Cotmania. Vol. IV. 1929-30

Mrs Horne told me that her father F. W. Porter, after his return from Italy whither he had been sent by Voll[mans] & Holford to study Italian renaissance palace design, took Mr Angell's house, 16 Russell Square, which Mr A, returning from practice, took a similar house. A large Dutch 18th Cent. Cupboard c. 6.0 x 3.6 was left by Mr A in the back dining room, the private office - the Clerks' offices were built out behind in the garden. The 7 children of Mr Porter would often open the doors of the cupboard - there were open shelves filled with papers. These were never touched or examined. Mr P died c. 1902. About 1912 Horace Porter approached Mr Angell's son & suggested he should take his father's cupboard away. The son replied that Horace Porter could have the cupboard & its contents & he refused to examine the papers. Horace Porter then discovered more than 60 Cotman sepia drawings!
Hake came to lunch at the club. Talking of Cotman wearing a wig, a man suggester that J.S.C suffered from 'Alospecia Arathea' [sic] - hair falling out in patches, & - if growing again, becoming white. Often due to over-work and worry.

{Attached card for The Cotman Gallery, Fine Art Dealers, 19 Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham}