SARGENT, John Singer (1856-1925). Portrait and landscape painter.
Series of 9 Autograph Letters Signed to Gerald Kelly (later Sir Gerald, 1879-1972, portrait painter), 9 pages 8vo & 6 cards all written on both sides, 1913-1914 where dated With two envelopes and three delightful letters (Autograph Letter Signed and 2 Typewritten Letters Signed) from Kelly to Mrs Philippi ('Flapper') and one from his wife, Jane.
Sargent's letters are largely making arrangements for exhibitions, lectures and other appointments.

'I asked Sir Philip Sassoon [1888-1939, politician and art collector] for his name and he suggested lending his house <'25 Park Lane' inserted> as well for one of the conferences - this would be delightful. ...'
'I have written all the cards and so far have had yes from Princess Edmond de Polignac, W.G. Rathbone, and Lady Lewis. I have told Mrs George Batten to reply to you. ...'
'I will write to Bréal encouraging him to give lectures. ... Shall I write to these 3? Mme Errazuriz would be most willing of course - but is she too bohemian for her name to be prestigieux"?'
'... I know of no other [possible venue] except the Grafton cellars where they were before. But I don't know whether Bréal liked the place and whether his lectures there were financially a success or not. As for the subjects of the lectures I think if would be an awful mistake to leave out the Coplas [Spanish songs] and the gramophone - those records were the "clou" of the whole thing, and I think the same people would go again just to hear them. People thought the photographs quite uninteresting, but they were thrilled with the news sensation of the records ...'

Gerald Kelly's long letters are largely concerned with a forthcoming exhibition of his own works (1958) and in getting help in Spain in his attempt to reconstruct exactly the room where Velasquez painted Las Meninas, and are full of self-serving charm.

'... I have found a lunatic, a professor of perspective, who has promised to collaborate with me this enterprise ... Is anything known about the height of Phillip [sic] IV or Queen Mariana or Velasquez. Is there any record of the King having been rather tall or Velaquez being tall? Secondly, I have been authoritatively told that the two large dark rectangular pictures hung on the far wall just under the ceiling are copies of Rubens by Del Mazo. These copies may have been burnt, but if they are extant and could be measured it would be of immense help. ...' etc. etc.
'... I've been very busy - working for the BBC in "Woman's Hour" (I was v. good!) & doing a T.V. turn. As "Barker" "faisant du boniment" I'm quite good & the crowds the R.A. reflect the success I've had. ...'

[No: 25250]