Autograph Letter Signed by 'J. B. Eardley-Wilmot L.L.D.', ostensibly requesting a book for review, but in fact the work of a fraudster.

12mo, 1 p. 15 lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. He requests 'the favour of a copy of Dr 's work "The Hoe & the Canoe," for review'. He claims to be 'a friend of Lord Elgin the Governor', and to have been 'a long resident in the Canadas' in his 'official capacity', ending: 'it will afford me the utmost pleasure to say all I can in behalf in [sic] the reviewing publication with which I have the honour of being connected, of Dr 's work'. The truth about 'J. B. Eardley-Wilmot' is given in 'Notes and Queries', 31 January 1852, where an article entitled 'Calamities of Authors' reprints a correspondence between the publishers Butterworths and Sir J. E. Eardley-Wilmot, who writes 'I have already on more than one occasion been applied to, to know if I am the individual who signs himself "J. B. BARDLET WILMOT," and who it seems is in the habit of writing to publishers, to ask for copies of new works, for the alleged purpose of getting them reviewed. Not three weeks ago I found on my table at my chambers in the Temple three very expensive books, which had been sent to me by Messrs. Longman & Co., supposing that I had offered to review them. [...] I may as well add, that there is no member of my family whose initials are J. B. Eardley Wilmot, nor is there, to the best of my knowledge, any family in England, except my own, which combines the two surnames of Eardley Wilmot. I must therefore presume that the signature of J. B. Eardley Wilmot is entirely a fictitious one, and adopted for sinister purposes.'