ART

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and folded paper. The reverse of the document is docketted, with the stamp of the St James's Budget. He writes that he is enclosing a photograph, which he asks to be returned to him 'after it has served its purpose'.

A significant letter, filling gaps in the provenance of Bellini's Crucifixion, now in the Louvre. All that has been known hitherto about the painting's provenance is that at the beginning of the twentieth century it was in the Paris collection of the banker Rodolphe Kann, and that before the Second World War it was owned by the Florentine dealer Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, from whose heirs it was acquired by the Louvre in 1970.

On piece of 16 x 25.5cm paper. In fair condition, aged and spotted, with slight damp-staining to one corner, and remains of mount adhering to the reverse, on which is written in pencil: 'Sketches by Frederick Lee Bridell | born Southampton | died London 1864'. The three sketches are well finished, and placed alongside one another. The one on the left depicts a nobleman seated on a throne with a coronet on top of its backrest, his feet on a footstool, and left hand on an arm-rest, an animated look on his face.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of former mount on blank reverse. The message reads: 'Dear Sir | I shall have the pleasure to receive the Chalcographic Society on Friday evening next, when I hope to be favor'd with your Company'. For information about the Chalcographic Society, , founded in 1807, see Dennis M. Read's biography of 'R. H. Cromek' (2011). A society set up for the encouragement of interest in engravings, ridiculed in a Blake notebook.

2pp., 4to. Aged and creased, mounted in windowpane on leaf removed from album. Liscard Hall was built for the former Mayor of Liverpool and slave-ship captain Sir John Tobin. Allen writes that since arriving there he has 'painted too little subjects', and that he has 'a wish' to 'leave them behind me - but not unframed - size of Pictures 16in: x 12in:' If Cobbett does not have 'two tolerable frames of that size' he asks him to order two: 'I do not require the "best double distilled - extra hyper - superfine" - but something tolerably good looking'.

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Daffarn | I will be in any time in the afternoon after 2.30 on Friday, & will be pleased to see you and your friend Watson. | The work goes on slowly but I think I will finish in time.'

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Madam | Thank you for your reminder about reading the paper tomorrow night. | I will be at the Guild before 8, and get the slides.' Strang was Master of the Art Workers' Guild.

1p., 4to. In good condition, on aged paper, laid down on a grey-paper mount. The letter is addressed 'Gentlemen'. In the first paragraph he explains that having received their letter, he sent 'Dr Clarkes Plates [...] to the Writing Engravers but have not as yet received them back'. He has sent the bearer of the present letter to find out when they will be done, and he has been told to tell them the answer he receives. The second paragraph reveals that the bearer of the letter is himself an engraver: 'I understand that he applied to you for the engraving of one of your Portrait Plates.

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper with damp stain along one edge. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr. Scott'. He is sending 'by Bearer 4 sorts of french paper, 2 sheets of each, which you will be so good as to see that it is properly prepared before it is used - The grand Eagle with the watermarks will require a great deal of brushing with a hard brush as I think that many of the specks will brush off they being chiefly superficial'.

The two items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: 1p., 4to. Regarding the loan by him to Hubbard of drawings, and delivery options for them. TWO: 1p., 12mo. 'You vanished very suddenly after our Meeting and I did not have the chance of discussing arrangements with you. Will you please let me know what time it passes through Tonbridge on the following Monday.' He hopes to bring two more pictures 'straight to Albany from Charing Cross, arriving about mid-day? If you are not to be there I will take them to the Royal Academy and deliver them in the afternoon.'

1p., landscape 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-stained paper. The note reads: 'Dr Sir, | I shall do myself the pleasure of waiting upon you the beginning of the week, when I hope to have something interesting to shew you for Mr Boydell - believe me | Dr Sir | Yrs truly | J Hassell'.

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. 21 lines of text. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. As Doubleday has not 'sent the last', he has 'done your 3rd Cut of "glorious Apollo" from the print alone endeavouring to give the antique style as faithfully as I could.' He thanks him for his 'bit about the "archaic" term', and is certain 'that that [last word underlined] - like many other derivations from Greek & Latin roots, are most frequently used improperly[. T]he taste for hard words is certainly on the increase among all classes - from the advertising tailor upwards.'

1p., 4to. Good, on aged paper. The letter begins: 'Sir | I shew to you my last little effort which is a Copy from Vertues large Print after the Picture by Holbein now hanging in the Council Chamber of Bridewell Hospital'.( A note at the foot of the page reads: 'The above was engraved for the Purpose of Illustrating Pennant Walpole &c'. He notes that the print (not present) was 'engraved as the companion to the last Print I sent you.

