ART

Autograph Letter Signed to J. Samson, Assistant Secretary, Royal Society of Arts; together with carbon copy of the letter to which it is a reply.

Author: 
Sir Lawrence Gowing
Publication details: 
The letter 27 November 1962, on letterhead '17 PERCY STREET LONDON W1'; the carbon copy 15 November 1962.
£38.00

Painter and art historian (1918-91). The two items are both very good, attached to one another by a staple in a corner. The copy of Samson's letter (one page quarto, very good, on yellow paper) explains that the Society is 'endeavouring to arrange a course of three Cantor Lectures next Spring on modern philosophies - art, architecture and music', and invites him to deliver the first of these. Gives details of the fee, dates, etc. Gowing's letter: one page, octavo. 'I am honoured by your invitation to give the first of the Cantor Lectures next year. But I must refuse it - I'm very sorry.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Campbell Dodgson
Publication details: 
23 January 1929; on letterhead of the Department of Prints and Drawings, British Museum.
£100.00

Art historian (1867-1948) and Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum, 1912-32. Four pages, 12mo. Good, but somewhat grubby with a few small stains. Interesting, and characteristically subtle solicitation. He has been examining the book of drawings his correspondent sent the previous week, but is unable to say who formed the collection: 'my colleagues in the library cannot tell anything from the elephant stamped on the binding'. 'The little drawings are mostly old but not of any great merit'.

Autograph Note Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
George Kirkley [Royal Academy of Art]
Publication details: 
Undated.
£22.00

Dimensions. Paper stained, discoloured and ruckled. Trimmed and mounted on a piece of brown paper. Reads 'Shall feel extreemly [sic] obliged if you will have the goodness to allow the Landscape on Copper sent to be placed on the Walls for the ensuing Exhibition at the Royal Academy has [sic] it will confer an obligation on | Sir/ | Your Most Obedient | Servant | G Kirkley | Landscape on Copper | George Kirkley | No. 3 Gilhams Fields | Worship Street'.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs Middleton Walker'.

Author: 
Constance Williams
Publication details: 
No date (but docketed 'probably 1886'); '1, Campden House | W.'
£23.00

Two pages, 12mo. Very good. She is sorry that her correspondent should have 'taken the trouble to call twice & have found me out, but I am working at the school just now, & am very not returning as a rule until the evening | So I trust you will excuse my calling with kind regards to yourself & Mr. Middleton Walker'. Signed 'Constance Williams' and docketed in pencil, 'a very clever sculptor in wood'. Not traced.

Autograph Letter Signed to Miss Manook.

Author: 
Sir James Drogmole Linton, R.A.
Publication details: 
27 December 1910; on letterhead '26, New Cavendish Street, | Portland Place, W.'
£35.00

British artist (1840-1916). One page, 12mo. Folded twice. Very good, on somewhat discoloured paper with crease to one corner. Reads 'I return you the cards signed. I regret I cannot do a sketch as it has rained requests of a similar nature this Xmas & I am now obliged to refuse with many thanks for all your good wishes'. Signed 'James Linton'.

Autograph Letter Signed to <?>.

Author: 
William Thomas Fry
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£56.00

English engraver (1789-1843). Two pages, 12mo. Edges trimmed (with some loss to text), lightly creased and with some damage to head. Asks if the recipient has in his collection a print of Horace Walpole. 'If you have will you let me see it for , with price marked, will either return it or send the Money, Business preventing my <?> out <?> [...] Impressions of the Vandicke, should you have any grand Heads after that Master I should listen to see soon'. Signed 'W. F. Fry'. Docketed at head 'Mr Fry Engraver'.

Autograph Signatures on fragment of document.

Author: 
James Ward, William Collins, Edward Francis Finden, George Hyde and Philip Hill
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00

Collins (1788-1847) and Ward (1769-1859) were all artists. Finden (1791-1857) was an engraver. Paper dimensions roughly five inches by four and a half inches. Folded once and with slight discoloration, but in good condition overall. Reads 'James Ward RA. | Edwd. F. Finden | William Collins. | Geo Hyde | Upper Norton St | Philip Hill | 6. Greek Street'.

