[ Charles Samuel Keene, Punch illustrator. ] Unattributed charcoal portrait (self-portrait?), in colours, accompanied by a letter about him to his brother Henry Keene from 'M. Jackson', and a letter to a descendant from Sarah Fox-Pitt of the Tate.

Author: 
[ C. S. Keene [ Charles Samuel Keene ] (1823-1891), Punch illustrator; Henry Keene; M. Jackson ]
Publication details: 
Drawing undated. Jackson's letter on letterhead of 79 Warwick Road, Earl's Court, S.W. [ London ] 10 October 1891.
£90.00
SKU: 17980

The three items are unconnected, but clearly derive from the papers of a descendant. All three are in good condition, with light signs of age. ONE: The charcoal drawing, in colours, is on a 13 x 19.5 cm piece of wove paper, and is an impressionistic representation of his head, close cropped and with eyes closed, sleeping or in death. TWO: The letter from 'M. Jackson' is 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In it Jackson invites Henry Keene, shortly after C. S. Keene's death, to visit him to examine 'an early drawing of your brother's', published in the Illustrated London News, 23 December 1854, titled 'A Child's Dream of Twelfth Night'. He continues by discussing Keene's place of abode while executing the drawing ('in the garret opposite Norfolk Street, Strand'), and suggesting a time for Henry Keene to visit. There are some pencil notes in another hand on the reverse. THREE: The letter from Sarah Fox-Pitt, Tate Gallery Archives, is on the Gallery's letterhead, typed and unsigned, dated 29 December 1976, and addressed to Mrs Phyllis Keene of Shalford. Sheh thanks her for lending 'the lovely double portrait drawing by C. S. Keene'.