[ Robin Wallace, British artist in the Second World War. ] Ten items including three Typed Letters Signed from Arnold Palmer of the Committee on the Employment of Artists in Wartime, Pilgrim Trust Grant, and the War Office and Ministry of Labour.

Wallace, a well-known painter of landscapes and still life subjects in oil and water-colour, was born at Kendal in the Lake District and studied in Kensington at the Byam Shaw and Vicat Cole School of Art. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1922, and at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Royal Institute of Watercolour Painters, and with the Lake Artists' Society. He was a full member of the Royal Society of British Artists. The present collection casts an interesting light on the efforts of a good English artist to be of use to the war effort. Ten items. The collection in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. ONE. Three Typed Letters Signed to Wallace from Arnold Palmer of the Committee on the Employment of Artists in Wartime, Pilgrim Trust Grant. (For information on this scheme, which involved Russell Flint and Kenneth Clark, see the article 'Recording Britain', The Times, 5 January 1944.) Addressed from the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London. Each 1p., 4to. Palmer begins the first (2 April 1940): 'You may have seen references in the Press to the above - a scheme for recording places & scenes whose beauty and interest are in jeopardy from one cause or another. | I do not know if you would care to be one of the artists engaged in making this record. But, if the idea appeals to you, will you submit 3 or 4 drawings or watercolours? Your name has been recommended, but some members of my Committee are not as familiar with your work as they would like to be. Hence this request.' The second (11 April 1940) reports that Wallace's drawings 'were duly inspected by the Selection Committee', but that there are 'at present no vacancies in this Scheme', and that Wallace's name has 'been added to the list of artists from whom choice will be made in future.' The third (22 May 1940) replies to Item Three below. 'When vacancies occur in the ranks of recording artists, the list is consulted & a successor chosen according to his work and his address. We try to keep a balance between the number of rather "freer" artists who are working at any given time; and we also try to choose artists within reasonable distance of the country to be recorded. An artists [sic] living in Northumberland would not be asked to record Devon.' TWO: Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr Lousada' (Julian Lousada, lawyer and art collector) from 'Walter<?>'. 75 Old Fort Road, Shoreham by Sea, Sussex. 15 January 1940. 1p., 12mo. Presumably referred to by Palmer in the first letter in Item One above. He writes that he has 'no real knowledge of Robin Wallace's work', but that he has 'asked the Secretary to place his name on the list of artists wishing to make records of the war'. THREE: Autograph Letter Signed (copy?) from Wallace, and clearly the letter to which Palmer's third letter in Item One above is the reply. On letterhead of 138C Holland Road, Kensington, W14 [London]. 6 May 1940. 2pp., 12mo. He is pleased to learn that his name is on the list of 'artists from whom choice will be made in the future', and asks to hear 'even remotely when there may be any vacancies as I am very anxious to find work'. FOUR: Typed War Office circular with facsimile signature. The War Office, London. 31 October 1939. 1p., folio. Regarding an incorrect press statement, 'to the effect that artists were required by the War Office for camouflage work': 'Openings exist for persons with scientific or technical knowledge, including a knowledge of camouflage. Offers of service by such persons should be made to the Officers' Enquiry Bureau, Room O45, The War Office. To avoid any misunderstandings which may have arisen as a result of the statement published in the Press, I am to point out that artistic qualifications do not in themselves constitute the necessary technical qualifications for work in connection with camouflage.' FIVE: Typed Ministry of Labour circular with facsimile signature. Ministry of Labour, Montagu House, Whitehall, London. 17 November 1939. 1p., 4to. A note has been made of the particulars of the recipient's qualifications and experience, 'in connection with the Central Register of persons with certain special qualifications', 'but the Department is advised that enrolment on the Register would not be the most suitable course to adopt in your case', and the particulars hahve been forwarded 'to the Divisional Office of the Ministry to which requirements of a more general nature are notified'. SIX: Typed Ministry of Labour circular, signed by C. G. Hawker for the Divisional Controller. Ministry of Labour, London Divisional Office, 59-62 Queen's Gardens. 27 November 1939. 1p., 4to. Wallace's letter to the Admiralty has been placed on record. SEVEN: Typed circular from the Central Council of Recreative Physical Training, with facsimile signature of P. C. Colson. Abbey House, Victoria Street, London. November 1939. 1p., 4to. 'Owing to the changed conditions, the Central Council is bringing its National Register of Leaders and Pianists up to date. | There is in particular a demand for voluntary helpers. | If you wish your name to be included on the Central Council's War Time Register, will you be kind enough to fill in and post the attached slip by return.' With typed circular form, headed 'Enrolment form for National Service in respect of physical recreation pianists'. 1p., 8vo. Not filled in.