Lot 92: [Stephen Catterson-Smith (1806-72)] LETTER TO

[Stephen Catterson-Smith (1806-72)] LETTER TO WILLIAM GLADSTONE, FROM MRS. ANNE CATTERSON-SMITH, 1873 AND LETTER FROM JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN TO MRS CATTERSON-SMITH two handwritten letters both dated 1873, the second on 'Sackville Street Club' paper 32 by 19cm., 12.5 by 7.5in. The first, a letter to the Right Honourable William Ewart Gladstone M.P. from Mrs. Anne Catterson-Smith, widow of artist Stephen Catterson-Smith, dated 7 January 1873. The letter details an appeal on Mrs. Catterson-Smith's behalf to the then Prime Minister requesting to be placed on the Queen's civil list owing to her late husband's position of portrait artist of the Queen as well as former president of the R.H.A. Letter includes a signed petition list (thirty-seven signatories, total) of support from various society members such as Arthur Guinness, Thomas Conolly, Lord Clancarty, Lord Talbot de Malahide, B. Colles Watkins RHA, Lord Dunsandle and Viscount Powerscourt. The reply letter, dated June 1873, from Joseph Chamberlain, regretfully informs Mrs. Catterson-Smith on the failure of her supplication but mentions a separate collection fund from which she may acquire a supplementary income. This letter is written on 'Sackville Street Club' headed paper and is contained in a stamped envelope to Mrs. Catterson-Smith, 4 Eldon Road, South Kensington.