[Catterson-Smith, Robert]

a) Morris, William. Five letters by Morris, declining to give an opinion of Catterson-Smith’s work, lamenting lack of speakers on the Socialist cause and noting his own endeavours (“As for me, I am nearly through all the possible ways of putting the same thing, though I go desperately Sunday after Sunday to the Street Corner”), inviting Catterson-Smith to contribute to the Kelmscott Chaucer (“I want you to try a little job in connection with the designs for wood-cuts which Burne-Jones is doing for me…”) and giving details about an illustration for ‘The House of Fame’ (“re the lady’s foot in the ‘Well’, I was thinking if there were any thing in the designs already done which would help you. I find there is in Griselda going back home you will find pretty much the same action, turned the other way of course, and the foot is very pretty there…”) (10 pages, 1885 – 1895, two envelopes)--b) Burne-Jones, Edward. Forty-nine letters by Burne-Jones arranging meetings, offering advice and criticism (“…if you have by you another photograph will you cover it with Chinese white and send it me and I will draw over it with pencil – the Queen looks rather stiff and expressionless and I could start on a new one much more easily…”, “I have designed a bookplate for my books… could you come… to see it and take it away for development”, “I wonder if it would be possible for you to come… and so a little work for me apart from the Chaucer – it is a sudden necessity and I believe you could help me…”) together with copy of Burne-Jones’ testimonial for Catterson-Smith (57 pages, 1887-1898 and undated, 32 with envelopes)--c) Burne-Jones, Georgina. Twenty-seven letters by Georgiana Burne-Jones requesting help with publishing plans, organising numerous meetings, praising Catterson-Smith’s work on Burne-Jones’ drawings, offering a loan (“do you remember Rossetti on the subject of sharing money between friends”) and giving her view of spiritual truths (88 pages, 1896-1916 and undated, 8 with envelopes)--d) Cockerell, S.C. Eighteen letters by Cockerell commenting on Catterson-Smith’s work and making arrangements (“…I now have Mr Morris’ authority to hand over the Chaucer drawings…”, “It is wonderful how you have made out obscure things, and put in what EB-J intended”, “A Kelmscott Chaucer in first rate condition was recently valued by Sotheby’s for probate at £120. I should think that £150 would be a moderate estimate for an inscribed copy. Seven or eight years ago it would have been worth twice or thrice that sum…”) (26 pages, 1896-1938)--e) Ellis, F.S. Autograph letter by Ellis discussing Catterson-Smith’s work (“The beautiful drawings arrived this morning… There is one little head that is worth a million of money…”) (2 pages, 1897)--f) Shaw, G. Bernard. Three letters and postcards by Shaw on lecturing, economic climate, and a request for assistance (“Do you remember… putting me on to a chap who made photographic enlargements of Bewick birds? I want to give a set to Elizabeth Asquith as a wedding present… She will get all the fish slicers and gold cigar lighters in Parkins and Gotto’s shop from the other people; but I have to give her something that nobody else will think of…”) (4 pages, 1919-1920)--g) Webb, Philip. Nineteen letters by Webb mostly discussing the manufacture of the University of Birmingham mace (“…I have heard of the skill and marked success with which you have translated some of E. Burne-Jones’s minute and delicate designs for reproduction; for those designs I have seen of this kind of his work, it seemed to me a pity they should be wholly locked up in the originals”, “I could not have forecast in my old age – with my betters passed away, that I should find again a companion collaborator to work with, such as you daily prove to be: a great boon”) (40 pages, 1891-1903, 2 with envelopes) together with nine letters by Catterson-Smith to Webb--h) Wood, Henry J. Two letters by Wood noting his own background in art (“Many years ago, I was a student at the ‘Slade’ before I took up music…”) and requesting drawing lessons for his daughter (3 pages, 1921, 1 with envelope)--i) Yeats, John Butler. Letter by Yeats to Mrs Catterson-Smith discussing numerous topics and noting “WBY is lecturing in America + making a fortune (for a poet). The Dun Emer business is getting on well…” (4 pages, 1903)--j) c. 200 others including letters or cards from  C.R. Ashbee, T.J. Cobden-Sanderson, Walter Crane, Roger E. Fry, Charles and Margaret Gere, Loyd Haberly, Gordon Herickx, W.R. Lethaby, Jane Morris, May Morris, John H. Muirhead, William Rothenstein, John Todhunter, Emery Walker and many others (c. 400 pages, 1896-1939 and undated) together with a significant number of drafts of replies--k) collection of other papers comprising a significant number of lectures, notes, lists, notebooks, etc. by Catterson-Smith, including lecture notes on illustrating the Kelmscott Chaucer (“It is not possible for a draughtsman to draw over again another man’s work…”), 16 pages; Catterson-Smith’s “Black Notebook”, containing notes on artistic training, etc., c. 88 pages; Catterson-Smith’s notebook, containing various notes, 29pp.; lecture notes on sex, 12pp.; printed invitation for dinner for members of The Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society, 1899, with RC-S notes on Morris, 2 pp.; contract for Headmastership of Vittoria Street School, 1901, 2pp.; Burne-Jones Memorial Service, admittance card, 1898; Burne-Jones Memorial Service, order of service, 1898 and recipe for modelling wax (qty.)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where 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."