UNPUBLISHED COLLECTION OF AUTOGRAPH LETTERS TO ADA HARTNELL
RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)
Remarkable collection of 17 newly discovered letters Autograph Letters Signed from Ruskin and 1 from Joanna Severn to Ada Hartnell of the Guild of St George
casting light on Ruskin's tormented later years and his relationship with an intriguing female acquaintance, whom he clearly held in high esteem, but about whom little remains known. Ada Hartnell was one of the 32 original members of the Guild of St George, the utopian social organisation Ruskin established in 1878 on the model of the guilds of medieval Venice. She is mentioned by Ruskin in Fors Clavigera as one of a select group of guild companions 'in whose future adherence and support I have entire trust'. During the time these letters were written she lived first at 79 Falmouth Road, London, and later at 6 Brighton Villas, Northumberland Park, Tottenham. Ruskin's mental stability suffered badly during his seventeen-year relationship with Rose La Touche, who died in 1875. In February 1878 he experienced a total collapse, followed by several further attacks between 1881 and 1889, after which he 'gradually retreated into silence, saying little, and writing few letters', living in seclusion at Brantwood under the care of his relation Joanna Severn. The earlier letters in the collection suggest that Ruskin frequently visited Hartnell in London. His letters proposing to meet can strike an importunate note, and the type of assignation proposed is in one instance unexpected:
“Would you like to come to the Pantomime at Drury lane to-morrrow with me. You would have to meet me at my good old servant’s teashop, 29 Paddington St, Portland place - and I would take the greatest care of you and drive you home. Send me a line here...”. In letters evidently written in the aftermath of his crisis, Ruskin confides in Hartnell about the debilitating effects of his mental state, while demonstrating an urgent concern for Hartnell's own health and living arrangements, an intense dynamic encapsulated in one letter from Brantwood: “I have had several very bad sleepless nights myself, lately - but the mental gloom causes them - it is not the consequence of them. That darkness over the whole world becomes more and more definite to me as one of judgement, and every voice aboard is of the Night. I can only keep my strength by refusing to think – and going on with work that I still have pleasure in - and pleasing anybody I can innocently please. But I've been freed to write something serious just now - in which your letter helps me so much - you will have it in a week now. I am so very thankful your health is on the whole, better. But – would it not be better to run the risk of the first change and go into purer air and where you could get light? Shall I see if I can get better lodging for you near my museum at Sheffield - there's no smoke unless with strong southeast wind, and lovely country close by, being certainly as cheap as near London. Please think about this and write again...”. The later letters also contain much discussion of guild matters, with Ruskin musing on his own suitability to lead “until they find somebody better”, discussing the publication of Fors, indulging in a schoolmasterly harangue in which he dismisses Praeterita as “mere gossip”, and welcoming positive reports of a recent number of Proserpina. Joanna Severn finds frequent mention as someone evidently known to Hartnell and with an interest in her well-being. See attached transcript for further details.
Item Date:
1885
Stock No:
41815
£27500
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RUSKIN’S THOUGHTS “ARE TOO DISCONTENTED”
RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)
Autograph Letter Signed ‘J. Ruskin’ to an unnamed correspondent
saying that “on this or on any other evening during your stay I shall be very happy to see you - though I fear my thoughts are too discontented to be a fair exchange for your more hopeful ones...” with a postscript thanking him “for the book. I shall endeavour to get at its spirit before I see you...”, 1 side 8vo., no place, 10th September
Item Date:
1871
Stock No:
42076
£1275
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RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Art Critic & Writer)
Fine Autograph Letters Signed to Henry Jowett,
head printer at Hazell Watson & Viney’s Aylesbury works, where Ruskin’s later books were set up, sending him “in this, and another packet, I send you choppings up and new copy which will fit altogether into a long chapter in ‘Viola’ (Not Viola Camina - please correct throughout) and a short one on Pinguicula. This Chap II is to be followed by ‘Veronica’ which is just ready and I believe we may easily get two numbers of Proserpina out together - only you always seem to take such a time after I pass the last verse. I think the nine pages more copy will leave little of this number to spare but I will fill in the last bit of Chapter 1 as you tell me what is wanted...”, 2 sides 8vo., Brantwood, Coniston headed paper, 1st November
Item Date:
1881
Stock No:
42025
£1475
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UNPUBLISHED AUTOGRAPH LETTER TO ADA HARTNELL
RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)
Fine Autograph Letters Signed to Ada Hartnell of the Guild of St George
saying that he “cannot tell you how much pleasure and strength your letter has given, or will give me. It came at a confused time when I was unable to answer it rightly and I am so still - but here, today, coming home - my gathering work finished for this year... I hold among the first of these, the thanking you - and will try to see you before the end of the week... How guiltily one neglects one’s most precious - quiet abiding friends - & lets oneself drift among the crowd...” with a postscript that he will “write again should I not see you. I shall be at Herne Hill, Godalming on Wednesday evening but see over what night have I to expect people to come to me to help me - when I neglect a creature like you - and later no thought to follow up the guiding of God - in such quiet ways, while I storm... alone...”, 2 sides 8vo., Geneva, 19th October
Item Date:
1874
Stock No:
42111
£1475
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RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)
Autograph Letter Signed to Mr Wakenhall
saying that it "would give me great pleasure if I could hope to attend the meeting of the Young Men's Christian association but I am obliged for the present to forego all engagements. Believe me my dear Sir, Faithfully and respectfully yours ...", 1 side 8vo., Denmark Hill, 14th November no year,
somewhat browned and stained, professionally repaired
Item Date:
0
Stock No:
41151
£875
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