JOHN SINGER SARGENT Autograph Letter Signed, Eric Gills Work / Old Christ Church


JOHN SINGER SARGENT Autograph Letter Signed, Eric Gills Work / Old Christ Church

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JOHN SINGER SARGENT Autograph Letter Signed, Eric Gills Work / Old Christ Church:
$1500.00


- JOHN SINGER SARGENT Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) 1920 -- English Engraver Eric Gill’s “Lettering” in the Old Christ Church -- Sent to American Psychologist & Philosopher WILLIAM JAMES -

IMPORTANT, four-page “autograph letter signed” (ALS) by the prominent American portrait painter JOHN SINGER SARGENT, with SUPERB commentary regarding some lettering in the “Old Christ Church” which Sargent believes to be the work of the controversial English engraver ERIC GILL (who was associated with the Arts and Crafts movement). 

Letter is dated October 19th 1920 and addressed to the pioneering American psychologist and philosopher “Mr. William James” (at 95 Irving Street, Cambridge / Massachusetts).  Letter is written on stationary with a printed address (“31, TITE STREET, CHELSEA S.W.”) along the top and includes the original mailing envelope.

Letter reads in full, “Dear Mr. James, I went into the old Christ church yesterday to look at the inscriptions, with which Emily (John Singer Sargent’s sister) tells me that you are dissatisfied on account of reports about the lettering not being good – and I feel bound to give you my impression – The lettering seems to me extremely good, and of so refined a character that I think it must have been done by the very Eric Gill (the noted British sculptor, engraver, typeface designer, and printmaker who was associated with the Arts and Crafts movement) whom she recommended to you as the best man here.  The thing that seems to me unsatisfactory is the narrow and flat band of black marble that frames the inscription.  It seems to me that some moulding or profile would improve it.   The inscriptions read: …… a lover of the fine amenities of brave deeds and generous impulses”.   I wonder whether there ought not to be a comma after amenities – This might come a little awkwardly because amenities comes at the end of a line + the comma would project a little – But would not the meaning be clearer?   I write in order that you may find out, before writing to Gill, whether he himself is the author of the lettering, which by the way I don’t think could be improved upon – Please remember me to your son and daughter-in-law.   Yours truly John S. Sargent (signed)”.

JOHN SINGER SARGENT (1856 – 1925) was an important American artist, who was considered the \"leading portrait painter” of his generation.  CONDITION: letter measures about 7 x 8 ¾ inches in size and the mailing envelope about 3 5/8 x 4 ¾ inches.  BOTH are in EXCELLENT, original condition with some mailing folds only (see scans). John Singer Sargent’s signature / autograph is guaranteed authentic.   Winning buyer to pay $10 for shipping, postage & INSURANCE.   Please let me know if you have any additional questions.


JOHN SINGER SARGENT Autograph Letter Signed, Eric Gills Work / Old Christ Church:
$1500.00

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