80A

Written Xmas Day: "May God shower His choicest Christmas blessings upon you"

Florence Nightingale

Autograph Letter Signed,

to engineer Robert Rawlinson, in pencil, thanking for his help in supplying toilets, sinks, showers, etc. ("Sanitary appliances") to Paulina Irby's school for girls in Sarajevo, and requesting a recommendation for a supplier of portable toilets for use in a private home. 3½ pages, 8vo, written on a folded sheet; closed separation at horizontal fold repaired on first and terminal page with cello[?] tape, faint offsetting affecting second and third pages, faint marginal discoloration from prior matting, remnants of hinging at lower edge verso.

[London, 25 December] 1886.

  • Notes: "Your great kindness about the Sanitary appliances of Miss Irby's Serajevo School & Home has answered. And all the inmates are in good health. . . .
    "Many years ago, the Army San[itar]y Comm[issio]n mentioned to me a maker . . . for all sorts of W[ater] C[loset] appliances. I want for an Invalid in a London private house, what you think the best sort of Close-Stool to stand in the room. . . .
    "If you still recommend [George] Jennings, what is his address? Or whom do you recommend? . . .
    "May I beg my kindest regards to Lady Rawlinson. May God shower His choicest Christmas blessings upon you both. Pray that He may do so upon me. . . ."
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November 6, 2025 12:00 PM EST
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