[Sir Digby Wyatt, Slade Professor at Cambridge.] Five Autograph Letters Signed (all 'M. Digby Wyatt') to Peter Le Neve Foster, Secretary, Society of Arts, the first two regarding his paper on the Staffordshire potter Herbert Minton.

The influential potter Herbert Minton (1793-1858), of the Staffordshire firm Thomas Minton and Sons, had died on 1 April 1858. A couple of months later, on 26 May 1858, Wyatt read before the Society of Arts his paper 'On the Influence exercised on Ceramic Manufactures by the late Mr. Herbert Minton'. The first four letters carry the stamp of the Society of Arts. All five items in good condition, lightly aged. The first two 1p., 12mo; the third 2pp., 12mo. The fourt 3pp., 12mo. The fifth 1p, landscape 12mo. ONE ('Saty'): Reads: 'I have selected at Phillip's (Chamberlaine's) in Bond St. beautiful [last word underlined] things of Minton's which he will send on Wednesday morning – Space should be reserved for these about 12 feet by six of table.' (In 1823 H. and R. Chamberlain, 'Worcester China manufacturers', were at 55 New Bond Street. In around 1858 the firm were taken over by W. P. & G. Phillips, retailers of china and glass ware (established 1760), whose main premises were in Oxford Street.) TWO (27 May 1858): Regarding the proofs of the printed version of the paper, and his desire 'to have fifty copies for myself stitched in wrappers'. THREE (19 June 1858): Acknowledging receipt of Foster's 'note conveying an intimation that the Council of the Society of Arts will be pleased to see me on the occasion of the Annual dinner on the 24th.', and expressing regret that he will be unable to comply. FOUR (5 December 1863): On his return to town he writes that he will do his best 'to decide if you wish it with Mr Redgrave and Mr Webb the merits of your Competing Art Workmen'. He knows of nothing to prevent him from 'attending any meeting you may summons for the mornings of next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday'. He adds: 'I say mornings because I see that colour is involved in one or two of the Subjects and one can scarcely reckon upon good light in the afternoon.' FIVE (15 October 1871): Headed 'Mem[orandum] -' and addressed to 'Dear Delamotte'. He is sending him '(by bookpost) the paper on Mosaic. I knew I had one or two printed separately – but until today could not find one.'