WESTMACOTT

[Lord Graves confronts ‘the principal blackmailing editor’.] Autograph Letter in the third person from William Thomas Graves, 3rd Baron Graves, to Charles Molloy Westmacott, editor of ‘The Age’.

Author: 
Lord Graves [William Thomas Graves (1807-1870), 3rd Baron Graves of Gravesend] [Charles Molloy Westmacott (c.1788-1868), editor of ‘The Age’ newspaper]
Publication details: 
‘Berkeley Castle | October 25th. 1831’.
£60.00

Westmacott was notorious for accepting money for the suppression of stories: Michael Sadleir has described him as ‘the principal blackmailing editor of his day’. The present communication may be related to the scandal surrounding the death of Graves’s father the previous year: he had committed suicide on learning that his wife (mother of the couple’s twelve children) was having an affair with the Duke of Cumberland. 1p, 12m. Folded twice. In fair condition, lightly aged. Reads: ‘Lord Graves presents his Compliments to Mr. Westmacott, begs to return him his thanks for the explanation which Mr.

[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..

[ Catherine Stepney, Lady Stepney, 'Silver Fork' novelist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C Stepney'), inviting 'Mr Westmacot' [ Sir Richard Westmacott or his son ] to a reunion. With engraved portrait of her by A. E. Chalon.

Author: 
Catherine Stepney, Lady Stepney [ born Catherine Pollok; also Catherine Manners ] (1778-1845), 'Silver Fork' novelist [ A. E. Chalon [ Alfred Edward Chalon ] (1780-1860), artist and engraver ]
Publication details: 
Letter: 'Friday Night'. [ No date or place. ] Engraving: 'London. Published by Henry Colburn. Decr. 1837.'
£65.00

The letter is 1p., landscape 12mo. In fair condition, with light signs of age, placed in a windowpane mount in the remains of a leaf from an album. The letter reads: 'Dear Mr Westmacot [no doubt the sculptor Sir Richard Westmacott or his son] - I have a little reunion - on Monday evening 1st Feby - pray come - I am desired by <?> to present you to her especially - that she may invite you to her next Fete'. The engraving is on a 21.5 x 13.5 cm piece of paper. Similarly-mounted as the letter, above it on the same leaf. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn.

[ John Young, mezzotint engraver and keeper of the British Institution. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Jno Young.') to Charles Westmacott, explaining why his 'picture of Cromwell' cannot be accepted for the present exhibition.

Author: 
John Young (1755-1825), mezzotint engraver and Keeper of the British Institution, London [ Charles Molloy Westmacott (c.1787-1868), journalist and blackmailer? ]
Publication details: 
British Institution, Pall Mall [ London ]. 12 May 1824.
£56.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, on aged paper. He is desired to thank Westmacott 'for the offer of your picture of Cromwell for exhibition, and at the same time to inform you, that the arrangements, for the present season, are already completed'. He ends with the tact for which he was renowned, expressing the hope that he will have 'the pleasure of seeing you at the private [last word underlined] view on tuesday next'. The recipient is presumably C. M.

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.

Autograph Letter Signed ('W. J. Newton') from the miniature painter Sir William John Newton to James Lakyn, regarding damage to his house in Argyle Street caused by building works.

Author: 
Sir William John Newton (1785-1869), miniature painter to King William IV and Queen Victoria [Richard Westmacott (1799-1872); Burrell & Valpy, architects]
Sir William John Newton (1785-1869), miniature painter to King William IV and Qu
Publication details: 
19 October 1864; 6 Argyle Street, London.
£60.00
Sir William John Newton (1785-1869), miniature painter to King William IV and Qu

12mo, 3 pp. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. 'Mr Westmacott [the sculptor Richard Westmacott the younger?]' has called on him, and he has 'shown him the settlement all down my Wall - I told him that you had seen it but did not contemplate any immediate danger - he said that Mr Valpy [Henry Valpy (fl.1851-1885) of the architects Burrell & Valpy] was out of town'. Westmacott will write to Valpy, as he thinks there ought to be 'a conference with' Lakyn, who 'should be requested to make a report'.

Autograph Letter in the third person to 'Mr Twining'.

Author: 
Richard Westmacott (1799-1872), English sculptor
Publication details: 
31 January 1862; 1 Kensington Gate.
£56.00

12mo, 2 pp, 18 lines. Good, on lightly aged and creased paper. 'Mr. Westmacott presents his Compts and has to acknowledge Mr Twinings polite letter'. Its delivery has been delayed 'owing to its incorrect address', 'Mr W. having left Wilton <& Co.?>. (and quitted the practice of his profession) for some years'. As for 'Engravings and Photographs' of Westmacott's works, 'very few were made'. Most of these were 'ill done', although he does name one with which he was satisfied. Consequently Westmacott cannot 'assist Mr. Twining in his object'.

Autograph Signature on fragment of document.

Author: 
Sir Richard Westmacott
Publication details: 
1 December 1837; South Audley Street.
£15.00

English sculptor (1799-1872). Paper dimensions roughly seven and a half inches by one and a quarter. Good. Reads '| <...> | To be | Gentn | Your obt Sert | Richd Westmacott | S. Audley St | 1st. Decr 1837.' Fragment of docketting on reverse. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund.

Autograph Signatures on fragment of document.

Author: 
Sir Richard Westmacott, William Behnes
Publication details: 
27 February 1840; no place.
£23.00

Behnes (died 1864) and Westmacott (1799-1872) were both sculptors. Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by three inches. Folded three times. Good, though a shade grubby. Reads 'I believe the above statement to be quite correct | [signed] Richd Westmacott | William Behnes | Feb. 27/40.' Docketed on reverse. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund.

Autograph Letter to Mrs Morgan.

Author: 
Richard Westmacott
Publication details: 
Undated; 'Wilton Place | Wednesday.'
£25.00

English sculptor (1799-1872), Professor of Sculpture at the Royal Academy and son of Sir Richard Westmacott. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but on grubby, foxed paper, and with remains of stubs from previous mounting still adhering. A formal letter in the third person. Reads 'Mr Westmacott presents his Compliments, and thanks Mrs Morgan very much for her kind proposal for Friday - Malheureusement Mr. W. is engaged that day - & must therefore give up the pleasure that Mr & Mrs. <?>'s kindness offers him.'

Syndicate content