Documents and Letters

Edward ARDIZZONE (1900-1979) Autograph Letter Signed (“Edward Ardizzone”) to “Dear Mr. Woodhouse”, regarding a drawing he had supplied. 1 page 4to, 130 Elgin Avenue, W9, 29 October 1959.                         “Thank you for your letter. I am delighted that you like...

Charles BARRY (1795-1860) Autograph Letter Signed (“Charles Barry”) to Henry Driver assuring him of his support in his efforts to provide a building “for the reception of the remains of great men”.3 pages 8vo, Foley Place, 15 January 1839.                    “Having been from...

Maria COSWAY (1760-1838) Autograph Letter Signed (“M. Cosway”) to Mr. Colnaghi in Coxport [Cockspur] Street, defending the merits of a work on which she was engaged [The Galerie du Louvre, a project for a series of prints].2½ pages 4to in Italian, with integral address leaf, Paris, 23 March 1802.  Trans:...

Walter CRANE (1845-1915) Autograph Letter Signed (“Walter Crane”) to “My dear Rowley” [Charles Rowley, socialist councillor of Ancoats, Manchester], discussing some panels for Manchester and his work at South Kensington. 4 pages 8vo together with autograph envelope, 13 Holland Street, Kensington, 19 April 1899.         “Thanks for your...

Walter CRANE (1845-1915) Autograph Letter Signed (“Walter Crane”) to “My dear Rowley” ” [Charles Rowley, socialist councillor of Ancoats, Manchester], promising to send him a representative collection of his work for an exhibition.2 pages 4to, 13 Holland Street, Kensington, 28 May 1907. “I shall be very willing to do all I...

Alfred, Count D’ORSAY (1801-1852) Autograph Letter Signed (“A d’Orsay”) to an unnamed correspondent, probably an art publisher, 1 page 8vo on gilt-edged paper with integral blank leaf, Gore House [Kensington], 30 August 1848.       “I think that you will find that I have much improved the likeness. Lady Blessington...

Edgar DEGAS (1834-1917) Autograph Letter Signed (“Degas”) to Monsieur Bartholomé [the sculptor, Albert Bartholomé], saying that he had told Camondo what was required.1 page 8vo in French on a “carte lettre”, n.p. [postmarked Paris], “Vendredi” [date illegible on postmark, but 1890s]. “Yes, my dear friend, till tomorrow. We missed you yesterday....

Sonia DELAUNAY (1885-1979) Two Typed Letters Signed (“Sonia”) to Caroline Delteil giving her news and advice regarding the sale of pictures, Alexander Calder’s exhibition, and sending a message of support.1 page 4to in French, Paris, 16 July 1965 and 1 page 4to in French, 23 July 1965, both with the...

Raoul DUFY (1877-1953) Typed Letter Signed (“Raoul Dufy”) to Claude Lafaye, agreeing to sign his book by Salacrou [Dufy had contributed a pen and ink portrait of Armand Salacrou for the frontispiece of Salacrou’s play Les Fiancés du Havre], and continuing with a discussion of the value of reproductions of...

Sir Jacob EPSTEIN (1880-1959) Two Autograph Letters Signed (“Jacob Epstein”) to “Dear Mr. Samuels”, giving details about the progress of some of his work and asking for a cheque “as large as you can on account”. 1 page 4to, 18 Hyde Park Gate, 9 March n.y. and 1 page 4to,...

Francois, Baron GERARD (1770-1837) Autograph Letter Signed (“F. Gérard”) to an unidentified Baron, recommending Mr. Richter, a young German painter, admired by Alexandre von Humboldt. 1½ pages 4to with integral blank leaf, in French, n.p., 8 November 1828.                          ...

Paul-César HELLEU (1859-1927) Autograph Letter Signed (“P.C. Helleu”) to “Mon cher Manzi” [Michel Manzi of the firm of art publishers and dealers Manzi-Joyant], making an appointment.1 page 8vo in French with integral blank leaf, 45 rue Emile Menier, n.d. [but c. 1900].Together with an Autograph Letter Signed from his wife,...

Jean-Baptiste ISABEY (1767-1855) Autograph Letter Signed (“Isabey”) to a fellow artist, Monsieur Mansion[?] in Montmartre, sending him a penniless young man in need of lessons.1 page 8vo in French with integral address leaf, n.p. [but Paris], n.d. Trans: “Tomorrow morning a young man without means and who cannot pay his master...

Augustus JOHN (1878-1961) Autograph Letter Signed (“Augustus John”) to Mrs. Clara Hardy of West Didsbury, Manchester, praising the V.U.A. and wishing it continued success.1 page small 4to together with the autograph envelope, Fryern Court, Fordingbridge, 23 March 1954. “I am in full sympathy with the constitution and aims of V.U.A....

John Everett MILLAIS (1829-1896) Autograph Letter Signed (“John Everett Millais”) to “Dear Miss McLaren” accepting an invitation to go shooting. 1 page 8vo with integral blank leaf, Bowerswell, Perth, 9 October 1857.    “I shall be very happy indeed to accompany your Father out shooting on Monday, and I will...

Alfred MUNNINGS (1878-1959) Autograph Letter Signed (“AJ Munnings”) to “My dear Phillip”, recommending Dr. Vogler and extolling the pleasures of Bad Ems.4 pages small 4to in pencil, Bad Ems, n.d., “Thursday” [but 1930s]. “This is the case for you. There is one Dr. Vogler. I was taken to him by...

Pierre PUVIS DE CHAVANNES (1824-1898) Autograph Letter Signed (“P. Puvis de Chavannes”) to an unidentified colleague (“Monsieur et cher confrère”), explaining why he had resigned from a jury. 3 pages 8vo in French, Paris, 26 March 1879.                Puvis de Chavannes, much admired by Zola,...

Pierre RENOIR (1885-1952) Autograph Letter Signed (“Pierre Renoir”) to the Franco-Spanish sculptor Richard Guino, sending news from Paris, including news of a bomb falling near the premises of the art dealer Ambroise Vollard. 2 pages small 4to in French together with autograph envelope, n.p. [postmarked Paris], n.d. [postmarked 4 February...

Ronald SEARLE (1920-2011) Typed Letter Signed (“Monica & Ronald”) to “Dear Francois” [the noted French cartoonist and illustrator Francois Lejeune, better known by his nom de plume, Jean Effel], telling him he has received a letter of invitation from M. Chevignard, and hopes to see Jean and Madame Effel at...

David WILKIE (1785-1841) Autograph Letter Signed (“David Wilkie”) to the French artist Baron Gérard, a letter of introduction for his sister, who wishes to be “allowed to see and admire” his paintings.1 page 8vo in French with integral address leaf, London, 4 October 1834. Trans: “The kindness you showed me...