Art and Architecture

Autograph Letter Signed ('Mark Batten') to J. Samson, Registrar, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Mark Wilfrid Batten (1905-1993), English sculptor and stone carver
Publication details: 
6 May 1960; on letterhead 'CHRISTIAN'S RIVER DALLINGTON HEATHFIELD SUSSEX'.
£28.00

One page, quarto. Very good, with staple holes in one corner. He thanks Samson for his letter 'about the enquiry from the Esso Petroleum Company concerning a sculptured commemorative tablet. I should be pleased to take part in any limited competition for this project and could carry out the work this year if I were commissioned to do so within the scheme of my existing commitments.' The context is explained by an accompanying photocopy of a carbon of a typed letter (one page, quarto) of 5 May 1960 from Samson to the sculptor Professor R. Y.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
George William Frederick Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon (1800-70)
Publication details: 
Grosvenor Crescent; 11 July 1852.
£36.00

Three pages, 12mo. Good. He did not receive the letter till his return from the continent the previous week. '"The Grove" is a comfortable mansion but there is nothing in any way remarkable about it - Clutterbuck's history of Hertfordshire contains all that is known respecting the persons who have possessed it. There is a fine collection of pictures, many of them by Vandyke & Sir P. Lely, wch. belonged to the Chancellor Clarendon & of them you will find an accurate description in the 3d. Vol. of the "Clarendon Gallery" published a few months ago by my sister Lady Theresa Lewis.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs. Samuel'.

Author: 
Edward Tennyson Reed (1860-1933), Punch cartoonist
Publication details: 
20 December [no year]; on letterhead '17, FITZ-GEORGE AVENUE, | WEST KENSINGTON, | W.'
£56.00

One page, 12mo. Good, if a little aged and lightly creased. He apologises for the delay in 'sending the drawing that now I ask you to please me by accepting' (not present). He asks her to accept it as a present for 'that almost superannuated festivity' of Christmas. 'I send you a coat-of-arms as that includes a certain amount of letterpress which you will I think prefer to a simple drawing'. He has delivered all the drawings bought by Mrs Samuel's friend and has received his thanks.' Signed 'E. T. Rees'.

Les Merveilles de l'Exposition de 1889

Author: 
Various Authors.
Publication details: 
Paris, [1889].
£150.00

"Histoire - Construction - Inauguration - Description detaillee des palais, des Annexes et des parcs - Les Chefs d'Oeuvre de l'art de tous les Pays - Les Machines - Les Arts Indystriels - Les Produits Manufactures - Les Exposition Speciales - La Tour Eiffel Ouvrage Redige par des Ecrivains Speciaux et des Ingenieurs. 1083pp., folding paltes and illustrated throughout, thick 4to, hf. leather with raised bands, worn, marbled boards worn, pages yellowed at edge, hinge strain at front (recasing or reback would be desirable, contents otherwise good. COPAC records one copy only

Archive of correspondence with the Royal Society of Arts, consisting of twenty-one letters from Gray, one copy, and carbons of fifteen replies.

Author: 
Milner Connorton Gray, industrial artist and graphic designer (1899-1997) [The Royal Society of Arts]
Publication details: 
1947-1962; London.
£280.00

The collection is in very good condition, with a few staple and pin holes. Gray's letters are signed 'Milner Gray' and occasionally 'Milner'. All but the first two, which are on Society of Industrial Artists letterheads, are on Design Research Unit letterheads. An early letter (5 April 1949), to Kenneth Luckhurst, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, apologises for and explains a 'difficulty' which has arisen 'over the fees we estimated for completing the necessary working drawings and supervising construction of the permanent display screens for the Society's headquarters'.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mrs. Francis'.

Author: 
Walter Charles Horsley
Publication details: 
5 July 1904; 6 Bedford Gardens, West.
£36.00

English artist (1855-1934) of the oriental school, a member of a family whose papers are in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Two pages, 12mo. Very good, though grubby and on paper discoloured with age. He thanks her for her note and is sorry that she 'should have had any trouble about the bundles' Has heard 'on all hands that the Bargain went off extremely well', and hopes 'it was as financially successful'. 'The Egyptian called on me to-day and seemed much pleased with himself.' Hopes he 'behaved and acquitted himself well.' Signed 'Walter C Horsley'.

Autograph Letter Signed, in French, to Monsieur Bailly President of the Institut.

Author: 
Emile Bastien-Lepage
Publication details: 
7 April 1887; 6 Rue de Phalsbourg, Paris.
£35.00

French architect (1845-1938), brother of the painter Jules Bastien-Lepage. One page, 12mo. Very good, on discoloured paper. Rodin (the sculptor) has informed him that the sketch requested by the committee will be ready the next Saturday. Points out that it will be difficult to convene a meeting during the Easter holidays. Signed 'Emile Bastien-Lepage'.

