artist

[ Vernon Hill, sculptor and artist. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mr Bleackley' [ the writer Horace Bleackley ], regarding a drawing of the recipient he has been asked to make by 'Mr Lane' [ the publisher John Lane ].

Author: 
Vernon Hill (1887-1972), sculptor, lithographer, illustrator [ Horace Bleackley (1868-1931), author; John Lane (1854-1925), London publisher who founded the Bodley Head with Charles Elkin Mathews ]
Publication details: 
30 St Luke's Road, W [ London ]. 1 July 1915 and 'Thursday' [ no date ].
£35.00

Both letters 1p., 4to. Both in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The letters concern a drawing of Bleackley, made by Hill at the instigation of 'Mr Lane'. On 1 July 1915 Hill writes that he has 'placed it before such authorities as Mr Willette and Mrs Lane, persons all I think to whom the shock of an unlikeness would have evoked candid opinion in criticism. I found them agreed as to its likeness Mr Lane voicing the common opinion by declaring on the instant: "That's got him!"'

[ C.L. Eastlake ] Autograph Letter Signed "C.L. Eastlake" to W. Popham Lethbridge, about an art collection in Antwerp.

Author: 
C.L. Eastlake [ Charles Lock Eastlake ](1793–1865), painter, gallery director, collector and writer
Publication details: 
7 Fitzroy Square, [London], 22 March 1862
£80.00

Two pages, 12mo, bifolium, good condition. He acknowledges his letter about "Mr Andrew Baillie's collection at Antwerp. I know the pictures but had not heard of the day of sale. I cannot possibly leave England at the time. This is not however of much consequence for, without at all meaning to disparage the collection, there are but few things in it which I should consider eligible. [...]" He presumably doesn't think much of interest to the National Gallery. I have found no information about this Sale.

[ Peter Wardle, British portrait painter. ] Around 90 items from his papers, including incoming material relating to his work for the National Portraiture Association; correspondence with Ruskin School of Drawing, Oxford; receipts; payslips; tax.

Author: 
Peter Wardle (b.1929), British portrait painter [ William Deeves (1893-1977), Director, The National Portraiture Association; ]
Publication details: 
Mainly from London. Dating from between 1972 and 1974.
£320.00

Peter Wardle studied at Leicester School of Art and the Ruskin School of Art, Oxford. He began his career as a professional portrait painter and sculptor in the 1970s, and has work in a number of institutions including the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Ten of his works in the National Portrait Gallery collection include portraits of Athol Fugard, H. J. Eysenck and Edmund Blunden. He was also responsible for the portrait of Sir Geoffrey Keynes used as the frontispiece to his 1973 festschift. The present collection, containing around ninety items, is in aged and worn condition.

[ Felix Stone Moscheles, English painter. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Felix Moscheles') to 'Mrs Lewis', acknowledging receipt of a cheque.

Author: 
Felix Moscheles [ Felix Stone Moscheles ] (1833-1917), English painter of Jewish origin, peace activist and advocate of Esperanto
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Cadogan Gardens, Sloane Street, S.W. [ London ] Undated.
£30.00

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, lightly-aged and worn, with small hole affecting one word of text. He acknowledges receipt of her cheque for three guineas.

[ Peter Wardle, British portrait painter. ] Notebook containing original drawings and autograph text.

Author: 
Peter Wardle (b.1929), British portrait painter
Publication details: 
Undated [ 1960s? ].
£250.00

Wardle studied at Leicester School of Art and the Ruskin School of Art, Oxford. He began as a professional portrait painter and sculptor in the 1970s, and has work in institutions including the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Ten of his works in the National Portrait Gallery include portraits of Athol Fugard, H. J. Eysenck and Edmund Blunden. Among his other sitters was Sir Geoffrey Keynes. The present item comprises 35 pages of sketches in pen and pencil, and 21 pages of text, making a total of 56pp in a 20 x 13 cm French notebook with spiral binding. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn.

[ Jane Wardle, psychologist. ] Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Jane') to her father the painter Peter Wardle, together with a small collection of childhood writings and drawings.

Author: 
Jane Wardle [ Frances Jane Wardle ] (1950-2015), Professor of Clinical Psychology, University College, London [ Peter Wardle (b.1929), English artist ]
Publication details: 
Two of the letters from 48 Abingdon Road, Oxford, and one on letterhead of the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. One of the childhood items from Lidstone, Enstone, Oxfordshire. All items undated (adult letters pre-1991).
£180.00

Wardle's achievements as a leading behavioural scientist in the field of cancer prevention are described in her obituary in the Guardian, 24 November 2015. The three adult letters addressed to 'Daddy'. One four-page letter on yellow paper with loss from damp damage, the other items in fair condition, with light signs of age. One of the other two letters also of four pages, and the last of one page. The letters are intimate and positive, filled with loving encouragement and advice and giving family news.

