Author: Holmes, Charles.
Format: Autograph letter signed to Sir Baldwin Spencer, dated “Sept. 13, 1917.”
Printer letterhead “The Studio. A magazine of fine & applied art, 44 Leicester Square, London”, 2pp [over one sheet], 20.4 x 13cm.
Text includes “Dear sir…I regret to hear that our special number devoted to the Art of the British Empire overseas does not meet with your approval…I decided to configure the illustrations to Australian landscape subjects by native-born artists working in Australia, & to omit the work of those who had settled and were working outside the country, or who were of alien origin. This, I think, will account for the omission of some of the names you mention.”
Holmes also mentions that his correspondent in Australia who collected the material for the issue was “well qualified for the task & was highly esteemed in Australian art circles.” He is speaking of Will Ashton, as acknowledged in the prefatory note (p.iii) of Art of the British Empire Overseas (The Studio, 1917). Other Australian artists included in the issue are W. Nicholls Anderson, James Ashton, Julian Ashton, W. Lister Lister, Frederick McCubbin, Ruth Sutherland and John White.
Tear to old fold.