Autograph Letter Signed "Goldschmidt, 5 rue des beaux-Arts", to "Monsieur Charadam, Marchant de tableaux, 20 Boulevard des Italiens."

Author: 
Hermann Goldschmidt.
Publication details: 
Paris, 22 August 1844.
£150.00

Artist and astronomer (1802-1866). One page, bottom edge curled but text clear and complete. He is sending two "tableaux which Charadam had seen at his house. He would like him to display them that evening "ayant l'intention de les envoyer a un exposition [?] a Amsterdam . . .".

Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
J. W. Whymper.
Publication details: 
43 Lambeth Road, 30 Sept. 1876
£125.00

Wood-engraver. Two pages, 8vo, good condition. "I have just received yr last two drawings. / I will have these drawn I think, for photography gives a coat to the wood and when you think your tints are too light - you find them too dark. / With regard to the Beach cut I am persuaded that in printing it will now come very near the original, the colours of which I think you must have forgotten, and I have written to Mr Smiles (who seems to wish to get on without the subject) to try it at press - now it has been more finished - which I trust you will also approve. . . . PS.

Ten Typed Letters Signed to G. K. Menzies, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Maurice Everett Webb [Sir Aston Webb; Royal Society of Arts]
Publication details: 
1924 to 1927; on letterheads of Sir Aston Webb & Son, '19, QUEEN ANNE'S GATE, | WESTMINSTER, | LONDON, S.W.1.'
£210.00

Architect (1880-1939), son of Sir Aston Webb, designer of Admiralty Arch, the Victoria Memorial, etc. All ten items very good. Five docketed and six bearing R.S.A. stamp. All ten signed 'Maurice E. Webb'. An interesting and important correspondence, mainly concerning the renovation of the R.S.A.'s Adelphi building.

Autograph Letter Signed to "[Wingman?]", fellow-artist.

Author: 
Frank Brangwyn
Publication details: 
[Headed notepaper] Temple Lodge, Queen Street, Hammersmith, 5 [June?] 1905.
£65.00

Artist and illustrator. Two pages, minor defects, mainly good. He thanks him for a letter and cheque for thirty guneas. "I shall be most delighted to see your Morocco sketches, they must be most interesting." He'll call by the next week and appreciates his kindness in offering one of the sketches. Note: autograph letters by Brangwyn appear to be scarce.

Six Autograph Letters Signed, to [G. E.] Mercer[, Deputy Secretary,] and [J.] Samson[, Assistant Secretary,] of the Royal Society of Arts. Together with manuscript syllabus of a course of lectures.

Author: 
Sir John Newenham Summerson
Publication details: 
1958 to 1965; the first four on letterhead of Sir John Soane's Museum, the last two on letterhead 1 Eton Villas, NW3.
£150.00

Architectural historian (1904-92) and curator of Sir John Soane's Museum, 1945-84. Seven leaves, all very good, though some lightly creased and all with staple holes in top left-hand corner. The first three letters to Mercer and the last three to Samson. Three letters docketed. ITEM ONE (two pages, 12mo, 7 August 1958): He is 'much attracted' by the Society's invitation 'to give three Cantor lectures on Country Houses', 'especially as I understand the text of the lectures would be published'. There is however 'one rather grave difficulty.

Two Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mr. Perry'[, Secretary?, Royal Society of Arts].

Author: 
Maxwell Ashby Armfield
Publication details: 
22 March and 2 April 1931; the first on letterhead '8 Roland Gardens, London, S.W.7', the second on letterhead of the Greenleaf Theatre
£150.00

British stage designer (died 1971), painter, writer and lecturer. Both items one page, octavo, and very good, though lightly creased. Both signed 'Maxwell Armfield'. LETTER ONE (docketed and bearing R.S.A. stamp): He has read the lecture by 'Mr. Davis', 'with great interest [...] our opinions on the subject seem to be identical! I should like to meet him some time if he is an accessible sort of person. [...] a series of such lectures issued as pamphlets with attractive titles would do a great deal towards a better understanding of the problem'.

Autograph Note Signed to [Puggi?]. In French.

Author: 
Cham (de Noi).
Publication details: 
1 April [no year].
£78.00

Noé, Amédée-Charles-Henry de (1818-1879). French cartoonist.. - caricaturist. One page, 8vo, laid down, sl. damaged but text clear and complete. He says that Madame de Noe [avec accent] is fully recovered from illness and wonders if his correspondent can dine next sunday. "Un mot de reponse s.v.p." He concludes with formal best wishes. The conjoint blank leaf is laid down - on the recto of this blank is a draft acceptance signed [Paggi?].

