[G. A. Storey, RA, painter and illustrator.] Two Autograph Letters Signed. ONE: to 'My dear Wolfestan', on artists, scientists and colour theory. TWO: to 'Mrs A'Beckett' on writing a memoir of his brother-in-law.

Author: 
G. A. Storey [George Adolphus Storey] (1834-1919), RA, English painter and illustrator
Publication details: 
LETTER ONE (to Wolfestan): 2 June 1884; 19 St John's Wood Road. LETTER TWO (to Mrs A'Beckett): 5 May 1898; on letterhead of Hougoumont, [39] Broadhurst Gardens, South Hampstead, N.W. [London]
£60.00
SKU: 26241

LETTER ONE (to Wolfestan): 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Damage to text (including signature 'E. A. Storey') along inner edge of last page by clumsy removal from mount, repaired with archival tape. Otherwise in good condition, lightly aged. Folded. Wolfestan's letter is 'capital' and he hopes he will send it 'as it exactly backs up my own statement'. On thte previous day he saw and responded to 'the letter of G Roberts': 'the fact is that in the lecture itself I spoke of the scientific theories & said that although they were deeply interesting they were of little use to painters who had to deal with pigments or paints and not with those elements of light which cause the various sensations to the red-seeing or gree-seeing or violet seeing nerves'. He considers the 'report in the Builder' 'very imperfect and disjointed, made by an utter ass', and he does not think there is 'a single sentence in it that I could fairly say is mine'. If he publishes the lecture he will send it to him. Returning to Wolfestan's letter he finds that it 'will go far to explain the difference between artists and scientists on the subject of colour'. LETTER TWO (to Mrs A'Beckett'): 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. Damp staining on blank reverse of second leaf, otherwise in good condition. He and his wife were looking forward to her 'at home', but could not attend because he had to write a memoir of his brother-in-law, whose death took place the day after he saw her. 'It was for 'The Magazine of Art' and of couse was wanted immediately, in fact almost by return of post, and I could not get it finished till late last evening.' He exclaims, 'What wretches printers are and even editors, sometimes, have no patience, no mercy, their only motto being Hurry up -'.