SCULPTOR

[Sir Francis Chantrey, sculptor, and his secretary Allan Cunningham, poet.] Manuscript Letter, written and signed by Cunningham on behalf of Chantrey, to William Tindal, regarding a monument to Colonel Page, with letter from Tindal to Mrs Page.

Author: 
Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841), sculptor; his secretary Allan Cunningham (1784-1842), Scottish poet and author; William Tindal [Colonel Frederick Page (1769-1834), Royal Berkshire Militia]
Chantrey
Publication details: 
Cunningham (signing as Chantrey) to Tindal: 'Belgrave Place [London] 7 January 1836'. Tindal to Mrs Page, 'Temple 7 Jany 1835'.
£350.00
Chantrey

An excellent document, providing an invaluable view of the practicalities of commissioning and executing public monuments in the Georgian period. See Chantrey's entry in the Oxford DNB, and Cunningham's, which states: 'In 1814 he was engaged by Chantrey as superintendent of his establishment, and gave up writing for newspapers. He lived afterwards at 27 Lower Belgrave Place, Pimlico. He acted as Chantrey's secretary, conducted his correspondence, represented him during his absence, and occasionally offered artistic assistance. He became a favourite of Chantrey's sitters and visitors.

[Matthew Ridley Corbet, ARA, neoclassical English painter.] Three Autograph Letters Signed (‘M. R. Corbet’) to John Macallan Swan, with regard to Giovanni Costa in Italy, Alfred Gilbert, William Cosmo Monkhouse and Edwin Freshfield.

Author: 
M. R. Corbet [Matthew Ridley Corbet] (1850-1902), ARA, neoclassical painter [John Macallan Swan (1847-1910), RA, painter and sculptor; William Cosmo Monkhouse; Alfred Gilbert; Edwin Freshfield]
Publication details: 
ONE: 28 October 1896; Casa Costa, Marina di Pisa, Italy. TWO: 4 December 1898. THREE: 18 March 1902. Items Two and Three on letterhead of Crow’s-nest, 54, Circus Road, St. John’s Wood, N.W.
£120.00

An interesting glimpse into the late-Victorian world of English art. Corbet and Swan were close friends - one of Corbet’s paintings remained in Swan’s family until the 1990s. See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. The three letters are addressed to ‘Dear Swan’ and signed ‘M. R. Corbet’. All three on grey paper, lightly aged and worn, with creasing to Letter One.

[Hamo Thornycroft [Sir William Hamo Thornycroft, RA.], sculptor of the statue of Oliver Cromwell outside Parliament.] Autograph Letter Signed to ?Mrs Allingham? [Helen Allingham, watercolourist and illustrator], regarding ?cards for RA?.

Author: 
Sir Hamo Thornycroft [Sir William Hamo Thornycroft, RA] (1850-1925), sculptor of statue of Oliver Cromwell outside Parliament [Helen Allingham (n?e Paterson; 1848-1926); Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo]
Hamo Thornycroft
Publication details: 
?22 Ja? [no year]. On letterhead of ?One-Oak, / 10, Redington Road, / Hampstead. N.W.? [London]
£120.00
Hamo Thornycroft

See the entries on Thornycroft and Allingham in the Oxford DNB. The letterhead is also of interest: 'One-Oak' is a notable example of the work of the Arts and Crafts architect A. H. Mackmurdo. 1p, 12mo. On grey paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with traces of mount adhering to blank reverse. Folded twice. Initial ?H? of signature slightly smidged. Reads: ?Dear Mrs Allingham / I have only [?] got your note. / I enclose two cards for RA. Hoping to see you there / Yours very sincerely / Hamo Thornycroft?. See Image.

[William Brodie, Scottish sculptor who made the Greyfriars Bobby Fountain in Edinburgh.] Autograph Signature to conclusion of a letter.

Author: 
William Brodie (1815-1881), Scottish sculptor, creator of the Greyfriars Bobby Fountain in Edinburgh, brother of the sculptor Alexander Brodie (1830-1867)
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£25.00

See his entry, and that of his brother, in the Oxford DNB. 11 x 6 cm rectangle of paper, cut from the end of a letter, laid down on 13.5 x 7 cm piece of thicker paper. Reads: ‘[...] will see to them for you. / Kind regards to all / Thine / W. Brodie’.

[Kathleen Epstein and Jacob Epstein, sculptor] Autograph Letter Signed Kathleen & Epstein, To 'Sheridan', text in Kathleen's hand, signed by both. See image.