Two Autograph Letters Signed to Shirley Slocombe, artist, and related material.

Author: 
Percy Macquoid.
Publication details: 
26 July 1904 and 16 Aug. (no year).
£250.00

Furniture Historian. Two letters SIGNED by Macquoid,one by amanuensis (he apologises for this - unwell). 3 pages, 4to, and 4 pages 8vo, good condition. He discusses matters which relate to their work on "A History of English Furniture" for which Slocombe provided illustrations - progress on a task; plans, wishes; contact with owners/aristos ;travels; suggestions; a sketch of a table; and so on. WITH: a page of notes in Slocombe's hand headed "oak furniture I am to paint"; a typed letter with ms.

A Scheme for a new Station on the South East Side of the River & a New Bridge with its approaches from the East & West

Author: 
Reginald Blomfield
Publication details: 
[1916]
£250.00

Printed., 13"(w) x 26" (l), fold marks, sl. chipped, good. SIGNED "Reginald Blomfield R.A./ Sept. 1916/ New Court, Temple". Apparently a new a station which was never built. Instead the site eventually became the setting for the Festival Of Britain.

Original cartoon

Author: 
Harry Furniss
Publication details: 
no date
£100.00

Original pencilled cartoon of an old lady drinking champagne, c.1.75" x 3.25". It is unsigned but is drawn on the back of a place card (for a dinner) with Harry Furniss's name on the front. It has, at some time, been separated from a group of such cards (so states a substantial description acccompanying the item) collected by the surgeon Sir James Paget who collected such things at functions of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Autograph Letters Signed to Malcolm Mackenzie.

Author: 
Sir William Russell Flint.
Publication details: 
Peel Cottage, 30 April 1949.
£150.00

Printed address, headed notepaper. Two pages, 8vo, good condition. Russell Flint is responding to a letter from Mackenzie (attached, copy Typed Letter, one page, 4to, 26 April 1949- saying that he (Mackenzie) has circularised friends in the Press asking them to urge readers to buy water-colours as "a jolly good investment". Mackenzie also comments on the neglect of the teaching of water-colour painting in the schools, and its consequences. Russell Flint approves and has wanted to meet up but been busy with the RA Private View et al.

Autograph Signatures on fragment of document.

Author: 
William Behnes; George Robins
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£25.00

Behnes (died 1864) was a sculptor, and Robins (1778-1847) a flamboyant auctioneer. Very good, on piece of paper roughly two inches by three and a half. From a collection of Autograph Signatures cut from petitions to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Blank reverse.

Autograph Letters Signed (one complete, one incomplete) to "Vale".

Author: 
Lawson Wood
Publication details: 
Ewhurst, Nr. Guildford, Surrey, 23 December 1919.
£150.00

Artist and illustrator (1878-1957). (Complete letter, 1919) Three pages, 4to, fold marks, sl. damage but text complete and clear. A detailed letter giving information about Wood's post-war activities and "busyness"), current projects, his toy manufactory, etc. He received this letter from a prospective collaborator via his agents, Messrs Francis <& Hills?>. He asks if he has left "Valley"[?].

Autograph Signatures on fragment of document.

Author: 
Henry William Pickersgill; Thomas Uwins
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£18.00

Pickersgill (1782-1875) and Uwins (1782-1857) were both English artists who exhibited at the Royal Academy. Very good, on a piece of grey paper roughly two inches by four. From a collection of Autograph Signatures cut from petitions to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Blank reverse.

Autograph Note Signed to 'Mr. Wilson' [the bookseller John Gideon Wilson of Bumpus?].

Author: 
Edmond Xavier Kapp
Publication details: 
1 April 1930; on letterhead '2 Steele's Studios | Haverstock Hill N W. 3'.
£75.00

English artist (1890-1978). His wife, Yvonne Kapp, published four novels under the pseudonym Yvonne Cloud. One page, octavo. Very good, though a little creased and with dogeared corners. Reads 'Dear Mr. Wilson, | It is good of you to have taken so much trouble - I am greatly obliged to you. The lists have gone off to Berlin to-day. | All my thanks - & good wishes for a restful holiday'. Signed 'Edmond X. Kapp'.

Autograph Letter Signed to J[oseph] Swain.

Author: 
Thomas Robert Macquoid
Publication details: 
25 July 1873; Stanley Place, Chelsea.
£95.00

English artist and illustrator (1820-1912). Swain (1820-1909) was a noted wood-engraver, and the letter concerns his possible employment by Macquoid. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but on discoloured paper, heavily sunned along one edge and browning in one corner, with small closed tear at top of fold. Swain's price 'for Blocks will do - £8. 8. 0 for full page & £6. 6. 0 for front page -'. He has seen Williams 'who was very polite & promised me some work'. Williams is 'going to be married soon - wh: he said wd. "come in the way" of drawings at present'. Signed Thos. R. Macquoid'.

