PAINTER

[Thomas Balston, publisher, painter and scholar of book production and illustration.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Mr. Tyrrell’, regarding the return of an engraving he has had photographed.

Author: 
Thomas Balston (1883-1967), director of publishers Duckworth and Co, painter and scholar of English book production and illustration, recipient of Military Cross, champion of wood engraving
Publication details: 
10 December 1918; on letterhead of Flat 64, 3 Whitehall Court, SW1 [London].
£50.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with one dog-eared corner. He writes that he has ‘had the engraving photographed’, and can ‘return it together with the casting’, with ‘very many thanks to you for being so kind as to lend it to me’.

[John Bacon [John Collingwood Bacon; Brontes, English artist.] Long Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Miss Sprott’, making detailed and percipient criticisms of four books on the Bronte sisters that she has lent him.

Author: 
John Bacon [John Collingwood Bacon] (1882-1950), English artist [the Bronte sisters]
Publication details: 
17 December 1947, with postscript of 2 January 1948; The Distaff Cottages, Newport, Essex.
£180.00

6pp, 12mo, on two bioliums. A long letter, neatly and closely written. In stamped envelope, with stamps and postmark, addressed to ‘Miss Sprott / Magavelda / Blakeney / Holt [Norfolk]’ and signed ‘John Bacon’. The letter and envelope are in fair condition, on slightly discoloured paper and with short closed tears along the folds made for postage. He begins: ‘Dear Miss Sprott.

[The Refectory Club, Mayfair, London.] Three items of club ephemera: publicity booklet, application form and notice. With Typed Letter Signd from club secretary David Mallett, regarding theatre historian Maqueen-Pope’s desire to become a member.

Author: 
The Refectory Club, Mayfair, London; David Mallett, Secretary [Walter James Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian; Anna Zinkeisen (1901-1976), Scottish painter]
Publication details: 
Mallett’s letter dated 4 October 1955; on letterhead of The Refectory Club, 10 Tilney Street, Park Lane, W1 [London]. The other three items undated, but slighty earlier in date.
£180.00

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) Interesting London ephemera: the plans for the Refectory Club were clearly ambitious, but there is little to be gleaned about it, and it is unclear whether it even opened. Zinkeisen and her sister Dora are the subject of a 2022 monograph by Philip Kelleway, Emma Roodhouse and Nicola Evans. The four items in good condition, lightly aged, but with rust staining from a paperclip. Folded for postage. ONE: Typed Letter to MP, signed ‘D Mallett’ (but with ‘For Secretary’ typed beneath this). 1p, 4to.

[Ruth Mercier, nineteenth-century Franco-Swiss artist.] Autograph Note Signed (in her name and on behalf of Rozalia de Jackowska), in French, to ‘Monsieur et Madam Earle’. Incorporating an original ink drawing by her of a walking stick

Author: 
Ruth Mercier (fl.1880-1915), nineteenth-century Franco-Swiss landscape artist who painted Venice [her friend Rozalia de Jackowska]
Mercier
Publication details: 
25 December 1889.
£220.00
Mercier

1p, 16. On the recto of the first leaf of a bifolium of grey paper, with simple drawing in the same ink as the text of a straight plain walking stick stuck in the ground and running up the left-hand margin, with the handle hooked to the right at the top with the dating to its right. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: ‘le 25 Decembre 89.

[Carl Haag, Bavarian-born orientalist watercolour painter to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.] Autograph Letter in the third person to ‘Mr. & Mrs. Arbuthnot Guthrie’

Author: 
Carl Haag [Johann Carl Haag] (1820-1915), Bavarian-born orientalist watercolour painter and naturalized British subject, court painter to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Publication details: 
‘5 November [no year] - Monday -’. On letterhead of 16 New Burlington Street, W. [London]
£30.00

As a naturalized British subject, resident in England from the 1850s to 1903, Haag has an entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage. Reads: ‘Mr. Carl Haag presents his compliments to Mr. & Mrs. Arbuthnot Guthrie, and very much regrets not being able to accept their polite invitation for Wednesday next, having already accepted a previous engagement for that day.’

