The Cotman Letters 1835-1837

{handwritten transcript}
PAID
29 DE 29
1835

MORE TO PAY

Dec: 29 1835

London

Sir

I have just been favoured with a sight of your letter to Mr Cotman in reply to one from him respecting the disposal of his coppers. As there is an expression in it which indicates something like a [[disapproval]] disapprobation of the liberty taken in proposing to use Mrs. Turner’s etching in a projected edition of Mr. Cotman’s works, I feel it due to myself to explain the circumstances. I had agreed with Mr Cotman to give £100 for his coppers but he requested me to await your consent, as he made a point of consulting you upon most matters of import. The matter was considered as so far adjusted that both Mr. Cotman & myself spoke of the forthcoming edition at a party of his friends, and a very laudable vanity made him suggest the addition of his portrait, which I followed up by recommending, leaving the production of it to him. I did not till afterwards know it was one of Mrs. Turner’s plates, & should never think of asking for it without a suitable & ample return.

As I really felt desirous of serving Mr. Cotman in the purchase of his coppers, I first offered him £50 & said that if any profit accrued from the publication of his works on the scale I intended, that profits should be divided with him. He said he had been offered £100 by a broker at Norwich, which he had declined from an apprehension of the disreputable manner in which they might possibly be used. I left Mr. Cotman undetermined whether I would risk the £100, but took time for consideration, & in a week resolved upon the purchase, he having made up his mind to take £100, & no less. It was thus settled all but your consent, & I further promised Mr. Cotman (spontaneously) that [[should]] if the speculation was successful I would give him a share of the profits, 50 or 100£ more, & this was my meaning.

I intended the book to come out in 3 handsome & uniform [[volumes]] folios, at an expense to me of nearly a thousand pounds, & as such an outlay is of uncertain recovery in antiquarian works, I proposed to secure £100 to Mr. Cotman at any rate, & give him further sums, subject to contingencies. The coppers would be no object to me after I had done working them.

I do not wish anything but what is fair & just, and therefore relinquish any plan which you do not think will advance Mr. Cotman’s interest.

I am, dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant, Henry G. Bohn.

(from a collection of family letters at Bush Hall)