Algernon Capel 1670-1710

Algernon CAPEL or CAPELL, 2nd Earl of Essex 1670-1710

One of the armorial stamps of Algernon Capel (British Armorial Bindings)

The larger of Capel's two bookplates (British Museum Franks Collection *57)

Biographical Note

Son of Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex, who died in disgrace as a conspirator. He was a courtier to William and Mary and had a commission as Colonel of the 4th Regiment of Dragoons.

Books

Capel inherited his father's extensive library at the family seat at Cassiobury, near Watford, which he augmented further, though we do not know the extent of the library at the time of his death.

The Foyle Special Collections Library has a book with the armorial bookplate: "The Right Hon. Algernon Capell, Earl of Essex, Viscount Maldon and Baron Capell of Hadham, 1701." We will send a photograph. The history of that great and renowned monarchy of China, London : printed by E. Tyler for Iohn Crook, and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Ship in S. Pauls Church-yard, 1655, [FCDO Historical Collection] ; FOL. DS708 SEM

Characteristic Markings

Capel used two engraved armorial bookplates, of different sizes (Franks 5079-80/*54, *57), dated 1701. Two slightly different armorial stamps used by him are recorded in the Armorials Database.

Sources

• British Armorial Bindings.
• Algernon Capell, Wikipedia.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.