Author: 
Kathleen Epstein and Jacob Epstein, sculptor.
Epstein
Publication details: 
[Address embossed in red] 18 Hyde Park Gate, Kensington, SW7. Knightsbridge 7968. 7 May 1957.
£150.00
Epstein

Two pages, 8vo, good condition. Text: Thank you for your kind thought in reserving seats for us at your wedding. I shall certainly be there & and there is a chance (but I'm afraid a very slight one) that Epstein will down tools just for that one morning but the compulsion to work every [underlined] morning is very strong. Perhaps I can persuade him to declare a one day strike on June 1st. | It sounds such an auspicious date. I do hope it will prove a very happy one. | With best wishes from us both | Kathleen & Epstein.

[James Abbott McNeill Whistler, painter] Autograph Card Signed J McN.Whistler to Monsieur Francis Howard, mainly asking for a reply to his enquiry referring to a distinguished sculptor

Author: 
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834 – 1903), American painter in oils and watercolor, and printmaker.
Whistler
Whistler2
Publication details: 
110 Rue du Bac, Paris, postmark undeciphered [1899?].
£800.00
Whistler
Whistler2

Postcard (Carte Postale), 14 x 9cm, shade of green, somewhat grubby and crumpled, smudged. See Images. Text: I sent you a letter some weeks ago - making a proposal with reference to a distinguished Sculptor here [Auguste Rodin perhaps]. Did my letter reach you? !! I regret that I shall not be able to be present at the meeting of 7th - I also wrote as you requested to Gilbert, R.A. | Very faitfully yours | J McN. Whistler. The card is addressed to Monsieur Francis Howard, The Exhibition of International Art, Prince's Skating [Club?] Knitsbridge [sic] S.W. London || Angleterre. See Images.

[Sir Edgar Boehm (1834-1890), R.A., Austrian-born British sculptor.] Autograph Letter Signed to ?Mr. Bristow?, regarding a ?little horse? and ?the terrible ascent on the ?Monks cap??.

Author: 
Sir Edgar Boehm [Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, n? Josef Erasmus B?hm] (1834-1890), R.A., Austrian-born British sculptor and medallist who depicted Queen Victoria on coins and designed London statues
Publication details: 
21 March 1882; on letterhead of The Avenue, 76 Fulham Road, S.W. [London]
£60.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 3pp, 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. He thanks him for ?letting me try the little horse which I returned to Banks?s. I wrote to them to say that I found him too small for the Victoria. This & his taking too much interest in the subterranian openings alone prevented me from keeping him at once for a hack as his paces & temper seemed to me perfect.? He sends his compliments to Bristow?s family, ?if they should still recollect me - and the terrible ascent on the ?Monks cap? - never to be attempted again by me -?.

[Sir Charles Wheeler [Sir Charles Thomas Wheeler], the first sculptor to be President of the Royal Academy.] Autograph Letter Signed declining an invitation ‘to lecture on some Aspect of Renaissance Sculpture’.

Author: 
Sir Charles Wheeler [Sir Charles Thomas Wheeler] (1892-1974), the first sculptor to be President of the Royal Academy, 1956 to1966
Publication details: 
10 January [1961?]; on his letterhead, 2A Cathcard Road, South Kensington, SW10 [London].
£60.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage. The year of the letter looks more like ‘1901’ than ‘1961’, but the letterhead names the writer as ‘Charles Wheeler, C.B.E., R.A.’ Addressed to ‘Dear Sir’ and signed ‘Charles Wheeler’. Having received two letters from the unnamed recipient, he explains that the first ‘got mixed with some papers sent to my Accountant and therefore was not answered’. He apologises for ‘the consequent neglect’.

[Rudolf Bosselt, German Art Nouveau sculptor.] Two Autograph Letters Signed, in German, one with envelope, all three with device of the Darmstädter Künstler-Kolonie, one addressed to ‘Banquier Ludwig Schweizer’ of Stuttgart.

