[George Charles Williamson, art editor to George Bell & Sons.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo C Williamson') to H. C. Marillier, reporting the high opinion of the Pre-Raphaelite patron George Rae of Birkenhead of his book 'Dante Gabriel Rossetti'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. For further information about Williamson and his publications, see his entry in 'Who Was Who'; see also Marillier's entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. He begins by explainingthat he has been visiting Rae, 'and conversation at the table fell upon your sumptuous book ['Dante Gabriel Rossetti: An Illustrated Memorial of his Life and Art', published by George Bell & Sons in 1899] & he desired me to express to you his high satisfaction with the volume, which seemed to him to be, at length the really fitting memorial to the memory of Rossetti & in every way excellent.' After reporting Rae's view of the illustration and binding, he states: 'when for the first time I gazed upon "The Beloved" [the original of which was owned by Rae] & did so, with a thrill of emotion, I realised how very far short any black & white reproduction falls from the magnificent original'. He reports that Rae considers 'our reproductions a masterpiece of fine photogravure & said the result far exceeded his most sanguine anticipation, but if that be the case what is to be said of the original!' He considers that Rossetti 'attained in that work the reach of a great master, to have equalled the Venetians in their grandest colouring & to have left all his confreres far behind him in the race for beauty. | I do not think I have ever been so impressed with gorgeous thrilling beauty as I was when I saw this fine conception & my love for Rossetti, always considerable, increased in fitting proportion' Regarding Rae's house Redcourt St Anselm's he writes: 'What a delightful house Red Court is & how charming in every possible way are its inmates'.