Item 28c: A Letter from H[enry] F[oster] Sewall to “Mr. Kochler,” , [18]87 June 13
Item — Box: 1, Folder: 28c
Dates
- Created: [18]87 June 13
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 June 13, 1887. In the letter, Sewall is writing to say that he agrees with Mr. Kochler’s opinion not to separate a collection he holds in a future sale. Sewall mentions that he recognizes that the buyer is particularly interested in the Rembrandt piece, suggesting that if they were interested enough to buy the collection entirely, he would be open to discounting the sale compared with the prices present in the catalog.
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 was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman, generally considered one of the greatest visual artists throughout art’s history. He was particularly popular for his manipulation and usage of light and shade in his landscape and portraits. His work was also characterized by a preference for the “ugly” form, as he was drawn to high realism in his pieces as opposed to the dream-like quality of other artists.
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).
Location:
New York
Transcription:
Front:
New York June 13 187
Dear Mr Kochler Yours of 10’ inst[ant] was duly Received, and after consideration I am inclined to agree with you that it w[oul]d be better to keep the whole collection of the prints together, and not sell the Rembrandts’ Speciality. However, - the people near you knowing that the collection is offered for sale, I heard they have any deposition to purchase, w[hic]h likely to want, if anything, the Rembrant portion, and if so disposed, let them to Say. I would make a large discount to the whole collection from the prices in the catalogue.
Yours truly H F Sewall
Dear Mr Kochler Yours of 10’ inst[ant] was duly Received, and after consideration I am inclined to agree with you that it w[oul]d be better to keep the whole collection of the prints together, and not sell the Rembrandts’ Speciality. However, - the people near you knowing that the collection is offered for sale, I heard they have any deposition to purchase, w[hic]h likely to want, if anything, the Rembrant portion, and if so disposed, let them to Say. I would make a large discount to the whole collection from the prices in the catalogue.
Yours truly H F Sewall
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