- 123
Walpole, Horace.
Description
- Two works:
Provenance
Literature
[A Catalogue of the Royal and Noble Authors of England:] Hazen Walpole 10; Hazen Strawberry Hill 3
[A Letter to the Editor:] Hazen Walpole 23; Hazen Strawberry Hill 27; Rothschild 2500
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The second work is Walpole's defence of his own role in the Chatterton affair. Chatterton had contacted him in 1769 with a copy of a manuscript allegedly by one Thomas Rowley, who had supposedly in 1469 described the rise of painting in England and composed poems of which Chatterton provided examples. After initially encouraging his correspondent, he later sought further advice, which revealed that Chatterton had concocted a clever forgery. Walpole disengaged himself, and Chatterton subsequently committed suicide in August 1770. As interest in the young poet grew, it was alleged that Walpole had driven him to take his own life. This Letter, his rebuttal of such a charge, was not officially published by Walpole in this edition (according to Hazen, who notes that: "a considerable number remained undisposed of for many years), and did not appear publicly until printed serially in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1782. But "the Chatterton smear, which had no origin in truth other than his initial gullibility, was to do his reputation enduring harm" (Oxford DNB).