DLA163-0020 Transcription
[annotated in pencil: “different to the printed statement notes taken from chronology 6.8.[20]03 SdeL”]
RE DE LASZLO
TABLE OF DATES
Mr J. Wylie
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1869, 30th April Phililp Alexius Laszlo de Lombos born in Budapest, Hungary
1882 Wins States Art Scholarship and studies at Venice and Munich, gaining Silver Medal at Munich Academy.
1889 (about) Enters Julian Academy in Paris and obtains Second Prize.
1891, December. Returns to Hungary, and wins Grand Prize of the Hungarian Art Society, value £150.
1892. Served for two months in Hungarian Army, but was dismissed from all further service in the Army on account of a physical defect. Returned again to Royal Academy, Munich, and studied there for five of six months.
1892. At the age of 23, when studying at Munich, Mr. de Laszlo meets Miss Lucy Guinness, who with her sister, was then studying music at Munich.
1893, November. Invited to the Bulgarian Court to paint the Royal Family and the Metropolitan of Sofia
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1895, March. Commissioned by the Hungarian Government to proceed to Dresden to copy the only existing authentic portrait of Prince Franz Rakoczy, who reigned in Hungary at the time of Louis Quatorze. Obtained a number of commissions in Dresden and remained there executing them.
1897. Returned to Hungary and built a house and studio at Budapest, having at that time the intention of living in Budapest.
1898. Mr. de Laszlo visits Cowes to paint two portraits and while there writes to Miss Guinness, and meets her with her mother in London.
1899, March. Painted Hohenlohr the German Chancellor at Potsdam
1899, November. Made sketch of the Empress and others but never met Kaiser.
1899. Received Gold Medal at Paris Salon for a portrait exhibited there, the Gold Medal carrying with it for life the Certificate of Hors Concours.
1900. Went to Rome and painted portrait at the Vatican of Pope Leo XIII, the portrait being exhibited at the Paris Salon in the same year, for which he was awarded the large Gold Medal
1900, June. Commissioned by Queen Victoria to paint for her a portrait of General Sir George White for St. James’ Palace, which he does in London.
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1900, 7th June. Mr. de Laszlo and Miss Guinness married at Stillorgan Parish Church, Co. Dublin.
1901. Mr. de Laszlo while painting at the Hague makes the acquaintance and becomes later very friendly with Madame Van Riemsdyk whose husband was Royal Librarian, brother in law Director of famous Rycks Museum at Amsterdam, and brother Minister for Foreign Affairs in Holland.
1901, 11th June. Son Henry born, Budapest.
1901. Visited France to paint portraits of the family of the Duc de Gramont, and lived nearly the whole of that year in France, England and Ireland.
1901. Mr. and Mrs. de Laszlo take a house in Brittany.
1903. Mr. and Mrs. de Laszlo return to Budapest.
1903, September. Mr. and Mrs. de Laszlo sell their house in Budapest, and have not resided in Hungary since.
1904/1906. Mr. and Mrs. de Laszlo reside at Vienna, but make frequent visits to England and Ireland.
1904, 6th July. Son Stephen born, Vienna.
1905. Received in recognition of services to Art, the Legion of Honour of the French Republic
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1906. Awarded Gold Medal for portrait exhibited at International Art Exhibition at Venice. The portrait was bought by the Italian Government for the Modern Gallery in Rome.
1906 6th January. Son Paul, born, Vienna
1907. Mr. and Mrs. de Laszlo leave Vienna, to settle in England prior to doing so de Laszlo leaves a fund deposited in the Boden Credit Anstalt Bank to be remitted at stated intervals to his family and poor relations.
1907. Mr. and Mrs. de Laszlo settled in London, taking a house in Hanover Terrace, Regent’s Park.
1907/8. Made Honorary Member of the Royal Society of British Artists, London, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, National Portrait Society, and elected a member of the Burlington Fine Arts Club.
1907. Holds and Exhibition of the Fine Art Society, Bond Street, of English portraits.
1908. Paints portrait of the Kaiser.
1908. Visits White House, Washington, to paint President Roosevelt.
1908. Acquires lease for seven, fourteen or twenty=one years of No. 3, Palace Gate, and also lease of a studio at Camden Hill, Mr. and Mrs. de Laszlo have resided ever since at Palace Gate with their children.
