CONNOISSEUR

[‘A very nice little collection’: the 2nd Marquis of Hastings boasts about his picture collection.] Autograph Letter Signed regarding ‘the entry in the Leicester registry’ and a picture sent to him by the recipient.

Author: 
Marquis of Hastings [George Rawdon Hastings (1808-1844), 2nd Marquess of Hastings, 3rd Earl of Moira, 3rd Baron Rawdon], British peer and courtier [Donnington Park, Leicestershire]
Publication details: 
‘Donnington Park / Novr. 5th / 1836.’
£56.00

See the entry in the Oxford DNB for his father the 1st Marquis. 2pp, 12mo. On the first leaf of a bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and discoloured, with thin strip of glue from previous mount on reverse of second leaf. The recipient is not named, and he signs ‘Hastings’. The letter begins: ‘Dear Sir, / I made the necessary enquiries as to the entry in the Leicester registry (through a friend of our clergyman) & enclose his reply [not present] - I fear it is not what you wished for.’ He might get ‘more satisfactory information’ if the recipient can give a ‘better clue to go by’.

[John Julius Angerstein, connoisseur of the arts whose collection formed the basis of the National Gallery, London, and the rumoured son of Empress Anne of Russia.] Autograph Signature to valediction of a letter.

Author: 
John Julius Angerstein (1732-1823), rumoured son of Empress Anne of Russia, connoisseur of the arts whose collection formed the basis of the National Gallery, London
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£38.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On 13 x 8 cm piece of paper, cut from the end of a letter. The valediction, firmly written in Angerstein’s hand, reading: ‘I am / D. Sir / Your Mt Obt Sert / J J. Angerstein’. First initial of the signature lightly inked. In good condition, lightly aged.

[Sir Osbert Sitwell, author and brother of the poet Edith Sitwell and art critic Sacheverell Sitwell.] Black and white publicity photograph, supplied by his publishers Macmillan and Co.

Author: 
Sir Osbert Sitwell [Sir Francis Osbert Sacheverell Sitwell, 5th baronet] (1892-1969), writer, brother of the poet Edith Sitwell and art critic Sacheverell Sitwell
Osbert
Publication details: 
Dated on back 25 August 1949. ‘From MACMILLAN & Co., Ltd., / St. Martin’s St., London, W.C.2.’
£50.00
Osbert

See his entry, and those of his siblings, in the Oxford DNB. A 15.5 x 20 cm black and white print, on glossy paper. Worn at edges, and with staining to blank area at top left. Stamped by the publishers on the reverse with ‘Sir Osbert Sitwell. Bt. / 25. 8. 49.’ There is a possibility that this is a signature by Sitwell, but the letter ‘O’ and other features are not quite right.

[Sir Sidney Colvin, British Museum curator, biographer of Keats and friend of R. L. Stevenson.] Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed woman, regarding a drawing ‘of small value or none’, copied from Giulio Romano.

Author: 
Sir Sidney Colvin (1845-1927), literary and art critic, Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum, biographer of John Keats and friend of Robert Louis Stevenson
Publication details: 
5 January 1894; on embossed letterhead of the British Museum, London, W.C.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo. On a bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with strip of mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. Signed 'Sidney Colvin'. The recipient is not named, but is addressed as ‘Dear Madam’. The letter begins: ‘I am afraid I made a mistake yesterday, in addressing you as E. M. Sharpe Esqr. - but it was the address of the Natural History Museum which misled me.’ In order to make sure this time, he is addressing the present letter ‘to the care of Mr.

[Sir Sidney Colvin, British Museum curator, biographer of Keats and friend of R. L. Stevenson.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr Fagan’, declining any item from the ‘various volumes and packets of prints’ he has sent.

Author: 
Sir Sidney Colvin (1845-1927), literary and art critic, Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum, biographer of John Keats and friend of Robert Louis Stevenson
Publication details: 
22 May 1895; on embossed letterhead of the British Museum, London, W.C.
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. On a bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with strip of mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. Addressed to ‘Dear Mr Fagan’ and signed ‘Sidney Colvin’. He begins by informing him that of the ‘various volumes and packets of prints’ he has been good enough to send, ‘the best is that containing portraits engraved by Ficquet, Savard, & [Marchay de Glury?]. But even of these, we have almost all in the collections here already: so that it will not be worth while to break up the albums by extracting any for the museum’.

[Walter H. Page, American ambassador to the United Kingdom during the First World War.] Typed Note Signed to C. Reginald Grundy [editor of 'The Connoisseur'], regretting his inability to attend a meeting at the Mansion House.

