Cotmania. Vol. VIII. 1932-3

Dec. 20, 1932. Saw Lawrence Binyon at the B. M. who told me that 'The Norwich Market Place' was on exh[ibitio]n at the V. & A. Went there. It is in the old gold frame - close up. it is a harmony in reds, browns, yellows & greys. The sky all grey - perhaps the blue has flown. The distant crowds are particularly cleverly indicated. Much '6 B' pencil used on the figures. Altogether an epoch making work, signed bottom r. "J. S. Cotman - 1807."
Dec: 6, 1932. Went to see Walker's "Five guineas & under" exh[ibitio]n of early watercolours. He had these -

J. S. COTMAN, 1782-1842
\51. Thames Barges
\52. At Thorpe on the Yare
\53. Great Snoring Church - 1815

51 'from his own notebook' is a tight pencil drawing, by the young M. E. C(?) 52 is a charcoal drawing , looks like a lateish J. J. C. quite good. (53.) is a pencil of the sedilia, rather rubbed & in poor condition, but perfectly genuine.
A. W also showed me a pencil of Norwood Ch. Middlesex, same subject as Sir H. B's w.c. signed & dated 1803. Also a w.c. of picturesque houses, 'long bread baker' on a sign, c 1800, genuine, but overpainted by some futile "restorer".