Signature clipped from document

Author: 
David Roberts
Publication details: 
n.d.
£45.00

Scottish painter (1796-1864).Good Signature of Roberts and others (Calder Marshall and Witherington and one illegible).clipped from an appeal to the Artists' Benevolent Fund.

Autograph Signatures.

Author: 
Sir William Beechey and John Young
Publication details: 
Without date (c. 1798?) or place.
£25.00

Beechey (1753-1839) was a member of the Royal Academy, and portrait painter to Queen Charlotte. Young (1755-1825) was a mezzotint engraver. Paper dimensions roughly four inches square. Folded twice. In good condition on paper somewhat grubby at edges. Good clear signatures: 'W. Beechey R. A. - | Jno. Young.' Beechey was knighted and elected to the Royal Academy in 1798.

Autograph Signatures on fragment of letter.

Author: 
William Behnes and Sir William Charles Ross
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

Behnes (died 1864) was a sculptor of high renown. Ross (1794-1860) was a miniature painter whose work includes portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Paper dimensions roughly 4 1/2 inches by 2 inches. In good condition. Reads 'William Behnes | W. C. Ross'. On verso 'my Apartments, should <...> | to the utmost of my hop <...> | be inadequate to extricat <...>'.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs. O'Donnell'.

Author: 
Paul George Konody
Publication details: 
17 October 1917; on blind-stamped letterhead 'I 3, THE ALBANY, | PICCADILLY, W, 1.'
£25.00

Konody (1872-1933) was a well known art critic, and Art Director of the Canadian War Memorials from 1916 to 1919. He was also connected with the British Pavillon at the Venice Biennale. One page, 12mo, on grey paper. In good condition. Verso of blank second leaf of bifoliate attached to piece of paper. Now that he knows he will be in town the following weekend he can accept her invitation to lunch at the Whitefriars Club at 1.45. Signed 'P. G. Konody'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Thomas Hughes

Author: 
Arthur Stratton
Publication details: 
On letterhead '88, GOWER STREET, | LONDON, W.C.1.'; 6 December 1928.
£40.00

Architect, teacher and antiquary (1872-1955). One page, 4to, folded twice, in very good condition. He thanks him for sending 'the drawing of your commercial buildings'. He is working from it, and will return it shortly. Those at the school appear 'satisfied with the new gymnasium'. 'Good progress is being made with the main building.'

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
William Behnes
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

English sculptor (1791-1864). Dimensions of paper roughly 4 inches by 1 inch. In very good condition. Large, slightly smudged signature on one side in blue ink. Reverse, in different ink and apparently in another hand, reads '<...> may I presume to solicit your favour fo<...> | as increasing Age naturally brings on in<...>'.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Richard Westmacott
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

English sculptor (1775-1856). Dimensions of paper roughly 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. In good condition. Reads '<...> I am Gentlemen | Your obt. & humble St. | Richd Westmacott'.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
Richard Westmacott
Publication details: 
26 November 1844; no place.
£22.50

English sculptor (1775-1856). Dimensions of paper roughly 5 inches by 1 inch. In good condition. Reads '<...> | Recommended /on unexceptionable testimonials/ by | Richd Westmacott: | Nov 26/1844.'

Illustrated ticket to 'Smoking Evening', addressed in manuscript to 'Mr. W. Dalziel' (the engraver William Dalziel, 1805-1873?).

Author: 
Society of British Artists.
Publication details: 
Suffolk St. | Pall Mall | East | Decr. 9th. | 8 o'clock' [no year, but pre-1887].
£45.00

Dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Must predate 1887, when the prefix 'Royal' was added. Amusing modern-looking cartoon-style illustration by 'F C' of furious pipe-smoking pianist jumping up to hammer the keys, with his hair forming into the 'S' of 'Society', with moustachioed cigar-smoking tweedy individual in front of piano being hit in face by whisky tumbler.

