JOHN RUSKIN WRITES ABOUT THE “LAWS OF FESOLE”
RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)
Fine Unsigned Autograph Letters to his publisher, George ALLEN
(1832-1907, Craftsman and Engraver who became assistant to Ruskin and then became his publisher) saying he is “much pleased at your being in so good spirits. I am fairly well, and the new notions getting into close form. The Laws of Fresole had better be planned as a series to be finished next year, of properly elementary teaching. I will do it in twelve parts of the size of Fors [Clavigera] at the same price, giving four to line, four to colour, four to shade. One plate in each and supplementary plates arranged for an appendix. Then the general and wide teaching, with old Modern Painters in bits will follow under another name. Write here, tomorrow, but all next week to Broadlands. You’ll get the Thistle on Monday or Tuesday...”, 2 sides 8vo., Corpus Christi College, Oxford headed paper crossed out, Heren Hill, 4th December with the year added
Item Date:
1875
Stock No:
42160
£1750
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UNPUBLISHED COLLECTION OF AUTOGRAPH LETTERS TO ADA HARTNELL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
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)
Fine Autograph Letter Signed 'J. Ruskin' to "Dear Mrs Thornley"
thanking her for "those entirely exquisite embroideries of flowers - quite the best of their kind I have ever seen. May I try to do so this afternoon, better than I can in writing - and wish you and your family a happy New Year - especially such part of it as you may spare us at Coniston. I will come about four o'clock if I may ..." , 1 side 8vo., Brantwood, Coniston, headed paper, 2nd January
Item Date:
1885
Stock No:
41727
£975
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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 AT THE WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE
RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)
Autograph Letter Signed 'J. Ruskin' to 'My Dear Shorter'
saying that he had "intended at first to make Mr Allen's class subordinate to Mr Penrose's but I think now this need not be so much that you may make it an independent class. I will not supply paper for the architectural drawing class - I know, in my own, how to turn the scraps to account, but I can't undertake for the large sheets required in architectural drawing ...", with a postscript at the head of the sheet that "Mr Allen will attend on Thursday evening and carry on my class, referring any necessary questions to me ...", 1 side 8vo., no place, no date, circa
Item Date:
1857
Stock No:
41682
£1475
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