S&SWM PR papers L1801-2000
L1804
Geddes | Ansd Apr. 29/97
University College | Dundee | Mon. 26/4/97
Dear General Pitt-Rivers
Herewith I return the coat I borrowed, & which I ran off with for the north journey, as I had not time to go back to the Bishop's to pick up my own!
I have delayed sending it in order to enclose the two weapons spear-heads; I am sorry there is only one with a socket. I bought them at Nicosia & probably they came from the tombs of the neighbourhood.
We had a letter from Douglas this week, wo is evidently enjoying himself camping out and sketching, & who promised us an exhibition in Edin', so he is evidently busy. From Lionel we have nothing this mail, which doubtless indicates he is still busier!
My wife sends her kind regards to Mrs Pitt Rivers & yourself. (We have our little boy & girl again with us here. But the baby only arrives today having been in quarantine) so it is anew acquaintance to make after six months, & a great household event to which I must hasten!) Believe me
Yours vy faithfully
Pat Geddes
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L1806
Hartlett [sic] | Ansd. Apr. 29/97 | H.G.
171 Stanhope Street | London | N.W. | April. 27. 97.
Dear Sir,
I have brought home with me, from Borneo a fine collection of Ethnological specimens and knowing that you are interested in these objects, I shall have much pleasure in showing them to you, or sending a list of them.
Yours faithfully
Edward Bartlett
Lt. Gen. Fox-Pitt-Rivers
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L1808
Science and Art Department South Kensington | 28 April 1897
Dear Pitt Rivers,
I am very sorry to see from your letter that you are so ill: hope it is not so bad as you indicate.
Thanks: I am all right - since my sciatica last year.
I will see what we can do about the Maori house I am afraid we must ask the New Zealand people.
As far as we are concerned you are quite welcome to it
Yours [illegible
in haste
...elly
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L1809
The Burlington Fine Arts Club | 17 Savile Row, W. | April 29th 1897
Sir,
I am directed by the Enamels Exhibition Committee to acknowledge with their best thanks the safe receipt of the registered packet containing the enamelled Badge of Philippa Queen of Edward III, and marble stand for same
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant
John Beavan
Secretary
Lt Genl Pitt Rivers | Rushmore | Salisbury
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L1810
Bartlett | Ansd May 6/97
171 Stanhope Street | London | N.W. | April 30. 97.
To General Pitt-Rivers
Dear Sir,
I am sending you a rough list of my collection of Ethnological things from Borneo with prices to them, at the same time I may mention that I am anxious to dispose of the whole in one lot, unless you or the British Museum can take sufficient out of them to make it worth my while to break up the collection.
I have not had time to draw up a detailed list, but hope this will enable you to judge what they are; at the same time please return it to me because I have not copied it all out yet.
I have written to Mr Balfour at Oxford asking him to come and see the collection with a view to purchasing the same.
Please put an X to all those things which you would like to have.
An early reply will greatly oblige
Yours faithfully
Edward Bartlett
P.S. No doubt you will remember my name as late Curator of the Maidstone Museum before Mr James took it. *
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L1811
Ethnographical Department | (Pitt Rivers Collection) | University Museum | Oxford. | 30.4.97
Dear General Pitt Rivers
Dr. Tylor has sent me in a letter which he received from you relating to your series illustrating the peculiarities and distribution of the Kopis blade. I am writing in answer to this as I am solely responsible for the disposition and arrangement of the specimens in this Museum. After the death of Professor Moseley, the original Curator of the collection, whose assistant I had been, the University appointed me to the Curatorship and I therefore have the entire control over the Ethnographical Department, which is your own magnificent collection together with the Ethnographical additions to it, which are I am glad to say numerous. I mention this because I do not think that you are aware of it as you seem to think that Dr Tylor is the official head, which is not so. Dr. Tylor is Professor of Anthropology whereas I have charge of the Ethnographical Museum, just as Ray Lankester has change of the Zoological Department etc. I am therefore entirely responsible for the whole of the arrangement & am glad of the responsibility, as I am devoting my whole time to the progress of the collection so magnificently presented by you to the University.
