly treasures to keep - preserved and framed. May I ask if your father ever built the model of HMS Sophie?
Billy Ruffin Posted April 7, 2016 Author Posted April 7, 2016 He got it to the stage where it was floatable - just to test for leaks I guess, but masts were loose and there was no rigging. Trouble was he wanted to install r/c in it and it was really too small so the whole project got shelved. He sold the hull on to fund another project. I did the same with the Corel HMS Unicorn kit. I guess there's many model ships that end up in the model graveyard one way or another! I did get to inherit a few of his steam models though - all unfinished projects of course
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