Author: 
Walter H. Page [Walter Hines Page] (1855-1918), journalist and publisher, American abassador to United Kingdom during First World War [Cecil Reginald Grundy (1870-1944), editor of 'The Connoisseur']
Publication details: 
22 May 1917; London, on embossed letterhead of the Embassy of the United States of America.
£80.00

1p, 4to. Rather aged, with some wear and discoloration at head and foot, and minor traces of mount on reverse. Four folds. Signed ‘Walter H. Page’ and addressed to ‘C. Reginald Grundy, Esq., / 1, Duke Street, / S. W. 1.’ The note reads: ‘Dear Sir: / I wish it had been possible for me to attend the meeting at the Mansion House to-day to further the establishment of local war museums, but I regret to say that it was impossible. / Yours very truly, / Walter H. Page’.

[The Marquis of Lansdowne, as Lord Henry Petty.] Autograph Note in the third person, arranging a meeting in Downing Street with ‘Mr Gray’. With the recipient’s note of what passed at the meeting.

Author: 
Marquess of Lansdowne [Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780-1863), known as Lord Henry Petty 1784 -1809], Whig Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer, and connoisseur
Publication details: 
29 September 1806. No place.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, with several creases on folding into packet, one of which has a short closed tear to the edge. Minor traces of mount on reverse. Reads: ‘Lord Henry Petty will be obliged to Mr Gray, if he can make it convenient to call in Downing Street to-morrow at 2 oClock. / September 29th. 1806.’ Minuted by recipient on reverse: ‘29. Sept. 1806 / Lord Hy. Petty. / To be with His Ldp tomorrow. / 30th. went & recd. Instructions to work out the appointmt. of One Messenger to attend the Chancellor, whose allowce is to be 4s. P diem.’

[Lord Farnborough (formerly Sir Charles Long), Pittite politician and connoisseur.] Autograph Letter Signed regarding an aggrieved response to ‘the Widows Remonstrance’.

Author: 
Lord Farnborough [Charles Long, 1st Baron Farnborough; Sir Charles Long] (1760-1838), Pittite politician and connoisseur of the arts
Publication details: 
‘Bromley Hill [Kent] / Jany. 10th / private’ [no year].
£45.00

See his entries in the Oxford DNB and History of Parliament. A loyal Pittite (‘publicity agent for the ministry’, and founder of the Tory ‘Sun’ newspaper) who served as Irish Secretary. As a connoisseur he had a strong influence on the taste of the Prince of Wales, besides recommending the purchase for the nation of the Elgin Marbles. He bequeathed fifteen paintings to the new National Gallery. 2pp, 12mo. Signed ‘Farnborough’. The circumstances of the present item are unknown. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice.

[Alexander Hamilton, 10th Duke of Hamilton, Scottish politician, dandy and connoisseur.] Autograph Letter Signed ('C: H: & B.') [to Sir John Robison?], regarding a box 'for smoaking segars', and recipient's 'partiality for the banks of the Clyde'.

Author: 
Alexander Hamilton (1767-1852), 10th Duke of Hamilton, 7th Duke of Brandon, Scottish politician, manuscript collector, dandy and connoisseur, son-in-law of William Beckford [Sir John Robison
Publication details: 
'Thomas's Hotel [i.e. Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley Square, London] | March ye 21st.' [1822]
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. Thirty lines of text. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Part of the second leaf of the bifolium, detached, is endorsed 'Duke of Hamilton 21 March 1822'. The recipient's identity is presumed from the reference in the letter to 'Mrs Robison'. He thanks him for his 'obliging note' and 'the drawing of the [Kullicum?] for smoaking segars', which is a 'very kind attention on your part'. As he is '[f]earfull lest some accident should happen', he has 'desired that the box may not be forwarded to London'.

[Sir Robert Witt, art historian and co-founder of the Courtauld Institute.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Robert C. Witt') regarding the approach to be taken 'for the purchase of the Velasquez', i.e. the Rokeby Venus, now in the National Gallery.

Author: 
Sir Robert Witt [Sir Robert Clermont Witt] (1872-1952), art historian, co-founder of the Courtauld Institute of Art, London [Diego Velasquez; Rokeby Venus; National Gallery]
Publication details: 
19 November 1905. 27 Connaught Square, Hyde Park, [London] W. On letterhead of the Union Society, Oxford.
£250.00

For information on the campaign to save the Rokeby Venus for the nation, see Charles Saumarez Smith, 'The Battle for Venus', Spectator, 10 November 2003. 4pp, 16mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. With one fold.

[Edward Harley, 5th Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Oxford') [to his steward], regarding the sending of his coach from England to Naples ('now open for the English'), and 'the Sadler [sic] in North Audley Street'.

Author: 
Edward Harley, 5th Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer (1773-1848), nobleman and connoisseur.
Publication details: 
'Cagliari [Sardinia] March 7th. 1814.'
£120.00

The Earl's wife was a mistress of Lord Byron. Her infidelities let to her children being jokingly referred to as 'The Harleian Miscellany'. 1p, 4to. Heavily aged and worn, with spike hole at centre. Folded several times. 'Sir | As Naples is now open for the English I beg you will send the Carriage to Naples for me by the first Ship that Sails from England for that Country. We are going there immediately. & shall [the]refore want it. I hope therefore you will lose no time in sending it. I will thank you to call on Wh.

[John Manners, 3rd Duke of Rutland, patron of the arts.] Autograph Note Signed ('Rutland') to exchequer order.

Author: 
John Manners, 3rd Duke of Rutland (1696-1779), patron of the arts and Whig politician
Publication details: 
[His Majesty's Receipt of Exchequer, London.] July 1742.
£56.00

Printed and in manuscript on both sides of a ragged 19 x 19.5 cm piece of paper, extracted from an Exchequer document (the first page is headed in manuscript 'Bk | (608)'. Aged and ragged. The recto, printed and completed in manuscript explains that the document relates to the 'Repayment of Loan on the Duties on Salt, granted for the Service of the year 1741, and further continued for Seven Years from the 25th Day of March 1746'.

[ Charles Robert Cockerell, architect, archaeologist, and author. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'C. R. Cockerell') to the connoisseur Henry Smedley, one regarding a paper he has read regarding 'the works of Phidéas'.

Author: 
C. R. Cockerell [ Charles Robert Cockerell ] (1788-1863), architect, archaeologist, and author [ Henry Smedley (1785-1832), connoisseur ]
Publication details: 
Neither with place or date. One 'Saturday -' and the other 'Monday'.
£180.00

See Cockerell's entry in the Oxford DNB, and Smedley's obituary in the Gentleman's Magazine, April 1832. The two letters are in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Each letter is of 1p., 12mo. On bifoliums addressed to Smedley at Broad Sanctuary on reverse of second leaf. ONE: 'Monday'. 1p., 12mo. Indistinct seal of head in red wax. Begins: 'My Dear Smedley. | You will hear with pleasure that I read my MS: on Saturday; no dissent cast but G. B. who has started a doubt as to this being the works of Phidéas.' He is going out of own for a week and hopes to see Smedley on his return.

[ William Roscoe of Liverpool. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Roscoe') to a picture and print seller, regarding payment for prints and an exchange of two paintings for a small Cranach.

Author: 
William Roscoe (1753-1831) of Liverpool, historian, art collector and abolitionist
Publication details: 
'Saty. Morning' [ no date or place ].
£50.00

2pp., 4to. On aged and worn paper. An interesting letter, casting light on Roscoe's collecting activities. He begins by settling the account for 'the lists of the last Prints', before remarking: 'I observe there are only 3 circles by Domenichino - the set consists of 4, all of which you have, besides the odd print by Bartolozzi, but you have probably packed them up & cannot get at the print wanting. I have sent you the 3 prints back & deducted 16/6d.

[ Jakob Salomon Bartholdy, Prussian diplomat. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J S Bartholdy') to the French composer and singer Sophie Gail

Author: 
Jakob Salomon Bartholdy [ Jakob Ludwig Salomon Bartholdy ] (1779-1825), Prussian diplomat, Consul-General in Rome, uncle of Felix Mendelssohn [ Sophie Gail [ née Edmée Sophie Garre ] (1775-1819) ]
Publication details: 
2 January 1819.
£950.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed on second leaf, with broken seal in red wax, 'A Madame | Madame Sophie de Gail | &c &c &c | Paris'. Nine lines of neatly and elegantly written text. A somewhat flirtatious acceptance of an invitation, with Bartholdy noting 'les belles choses que vous daignez me dire [...] Votre maniere est trop sedisante pour ne pas faire de l'impression'. It was at Bartholdy's suggestion that his sister Lea, the mother of the composer Felix Mendelssohn, joined him in adopting the surname Bartholdy.