Now as regards the kopis blade ... Let me hasten to assure you that that series is absolutely intact, its component specimens have never been distributed, and it is and always has been arranged according to your own original disposition. Beginning with the symmetrical bronze leaf shaped blade, the Almedinilla sword is next to it & there follow the Kukri, yataghan, flissa & Indian swords of similar shape. The drawings (4) from Greek vases etc are all exhibited by their side, & your own map shewing distribution is there also. The whole series is demarkated [sic] and labelled as a distinct whole. I have in fact from the beginning seen the importance of this series & shall always keep it together. I have added drawings to it, and widened the geographical distribution by the inclusion of a Chinese knife [arrow pointing to drawing] (or as I believe it to be a Malayan one) I have added a sketch of the iron sword from Praeneste. I have the series arranged next to that comprising the "flamboyant" blades as the latter in their single edged form approach so nearly to the "kopis" shape. [3 drawings 2 captioned Swiss lake bronze and 1 captioned French bayonet] e.g. the forms sketched here, which have edges of similar shape to that of "Kopis".
As regards the name, in view of the doubts which have been expressed as to the use of "Kopis" to designate this type of blade, I have thought that it might be better to adopt a general and purely descriptive term, and as the peculiarity of the edge of typical "Kopis" blades is to present a combination of concave and convex elements or curves [Drawing] it has occurred to me that it would perhaps be desirable to class these blades as "OGEE-EDGED BLADES", not of course to be confounded with the "ogee-section blades" of which of course I have maintained the series in your collection. Hitherto I have kept to your name of "Kopis", but should be very glad to hear what you think of the name which I suggest & which seems to meet the difficulty. The whole subject is one of great interest to me, and the continuous distribution of the "Kopis" blade is, I consider, a matter of great Ethnographical importance.
I have examined the Halstatt period finds in the Museums of Vienna and of Sarajevo in Bosnia & see how closely the "Kopis" shape is identified with that period. I have omitted to say that the description of the "kopis" series from your catalogue is fixed up by the side of the series so that everyone may read it.
I hope that my paper (a copy of which I sent you) describing a very interesting Assyrian composite bow, was of interest to you. I have given this bow with its arrows & also an Egyptian bow & arrows to the Museum and it now forms part of your series of composite bows. I regard it as a very important find & was delighted to have the opportunity of describing it and of purchasing the whole equipment.
I am very glad to hear that you have a new volume of excavations ready, especially as it relates to bronze age entrenchments, it will be a most important addition to our knowledge. I am very sorry to learn that you have again been in poor health & hope soon to hear a better account.
If at any time you should wish to know anything relating to your collection I shall always be very pleased to tell you what has been or is being done. Much progress has been effected & the Museum is greatly appreciated by all who visit it.
Yrs very truly
Henry Balfour
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L1813
Letter from Beaumont about a portrait PR asked for of all the members of his family [said by B. to number around 32]
‘In any case I would very much like if possible this Jubilee Year to do at least a head portrait of you – either for your Oxford Museum or for the Larmer Tree.
A hundred years hence it would be of no slight interest to the visitors to either place to see a portrait of their founder.’
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L1817
Bartlett | Ansd May 12/ 97 | List returned
171 Stanhope Street | London | N.W. | May 7. 97.
To General Pitt-Rivers
Sir,
I have received your tracing of a supposed Dyak shield, allow me to say it is not Dyak but a Kyan shield it is well known that the Dyaks have plain shields in fact they dont understand the art of the decorating one.
With regard to the shields in my list no 1-5 are ornamented like the tracing you sent, but of different designs, each shield having its own ornamentation on the front & back
The rest of the shields are plain, except three which are painted in colours on the front only, with distinct designs but not Kyan patterns, these are Nos 6 a Kyan shield painted by a Dyak 11a is a Kyan shield painted by a Dyak 12 is a Dyak shield and ornamented by a Dyak.
I send tracing of Nos 88, 135, 139.
Please allow me to mention that I shall be leaving soon and wish to know what portion you wish to receive or whether the whole, therefore, an early answer will greatly oblige.
Kindly let me have list again
Wish you had sent some one to look at the things.
I am
yours faithfully
Edward Bartlett
PS the tracings are full size
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L1835
Bartlett | Ansd May 29/97
171 Stanhope Street | London | N.W. | May 28. 97.
To General Pitt-Rivers
Dear Sir,
I shall be glad to know whether you have decided to retain all the Borneo things sent on approval, if so, I shall feel much obliged by a cheque for the same.
