Manuscript document signed, from Royal Hospital Chelsea account book.

12 April, 1700. Wren preserves the financial integrity of his Royal Hospital Chelsea Christopher Wren signs "Chr. Wren" to authorize payments to various tradespeople, in his role as Surveyor-General of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Wren was the architect of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, founded as a retirement home for disabled soldiers by Charles II in 1682. His building, one of his best-known works, remains virtually unchanged today: "it met its brief with such distinction and success that even in the twenty-first century it fulfils its original function, albeit with the benefit of modern standards of comfort and hygiene" (ODNB). The first pensioners were admitted in 1689. Wren was one of three commissioners empowered by royal warrant in March 1693 to examine the accounts of the hospital. This leaf originated from the account book kept by Ralph Cooke, under-treasurer of the hospital, from December 1698 to November 1702. Wren signs alongside his two fellow commissioners Lord Ranelagh (Paymaster-General) and Sir Stephen Fox (Commissioner of the Treasury) to authorize the payments. The account book was broken into individual leaves by the autograph dealer Gerard Stodolksi in 1994. The accounts are dated 12 April 1700. It lists payments of over £159 to Charles Hudson the butcher, £66 to John Clarke the baker, £75 to John England the brewer, £84 to Robert Madock the cheesemaker, £75 to John Gill the whitster, £28 to Elizabeth Hastings the tallow chandler, £8 to William Fells the lampman, and £25 to Henry Powell the steward. Together Wren and the two commissioners authorize payment of £522 13s. 7 1/2 d. Each of the tradespeople also sign to acknowledge their receipt. On the verso is a neat list of the total payments for the same tradespeople from April 1699 to March 1700, comprising in total £5,554 4s. 9 1/2 d. Single sheet (375 x 245 mm). Account sheet neatly written in secretarial hand, listing payments and signed by the commissioners to authorize, each payment individually stated and signed by the receiver; cumulative accounts on verso in same secretarial hand. Pages numbered at head 123-4 from position in account book. Very light soiling and toning at extremities, else in excellent condition.