[ Pamphlet. ] Memoir of William Roscoe, by Dr. Thomas Stewart Traill, F.R.S.E., &c. [ With coloured plate illustrating 'Roscoe's Birthplace'. ]

Author: 
Dr Thomas Stewart Traill [ William Roscoe (1753-1831), Liverpool connoisseur, historian and abolitionist; George Smith, Watts and Co., Liverpool printers ]
Publication details: 
Liverpool: Geo. Smith, Watts and Co. [ 19 Titherbarn Street. ] 1853.
£90.00

48pp., 12mo. Disbound with free endpapers.In fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. Nicely printed, with all edges gilt. Dedication 'To the Friends and Admirers of William Roscoe, assembled to commemorate theh Centenary of his Birth, this Edition of the Memoir, by Dr.

[ George Baker, connoisseur. ] Part of Autograph Letter Signed ('Geoe. Baker'), to his bookseller, regarding a set off periodicals.

Author: 
George Baker (1747-1811) of St Paul's Churchyard, connoisseur
Publication details: 
'No. 2 St Paul's Ch. Yard'. No year.
£100.00

On 8.5 x 16.5 piece of paper, cut from the conclusion to a letter. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, laid down on a larger piece. He asks the recipient to 'make these Numbers perfect from the Waste', and gives instructions in case it cannot be done. For more about Baker see his obituary in the Gentleman's Magazine, February 1811.

[ George Greville, 4th Earl of Warwick. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Warwick') to Sir George Scharf, regarding five paintings (including a Rubens and a Canaletto) which he has at Stable Yard in London.

Author: 
George Guy Greville (1818-1893), 4th Earl of Warwick and 4th Earl Brooke [ Sir George Scharf (1820-1895), art critic, illustrator and Director of the National Portrait Gallery ]
Publication details: 
19 Stratford Place, Oxford Street [London]. 27 October 1856.
£100.00

2pp., 8vo. Bifolium on grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. He has received Scharf's 'private list' (of paintings to borrow?) and will let him know 'which I can spare immediately'. In the meantime, as Scharf is in town, he suggests that he go and see 'what I have' in 1 Stable Yard, St James! - The pictures there belonging to me are a Canaletto - view of Venice - a Rubens - His own daughter - an Original of Mrs. Siddons, by Sir W. Beechey & a View of Jerusalem by D. Roberts'.

[ Paul & Dominic Colnaghi & Co., London printsellers. ] Itemised manuscript invoice to 'John Edward Taylor Esq', signed by 'J. W. Wood', including commission on 42 lots purchased for him at the 'Percy Sale'.

Author: 
Paul & Dominic Colnaghi & Company, Printsellers by Appointment to her Majesty, London [ John Edward Taylor (1830-1905), owner of the Manchester Guardian and notable art collector ]
Publication details: 
Paul & Dominic Colnaghi & Company, 14 Pall Mall East, 'S.W. next the College of Physicians', London. On the firm's engraved billhead. 'Midsr. [i.e. Midsummer] 1890'.
£180.00

Taylor's collecting activities are described in his entry in the Oxford DNB. His collection was sold by his widow in 1912 for the massive sum of £358,500.3pp., folio. Bifolium. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Tastefully-printed billhead, as one might expect, in black and red, with royal crests, boasting that the firm are 'Printsellers by Appointment to her Majesty, | Their Royal Highnesses The Prince Consort, The Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Kent'. Also the text: 'Established 1760. | Half price allowed for packing cases if returned immediately'.

[ William Maskell, connoisseur and book collector. ] Autograph Letter Signed, inviting an unnamed recipient and 'Mr. Stokes and Mr. Ayre' to visit him and view his book collection.

Author: 
William Maskell (1814-1890) of Broadleaze near Devizes, Wiltshire, Roman Catholic convert and liturgical scholar
Publication details: 
Broadleaze [near Devizes, Wiltshire. 15 September [1886?]
£120.00

2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-discoloured paper with wear to one corner. Year of writing unclear. The letter suggests a time for a visit by the three men. Regarding Ayre and Stokes he writes, 'I can only hope they will not form too high expectations of seeing most wonderful books: but such as they are, some few must prove of interest.' He concludes by giving an address to which he will send letters should 'this not reach you'.

[Henry G. Bohn, bookseller and publisher.] Printed 'Catalogue of a Collection of Works on the Fine Arts, comprising Books of Prints, Picture Galleries, Treatises on Painting, Sculpture and Engraving, Lives of Artists, &c.'