I am
yours faithfully
Edward Bartlett
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L1839
Bartlett | Ansd June 1/97
171 Stanhope Street | London | N.W. | May 31. 97.
Dear Sir,
I'm sorry now that you consider the prices high, and that the things have been sent, because every day is a loss to me in the sale of them.
I reduced the prices of the lot in the first box from £172-10-0 to £150 for the lot; after all my trouble in collecting and bringing these things home, it is not worth the travelling expenses.
I shall now leave the price of the first lot entirely in your hands, sned me a cheque for the mot you can aford [sic] for the lot.
Yours very truly
Edward Bartlett
General Pitt Rivers
P.S. Kindly remember you have the first offer of these things
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L1826
Baker | Ansd June 7/97
101 Gough Road | Edgbaston, | Birmingham | May 17.97
Dear Sir
I am writing a book on Leather Drinking Vessels, & have heard that in your celebrated collection of objects relating to the domestic life of past centuries, there are some specimens of Black Jacks or Leather Bottles.
If so, I would be extremely obliged if you could give me particulars of their measurements etc or photographs
With apologies for troubling you
faithfully yours
Oliver Baker
[Added in pencil
Sewn [insert] with leather [end insert] in several place where the creases occur
Sewn with loose fibres or material perhaps string
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L1848
Ansd. Sept 15/97 | Ansd again Sept. 18/97 | Photography sent
Offenham | near Evesham | June 9.97
Dear Sir
I am exceedingly obliged by your very kind letter with illustrations of the leather vessels in your possession, which has been forwarded to me.
I should be very glad if you would also let me have the following items of additional information
1. The Black Jack with arms of Lord Rivers.
I should be glad to have the [insert] width across base [end insert] height & probable capacity of this, & to know if the arms are painted on, & if they afford any clue to which Lord Rivers it belonged when they were put on it.
Also if Rushmore is an ancient building [pencil 1 pt 13 1/2 8 1/4]
2. I should like the height & capacity of the silver mounted jack [pencil 9" 1 quart]
3. Also the same dimensions of the leather covered metal jug. I presume it is chiefly of pewter. Also how many pieces the leather consists of.
4. The leather mug shaped on the arm, I have never before heard of. I sh'd like its dimensions
5. Also those of the silver-mounted mug.
6. The capacity of this bottle
7. This vessel seems very curious. The sketch suggests, a rams-horn shape like a Scotch snuff-box. i should like to know if its top is leather or wood.
8. The capacity of this & if the mouth is of the original size or less the cylindrical piece of leather, which usually makes them smaller in the cork-hole.
These sketches are all extremely interesting & numbers 4, 7, & 8 are new to me.
If photographs already exist, I should like to have copies of all but No. 6 of which pattern I possess several examples. If the photographs have to be taken specially & the photographer at a distance, so that the cost would be increased, I shd. like (3) the leather covered jug (4) the post boys mug to strap on arm, & two different views of (7) the rams horn shaped costril, & one of the leather costril with ears at the ends for a thong (8).
Again thanking you very heartily
sincerely yours
Oliver Baker
The photos would be best not quite "broad-side on" so as to show more than one face
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Enclosure [Typed, from Pitt-Rivers]
LEATHER BLACK JACKS AND COSTRELS, IN THE COLLECTION OF GENERAL PITT-RIVERS
1. BLACK JACKS WITH ARMS OF 1ST LORD RIVERS: There are three of these in the Dining Room, Rushmore, which belonged to the 1st Lord Rivers who died in 1804 and were used in the Servants' Hall there. The dimensions of the largest one are"- Height 18"; width across base 10". The two others are of the same isze: - Height 13 1/2"; width across base 8 1/4". The arms of the 1st Lord Rivers are painted and "R" in gilt and colours. Capacity of largest jack about 13 qts. The two smaller ones will hold about 6 qts each.
2. SILVER-MOUNTED JACK:- Height 9"; capacity 1 quart
3. LEATHER-COVERED METAL JUG: This jug appears to be of pewter, covered with a dark-green coloured leather in three pieces, with a separate piece for the handle. Silver-mounted. Height 12" Capacity, 2 qts (Photograph sent.)
4. LEATHER JUG FOR STRAPPING ON ARM OF POST-BOYS. Height from arm 7 1/2"; width at top 4 3/4". Capacity about 2 pints. (Photograph sent.)
