edgar flower (1 Ergebnisse)

The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre was founded through the efforts of local brewer Charles Edward Flower (1830-1892), after whose death its management was taken over by his brother Edgar Flower (1833-1903), also Chairman of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. On Edgar's death these duties fell to his son Archibald Flower (1865-1950), several times mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon. The present correspondence concerns a gift to Shakespeare Memorial Association by the appropriately-named anatomist Evan Marlett Boddy. Between 1899 and 1901 Boddy donated at least twelve portraits to be hung in the Shakespeare Memorial reading room (from the correspondence wood carvings also appear to have been donated). Details of the first seven portraits are contained in a letter of 11 December 1899 from Boddy to the Shakespeare Memorial librarian the archaeologist W. S. Brassington (for which see below). The paintings included supposed works by Henry Fuseli ('The Fuseli Macbeth') and Sir Peter Lely (Nell Gwynne), Henry Wyatt (Coleridge), and a portrait said to be by Romney of a young Percy Bysshe Shelley (five letters by Brassington relating to which are offered separately), one of Alexander Pope ('attributed to Hogarth'), as well as a 'Garrick portrait', one of Nell Gwynne, and a 'Spanish Lady'. In 1916 Boddy demanded their return, on discovering that the Archibald Flower had broken the condition that Boddy had arranged in 1900 with the then librarian W. S. Brassington: 'The Portraits were to be hung together and remain so.' The present collection of 37 items is in good condition, lightly aged, apart from a couple of items are creased and worn, both being repaired with archival tape. The 20 of Brassington's 21 letters dating from the years 1899 to 1902 (totaling 39pp, 12mo; and 1p, 4to) convey his enthusiasm with regard to the donation. In the first letter, 9 December 1899, Brassington acknowledges receipt of a letter from Boddy 'respecting portraits of Shakespeare', noting with pleasure Boddy's 'kind proposal to present the pictures to the Shakespeare Memorial'. Three days later (12 December 1899) he arranges to 'come over and view' 'the pictures which you so generously propose to bestow upon the Shakespeare Memorial'. On 16 December arrangements are made for the removal of the pictures by 'stage carpenter' Henry Mann, with Brassington reporting that 'Mr Flower, our Chairman, who is at present away from home [.] thinks it most kind of you to make this very handsome present'. And a week later (19 December 1899) he acknowledges receipt of 'the seven portraits which you so generously bestow upon the Shakespeare Memorial', adding 'Now that the portraits are in a good light I am more than ever delighted with them, and I think you will be so when you see them in the Gallery.' On the same day (19 December 1899) Edgar Flower writes to Boddy from The Hill, Stratford-on-Avon, as 'Chairman of the Council', to report 'how greatly the gift is approved'. He continues: 'In due course you will receive an official acknowledgment but in the meantime allow me to say personally that I consider each of the portraits as of great merit and interest and that they wil be conserved as your gift in the gallery to which they are a magnificent addition'. Six months later the works have been properly hung, and on 23 June 1900 he writes that the 'beautiful pictures have been much admired to-day by our London visitors, many of whom had not seen Stratford before'. Four days later he informs Boddy that his 'beautiful pictures reached here in safety. The "lady" is before me in a good north light, and looks magnificent.' Shortly afterwards (10 July 1900) he goes into some detail with regard to the hanging: 'The "Spanish Lady" and other pictures now adorn the walls of the Memorial, and are being very greatly admired. Mr Flower is unwell and I have not been able to obtain his signature to a card of thanks, but at the monthly committee meeting great satisfaction was expressed at your gener.