[ Antoine Renou, French painter and playwright. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Renou'), 'Au Citoyen Monger', a secretary to the Institut National

Author: 
Antoine Renou (1731-1806), French painter and playwright [ Monger of the Institut National; Pierre Bénézech (1749-1802), French Minister of the Interior ]
Publication details: 
'ce 4 Thermidor. An 5e.' [ 23 July 1797 ]
£450.00

4pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Signed 'Salut et fraternité | Renou'. A long and interesting letter, regarding student unrest in the French revolution, and involving a descision taken by the 'Classe des Sciences et Artes de l'Institut, qui acorde un jour de prolongation aux Concurrens pour les prix de Peinture', and the attempts of the Institut National to impose discipline.

[ William James Callcott, marine artist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. J. Callcott') to Dr Maitland Coffin, offering a painting at an 'awfully low' price so that he can pay his studio rent.

Author: 
William James Callcott (c.1823-1900), English marine artist [ Maitland Coffin ]
Publication details: 
From 48 Stockwell Park Crescent, London S.W. On letterhead of the Savage Club, Lancaster House, Savoy, W.C. 22 December 1886.
£180.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Headed 'Private'. He writes that he called the previous day at Coffin's chambers, and that he will do so the following day, 'and will bring that bit for the wall'. He states 'in confidence' that he wishes to 'pay a surgeon on Saty next £6. 5. 0 rent for Studio - he is a good fellow but he wants his rent'. Callcott has in the studio 'a number of works, & I would let you have (if agreeable) a good picture recent work size 61in x 41 - Rocky Coast - never used yet in Exhibition or otherwise'.

[ Frederick William Pomeroy, sculptor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('F. W. Pomeroy') to Douglas Sladen, declining an invitation to a 'delightful Gathering'.

Author: 
F. W. Pomeroy [ Frederick William Pomeroy ] (1856-1924), English sculptor responsible for statue of 'Justice' on the Old Bailey [ Douglas Sladen (1856-1947), author and academic ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 14 Kensington Square, W.8 [ London ]. 7 June 1921.
£56.00

2pp., 16mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and with slight smuding at head of first page. There is nothing he should have liked more than to accept Sladen's invitation to 'what will be a delightful Gathering, at your house at Richmond on the 9th.', but he has a previous engagement. 'Some other time, if you extend the hand of friendship in this charming way I shall be delighted to come and see you.'

[ Eileen Chandler, artist. ] Personal album relating to her portrait work, mainly in Hollywood, and including photographs of her portraits, and original photographs of children of celebrities.

Author: 
Eileen Chandler [ born Eileen Harris ] (1904-1993), English artist who worked in Los Angeles on portraits of Hollywood children [ Liza Minnelli; Mia Farrow; Deborah Kerr; Maureen O'Sullivan ]
Publication details: 
Undated [ 1950s and 1960s ]. Mainly relating to her time in Los Angeles, California.
£800.00

For more information about Chandler, see the appreciative obituary by Vy Reiners in the Independent, 5 February 1993, which describes how 'An article in the Illustrated London News launched her on a successful career that took her to Hollywood, painting sensitive, charming watercolour portraits of the children of the stars, and many of the stars themselves.' The present item contains 70 photographs in a 24 x 33 cm album. The photographs, ranging in size from 19 x 23 cm. downwards, are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear.

[ William Edward Frost, English artist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. E. Frost') to Joseph B. Cooke, regarding family illness and the gift of a photograph.

Author: 
W. E. Frost [ William Edward Frost ] (1810-1877), English artist specialising in female nudes, Royal Academician [ Joseph B. Cooke; Oscar Wilde ]
Publication details: 
46 Fitzroy Square [ London ]. 30 January 1875.
£45.00

1p., 12mo. On aged and worn paper. He regrets to inform him that 'we have still a sick house'. His 'dear Sister' has been 'very ill', but he trusts they are 'both mending'. He concludes: 'I have pleasure in enclosing a Photo of myself, and shll be pleased to be admitted to your collection'. Professor Joseph Bristow, in his paper 'Homosexual Blackmail in the 1890s', describes how, twenty years later (on 11 August 1894), at a party hosted at 46 Fitzroy Square by John Watson Preston, twenty men were arrested, including two dressed in women's clothing.