5. SILVER-MOUNTED LEATHER MEG. Height 6 1/4" width at top 4 1/8". Capacity about 2 pints.
6. LARGE LEATHER BOTTLE FROM OXFORDSHIRE. Height 9 3/4"; width 8 1/2". It leaks too much to be able to measure capacity
7. RAM'S HORN-SHAPED COSTREL. The top is composed of horn covered with leather on the outside. It is entirely covered with pieces of leather, and sewn with straps of leather in several places where the creases occur. Greatest width 8 inches. (Photograph, 2 views).
8. LEATHER BOTTLE. The mouth of this bottle seems to be of the original shape and size; sewn with loose fibrous material, perhaps string. Capacity, about 2 qts. Height 7 1/2"; greatest width 9 1/2" (Photograph sent).
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L1868
Ansd June 29/97
Atherton Grange | Wimbledon | June 27.97
Dear Sir
Before attempting to distribute, or to dispose en bloc of my newly-discovered Palaeolithic Implements from Somaliland, (from the palaeolithic city or settlement at Jalelo) which I visited this winter (having discovered it last year), I think I might to communicate [sic] with yourself, as to whether you are disposed to acquire the collection as it now stands or any portion of it. I am anxious to cover part of the expenses of an expedition. I am proposing to myself [sic] in Southern Russia, in search of some similar city of prehistoric [illegible] I enclose a cutting which you may have seen as the reporters of many of the daily papers came to see me, which I shd be much obliged if you would kindly return. The Egyptian things (which are not so perfect as the Somaliland) are I believe being acquired by Liverpool. I think there are over 2000 Somaliland palaeo. of which about 500 are perfect - the most perfect known,; and I had better say at once that I want (1) two hundred pounds for one hundred specimens which may be selected by yourself or anyone you depute, to which I would add two hundred of the second grade (flint & quartzite) if you desire (2) four hundred pounds for the lot as it now stands (packed in cases at 3 Hanover Square).
At the request of the Council of University College I am exhibiting them once more on Wed next (30th) at University Coll. Gower St. from 8 pm to 12 midnight & should be glad if you could come & see for yourself. Or if you will request Prof. Flinders Petrie (of Univ Coll) to select the ones hundred for you for the sum named I shall have them forwarded to you on Thursday and the 2nd class ones, later.
Perhaps you would let me know - well before Wed morning [insert] or by Telegraph to Flinders Petrie by Th.[end insert] as I find the packing & unpacking very laborious work.
Believe me
sincerely yours
H.W. Seton-Karr
General Pitt-Rivers
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L1869
Hope | "Nottinghamshire | Alabastermen"
Soc. Antiq. Lond. | Burlington House, Piccadilly. W. | Trinity Sunday 1897
Dear General Pitt Rivers
Your alabaster carvings do not belong to my Nottingham "alabastermen's" school at all, nor are they English work. I shld imagine they belong to the 17th century, but whether they be Flemish or not I cannot tell. They are certainly curious & amusing, at least the Noah's Ark one is. I shall be curious some day to see yr. collection of Noah's Arks. I do not myself remember the plank; it must I think have become extinct.
I hope you are better. Many of us are looking forward to seeing & hearing you at Dorchester
Yours very truly
W.H. St John Hope
I have been spending Whitsuntide in excavating at the Charterhouse at Mount Grace, near Northallerton, a most charming place, still retaining amongst other things the shell of the church & the ruins of the cells or little houses, with their gardens, surrounding the great cloister
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L1870
Ansd by telegram July 10/97
Atherton Grange | Wimbledon | July 3.97
Dear Sir
I have just sent off to you a case containing 25 picked examples & one hammer stone. The rest of the box is filled up with 2nd class impts & flakes. The 25 are contained in 3 wood boxes in the other, & are made of different sorts of stone. I think you will be astonished at the weathering of some
------------------------- [in the original letter]
the flakes all come without exception from Marodigeh a place 20 miles south of the palaeolithic city.
All my perfect implements were found at this settlement, which lies between the wells of Jalelo, Dago, Bolgathan & Hambabeina, 85 m. from Berbera & 75 from Bulhar. I enclose some cuttings previously omitted.
