Description
Autograph Letter Signed ‘Francis Darby’, to Philip Corber, thanking him for his present of a picture, “a valuable addition to my little collection”. 3 pp. 9 x 7 inches, with the address panel, torn at folds. Marked ‘Mr Darbys last letter … He died March 20 1850’. Shrewsbury postmark. Colebrook Dale, 27 February 1850. Francis Darby (1783-1850) was one of two sons from the marriage of Abraham Darby III and wife Rebecca Smith, who had a passion for music and fine arts. Francis Darby introduced ornamental castings such as vases, garden furniture, fountains and gates to Coalbrookdale in the mid-1830s. This was the first time Coalbrookdale began to break away from pure iron products to art – items which are still celebrated at Coalport China Museum and Jackfield Tile Museum today.