Author: 
Rudolf Bosselt (1871-1938), German Art Nouveau sculptor who taught at the Dusseldorf art school from 1904, a founder of the Darmstadt artists' colony (Darmstädter Künstler-Kolonie) [Ludwig Schweizer]
Bosselt
Bosselt 2
Publication details: 
7 May and 21 October 1901; both from Darmstadt (the first from 'Herrengarten') and each on the letterhead of the Darmstädter Künstler-Kolonie. The second letter with envelope addressed to Schweizer. All three items with the stylized device of the DKK
£180.00
Bosselt
Bosselt 2

Bosselt was a student of Joseph Kowarzik at the Städel Institute in Frankfurt. He studied at the Académie Julian in Paris, then assisted in founding the Darmstadt artists’ colony. From 1904 he taught at the art school at Dusseldorf. He received an honourable mention at the 1898 Salon des Artistes Français in Paris, and his work was part of the sculpture event in the art competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics. These two letters are neatly and closely written, and both signed ‘Rudolf Bosselt’. Each letter is 1p, 4to. The first letter is 18 lines long, the second 15 lines long.

['Nearly made bankrupt' by this work: Henry Hugh Armstead, sculptor.] Autograph Letter Signed to James Dafforne of the Art Journal, describing his extensive work on the Colonial Office in Whitehall.

Author: 
Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905), British sculptor associated with George Gilbert Scott, Gothic Revival and Pre-Raphaelites [James Dafforne (1804-1880) of the Art Journal; Colonial Office, Whitehall]
Publication details: 
3 November 1874; Bridge Place, Eccleston Bridge.
£150.00

See both men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with slight spot from previous mount at one corner. Folded twice. Signed ‘H. H. Armstead’. In reply to a letter of Dafforne, he reports that ‘the Statues I have made for the “Colonial Office” Niches are not yet in situ - but are now being raised to the niches, and they will be in their places within the next few days.’ He gives the names and positions of the statues, adding: ‘The eight men are there as Secretaries of State for the Colonies’.

[Carlo Marochetti, distinguished Italian sculptor, responsible for statue of Richard the Lionheart outside the Palace of Westminster.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Marochetti’), in French, thanking the recipient for the gifts he has found in his pantry.

Author: 
Carlo Marochetti [Baron Pietro Carlo Giovanni Battista Marochetti] (1805-1867), RA, Italian sculptor, active in France and settled in England, gaining commissions from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Publication details: 
6 January 1859; on letterhead of 34 Onslow Square, Brompton [London].
£45.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. There is a blue plaque at his house in Onslow Square, announcing that he lived there from 1851 to his death in 1867. 2pp, 12mo. On first leaf of bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Addressed to ‘Mon cher Monsieur’. He has returned home after several days in the country, to find his ‘garde manger si bien rempli des preuves de votre bon et bienveillant souvenir’.

[Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, R.A., sculptor and medallist.] Autograph Note Signed (‘J. E. Boehm’), thanking Lord Wolseley for a 'Norfolk jaquet'

Author: 
Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm (1834-1890), R.A., sculptor and medallist, born in Austria but settled in England, who depicted Queen Victoria on coins and designed a number of London statues [Lord Wolseley]
Publication details: 
19 September 1885; on letterhead of The Avenue, 76, Fulham Road, S.W.
£45.00

Boehm had executed a bronze bust of Wolseley two years before. It may be that the present letter is in response to congratulations from Boehm on his forthcoming elevation to the viscountcy, with occurred 28 September 1885. 1p, 12mo. Folded once. In good condition, with unobtrusive folds to two corners. Reads: ‘Dear Lord Wolseley | Many thanks for your kind note & the Norfolk jaquet which arrived safely this morning | Yours sincerely & obliged | J. E. Boehm’.

[Henry Westmacott, sculptor, brother of Sir Richard Westmacott.] Signature to Autograph Receipt for payment for ‘Monument to the Memory of Col[one]l. Campbell - including cases - Inscriptions - &c’.

Author: 
Henry Westmacott (1784-1861), sculptor who worked on Nelson’s tomb in St Paul’s Cathedral, brother of Sir Richard Westmacott (1775-1856), and member of British sculpting dynasty
Publication details: 
Dated 18 February 1814. No place.
£35.00

On one side of slip of laid paper, with watermark date ‘1811’. Dimensions: 18.5 x 7.5 cm. In good condition, folded three times. Good firm signature. Reads: ‘Received Feby: 18th: 1814. of Mrs. Campbell One Hundred & fifty Pounds for a Monument to the Memory of Coll. Campbell - including cases - Inscriptions - &c | £150 | Henry Westmacott.’ For Westmacott's work on Nelson's tomb, see the Archaeological Journal, 1894, vol. 51 (2nd series no. 1), p.161..