It was Th. mg [apparently Thursday morning] which I rec'd your letter & the imp were already packed, but I told Prof. Petrie that I had hoped he would have been able to choose for you, but I have picked the best series I could
Your truly
H.W. Seton-Karr
Enclosed three newspaper clippings:
'The Cradle of the Human Race' Tools probably used by Adam. Mr H.W. Seton-Karr's discoveries [no date or newspaper name]
'Prehistoric Man - Hunting in Africa: Chat with Mr H.W. Seton-Karr [no date or newspaper name][2 clippings]
'Wild Beasts and Prehistoric Man' Black and White June 19 1897 page 778
[ There is also two copies of a typed version of L1870 ]
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L1875
Karr | Ansd July 15/97
Atherton Grange | Wimbledon | July 13.97
Dear Sir
Many thanks for your telegram telling me the Implements had arrived.
Your letter has not yet reached me, but I merely write to say that I shall be happy to present you with 100 second classImplements (for yourself only) in addition to the selection series from Somaliland, because I have a great many of the former from which I picked out the best.
I am going on Fri. ev. to St Malo, but on hearing from you I shall be happy to pack & sand them to you, without any further expense to yourself the end of next week
Indeed I am glad to get rid of them I have to stimulate me to find another palaeolithic settle ment (in Persia perhaps); I hope next year to be able to send you some Egyptian axes from the E. Desert but my latest of these have all as you know been acquired by the Corporation of Liverpool. Will you let me know if, in case I am near Salisbury, I have any chance of seeing you. I came there last year to play golf.
Yours sincerely
H.W. Seton Karr
General Pitt Rivers
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L1877
And. Sept. 11/97
Waterloo House, Wimborne | ... Mark Barnes, Saddler & Harness Manufacturer ... | 1897 July 15
Dear General
I have taken the liberty to send you on an old Candlestick and Candle. It was found in The Oldest House in Wimborne where Matthew Prior lived, it was taken from and old Bricked up Cupboard. I have lived here 53 years - and I knew the people who lived in the House, over 60 years - one of my men has had it for 3 or 4 years given to him by the man who lives in the House now A friend of his. Another man who works for me showed me the earthen work He got it from Weymouth. He said it was a Bed Candlestick an [sic] a Money Pot I was so pleased with my visit to your grounds I said I would send it for you to see and if any use to you you can let me know next Bank Holloday [sic] When I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again. If I may be allowed to speak to you Mr Harder knows me and beg to remain
your obt servant
Mark Barnes
Barnes & Mullins Celebrated Banjo Players are engaged to play I hear Barnes is my son
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L1879
Atherton Grange | Wimbledon | July 16.97
Dear Sir
There will be a short account in the Aug. no Anth Journal, but I have not published anything more.
I shall be glad to let you have some Egyptian ones next year, if Mr Forbes will let me without interfering with his morphology, if I get any more. I played golf some where near Salisbury, but though I heard of your links I did not visit them I beg [illegible] cheque for 50£ with thanks
I will come to Tisbury on Mon July 26th at 12-18 & bicycle over in time for lunch at 1-30 if your son will be at home & would play golf in the aft, & perhaps next morning too, & I could leave Tisbury on Tues 27th at 4-42 p.m. If they are not at home then I will come another time. I go to St Malo today for four days.
Yours sincerely
HW Seton-Karr
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L1883
Nash Mills, | Hemel Hempstead | July 21 1897
My dear Pitt-Rivers
I am glad that the book has reached you safely. Many thanks for the Plates illustrating your Bronze hoard from Donhead. What an interesting lot it seems to be. Those flanged palstaves are scarce in England. Are you sure that the wire-like material was not used for fine bracelets and not for attaching the axes then hafts? I do not remember to have seen the boring-bit in bronze to be used like a centre-bit. It is a most remarkable tool. The burnishing stone is also note-worthy. Altogether it is a fine lot and I congratulate you on its acquisition. We are off to Canada in a fortnight. I wish that you were better and could accompany us. With kind regards to Mrs Pitt-Rivers.
Yours sincely
John Evans
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L1907
Balfour
Ethnographical Department | (Pitt Rivers Collection) | University Museum | Oxford | Aug 18. 1897
Sir:
Your letter to hand this morning.
Mr Balfour is now away in Russia, and will not be here till the end of September.
The Museum is now closed till next Monday, for cleaning purposes, if you propose sending your clerk before then I could meet him if you would kindly let me know what day he is coming.
I am, Sir,
your obedient servant
J.T. Long
Assistant to Mr H. Balfour Curator
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L1931
7 West Hill | Wandsworth | S.W. | Sept 8/97
Dear Sir
I now send a few things which I hope will interest you I found a good number of stone implements at Icklingham & Stow but they are not so numerous as formerly.
