ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING BY ALEXANDER OF TUNIS, A GIFT TO AVA WAVERLEY ALEXANDER OF TUNIS (Harold Rupert, 1st Earl, 1891-1969, Supreme Allied Commander, Governor General of Canada)

Fine pair of Autograph Letters Signed ('Alex') to Ava, Lady Waverley, (1896-1974, wife of Sir John Anderson, Viscount Waverley), the first thanking her for a "delightful evening on the Thames in your sumptuous yacht. It was not only delightful but a great experience, as I have never gone down the River before. How extraordinary, and I have lived for many years in London on and off and it would have been as easy in a penny steamer - but not so enjoyable as your party. I was greatly shocked to hear that you had made such an expensive bid for my picture - I hope you don't get it. It's not worth the offer you made - and besides I will paint you something much better for love not money! It is too kind of you to ask us to dine for the Haddington dance, but I'm afraid we can't make it. I dine that night at the Canada Club ... We both thank you and John so much ...", the second letter refuses and invitation, saying that he is "now completely booked up that week, but I am grateful for your invitation ... I'm so pleased you got out of a nasty hold over that picture - but you know you are lucky not to have lost your money. Now I can paint you a picture for the other thing ...", each 2 sides 8vo., Nightingales, Chalfont St Giles headed paper, with one autograph envelope signed and stamped, 26th June and 9th July 1951, together with the oil painting that he gave them, inscribed on the verso "The Volturno River near Concita - Italy Sept 1945, Alexander",oil on board, 12" x 9", Italy, 1945, together with a copy of Edward Seago's bookThe Paintings of Field Marshal Earl Alexander of Tunis, inscribed "For Alastair, for birthday & Easter 1973, from Ava", oblong 4to, published by Collins in 1973



Item Date:  0

Stock No:  40673