Dickson, Alexander, Sir

[Military][Great Britain] Early 20th Century Letter Written about the “Bijapur Gun”

Woolwich, [England]: 1825. Early 20th Century Letter Written about the “Bijapur Gun”, Sir Alexander Dickson, Woolwich, [England], 1825. 9.5 x 7.25 inches. 1pp.

This letter was likely transcribed by Dickson’s secretary and does not include his signature. It is written in a clear hand and was folded three times. Letter has a 1-inch tear, but no loss of content, light soiling, some glue and paper residue on verso, and the previous owner’s notes in pencil on verso (modern). Good condition.

Letter reads: "Royal Arsenal Woolwich/28th October 1825. Sir Alexander Dickson presents his compliments to M. Freemantle[sic], and begs to return the drawing of the great Beejapor[sic] Gun, which he has examined and taken the dimensions of with the greatest interest, and he requests M. Freemantle will accept his best thanks for having thus kindly gratified him with an opportunity of inspecting the details of so great a curiosity which serves greatly to show the military genius of the Turks in the age of Solyman[sic] the Magnificent, the Founder of the Gun as the memoir explains having been a European Turk."

Written from the Royal Arsenal Woolwich, historically used by the British armed forces for the manufacture of armaments and ammunition, proofing, and explosives research. The letter was written by Major-General Sir Alexander Dickson of the British Royal Artillery, likely to Major-General John Williams Fremantle, who fought alongside Dickson during the Napoleonic Wars.

The Malik-e-Maidan (in this letter called the “Beejapor gun”), one of the largest cannons of its category in the world, was cast in 1549 and presented to the fifth Sultan of Bijapur, Ali Adil Shah of India. The East India Company attempted to take the cannon as a war trophy, but due to its huge size could not be transported. Good condition / None. Item #1735

Price: $75.00