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male publishers.

Author: 
Harry Furniss [Punch, or the London Charivari]
Publication details: 
Thursday' [docketed 7 May 1885]; on Garrick Club letterhead.
£45.00

Anglo-Irish journalist and caricaturist (1854-1925), best known for his work for Punch. Three pages, 12mo. Very good, but with slight wear and discoloration to recto of first leaf of bifoliate. Asks to 'know the fate of Miss Lyster's M.S.' 'You will recollect I called & saw you about it some months ago. She is anxious you should understand you can have the M.S. without the drawings as you did not seem <?> for the latter | An answer will much oblige | Yours very truly | [signed] Harry Furniss'.

Autograph Letter Signed to [Sir Francis Graham?] Moon.

Author: 
William Chevalier
Publication details: 
Thursday Morn' [no date, but on paper watermarked 1825]; '3. Edwards Place | Hackney Road.'
£95.00

English engraver (1804-66). One page, octavo. Good, on slightly discoloured paper with spike hole at centre. Addressed to 'Mr. Moon' on verso of second leaf of bifoliate, which has a hole from the breaking of a wafer which still adheres. Reads 'I've taken the liberty of leaving for your inspection a few specimens of my stile of engraving - your brother Mr.

Autograph Letter to Paul Colnaghi.

Author: 
George James Welbore Agar-Ellis, 1st Baron Dover
Publication details: 
Heythorpe | March 14th 1820'.
£45.00

English author and politician (1797-1833), whose efforts resulted in the formation of the National Gallery. Colnaghi (1751-1833) was the leading printseller of the period. One page, quarto. Good, on slightly discoloured paper with traces of previous mount adhering to reverse. A formal letter in the third person. 'Mr Agar Ellis would be much obliged to Mr Colnaghi if he would procure for him the German prints in outline for "Ondine", published at Nuremberg - Also the Prints in the same style for the German play of "Faust".

Typed Letter Signed to R[ainforth]. A[rmitage]. Walker of the Print Collector's Quarterly.

Author: 
Edward Verrall Lucas
Publication details: 
28 February 1935; on letterhead of the publishers Methuen & Co.
£56.00

One page, quarto. Poor, on creased, discoloured paper, with two punch holes in left-hand margin and short closed tears along the central fold. 'It is as well that you underlined your name in print, for I cannot detect the faintest resemblance between it and your signature. Is this the fault of my imperfect eyes or your powerful hand? | As to your humorist - I think the Forceps Saga is funny, but Punch has a number of people who do things rather like it. Still, he should certainly let the Editor see this specimen together with something new.

"GHOULS JAN 25": Image (probably photographic, of a pen and ink drawing) of ghouls surrounded by skulls and bones holding a tombstone

Author: 
Charles W. Furse.
Publication details: 
01/01/25
£450.00

The title "Ghouls Jan 25" appears at the bottom and Furse's name and a date in the 1920s appears in the right-hand margin. Size circa 21 x 35cms, small tear on left, some creasing, mainly good condition, laid down on same-size paper. On the tombstone (blank in the middle until written in), the artist has inscribed his name in pencil over the final part of a faintly written (but mainly decipherable) menu which starts with "Hors d'oeuvres" and goes through fish, meat and icecream dishes. The inscription is as follows: "to my friend H. Brabazon. / Charles W. Furse".

Two Autograph Letters Signed to Sir William Charles Ross.

Author: 
Thomas Carrick
Publication details: 
August 9 and 30; both from 43 Upper Seymour St, Portman Square, London.
£65.00

Miniature painter and chemist (1802-75) with Carlisle and Newcastle connections. The recipient (1794-1860) was a miniature-painter and member of the Royal Academy. Both letters in poor condition, on discoloured, worn and stained paper, but with no loss to text. In LETTER ONE (two pages, 12mo) he states his willingness to meet Ross 'to talk over the matter to whicy your letter of yesterday refers', undertaking to 'enage with Mr. Thorburn to meet us'.

Typed Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
Albert Bruce-Joy
Publication details: 
26 November 1894; on embossed letterhead 'The Studio Beaumont Road, | West Kensington. S.W.'
£56.00

Anglo-Irish sculptor (1842-1924). One page, quarto. Good, on slightly discoloured paper. The embossment has been gone over in light blue pencil to bring it up. A couple of manuscript marks by Bruce-Joy for emphasis. Begins Offers to show his correspondent the 'colossal Statue of Mr. Oliver Heywood, which I have lately completed in the marble' (leaving for Manchester 'in a few days'), as well as 'the finished marble Statue of Mr. Whitley, M.P., for St.

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