[ Philip West, English surrealist artist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Philip.') to 'Vieanne', regarding his newly-born daughter Sandra Mercedes.

Author: 
Philip West (1949-1997), English Surrealist artist based in Spain
Publication details: 
Zaragoza [ Saragossa, Spain ]. 8 March 1977.
£56.00

1p., 8vo. Signed in blue felt-tip pen. Letterhead illustration of drawing by West, picked out in blue and red felt-tip. A jokey letter beginning: 'ta very much for the dress - it didn't fit me so now Sandra wears it. We have called her Sandra Mercedes. Sandra, though perhaps not very evocative, is easily pronounced in both English and Spanish.

[ Edward Lear, artist and writer of nonsense verse. ] Autograph Signature ('Edwd Lear.').

Author: 
Edward Lear (1812-1888), artist and author, famed for his nonsense verse
Lear
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£80.00
Lear

On 2 x 6cm strip of paper, cut from a letter. In good condition, lightly aged. A good firm signature, underlined, with the tiniest part of the head of the loop of the iniitial 'E' of 'Edwd' has been shaved off.

[ Rosalind Thuillier, sketches from Graham Sutherland. ] Sketchbook containing captioned ink sketches of 'GS paintings from museums & galleries 2008', for 'possible use in 2nd edition of Inspirations by Rosalind Thuillier'.

Author: 
Rosalind Thuillier [ Rosalind Adams ] (1939-2015), art critic and artist, authority on her friend Graham Sutherland (1903-1980)
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 2007 and 2008.
£400.00

16pp. of sketches in 15 x 13 cm. artist's sketchbook. In good condition, in boards covered with decorative paper. On page preceding the sketches: 'Sketch Book 2007', with the following added subsequently: 'GS paintings from museums & galleries 2008 | possible use in 2nd edition of Inspirations by Rosalind Thuillier'. The sketches, all in black ink, are pared-down and assured (as befits the abstract painter that Thuillier was). The first two captions are 'portrait from Goldmark | 1924' and 'Little painting - 1924 (6?). Fine Art Society.

[ Joseph Durham ] Autograph Letter Signed "Josh. Durham", sculptor, to "Spiers", architect[Richard Phene Spiers?], photographer[?] about photographs sent.

Author: 
Joseph Durham, sculptor
Publication details: 
21 Devonshire St, Portland Place [London], 17 January [no year given].
£65.00

Four pages, 12mo, bifolium, good condition. "Many thanks to you for the photographs- they are delightful remembrances or rather they recall a delightful visit for if truth must be told, I don't think the Photo by any means a successful one - you look dreadfully ill, your son worse Mrs Spiers a Mulatto, Hull [or Hall] - all four, Mrs Hull[Hall] & Mrs Hawthorne very [?underlined] would not be made frights of.

[ Sir Edwin Landseer, painter and sculptor. ] Autograph Signature ('E Landseer.').

Author: 
Sir Edwin Landseer [ Sir Edwin Henry Landseer ] (1802-1873), English artist and sculptor, best known for his works depicting animals
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£20.00

Good, bold underlined signature in brown ink on 4 x 6 cm piece of paper. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Laid down on piece of thick paper, on the reverse of which are traces of grey paper mount. Presumably cut from a letter.

[ William Powell Frith, English painter. ] Printed 'Vanity Fair' 'Spy' cartoon by Leslie Ward, of W. P. Firth ('No. 236. Men of the Day, No. 63. | "The Derby Day."'), with Autograph Note Signed by Firth ('W. P. Frith') to 'The Misses Savage'.

Author: 
William Powell Frith (1819-1909) [ Sir Leslie Ward [ Sir Leslie Matthew Ward ] (1851-1922), English cartoonist for 'Vanity Fair', under the name 'Spy'
Publication details: 
'Spy' cartoon from 'Vanity Fair' (London), 10 May 1873. Autograph Note Signed on letterhead of 114 Clifton Hill, [ London ] NW. 12 May 1887.
£90.00

ONE: Printed 'Spy' cartoon. 35.5 x 23 cm. Coloured. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. A placid Firth is shown before an easel, with brush in one hand and pallette in another. TWO: ANS. 2p., 12mo. With mourning border. 'Dear young ladies | I have pleasure in complying with your request for an autograph. | Faithfully yours | W. P. Firth. | To | The Misses Savage'.

[ Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, artist. ] Autograph Note Signed ('L Alma Tadema') to 'Mr. Sparks', declining an invitation.

Author: 
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema [ Lourens Alma Tadema ] (1836-1912), Anglo-Dutch artist
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 10 Park Street, Windsor. 15 July 1885.
£50.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The note reads: 'Dear Mr. Sparks | I am so sorry to be unable to comply with your request, being previously engaged for the 23d. inst | yours sincerely | L Alma Tadema'.

[ G. D. Leslie, artist. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'G. D. Leslie') to 'Grant'

Author: 
G. D. Leslie [ George Dunlop Leslie ] (1835-1921). RA, English genre painter
Publication details: 
Both on letterheads of Riverside, Wallingford [ Berkshire ].16 and 23 December 1883.
£80.00

Both items in fair condition, bifoliums on lightly aged paper. ONE: 16 December 1883. 3pp., 12mo. Telling the story of the 'Wallingford Belles', beginning with the family of 'Thomas Clark [...] landlord of the Lamb Hotel, formerly called the Bell' When Grant visits him the following summer he will give him 'lessons in painting & as much Lawn Tennis as you like and there is no end to the Archaeology of the neighbourhood'. TWO: 23 December [1883]. 4pp., 12mo. He begins by offering to aid Grant's researchehs by search the parish registers.

[ John Pye, landscape painter. ] Manuscript Letter to fellow-artist Walter Field, written by an amanuensis and signed 'John Pye', giving his opinion of a copy of Turner's 'England and Wales' being offered for sale at Christie's.

Author: 
John Pye (1782-1874), English landscape painter [ Walter Field (1837-1901), artist ]
Publication details: 
17 Gloucester Crescent, NW [ London ]. 3 March 1871.
£135.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, laid down on part of a leaf from an album. He writes that he has 'carefully looked over the Copy of "Turner's England and Wales," that will be offered for Sale at Christies rooms on Tuesday next', and that while he finds it 'in all respects good of its kind, and applicable to the Library of a gentleman', it is 'not so well applicable to the Studio of an Artist, whose aim is to acquire from it, all the knowledge that a more refined class of impressions of places might impart to him'.

[ Sir Francis Chantrey, English sculptor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('F Chantrey') giving instructions for the erection of a statue to an unnamed recipient.

Author: 
Sir Francis Chantrey [ Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey ] (1781-1841), English sculptor
Publication details: 
Belgrave Place [ London ]. 23 April 1836.
£100.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, laid down on a leaf removed from an album. The letter begins by directing the recipient to 'place the head stone upon the figure if you intend to place it before the rest of the figure is erected'. If the recipient's 'previous arrangements did not contemplate putting the whole figure together' he asks him not to do as he has directed. Chantrey is 'desirous that the figure should be in the best possible condition to be looked at' before the next Wednesday morning.

[ Sir John Watson Gordon, artist. ] Part of Autograph Letter Signed ('John Watson Gordon') to unnamed recipient, regarding a visit to Edinburgh and his 'kind and generous sentiments'.

Author: 
Sir John Watson Gordon (1788-1864), Scottish portrait painter and President of the Royal Scottish Academy
Publication details: 
123 George Street, Edinburgh. 21 February 1858.
£45.00

Previously laid down in an autograph album. On both sides of a 12 x 10.5 cm. piece of paper, cropped down from 12mo. In fair condition, but with some loss of text due to cropping, and with traces of glue on first page (i.e. the page without the signature). On the first page he approves the postponement of the recipient's visit to Edinburgh, and on the second he expresses admiration for 'the kind and generous sentiments displayed on both sides and described with such perfect simplicity' in 'the presented papers'.

[ Carl Haag, artist. ] Autograph Note Signed to Edward Baker, agreeing to accept a gift from 'Mr: Morris'.

Author: 
Carl Haag (1820-1915), Bavarian artist settled in England, court painter to the duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Publication details: 
Ida Villa, 7 Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead, NW, on cancelled letterhead of 16 New Burlington Street [ London ]. 28 November 1867.
£55.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly-aged, with traces of glue from mounting on blank reverse. Reads: 'Sir, | In reply to your polite note of the 22nd. inst:, I am quite prepared to receive the "Camel Coats" [?] with which my friend Mr: Morris has kindly bethought me, and I shall thank you for their delivery.'

[ W.P. Frith ] Studio Photograph of William Powell Frith, inscribed by him, "To [Missie?] | from W P Frith Oct.9. 1880".

