COLLINS (W. Wilkie, 1824-1889, Novelist, Author of 'The Moonstone')

Autograph formal letter to 'Mr and Mrs Everett Millais' (Sir John Everett Millais, 1829-1896, Painter and Illustrator, one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood) accepting an invitation "for July 25th at 8o'clock", 1 side 8vo., 90 Gloucester Place headed paper, 11th June

Millais's friendship with Ruskin had introduced him to Ruskin's wife Effie. Soon after they met she modelled for his painting The Order of Release. As Millais painted Effie they fell in love. Despite having been married to Ruskin for several years, Effie was still a virgin. Her parents realised something was wrong and she filed for an annulment. In 1855, after her marriage to Ruskin was annulled, Effie and John Millais married.
Millais did a portrait of Wilkie Collins in 1850 that hangs in the National Gallery

Item Date:  1879

Stock No:  38391