Lot 266
West, Benjamin. As President of the Royal Academy, Benjamin West must have been responsible for administration of competitions for coinage designs. The American-born West, who lived in London from 1763, enjoyed unprecendented success for his paintings of historical subjects. George III apointed West his "historical painter" in 1772, and West retained this position, in spite of his American origins, through the Revolutionary War. In 1792 he became President of the Royal Academy, succeeding Sir Joshua Reynolds. A lovely item. American born artist.
Autograph Letter Signed as President of the Royal Academy. One page, Octavo (London), Dec. 18, 1798, to Sir Stephen Cottrell. He writes:
"I take the first opportunity to make known to you that I am in town, and will (agreeable to the wishes expressed in your letter of the 13th Instant) [wait] on the Committee of Lords at their office, with the Committee of the Royal Academy at 12 O'Clock, and lay before their Lordships the several Drawings, and Models, placed in my hands for the purpose, and for fashioning the future coinage… ".
Fine.
Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,750.
|
| |
| Unsold |