[Philip Hermogenes Calderon, genre painter and Keeper of the Royal Academy.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Miss Towgood’ [Mary Ethel Young Towgood], student at the RA Schools, asking for names of authors of ‘Cartoons’ and ‘Creswick’.

Author: 
Philip H. Calderon [Philip Hermogenes Calderon] (1833-1898), British historical genre painter of Franco-Spanish descent, Keeper of the Royal Academy [Mary Ethel Young Hunter [née Towgood] (1878-1936)]
Publication details: 
20 November 1896; on letterhead of Burlington House, Piccadilly [London].
£50.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. On a leaf of grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. The recipient was studying at the Royal Academy Schools. Begins: ‘Dear Miss Towgood / Thanks for your letter and enclosed statement by Mr Percy Young.’ He asks to be sent ‘the names of the authors of the various “Cartoons” and “Creswick”’, so that he may have all his material ‘ready for the Council on Tuesday next’. He intended to ask her for the names in ‘the Schools’ (of the Royal Academy at Burlington House), ‘but a sudden attack of Influenza confines me to my room by the Doctor’s order’.

[Richard Redgrave, RA, landscape artist, as Keeper of Paintings at South Kensington Museum [now Victoria and Albert.]] Autograph Letter Signed declining to buy a painting as it is a portrait and they are in any case short of gallery space.

Author: 
Richard Redgrave (1804-1888), RA. English landscape artist, first Keeper of Paintings at the South Kensington Museum [now the Victoria and Albert], and Surveyor of the King’s Pictures
Publication details: 
22 March 1859; on letterhead of the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, London W.
£85.00

Redgrave’s entry in the Oxford DNB praises his ‘exceptional administrative skill’, and states that ‘Redgrave and Cole supervised the new South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum), for which Redgrave designed the innovative art gallery to house John Sheepshanks's extensive collection of British art, given to the state in 1857.’ 1p, 12mo. On grey paper. In good condition, laid down on part of a leaf from an autograph album. Pasted down at the head of the letter is a thin strip on which is printed ‘Inspector-General for Art. R. Redgrave, R.A.’ The male recipient is unnamed.

[Henry Gastineau, landscape painter and engraver.] Autograph Letter in the third person to ‘Miss Nelson’, regarding arrangements for giving her lessons in painting.

Author: 
Henry Gastineau (1791-1876), English landscape painter and engraver
Publication details: 
2 June 1853; Camberwell.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. With mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Eighteen lines of text. Begins: ‘Mr H Gastineau presents his compliments to Miss Nelson and in consequence of having received her address from Miss Stringer relative to a wish to receive some instruction from him, he writes’, giving details of when he would be able ‘to give a lesson at Windham Place’, were he to ‘receive a line to say that such an arrangement’ was desirable, after which ‘future appointments can be made’.

[Edwin Long, RA, English artist.] Autograph Letter Signed to ‘Sir Roger’, with regard to the relative merits of Stanhope Forbes and John Bagnold Burgess for receiving a commission.

Author: 
Edwin Long [Edwin Longsden Long] (1829-1891), RA, English painter [Stanhope Forbes (1857-1947); John Bagnold Burgess (1829-1897)]
Publication details: 
12 November 1890; on letterhead of Kelston, Netherhall Gardens, N.W. [London.]
£38.00

See the entries for Long, Forbes and Burgess in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with traces of tape from mount along one edge. Signed ‘Edwin Long’. Begins: ‘Dear Sir Richard / I have just had a chat about your kind enquiry with my friend Burgess, who knows everybody’. While Burgess ‘says Stanhope Forbes is the best man coming on & that he has painted some very good portraits’, from what Long himself remembers of his work, it seems ‘very black’. He concludes: ‘Why not give it to Burgess? he is painting capitally just now & I know he would be very pleased.’

[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
Pye

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.

[Adrian Stokes, RA, English landscape artist.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Adrian Stokes’), thanking ‘Mrs. Terrell’ for her congratulations on his election as an Associate of the Royal Academy.

