Rare Book & Collectors' Sale June 23rd, 24th & 25th 2026

65 Fonsie Mealy’s Est. 1934 521. Important 18th Century Military Letter-Book, with Irish Connection. Adlercron (J.) Manuscript Book, bound in 4to green vellum, measuring 24cms x 18.5cms, 209 pages of writing, plus 8 written pages at end. It contains principally copies of letters written by John Adlercron between 30 March 1752 and 22 July 1766, and other related matters. As a m/ss, w.a.f. (1) John Adlercron was born in 1691. He was the son of a major in the French army named Jean Trapaud, a Huguenot who had all his property confiscated upon the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Joining the British service, he commanded a cavalry Regiment at the Battle of the Boyne, and was rewarded with property in County Dublin. His son changed his name to Adlercron on receiving an inheritance from a great-aunt who was the widow of a former Swedish Ambassador to France. Having jointed the British Army, Adlercron was given command of an Irish regiment, which had recently been re-formed and given a new title, the 39th Foot. He served as its Colonel from 14 March 1752 until his death in 1766. In 1754 the regiment went to India to support the forces of the East India Company. It was the first regiment of the line to serve there, for which it received the title Primus in Indis. Adlercron was Commander-in-Chief India until 1756, when he was succeeded by General Clive. The regiment served in Clive’s victorious campaign to win control of India from the French until 1758, when it returned to Ireland. Adlercron was promoted to Major-General in that year and to Lieutenant-General in 1760. He died of apoplexy in Dublin on 31st July 1766. There is a portrait of him by James Latham in private hands. The 39th Regiment was renamed in 1782 the 39th (East Middlesex) Foot and in 1805 the 39th (Dorsetshire) Foot. Today it forms part of the Rifle Regiment. The letter-book covers the entire period during which Aldercron commanded the regiment, with the exception of the four years spent in India. The first 84 pages contain letters written from Dubin down to 29 January 1754, and the letters resume on 10 December 1758. They are addressed from various parts of Ireland, but mostly from "Newtown near Dublin" (Present-day Blackrock), which was Adlercron's family seat. The contents of this letter-book provide fascinating information on the British Army in Ireland during the mid-18th Century: its personnel, particularly the relationships of the senior officers; patronage and promotions; financial matters; and the equipping of a regiment with uniforms, weapons, and ammunition. Several other members of the Adlercron family achieved Military distinction, in particularly John’s half-brother Cyrus (mentioned in the letter-book), who also became a general and was subsequently Acting Lieutenant Governor of Chelsea Hospital. Later generations resided at Moyglare House, County Meath. The family papers are now in the National Library. Important Military Record. (1) €1000 - €1500 524. One of a Special Edition of 24 Copies Carpenter (Andrew) & Fallon (Peter) editors & Bunn (M.)photo . The Writers - A Sense of Ireland, 4to D. (The O’Brien Press) 1980, Signed Limited Edition No. 2 (24) copies only, Signed by every contributor and the editors, etc., bound by John F. Newman & Son, Dublin, full calf, lettered spine, slip case. (1) €2,500 - €3,500