DLA017-0055 Transcription

BRICKWALL,

SEDLESCOMBE,

BATTLE, SUSSEX.

5 May 1930

My dear de Laszlo,

I am very sorry it is quite impossible for me to come up for the meeting today.

We are both rather crocks, having had bad throats & weeping colds, and the state of our noses & eyes will I fear prevent us from availing ourselves of your very kind invitation for the 8th – Your letter which I received this

[Page 2]

morning if the first I heard of it, no doubt a letter went astray, so please forgive no earlier reference to this.

An expert packer from Hastings has most carefully packed the two portraits, nailing yours securely in its frame: the carrier will deliver the case to you tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon.^[1] I am advised to send the case carriage forward but please let me know the charge which I will remit.

We have to go back to Chichester at the end of the week, & after that a short holiday, please let me know the date of the presentation^[2] –

My wife joins in kindest greetings & thanks for your message of sympathy.

Ever yours very sincerely,

Edward Patry

Editorial Note:

Edward Patry (1856-1940), British artist, one of de László’s authorised copyists and a fellow member of the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA); for further biographical details, see [10407].

SMDL

11/01/2018

[1] Possibly a reference to de László’s portrait of Alfred Frederick George Beresford Lumley, 10th Earl of Scarbrough (1857-1945) [7122], which, according to the artist, he was finishing in early January (see DLA019-0033, letter from de László to Sigmund Munz, 2 January 1930) and which Patry made a copy of [10407]. See also DLA017-0056, letter from Edward Patry to de László, 30 April 1930, in which Patry writes of finishing a copy portrait but not expecting it to leave before 5th May [1930], which is the date of this letter, DLA017-0055.

[2] Possibly a reference to the presentation of de László’s portrait of the Earl of Scarbrough [7122], which was unveiled at the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in the British Realm’s annual service and General Assembly on St. John Baptist’s Day, 24 June 1930 (see DLA122-0069, Coupures Scrapbook, “Order of St. John of Jerusalem,” The Times, 25 June 1930). However, see also DLA017-0054, letter from Edward Patry to de László, 12 May [possibly 1930], in which Patry refers to a letter from Colonel Bingham regarding the date of a presentation.