Item 28a: A Letter from H[enry] F[oster] Sewall to “Mr. Kochler,” , [18]87 May 16
Item — Box: 1, Folder: 28a
Dates
- Created: [18]87 May 16
Creator
- Sewall, Henry Foster, 1816-1896 (Person)
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter/Correspondence/Receipt
Condition Note:
Good, letters are intact and free of any marks or holes.
Measurements:
6 11/16 in. x 8 ⅛ in.
Description:
The following item depicts a letter written by Henry Foster Sewall to Mr. Kochler, dated May 16, 1887. In the letter, Sewall is mentioning a recent auction of the Buccleuch print collection he researched for Kochler, including a number of pieces by Rembrandt van Rijn. Sewall writes that the recipient may have more knowledge of the states of each item relative to the price, and that the names on the list may be more recognizable to Kochler. Sewall suggests that he look over the listing of Rembrandt’s pieces available in the collection, a total of 64 prints following the conclusion of the letter, and connect with some of his trustees at the museum to purchase the particulars they seek to curate. The list gives an itemized price of each print, and the state, or print edition, of each. The sum of the account totals to £13.792. Some of the more commonly known works on the list include, Flight into Egypt, Christ healing the sick, Christ before Pilate, The shell, The Three Trees, Canal V Swans, and Man with a crucifix + chain. There are also a number of portraits that have been named, such as Rembrandt leaning on a stone sill, Jan Antonides van der Linden, Dr Faustus, Renier Ansloo, Young Haaring, and John [Jan] Cornelius Sylvius.
The list utilizes specialized language for the trade of print-making, namely the designation of what state each of the prints is in. A state is a stage in the development of a print, or a collection of prints from a matrix, material such as a copperplate, that has not been changed. A first state would be the first impression or print rendered. A second state occurs when the artist makes an adjustment to the design and so on. There is also a Unique state, which is a print that has been produced as a single work, without the intention of additional editions.
Rembrandt van Rijn was a seventeenth century Dutch painter during the Golden Age, as well as a prominent printmaker and draftsman. He is most famous for his manipulation and distortion with shadow and light, achieved by experimental brushwork, that creates a dramatic tone within his works. It was often thought that his paintings were akin to the art of storytelling for the emotion and feeling he rendered in both the subject and his viewer.
The Buccleuch collection, spelled Buccleugh in the letter, is a distinguished art collection that began its curation in the 15th century. It belongs to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. The diverse collection contains paintings of many named figures, including such artists as Van Dyck, Gainsborough, El Greco, and Rembrandt, alongside significant tapestries, furniture, silverware, and porcelain, gathered over centuries by the Montagu, Douglas, and Scott families. It is still considered to be one of the most influential private collections in the art world. “From paintings by El Greco, Van Dyck and Gainsborough to Mortlake Tapestries and sixteenth century rugs from the Middle East, there are some 500 paintings, 1,000 miniatures and an enormous selection of objects d’art. The vast majority of the collection is divided between three principal locations; Bowhill House, Drumlanrig Castle and Boughton House” (Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust).
Dates: [18]87 May 16
Location:
New York
Transcription:
Front:
R[eceived] May 18. “ 19. New York May 16 [18]87 Dear Mr Kochler I have to acknowledge receipt of a Season ticket to the museum which you kindly have forwarded to me; I have since copied from the Load’re & Atheneum the price of some of the Buccleugh (sic) [Buccleuch] prints lately sold at auction, which are transcribed on this sheet, under the presumption that you may not have seen the number of that period(?) (as “ apt) in which they are quoted. Perhaps the sight of the list and the knowledge of the constantly increasing value of old engravings therein made manifest may serve(?) to instigate(?) your trustees to secure the collection in its Entirety for the museum. The + before Pilate [Christ before Pilate] 1st State £11.50 is I believe the same impression sold in the [Newbury/Newbody](?) Collection in 1851 for £44 10/ ; the “unfinished” Dr Jerome in the same sale (called “matchless” &c[etcetera]) bought £9.15/, the Spanish Gypsy £6.10/, the 3 Trees “probably the finest known” £33.Village with a Square tower 1st State &c [etcetera] India paper £44. Cottage with white paling 1st State £13.13 / (probably the identical print in the Buccleugh (sic) sale) ‘Canal + swan 1st State on India paper £24. Young Harring 1st State £18.10, Coppenol, India paper 3rd State £15. - 3rd Oriental head £9., or an average of more than 10 times [illegible] less than at the present time
Yours Truly HF Sewall
Page Two:
Buccleugh (sic) [Buccleuch] Rembrandt Prints Sale Ap[ri]l 19-22- 1887
From the London Athenaeum Report of 30 Ap[ri]l Rembrandt leaning on a stone sill; 1” State £125. Rembrandt drawing 6”. 80. Angels appearing to the shepherds 3”. 85 Flight into Egypt, (Seghers’ print?) 1”. 115. the same print 2”. 100 Raising of Lazarus the large print 3”. 135 Christ healing the sick (Japan paper) 1” 1300. Christ before Pilate (Japan paper) 1” 1150. The same print 5” 75. Eue Home (3 nate of Wilson) 3” 70. Good Samaritan 1” 60. St Jerome before the trunk of an old tree 1” 55. St. Jerome “the unfinished” plate 1” 124. St. Francis on vellum 1” 110. the same print 2” 100.
