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ЛОТ 53:

STEPHENSON GEORGE: (1781-1848) English Civil Engineer who built the first public inter-city railway line in the ...

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STEPHENSON GEORGE: (1781-1848) English Civil Engineer who built the first public inter-city railway line in the world to use steam locomotives, 1830. A fine L.S., Geo. Stephenson, two pages, 8vo, Tapton House, 10th July 1848, to John Ellis. Stephenson informs his correspondent that he is forwarding a letter (no longer present) sent from 'your great man' Barlow, continuing to express doubts about his suitability, and asking 'Wouldn't it better to fix upon some person who has a little knowledge of geology and coal working to report upon the subject referred to in our correspondence?', further remarking 'You will have many a serious business on the coal under the railway. Perhaps there is no man would have done as I have; I might have made the Company pay for the coal, bit I did not think it was necessary to do so.' Stephenson concludes 'I must say again that Barlow is an unfit man to give his opinion on such subjects.' The conclusion of Stephenson's signature slightly runs on to the otherwise blank integral leaf. A letter of fine content for its references to coal and railways. Some very light, minor traces of mounting to the verso, VG
John Ellis (1789-1862), British Businessman, Chairman of the Midland Railway.During the construction of the Midland Railway, several seams of coal were discovered as workmen cut the Claycross Tunnel. Stephenson's vision of a country supplied with coal by railway was beginning to take shape and he proceeded to expand into the lands around Claycross.Renowned as the 'Father of Railways', Stephenson was considered by Victorians as a first-rate example of what could be achieved with diligent application and a thirst for improvement. Great Britain led the world in the development of railways which acted as a stimulus for the Industrial Revolution by facilitating the transport of raw materials and manufactured goods. Stephenson was farsighted in realising that the individual lines being built would eventually be joined together, and would need to have the same gauge. His rail gauge of 4 feet 8 1⁄2 inches (1,435 mm), sometimes called the 'Stephenson gauge', is the standard gauge by name and by convention for most of the world's railways. In 2002 Stephenson was named in the BBC's list of the 100 Greatest Britons.