Autograph Note Signed to Richard Lehman.

Author: 
Samuel Carter Hall
Publication details: 
49 Pall Mall | Nov 22' [docketed '(1848)'].
£25.00

Journal editor and writer (1800-89). 1 page, 8vo. Creased and slightly discoloured, but in good condition overall. Cover of envelope pasted to back, reading 'for | Rd Lehman Esq | Newmarket Road | Norwich'. Reads 'Dear Sir. | I much regret that I have been unable to avail myself of your kindness: I have been so over-run with Matter at this, the concluding, month of the year. | Sincerely | S C Hall.'

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
John Boultbee
Publication details: 
Loughbro. ye 9th. March 1786'.
£85.00

English equestrian artist (1753-1812). 1 page, 8vo. In poor condition: creased, frayed and torn. He has that morning received from his correspondent's servant 'the sum of sixteen Pounds nine shillings payment for your Pictures'. He will send them 'by the first conveyance' and hopes they will please. 'If any alteration should be necessary should be glad to make it at any time'. Signed 'J. Boultbee'. A postscript states that he has returned 'by your servant the Ballance from the Bill of twenty Pounds'. Docketed on reverse with date of receipt, sum paid to 'J.

Autograph Note Signed to Sir Martin [Archer Shee, President of the Royal Academy?]

Author: 
Richard Westmacott
Publication details: 
No place, 1 February [no year].
£25.00

English sculptor (1799-1872; DNB). On piece of paper 4 inches by 3 1/2. Somewhat grubby, and with remains of glue on blank reverse. Difficult hand. 'Dear Sir Martin | I am just returned from & shall have much pleasure in dining with You tomorrow. | believe me | very sincerely Yours | Richd Westmacott | '. The foot of the note has been cropped but this does not affect the signature.

autograph letter signed to Winifred [?]

Author: 
Frank O. Salisbury
Publication details: 
2pp, 4to, 20 December 1931, on letterhead 62 Avenue Road, Regent's Park, N.W.
£50.00

English artist. 'Life has been one continual rush since we returned from the States. I have been hoping for a chance to get down to see you. When you are in Town & this way do call in & see us.' Describes a window memorial in a church, dedicated to 'your dear Father'. 'How lovely to think of the two dear souls their memories yet more precious as the years advance'.

Autograph note signed to Miss [?] Coates,

Author: 
Copley Fielding
Publication details: 
Saturday [no date], 26 Newman Street.
£40.00

Antony Vandyke Copley Fielding. Watercolour artist (1787-1855). One page, 12mo. "My dear Miss Coates, / Pray be so good as to give my kind Compliments to your mama, & say that I shall have great pleasure in coming to Bedford Place on Tuesday eveg. & with my best remembrance to your Aunt Julia, & many thanks to you for your obliging note, / I remain / very sincerely yours / Copley Fielding". One very small hole at head and slight creasing, but in good overall condition.

Autograph Letters Signed (x 2) to "Mr Milne" (Rev.)

Author: 
E.M. Ward
Publication details: 
4 and 28 Sept. 1878
£100.00

Historical painter (1816-1879). 3 & 2pp., 8vo. (4 Sept.) He is doing his best to facilitate the sale of a painting through a friend ("Haynes"), "the de Witt picture", owned by a Col. Gordon. The market for "luxury" items is affected by the depression, but he hopes for an upturn. He admires both the de Witt and "the portrait of Mary". (28 Sept.) He will do his best with regard to both pictures but outlines problems. 2 items,

fragment of autograph letter signed to unnamed female correspondent

Author: 
John James Chalon
Publication details: 
slip of paper around one inch by four inches, date and place not present
£25.00

