Letters
Category
Photographs
Date
Unknown
Materials
Photographic paper and paper
Measurements
92 x 58 mm; 176 mm (Height); 117 mm (Width); 152 mm (Height); 97 mm (Width)
Collection
Tyntesfield, North Somerset
NT 27411.141
Summary
Top left of page; sepia photograph of head and shoulders of a man. Bottom left; letter on cream paper to Miss Patteson from J Henry Shorthouse. Bottom right; letter on four sides of folded paper, from Parry to Fanny.
Full description
Top left of page; sepia photograph of head and shoulders of a man. Bottom left; a letter on six sides of folded paper. Embossed address in the middle reads; Lansdowne, Edgbaston. Sept 28. 1884 Dear Miss Patteson I can truly say that any cause that brings us a letter from you is most welcome to my wife and to myself. I am afraid however that I am not the right person to apply to in the matter in which you are interested. As a matter of Charity trade is so depressed here and our own people are, many of them, in such terrible destitution and distress that I do not think that any appeals from a distance would, or I may say should, receive attention, but it is quite possible that your friends schemes may affect “trading” prospects and increased opportunities and fresh markets in Africa. I am not in a position to speak on this subject and I should suppose/ that the Merchants & not manufacturers could be the people to appeal to in such a case. As your friend is an American I should think she could not do wrong in writing to the American Consul, a friend of ours / and a very superior man. Nelson King Esq. American Consulate Birmingham He would doubtless know if there exists any possibility of promoting your friends views here. My [------] relations do not lie among /the Merchants and I have no means of / obtaining the necessary information. - /Contd. Very kindest remembrances from my wife I am dear Miss Patteson Yours very sincerely J Henry Shorthouse Bottom right; letter on four sides of folded paper. Embossed address at top right of letter; HIGHNAM COURT, GLOUCESTER Nov.20 1884 Dear Fanny. The accompanying Photograph is that of the many panels that you have seen me busy about for the last 4 years at my “odd times”. The series together make a large Rerados(?) 15 feet long & 12 high fit for a Cathedral, big church or some good & wealthy/ person’s private chapel. I have made it for sale, to pay off £2000 of mortgage debt on the Property of the Children’s Hospital and St Lucy’s orphanage &c at Gloucester. Alas! “Times” have so changed with me that I can never hope to pay off those terrible encumbrances. Those Institutions are doing a very great work to obtain means to carry them on is more than enough, without those terrible mortgages and the annual percentage to be paid on them. Do help me to sell the Rerados. It is really very effective.The frame of oak, picked out with gold & colour, is my son Sidney the architect’s work and is admirable. My printing comes out ill in Photography, because all / the yellows & fair hair and complexions were reversed(?) by it & come out painfully dark, and all the blues (like the ultramarine / dress of the blessed Virgin) come out white. I could send you/another copy of the Photograph if you want one. The subjects fairly tell themselves – and of course they are entirely original in design. The background of the Xixion is that described by St John “now in the place where He/ was crucified there was a garden” - which continues through, as the background of the 4 figures right & left. Yrs affn [----] Parry
Provenance
Purchase from the estate of the late Lord Wraxall with the assistance of the NHMF and donations from members and supporters.