(Mary, writer, 1797-1851) Autograph Letter signed to [Cyrus Redding], 3pp., 8vo, 33 Somerset Street, Portman Square, Sunday, [?17th June, 1829], refusing permission to make an engraving from an unfinished portrait of Percy Shelley, "I am sorry to have it only in my power to reply that the portrait of Mr. Shelley to which you allude is by no means a good one: - it is the size of life in oils - but unfortunately very unfinished - There are however very striking points of resemblance, and I indulge a hope that when I can afford it, a first rate engraver might succeed in making a good print from it. I do not know any thing so enjoyable or unjust as the too frequent custom of prefixing prints unworthy of the person to be represented - and in this case, there would be great danger that even Mr. Heath [Charles Heath (1785-1848), engraver] could not succeed, I should be averse therefore to having it done unless by him, & unless it were in my power cancel it altogether if I did not approve of it. If it had been otherwise, if the picture had been one which would only have needed, I should have been very happy to have furnished you with the opportunity of making an engraving. Be assured that it is not necessary to apologize to me for an application on this subject - still less from a friend of Mr Smith - I believe also that Mr L[eigh] Hunt is a common acquintance", [Bennett, The Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, vol. III, pp. 411-412, 1988], small tear starting along tail of central fold, folds. *** Provenance: Betty T. Bennett (1935-2006), Professor of Literature and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1985-97) at American University; authority on the life of Mary Shelley; editor of The Letters of Mary Shelley, 1980-88.
(Mary, writer, 1797-1851) Autograph Letter signed to [Cyrus Redding], 3pp., 8vo, 33 Somerset Street, Portman Square, Sunday, [?17th June, 1829], refusing permission to make an engraving from an unfinished portrait of Percy Shelley, "I am sorry to have it only in my power to reply that the portrait of Mr. Shelley to which you allude is by no means a good one: - it is the size of life in oils - but unfortunately very unfinished - There are however very striking points of resemblance, and I indulge a hope that when I can afford it, a first rate engraver might succeed in making a good print from it. I do not know any thing so enjoyable or unjust as the too frequent custom of prefixing prints unworthy of the person to be represented - and in this case, there would be great danger that even Mr. Heath [Charles Heath (1785-1848), engraver] could not succeed, I should be averse therefore to having it done unless by him, & unless it were in my power cancel it altogether if I did not approve of it. If it had been otherwise, if the picture had been one which would only have needed, I should have been very happy to have furnished you with the opportunity of making an engraving. Be assured that it is not necessary to apologize to me for an application on this subject - still less from a friend of Mr Smith - I believe also that Mr L[eigh] Hunt is a common acquintance", [Bennett, The Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, vol. III, pp. 411-412, 1988], small tear starting along tail of central fold, folds. *** Provenance: Betty T. Bennett (1935-2006), Professor of Literature and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1985-97) at American University; authority on the life of Mary Shelley; editor of The Letters of Mary Shelley, 1980-88.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
