Four Autograph Letters Signed, one Autograph Note Signed, and a Signed Testimonial, from Henry Tonks, Slade Professor of Fine Art, to his former student H. Clarence Whaite, who assisted Tonks on his 'large wall decoration at University College'.

The note is Item Three below, and the testimonial is Item Six. Items One and Six refer to Tonks's 'large wall decoration at University College', 'The Four Founders', on which Whaite assisted Tonks. (Whaite, who was first cousin twice removed of his more famous namesake, was an excellent artist and tutor, and there is a large collection of his work at the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester.) One: Vale Studio B, Vale Avenue, Chelsea; 22 July 1932. 1p., 16mo. Good, on aged and spotted paper. 'I enclose you a Cheque for £5. I am very grateful to you for all the help you have given me, exactly the kind of help I wanted, in fact I feel you have done all the hard part. I hope we may be able to do many more, but that as so many human affairs do turns on money.' Two: On letterhead of Hill Hall, Theydon Mount, Epping; 27 December 1922. 2pp., 16mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with rust staining from paperclip. He gives directions on who to leave an object with, should his housekeeper not be in to receive it ('Wheatley underneath, or with Chapman Frame Maker, opposite Carlyle Square, Kemp Rd. Chelsea'). 'Anyhow, I am much obliged for all the trouble you have taken which I fear has been considerable'. He concludes: 'We have brought the decoration flush nearly with the wall a great improvement'. Three: Autograph Note Signed. Vale Studio B; 4 January 1923. 1p., 4to. Fair, on aged and creased paper. Enclosing Item Six below: 'It will give me great pleasure to be of use to you'. Four: Vale Studio B; 11 April 1923. 1p., 4to. On creased and aged paper. 'I can not possibly let the Cabinet go. To take all those things out, then put them back again is more than I can stand. No I must put up with it, and some time I will get my own man to see what he can do. It seems to me to get worse. It is very unfortunate, but it was not your fault.' Five: Vale Studio B; 12 April 1924. 1p., 16mo. Good, on lighly-aged paper. 'I am very pleased you have got a job. It is no good being in a hurry about making a start, though I was rather bothered that you got nothing. Of course I shall always be pleased to help you if I can, but one can do very little. | You must find out what you have a power of doing, I will see your work of course if you are at the Slade or not - once a student always one.' Six: Autograph Testimonial Signed. On letterhead of the University of London, University College, and headed by Tonks 'Slade School of Fine Art'; 4 January 1924. On aged and creased paper, with discoloration at foot. 'Mr. H. Clarence Whaite has been a student at this School for several years. He has distinguished himself in many ways. He has distinguished himself in many ways. He has worked hard at both drawing and painting. He has also studied decorative design wood engraving and script and has produced some admirable work. I know him personally very well as he helped me to carry out a large wall decoration at University College, when I was much struck by his good workmanship and his understanding. As I had many conversations with him, I can speak highly of his intelligence. I believe he would make a very good teacher | [signed] Henry Tonks | Slade Professor of Fine Art in the University of London | Jan 4 1924'. From the Whaite papers.