Beschreibung:

The Revd. William Gunn, (1750-1841). A collection of material to and from William Gunn, relating to the Grand Tour and Norfolk, 1774-1843 A very extensive collection of letters addressed to William Gunn (1750-1841) of Irstead and Smallburgh, Norfolk, art critic, collector and miscellaneous writer, over a period of half a century (1774-1832), including a vast correspondence relating to Norfolk and the Grand Tour of Italy, comprising some 1,004 letters bound in nine volumes, dealing with social, political and business life in Norfolk and reflecting Gunn's passion for art and antiquities, including paintings, cameos, tapestries, books and manuscripts. Also to include five volumes of diaries of the early stages of Rev. Gunn's tour of Europe in 1792-1793 and a single volume of the journal of his wife, Mrs Ann Gunn, from the year 1792. Three volumes of William Gunn's publications on art, literature and architecture researched during his tour are also incorporated into the collection. The final part consists of a selection of material, two volumes, regarding the case of Augustus Frederick d'Este in his claim for the Dukedom of Sussex, in which Rev. William Gunn was examined. The letters include sixty letters from Dawson Turner (1775-1858), botanist and antiquary, thirty eight from John Flaxman (1755-1826), sculptor and draughtsman, and his wife Ann, two from John Sell Cotman (1782-1842), architectural draughtsman and landscape painter, and letters from George Nicol, Richard Bartram, Lady Knight, Thomas Hearne George Cubitt and many others. From correspondents in London there is news of theatre: "Kemble (Mrs Siddon's brother) will I think rank high in the Theatrick Walk, his Hamlet and Edward are Capital Performances" (T. Blofeld, 23/10/1787), exhibitions: "at the Royal Academy their (sic) is a specimen of a rising genius Wilkie by name, a Scotch youth of 18 years old who exhibits 'The Village Politicians' admirably imagined and as well executed" (M.Preston, 26/5/06), authors: "I was very well acquainted with Dr. Johnson and set a great value upon his works" (Lady Knight, 6/10/94) and new publications: "Paul's Letters to his Kinfolk... said to be by Walter Scott .. for lighter reading I hear "Emma" advised" (M. Preston, 8/3/1816). Other letters refer to Cambridge University: "a degree may be taken with the least inconvenience... anyone engaged with the church is entitled to a degree at the end of ten years without any residence whatsoever", (W. Gibson, 4/6/87), tours in England: "visited Hardwicke House, I longed for Lady Walpole born Cavendish to tell us some anecdotes of that house," (J. Preston, 9/8/84), and advice to a bachelor friend about acquiring a wife "My wife has two [unmarried] sisters, one a sensible steady girl, one a bouncing wench that will romp from dawn to night", (J.Preston, 9/8/84) A large part of the correspondence relates to Norfolk and Norfolk families including the Cotmans, Hornes, Cubitts, Blofelds, Scottows, Aufreres, Catfields, Prestons, Chambers, Ordes, the Hon. Colonel Woodhouse and William Smith and houses at Beeston, Irstead, Tooker Court, Holkham, Bracondale and Barton amongst others. "Mr Preston has demolished his house [Beeston], the poor house is almost level with the ground", news of births and deaths "Mr Boycott is dead and has left a fortune of £80,000 behind him" (Norris, 8/2/85), social gossip "Cubitt is in posession of his treasure... Young Chambers who was late of Honing has eloped with a lady of £9000 fortune to Gretna. Had he done so a little sooner he might have saved his estate" (Blofeld, 11/2/85). "King - the Jew - Husband to the noble Countess of Lanesborough... who makes no scruple to keep two wives in the most open manner" (J.Hall, 10/10/85). Mr. Preston refers to the privations caused by the naval blo Sold for £76,550 (buyer's premium included)