I found there were at least three Barrows unopened yet & I hope next year to have a turn at them.
Arrowheads still occur & I got two very nice small knives some worn scrapers & flakes & a few scrapers, as fine as any I have seen. I expect that you have as many of the ordinary stone things that you would not care for them or any of them. One thing struck me as very curious - so many of the most prolific spots are enclosed by a low bank at each side but they (the enlosed spot) are all square in form & I therefore presume that they are not [insert] of [end insert] British [insert] origin [end insert] there are a number of old trackways leading from the low level [insert] road [end insert] to the high ground where the best things occur & the whole place seems a gigantic puzzle to me, who knows nothing of military matters.
I am
Yours most obediently
Geo. F. Lawrence
I had intended selling the Wandle find, in one lot but have parted them for you the only collector to whom I have yet offered them
G.F.L.
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L1932
9 Septr 1897 | British Museum | London : W.C.
Dear General
The photographer who has made an ethnological set of Irish photographs is
R. Welch
Photographer
Belfast
I have just come across the address so I sent it at once
Yours very truly
Charles H Read
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L1933
Ansd Sept 11/97
10 Septr 1897 | British Museum | London : W.C.
My dear General
I am sending you a small box to Tisbury station containing some of the implements from St... [illegible] for your Museum. There are six of a special type from that locality [Drawing] a kind of bipenins [?] & pair [insert] 3 [end insert] of the picks I spoke of - As local types they will I hope be acceptable
Yours truly
Charles H. Read
Genl Pitt Rivers D.C.L.
The bipennis is described in Durdens Catalogue (they are of course all from his collection) p. 7 No 63 64
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L1934
James | Ansd Sept 17/97
Maidstone | Sept 11th 1897
Dear General Pitt-Rivers,
The "agricultural" jug is for the Museum at Farnham if you will accept it. I can give no further particulars than that I acquired it for a few pence from a country woman.
I did not hear a very good account of you from a Gentleman (Mr Seton-Karr) who was in here the other day, but I hope by now you are better.
We are going ahead here. A new wing is to be built next month, of two floors each 54 ft by 23 ft, and a new house adjoining for the Curator
Yours truly
Fred. V. James
General Pitt-Rivers DCF FRS
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L1935
Ansd Sept 14/97
13 Septr 1897 | British Museum | London : W.C.
My dear General
When you get Andersons catalogue (of which I told you) you will find the two little figures that I named Kanzan & Jitoku on pl. 20 (p. 198). & an account of them opposite (No 606). The "Jeypoor" figures are I am sure Japanese, & probably made at Kiôto. They almost certainly represent Arhats (i.e. Buddhist saints or ascetics) of whom there are usually sixteen These also are figured in Anderson's Catalogue pl. 5 - p 46 where a detailed account of them is given . I shall always be glad to help you in these matters when I can & would try to come down any time you thought I could be of use - now that I have found the way.
I have been thinking about the future of your museum generally & will send you a note about [insert] it [end insert] later, going into some detail. It is very difficult to know what is best in such a case
Yours very truly
Charles H Read
I am sorry not to have seen the Larmer lit up
Japanese One of the Arhats [PR's handwritting?]
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L1937
Ansd. Sept 18/97
Egypt Exploration Fund | 37 Great Russell St. | London W.C. | September 15th, 1897
Sir,
I have the honour to inform you that the President and Committee of the Egypt Exploration Fund have voted a donation of antiquities from Deshasheh and Behnesa (Oxyrhynchus), Upper Egypt, to your Museum at Oxford.
A list of the antiquities is given inside
I have the honour to be
your obedient Servant
Jas. S. Cotton.
