SCOTT (ROBERT FALCON) Autograph letter signed ('R Scott') to Rev. Rosslyn Bruce, Kathleen Scott,...

SCOTT (ROBERT FALCON) Autograph letter signed ('R Scott') to Rev. Rosslyn Bruce, brother of Scott's fiancé Kathleen Bruce, apologising for not writing sooner, recognising '...how much I'm to be congratulated...', that his '...indefinite professional programme makes it impossible to fix the exact date of our wedding...', talking of the formal announcement, hoping to meet him soon and speculating on where the marriage may take place ('...your aunt has suggested Hampton Court and it sounds delightful... as pleasant a place as can be chosen for a trying ceremony...'), ending by apologising for being '...such a shadowy person to you and others who take an interest in the dear lady...', 4 pages, light dust-staining, creased at folds, 8vo (209 x 151mm.), Home Fleet, HMS Bulwark, 17 July [19]08; with an autograph letter to Bruce from his sister, now Kathleen Scott, signed ('K'), written in pencil, on the birth of his son [Merlin], herself expecting a girl called Grizelda, ending by engaging his help to '...get funds for Con's Expedition... you know lots of rich people – He must have £40,000 by Xmas...', two pages, dust-staining and marks, 4to, Studland, 3 August 1909; two further letters, one from a family member after having seen Scott's baby son ('...he is not a Falcon at present, Robert or Peter probably...'); another from Oliver Lodge sending condolences on Scott's death, dated 13 February 1913; and a note from a young Peter Scott, ('Dear Rosslyn, Two hatched on the way. Love Peter'), written in pencil between handwriting guide lines, one page, oblong 8vo, [n.p., n.d.] (5) Footnotes: 'NO ONE KNOWS BETTER THAN I HOW MUCH I AM TO BE CONGRATULATED': ROBERT FALCON SCOTT ON HIS IMPENDING MARRIAGE & OTHER FAMILY LETTERS. The path to the altar for Robert Falcon Scott had not been smooth. The Hero of the Antarctic met artist and socialite Kathleen Bruce (1878-1947) in October 1907 and within a month they had decided to marry: '...Their early courtship was tortured by mutual self-doubt, he thinking himself unworthy of her, she fearing that her own unconventional lifestyle would ill suit the structured routine of a naval officer...' (H.G.R. King, ODNB). Kathleen wrote later in her autobiography that 'On two occasions I broke off the [engagement] but [Scott] was so patient – no scolding, no recrimination. 'Take your time girl!' was all he said...' (Historic Palaces website). The decision to marry at Hampton Court came through Kathleen's aunt, Zoe Thompson, widow of the Archbishop of York, who enjoyed a Grace and Favour apartment at the Palace. They married on 2 September 1908, with veterans from the Discovery expedition among the guest list. Their son Peter was born in 1909, '...prompting Kathleen to observe that the happy event was the cause of her falling for the first time '...gloriously, passionately, wildly in love with my husband'...' (ODNB). Provenance: Rev. Francis Rosslyn Bruce (1871-1956); by descent to the present owner. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing