GALLERY

[Sir William Agnew, leading London art dealer and Liberal politician.] Autograph Note Signed inviting artist and sculptor John Macallan Swan to dine with ‘Mr Leslie and some few artists’.

Author: 
Sir William Agnew (1825-1910), proprietor of the leading London art gallery Thomas Agnew & Sons and Liberal politician [John Macallan Swan (1847-1910), RA, painter and sculptor]
Publication details: 
22 August 1905. On letterhead of 11 Great Stanhope Street, W. [London]
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin band of discoloration beneath the last line. Addressed to ‘J M Swan Esq R.A’. Reads: ‘My dear Mr Swan / Will you dine with me on Thursday June 1st. to meet Mr Leslie and some few artists? / I should be glad if you will. / Yours faithfully / Wm. Agnew’.

[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.

Author: 
Central Institute of Art and Design, National Gallery, London (Thomas Acland Fennemore (1902-1959), Director]; Second World War artists' loan scheme [Miss J. Inglis]
Publication details: 
Letter from 'The Central Institute of Art and Design, National Gallery, London. W.C.2. / January 1942.' Receipt of 4 February 1942.
£90.00

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).

[ Sir Henry Mendelssohn Hake, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, London.] Typed Letter Signed (‘H M. Hake’) to S. Hodgson recording portraits of George Cruikshank and Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson.

Author: 
Sir H. M. Hake [Sir Henry Mendelssohn Hake] (1892-1951), Director of the National Portrait Gallery, London, 1927-1951 [George Cruikshank (1792-1878), caricaturist; Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson]
Publication details: 
11 June 1937; on letterhead of the National Portrait Gallery, London.
£56.00

1p, 4to. On discoloured and somewhat grubby paper, folded twice for postage. Addressed to ‘S. Hodgson Esq.’ and signed ‘H M. Hake’. Hodgson has sent Hake ‘a manuscript fragment’, which does not seem to indicate either of ‘the portraits in the Gallery’. He has ‘looked up the record of portraits offered in the past but there is no mention of Mrs. Cruikshank or her executors.’ He asks a related question before turning to the subject of the physician Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson (1828-1896), who was in Hake’s opinion ‘more of a professional worthy than a national one’.

[R. J. Burn [Rodney Joseph Burn], English painter.] Three Autograph Letters Signed and one unsigned, to ‘Mr Lawrence’, regarding his work, his studio and ‘Mr Daniel’ [Sir Augustus Moore Daniel], the new Director of the National Gallery.

Author: 
R. J. Burn [Rodney Joseph Burn] (1899-1984), English painter, Member of the Royal Academy, senior tutor at the Royal College of Art [Sir Augustus Moore Daniel (1866-1950)]
Publication details: 
One dated 10 September 1928, the others without year, but around the same time. All from 2 Hill Way, Highgate N.6. [London]. One also with ‘Studio address / 7 Park Hill studios / Park Hill road / Hampstead’.
£150.00

After serving in the Great War, Burn (son of Sir Joseph Burn) studied at the Slade between 1918 and 1922, winning six prizes. After teaching in London at the Royal College, and in Boston, he offered his services to the war effort. After the war he went back to the Royal College, as a senior tutor. The four ot the items here are in fair condition, lightly worn and discoloured. Each is folded once for postage. Although only one is dated, the others appear to date from around the same time. ONE (‘Monday’): 1p, 4to. Unsigned.

[Geraldine McEwan, distinguished English actress on stage, screen and television.] Autograph Inscription Signed to menu for Gallery First Nighters? Club luncheon in honour of Prunella Scales and Timothy West.

Author: 
Geraldine McEwan [born Geraldine McKeown] (1932-2015), distinguished English actress on stage screen and television [Timothy West and Prunella Scales; The Gallery First Nighters? Club]
McEwan
Publication details: 
Luncheon by the Gallery First Nighters? Club on 24 April 1994, at the London Marriott Hotel.
£120.00
McEwan

See her entry in the Oxford DNB. A nice item, printed on shiny card. Bifolium folding to 21 x 14.5 cm. In good condition, lightly aged. On the front is a photograph of Scales and West by Jane Bohn. On reverse of first leaf is the menu, on recto of second the ?Toast List?, and the verso of the second a list of officers. McEwan?s inscription, in a good firm hand is at top left of the menu. It reads: ?With Best Wishes / Geraldine / McEwan?. From the papers of Kenneth Sephton. See Image.

