The Cotman Collection | 117

Cotmania. Vol. XI. 1935-6

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/2/1/11
Page:


  • Description

    Sales of works by Cotman 1935-36 (3), with a letter to SDK from Paul Oppé, 23 Oct. 1936, concerning 'Dutch Boats at Sea' in a Christie's sale

    Date:

  • Transcription

    J. S. Cotman
    13 Dutch Boats at Sea
    10 1/4 in by 15 1/2 in.
    {Notes} Vicars Bros 160 g[uinea]s
    Hawkins Coll.
    Christie's Oct: 30 '36.

    {letter}
    \23. x. 36.
    {note} * Lot: 13. Christie's Nov. 30, '36

    Dear Sydney,
    I have seen the Cotman at Christie's today *. I can't think how I missed it yesterday - assuming that it was hanging where it is now. Today the light was very bad & I didn't look at it for long. It struck me as a very ordinary late, worried drawing, with a much scrubbed Turnerish green sea, / very blue smalt sky, / white spots & heavily overworked sailors & boats, perfectly signed J. S. Cotman in red, drawing as usual approximating to M. E. in the rigging, sails & figures, & I would have left it at that,
    /
    had I not met Kay in front of [...] pointed out letters & figures on the keel of the boat which he said he had read, with difficulty as M. E. C.. This confirmed him in thinking that the sea is J. S. the ships M. E. & though this seems to me most probable I could not make M E C out of the letters or whatever they are on the boat, & I told him so. However if M. E. & J. S. both signed the same drawing here's a queer new fact & I write at once with the idea that you might wish to investigate it yourself sh[oul]d you by any chance feel well enough & otherwise inclined to be in London before Friday. The drawing itself is certainly not worth coming to see.
    Yrs ever
    PO

Sales of works by Cotman 1935-36 (3), with a letter to SDK from Paul Oppé, 23 Oct. 1936, concerning 'Dutch Boats at Sea' in a Christie's sale