Cotmania. Vol. IV. 1929-30

Feb. 18. 1930. Visited [British Museum] + saw the Cristall + John Varley sketches. At most 2 very early Welsh J.V. sketches were lovely - the remainder mannered. The Cristalls did not amount to much.

Feb 21. 1930. Received from Miss Braithwaite on approval, a Cotman monochrome - 5 3/4 x 8 1/2 (but the size of [[of]] the 'J. Whatman 1794' sheet of wired paper is 8 1/2 x 11.) signed 'J S Cotman 1802'. Inscribed on the back in black ink - ' A pump Cottage, Dorking, Surrey. J S Cotman. 1802.'
& then (in pencil) below - 'A pump. Cottage Dorking Surry (sic) - J S Cotman 1808-'
Much pencil overworking. Very lurching.

Feb: 22. 1930. In Birmingham, visited the Ruskin Gallery. Saw there a small monochrome, unsigned, which the proprietor stated, Kaines Smith & Harold Holden considered to be a Cotman. The bend of a river, low hills behind - (?) The Wharfe 1803. It has some delightful qualities - but a little timid & unmastered - (?) can it be P. S. Munn. I think it is a Cotman.
Went on to the B'ham Art Gallery. The slighter Cox drawings of great range & artistic accomplishment.
A J. J. Cotman - 'Trees on the bank of a river' 'J J Cotman, Xmas '73' - is very good + pleasant in tone - a bit faded. A pleasant P. S. Munn, 'Hastings, 1811' - seen thro' trees.
G. D. Thomson has given a soft pencil study for Girtin's 'Hawes, Yorkshire' (of which I have a photo) & the drawings hang side by side.
'The Old Hulk' by F. L. T. Francia is a very good early solid drawing beautifully in tone. It might be by the same hand as my 'Shipwreck.'