ART

The largest man-made explosion before the the development of nuclear weapons, with a force equivalent to nearly 3 kilotons of TNT, occurred when the French cargo ship SS Mont-Blanc, laden with wartime munitions, collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in the Narrows, a strait connecting the upper Halifax Harbour to Bedford Basin. The explosion devastated the Richmond District of Halifax, killing 2000 and injuring 9000. Each postcard carries the words 'Copyright Underwood & Underwood, N.Y.' next to the caption beneath the image, with 'Novelty Mfg.

TLS, The Studio, Carrigoona Cottage, Co. Wicklow; 15 May 1950, 2pp., 8vo. And Photograph.He recalls that SL was 'good enough to read a manuscript of mine several years ago, and since then, after re-reading it, I came to the conclusion that it was perfectly awful. I then on the advice of Sean O'Faolain, added a few more chapters re-wrote and altered the whole thing, and a few weeks ago I signed an agreement with Batsford, to publish it with the title, "An Irish Portrait".

2pp., 4to. 20 lines of text. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Signed 'Geoffrey de Bellaigue'. He writes that he has had a reply to a letter (he has written to the Queen) 'concerning the miniature book entitled "Statesmen" which you purchased at the sale at Sothebys on 17 July 1972 (Lot 636)'.

49 photographic prints, laid down on 48pp. of a small (16.5 x 13 cm) contemporary 4to album, quarter-bound with brown leather spine and brown cloth boards, with yellow endpapers. No captions: the only manuscript in the volume being the ownership inscription of 'Sybil M. Hubert | 1883' on the front free endpaper. A fragile survival: aged and discoloured, with occasional staining from damp, which also caused some of the photographs to stick to one another, with slight damage occurring on their being detached; binding also in poor condition, with boards detached and leaves loose.

On 20 x 24 cm piece of thick laid paper. A spirited and highly-finished cartoon, apparently unpublished. The two photographers have emerged from neighbouring doorways to solicit a portly Englishman, attired like John Bull, who holds his hands up in a gesture of exasperation or refusal. He is accompanied by a young boy, hands in pockets. The photographer on the left is dressed in the French or Italian style, back to the viewer, waving his cartes de visite around.

1p., 4to. Neatly written out in a contemporary hand (presumably the recipient's), with 'Copy' at the head. In very good condition, on lightly-aged laid paper with watermark of 'W D WELLS'. Signature transcribed as 'Wm. Lock'. Lock has just received Murray's letter of 18 May, 'giving me an Account of the Sales of my Books and Prints which is so much below what I had reason to expect, that I must beg you to apply only One thousand to the Payment of my Debt to my Fathers Executors'.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Clearly responding to an enquiry regarding what books had had a formative influence on his life, Piper writes: 'Vollard's Life of Cézanne, because it showed me, in my teens, that an artist can be dedicated, unbohemian, unworldly, against the tide and absolutely true to his instincts, which happened to be right. The book - by a dealer, too!

[1] + 7pp., foolscap 8vo. On eight leaves, stapled together in one corner. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with slight rust marking to title leaf. The title leaf reads: 'THE MAGDALEN STREET | PROJECT | Further information obtainable from: | THE CIVIC TRUST | 79 BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROAD | LONDON S.W.1. | TATe Gallery 0891'. The background to the experiment is explained in the first two paragraphs: 'This is the story of an experiment in civic design. It is also a story of civic co-operation in which self-help was seen to be synonymous with public spirit.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, attached by a stub to a piece of brown paper cut from an album. A fine, firm signature, employing an alternative spelling of the surname (the Oxford DNB notes that it was in 1835 that Maclise abandoned 'other forms' of it). Trimmed down from a letter, and addressed by Maclise on the reverse to 'Henry Howard Esqr. | R.A. | Secy.' The note simply gives the title, with Maclise's signature and address, as follows, of the painting he entered in the Royal Academy exhibtion of 1835.