Author: 
Henry G. Bohn [Henry George Bohn] (1796-1884), British bookseller and publisher [Christie's, London auctioneers]
Publication details: 
Messrs. Christie, Manson & Woods, At their Great Rooms, 8 King Street, St. James's Square, London. [Printed by W. Clowes and Sons, Limited, Stamford Street and Charing Cross.] Sold on 30 March 1885 and following day.
£120.00

30pp., 8vo. Stitched and unbound. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper, with a few closed tears. Full title: 'Catalogue of a Collection of Works on the Fine Arts, comprising Books of Prints, Picture Galleries, Treatises on Painting, Sculpture and Engraving, Lives of Artists, &c. Forming a Portion of the Library of that well-known Amateur Henry G. Bohn, Esq., Deceased, Late of North End House, Twickenham'. 395 lots. A few items priced in pencil, some with name of purchaser.

Manuscript copy of letter from William Lock to Alexander Murray, complaining from Italy about the result of the sale of his books and prints, discussing his estate, and planning the sale by Sotheby of his own paintings and those of Henry Fuseli.

Author: 
William Lock (1767-1847), painter, son of the connoisseur William Lock [Locke] (1732-1810) of Norbury Park, Surrey [Henry Fuseli; Samuel Sotheby; Alexander Murray; John Julius Angerstein]
Publication details: 
2 June 1821. Florence, Casa Quaratesi, Piazza Ognissanti.
£150.00

1p., 4to. Neatly written out in a contemporary hand (presumably the recipient's), with 'Copy' at the head. In very good condition, on lightly-aged laid paper with watermark of 'W D WELLS'. Signature transcribed as 'Wm. Lock'. Lock has just received Murray's letter of 18 May, 'giving me an Account of the Sales of my Books and Prints which is so much below what I had reason to expect, that I must beg you to apply only One thousand to the Payment of my Debt to my Fathers Executors'.

ALS ('Norwick') from the connoisseur John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick, offering to show his art collection to the recipient and his daughter.

Author: 
John Rushout (1770-1859), 2nd Baron Northwick, English peer and connoisseur
Publication details: 
Connaught Place; 29 June 1832.
£56.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Having received the unnamed recipient's letter of the previous day, Northwick will be 'most happy to give effect to your wishes by granting free access to my Pictures to you, & your Daughter, whenever it may be convenient to you to call at Connaught Place'. If the recipient calls before noon Northwick will probably 'have the pleasure of shewing them to you', if he comes after noon, or Northwich 'shd. happen to be from home, my Servants shall receive directions to admit you to see the Paintings'.

Autograph Note in the third person from the London auctioneer James Christie to the journalist Charles Molloy Westmacott, with signed receipt by Christie's warehouseman John Biddle for '69 Pictures'.

Author: 
James Christie the younger (1773-1831), London auctioneer and antiquary [Charles Molloy Westmacott (c.1786-1868), editor of 'The Age', half-brother of sculptor Sir Richard Westmacott (1775-1856)]
James Christie the younger (1773-1831), London auctioneer
Publication details: 
King Street; 14 February 1825.
£280.00
James Christie the younger (1773-1831), London auctioneer

1 p, 4to. On a bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf: 'Thursday at 11 O'Clock | Chas. Westmacott, Esqr., | 5, Clements Inn.' Fair, on creased and aged paper. Christie's note reads 'Mr Christie presents his Compts. to Mr. Westmacott. | with Mr. Westmacott's permission, the bearer of this Mr. Christie's warehouseman, will remove the Pictures to King St. | King St, | Monday Feb. 14 | 1825.' Beneath this, in another hand, Recd 69 Pictures | [signed] John Biddle'. Above Biddle's receipt, in a third hand, are the word 'Received' and 'Recd 69 [i.e. Christie & Manson?]' in pencil.

[printed Belgian numismatic auction catalogue] Catalogue des Monnaies, Médailles, Méreaux, etc. formant les Collections delaissées par feu M. le Major A. Daufresne de la Chevalerie et provenant de divers autres amateurs.

Author: 
[Major Auguste Daufresne de la Chevalerie (1818-1881); H. Cordemans-de Bruyne; Charles Dupriez; Belgium; printed Belgian numismatic auction catalogue]
Catalogue des Monnaies, Médailles, Méreaux, etc.
Publication details: 
Malines: Imprimerie L. & A. Godenne, Editeurs, 28, Grand' Place, 28. 1896. [To be sold 26 May 1896, 'sous la direction de H. Cordemans-de Bruyne & Ch. Dupriez, Experts, à la Salle Bluff, 10, Rue du Gentilhomme, 10, Bruxelles'.
£95.00
Catalogue des Monnaies, Médailles, Méreaux, etc.

