- 272
Pope, Alexander
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description
- Pope, Alexander
- Autograph letter signed ("A. Pope"), to the sculptor Francis Bird, with accompanying autograph drawing
- paper
depicting his proposed monument for his father with epitaph, requesting that the monument be "entirely white marble", and that "the Letters of the inscription be rangd just as they are here, with the Space of two Lines left void in the middle, & the space of one line at the End, in which spaces there are future Insertions to be made", one page, folio, [c. 1720], some dust staining, nicks and fold tear, laid down on card
Provenance
Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. (1906-1990); sale of his library, Part 2, Christie's, London, 11-12 June 1980, lot 385
Literature
The Correspondence of Alexander Pope, ed. Sherburn, III, pp.26-27
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"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."
"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
A FASCINATING EXAMPLE OF POPE'S CLASSICAL TASTE AND INSIGHT INTO HIS FILIAL PIETY. In this letter Pope provides the leading sculptor Francis Bird (1667-1731) his instructions for a Latin epitaph for his father which was to be engraved on a panel surmounted by a simple pediment, its tympanum decorated solely with the Classical inscription "D[eo] O[ptimo] M[aximo]", to be erected in the north gallery of St Mary's, Twickenham (where it still stands). Space was left for the future addition of epitaphs for his mother (who died in 1733) and, eventually for Pope himself - who simply asked for addition of the words "et sibi" [and himself]. The letter probably dates from soon after 1719, when Pope first settled in Twickenham.