1p., 12mo. 25 lines, neatly and tightly written. In good condition, lightly-aged, and with pin hole to one corner. Blashfield declares himself 'much disappointed' that Thomas will not be presiding 'at the joint meeting on the 17th. Nov.', stating that he has been urging 'from the beginning' that Thomas should 'so preside'.

79pp., 8vo. In stout, thumb-indexed diary for 1930. In fair condition, on aged paper, in heavily worn binding, lacking spine and bowed by the excess material it contains. Ownership inscription by Richardson on flyleaf: 'A E Richardson ARA | Avenue House, | Ampthill Beds. | St. Catherine's College Cambridge, | 1939-1940 | University College, London.' Richardson published a number of works on architectural matters, but nothing on the history of art.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He has been 'requested by Mr. L. Veneaux to desire you to return the Picture (Boulonaise) which was delivered at your Gallery at the last Winter Exhibition but being a French Picture was not Exhibited, but allowed to remain for the French one'. He has already made an application 'in Berners Street and Mr. Gambart said the proper place to apply to was at the Gallery.' Graves claims 'L. Veneaux' as a misprint for 'V. Vemaux' of 30 Piccadilly, who exhibited 'Souvenir of Eguihen, near Boulogne-sur-mer' at the Royal Academy in 1853.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. The receipt reads: 'Pour l'exposition de M. Gambart: | un tableau par T. Schmitson de Vienne representant des chevaux sortant de l'abreuvoir | prix (nette) frcs. 1500. - | Londre, le 30: Juin 862 | Charles Sedelmeyer | m[archan]d. de tableaux de Vienne'. Sedelmeyer has written some calculations in the bottom right-hand corner, and at the foot: 'Received back the above | Sedelmeyer'.

4pp., 8vo. Stapled. Carbon of original typescript, with indentations showing on the reverse. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with rust spotting from staple, and punch holes in margin. The report covers the first three pages, and is dated at the end '4th August, 1951'. It is headed 'Charles E. Fraser, Chief Photographer, Lennox Gardens | Director of Exhibitions | Confidential Report | Subject: Comprehensive Photographic Record for posterity of the South Bank Exhibition Festival of Britain 1951'.

An interesting and scarce item. There are no copies of any issues of this magazine on either OCLC WorldCat or COPAC, and there is no record whatsoever of 'Group IV' itself. Now acknowledged as one of Britain's finest landscape painters, Keith Grant joined the Working Men's College on finishing his National Service with the RAF; he then enrolled at Willesden Art School, before joining the Royal College of Art, where he studied under Colin Hayes, John Minton and Kenneth Rowntree. 22pp., 4to.

Part of page, 10 x 7cm, edges a little ragged, mainly good condition. Full text preserved: We have thought & spoken much of you music & of your kindness. | Your's obliged | Eliz. Eastlake".

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. He begins: 'My dear Mrs. Roper - | I have been rather long in fulfilling my promise to write - but I must lay all the blame on this most attractive International from which I can hardly tear myself away! My journey was a very pleasant one on Tuesday with agreeable fellow-passengers, there was another Bouquet besides mine in the carriage - but tell dear Annie it would bear no comparison with mine!

Both items in fair condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper, each with pin holes in one corner. Both items in a hurried, difficult hand. ONE: To 'Dear Madam', dated 19 March 1893. Docketed 'Mr. B. Joy | 29/3/93'. 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He begins by apologising that 'your letter should not have been replied to you [sic]', as he has been 'laid up'. He asks her to inform him when 'the busts' will be needed, '& I will see whether I can send anything'. TWO: Incomplete letter, signed 'A. Bruce Joy'. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Numbered by Bruce-Joy '2'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper, with small hole through both leaves at top inner corner. The letter begins: 'As far as I can remember I keep the Copyright of my late drawings in the Pall Mall Budget'. He refers Brodhurst to the magazine's editors, and apologises for his alte response.

