Original letters from the Circle of Samuel Palmer.
1870. 1870-1892.
Nine letters, described individually below. All in highly legible ink, some with expected mailing folds, all in fine condition.
§ An interesting group of nine letters by three men from Palmer's circle: Palmer's father-in-law, John Linnell, one of "The Ancients," George Richmond, and Palmer's son and executer, Alfred Herbert Palmer. John Linnell refers to works in hand and in production, and responds to a request to authenticate one of his works. Richmond writes about his work to a friend. Alfred Herbert Palmer writes of his stewardship of his father's work.
1) Linnell, John. A.L.S. December 15, 1870. 2pp. on folded letter sheet. He writes to Thomas Lawrie acknowledging the receipt of £5, and states that he will "attend to your wishes:. The £5 fee was to authenticate one of his works, which, because of his huge popularity, were widely faked. Linnell writes that in addition to his fee, he requires an assurance that "he will not be called upon personally to give evidence respecting the work said to be mind." He will give written testimony but would refuse to appear in Court "at any cost." As a postscript he writes that "in answer to your enquires" he has "several works in hand which I expect will be among my best & not yet engaged" as well as his "The Lost Sheep" exhibited at the R.A. in 1869.
John Linnell (1792-1882) was an English engraver, portrait, and landscape painter. He also associated with William Blake, to whom he introduced the painter and writer Samuel Palmer and others of "the Ancients". Samuel Palmer married his daughter, Hannah, and Linnell was a mentor to Palmer's art, and important financial supporter to Palmer and his wife and children throughout his life.
2) Richmond, George. A.L.S. 1881. 1pp. on folded paper. He writes about making a drawing, but not before Christmas Day as "I have too great fellowship with those who labour, not to respect all holy days as very sacred things."
3) Richmond, George. A.L.S. December 2, 1882. 3pp. on black-edged folded letterhead for "20, York Street, Portman Square. W." Addressed to Lilian. He apologizes for having neglected to answer her "too kind and pretty note" and writes of a bond formed between them when they were both in great sorrow.
4) Richmond, George. A.L.S. July 7, 1885. 2pp. on black-edged folded letterhead for "20, York Street, Portman Square. W." Addressed again to Lilian saying he is glad she likes the print and the frame, and that he knows that the engraver was paid 700 guineas for engraving the plate.
George Richmond RA [1809-1896]. An English painter, son on Thomas Richmond, a miniature-painter. He was a member of "The Ancients" along with Samuel Palmer, the acolytes of William Blake. In his later life he became a well-respected portrait painter specializing in portraits of royalty and the gentry.
5-9). Palmer, Alfred Herbert. [Son of Samuel Palmer]. A group of five A.L.S, on twice-folded Tilford Cottage blind-stamped letterhead including three in stamped envelopes, all addressed to Lawrence W. Hodson of Compton Hall near Wolverhampton.
February 18, 1892. Palmer writes about lending "a complete set of my father's etchings" for a Wolverhampton exhibition, all but one of which will be artist's proofs, some of them printed by him personally
February 29, 1892. Palmer writes to ask if Hodson would also like etchings in various states including The Morning of Life "printed for my father by Seymour Haden & with annotations on the margins by the latter", as well as 3 states of The Herdsman that "illustrate my father's method of stopping out & etching a sky &c"
April 14, 1892. Palmer apologizes for a delay in sending the etchings and encloses a complete list of all of the impressions of them with a few notes [not present]. He adds "As they are of considerable value I should be much obliged if you will kindly insure them. I have pencilled the values in the margin."
May 13, 1892. Palmer thanks Hodson for the exhibition catalogue and asks for more copies. "With regards to the notes on printing there are a few points I may venture perhaps to mention..." He goes on to explain his opinion (shared with his father) on the manner and extent a plate should be wiped prior to printing.
May 19, 1892. He thanks Hodson for sending the catalogues and writes "Any art I think must needs gain very greatly by the involvement of a real enthusiast such as yourself."
Alfred Herbert Palmer [1853-1932] was a diligent steward of his father's work although this unfortunately extended to burning a very large amount of it in 1909. He wrote that he burned "a great quantity of my father's handiwork... Knowing that no one would be able to make head or tail of what I burnt; I wishes to save it from a more humiliating fate." The destruction included "sketchbooks, notebooks, and originals works, and lasted for days..." Item #125852
Price: $1,200.00