[Eric Kennington, artist and sculptor.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to Sir Cuthbert Ackroyd, Lord Mayor of London, concerning a commission for an oil painting. With carbons of three replies including one from Vice-Admiral T. B. Drew.

See Kennington’s entry in the Oxford DNB. All six items in good condition, lightly aged. Previously pinned together, with Kennington’s letters folded for postage, and all three are 1p, 8vo, and signed ‘Eric Kennington’. ONE: Kennington ALS, 11 June 1956. Having conferred with Ackroyd’s clerk ‘Mr. Osborne’, he explains that he cannot give his attention to the portrait until September. ‘I habitually visit my sitter, for that takes less of his time & energy, & he is more at ease in his own surroundings.’ He explains the arrangements he would prefer, ending ‘I do much more than the 5 hours, so shall need a [cover?] to work alone, when you are not sitting.’ TWO: Kennington ALS, ‘Wed 26’ [September 1956]. Begins: ‘In uncertainty I approached Osborne with your suggestion of an oil painting (different in conception & size). His answer is surprisingly definite. They want only the head & shoulders like those at Skinners’ Hall.’ He explains that what he has done ‘supplies their demand, so I will take it to them before painting as I expect their architect will be instructive about the frame. Then I will bring it to you.’ He assumes that as a result the arranged sittings will not be secretary, and hopes that ‘you & others will not be put out’. He ends by thanking him for ‘making a portrait possible in your immense activity. From impressions here, it seems to have unusual force, but I know it is only one vision. Less charming than commanding, I think’. THREE: Kennington ALS, 7 October 1956. He apologises, ‘having evidently made a mess, & trying to do the correct thing. / The Carpenter’s [sic] may not at all like this portrait! I can never be certain. The delay is caused by framers. This week I shall take it to them boxed securely but unframed.’ He thanks him for ‘suggesting a frame from The Guildhall Library. Again I cannot decide. I have found the architects of City Companies always definite on this point.’ He ends with thanks for Ackroyd’s ‘good wishes re Clerkendon Church. The Parish has become filled with joy & keenness in their pride at saving their own roof. There are even 8 men carving new decorations for the renewed roof, and wonderfully efficiently. / Wishing complete success to St. Mary-le-Bow’. ITEMS FOUR to SIX: Unsigned carbons of replies, the first from ‘Vice-Admiral T. B. Drew CB., CVO., OBE.’ In Item Five, 3 October 1956, Ackroyd writes expresses regret that Kennington ‘approached the Clerk regarding the painting, because of course his answer would conform to the instructions given him by the Committee, and I would have wished that you had left it to me to have dealt with the matter’. After suggesting that he should not ‘waste any money upon a frame’ he apologises again: ‘I was hoping that together we could have produced something worthy of a great Company’. He concludes with wishes for ‘every success in your work and in the work of the Church which you serve with such enthusiasm’.