by Ruskin, John
A difficult letter to decipher regarding origins, but most likely written to John Ruskin or Noel Humphries by an editor of a journal, based on the content, especially in that the opening words query the recipient's intent to possibly write or speak lines by way of eulogy for J. W. Turner, the famed English painter who had just passed away. Ruskin was one of Turner's greatest proponents, drawing widespread attention to Turner in Ruskin's "Modern Painters" (1843). As well, the writer mentions "Ten Centuries" in the letter, referring to Noel Humphreys' book, "Ten Centuries of Art," published in 1852. "Wednesday. My dear Sir, I suppose you will have some last words on Turner? Did you not suggest that the Pre-Raphaelite section of the "Ten Centuries" might be shortened? I think it might, with advantage. If you call, on your way home, today instead of tomorrow, I shall be happy to see you, Very Truly Yours, "A. J. Airstead" [sic, ? undetermined]. Thin gray paper mounted onto beige paper. Provenance: Directly from William Fredeman Pre-Raphaelite Collection.
(Inventory #: 3030)