Bruce Joy Albert (3 results)

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. BRUCE-JOY, Albert (1842-1924). Autograph letter signed to an unnamed correspondent on the Henry Fawcett memorial scheme. The Studio, Beaumont Road, West Kensington, W., 5 May, 1885. 4 pp., on Bruce-Joy's headed bifolium, with old folds, on mourning stationary. Overall very good.  Albert Bruce-Joy was an Anglo-Irish sculptor trained in London and Paris, known for a wide range of public portrait statues and memorials across Britain and Ireland. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy from 1866, and major works include statues of John Laird in Birkenhead, William Harvey in Folkestone, W. E. Gladstone in London and John Bright in Manchester. In this rare letter on his studio headed note paper, Bruce-Joy refers to a note from Lord Pembroke (13th earl and former secretary of state for war) confirming his support for a proposed memorial to Henry Fawcett, (Millicent Fawcett's writer husband who died a year earlier), but noting that Pembroke would not play an active role in the committee. Bruce-Joy asks for the names of the leading members, as he wanted to communicate with them directly. He was seeking another public commission. The eventual Embankment memorial was executed by Mary Grant and George Frampton. Signed by Author(s).

One page, quarto. Good, on slightly discoloured paper. The embossment has been gone over in light blue pencil to bring it up. A couple of manuscript marks by Bruce-Joy for emphasis. Begins Offers to show his correspondent the 'colossal Statue of Mr. Oliver Heywood, which I have lately completed in the marble' (leaving for Manchester 'in a few days'), as well as 'the finished marble Statue of Mr. Whitley, M.P., for St. George's Hall, Liverpool' ('also to be unveiled soon'), a memorial (for Westminster Abbey) and bust (for St John's College, Cambridge) of Professor Adams, and a memorial for Sir Robert Montgomery (for St Paul's Cathedral). These and 'other works on view' have 'been much delayed in consequence of the very severe accident which happened to me just after my return from America at the end of last year'. Gives details of when the studio will be open to the press ('after 3.30 o'clock it is now sometimes too dark to see such work to advantage'). Signed 'A. Bruce-Joy'.

Both items in fair condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper, each with pin holes in one corner. Both items in a hurried, difficult hand. ONE: To 'Dear Madam', dated 19 March 1893. Docketed 'Mr. B. Joy | 29/3/93'. 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He begins by apologising that 'your letter should not have been replied to you [sic]', as he has been 'laid up'. He asks her to inform him when 'the busts' will be needed, '& I will see whether I can send anything'. TWO: Incomplete letter, signed 'A. Bruce Joy'. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Numbered by Bruce-Joy '2'. Begins: '[.] it shd be at least 15 ft wide to allow for folds. The pedestal shd stand near the wall with only just room enough behind it to allow the curtain to hang properly - | The hanging of the other curtains is very important, so as to keep the light off the head'. He hopes that the recipient is 'not suffering too much from overwork'. In a postscript he writes: 'I have had the plan of meeting Mr. Hart several times since you left.'.