Author: 
W.P. Frith [ William Powell Frith ] (1819 –1909). Artist
Publication details: 
Elliott & Fry, [1880?].
£225.00

Studio Photograph, c.15 x 10.5, laid down on slightly larger card with photographers printed at base, faintly speckled, good condition. Image of head and upper body, not found on Google Images.

[ Anonymous pamphlet by Firmin Didot of Paris, inscribed by the author. ] Notice Historique sur la Vie et les Ouvrages de P. P. Prudhon, Peintre, Membre de la Légion-d'Honneur et de l'Institut.

Author: 
[ Jacques-Philippe Voïart [ Voiart ] or his wife Élise Voïart (1786-1866) ] Firmin Didot, Paris printer [ Pierre-Paul Prud'hon [ Prudhon ] (1758-1823), French painter ]
Publication details: 
A Paris, chez Firmin Didot, Rue Jacob, No 24; Chez Boulland et Ce, Libraire, Rue du Battoir, No 12. 1824.
£80.00

46pp., 8vo. Stitched and in original plain grey wraps. Aged and worn, in fraying wraps. The pamphlet is anonymous, but carries the following inscription in pencil on the half-title: 'hommage | a Mademoiselle Bergeret | Artiste, de la part de l'Auteur. | Voïart'. The only copies on COPAC at the V & A, and the British Library. This copy lacks the lithographed frontispiece portrait of Prud'hon, by Voïart, present in the copy in the Bibliothèque Nationale, which is ascribed to the wife, whereas other authorities ascribe the work to the husband.

[ Laura Theresa Alma-Tadema, artist. ] Autograph Signature ('Laura. T. Alma Tadema').

Author: 
Laura Theresa Alma-Tadema [née Epps] (1852-1909), artist, wife of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912), Anglo-Dutch painter
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£28.00

On 3 x 11 cm piece of thin card, cut from conclusion to a letter. In fair condition, aged and with traces of mount to two corners (not affecting signature). Reads: 'Yours sincerely | Laura. T. Alma Tadema'. Text on reverse: '[...] with us, I should be so pleased if you would join us - [...]'.

[ W.P. Frith ] Studio Photograph of William Powell Frith, inscribed by him, "To [Missie?] | from W P Frith Oct.9. 1880".

Author: 
W.P. Frith [ William Powell Frith ] (1819 –1909). Artist
Publication details: 
Elliott & Fry, [1880?].
£225.00

Studio Photograph, c.15 x 10.5, laid down on slightly larger card with photographers printed at base, faintly speckled, good condition. Image of head and upper body, not found on Google Images.

[ Victor Pasmore, artist and architect. ] Autograph Card Signed ('Victor'), thanking Basil [ Jonsen ] for his appreciation.

Author: 
Victor Pasmore [ Edwin John Victor Pasmore ], English abstract artist and architect
Publication details: 
With letterhead, 12 St German's Place, Blackheath, London. 1 June 1965.
£56.00

Written on one side of a 10 x 14.5 cm card, beneath a stylish 'modern' letterhead. Somewhat aged and worn. The message reads: '1/6/65 | Dear Basil, | Very many thanks indeed for your letter - believe me your appreciation is tremendously valued. | All good wishes | Victor'. The recipient is identified in another hand on the reverse, with an address and directions.

[ James Clarke Hook, RA, English painter. ] Signed ('Jas: C. Hook') Autograph transcription of J. R. Lowell's lines on Abraham Lincoln.

Author: 
James Clarke Hook (1819-1907), English painter, Member of the Royal Academy
Publication details: 
On letterhehad of Silverbeck, Churt, Farnham, Surrey. 23 October 1895.
£38.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Written in response to a request for an autograph, and signed at foot 'Yours Truly | Jas: C. Hook'. Above this, beneath the heading 'Lincoln', Hook has transcribed twelve lines from 'Ode Recited at the Harvard Commemoration, July 21 1865', beginning 'He knew to bide his time, | And can his fame abide,' and with 'J. R. Lowell.' at the end.

[ Edward Hodges Baily, sculptor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('E H Baily'), giving his 'charges for Busts in Marble'.

Author: 
Edward Hodges Baily (1788-1867), English sculptor
Publication details: 
11 York Place, Portman Square. 23 July 1855.
£120.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to an unnamed recipient. He gives his prices for 'a head in Marble', a 'Torso bust', and a 'pale draped bust'. Docketed on reverse with biographical details in a nineteenth-century hand.

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