Author: 
Adrian Stokes [Charles Adrian Scott Stokes] (1854-1935), RA, English landscape artist, husband of Marianne Stokes, part of St Ives artists’ colony, brother of Leonard Stokes and Sir Wilfred Stokes
Publication details: 
8 May 1910. On letterhead of Littleshaw, Woldingham, Surrey.
£56.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, and that of his brothers the architect Leonard Scott Stokes and the inventor of the ‘Stokes Gun’ Sir Wilfred Scott Stokes. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. Signed ‘Adrian Stokes’. He has added the word ‘at’ above the letterhead, indicating that the residence is not his (it is in fact the house that his brother Leonard designed for himself).

[‘It was pleasant to be raised to the “Upper Shelf”’: George Henry Boughton, RA, artist and illustrator.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘G. H. Boughton’) to ‘Bamley’, on becoming a full member of the Royal Academy.

Author: 
G. H. Boughton [George Henry Boughton] (1833-1905), RA, English artist and illustrator whose childhood was spent in America [The Royal Academy, London]
Publication details: 
1 April 1896. On letterhead of the Reform Club, Pall Mall, S.W. [London.]
£56.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. On the first leaf of bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. He begins by thanking him ‘most sincerely for your cheering note of congratulation’. Whilst it is ‘pleasant to be raised to the “Upper Shelf”’, he finds that ‘the position of Associate of the Royal Academy is one that is quite Ideal. To gain that - and to paint a good picture were my two great ambitions’.

[‘There has been such “a run on” me’:] Autograph Letter Signed (‘G. H. Boughton’) to J. P. Broadhurst, editor of ‘The Field’, regarding ‘a Menu Card’ and an illustration from his book with E. A. Abbey, which Broadhurst may wish to use.

Author: 
G. H. Boughton [George Henry Boughton] (1833-1905), RA, English artist and illustrator whose childhood was spent in America [The Royal Academy, London; J. Pendred Broadhurst, editor of 'The Field']
Publication details: 
Undated. On letterhead of West House, Campden Hill, Kensington. [London.]
£40.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once. The recipient is named as ‘J. Pendred Broadhurst Esq’. Boughton begins by thanking him for his ‘kind note’. He is ‘quite out of photos for the moment - there has been such “a run on” me’. His portrait is not ‘in commerce’. He is enclosing ‘a Menu Card (of a dinner given me by Messrs Harper in New York)’, which has ‘a portrait by Mr L. Alma Tadema R.A. which I think is a little out of the Common. There is also an illustration from our book - (E. A.

[Sir Peter Scott, ornithologist, conservationist and artist.] Typed Letter Signed, advising ‘Squirrel’ on ‘the right type of field glasses’ and new developments in the design of binoculars.

Author: 
Sir Peter Scott [Sir Peter Markham Scott] (1909-1989), ornithologist, artist, conservationist, founder of the Wildfowl Trust, son of Antarctic explorer Sir Robert Falcon Scott
Scott
Publication details: 
3 November 1962; on letterhead (with illustration by him of birds in flight) of the Wildfowl Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire.
£50.00
Scott

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight spotting to margin. Folded three times. Good signature: ‘Peter Scott.’ Addressing himself to ‘Dear Squirrel’, he writes: ‘Yes, of course I will try to advise you on the right type of field glasses. I have used Ross 12 by 50 Stepsun for many years and have found it a very good glass for ornithological and also general use. I would strongly recommend it.

[Sir Hubert von Herkomer, painter, film director and composer.] Autograph Note Signed (‘Hubert Herkomer’), asking for details of ‘your Ramblers’ before a visit from them.

Author: 
Sir Hubert von Herkomer [originally Hubert Herkomer] (1849-1914) German-born British painter, pioneering film director and composer
Publication details: 
28 February 1891; on letterhead of Dyreham, Bushy, Herts.
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, but a little brittle and discoloured (unobtrusive repair to one corner with archival tape). The recipient is not named. Reads: ‘Dear Sirs / I shall be pleased to see your Ramblers June the 6th. Let me know details of them & numbers a week before. / Yours truly / Hubert Herkomer’.

[Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, radical politician ruined by the Crawford Scandal.] Autograph Card Signed (‘Charles W. Dilke’), explaining to an unnamed painter the reason he was not able to visit his studio.

Author: 
Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke (1843–1911), radical Liberal politician and author, ruined by the Crawford Scandal
Publication details: 
26 March 1892; on letterhead of 76 Sloane Street, S.W. [London]
£38.00

See Dilke’s entry in the Oxford DNB. Lurid claims of three-in-a-bed adulteries put a paid to his political ambitions (he had been touted as a future prime minister), and rendered him the butt of musical hall jokes. The recipient is not named. On one side of a plain 11.5 x 9 cm postcard. In fair condition, lightly aged, with the two right-hand corners creased.

[Henry Le Jeune, Victorian artist, Curator of the Royal Academy Painting School.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘H. Le Jeune’) to his client ‘L. Colles Esqr.’, seeking to make arrangements for a viewing of ‘The Bather’.

Author: 
Henry Le Jeune (1819-1904), ARA, Victorian artist noted for his historical and genre paintings, Curator of the Royal Academy Painting School
Publication details: 
6 September 1861; 27 Oakley Villas [Adelaide Road, London].
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 16mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of mount to blank reverse of second leaf. Folded twice. Le Jeune’s handwriting is strangely childlike. The recipient is not named. He begins: ‘Dear Sir / Your little picture of “The Bather” has been finished some time, & I should be glad to shew it you at your earliest convenience.’ He briefly suggests arrangements for a showing.

[‘I feel rather as a brother than as a client’. Captain George Jones, RA, Librarian of the Royal Academy.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘George Jones’) to his close friend Sir Francis Chantrey, explaining his embarrassment at selling him a painting.

Author: 
Captain George Jones (1786-1869), RA, Librarian and acting President of the Royal Academy, and army officer, close friend and executor of J. M. W. Turner and Sir Francis Chantrey
Publication details: 
Without date or place, but before Chantrey's death in 1841, and probably from London.
£150.00

See the entries for Jones and Chantry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo. On bifolium. An interesting letter of 39 lines with text intact, in poor condition, aged and with closed tears, and discoloration from tape used in repair, and ink blot to first page. The surname of the recipient is not given, but the close friendship between the two men (Jones published a memoir of Chantrey in 1849) puts Chantrey’s identity beyond doubt.

[Augustus John, OM RA, celebrated Welsh painter.] Producer Hugh Burnett’s copy of the typed transcript of John’s BBC TV interview with John Freeman in the series ‘Face to Face’, with proof and typographical marks for publication.

Author: 
Augustus John [Augustus Edwin John] (1878-1961), OM RA, celebrated Welsh painter [John Freeman (1915-2014), Labour MP and interviewer on 'Face to Face'; Hugh Burnett (1924-2011), BBC TV producer]
Publication details: 
Without date or place, but BBC TV interview on 15 May 1960; and this transcript produced for inclusion in version published in London in 1964.
£220.00

The present item is the producer Hugh Burnett's own copy, from his papers, of the transcript of John Freeman's interview with John, broadcast in the groundbreaking BBC series 'Face to Face' on 15 May 1960. This single-spaced typed transcript was produced for inclusion in Burnett's book 'Face to Face / Edited and introduced by Hugh Burnett' (London: Jonathan Cape, 1964), and is marked up with printing instructions in pencil and red ink, with a few proof corrections in green ink. 3pp, foolscap 8vo, on three leaves stapled together.

[Hon. John Collier, artist] Printed Request from W.A. Browne & Co., Chartered Accountants, pp. London Library, about an outstanding subscription to the London Library, with MS additions, and a Note initialed J.C.

