The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

{handwritten transcript}
To Dawson Turner Esq
Yarmouth
Norfolk.

[[March 31st 1834]]

Dec 25th 1835

42 Hunter St.
Brunswick Square

My dear Sir

Mr H. Bohn, of York St., is in treaty with me for all my Copper Plates, upon the sale & price of which I want your opinion, if you will do me the favour to give it me. The matter stands thus. A very low price was offered by Mr. Bohn, to which I instantly replied that I had been offered much more and that I would not take less than one Hundred pounds. This, I am afraid, he has taken as an offer on my part, by his agreeing to take them at that price – one Hundred pounds.

My offer to Mr. Thompson was one guinea each plate, which was refused. But he offered me 15s/- each, and to take them all. But I did not like the proposed form & manner of his getting them up, & I declined going any further with the business. Mr. Bohn promised to publish them better than they had ever been yet, and wishes much to place the portrait you have of me as a frontispiece, could this be granted to him.

I have ever kept these Copper plates as property for my family, and upon consulting my children they do not wish me to part with them, at that price at least, and I fully agree with them. The price is much too low. All of them are out of print & many not published. The two large Brasses could not be engraved for less than 200 pounds. I shall hold a copy of this letter for Mr. Bohn’s inspection, and shall be happy to be allowed to shew that gentleman your advice to me, as my old and well-tried friend. The favour of your immediate answer will serve & oblige me, as Mr. Bohn is eager to have the thing inserted in his catalogue. Everything goes on well. I am about to publish an Alphabet, etc, of which you shall hear more by letter or in person at Yarmouth. I am quite full of orders, to more than 200£. This must be considered good as it’s nearly all profit, forgetting the cost of education.

My dear Sir, your Obliged Servant
J.S. Cotman

Norfolk – 60 plates
Norfolk 100 – unpublished
Miscellaneous 24
Norfolk Brasses – 100 nominally, but really more
Suffolk – ditto 42
Cambridge 8 or 10
Soft grounds 40 – unpublished

Total 374