BOULTON (Matthew, 1728-1809, Manufacturer and business partner of Scottish Engineer James Watt)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to his son Matthew Robinson BOULTON (1770-1842, Manufacturer, with James Watt Jr. he was responsible for the management of the Soho Foundry) saying that he "intended writing to you and M. Bourdon by this post but I am so hurryed that it is absolutely out of my power. I therefore beg you will make my best compliments to M. Bourdon with thanks for his obligeing [sic] letter & his Eloge de mon fils & say I will do myself the pleasure of writing to him very soon. Although I am so much hurryed yet I presume you have time enough to write to me once a week & I am sure you would do it if you knew how glad we are to receive your letters. I set out on Monday the 20th to London & take with me your sister to have some teeth taken out she haveing [sic] been much indisposed lately with the toothache. I shall stay till the 10th of June & therefore write to me at Mr. Matthews. I hear Mr and Miss Stuart are returned pray have you seen them or Mr Startin [Charles Startin]. Continue to tell me all the publick News. I presume no new expenses will be incurd [sic] this year in [here he has drawn a small triangle, which in other correspondence between Boulton and Watt was shorthand for 'water'] works & therefore I suppose I shall not visit Paris this summer. I beg you will double your industry in learning the language & if you will not write to me in French I must write to you and scold you in that language for not writing in it. Take care to avoid over heating yourself or catching fevers. Adieu my dear Matt I am your very affect. father M. Boulton ...", 2 sides 4to., with integral autograph address leaf to his son in Versailles, Soho, 21st May

Matthew Jnr was studying in France at the time. I
There is a small note in Matthew Jnr's hand on the address panel "My father's of May 21 1787".
In the final quarter of the 18th century, the partnership installed hundreds of Boulton & Watt steam engines, which were a great advance on the state of the art, making possible the mechanisation of factories and mills. Boulton applied modern techniques to the minting of coins, striking millions of pieces for Britain and other countries, and supplying the Royal Mint with up-to-date equipment.
Boulton was a key member of the Lunar Society, a group of Birmingham-area men prominent in the arts, sciences, and theology. Members included Watt, Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgwood and Joseph Priestley. The Society met each month near the full moon. Members of the Society have been given credit for developing concepts and techniques in science, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and transport that laid the groundwork for the Industrial Revolution.

Item Date:  1787

Stock No:  41412      £1750

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