[Second World War Artists' loan scheme, London, between Central Institute of Art and Design and the army.] Mimeographed circular typed letter from T. A. Fennemore to Miss J. Inglis, with receipt, regarding loan of paintings.

An unusual survival, providing details of a little-known Second World War scheme for artists to lend their work to the army for placement in officers’ messes. Three items, in fair condition, lightly-aged. ONE: Mimeographed Typed Circular from ‘T. A. Fennemore. / Director.’, headed ‘The Central Institute of Art and Design, National Gallery, London, W.C.2. / January 1942.’ 1p, 4to. (originally foolscap; a form has been cut away at bottom). Begins: ‘Dear Sir/Madam, / The Central Institute of Art and Design is co-operating with the Army Authorities in a scheme which is now in operation in the London area. The scheme is, briefly, that eminent artists are invited to loan paintings which are subsequently placed in important Officers Messes in the London region. The Messes include such barracks as Chelsea, Wellington, the Tower of London, the Royal Horse Guards at Knightsbridge and a number of others.’ If interested, the recipient should ‘sign the atached undertaking that the painting/s are lent at your own risk, but the Army Authorities, while they cannot accept any liability for loss or damage from air-raids and other war causes, will accept responsibility for any wilful damage. The Army Authorities will also undertake to keep a Register of the places to which each painting may go’. The artist is responsible for the ‘cost of transport to the central depot at Kensington’, and ‘Paintings may be sent at any time to Captain I. A. R. Peebles, at the central depot at 35, Queen’s Gate, London, S.W.7.’ After a few more instructions ends: ‘The scheme should offer a good opportunity to artists for the sale of their work and, of course, for publicity.’ TWO: Slip of paper, roughly landscape 12mo, torn from larger leaf. Mimeographed Typed Receipt for ‘four pictures despatched by you which have arrived safely at this office’, with facsimile signature of ‘I. A. R. Peebles, / Captain.’ Filled in with date 4 February 1942, and addressed to ‘Miss J. Inglis / Gladstone Cottage / Eastcombe nr. Stroud, GLOS.’ THREE: Small OHMS envelope (evidently for Item Two), with South Kensington postmark of 5 February 1942, and stamp of the Military Photography Permit Office, addressed to ‘Miss J. Inglis’, as in Item Two.