UNPUBLISHED COLLECTION OF AUTOGRAPH LETTERS TO ADA HARTNELL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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"LONDON IS VERY DREADFUL AFTER SWITZERLAND"
RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)
Autograph Letter Signed in full, lacking the salutation and address,
saying that he has "only got home to get laid up, but believe the cold was caught in Paris. It needs a little care, but I hope to get out and come to see you early next week. This London is very dreadful after Switzerland, which was all ... and sunshine ...", two thirds of 1 side 8vo., together with an engraving of Ruskin by George Richmond, published by Smith, Elder, 1961, no place, no date, circa
Item Date:
1860
Stock No:
41596
£925
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RUSKIN WRITES TO THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY
RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)
Autograph Letter Signed in full to "My dear Lord", Anthony ASHLEY-COOPER
(7th Earl of Shaftesbury, 1801-1885, Politician, Philanthropist and Social Reformer), saying that "By mischance, the letter with which you honoured me, dated May 18, did not reach me for some days - and since I received it my feeling and thinking time has been short - and I have not been able to say a word of what I wished to say in acknowledgement of it - of which the gist, however, is this - that while entirely glad of your Lordship's encouragement in the action I have taken for defence of animals (action, for the most involving no sacrifice to myself) - it has been a matter of sorrow and surprise to me for many a year - to have received no countenance nor aid from your Lordship in my pleading against the Vivisection of Men. I am always your Lordship's Faithful & respectful Servant ...", 2 sides 8vo., no place, Whit Monday
Item Date:
1885
Stock No:
41600
£2250
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[RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)]
Fine unsigned original albumen print photo
showing him head and shoulders wearing an overcoat with velvet collar, 3½" x 2½", no place, no date, circa
Item Date:
1860
Stock No:
41598
£275
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[RUSKIN
(John, 1819-1900, Writer and Critic)]
Fine unsigned original albumen print photo
showing him head and shoulders looking directly at the camera, 3¾" x 2½", no place, no date, circa
Item Date:
1865
Stock No:
41599
£275
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