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1909, 26th March. Son Patrick born, London.
1909. Decorated with the Victorian Order
27th Decr. 1909 Dr. Carlo W. Collucci of Sienna Manager of the Italian Review Vita d’Arte writes to De Laszlo asking for periodical news of his travels exhibitions &c. and a friendship ensues between them.
1910. Visits Spain and paints King of Spain.
1910. Invited by Italian Government to paint his own portrait to be hung in Uffizi Galleries, Florence, and later elected Societair of Milan Academy.
1911. Mr. de Laszlo is anxious to purchase freehold of a larger house in London containing a studio and suitable for permanent occupation and Mr. Reginald Bloomfield and Mr. Prentier consider from time to time the suitability of several houses.
1912 January to Mr. de Laszlo makes regular remittances to his mother and family amounting in all to K. 33,021 1914 August (N.B. he made payments before 1912 but it has not been thought necessary to extract particulars prior to this).
1912. Exhibits at the International Exhibition, Barcelona, awarded Gold Medal. Pictures placed in English section of the Exhibition
1912. Exhibits at Amsterdam and receives the highest honour of the International Exhibition.
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1912. Received from the King of Hungary, in recognition of his services to Art, a Patent of Hereditary Nobility.
1912. Made an Associate of the Societe Nationals of France.
1912 20th October. Son John, born, London.
1912. Mr. de Laszlo writes to his brother and tells him of his intention to become an English citizen.
1912, November Interview reported in “Pall Mall Magazine” in which Mr. de Laszlo informs interviewer of his intention to become a naturalized Englishman.
1912 end Mr. de Laszlo while of a visit to Cambridge consults Professor Oppenheim as to requirements or to carry through his naturalization and shortly again consults Professor Oppenheim when the 1913 early latter calls upon him in London.
1913, March. Mr. de Laszlo paints Lord Curzon, and informs him of his desire to be naturalised. In the same year he also told Lord Davenport of his decision.
1913, July. Mr. de Laszlo paints Baron Forster, and informs him of his decision to become naturalised in England.
1913. Mr. de Laszlo when presenting a picture to the English National Gallery informs Trustees of his intention to become naturalised.
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1914, February Mr. and Mr. de Laszlo visits the Collieries at Sienna.
1914. Mr. de Laszlo contracts to purchase freehold house at Hampstead through Messrs. Lofts & Warmer £16,000 and pays £1,000 deposit.
1914, June. Mr. de Laszlo while painting portrait of Mr. A. J. Balfour informs him of his decision to become naturalised.
1914, June Mr. de Laszlo discusses question of Naturalisation with Lord Devonport, who offers to become one of his Referees.
1914, July 13th. Mr. de Laszlo sees his Solicitor, Mr. St. Quintin, and instructs him to take up and carry through naturalisation.
1914, July 14th. Mr. St. Quintin obtains from Home Office necessary forms for signature.
1914, July 15th. Mr. St. Quintin calls on de Laszlo and arranges for him to write asking Sir. A. Lee, Lord Devonport, Mr. Balfour and Mr. H. Guinness to act as Sponsors. Mr. de Laszlo having already mentioned to these gentlemen in previous years his intention to become naturalized.
1914, July 21st. Mr. de Laszlo signs necessary papers for Naturalization.
1914, July 21st. Sir A. Lee signs naturalization papers.
1914, July 22nd. Lord Devonport signs naturalization papers.
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1914, 23rd July. Austria – Hungary present 48 hour ultimatum to Serbia.
1914, 24th July. Mr. A. J. Balfour signs naturalization papers which are sent on the same day to Ireland for signature by Mr. Guinness.
1914, 27th July Mr. de Laszlo writes to his brother informing his family that he has become a naturalised (about) Englishman and Extract from such letter said to have been published in a Budapest paper.
The letter is believed to be in the following terms:-
“My hand trembles which I think in how serious an hour I write these lines, and I fear that while I sit quietly here at my table and write already perhaps many brave Hungarians have lost their lives on account of the predatory Servian nation. Another serious think has happened.
“I have signed papers relating to British citizenship, and for three weeks past have been a British subject. The customary witnesses who testify that for five years they have known me as a man of honour were my friends the Members of Parliament Lord Lee, Mr. Balfour, Lord Devonport and Mr. Guinness. It cost me a severe mental conflict, but on account of my five sons. I had to do it.”
