AUTOGRAPH LETTER TO MAJOR POND OF THE POND LECTURE BUREAU SIGNED BY BRITISH CONSERVATIVE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT LEES KNOWLES, 1ST BARONET.

Knowles writes to Major Pond of the Pond Lecture Bureau telling him that he is in New York City with the Oxford and Cambridge Universities Athletic Team and hopes to have the pleasure of seeing him at the sports. He adds somewhat mysteriously, probably referring to Pond's son "Bim": "I should much like to know how your stowaway is getting on - Perhaps you could send him round with a message, when I could see him and judge for myself."

Lees Knowles [1857-1928] was a British barrister, military historian and Conservative politician, created a baronet in 1903. While attending Rugby School and Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a prominent athlete and became president of the Cambridge University Athletics Club. In 1886 he was elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Salford West, losing his seat in the 1906 general election. Knowles had a great interest in military history and wrote a number of books on the life of Napoleon. He held a commission as an officer in the Volunteer Force and its successor the Territorial Force, reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel. After serving as Honorary Colonel of the 3rd (Volunteer) battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel in command of the battalion.