Description
Three lengthy Autograph Letters Signed during the Crimea Campaign, two to John Scott and one to William Day of Colnaghi’s, describing his work in progress on sketches of various locations, skirmishes with the enemy, working on increasing subscribers, his adventures, the reception of his sketches, etc. 3 letters. 14 pp., 8 x 5 inches, closely written, entirely legible, in very good condition. Orient, Balaklava, 31 January 1855; On board the Royal Albert, Katasol Bay, 17 February 1855; Star of the South, Balaklava, 21 September 1855. Superb descriptive campaign letters by William Simpson (1823-1899), artist and war correspondent, pioneer war artist during the Crimean War. Eighty of his Crimean drawings were lithographed in The Seat of War in the East (2 vols., 1855–6). “The Navies arrived yesterday and today I saw them at work on the railway just between the Road and the graves which you will notice in my sketch of the Burial at Balak … they look very well, fine strong fellows, quite a contrast to our poor soldiers, in fact they will almost pass for officers out here. I have been often taken for an officer not only be our men but by the french as well.” “I have begun a drawing of the Admiral and his staff all standing on the poop of the Agamemnon so by this arrangement I give you in one picture that which you have requested, namely Sir Edward and his now celebrated ship …” “I have sent you another two Drawings of the interior of Sebastopol. The position where I stood when I took the large one was too low but they would not let me on the top of Fort Nicholas. I might have managed it but I had already been twice made a prisoner and was quite tired of showing passports and speaking french …”