I have no idea if this is where to post, so please be kind if it’s incorrect and perhaps redirect me.
I am related by marriage (gg grandfather) to Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burnaby (Queen’s Royal Horse Guards), during Victorian England times. I won’t bother to explain who he is because Wikipedia does a great job and I don’t know how to put a link on here anyway. But he was quite famous during his time (and quite a character!).
Point being, I have original correspondence from his life time, from many very important people, like Winston Churchill‘s dad (Blenheim Palace) etc. I also have a few of his very old family books, with inscription‘s, one from the 1600s, and some from the 1700s. I’d post a shot of these but I guess you can’t on this sub.
I have no idea what to do with these documents or if they have any value anyway. Can anyone throw some advice my way please? I’d really appreciate it because I’m lost. Thanks!
Try getting in touch with his regimental museum, the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards (The Blues) amalgamated and became the Blues and Royals in 1969, part of the Household Cavalry, so the Household Cavalry Museum would be a good place to start. (http://www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk/contact-us/)
From what I've seen of this sub, probably not the right place exactly. But I'd say take the stuff to a museum, to donate for proper care, or just to learn about it. If you're in the UK, I've heard the British museum has people that will look at things like that.
Given your location, I'd suggest contacting one of the US offices of either Christie's or Sotheby's. Both have appraisal departments that specialise in British books and manuscripts.
Having worked at one of these companies, I'm confident that they would very interested in assisting you given the historicity of your correspondence.