Thomas Russell, Early Grant of Letters Patent, taking the form of a large vellum document (with some rust staining) attached to which is a wax seal in its tin case and of significant size. The document grants letters patent in 1876 to Russell for 'A new and improved method of drawing and charging gas retorts' invented by Henry Atkinson. Russell was residing in the Uk at the time and was a noted early Auckland solicitor and financier. He is best known as one of the founding fathers of Auckland, the founder of the Bank of New Zealand, New Zealand Insurance and Russell McVeagh. Few such documents survive and this would be one of the earlier grants of letters patent to a New Zealander - made all the more interesting by the important identity of the recipient