[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 John Rothenstein, art historian and Director of the Tate Gallery, London.] Autograph Letter Signed to Philip Dosse, publisher of ‘Art and Artists’, regarding difficulties in his reviewing Holroyd and Easton’s books on Augustus John.

Author: 
Sir John Rothenstein [Sir John Knewstub Maurice Rothenstein] (1901-1992), art historian and Director of the Tate Gallery, London [Philip Dosse (c.1924-1980), publisher of ‘Art and Artists’]
Publication details: 
9 May 1974; on letterhead of Beauforest House, Newington, Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxford.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Plays and Players. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The present item is 2pp, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Signed ‘John Rothenstein’.

[Sir Robert Witt, art historian and collector, co-founder of the Courtauld Institute in London.] Typed Card Signed (‘R. W.’) ordering item from catalogue of bookseller J. A. Neuhuys.

Author: 
Sir Robert Witt [Sir Robert Clermont Witt], art historian and collector, co-founder of the Courtauld Institute of Art in London and National Art Collections Funds, Trustee of the National Gallery
Publication details: 
31 December 1923. On his letterhead, 32 Portman Square, W1 [London].
£35.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. In fair condition, lightly aged and with slight wear at base. Typed address to ‘Mr. J. A. Neuhuys, / 37, Dean Road, / Willesden Green, / N. W. 2’. Reads: ‘Will you please send me on approval No. 582a, from your catalogue No. 29. / R. W.’ Recipt marked with red date stamp of 1 January 1924, and message lightly crossed out in pencil.

[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.

[Hans Feibusch, German Painter] Three Autograph Notes Signed initially H.Feibusch, then Hans Feibusch to a Mr. Musgrave [Clifford Musgrave of the Royal Pavilion etc?], one with a drawing.

Author: 
Hans Feibusch [Hans Nathan Feibusch (1898 – 1998), German painter and sculptor of Jewish heritage who lived and worked in Britain from 1933 until his death]
Publication details: 
2 Pittsville Lawn, Cheltenham, 3 Dec. 1940; 2 Strathearn Place, 31 March 1954; [headed] 2 Strathear Place, W.2., 29 July 1954.
£180.00

Total 4pp., 2x 12mo, 1 x 8vo, good condition. Letter One (1940), 2pp, Thanking him for two paintings which arrived in perfect condition. The packing case is being sent back to you [small drawing of cherub tweeking a Christmas Tree] This [the drawing] is to symbolise a premature Xmas wish which is what I am sending you here[...]; Letter Two (31 March 1954), May I thank you again for your great kindness in coming forward yesterday. You cannot imagine how much a gesture of this kind means to a man who is often uncertain of himself and his work.

[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.

[ Earl of Haddington ] Autograph Letter Signed "Haddington" to an unnamed correspondent [a Campbell?]

Author: 
Charles Hamilton, 8th Earl of Haddington DL (1753–17 March 1828) Scottish nobleman and apparently Collector.
Publication details: 
"Tyn." [Tynninghame] 8 Jan. 1815.
£80.00

One page, cr. 8vo, good condition. He taks health to start off with. Then "I am very glad you have found all I want of the Luxembourg Gall[e]ry. As for the Marquis of Annandale & Lord Glasgow [miniatures?], you did well not to buy them as I believe I can get them here from the families. The first vol[ume] of Valmont [presumably Laclos's" Les Liaisons Dangereuses" ], I am glad you have found. As to Grangers Biography. I am not sure if my Son has not got a copy. at all events let me know the price, as a friend of mine wants it.

[Wilfrid Ball, artist and etcher.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wilfrid Ball') to 'Mrs. Barnard', giving news of his work, including '"slogging" away at water-colours', and submitting 'an oil to the Academy' which 'they are sure to kick [...] out'.

Author: 
Wilfrid Ball [Wilfrid Williams Ball] (1853-1917), landscape and marine painter and etcher, President of the Society of British Artists
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 4 Albemarle Street, W. [London] 3 April 1894.
£120.00

2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He thanks her for remembering him and sending 'that splendid photograph of yourself – I really think it is the best I have seen'. He continues: 'I have been “slogging” away at water-colours for a shew in Manchester and so have kept pretty busy.' He is sending 'a Nile water colour to the New Gallery', and has sent 'an oil to the Academy – they are sure to kick it out so I shan't mind'. He hopes that she and her sister 'are all right' and 'enjoying this lovely weather'.

[ Sir William Boxall RA, Director of the National Gallery. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Boxall'), regarding painting a portrait of the wife of either Sir W. J. Hooker or his son Sir J. D. Hooker, successively Directors, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

Author: 
Sir William Boxall RA (1800-1879), English artist and Director of the National Gallery, London [ Sir William Jackson Hooker and Sir Joseph Hooker, Directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew ]
Publication details: 
14 Welbeck Street [ London ]. 'Monday' [no date].
£65.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with some damage ay foot of reverse of second leaf (not affecting signature) caused by removal from mount. The letter presumably dates from before Boxall's appointment as Director of the National Gallery in 1866, when he all but gave up painting. It is addressed to 'Dr. Hooker', and the recipient is either Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865) or his son Sir Joseph Hooker (1817-1911), successively Directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

[ Blandford Fletcher and Stanhope Forbes, Newlyn School artists. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Blandford Fletcher') from Fletcher to Forbes, on the occasion of his father's death, discussing the low state of his fortunes and health.

Author: 
Blandford Fletcher [ William Teulon Blandford Fletcher ] (1858-1936) and Stanhope Forbes [ Stanhope Alexander Forbes ] (1857-1947), RA, English artists of the Newlyn School, Cornwall
Publication details: 
The Mill, Steventon, Berkshire. 9 December 1888.
£120.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. A splendid long letter in a close hand, revealing and informative, written a year after Fletcher had completed his masterpiece 'Evicted', painted at Steventon, and the first painting acquired by Queensland Art Gallery in 1895. Addressed to 'My dear Forbes', the letter begins: 'Your letter reached me yesterday having been sent on from home to the above address | Yes! Indeed you have my deepest sympathy.

[ Sir Charles Lock Eastlake, painter and President of the Royal Academy. ] Autograph Note Signed ('C. L. Eastlake') accepting an invitation to dinner.

Author: 
Sir Charles Lock Eastlake (1793-1865), artist, President of the Royal Academy, Keeper of the National Gallery, London
Publication details: 
13 Upper Fitzroy Street [ London ]. 18 December [ no year ].
£25.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'My dear Sir | I have great pleasure in accepting your invitation to dinner on Tuesday next. | Yours very faithfully | C. L. Eastlake'.

[ Henrietta Skerrett Montalba, Victorian sculptor. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs. Allchin', i.e. the wife of the physician Sir William Henry Allchin, regarding an order for one of her works.

Author: 
Henrietta S. Montalba [ Henrietta Skerrett Montalba ] (1856-1893), British sculptor, daughter of Anthony Rubens Montalba (1813-1884) [ Sir William Henry Allchin (1846-1912), physician ]
Publication details: 
20 Stanley Crescent [ London ]. 11 January 1884.
£120.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Evidently responding to an order from an exhibition catalogue for one of her sculptures, she thanks her for her 'note and enclosed cheque which was quite right - Number 16 is not yet taken so I will put it down to your name'.

[ Sir Charles Holroyd, Director of the National Gallery. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Charles Holroyd') to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, declining to take the chair for two lectures.

Author: 
Sir Charles Holroyd (1861-1917), artist and curator, Keeper of the Tate, 1897-1906, and Director of the National Gallery, 1906-1916 [Sir Henry Trueman Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, London]
Publication details: 
First letter on letterhead of Sturdie House, Beechwood Avenue, Weybridge. 26 January 1915. Second letter on letterhead of the National Gallery [ London ]. 1 April 1915.
£45.00

Both items in good condition, lightly aged, and both bearing the Society's stamp. ONE: 26 January 1915. 1p., 12mo. He is obliged by a previous engagement to decline the invitation 'to take the Chair for Mr. F Vincent Brooks lecture on Lithography on the 10th.', but feels the honour 'all the same'. TWO: 1 April 1915. 1p., 12mo. He would like, 'for every reason', 'to take the chair for M. Paul Lambottes lecture on C Meunier', but he will probbably be 'out of London during the first two weeks in May'.

[ Samuel Jones-Loyd, 1st Baron Overstone [ Lord Overstone ], banker and politician. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Overstone') to 'G. Scharf Junr Esqr' [ the future Sir George Scharf ], regarding the possibility of a meeting in Brighton.

Author: 
Samuel Jones-Loyd, 1st Baron Overstone [ Lord Overstone ] (1796-1883) of Overstone Park, Northampton, British banker and politician [ Sir George Scharf (1820-1895); National Portrait Gallery, London ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Overstone Park, Northampton. 20 November 1856.
£30.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition. At the time of writing Scharf was on the verge of appointment as first Director of the National Portrait Gallery. Regarding a note he has received from Scharf he writes that the following Monday he goes 'thro' London direct to Brighton. This movement I fear does not hold out much facility for our meeting - but if your business carries you to Brighton you will find me at the Bedford Hotel.'

[ Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Lansdowne') [ to the future Sir George Scharf ]

Author: 
Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780-1863), Whig Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary [ Sir George Scharf (1820-1895), Director of the National Portrait Gallery, London ]
Publication details: 
Bowood [ Bowood House, Derry Hill, Wiltshire ]. 23 December [ 1859 ].
£35.00

3pp., 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition. Year not given, but with '1859' in a contemporary hand at top-right of first page. The recipient is not named, but the letter is from the papers of Sir George Scharf. It begins: 'I remember your saying in the course of last winter you would be glad an [sic] opportunity of coming to see me, & what little I have to shew you. | I conclude the Portrait Gallery as well as <?> Institutions admits of some holidays at this season'. Consequently he suggests a time when the recipient might 'spend a few days' at Bowood, if his 'engagements admit'.

[ Charles Somers Somers-Cocks, 3rd Earl Somers. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Somers.') to Lord Stanhope

Author: 
Charles Somers Somers-Cocks, 3rd Earl Somers (1819-1882), English peer and politician [ Philip Henry Stanhope, 5th Earl Stanhope [ Lord Stanhope ] (1805-1875); the National Portrait Gallery, London ]
Publication details: 
33 Princes Gate, Kensington. [ London ] No date. [ 1859 watermark. ]
£40.00

1p., 12mo. With mourning border. Reads: 'Dear Lord Stanhope | I am most unfortunately compelled to go into the country this evening, or I should not have failed to have attended the meeting of the trustees of the Nat. Portrait Gallery. | Very truly yours | Somers.' It was Stanhope who had been mainly responsible for the foundation of the National Portrait Gallery in 1856.

[ 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.

[ E. Rimbault Dibdin, art critic and curator. ] Five Typed Letters Signed (all 'Edwd Rimbault Dibdin') to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, regarding the Liverpool artists Richard Wright, Peter Perez Burdett and William Tate.

Author: 
E. Rimbault Dibdin [ Edward Rimbault Vere Dibdin ] (1853-1941), art critic, curator of the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool [ Sir Henry Trueman Wood (1845-1929), Secretary, Royal Society of Arts ]
Publication details: 
The five on letterheads of the Walker Art Gallery, City of Liverpool, and dating between 27 November 1915 and 23 February 1916.
£220.00

The letters total 5pp., 4to; and 1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. With stamps of the Royal Society of Arts. On the reverse of one letter are pencil notes, presumably by Wood.

[ C.L. Eastlake ] Autograph Letter Signed "C.L. Eastlake" to W. Popham Lethbridge, about an art collection in Antwerp.

Author: 
C.L. Eastlake [ Charles Lock Eastlake ](1793–1865), painter, gallery director, collector and writer
Publication details: 
7 Fitzroy Square, [London], 22 March 1862
£80.00

Two pages, 12mo, bifolium, good condition. He acknowledges his letter about "Mr Andrew Baillie's collection at Antwerp. I know the pictures but had not heard of the day of sale. I cannot possibly leave England at the time. This is not however of much consequence for, without at all meaning to disparage the collection, there are but few things in it which I should consider eligible. [...]" He presumably doesn't think much of interest to the National Gallery. I have found no information about this Sale.

[ The Gallery First Nighters' Club, London. ] Duplicated accounts and balance sheet by 'F. H. Long, Auditor'.

Author: 
[ The Gallery First Nighters' Club, London ] [ F. H. Long, Auditor; Ken Sephton (Sefton) ]
gallery
Publication details: 
[ The Gallery First Nighters' Club, London. ] 'Profit and Loss Account for year ending September 30th. 1910.'
£90.00
gallery

1p., landscape 12mo. Spirit duplicated with purple ink. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, and folded three times. The page is headed 'The Gallery First Nighters' Club', and is divided into two section: 'Profit and Loss Account for year ending September 30th. 1910.' and 'Balance Sheet'. At foot of page: 'G. F. Rigden, Hon. Secretary. | John Page, Hon. Treasurer. | I have examined the Club Books and Vouchers and found them correct. | F. H. Long, Auditor.' From the papers of Ken Sephton (Sefton).

[ Sir Lionel Cust, art historian. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Lionel Cust') to 'Lucas', regarding a trip to Ostend, problems with luggage and the Belgian railways, and a lost umbrella.

