[John Pye, line engraver.] Autograph Letter Signed, offering the artist William Carpenter his vote ‘at the forthcoming election for Sec[re]t[ar]y of the Artists’ Annuity Fund'.

Author: 
John Pye (1782-1874), line engraver, praised by Turner, promoter of professional associations and co-operative movements [William Carpenter (1818-1899), painter; Artists’ Annuity Fund, London]
Pye
Publication details: 
21 June 1839. 42 Cirencester Place, Fitzroy Square. [London]
£180.00
SKU: 24094

Pye was an active figure in nineteenth-century British art. According to his entry in the Oxford DNB he was the engravers’ ‘best spokesman’, hoping ‘to raise the fortunes, status, and public profile of engravers by means of professional association and co-operation’. He was the author of a number of works, including 'Patronage of British Art' (1845). His collection of prints after Turner was acquired by the British Museum in 1869, and the proofs of Turner's ‘Liber Studiorum’ followed in 1870. His notebooks are in British Library. 1p, 4to, on the recto of the first leaf a bifolium, with the address, with fragment of a red wax seal, on the reverse of the second: ‘William Carpenter Esqr / No 10 Nottingham Place / New Road’. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, folded five time. Signed 'John Pye'. He confirms that he is offering him his vote ‘at the forthcoming election for Sec[re]t[ar]y of the Artists’ Annuity Fund’. The ‘good feeling’ he has always entertained towards Carpenter, whom he now informs him is withdrawing from the contest, ‘would have led me to do this earlier had I not given a promise in favor of Mr. Wood before I heard of your being a Candidate’: ‘By this change of circumstances your position as a Candidate becomes very much strengthened: for, I esteem the friends of Mr. Wood in this affair as being your friends’. He concludes: ‘If I can say or do anything for you at the meeting for election or support of your hitherto more active friends, command me’. See image.