Dealers Correspondence K-M

analysing the activities of a nineteenth-century collector

Dealers Correspondence K-M

B series S&SWM PR papers

Here are a selection of the letters from various dealers who Pitt-Rivers dealt with when amassing his second collection. They are all held by Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Pitt-Rivers papers, in the business section of the archive and copyright remains with them:

Index of dealers with letters below:

M. Kataoka

A. Kotin

F. Kotin

Landauer & Co.

G.F. Lawrence [including copies of correspondence listed under the letter series of S&SWM]

The London & Burma Merchandize Company Limited

William Mullins

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B427 Kataoka

Dec 16th 91 | 32 George Street | Hanover Square, W

Dear Sir

I am gratified to hear that you honoured me with a call at my rooms in George Street and I am very sorry that I was not at home. I am not able to keep all my consignments from Japan in the limited space available there, but I have some choice specimens of Japanese weapons, armour &, and some selected pieces of old Bizen and other early Japanese art pottery which I should like to have the pleasure of showing you and which I would put out if you can pay me a visit at another date, of which I shall be glad to have notice, as I have frequently to make country journeys to examine collections and to see collectors and I should like to be at home and to have the pleasure of receiving your visit.

I have lately received a very interesting series of very early Japanese carvings by deities and ancestral warriors honored as Gods They are rather bulky so that I am not able to keep them at my rooms. I should like to show them to you if you think they would interest you. Some of them date back so far as the 10th century.

Yours faithfully
M. Kataoka

Dec 16th 91 | 32 George Street | Hanover Square, W

Dear Sir

M Kataoka told me the makers and dates of the goods you bought, which I have written below

Set of three sake cups made by Hisa-taka, Kaji-Kawa middle of 18th cent.

Inro by Yo-sei end of 17th cent

Bizen figure

early 18th cent.

I hope that will do

Yrs faithfully
G. Kowaki

The Bizen figure is Add.9455vol3_p759 /7, the inro is Add.9455vol3_p759 /8, the sake cups are Add.9455vol3_p760 /1-3

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B428 A. Kotin

Kotin

149 Finborough Road, | South Kensington | Russian Works of Art | A. Kotin | Sept. 14th 1891

To General Pitt-Rivers | Grosvenor Gardens

Dear Sir

I have recently received from Russia some exceptionally fine pieces of Russian Enamels and also have the following objects which I think are well worthy of your inspection:0

(1) Some very fine specimens of Russian Peasant work in Papier Maché

(2) Four Bronzes (various subjects) made by Russian Peasants

(3) A very unique Bronze made by a Japanese Peasant and his family

if you will allow me I should be most happy to submit the above whenever convenient to yourself.

Yours respectfully
A. Kotin

Pitt-Rivers did buy some objects in November 1891 from Kotin but they do not seem to include the above mentioned items

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B429 F. Kotin

Photograph returned on Nov. 18/95

F. Kotin, | Objets d'art | 40, Old Bond Street, | London 6 Nov 1885

To: General Pitt Rivers | Grosvenor Gardens SW.

Sir,

I take the liberty of enclosing the photograph of a statue of Budha, Thinking that perhaps it may interest you, it is at present in Paris, but should you like to see it I could get it sent over, the price asked for it is £45.

I remain Sir
yours obediently

F. Kotin

P.S. This statue was found at Jan Hup. near Mytho Cochin China, in the excavations undertaken to clear the ruins of an ancient Temple of Cambodian origin which was built when they over ran Cochin China height 60 centimetres width 19 do. the stone is a grey granite

The letter is clearly from a F. Kotin, but the address is the same as for A. Kotin (by this date) so presumably it was a family of dealers. There is no record of Pitt-Rivers buying from F. Kotin.

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B430 Landauer

Telephone No 2419 Avenue ABC Code used | 36 Fenchurch Street | London E.C. | September 3rd 1898

General Pitt Rivers, D.L. | Rushmore | Salisbury.

Dear Sir,

We have received from our Mexican friends a Statue, which we understand is of great historical importance, and as we understand that you are interested in antiquities, we have taken the liberty of addressing you with regard to same.