Victorian landscape and genre painter. The conclusion of a letter cut away for the signature: 'the Silk covering with the Red but I believe they could be changed for blue if preferred | I have the honour to be | Madam | Your obedient Servent | J. J. Chalon'. Slightly discoloured by the glue with which it was stuck to the album.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
John Prescott Knight
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

English portrait-painter (1803-81; DNB). Piece of paper approximately three inches by five. Slightly discoloured but in good condition, and attached to piece of brown card. Reads 'Remember me very kindly to the Ladies, and after to your Sons, and believe me | Every yours most sincerely | John P. Knight'

2 Autograph Letters Signed to Sir Martin [Archer Shee, President of the Royal Academy].

Author: 
Edward Hodges Baily
Publication details: 
Letter 1: 24 January 1840, no place; letter 2: 25 January 1842, no place.
£45.00

English sculptor (1788-1867)(DNB), responsible for the Nelson on Nelson's Column. Both letters are discoloured by age, but otherwise in good condition. The first letter is 1 page, 16mo, cropped and mounted on a larger piece of paper. 'My Dear Sir Martin | Absence from Town will I hope be a sufficient apology for my not sooner acknowledging the receipt of your card of invitation for Wednesday next - and to state that I shall have great pleasure dining with you that day.' The second letter is 2 pages, 16mo, heavily discoloured and with remains of four wax mounts in corners and elsewhere.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Sir Reginald Theodore Blomfield, R.A.
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

English architect (1856-1942). Slip cut from letter, dimensions approximately 1 1/4 inches by 4 1/4. In good condition. Reads 'Yrs sincy | Reginald Blomfield'. Docketed in pencil '1935' and with tidy strip with 'SIR REGINALD BLOMFIELD, M.A., R.A.', neatly stuck down beneath signature.

Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Sir George Frampton R.A.
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

English sculptor (1860-1928). Florid signature 'Geo. Frampton' on slip of paper, 1 inch by 3 1/2. Slightly smudged but in good condition. Attached to piece of blue paper docketed with biographical information about the 'Great Sculptor'.

Autograph Note Signed to Sir Martin [Archer Shee (1769-1850; DNB), President of the Royal Academy].

Author: 
Henry William Pickersgill
Publication details: 
Soho; 22 January 1840.
£25.00

English portrait painter (1782-1875). In good condition. Dimensions approximately 4 1/2 inches square, cropped and with some loss of text after signature. Attached to larger piece of grey paper. Reads 'My dear Sir Martin | I accept with great pleasure your kind invitation for Wednesday the 29 Inst. | Ever yours faithfully | H. W. Pickersgill'.

Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Bewick[e].

Author: 
William Agnew
Publication details: 
On letterhead 11 Gt Stanhope Street, Park Lane, 'Monday morg.'
£30.00

Art dealer (1825-1910; DNB). 2 pages. 16mo biofoliate. In good condition. The recipients name is spelt 'Bewick' at the beginning of the letter and 'Bewicke' at the end. 'Dear Mrs Bewick | I came up from Southampton on Saturday. I am starting for Lancashire in a few minutes | I shall be back on Wednesday and off the following day | I can see you here if you can call about 5.30 | Yours sincerely | Wm Agnew'.

Autograph Letter Signed to J. H. Roberts.

Author: 
Charles Aitken
Publication details: 
5 January 1928; on letterhead of the National Gallery, Millbank, S.W.1.
£50.00

Director of the Tate Gallery (1869-1936). 1 page, 8vo, grubby and creased, with otherwise-blank verso docketed and attached to piece of card. 'Both our funds and our space are extremely limited and Mr Warne Browne's 'Catch of Pilchards', though a pleasant subject picture, is scarcely of national importance and my Board would not consider purchasing it. | It might possibly be of interest for a local Museum such as the Truro Gallery or the Passmore Edwards Art Gallery, Newlyn. I am returning the reproduction | Yours very truly | Charles Aitken | Director'.

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