AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED in the text by ADMIRAL SIR BALDWIN WAKE WALKER accepting a dinner engagement.

12th July, 1853., 1853.. Very good. - sc - 25 words penned on 7-1/8 inch high by 4-1/2 inch wide light blue paper with an attached leaf. There is an attractive embossed mark at top left of the sheet. Admiral Walker has penned a few brief words addressed to Richard Ford and his wife, accepting a dinner invitation. Penned by the Admiral, the note is signed in the first line: "Sir Baldwin Walker will do himself the honor of dining with...." Folded for mailing, the note is tipped from the verso of the attached leaf onto creamy stiff paper mount. Near fine. <p>Admiral Sir Baldwin Wake Walker (1802-1876) was first lieutenant of the bomb ship Aetna at the attack on Morea castle during the Morea expedition. By special permission of the admiralty, he accepted a command in the Turkish Navy in 1838 where he was known as Walker Bey and subsequently as Yavir Pasha. He commanded the Turkish squadron which bombarded Acre in November of 1840 and was awarded the designation of Knight Commander of the Bath, the Austrian Order of the Iron Crown (2nd class), the Russian Order of St. Anna and the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle. Returning to England, he was appointed Surveyor of the Navy, a position he held from 1848 to 1861, and later made 1st baronet Wake Walker, of Oakley House. He was appointed to several commands and vice-admiralty before being promoted to Admiral in 1870.<p>From the autograph collection of Mrs. Mary Ford, widow of Richard Ford who wrote the popular "Handbook for Travellers in Spain".