1p., 4to. On blue-grey paper. In good condition, lightly-aged. He has been trying to get her a acopy of the print, but will not be able to until the following Tuesday. He hopes that this is not too late, and it will give him 'much pleasure in sending it up'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He writes to apologise that he 'cannot get away to see the Holbein' at the previously arranged time, because he has a meeting with 'my accounting officer'. He suggests an alternative time, and apologises 'heartily for my mistake'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In very good condition, neatly placed by the second leaf in a windowpane mount. He has 'received an intimation' that his picture is in Bond Street ('from whence I must fetch it'), and is writing to say that he has 'two Pictures by my Father (one very small but a beautiful little bit) the other the Peak in Derbyshire; a Landscape by Smith of Chichester & a copy of mine after Liverseege all of which I would lend to the Crystal Palace if you would like to have them'. He can deliver these to Bond St on collecting the other.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Scriven begins: 'I am afraid you will have thought I had forgotten to send the plate of Norfolk: the truth is, I decided on doing a few touches to that hand noticed by you & Mr Lackington; and although it was but a very little, I did not like to trust its going without first seeing a proof, as we can never be quite sure, on at all touching the copper, how it may come afterwards.' He ends by sending his 'best respects to Mr Lackington and the rest of your Gentlemen'.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He reports that he shared the 'bounty' of the recipient's 'delicious present' with his brother, who has been 'confined to the house for a month'. He reports that 'Mr Watts and family are well', and hopes that 'Mr Stack is so'.

Each item is 1p., 12mo, the note being the last of the three. All written in green ink, the first on green paper, and the other two on pink paper. The three in very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Written in an attractive, calligraphic hand. ONE: She writes that she is enclosing 'four rough designs [not present] for the woodcut frontispiece to the "Glade [sic] of Glenbella', and asks to be informed by return of the firm's choice, and she will 'get on with it at once'. She ends with a query about galley sheets. TWO: Docketted with brief pencil accounts.

4pp., 12mo. 55 lines of text, written in a neat, clear hand. On bifolium, with second leaf neatly placed in paper windowpane mount. The letter begins: 'I herewith send the electrotype of the Trowel, [not present] which is I think a beautiful specimen of the peculiar but slow process.

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Madam | Thank you for your reminder about reading the paper tomorrow night. | I will be at the Guild before 8, and get the slides.' Strang was Master of the Art Workers' Guild.

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'Dear Daffarn | I will be in any time in the afternoon after 2.30 on Friday, & will be pleased to see you and your friend Watson. | The work goes on slowly but I think I will finish in time.'

1p., 4to. In good condition, on aged paper, laid down on a grey-paper mount. The letter is addressed 'Gentlemen'. In the first paragraph he explains that having received their letter, he sent 'Dr Clarkes Plates [...] to the Writing Engravers but have not as yet received them back'. He has sent the bearer of the present letter to find out when they will be done, and he has been told to tell them the answer he receives. The second paragraph reveals that the bearer of the letter is himself an engraver: 'I understand that he applied to you for the engraving of one of your Portrait Plates.

The two items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: 1p., 4to. Regarding the loan by him to Hubbard of drawings, and delivery options for them. TWO: 1p., 12mo. 'You vanished very suddenly after our Meeting and I did not have the chance of discussing arrangements with you. Will you please let me know what time it passes through Tonbridge on the following Monday.' He hopes to bring two more pictures 'straight to Albany from Charing Cross, arriving about mid-day? If you are not to be there I will take them to the Royal Academy and deliver them in the afternoon.'

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper with damp stain along one edge. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr. Scott'. He is sending 'by Bearer 4 sorts of french paper, 2 sheets of each, which you will be so good as to see that it is properly prepared before it is used - The grand Eagle with the watermarks will require a great deal of brushing with a hard brush as I think that many of the specks will brush off they being chiefly superficial'.

1p., landscape 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-stained paper. The note reads: 'Dr Sir, | I shall do myself the pleasure of waiting upon you the beginning of the week, when I hope to have something interesting to shew you for Mr Boydell - believe me | Dr Sir | Yrs truly | J Hassell'.

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. 21 lines of text. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. As Doubleday has not 'sent the last', he has 'done your 3rd Cut of "glorious Apollo" from the print alone endeavouring to give the antique style as faithfully as I could.' He thanks him for his 'bit about the "archaic" term', and is certain 'that that [last word underlined] - like many other derivations from Greek & Latin roots, are most frequently used improperly[. T]he taste for hard words is certainly on the increase among all classes - from the advertising tailor upwards.'

1p., 4to. In good conditon, on aged paper. He begins: 'As both the pictures you bought are to be taken without the frames, I can't take upon me to displace them, without either you or the Artists were present, and more especially Mr. Daniell's, which is framed in a particular way.' Consequently he will keep the paintings, till either the recipient or artists take them away, 'and give me a proper discharge for them'. He ends with his hours of attendance.

On one side of a piece of cm blue paper. Reads: 'April 25, 1855. | 33 Gloucester Place in the new Road | Received of Messrs Crace | The favour of loan of two spear axe pikes, and a body & helmet suit of armour, to be returned. | George Hayter | with Thanks & Compliments.'

Both items are in an envelope addressed to the Duchess at 3 Belgrave Square. The envelope and its contents are on aged and creased paper. LETTER: 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Knowing that the Duchess is 'a well-known artist', she is offering her 'services as a model'. 'I was permanent model to the late Lord Plunket [sic] and have been painted by Cathleen Mann, Simon Elwes, Sir John Lavery, T. C. Dugdale, David Jagger and several other well-known painters.' She describes her appearance and asks to be granted an interview. POEM: 2pp., 12mo. In pencil. Unsigned, but clearly by Maitland.