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Autograph letter, signed, from Charles Young to an unnamed recipient offering for sale the original diploma awarding Smollett the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

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A signed autograph letter, from one Charles Young to an unnamed recipient offering for sale the original diploma from Marischal College, Aberdeen, awarding the Scottish writer and surgeon Tobias George Smollett (1721–1771) the degree of Doctor of Medicine, signed by six named examiners and with seal attached.

Although he had already embarked on his career as a novelist ‘Smollett continued to practise medicine and write on medical matters. In June 1750, with supportive references from other practitioners and having paid the fee of £28 Scots, he was awarded the degree of MD by Marischal College’ (ODNB).

Young had been given the diploma to sell by an unnamed gentleman and is asking twenty-five guineas. ‘I have had 15 £ offered this morning for it as a present to the London University – but as I am to take him 20 £ or nothing I could not accept it – the overplus whatever it may be falls to me as commission.’

A pencilled note identifies Young as the Garter Principal King of Arms, possible but perhaps not very likely. He gives his address, in case his correspondent wishes to pursue the offer, as 48 Carlisle Place, Lambeth.