ART

Behnes (died 1864) was a sculptor of high renown. Ross (1794-1860) was a miniature painter whose work includes portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Paper dimensions roughly 4 1/2 inches by 2 inches. In good condition. Reads 'William Behnes | W. C. Ross'. On verso 'my Apartments, should <...> | to the utmost of my hop <...> | be inadequate to extricat <...>'.

Architect, teacher and antiquary (1872-1955). One page, 4to, folded twice, in very good condition. He thanks him for sending 'the drawing of your commercial buildings'. He is working from it, and will return it shortly. Those at the school appear 'satisfied with the new gymnasium'. 'Good progress is being made with the main building.'

English sculptor (1791-1864). Dimensions of paper roughly 4 inches by 1 inch. In very good condition. Large, slightly smudged signature on one side in blue ink. Reverse, in different ink and apparently in another hand, reads '<...> may I presume to solicit your favour fo<...> | as increasing Age naturally brings on in<...>'.

English sculptor (1775-1856). Dimensions of paper roughly 4 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. In good condition. Reads '<...> I am Gentlemen | Your obt. & humble St. | Richd Westmacott'.

English sculptor (1775-1856). Dimensions of paper roughly 5 inches by 1 inch. In good condition. Reads '<...> | Recommended /on unexceptionable testimonials/ by | Richd Westmacott: | Nov 26/1844.'

Dimensions roughly 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Must predate 1887, when the prefix 'Royal' was added. Amusing modern-looking cartoon-style illustration by 'F C' of furious pipe-smoking pianist jumping up to hammer the keys, with his hair forming into the 'S' of 'Society', with moustachioed cigar-smoking tweedy individual in front of piano being hit in face by whisky tumbler.

Journal editor and writer (1800-89). 1 page, 8vo. Creased and slightly discoloured, but in good condition overall. Cover of envelope pasted to back, reading 'for | Rd Lehman Esq | Newmarket Road | Norwich'. Reads 'Dear Sir. | I much regret that I have been unable to avail myself of your kindness: I have been so over-run with Matter at this, the concluding, month of the year. | Sincerely | S C Hall.'

English equestrian artist (1753-1812). 1 page, 8vo. In poor condition: creased, frayed and torn. He has that morning received from his correspondent's servant 'the sum of sixteen Pounds nine shillings payment for your Pictures'. He will send them 'by the first conveyance' and hopes they will please. 'If any alteration should be necessary should be glad to make it at any time'. Signed 'J. Boultbee'. A postscript states that he has returned 'by your servant the Ballance from the Bill of twenty Pounds'. Docketed on reverse with date of receipt, sum paid to 'J.

Victorian landscape and genre painter. The conclusion of a letter cut away for the signature: 'the Silk covering with the Red but I believe they could be changed for blue if preferred | I have the honour to be | Madam | Your obedient Servent | J. J. Chalon'. Slightly discoloured by the glue with which it was stuck to the album.

English portrait-painter (1803-81; DNB). Piece of paper approximately three inches by five. Slightly discoloured but in good condition, and attached to piece of brown card. Reads 'Remember me very kindly to the Ladies, and after to your Sons, and believe me | Every yours most sincerely | John P. Knight'

English sculptor (1799-1872; DNB). On piece of paper 4 inches by 3 1/2. Somewhat grubby, and with remains of glue on blank reverse. Difficult hand. 'Dear Sir Martin | I am just returned from & shall have much pleasure in dining with You tomorrow. | believe me | very sincerely Yours | Richd Westmacott | '. The foot of the note has been cropped but this does not affect the signature.

English artist. 'Life has been one continual rush since we returned from the States. I have been hoping for a chance to get down to see you. When you are in Town & this way do call in & see us.' Describes a window memorial in a church, dedicated to 'your dear Father'. 'How lovely to think of the two dear souls their memories yet more precious as the years advance'.

Antony Vandyke Copley Fielding. Watercolour artist (1787-1855). One page, 12mo. "My dear Miss Coates, / Pray be so good as to give my kind Compliments to your mama, & say that I shall have great pleasure in coming to Bedford Place on Tuesday eveg. & with my best remembrance to your Aunt Julia, & many thanks to you for your obliging note, / I remain / very sincerely yours / Copley Fielding". One very small hole at head and slight creasing, but in good overall condition.

Historical painter (1816-1879). 3 & 2pp., 8vo. (4 Sept.) He is doing his best to facilitate the sale of a painting through a friend ("Haynes"), "the de Witt picture", owned by a Col. Gordon. The market for "luxury" items is affected by the depression, but he hopes for an upturn. He admires both the de Witt and "the portrait of Mary". (28 Sept.) He will do his best with regard to both pictures but outlines problems. 2 items,

English sculptor (1788-1867)(DNB), responsible for the Nelson on Nelson's Column. Both letters are discoloured by age, but otherwise in good condition. The first letter is 1 page, 16mo, cropped and mounted on a larger piece of paper. 'My Dear Sir Martin | Absence from Town will I hope be a sufficient apology for my not sooner acknowledging the receipt of your card of invitation for Wednesday next - and to state that I shall have great pleasure dining with you that day.' The second letter is 2 pages, 16mo, heavily discoloured and with remains of four wax mounts in corners and elsewhere.

