The Cotman Letters 1834

London, F.A.S (perhaps) and member of the Society of Water Colour Painters – Author of –
Arch[itectura]l Antiquities of Normandy – 100 plates. 2 vols. Folio.
d[itt]o d[itt]o of Norfolk. 70 d[itt]o. 1 vol. Folio.
d[itt]o Miscellaneous Etchings. 24 d[itt]o 1 vol. Folio.
Sepulchral Etchings of Norfolk. 100 & odd. 1 vol. 4to.
d[itt]o d[itt]o of Suffolk. 42 plates 1 vol. 4to.
Miscellaneous Etchings of Norfolk. 100 plates. 1 vol. 4to.
Miscellaneous Etchings (picturesque) ab[ou]t 40. — 4to.
from Sketches by W. H. Harriott Esq, embracing a period of 8 or ten years.
This will show my willingness to be well thought of and my gratitude for my appointment. I believe Sir Fr[ancis] P[algrave] liked the plan, provided I did not risk anything in cash. There will be none in making the drawings, and but little in the advertisement of prospectuses. Upon the success of these will depend my entering upon their being engraved. I shall be most happy to hear your opinion upon the subject, and to have your sketch of an advertisement – should your opinion be favourable towards the scheme. The Drawings will be executed in a rich brown colour, so as to be rendered by the engraver with facsimilies – over which, should it be carried with effect, I shall have the entire control & management. The work to be got up in a large 4to size, and the plates about the size of a page of post paper – or thereabouts. When three or four drawings are executed I shall get an estimate from the principle Engraver.
I have not as yet given a lesson without additional pupils. Their number is, I believe, more than two hundred.
I may, or may not, think it worth while to etch some of the outlines myself, as I can do it better than many, and easily too – from a knowledge of the subject. Pray, Sir, let me hear from you very soon.
Your obedient Servant, J. S. Cotman –
Should March 29th, the day after Good Friday, be a holiday, I expect to be in Norwich on the 25th for breakfast, for ten days. If not on the 30th, to Breakfast,till the end of Easter, when I shall begin to pack up my ? in good earnest.
I was engaged this day at the bottom of the school when Mr Major went up to John and looked over some of their books. He expressed to him his astonishment at the number of their drawings in so short a time. He appeared very much pleased.