Autograph Letter Signed by Victorian artist Alfred Purchase, to 'H W R A [the Royal Academician Henry Weekes?]', containing a description of Tredegar in Wales and its young girls, and a pencil 'sketch of our valley looking towards Newport'.

12mo, 4 pp. Bifolium. 57 lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Weekes is by far the most likely of the four Royal Academicians whose initials correspond to those of the recipient of this letter, the others being Henry Tamworth Wells (1828-1903); Henry Woods (1846-1921); Hubert Worthington (1886-1963). Well-written and entertaining letter, addressed to 'Dearest old Boy'. Begins with a discussions of the merits of 'Scilly as a sketching ground'. He praises 'the elements of grandeur in the Scilly Isles, (and which I suppose necessary to an academy picture) is in the immense extent of view you get, of horizon, sky, and waves, the miles of outlying rocks and breakers'. Reference to 'Mr Philp' and 'Jno Moyle'. Finds that 'the picturesque' in Tredegar 'is to be found in the

costume of the girls, naked feet, hair unconfined & uncombed and if you are pure in heart you may peep in a cottage door or window, and see a graceful figure, changing herself under the magic influence of soap and water from a black Venus to one of Canovas whitest Carrara, while the others of the family take their tea, useful pleasing and instructive sight. Honi soit qui mal y pense.' Continues with description of his activities, together with a simple and pleasing ink 'sketch of our valley looking towards Newport', 9 x 3 cm.