Memoires of the year 1751, [ca. 1754]

Manuscript, in Walpole's hand, containing primarily the beginnings and endings of various sections of the memoirs of political characters and events during the reign of King George II. The focus of the collection, however, is on the drawings and engraved headpieces and tailpieces which appear on these pages. These include a pen drawing by Richard Bentley of Walpole presenting the work to Democritus, with his villa at Strawberry Hill behind him; the head of George II by Johann Muntz, set in a headpiece designed by Bentley; and engravings of William Murray; Henry Pelham; Thomas Pelham-Holles; and Archibald Campbell, many also set in pieces drawn by Bentley. The collection also contains a pencil drawing of Henry Lord Holland, with the annotation, "Sr H. Reynolds pinxt"; an appendix explaining the engravings; and a newspaper notice of the death of William Stanhope, Earl of Harrington