12mo, [ii] + 28 pp. In original pink printed wraps. Card frontispiece in three panels, folding out to 18.5 x 37.5 cm., carrying facsimiles of 48 numbered coins in collotype. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with minor damp staining at foot, in chipped and faded wraps. 893 lots, beginning with 'Monnaies Grecques et Gauloises', and ending with 'Jetons' and 'Médailles'. Excessively scarce: no copy on COPAC, and the only copy on WorldCat in the Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art, Collections Jacques Doucet, Paris.

Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'A. L. Baldry') to C. R. Grundy, editor of the Connoisseur, on the subject of the Royal Academy.

Author: 
Alfred Lys Baldry (1858-1939), painter and art critic (Globe, Studio), author of a work on the Wallace Collection [Cecil Reginald Grundy (1870-1944), editor of the Connoisseur; the Royal Academy]
Publication details: 
5, 10 and 27 May 1921. All three on letterhead of Wolmer Road, Marlow Common, Marlow, Bucks.
£125.00

All three letters 12mo: the first of three pages, and the last two one page apiece. Texts clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Letter One: Sir Henry Vansittart Neale will be pleased to allow Grundy 'a look at his pictures' at Bisham Abbey. Gives directions. Discusses Grundy's letter in the Daily Express, complaining about the 'crowding out' of pictures at the Royal Academy.

Three Autograph Letters Signed (two 'Leonard Walker' and the other 'L. W.') to C. R. Grundy, concerning a stained-glass window.

Author: 
Leonard Walker (1877-1964), Principal of the St John's Wood School of Art, and member of the Art Workers Guild [Cecil Reginald Grundy (1870-1944), editor of the Connoisseur]
Leonard Walker, Stained Glass, Letters
Publication details: 
16, 17 and 31 December 1935; all three items on letterhead of Walker's studio in King Henry's Road, London.
£110.00
Leonard Walker, Stained Glass, Letters

All three items 8vo. The first of two pages, and the other two of one page each. Texts clear and complete. Fair on aged, creased and slightly-discoloured paper. Discussing his disagreement with the architect of a building over the width of two proposed uprights. Walker considers that these 'would handicap the fullest expression'. The first letter carries a simple pencil diagram of the window. He feels 'we shall all have forgotten this point' when the window is seen 'in all its glory'.

Autograph note to Sir Egerton Brydges,

Author: 
George Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Marquis of Stafford and 1st Duke of Sutherland
Publication details: 
14 February 1825, <West hill?>.
£45.00

Celebrated connoisseur (1758-1833), whose picture-gallery, one of the finest in Europe, was at Bridgewater House in London. One page, 12mo. Formal letter in the third person. "The Marquis of Stafford sends his Compliments to Sir Egerton & requests that his name may be continued as Vice President for the Theatrical fund of Covent Garden Theatre, though he regrets that his health will not permit him to attend." Negligible traces of previous mounting on reverse.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos. H. Wyatt') to the connoisseur and print collector the Rev. Charles Henry Middleton (1828-1915); with manuscript 'resolution'.

Author: 
Thomas Henry Wyatt (1807-1880), English architect
Publication details: 
19 May 1881; on embossed letterhead of the Art Students' Home, 4 & 5 Brunswick Square, London W.C.
£100.00

12mo, 2 pp, letter of 8 lines, resolution of 9 lines. Good, on lightly spotted paper with small pin holes to top inner corner. He is appending 'a copy of a resolution agreed to at a Meeting of Committee held this afternoon at No 1 Station St., the Baroness Burdett-Coutts presiding'. The resolution, on the recto of the second leaf of the bifolium, thanks Middleton, 'for services rendered to the Art Student Home, & for the constant interest he has displayed in advancing its welfare'.

Autographs [Reprinted from The Concise Encyclopaedia of Antiques Volume IV by kind permission of The Connoisseur].

Author: 
P. J. Croft [Winifred A. Myers (Autographs) Ltd]
Publication details: 
London: Winifred A. Myers (Autographs) Ltd, 80 New Bond Street, W1. [c.1954].
£45.00

Quarto: 10 pp (paginated 236-41). Stapled. In original printed green card wraps. Good, though lightly creased. Five plates, examples of the hands of Queen Elizabeth I, Sir John Harington, Admiral Lord Nelson, together with an original and a faked Burns letter. While the offprint is undated, the Encyclopaedia itself was published in 1954.

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