LOUIS WAIN | THE SOLDIER CAT

Gifted by the Artist to the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation in 1917

Founded in the aftermath of the First World War, the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation was established to support troops returning home from the front with physical and mental injury. Set up by theatre empresario and philanthropist Sir Oswald Stoll, who was at the forefront on the debate on how best to support wounded veterans, the charity provided housing in Fulham that remains used to this day. Alongside housing support, the charity continues to provide outreach services, ‘drop-ins’ and support in finding work for veterans after leaving the armed forces. In 1917 Sir Oswald set about compiling ‘an Album of original contributions received from the foremost Artistes, Painters, Musicians and Authors of the day’, with the intention that the book be reproduced in a limited edition of fifty copies, sold to benefit the charity. Stoll was met with a phenomenal response, including the present work, donated by Wain. Sadly the project never came to fruition due to spiralling costs, and instead the album was kept, with the majority of works remaining bound within the album.