The Cotman Letters 1804-1833

[To D.T] ?more probably between Dec: 6 & Dec: 18 - 1811. [Norwich]

Dear Sir
Accept my thanks for the great care you have shown towards getting completed (sic) what was proper for my Wrappers. I like the arrangement vastly, and shall do just as you advise me as to the [[Nos]] numbers printed at one time. Therefore had not [1 word illegible] better print of Wrappers for the first Nos - 200 of each No. folio?
As to the quarto, I am afraid it will be but an ugly piece of work at the first glance - a large plate & a small one. And where I give a large plate I shall be forced to give it folio paper, consequently it will require a folio wrapper, for my Subscribers will not approve of me taking this liberty to double the large plates. Should it not be understood, to prevent any unpleasant altercations with my quarto subscribers, that the 4to (sic) is merely an accommodation to those gentlemen who may have Blomfield or Lyson's, and issued to the public on that ground, namely to cut up to illustrate, as it cannot possibly make a book in itself-
Their, indeed, I would have 4to (sic) wrappers and send them out in a extra sheet of common cartridge, to counters whole, merely as a package - so 4to (sic) wrappers for each of the first four Nos will be sufficient, for at present I have hardly any 4to (sic) subscribers. I have no paper by my for wrappers of any consequence. As I am about dedicating a plate to you I ask you as a friend whether what I have indicated upon my Castle Rising will do for you, with alterations as to Name & Arms. To John Gurney Esq
This plate is respectfully dedicated by his Obedient Humble Servant John Cotman. - The enclosed plates came to me but to-night. I have not yet seen the color (sic). As I expected the Yarmouth Gate, the town & the inside of the Priory will do. Barton Doorway, nor my Rising Castle, will not. Both these, particularly the last, I was deluded by fake appearances on the copper caused by the cold weather to take the aqua fortis off too soon. Otherwise the latter would have been as good, if not better than any of them. As I am afraid I cannot let these two pass current, I have either two more plates to comleat (sic) or these two to rework to make up