The Spanish Gipsy (sic)------ 60. The shell 1”State 185. The Sedikit 2” 58. The Fluteplayer 1” 60
Page Three:
Woman preparing to dress, Japan paper 1”State £62. Woman with the arrow 1” 50. The sportsman landscape 1” 65. The Three Trees - - 165. Another of same - - 120. The Milk Pails landscape 1” 205. The Coach Landscape 75. The Three Cottages - - - 2”State 275. Village with a Square tower 1” 295. The Canal [Pos.] - - - - 120. Landscape with a Vista - - 3:State 140. Landscape with a ruined tower 1” 260. Landscape with a flock of sheep 1” 180. Cottage + barn - with a counterproof 75. Obelisk Landscape 1” 255. Grotto with a boat (sic) [Grotto with a brook] 54. Landscape with white paliny (sic) [Pales?] 1”State 100. The goldweighers field “ Japan paper 210. Canal V Swans 1”State 125. Landscape with a cow drinking 1” 135. Landscape with a canal 53.
Man with a crucifix + chain 1”State 55. John Antonides Van der Leudin (sic) 1”State 80. [Jan Antonides van der Linden]
Page Four:
Dr Faustus 1”State £55. Renier Ansloo 1” 200. Abraham Franesz (sic) [Francen] 2”State 570. Old Haaring 3”State 70. Young Haaring 1”State 105. Joannes Lufuin 2”State 176. Asselyn 1”State 105. Ephraim Bonus 2” 120. Uytenbogaert [Wtenbogaert] 1” 1280. John [Jan] Cornelius Sylvius 125. The gold weigher (before the face) 1”State 160. The same - the face drawn in by Rembrandt - 56. The same 2”State 110. The Lesser Coppenol[l] on Japan Paper 1” 320. The Larger Coppenol[l] Japan Paper 2” 1190. the same 3” 130. the same 4” 85. Van Tolling 2” 800. Burgomasters Six - 2” 500.
Third Oriental Head 84. The great Jewish Bride 1”State 150. the same 2” 260.
Total of the 64 prints quotes £13.792.
