ALLEN (George, 1832-1907, Craftsman and Engraver, Assistant to John Ruskin, Publisher)

Small group of Three Secretarial letters signed on his behalf to Mrs J. R. C. Roberts the first thanks her for “the copies of eleven letters by Mr Ruskin to yourself, but am instructed to inform you that, thought the literary executors are obliged to you for making the copies, these are not sufficient for their purpose. They wish to see the original letters - these will be returned...”, the next thanks her for sending “the ten original Ruskin letters, now returned herewith... the copies you sent were not strictly verbatim...” and he asks about another two letters and the final on, in poor condition, returns the final two letters, 4 sides 8vo., Ruskin House, 156 Charing Cross Road, 21st September to October piece missing from the third letter not affecting the text

On the foundation of the Working Men's College in 1854, Allen joined the drawing class, and became one of Ruskin's pupils there. For a few years Allen acted as an assistant drawing-master under Ruskin at the college. Ruskin then encouraged him to specialise in engraving, which he studied under John Henry Le Keux the line engraver. In 1871 Ruskin decided to set up a publishing house of his own. At a week's notice, and without any previous experience of the trade, Allen started in on this enterprise. His publishing establishment was first his cottage at Keston, and later an out-house in the garden of his villa at Orpington. In the early days Ruskin's ideas on distribution hampered the business, and in time expansion of the business made for the premises in London. In 1890 Allen opened a London publishing house trading under the name George Allen & Sons.

Item Date:  1906

Stock No:  43444      £75

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