Author: 
John Collier [John Maler Collier (1850 – 1934), painter and writer.]
Collier
Publication details: 
[Printed] 308 Winchester House, Old Broad Street, London, E.C. | May Ist, 190[3].
£45.00
Collier

One page, 12mo, edges ragged but text clear and complete. See image. They ask if John Collier will confirm that his subscription was outstanding on 30th April 1903 when due on the 13th. Collier has confrimed this with his signature and his address, and added a note as follows: The subscription is paid by the London Joint Stock Bank. It seems to be their custom to pay on May1st. | J.C. See image.

[Sir William Rothenstein, artist.] Autograph Note Signed ('Wm Rothenstein'), to 'Morley Horder'.

Author: 
Sir William Rothenstein (1872-1945), painter, printmaker, draughtsman, lecturer, and writer on art [Percy Richard Morley Horder (1870-1944), architect]
Publication details: 
[Headed] 13 Airlie Gardens, W8, 2 Nov. 1933.
£56.00

One page, obl.12mo, small stain not affecting text, clear and good condition. Text: I fear the newspapers gave a sensational aspect to a simple matter. [?] you liked [?name indecipherable to me] & his work at the Gallery.. But his salary was quite insufficient. He was given to believe that this wd be raised, & this was not done. So he reluctantly resigned & is going elsewhere, with at least a living wage.

[Sir William Rothenstein, artist.] Autograph Note Signed ('Wm Rothenstein'), to 'Morley Horder'

Author: 
Sir William Rothenstein (1872-1945), painter, printmaker, draughtsman, lecturer, and writer on art [Percy Richard Morley Horder (1870-1944), architect ]
Publication details: 
[Headed] 13 Airlie Gardens, W8, 2 Nov. 1933.
£56.00

One page, obl.12mo, small stain not affecting text, clear and good condition. Text: I fear the newspapers gave a sensational aspect to a simple matter. [?] you liked [?name indecipherable to me] & his work at the Gallery.. But his salary was quite insufficient. He was given to believe that this wd be raised, & this was not done. So he reluctantly resigned & is going elsewhere, with at least a living wage.

[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.

[C.R.Leslie, painter] Autograph Letter Signed CR Leslie to [Mr Gardiner? Collector?] inviting Gardiner's wife presumably to visit to learn about models, etc.

Author: 
C.R. Leslie [Charles Robert Leslie RA (1794 – 1859), genre painter]
Publication details: 
2 Abercorn Place, St John's Wood, 16 Feb. 1852.
£85.00

Three pages, 12mo, bifolium, good condition, docketed on p.[4] 1852 | C R Leslie RA. He extends an invitiation for Mrs Gardiner to visit before two oclock when he will with pleasure give her such information and assistance as I can respecting models. He continues with insights into his own works: My faces & figures are sometimes painted from firends, sometimes from members of my own family but [some?] often from hired models, who do not, however, supply [dresses?]. These I make up as I can, & sometimes borrow them from Nathan in [?] Street [theatrical costumier?].

[ Mervyn Levy, Welsh Artist ] Autograph Letter Signed MERVYN LEVY to My dear old boy [John Bromfield Gay Rees, Welsh artist] about his activities; a meeting; Welsh Art Exhibition. WITH: Two autograph copy letters of Rees's letters to Levy.

Author: 
Mervyn Levy [(1914 – 1996), Welsh artist, art teacher and writer on art].
Publication details: 
3 Army College, Chisledon, Wilts, 21 April 1847. In original envelope.
£200.00

Two pages, 12mo, fold marks, good condition. Text: Faed [fellow-artist] wrote me a letter some little while ago, which I only received on Saturday on my return from Berlin, & the conclusion of a German lecture tour, I am simply delighted to hear of your existence & whereabouts & hope we can soon meet. Please write, and if you could come up to this part of the world, even this coming week-end, I might see you more quickly then i[?] we would until I can get to Bristol. I am going to Gibraltar next month, so let's try & fix something up as soon as possible.

[ Beatrice Webb, social reformer et al ] Typed Letter Signed illegibly Beatrice Webb | [typed] (Mrs Sidney Webb) to [Thomas Lloyd] Humberstone , touching on the authorship of some articles, Sidney's poor health et al.