[Hamo Thorneycroft, sculptor] Autograph Note Signed Hamo Thornycroft RA to The Secretary [V & A?] about his season ticket.

Author: 
Hamo Thornycroft [Sir William Hamo Thornycroft (1850 – 1925), sculptor, responsible for some of London's best-known statues].
Publication details: 
[Headed] 21 Melbury Road, Kensington, W., 31 May 1897.
£40.00

One page, 12mo, , small strip of tape from tipping in process remains on reverse, good condition. Text: F[ine] Art Section | [Printed address] | [V & A Exh.?] | Sir | I am an Exhibitor at the above (sculpture) but have not yet received my season ticket - to which I am entitled. Additional docketing in another hand, [?] 16.517 | Mr Gordon.

[Francis Chantrey, sculptor] Autograph Note Signed F Chantrey to Sir Martin, excusing himself from a social arrangement since it's the last day of the pheasant shooting season.

Author: 
Sir Francis Chantrey [Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey] (1781-1841), English sculptor.
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£56.00

One page, 12mo, laid down on sl. larger piece of card, probably trimmed with loss of address and date[?], good condition, boldly written. Unluckily I am engaged to Breakfast at the Black Bull [underlined] Hodedon[?] on Wednesday tthe 29th & shoot pheasants [underlined] the remainder of the Day in the Park - I am very sorry: I have fixed the day myself & it is the last this season so pray forgive me & excuse me.

[Joseph Edgar Boehm, sculptor] Autograph Note Signed J.E. Boehm. (Correspondent docketed as Genl [Brine?] RE.)

Author: 
J. Boehm [Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, RA (1834 – 1890), medallist and sculptor]
Publication details: 
No place given, 5 February 1886.
£56.00

One page, 12mo, good condition. I beg to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your letter containing the information about the decorations General Gordon had. I will with your permission avail myself of your card to go & see the collection of medals at Messr Metcalf & Co. Gordon had died in 1885.

[ George Frampton, sculptor ] Autograph Card Signed Geo. Frampton to an unnamed male correspondent (collector?), with a brief message about a work he is sending to the R.A.

Author: 
George Frampton [ Sir George James Frampton (1860–1928), sculptor ]
Publication details: 
[Headed] 90 Carlton Hill, St. John's Wood, 28 March 1910
£28.00

Card, 9 x 11.5cm, a little grubby but the messge is bold and clear, as follows: Dear Sir | Shall be very pleased to show you what I am sending to R.A. the next Sunday aft[ernoon].

[Alan Hadfield, sculptor and author.] Inscribed copy of his pamphlet 'An Essay on Bernard Shaw (being an account of one man's approach to our Anglo-Irish dramatist)'; with conclusion of Autograph Letter Signed to playwright Christopher Fry.

Author: 
Alan Hadfield (b.1904), sculptor and children's author under name 'Robin Dale', proprietor of the Northern Lights Press, Harrowgate [and latterly Devon] [Christopher Fry, playwright]
Publication details: 
Pamphlet by the Northern Lights Press, Devon, undated, but with inscription dated February 1975. Conclusion of ALS without date or place.
£50.00

Both items in good condition, lightly aged. PAMPHLET: 12pp, 8vo. Stapled in green wraps, printed on both sides of covers, and with drawing of Shaw by Hadfield, dated 1974, on front cover. Containing a few autograph emendations. Inscribed on front cover: 'To Christopher Fry, | from | Alan Hadfield, | Greetings! | Feby 1975'. A quirky and highly personal response to Shaw, combining anecdote, reminiscence and original poetry.

[ Hermon Cawthra ] Autograph Note Signed to autograph-collector, "Mr C. Bramley, Bramcote, Pine Tree Avenue, Humberstone, Leoicester".

Author: 
Hermon Cawthra, Sculptor
Publication details: 
[Printed headed] Elystan Studio, 90 Elystan Street, Chelsea, SW3, 8 June 1930.
£35.00

One page, 4to, small closed tears on folds, sl. chipped and worn, text in bold hand clear and complete. "I am interested to know why you wish to have my handwriting, however, you will find it does not compare with your own."

[Sir Edwin Landseer, painter and sculptor of animals.] Autograph Letter Signed ('E Landseer.') regarding 'the Lions Heads' - presumably the bronze statues of lions at the base of Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square, London.