Author: 
Sir Lionel Henry Cust (1859-1929), British art historian, director of the National Portrait Gallery and editor of the Burlington Magazine
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Oliphant House, The Crescent, Windsor. 26 July 1907.
£35.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition. He has been 'clinging' to Lucas's umbrella since the return from a trip to Ostend, where Cust had 'an awful quart d'heure with the luggage people, who were very unwilling to send it on, [...] but by bribery and threats of weeping and pcitures of you all shivering on deck, I <?> them to entrust the 16 or 17 packages to the guard of the train next due'. The letter continues in much the same chatty tone.

[ Henry Turner, American artist in Prussia. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Messrs Morgan & Buckstone' of Berners Street Gallery, London, stating that he sending over '4 Oil Pictures', with reference to 'Mr G. du Mourier'. [ George Du Maurier ].

Author: 
Henry Turner, American artist, from Virginia [ Matthew Somerville Morgan (1839-1890) and Frederick Buckstone, manager and secretary, Berners Street Gallery, London; George Du Maurier ]
Publication details: 
Berger Strasse No. 1, Düsseldorf, Prussia. 5 December 1862.
£65.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly-aged. 'I shipped on yesterday to you through Mr J. D. Brink Jr Forwarding Merchant of this city a box containing 4 Oil Pictures which I wish you to expose for sale at your Exhibition Rooms. | The titles and prices of the same will be given you by my friend Mr G. du Mourier. Please let me know when they come to hand.' The Berner's Street Gallery's association with American artists would continue: in the following decade it would gain notoriety for exhibiting Whistler's 'Symphony in White, No. 1'.

[ Melton Prior, Special Artist of the Illustrated London News. ] Engraved illustrated invitation card to an 'Exhibition of Original Burmese War & Nile Expedition Sketches' at the St James's Gallery of 'Mr Mendozza'.

Author: 
Melton Prior (1845-1910), Special Artist of the Illustrated London News [the St. James's Gallery, London, of I. P. Mendoza; Burma, Burmese; the Nile Expedition, Egypt ]
Publication details: 
St. James's Gallery, 4A King Street, St James's. 20 June 1891.
£56.00

Printed on one side of a piece of 12.5 x 20 cm green card. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with central vertical crease line unobtrusively strengthened with archival tape. To the left of the page is an illustration of a British soldier officer a Burmese temple. The text is written out in a range of lettering characteristic of the period, and reads: 'Exhibition of Original Burmese War & Nile Expedition Sketches by Melton Prior Special Artist of the Illustrated London News. Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught.

[ James Bolivar Manson, artist and Director of the Tate Gallery, London. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. B. Manson') to '[J.G.] Wilson', of booksellers, Bumpus, making suggestions for the placement of 'scraps of Irish Architects'.

Author: 
J. B. Manson [ James Bolivar Manson ] (1879-1945), 'London Group' artist and Director of the Tate Gallery, Millbank, London, 1930-1938
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the National Gallery [i.e. Tate Gallery], Millbank, SW1 [London]. 3 July 1929.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He considers that 'the scraps of Irish Architects' might be 'very useful for reference', and suggests offering them to the Royal Institute of British Architects or Association of Architects. In the latter part of the letter he makes suggestions regarding a meeting the following week.

[ Philip Henry Stanhope, 5th Earl Stanhope. ] Four Autograph Letters Signed and one Autograph Note Signed (all 'Stanhope') to Sir George Scharf, in part relating to the newly-founded National Portrait Gallery, and with two references to Lord Macaulay

Author: 
Philip Henry Stanhope (1805-1875), 5th Earl Stanhope [ Sir George Scharf (1820-1895), art critic, illustrator and Director of the National Portrait Gallery; Thomas Babington Macaulay, Lord Macaulay ]
Publication details: 
From: Windsor Castle; Chevening; Grosvenor Place [London]; the British Museum; 'The Lord Warden', Dover. 1859 and 1860.
£135.00

The five letters total 10pp., 12mo. On five bifoliums. In good condition, lightly aged. An interesting correspondence, from one of the trustees of the new National Portrait Gallery to its (as yet unknighted) secretary. ONE: 'Brit. Mus. | Saturday afternoon' [1859]. 1p., 12mo. Begins: 'Lord Macaulay [another trustee] tells me that he intends to visit the Portrait Gallery with some friends at 3 on Monday.' TWO: Chevening. 2 November 1859. 2pp., 12mo. After thanking him for 'the drawings for Lady Stanhope' he exclaims: 'Another terrible storm yesterday!

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