Hon. Secretary
To: Gen: Pitt-Rivers | Rushmore | Salisbury
Antiquities from Deshaheh & Behnesa
Papyrus basket Vth Dynasty - Deshaheh
2 baskets & rope Ditto
End of a composite bow ?Roman Behnesa (Oxyrhymehus)
6 reed pens Ditto
Bronze cross Ditto
Pair of amulets (?) Ditto
Hair pin Ditto
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L1938
Ansd Sep 18/97 | 3/- sent for Barnes' man
Wimborne | Sep 12/97
Dear Sir
Expecting the Candlestick of Mathew Prior. That was mine and I told the General that He was welcome to it. And The General promised me He would show it. Dont you think its A Curious old bit. I wish I could get hold of more old stuff. I do I shall have great pleasure in sending it to the General if he would accept it. With regard to the Earthen stuff when I was going to track up the Candle one of my men said he had an old Earthern Candlestick His Grandfather brot from Weymouth Many years ago. I said let me have it and Ill send it along now if you think it worth while to send my man a trifle for that why do so; and he would be very glad with anything as he is poor and it was no use to him
Your obt servt
Mark Barnes
Saddler | & Corn Dealer
Any little order from to General [sic] would be highly esteemed
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L1941
101 Gough Road | Edgbaston | Birmingham | Sept. 19.97
Dear Sir
I am exceedingly obliged by the excellent photographs, you have sent me, which will be of great interest & very useful. they show how very accurate the small sketches must have been, which you first sent.
As to paragraph (1) of the description, I am very glad to know that three jacks survive with such an interesting history. I suppose I can get the arms of Rivers from Burke's "Extinct Peerages"?
As to No. (4) It struck me when looking at the photograph that I had seen something like it before, & at last I remembered that in the cellar of an ancient moated mansion Baddesley Clinton, in Warwickshire, I saw on the wall a similar looking article of leather & that the butler explained that it had been the custom in past times to use it forbottling. That it was strapped on the operators leg, & the bottle placed within it. He had himself used it for that purpose. Do you not think this is a most likely origin for this cup than that it was strapped on the arm of a postboy? It is such a quaint affair I should like to include it in the book, so if it proves to be an implement for bottling, I think we can safely assume that the butler would drink the wine which had overflowed into it, & that it was therefore a leather drinking vessel.
No. 7, is a wonderfully interesting & picturesque object & I am very glad indeed to have two views of it. I am not quite sure from the description that it was actually a rams horn covered with leather or if it has horn only at the top. I should think if a horn it would be some kind of cow's horn perhaps foreign cow or bull bovine animal. It seems to have had a mouth-piece screwed into the hole at the top, I should like to know if any worm is visible inside the aperture. I have photographs of a leather bottle with flat wood top in which is a similar hole with worm for screwing in a mouthpiece. With many thanks for your kindness I am
[illegible] yours
Oliver Baker
General Pitt-Rivers
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L1946
Welch's Irish Views ... | Antiquarian, Geological, Peasant Life, ... | 49 Lonsdale Street | Belfast Sept 21st 1897
Views Parcel Post
Dear Sir
I forward you via Parcel Post today 111 Ethnog. &c views you selected (permanent Platino) and as you are so specially interested in this particular branch of Scientific work I offer a few notes which may make many of the prints of more interest, Prof Haddon has often promised to help me list them with descriptive notes and I suppose I will do so some time on the lines of my Geol. lists the notes of which Prof Cole always supplies. With the exception of about 5 or 6 more views these 111 exhaust my set, others are on the borderland and come more especially as to prehistoric times as indeed the Kitchen-midden views I send may do, although there is just the chance that they may be connected with life at a much later period, I cannot say more on that subject at present as a report on the matter will be presented to the R.I. Academy soon by some friends whom I accompanied on a little research expedition there and to the much larger midden at Bunowen near Ch...[illegible]
I would be glad to let you see my very early Irish [illegible] at any time many of the views are unique I have taken the Camera often to places where a camera was never seen before
Yours truly
R. Welch
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L1978
Ansd
Christ Church | Oxford | 24 Oct 1897
Dear General Pitt Rivers,
Will you allow me to ask your advice? I am anxious to make a collection of accurate profiles &c of Roman pottery of certain kinds, esp. "Samian", to see if shapes will yield indications of dates. For this I need some machine which will aid to draw the profiles accurately, and I venture to ask you if the camera lucida, which I believe you use, would be likely to suit & (if so) if you could give me any hints about it. The Germans have made some process [sic] in dating their pottery on the Limes & I should like to do something also in England. At first I should probably confine myself to "Samian," the easiest perhaps.