1914, 28th July. Naturalisation papers returned by Mr. H. Guinness completed and lodged the same day with the Home office.
1914, 28th July. Austria Hungary declare War on Serbia.
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1914 1st August Payments made by Mr. de Laszlo from January 1913 to this date in order to help his family K 33,021
1914 10th August France declares War on Austria Hungary.
1914 12th August England declares War upon Austria-Hungary and de Laszlo is unable to communicate with this family direct. He is told the proper course is to have his letters posted in a neutral country.
1914 29th August. Naturalization Certificate granted.
1914 12th August Mr. de Laszlo sends two letters to his mother (75 years of age) and family through Mr. Colucci.
to end
1914 August Mr. de Laszlo writes to Mrs. Van Riemsdyk asking her to forward letters to his family.
1914 1st September Mr. de Laszlo writes on form printed and supplied by the Boden-Credit Anstalt Bank instructing them to pay K200 to Johanna Laud and K180 to Rosa Kramer.
1914 8th October Mr. de Laszlo writes on printed form to the Boden-Credit Anstalt Band instructing them to pay Marcel Laszlo K. 1200 to Rosa Kramer K. 1,000 to Szerena Laszlo K. 1,000 and Paulina Valentin K. 780.
1914 2nd November Mr. de Laszlo writes on printed form to the Boden-Credit Anstalt Band instructing them to pay K. 200 to Johanna Laub and K. 60 to Rosa Kramer.
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1914, November. Mr. de Laszlo received letters from his brother Marcel that the Hungarian Bank would make no further payments on Mr. de Laszlo’s account, as his credit had been confiscated by the Austrian Government on the ground that he was an alien enemy. Amount seized upwards of £20,000.
1914 9th November. Mr. de Laszlo for the first time remits a draft furnished by the London & Westminster Bank to Madame van Riemsdyk, and future payments amounting in all to £2,500 were made in this way.
1915, February Mr. de Laszlo receives news through letter from Mrs. Charles Rothschild to his wife that his mother is dead, and wires Madame van Riemsdyk asking her to wire to his brother to meet him in Amsterdam. On the following day Mr. Laszlo receives visit from police requesting explanation of telegram. He explains fully, and shows the police letter of Mrs. Charles Rothschild which satisfies them.
1915 (end) Mr. de Laszlo, not having heard from his family for a long time, wires Madame van Riemsdyk asking her to send a telegram to them.
1915 December. Madame van Riemsdyk writes to de Laszlo and suggests he shall send his letters through the Dutch Minister’s Bag
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1916, 2nd June Mr. de Laszlo for the last time remits money to his family through Madame van Riemsdyk. He ceased because his mother in law told him that it was improper to send money out of the country.
1916, 3rd August Mr. de Laszlo ceases to send letters through the Dutch Minister’s bag but continues to receive some letters from Madame van Riemsdyk by this means. He ceased because he heard the Dutch Minister say the English Foreign Office objected.
1916 27th September Mr. de Laszlo paints portraits in London of Baron Meyendorff Attache at the Russian Embassy at Madrid, and hands Baron Meyendorff cheque for £200 to be used in discharging his expenses in London, and Baron Meyendorff arrange to transmit a like amount to Mr. de Laszlo’s family Mr. de Laszlo did not consider this a contravention of the rule against sending money out of the country.
1916 end. Baron Meyendorff writes that he has not been able to remit the money to Mr. de Laszlo’s family.
1917 early. Mr. de Laszlo writes to his brother, asking him if he has received the money through Meyendorff.
1917. March Mr. de Laszlo visited by Police Inspector from the Kensington Church Street, Police Station as to remittances. Mr. de Laszlo informs him that money was sent and means by which it was sent. (This visit was provoked by Laszlo’s letter to his brother).
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1917, March Mr. Wyatt Williams, chartered accountant, from the Home Office, investigates Mr. de Laszlo’s books and correspondence.
