Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Jn Summerson') from architectural historian Sir John Summerson, Curator of Sir John Soane's Museum, to Peter Rhodes and his wife Felicity, regarding Soane's Piercefield Hall, Shotesham Hall and Hay Castle.

Both letters in very good condition, and each in a stamped, postmarked envelope, and each addressed by Summerson to Cuddesdon Manor, Oxon. Letter One (2 May 1972): To Peter Rhodes. 2pp., 12mo. He is 'rather surprised' to find that the ruins of Soane's Piercefield House are 'still there!' The best he can do is 'to warn the National Monuments Record of the approaching dissolution'. They are 'seriously overworked but they might have a photographer in the area who would improve on Miss Stroud's snap-shots'. Soane 'used the same design for Piercefield and Shotesham', and 'perhaps it is as well that Soane did duplicate himself on this occasion. Shotesham is in very good order.' Letter Two (1 August 1974): To Felicity Rhodes. 2pp., 12mo. He hopes she is correct in stating that 'Piercefield has been saved': 'I have indeed heard that somebody is considering restoring it but whether he will go ahead I don't know. There is almost nothing left but the facade and that is badly damaged.' Summerson only knows Hay Castle 'by name', and it is 'difficult to do much about the proposed buildings in the grounds and without knowing a lot more about the proposals there is really nothing I can say.' There have been cases where the reasonable development of an estate with small houses has had the effect of saving an old mansion.'