English architect (1856-1942). Slip cut from letter, dimensions approximately 1 1/4 inches by 4 1/4. In good condition. Reads 'Yrs sincy | Reginald Blomfield'. Docketed in pencil '1935' and with tidy strip with 'SIR REGINALD BLOMFIELD, M.A., R.A.', neatly stuck down beneath signature.

English sculptor (1860-1928). Florid signature 'Geo. Frampton' on slip of paper, 1 inch by 3 1/2. Slightly smudged but in good condition. Attached to piece of blue paper docketed with biographical information about the 'Great Sculptor'.

English portrait painter (1782-1875). In good condition. Dimensions approximately 4 1/2 inches square, cropped and with some loss of text after signature. Attached to larger piece of grey paper. Reads 'My dear Sir Martin | I accept with great pleasure your kind invitation for Wednesday the 29 Inst. | Ever yours faithfully | H. W. Pickersgill'.

Art dealer (1825-1910; DNB). 2 pages. 16mo biofoliate. In good condition. The recipients name is spelt 'Bewick' at the beginning of the letter and 'Bewicke' at the end. 'Dear Mrs Bewick | I came up from Southampton on Saturday. I am starting for Lancashire in a few minutes | I shall be back on Wednesday and off the following day | I can see you here if you can call about 5.30 | Yours sincerely | Wm Agnew'.

Director of the Tate Gallery (1869-1936). 1 page, 8vo, grubby and creased, with otherwise-blank verso docketed and attached to piece of card. 'Both our funds and our space are extremely limited and Mr Warne Browne's 'Catch of Pilchards', though a pleasant subject picture, is scarcely of national importance and my Board would not consider purchasing it. | It might possibly be of interest for a local Museum such as the Truro Gallery or the Passmore Edwards Art Gallery, Newlyn. I am returning the reproduction | Yours very truly | Charles Aitken | Director'.

Collector (1760-1830). One page, 8vo, good, giving himpermission to view his pictures.

Sculptor (1847-1922). 3 pp, 12mo, on mourning paper. "I have just returned from a short stay in the Country and find your letter of the 29th ult With regard to the proposed Statuette in silver I need scarcely say I shall have much pleasure in assisting you in any way I can. / Your letter however leaves me a little in the dark. Do you wihs me to recommend some young Sculptor for the task or would you like me to undertake it?" Signed "Thos Brock".

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. "Let me thank you very heartily for all the valuable work you have done for the young people in Gower Street, with a hope that it may long continue." The reference is clearly to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, in Gower Street.

Painter, President of the Royal Academy (1836-1919). Four pages, 8vo. As follows: " I never thanked you for your postcard & its information which adds greatly to the interest of the drawing. " is puzzling certainly, but so unlike "canonico" that I can hardly think it can have been an error in the transcript of that word. I have not yet discovered the other two sketches I possess . . .

Antiquarian and dramatist (1796-1880), disbound article, [12] pages, in homemade blue wraps, contents partly detached, manuscript title on front "J.R. Planche on a battlepiece in the National Gallery, July. 1878".

Actor and teacher of elocution (1829-1910). Small publicity portrait of a stern-looking Vezin, glowering in an open-necked white shirt. Printed on thin art paper, 2¾ by 1¾ inches, with large white border, on which, "Yours truly / Hermann Vezin." Not in the best of condition: creased, grubby, and with tears to the borders.

Politician and art collector (d.1854). He thanks him for the tract on the Militia Bill, giving his opinion of its cogent argument against the measure.

Sculptor (1799-1872). Clipped signature from an appeal to the Artists' Benevolent Fund. Thomas Phillips, portrait painter (1770-1845), signature is on the same piece of paper

Naturalist (1826-1888). 2pp., 8vo, signs of having been laid down, thanking Draper for "the Japanese book on Birds, commenting on the drawings ("wonderfully instinct with life", "suggestion of movement about their portraits of animals or human beings"). he mentions another Japanese book he has "full of grotesque pantomime figures". He goes on to discuss the "Hippocampus" Draper has given him, asking for further information. He concludes with news about the por health of a mutual friend, W.O. Whiteside ("one of the 'wigwams'"(?)).

Artist. One and 2pp., 8vo. (1899) He suggests the steps she must take to arrange the loan a a "miniature table" from the Royal Academy. (1904) He gives permission for his "Diploma Picture" to be reproduced in the "Windsor Magazine", revealing its history (an illustration to Tennyson's lines in "Break, break!"). He later appears to allude to a collection of moutaineering pictures(?). 2 items,