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Autograph request

Sent by Bray to (Cigarette card featuring Major-General Neville Lyttelton) + South Africa on 1st July 1900 requesting his autograph.

This is the earliest recorded item of Bray's use of both a letter-card and an autograph request with a cigarette card attached to the item of mail with the name portion removed leaving the postal authorities the challenge of identifying the intended recipient. Lyttelton was so taken with the cigarette card that he kept it for himself.

General Sir Neville Lyttelton (1845-1931) was born the third son of the 4th Baron Lyttelton, of Hagley Hall, in Worcestershire, 28th October 1845; his mother was sister-in-law of William Gladstone. He was educated at Eton College and entered the Rifle Brigade in 1865. He helped to suppress Fenian rising in Canada, 1866; was Secretary of the Oregon Boundary Dispute Commission, Canada, 1867; then ADC to Viceroy of Ireland, 1868-1873. He served in the Jowaki Expedition, India, 1877, and in the Egyptian Campaign, 1882. He was appointed private secretary to the Secretary of State for War in the Liberal Government, 1880; Military Secretary to Governor of Gibraltar, 1883-1885, and to Governor of Bombay, 1885-1890; 2nd in Command, 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, Jullundar, India, 1890-1893. He was made Lieutenant Colonel, 1892; commanded 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, in Dublin, Ireland, 1893-1895. He was appointed Assistant Adjutant General War Office, 1895 and then Assistant Military Secretary, War Office, 1897-1898. He commanded the brigade during the Nile Expedition, Sudan, 1898; commanded 2nd Infantry Brigade, Aldershot, 1899.

In South Africa he commanded the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd and 4th Divisions, 1899-1900 and served in Natal, 1901-1902 becoming Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, 1902-1904.

The information on Lyttelton was obtained from www.boer-war.com

Curios and Autographs
Autograph Postcard Types
Where he lived
Some photographs
Scrapbook
Cigarette Cards
Cartoon by Michael Leigh