Author: 
Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-1873), English painter and sculptor noted for his treatment of animals, such as 'The Monarch of the Glen' and the lion sculptures in Trafalgar Square, London
Publication details: 
Undated. On his letterhead, St John's Wood Road, N.W. [London] [before 1867?]
£180.00

1p, 12mo. On bifolium. Printed on grey-blue paper, with letterhead printed in orange-red, without Landseer's name, but with his stag's head motif. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip from stub mount adhering to blank second leaf. Folded twice. The recipient is not named. Apparently referring to his bronze sculptures of the four lions at the base of Nelson's column (installed in 1867), the letter reads: 'My Dear Sir | Many thanks for your obliging Note and kind attention to the Lions Heads – I can't leave home Tomorrow before 4. oc when I shall go to B.

[Sir Alfred Gilbert, sculptor of 'Eros', Piccadilly Circus, London.] Autograph Signature ('Alfred Gilbert') to conclusion of letter.

Author: 
Sir Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934), sculptor and goldsmith responsible for the statue of Anteros (popularly Eros) in Piccadilly Circus, London
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£25.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, on browned paper, with glue from mount adhering to blank reverse. The last leaf of a letter, evidently detached for an autograph hunter. Good bold handwriting. Reads: 'I shall be only too glad to avail myself of it | Yours very sincerely | Alfred Gilbert'.

[ Henry Moore, Sculptor ] Autograph Letter Signed "Henry Moore" (boldly) to a "Miss Wilson" of a "Sketch Club" [London Sketch Club?]

Author: 
Henry Moore, Sculptor
Publication details: 
"As from; 11A Parkhill Road, London, NW3", 29 Sept. 1936.
£500.00

One page, cr. 8vo, fold marks, smudges (ink?), minor foxing and damage NOT affecting text. He thanks her for her letter, but apologises that "I do not feel able to come & criticize at the Sketch Club meeting in December. | I have just recently written [elision] letters refusing to give two lectures, & although a criticism is not exactly the the same, it's very similar - I am constantly being asked to give lectures & criticisms & if agree [sic] to do it for you I should have to accept others.

[ Edward William Wyon, sculptor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edward W Wyon') to R. Redpath, praising Sir Francis Chantrey as a 'great Master of Portrait Sculpture', and his statue of 'a Bishop kneeling' [ Reginald Heber. ].

Author: 
Edward William Wyon (1811-1885), sculptor [ Sir Francis Chantrey (1781-1841); Reginald Heber (1783-1826), Bishop of Calcutta ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 19A Stanhope Street, Hampstead Road, N.W. London. 1 March 1867.
£100.00

Wyon studied at the Royal Academy schools from 1829, and became a celebrated sculptor, exhibiting at the Royal Academy regularly from 1831 to 1876. Among his commissions were works intended for reproduction by Wedgwood as well as numerous portrait busts. 1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The subject of the letter is Chantrey's 1847 statue of Reginald Heber (1783-1826), Bishop of Calcutta, now in St Paul's Cathedral in that city.

[ Edward Meyrick Goulburn, Headmaster of Rugby school and Dean of Norwich. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. Meyrick Goulburn') to the sculptor Thomas Sharp, declining a statuette of himself, because he is 'not a sufficiently dignified personage'.

Author: 
E. Meyrick Goulburn [ Edward Meyrick Goulburn ] (1818-1897), Headmaster of Rugby School, Dean of Norwich, Prebendary of St Paul's, religious author [ Thomas Sharp (1805-1882), sculptor ]
Publication details: 
No place, 15 October 1862.
£50.00

1p., 12mo. With mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Sharp's gift is 'kind and acceptable', and Goulburn hopes 'soon to call upon Mrs Sharp and yourself and acknowledge your kindness in person'. However he does not consider himself 'a sufficiently dignified personage to be honoured by a Statuette. - Possibly some few members of my congregation might like to have this memorial of me; and if this be so, pray let them have it'. Accompanied by a long manuscript bioigraphical note, on two parts of an envelope, written while Goulburn was still alive.

[ Alfred Bromley, Yorkshire sculptor, statuary, marble mason. ] Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed member of the clergy (Revd. Walker), requesting the payment of 'the small Acc[oun]t', as he has taken over Tilney's marble works in Leeds.

