[Small Archive] Three Letters of Cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne to John Isaac Thornycroft, and his Wife concerning the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Races

Sambourne, [Edward] Linley

Published by Kensington, London, 1900

About this Item

British cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne (1844-1910) was best known for his decades-long contributions to Punch magazine, but had also been commissioned for book illustrations & covers, advertisements, and magazines. Three letters, one to British shipbuilder and engineer Sir John Isaac Thornycroft (1843-1928)- brother of sculptor Sir William Hamo Thornycroft- and two to his wife, Blanche Ada Coules (1846-1936). 1. ALS to Mrs. Thornycroft, March 24th, 1888, on embossed letterhead for 18 Stafford Terrace, Kensington. 2 pp. Bifolium. 4 1/2 x 7 inches. Sambourne writes in reply to an invitation received from Thornycroft (due to a letter he sent), an offer which he gladly accepts, weather permitting. The 45th Boat Race took place on 24 March 1888. 2. ALS to Mr. Thornycroft (J. I. Engineer), March 28, 1900, on Garrick Club letterhead. 2 pp. Bifolium. 4 1/2 x 7 inches. Asks if he and his son may "go into the yard of the factory to see the end of the Boat Race" in Oxford. 3. ALS to Mrs. Thornycroft, 9 April 1890, on embossed letterhead for 18 Stafford Terrace, Kensington. 2 pp. 1 sheet. 6 1/2 x 8 inches. In reference to the aforementioned Boat Race. "I thank you very much for your kind offer of allowing my son & myself to occupy a place on your balcony a privilege we would gladly have availed ourselves of. As I imagined Mr. Thornycroft to be away, my son on Saturday morning cycled down . & obtained permission from one of your employees in charges to stand in the shop, which we did, seeing the race if it can be called a race this year." The 57th Boat Race took place on 31 March 1900. Shipbuilder Sir John Isaac Thornycroft (1843-1928) showed early aptitude for engineering. His father, sculptor & engineer Thomas Thornycroft purchased land along the Thames, in Chesterman's Yard, which would ultimately be established as John I. Thornycroft & Company. Markedly innovative & influential, Thornycroft made numerous improvements on existing technologies for steam yachts, torpedo boats, and other vessels, with some of his designs being used in the Royal Navy. In the 1890s, he expanded his enterprise, and formed the Thornycroft Steam Carriage and Wagon Company. Thornycroft was knighted in 1902. Very good collection, edges worn, few punctures and closed tears, light soiling to margins and folds.

Seller Inventory # 45615

Bibliographic Details

• Title: [Small Archive] Three Letters of Cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne to John Isaac Thornycroft, and his Wife concerning the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Races
• Publisher: Kensington, London
• Publication Date: 1900
• Language: English
• Binding: Soft cover