8pp., 12mo. Two bifoliums, one loosely inserted in the other. Printed in red. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-stained paper. A tasteful Italianate design, with thick decorative borders containing flowers, birds, a cherub and a monkey. The last page ends with commendatory quotations from the Spectator and Times.

Item One: Autograph Letter Signed from Richter to Swan. 1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly spotted paper. From the letter it would appear that in 1946 Richter was acting as one of the selectors for the 59th Exhibition of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, at the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London. He writes that he is enclosing 'the mighty deed [a book, as the letter explains], also the invitation for the exhibition at the Royal Academy valid from Feb. 13 to March 17.

The present item is a puzzle. Farington joined the Incorporated Society of Artists at the age of twenty-one, and played an active part in its affairs until his resignation in 1773.

In 1868 Joseph Swan (inventor of the incandescent electric bulb) set up the company to commercialise his patented process for producing permanent photographic images. Throughout the nineteenth century it was known as the Autotype Fine Art Company, It changed its name to the Autotype Company Ltd in 1923, and is now MacDermid Autotype. All five items are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Item One dates from before the company's move from 74 to 59 New Oxford Street in 1926; and the other four items from after the move.

Letter: 6pp., 12mo, on bifolium and single leaf. An vivid and entertaining letter, shedding light on Victorian valuation and auctioneering practices. Barling wastes no time in passing on the bad news. 'I am very glad you have written to me about the B[awdeswe]ll. pictures & I can tell you [last world underlined] plainly what the 2 Christie's opinion was which I cd. not do to poor old C[larke]. S[toughto]n. The inspection in issue was a grievous disappointment. So far worse than I cd. have possibly believed, and then coming the question cd. two such Men as the Christies be wrong?

On one side of an 8 x 10 cm piece of paper, cut from the bottom of a letter. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Reads: '[...] being that very many things demand my attention that have already waited too long. | Yrs. sincerely | Frank Dicksee'.

ALS, on letterhead of the City Art Gallery, Leeds; 10 March 1916. He offers to review 'Rebecca West's forthcoming little book on "Henry James"', being 'particularly interested in both author & subject'. Asks for contact details of a relative of Walter Riddall's: 'I lent him before his death one of my "To-Day" volumes which I can't replace & don't want to lose.'

Whaite was first cousin twice removed of his more famous namesake. He was himself an excellent artist and teacher, and there is a large collection of his work at the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester. 2pp., 12mo. Fair, on aged, creased paper with slight rust spotting. Mawson begins: 'Mr. H. Clarence Whaite first came under my notice a few years ago when attending my lecture on Decoration & Ornamental Design at the Slade School - and from the first I was much struck with his understanding and grasp of the principles[.] This enabled him to carry out work of exceptional merit.

Two extraordinarily positive testimonials, especially significant coming from one of the leading educationalists of his age, and also of interest considering the fact that Whaite would follow Nunn to the London Institute. (Whaite was first cousin twice removed of his more famous namesake. He was himself an excellent artist and teacher, and there is a large collection of his work at the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester.) ONE: Written by Nunn as Principal, London County Council, London Day Training College (University of London), Southampton Row, London, WC1. On College letterhead; 28 June 1928.

1p., 8vo. Fair, on aged and spotted paper. She thanks him for his 'most interesting letter'. 'I have not seen the Board's advertisement, but I feel sure that an appointment of this kind would give you scope for improving conditions, and you would certainly be able to help teachers "struggling" and otherwise. Surely you ought to apply. [...] I can honestly say that I have, in spite of struggles, been very happy as an inspector.

Whaite was first cousin twice removed of his more famous namesake. He was himself an excellent artist and teacher, and there is a large collection of his work at the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester. 2pp., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. The testimonial begins: 'Mr. H. C. Whaite has been on my Staff as visiting Art Master since January 1929, and I am very glad to write in support of his application for an Inspectorship of Art. Mr. Whaite has had wide experience of Art teaching, and has done remarkably successful work here with boys of 14 to 18 years of age.