REEVE

A highly interesting letter, indicative of the relationship between artist and patron in late Georgian England, and revealing of Cotman's mental state at a time during which, as the Oxford DNB notes, he 'suffered from depressive illness'. 4pp., 4to. Bifolium with 53 lines of text. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-worn paper, with a few short closed tears at ends of crease lines. The letter concerns the painting 'View from Yarmouth Bridge, looking towards Breydon, just after sun-set' (now in the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery).

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Docketted by recipient 'Mr. Robinson on my Spanish portraits.' A pencil note identifies the writer as 'Hy Reeve', perhaps the journalist Henry Reeve (1813-1895).

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Docketted by recipient 'Mr. Robinson on my Spanish portraits.' A pencil note identifies the writer as 'Hy Reeve', perhaps the journalist Henry Reeve (1813-1895).

The two items are uniform in layout, on folio bifoliums, with the text covering the whole of the recto of the first leaf, and the details printed lengthwise on the reverse of the second. Both in good condition, and folded into the customary packets. An early example of nimbyism, rather rich coming from a banker. The petition begins: 'In the House of Lords.

Four pages, 12mo. Very good, with unobtrusive remains of stub along one edge. In interesting letter discussing the state of the English stage. Her tardy response is due to 'pressure of work". 'What you say about the present condition of the stage is only too true.