1917, Spring. Mr. and Mrs. de Laszlo, after having obtained permit, call at Alexandria Palace internment Camp to see Mr. de Weress, who prior to his internment had been a visitor at their house, on the introduction of the Rev. Mr. Hankinson, a Unitarian Minister. Mr. and Mr. de Laszlo are informed on arrival by Czeisner, an Hungarian pianist whom they had not met before, that de Weress has been removed to the Isle of Man, de Weress while interned applied to Mr. de Laszlo for financial assistance and was lent £20, and subsequently paid £5 each month up to the present time. Cziesner also at instance of Reverend Mr. Hankinson is paid an allowance of £2 a month.
1917. Hankinson states he has a friend who was a Unitarian at Scotland Yard.
1917 (Early Spring). Gave clothes and £4 to a Hungarian at an Internment Camp who writes that he was in need of help. This man was personally unknown to de Laszlo
1917 (Summer). Assisted Mrs. Ferency who had a sick child and whose need brought to Mr. de Laszlo’s attention by Mr. Hankinson.
1917, June 14th. Alleged letter from Switzerland.
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1917, 15th June. Mr. de Laszlo requested a call upon Public Prosecutor, to whom he gives all information. He is warned against sending money, and signs an undertaking never to do so again.
1917, 16th July. Alleged letter to German Legation at Berne.
1917, 16th July. Mr. de Laszlo, while painting portrait of the Hon. Miss Joicey, is visited by a Hungarian who appears to be in great distress and who in the course of conversation says he has escaped from an Internment Camp. Mr. de Laszlo informs the man that he had no business to call on him, but not of pity for his obviously distressed condition gives him a sovereign which he borrows from Miss. Joicey, Later in the day, on returning to the country, Mr. de Laszlo realises the gravity of the situation and decides that he must inform the police, and give the man up.
1917, 17th July. Mr. de Laszlo has his studio searched for the address of the Hungarian he had assisted, and finally finds the pieces of the envelope containing it in the dustbin. He attends at the Church Street Police Station and gives them the envelope and information which enables the police to capture the Hungarian.
1917, 15th August. Inspector Parker searches Mr. de Laszlo’s studio at Campden Hill, and 3, Palace Gate Gardens.
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1917, 15th August. Mr. de Laszlo interviewed by Mr. Basil Thompson at Scotland Yard – Shorthand note taken of the proceedings. After interviewing Mr. de Laszlo returns to his house with police to whom he gives every assistance. In the afternoon he is again interviewed by Mr. Basil Thompson who reads him a long letter in French purporting to thank Mr. de Laszlo for information given about ships, aeroplanes, etc. Mr. de Laszlo asks to see the letter, but is refused.
1917, August. Mr. de Laszlo further interviewed by Mr. Basil Thompson with regard to visits to internment camp and letters received from Italy.
1917, 21st September. Mr. de Laszlo arrested at Datchet, and handed a document containing the following charges:- “
It is alleged against Philip Alexius Laszlo de Lombos (1) That his is of hostile origin having been born in Hungary of Hungarian parents. (2) That he is of hostile associations by reason of his correspondence with persons in enemy countries, the assistance rendered by him to an escaped Austrian Prisoner of war, and his correspondence, gifts and visits to interned Hungarians in this country. (3) That, having regard to his pro-Hungarian sympathies and propaganda, to his surreptitious communications through the Diplomatic Bag of a neutral country with persons in enemy countries and to the apologia written by him to a Hungarian newspaper with regard to his naturalisation, he cannot be regarded as otherwise than a disloyal British subject, and
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“as being, in consequence, a potential danger to the public safety and the Defense of the Realm.
1917, 21st September. Mr. de Laszlo confirmed in Brixton Goal.
1917, 26th September. Mr. de Laszlo appears before the Advisory Committee
1917, 11th October. Mr. de Laszlo again appears before the AdvisoryCommittee.
1917, 7th November. Mr. de Laszlo removed from Brixton Prison to Holloway.
1917, 20th December. Mr. de Laszlo appears before the Advisory Committee.
1918, 17th January. Lord Beresford in the House of Lords charges Mr. de Laszlo with having become naturalised seven days before the War in order to, escape liability to fight for his own country etc.
1918, 19th February. Lord Beresford apologises for his statements of the 17th January.
1918, 14th May. Mr. de Laszlo owing to breakdown of health, removed from Holloway to Nursing Home.
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RE DE LASZLO
TABLE OF DATES
Charles Russell & Co.,
37, Norfolk Street,
Strand, W.C.2.
16/6/19
FOS. 53
StdeL
29/03/2023