Author: 
Beatrice Webb [Martha Beatrice Webb, Baroness Passfield, (née Potter; (1858 -1943), sociologist, economist, socialist, labour historian and social reformer]
Publication details: 
[Headed] Passfield Corner, Liphook, Hants, 17 March 1938.
£180.00

One page, 8vo, fold marks, good condition. Text: I regret that my husband's serious breakdown in health prevents him from answering your note of March 14th. He tells me that the aticles in The Times quoted in the book were written by himself: he was very fond of writing unsigned articles in newspapers and then quoting them, as he knew the quotations wouyld be apt! | I fear that he is quite unable to see you, as he is not strong enough to see friends, and especially those who wish to discuss serious questions with him. Do you happen to know Mr. R.W. Bell, an official of the L.C.C.?

[ Augustus John, artist; Welsh Art ] Autograph Note Signed Augustus John to Capt. Levy [Mervyn Levy, Welsh artist] about contributing something to a Welsh Exhibition.

Author: 
Augustus John, artist [Augustus Edwin John (1878 – 1961), Welsh painter, draughtsman, and etcher]
Publication details: 
33 Tite Street \ SW3, | Flaxman 9123 |11 Feb. 1947
£200.00

One page, 12mo. fold marks, very good condition. Text: Thank you for yoyr letter inviting me to contribute to a Wesh Exhibition you are organising. I hope I may be able to find something for this purpose.

[Meredith Frampton, 'the forgotten genius of British art'.] Autograph Letter Signed , thanking portraitist Maurice Codner for 'a most enjoyable evening'.

Author: 
Meredith Frampton [George Vernon Meredith Frampton], English artist, 'the forgotten genius of British art' [Maurice Frederick Codner (1888-1958), portraitist]
Publication details: 
16 May 1938. On his letterhead, 92 Carlton Hill, NW8 [London].
£30.00

Alistair Sooke, on the BBC website, makes the case that 'Meredith Frampton is the forgotten genius of British art'. See Frampton's entry in the Oxford DNB, and also those of Codner and of Frampton's father Sir George Frampton, who executed the celebrated statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (not modelled on his son, who was eighteen when it was made). 1p, 4to, in fair condition, aged and worn. Folded once. Writing to 'My dear Codner', he apologises for 'keeping you up till such a late hour last night'.

[Martin Hardie, artist, engraver, art historian, and a Victoria & Albert Museum Keeper.] Autograph Card Signed to C. H. Whitby, regarding an engraving by the disciple of William Blake, Samuel Palmer.

Author: 
Martin Hardie (1875-1952), artist, engraver, art historian and Keeper of Painting, Engraving, Illustration, and Design at the Victoria and Albert Musem, London [Samuel Palmer; William Blake]
Publication details: 
4 June 1925; with London postmark of the same date.
£35.00

See Hardie's entry in the Oxford DNB. 11.5 x 9 cm card. Printed with penny stamp in red; no illustration. In fair condition, discoloured and a little worn. Addressed by Hardie to 'C. H. Whitby | 82, Crofton Park | Yeovil.' (Whitby is the author of a handful of books of reglious poetry.) Whitby would appear to be offering for sale, or at least asking for advice about, an impression of Palmer's celebrated engraving 'The Bellman'.

[ John Piper, painter ] Autograph Letter Signed John Piper to Mr Roberts.

Author: 
John Piper [ John Egerton Christmas Piper (1903-1992), painter, printmaker and designer of stained-glass windows and both opera and theatre sets ].
Publication details: 
[Headed] Fawley Bottom Farmhouse near Henley-on-Thames Oxon RG9 6JH Henley 2494, 26 August 1973.
£150.00

Two pages, 8vo, very good condition. Text: Thanks you for your letter. I've no idea what paper you saw that reported the councillor's dislike of my sketches - actually, at the meeting only one man expressed some demur about them, and (poor man) he was defeated by the otherwise general approval of the committee, which decided to go ahead with the scheme I proposed. I am doing the final designs now, and weaving will start in the autumn.

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