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Autograph letter signed by the watercolourist Henry Parsons Riviere (1811–1888), addressed to Henry Howard R.A., Secretary of the Royal Academy. Undated but stylistically consistent with the late 1830s–early 1840s, when Riviere was actively submitting works for exhibition.
Riviere writes to forward a “miniature of Mr Jonathan” for “the present Exhibition.” The sitter’s surname is uncertain in the manuscript and should be treated as unidentified. Riviere himself was not a miniature painter, maybe suggesting he was transmitting another artist’s work on behalf of the owner or painter.
Text: “I send a ‘miniature of Mr Jonathan’ – for the present ExhibitionI am SirYour obedt ServtHenry Parsons Riviere50 London StreetFitzroy SquareToHenry Howard Esq. exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy and the watercolour societies from the 1830s onward.
Henry Howard R.A. (1769–1847) served as Secretary of the Royal Academy from 1811 until his death.
The sitter “Mr Jonathan” cannot be securely identified; the spelling is unstable and likely a mis‑read or variant surname.
A good example of Royal Academy exhibition administration and an early professional letter from as photos. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described. Complete with a digital .jpg (as attached) Certificate of Authenticity & Provenance.
Henry Parsons Riviere (Aug 1811 – May 1888) was an English watercolour painter.He became a student of the Royal Academy, and also painted rustic figures from life at the Artists' Society in Clipstone Street.
Henry Howard RA (Jan 1769 – Oct 1847) was an early 19th-century British portrait and history painter.Howard was elected an associate member of the Royal Academy and exhibited there until his death in 1847; he was elected a full member in 1808. In 1811 he became secretary of the Academy and in 1833 he was appointed professor of painting at the Schools (his lectures were published by his son, Frank in 1848).
PROVENANCE:
One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.
Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.
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