Author: 
Alfred Bromley (c.1828-1887), sculptor, statuary, marble mason, born in Birstal, Yorkshire [ Thomas Tilney's marble works, Leeds ]
Publication details: 
Marble Works, Saville Street, Wellington Street, Leeds. 20 January 1852.
£120.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. He begins by calling in 'the small Acct', explaining that he has 'lately been subjected to rather an expensive personal, [sic] having taken the old established Marble Works late in the occupation of Mr. Tilney, directly opposite the Gt Northern Railway Station'. He is obliged to use all his endeavours 'to get together all my small outstanding Accounts, or exclusive of any other, I would not of some time yet caused [sic] yourself the slightest trouble concerning its remittance'.

[ 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'.

[ Lord Cardwell on the statue for Sydney, Australia, of the Prince Consort by William Theed. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Cardwell') to 'Young', regarding the statue of Prince Albert by William Theed for erection in Sydney, Australia.

Author: 
Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell [ Lord Cardwell ] (1813-1886), Liberal politician, Secretary of State for War who introduced the Cardwell Reforms [ William Theed (1804-1891), sculptor ]
Publication details: 
Colonial Office [ Whitehall ]. 7 April 1865.
£135.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Headed 'Private'. Begins: 'I don't know how the P[rince]. Consort Statue got into the hands of the Duke & Engleheart. | But poor Theed, who is short of money, keeps coming to me. Can you help me to give him an answer?' He gives the sum of money Theed has been paid, and suggests that 'there is still money in the Colony. The statue was erected in 1866 and was originally located at the entrance to the Lover’s Walk, the central north-south axis of Hyde Park, but now stands in Barracks Square, Macquarie Street.

[ Thomas Wilkinson Wallis, wood carver ('the Grinling Gibbons of the 19th century'). ] Eight autograph items: six journal fragments, including eight pages on the 1851 Great Exhibition; description of his 'Trophies of Spring'; letter to his daughter.

Author: 
Thomas Wilkinson Wallis (1821-1903), wood carver ('the Grinling Gibbons of the 19th century'), sculptor and painter of Louth in Lincolnshire [ The Great Exhibition, 1851 ]
Publication details: 
The letter to his daughter dated from Louth [ Lincolnshire ], 18 October 1884. Description of carving from 1851. Fragments from journal dealing with events in 1837, 1851, 1862 and 1866.
£1,800.00

Thomas Wilkinson Wallis was the greatest wood carver of Victorian England. Born in impoverished circumstances in Hull, by 1844 he had established his own business in Louth Lincolnshire, and for the 1851 he submitted seven carvings, 'of which ‘Trophy of Spring’ was awarded a medal. It was his most intricate carving, it took him 8 months to complete and was considered to surpass the work of Grinling Gibbons.

[ Vernon Hill, sculptor and artist. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mr Bleackley' [ the writer Horace Bleackley ], regarding a drawing of the recipient he has been asked to make by 'Mr Lane' [ the publisher John Lane ].

Author: 
Vernon Hill (1887-1972), sculptor, lithographer, illustrator [ Horace Bleackley (1868-1931), author; John Lane (1854-1925), London publisher who founded the Bodley Head with Charles Elkin Mathews ]
Publication details: 
30 St Luke's Road, W [ London ]. 1 July 1915 and 'Thursday' [ no date ].
£35.00

Both letters 1p., 4to. Both in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The letters concern a drawing of Bleackley, made by Hill at the instigation of 'Mr Lane'. On 1 July 1915 Hill writes that he has 'placed it before such authorities as Mr Willette and Mrs Lane, persons all I think to whom the shock of an unlikeness would have evoked candid opinion in criticism. I found them agreed as to its likeness Mr Lane voicing the common opinion by declaring on the instant: "That's got him!"'

[ Guillaume Boichot, French sculptor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Boichot | membre de l'institut national'), to a 'Citoyen Collegue', asking for seeds for the planting of a botanic garden.

Author: 
Guillaume Boichot (1735-1814), French sculptor [ Christian de Launoy and Joseph PItton de Tornefort, botanists ]
Publication details: 
'Autun Ce 22 pluviose A. 7'. [ 10 February 1799 ]
£350.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Written in a small hand over 22 lines. He begins by stating that he is writing on behalf of 'lécole Centrale du departement de Saone et Loire séant a Autun', 'particulierement le professeur d'histoire naturelle et moi professeur de dessein en la même école'. The recipient will render them a great service if he will send 'toutes les graines qui sont denommée sur une premiere liste que jai remis'. The rest of the letter asks the recipient, with the help of 'le Ci. l'aunoy' [i.e.

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