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Very Rare Signature of a Mad Monk of Medmenham
DODINGTON, George Bubb (1691-1762). 1st Baron Melcombe. Christened as George Bubb. He acquired the surname Dodington close to the time his uncle George Dodington died in 1720. His uncle left him his estate. Extremely rich, Dodington became a friend of Frederick, Prince of Wales who took advantage of their acquaintance and obtained loans that helped clear his debts. On being removed out of St. James Palace by his father, King George II, he moved into a London house belonging to George Dodington. At that time, Dodington was said to be involved in a spy ring. During this time he was collecting valuable information about Jacobite activities. In 1761, following the accession of Frederick’s son to the throne as George III, Dodington was created to Baron Melcombe. Dodington had many contacts with artists and was a collector, purchasing antiquities via Cardinal Albani in Rome. Noted historian N.A.M. Rodger describes Dodington as an ”indefatigable schemer”. Dodington is depicted in William Hogarth’s 1761 engraving Five Orders of Periwigs. Dodington’s diary was published posthumously in 1784 by Henry Penruddocke Wyndham which is a valuable historical source. A profligate, he was a member of the secret Knights of St. Francis of Wycombe, along with other notable Sir Francis Dashwood, who founded the group which was also known as the “Mad Monks of Medmenham” because it was said to conduct obscene parodies of Roman Catholic rituals and engage in debauchery in the Gothic ruins of Medmenham Abbey. Other members of the group include John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, William Hogarth, Sir George Oxenden, 5th Baronet (1694-1775) who served as Lord of the Admiralty and of the Treasury and prominent poets. This group was also known as “The Hell-Fire Club.” Medmenham Abbey had been built for the purpose of having meetings for this group. Choice signature of Geo. Dodington, on a portion of a document for a Warrant. Dated in pencil “1737.” Two other notables have also signed their names. Dodington’s signature is seldom offered and this is a choice example.....$147.50
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