A file of correspondence by five artists: Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema; Sir George Causen; Edward John Gregory; John William North; and William Stott (of Oldham); to the London picture dealer Charles Deschamps (about seven letters are to his assistant W. P. H. Groome or others), 1872-1888

From the Bart Auerbach Collection. Consisting of 188 autograph letters signed, and one autograph postcard signed (336 pages, 12mo and 8vo), plus 25 related items. As below:. Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912). 38 autograph letters signed, 52 pages, nearly all 12mo, about half in French, most signed "L Alma-Tadema" (a few signed just with initials), one letter with small ink sketch of Deschamps, another letter with a fore-edge a bit chipped; docketed by Deschamps and a few with his penciled notes on versos. Written from London, Naples, and Menton, 1872-1888. With six related items: three letters to Alma-Tadema from others regarding his paintings; two letters (1883 & 1910) from his wife and daughter (also painters) to Deschamps; and a pictorial invitation to an Alma-Tadema exhibition.

Alma-Tadema writes about: sales of his paintings (with some prices) - payments for paintings - paintings mentioned are "Sappho," "The Audition," "La Cleopatra" - arranging meetings - portraits - arranging for paintings to go to exhibitions (at Knoedler, Birmingham, Grosvenor Gallery) - mentions four paintings leaving for America and their prospective buyers - social news - travels (one letter is from Naples, two are from Menton).


Sir George Clausen (1852-1944). 81 autograph letters signed, 158 pages, 8vo, one letter with two small drawings in the text, 18 of the letters with condition problems because of the ink and the inferior dark stationery used (fading, some margins chipped, all perhaps a dozen words lost); nearly all docketed by Deschamps on versos. Written from Cookham Dene in Berks, St. Albans, and possibly Paris, 1881-1887. With eight signed receipts from Deschamps for sales of pictures and one printed Deschamps announcement.

Clausen writes about: pricing pictures - exhibitions - discusses individual pictures he is working on and selling (detailed) - much on the Grosvenor Gallery - Royal Academy exhibition (getting "The Gleaners" and other paintings ready for) - thinking of moving from St. Albans to Cookham Dene - what he finds wrong with one of his pictures - which pictures should be sent to the Grosvenor or to the Royal Academy - going to Paris to paint for the winter Glow international exhibition - also Liverpool and Manchester exhibitions - framing - which pictures they are sending to each other - mentions Alma-Tadema - mentions other art dealers.

Edward John Gregory (1850-1909). 30 autograph letters signed, 50 pages, 12mo-8vo, a few letters a bit stained. Virtually all written from Maida Vale (one letter from Florence), 1881-1888. With two signed receipts from Deschamps. Gregory writes about: financial matters - collectors - exhibitions - sales of his pictures - prices for pictures - pictures and watercolors he is working on (a few detailed) - framing - travels in Italy (a six-page letter giving his opinion of Florence) - mentions Caldecott.

John William North (1842-1024). 25 autograph letters signed and one autograph postcard signed, 46 pages, 8vo, including one letter to Mr. Williams of Christie's, one of the letters browned. Written from London and Taunton, 1881-1888. With six signed receipts from Deschamps for pictures sold and an autograph note signed from the dealer making an offer on a painting (with a reply from North on it).

North writes about: the Grosvenor Gallery and its exhibitions - going to the New Gallery - selling a Gainsborough which Deschamps had on consignment - sales of pictures and prices he wants - other dealers - making arrangements - Deschamps getting involved with the Grosvenor Gallery - mentions the writer Richard Jefferies.

William Stott, of Oldham (1857-1900). 14 autograph letters signed, 31 pages, 8vo; almost all docketed by Deschamps, a few with penciled notes by him. Written from London, Cumberland, and Paris, 1884-1887. With a receipt from Deschamps for payment for a painting. 

Stott writes about: prices he wants for paintings and business dealings over his pictures (in detail) - names paintings he is working on - arranges appointments - mentions a Whistler painting at a Paris salon.