WATKINS

The National Portrait Gallery copy of this item is NPG Ax17292, and the dating to September 1863 is theirs. A 5.8 x 8.8 cm photographic print, laid down on 6.2 x 10.3 cm piece of card. On the card beneath the portrait: 'JOHN WATKINS PHOT. / Copyright Secured'. On the reverse Watkins's full address, with crest. The image is faded and indistinct, compared with the NPG copy; otherwise the item is In fair condition lightly aged. A head and shoulders shot with a sepulchral Dickens turned almost to a left profile, eyes barely open, with a clenched right hand to the side of his face.

The proprietor, T. H. Watkins, was a private tutor in Kensington, west London, who over a number of years placed a series of advertisements in The Times, the last of which, 9 September 1895, boasted that his 'pupils during 25 years have taken the highest places for I.C.S., F.O., Interpreterships, Woolwich Staff Coll., Sandhurst, Coopers-hill, Woods and Forests, Militia, &c.' Watkins was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, and his entry in Peile's 'Biographical Register' of the college (1913) states that he was 'son of Thomas: born in London. Educated at Bonn University.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on creased and aged paper, with one edge adhering to a mount from an album. The letter reads: 'Dear Sir | The Two Volumes of Coleridge's Memoirs were returned with the Life of Wordsworth. If they are send [sic] by to morrow any time - I will do my best - tho' to say the truth I would as soon write the History of the Devil. Inter nos. | Yrs truly | J Watkins | Monday Evg'. Docketted on reverse 'J. Watkins'. The letter may relate to a proposed review in the 'Monthly Review'. As his entry in the Oxford DNB states, surprisingly little is known about Watkins.

Both letter and pamphlet in very good condition. Letter: 8pp., 4to. Written a few days before Russell's death on 12 March 1956. On the first page he describes how the London esoteric bookseller J. M.

3pp., 8vo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with remains of stub along one edge. Second leaf inserted into a paper windowpane mount. Written in a hurried and difficult hand. Taylor writes that he wishes to have a portrait put into a case 'by the workman you employ for such work'. He gives instructions, concluding 'The portrait I think the most satisfactory that has yet been taken of me.' The National Portrait Gallery possesses an albumen carte-de-visite of Taylor ('1864 or before') by John & Charles Watkins.