Cotmania. Vol. II. 1927-8

May 21. 1928. Dined with Mrs Thomas Girtin, 8 [illegible 1 word] Gardens, Kensington. W8. Mr L. G. Duke, 24 King St. Portman Square, was also there. Mr Victor Rienaecker, Mayfair 5579, 40 Stanley Gardens, Hampstead came in after dinner. A large number of mature Girtins, most lovely - Some important Cozens and (1) Bolton Abbey, signed 'J.S. Cotman' 8¾ x 13¾ - 1804 period watercolour - most glorious representation of the whole of the S side of the Priory, blue distance on right. Absolutely first rate.
(2) Boat on Shore, with a figure, watercolour 12 x 16½. illustrated in 'Cotman, Cox & Dewint' c 1828-32. in colour c. 14.
(3) Norman Doorway, Tottenhill Church. Norfolk. c 1810 - watercolour (No. 40 in Bulwer Collection Catalogue - 11½ x 8¾. see etching (38.A.E.P) not very nice.
(4) St. Mary's Redcliffe, Bristol watercolour. 5⅞ x 9 ⁵⁄₁₆ illustrated in Oppé's Cotman (Studio) plate 1.
They have also a black & white chalk drawing , touched with brick red, of a sailing ship off Yarmouth 6¼ x 9¼. very Cotmany, but signed 'J.G.' - (? Joseph Geldart).
May 22.1928. Saw Palser at Sotheby's sale. went with him to see a Cotman Welsh Landscape, signed & dated 1803.
May 23. 1928. Took 3 of Miss Bulwer's watercolours to Laurence Binyon at the British Museum. He considered the 'Blasting the Rocks' to be entirely the work of Bulwer: the big Leigh Woods to be Bulwer & Cotman, & the Gunton Park to have been drawn by Cotman & coloured by the family.
May 24. 1928. Went to V & A museum. Martin Hardie showed me a watercolour c. 9 x 14 of a bridge, water cows & wooded distance with a little church tower. belongs to Miss Woolner, who wants 200£ for it! c. 1810. left hand horrid: right has some beauty. (Decided to buy Palser's Welsh Landscape on the spot) Same motif as Colman's drawing on blue