Chancellor Ferguson has, I expect, told you of our discoveries on the Wall this past summer.
yours very truly
F. Haverfield
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L1983
Limassol | Cyprus | October 16th, 1897
Dear Fox Pitt,
Yours of Sep'tr 24th rec'd by last mail I sent off the bronzes &c by this steamer to london last week I enclosed you Father's case in a larger one along with some other things & they will be sent on as soon as the box arrives which ought be be soon after you get this. I put in £10 worth for your Father & I hope he will be pleased with them. Since my last letter to you I have been asked by the B.M. [insert by Lionel British Museum] to undertake some excavations for them and so as you know they have always first call on all my antiquities & services I am bound to dig for them, we commence on the 25th inst. I have a nice little site in my eye for us, would it make any difference to you if you dig say 3 months later on, we would then be able to go in together, I hope you wont be disappointed at the turn things have taken as I cannot help it you see it wont do for me to throw over the B.M.
I know of lots of places in here the Pre Mycenean clay figures are found but I dont consider them [illegible] value as antiquities however that is a side issue. I have not applied for a permit as yet
Collson Ch... [illegible] is up for auction [insert] & will go [end insert] very cheap just now Cattle [illegible] farming look like paying tremendously this year on a/c of plague in Asia Minor & Syrian Coast hundreds are shipped of here to Egypt every week and meat is going up to [illegible] prices & will find living here as dear as it is at home soon if something does not soon happen. I only wish I had the capital to lay say a couple of thousand on 2 year old calves and a couple of thousand [illegible] lambs & I could make a bit then. I have had nothing from the Professor Geddes in his schemes so am afraid he has met with the same fate as all seem to meet with who try and help this poor Island, it seems wonderful to some that modern English man should be so pig headed as not a single one of those people [illegible] down know an d-n about the place & wont even take the trouble to learn. I must close this now as it is time for the mail.
So with kind regards
Yours sincerely
Percy Christian
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High Elms | Farnborough, R.S.O. | Kent | Oct 27th
Dear Father
I enclose a letter from Christian, which speaks for itself.
He appears to despise pre-Mycenean antiquities. I am afraid this shows clearly the spirit with which he undertakes excavations. So much the better for me if I go in with him excavating as I can take all the things you value most. In three months time I shall no doubt be able to go to Cyprus. If things turn out as I want them to, I shall be sent on a mission to Roumania to report upon the Steam Ploughing industry and could go on from there to Cyprus.
I shall be very glad to have more than one business in hand as I doubt if the secretaryship of the Roumanian company would anything like fill up my time. From Christian's letter it appears that you will soon get the box of bronzes. I hope they will be satisfactory. Tomorrow I am going to spend a few hours in the British Museum looking at Cyprus antiquities . There are several books here referring to the Archaeology of Cyprus, so I go on with the study of the subject. Things are at present in an undeveloped state, as regards myself and I must show myself useful if I am to be taken up.
Bye the bye will you write to Bouverie and tell him to continue the allowance of £200 till further notice. It will be very kind of you to do this especially at present when I am having a good deal of extra expenses
yr affec son
Lionel Fox Pitt
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L1990
Dorset | Office of County Surveyor, | Wimborne 8th November 1897
Dear Sir,
I am venturing to send you an ancient horse shoe one of many found in excavating for the foundations of Kings Mill Bridge Marnhull lately rebuilt by the County I have been trying to account for the large number found (some dozens I should say) perhaps they may have belonged to Cavalry horses as they are all the same pattern. No doubt you have asome of the same in your valuable museum. Would you allow one of your Assistants to send me a few lines as to probable date &c. & why so many of them are found together
yours faithfully
Walter J. Fletcher
Gent Pitt Rivers | Rushmore | Salisbury
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L1992
101 Gough Road | Edgbaston | Birmingham | Nov. 10.97
Dear Sir
With reference to the details & photographs you were kind enough to send me of your leather vessels, have you come to any definite conclusion as to the leather cup said to have been used by post boys to strap on their arms? I should be very much obliged if you would let me know about this. I am coming to the conclusion that it must be the mug used for bottling, as since I wrote you, I have seen a specimen of the latter at the brewery at Hereford, which was extremely like yours. If you would like I could ask [insert] my friend the brewer [end insert] to send you a photograph of it, as he is a clever amateur photographer.
I am now of opinion that some leather cups I have seen in the possession of dealers have been made from this brewing vessel or rather bottling which is called the "boot".
This implement is now disused as bottling is now done with machines.
With many thanks faithfully yours
Oliver Baker
Transcribed by AP for Rethinking Pitt-Rivers project June-July 2011
