CALLCOTT (Sir Augustus Wall, 1779-1844, Landscape Painter)

Enigmatic Autograph Letter Signed to George COOKE (1781-1834, Engraver and Print Publisher, Brother of W. B. Cooke and father of the Marine Painter Edward William, 1811-1880, RA) saying that he has "given me a puzzler! After going through all your fors and againsts I can only make out that Sunday I am not to come because you will want me at another time ...now putting everything out of the question that has nothing to do with it - physical or otherwise - and without any unnecessary preliminary discussion I will humbly say that as in the first ordination of nature the primary matters of which Chaos was construct to render most perfect confusion where confusion was the sole object - and further as it is well known that all causation is the effect of the cause that has another cause and still further that if something be added to nothing the increase will be indivisible so I think may be trebly considered on this occasion your confusion or Chaos ... as I always give up my opinion and prefer that of others to my own when I know they know best so I deem it quite unnecessary that you should wait to submit the plate to me previous to 'entering process' and therefore shall hope to find you up to your elbows when I arrive... if the coaches should not prove perfidious. If there be any truth in Man and if there be nothing in the art of engraving that militates against the aforesaid trust then I ask of you to ... let no ceremonious scruples prevent the aqua fortis from bursting its present bonds as soon as possible ...", ending with a postscript of several sketches of heads, 3 sides 4to., with integral autograph address leaf with seal, Kensington, 28th May



Item Date:  1824

Stock No:  40068      £175

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