R[eceived] May 18. “ 19. New York May 16 [18]87 Dear Mr Kochler I have to acknowledge receipt of a Season ticket to the museum which you kindly have forwarded to me; I have since copied from the Load’re & Atheneum the price of some of the Buccleugh (sic) [Buccleuch] prints lately sold at auction, which are transcribed on this sheet, under the presumption that you may not have seen the number of that period(?) (as “ apt) in which they are quoted. Perhaps the sight of the list and the knowledge of the constantly increasing value of old engravings therein made manifest may serve(?) to instigate(?) your trustees to secure the collection in its Entirety for the museum. The + before Pilate [Christ before Pilate] 1st State £11.50 is I believe the same impression sold in the [Newbury/Newbody](?) Collection in 1851 for £44 10/ ; the “unfinished” Dr Jerome in the same sale (called “matchless” &c[etcetera]) bought £9.15/, the Spanish Gypsy £6.10/, the 3 Trees “probably the finest known” £33.Village with a Square tower 1st State &c [etcetera] India paper £44. Cottage with white paling 1st State £13.13 / (probably the identical print in the Buccleugh (sic) sale) ‘Canal + swan 1st State on India paper £24. Young Harring 1st State £18.10, Coppenol, India paper 3rd State £15. - 3rd Oriental head £9., or an average of more than 10 times [illegible] less than at the present time
Yours Truly HF Sewall
Page Two:
Buccleugh (sic) [Buccleuch] Rembrandt Prints Sale Ap[ri]l 19-22- 1887
From the London Athenaeum Report of 30 Ap[ri]l Rembrandt leaning on a stone sill; 1” State £125. Rembrandt drawing 6”. 80. Angels appearing to the shepherds 3”. 85 Flight into Egypt, (Seghers’ print?) 1”. 115. the same print 2”. 100 Raising of Lazarus the large print 3”. 135 Christ healing the sick (Japan paper) 1” 1300. Christ before Pilate (Japan paper) 1” 1150. The same print 5” 75. Eue Home (3 nate of Wilson) 3” 70. Good Samaritan 1” 60. St Jerome before the trunk of an old tree 1” 55. St. Jerome “the unfinished” plate 1” 124. St. Francis on vellum 1” 110. the same print 2” 100.
The Spanish Gipsy (sic)------ 60. The shell 1”State 185. The Sedikit 2” 58. The Fluteplayer 1” 60
Page Three:
Woman preparing to dress, Japan paper 1”State £62. Woman with the arrow 1” 50. The sportsman landscape 1” 65. The Three Trees - - 165. Another of same - - 120. The Milk Pails landscape 1” 205. The Coach Landscape 75. The Three Cottages - - - 2”State 275. Village with a Square tower 1” 295. The Canal [Pos.] - - - - 120. Landscape with a Vista - - 3:State 140. Landscape with a ruined tower 1” 260. Landscape with a flock of sheep 1” 180. Cottage + barn - with a counterproof 75. Obelisk Landscape 1” 255. Grotto with a boat (sic) [Grotto with a brook] 54. Landscape with white paliny (sic) [Pales?] 1”State 100. The goldweighers field “ Japan paper 210. Canal V Swans 1”State 125. Landscape with a cow drinking 1” 135. Landscape with a canal 53.
Man with a crucifix + chain 1”State 55. John Antonides Van der Leudin (sic) 1”State 80. [Jan Antonides van der Linden]
Page Four:
Dr Faustus 1”State £55. Renier Ansloo 1” 200. Abraham Franesz (sic) [Francen] 2”State 570. Old Haaring 3”State 70. Young Haaring 1”State 105. Joannes Lufuin 2”State 176. Asselyn 1”State 105. Ephraim Bonus 2” 120. Uytenbogaert [Wtenbogaert] 1” 1280. John [Jan] Cornelius Sylvius 125. The gold weigher (before the face) 1”State 160. The same - the face drawn in by Rembrandt - 56. The same 2”State 110. The Lesser Coppenol[l] on Japan Paper 1” 320. The Larger Coppenol[l] Japan Paper 2” 1190. the same 3” 130. the same 4” 85. Van Tolling 2” 800. Burgomasters Six - 2” 500.
Third Oriental Head 84. The great Jewish Bride 1”State 150. the same 2” 260.
Total of the 64 prints quotes £13.792.
- Ansloo, Renier; Francen, Abraham, 1612-ca.1669
- Art.
- Bonus, Ephraim, [active 1647]
- Correspondence.
- Harringh, Pieter, [active 1655]
- Harringh, Thomas, [active 1669]
- Jesus Christ.
- Letter.
- Lufuin, Joannes
- Museums.
- Pontius Pilatus, active 1st century.
- Print.
- Receipts
- Saint Francis
- Saint Jerome
- Sylvius, John [Jan] Cornelius, [active 1646]
- Wtenbogaert, Johannes, 1557-1644
- van Coppenol, Lieven Willemsz, ca. 1599-ca. 1671
- van Rijn, Rembrandt, 1606-1669
- van Tolling, Arnold, [active 1656]
- van der Linden, Jan Antonides, 1609-1664
Creator
- Sewall, Henry Foster, 1816-1896 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu