Details
SPENCER, Stanley (1891-1959). Six autograph letters signed to Zoltan Lewinter-Frankl and two to Mrs Lewinter-Frankl, Cookham Rise and Whitehouse, near Belfast, 5 February 1952 - 19 January 1957 and n.d. (2), approximately 15 pages, 8°, and 2 pages, 4° (6 letters in pencil and 2 in biro, on lined or light paper, a few small tears not affecting text); and a typed letter (copy) and a manuscript fragment including a small caricature by Gilbert Spencer.
Letters written in Spencer's inimitable style, including two when he was working on the series of 'Christ Preaching at Cookham Regatta', to friends whom he visited when staying near Belfast with his elder brother, Harold. Spencer wrote in a published letter (to Robert Smart) of the kindness shown him by the Frankls, who owned several of his works.
'I spend most of my time in silent worship of brother Harold. Every time I go to draw or paint him he goes slap off to sleep, bless him. There is a lovely little plate rack over the gas oven & just handy for Harold to air his pants on'.
'I am getting into a 3ft x 5 ft painting of a scene in my Cana marriage pictures. It is where the servant coming from the dining room to the kitchen tells the other servant of the miracle. In it you have the warm oil lamp light & red kitchen blind & lights playing on a near forground [sic] cloths [sic] horse and the kitchen door is open giving on to the darkness outside & incoming backdoor guests: much wiping of boots on the doormat'.
Other topics include his health, social life, and friends including Wilfred Evill (his solicitor who accepted paintings in settlement of his fees), and his pleasure at the favourable reception of his work. The last letters refer to his final work, the 'Cookham Regatta' series in which he returned to the memories of his youth, in one 'a scene of Christ in the corn when they break the Sabbath by rubbing their hands. And you see the Cookham churchgoers looking very shocked'.
Letters written in Spencer's inimitable style, including two when he was working on the series of 'Christ Preaching at Cookham Regatta', to friends whom he visited when staying near Belfast with his elder brother, Harold. Spencer wrote in a published letter (to Robert Smart) of the kindness shown him by the Frankls, who owned several of his works.
'I spend most of my time in silent worship of brother Harold. Every time I go to draw or paint him he goes slap off to sleep, bless him. There is a lovely little plate rack over the gas oven & just handy for Harold to air his pants on'.
'I am getting into a 3ft x 5 ft painting of a scene in my Cana marriage pictures. It is where the servant coming from the dining room to the kitchen tells the other servant of the miracle. In it you have the warm oil lamp light & red kitchen blind & lights playing on a near forground [sic] cloths [sic] horse and the kitchen door is open giving on to the darkness outside & incoming backdoor guests: much wiping of boots on the doormat'.
Other topics include his health, social life, and friends including Wilfred Evill (his solicitor who accepted paintings in settlement of his fees), and his pleasure at the favourable reception of his work. The last letters refer to his final work, the 'Cookham Regatta' series in which he returned to the memories of his youth, in one 'a scene of Christ in the corn when they break the Sabbath by rubbing their hands. And you see the Cookham churchgoers looking very shocked'.
Special notice
This lot will be subject to VAT at the rate of 17.5% on the buyer's premium.