The Statue represents the celebrated King "Netzahualcoyotle, in the act of sacrificing his first born to the "Sun God". The referred to King, is supposed to have been a companion & tributary of the famous "Moctezuma", so renowned in Mexican History. After the defeat of the Mexicans, the object of the present, is said to have fled to the "Huasteca" the land lying on the banks of the "Panuco" river & its tributaries, and then inhabited by the fierce "Texcocos", "Huartecos" & "Otomis", whom he rallied to his standard to make a last and desperate stand against the Spanish invaders. To propitiate the native gods & invoke victory, he made a sacrifice of his only son, and in this attitude he is represented on the Statue.

The latter was found a few years ago on the banks of the "Panuco" and on the estate of "Paiga", where it is supposed "Netzahuacoyotl assembled in 1503; the native warriors to preserve their native country against the Spanish conquerors.

The Statue is to be seen at our office, and we shall be glad to hear if you would like to become the possessorof this Statue, and awaiting to hear from you.

We beg to remain
Yours faithfully
[illegible signature]

The statue was purchased by Pitt-Rivers, it is Add.9455vol6_p1796 /2.

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Ansd Nov 24/98

36 Fenchurch Street | London E.C. Nov 23rd 1898

Sir,

We have received from our friends two more Mexican sculptures which from appearances are certainly much better than the last you bought & as no doubt these will be of interest to you, perhaps you could make it convenient when next in town to favour us with a call & see them for yourself

Awaiting the pleasure of your reply

We remain
Yours faithfully
Landauer

General A Pitt-Rivers | "Rushmore" | Salisbury

In pencil underneath:

To ask whether you can send the objects here packed, on approval G.R. is in constant receipt of obj from [insert] sent by [end insert] dealers & nothing has [insert] ever [end insert] gone astray as yet. It shd. be sent to Tis Stat, Wilt and the real price shd be named

You must be careful to send them to Tis & not to Salisbury which latter is only the post town, & I do not receive objects sent in that objects sent in that do not reach me [insert] him [end insert] If [insert] Genl. Rivers [end insert] does not agree to take them he will return them to your address

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Ansd Dec 1/ 98 £12 offered for the two pottery urns

36 Fenchurch Street | London E.C. Nov 25th 1898

Sir,

We beg to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 24th inst & as desired we forwarded the two Mexican sculptures to Tisbury Station, Wilts, so please claim same.

You will find these sculptures to be of the best & as the price is only £10 - each, we trust you will keep them & awaiting to hear from you in due course

We remain
Yours faithfully
Landauer

General A Pitt-Rivers | "Rushmore" | Salisbury

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Cheque £12 sent on Dec. 3/98

36 Fenchurch Street | London E.C. Dec 2nd 1898

Sir,

We have your favour of the 1st inst to hand & noted & as our friends have left us a certain discretion & taking into consideration that you purchased the first carving, we accept your offer notwithstanding we have several parties anxious to become the possessors of the sculptures in question. We have the pleasure to remain,

Yours faithfully
[illegible signature]

General Pitt-Rivers | Rushmore | Salisbury

There are no items for £12 from Landauer recorded in the catalogue of the second collection but there are three items for £6, £6 and £5, it is not clear which were bought when but they were bought on two occasions, see Add.9455vol6_p1795 /2, Add.9455vol6_p1796 /1-2. However only one of them is a pottery vessel the others are a figure (or that is how it is described in the catalogue). In addition no figures cost £10, Add.9455vol6_p1796 /2 is recorded as costing £5 only He may therefore have acquired at least one item from this dealer not mentioned in the catalogue.

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This Statue is believed to represent the King write name, in the act of sacrificing his first born to the Sun God. He is believed [insert] said [end insert] to have been a companion & tributary of Moctesuma renowned in Mexican history. Notzahualcoyotle fought against the Spaniards in 1503. The statuette was found in a well on the banks of the Panuca & on the estate of Paiga a few years ago & sold to Genl Rivers by Landauer & Co Sept 3d 1898

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B431 G.F. Lawrence

June 30 1897 | To: General Pitt Rivers F.R.S. | From Geo. F. Lawrence | 7 West Hill | Wandsworth, S.W.

Dear Sir

Your favour to hand. I send herewith the flints you have selected - & am obliged by your selection I trust that you will think the [insert] price reasonable [end insert] I also send a few more things I have come across for your approval. I am glad to find that you are better.

I am
Yours obediently
Geo. F. Lawrence

I am collecting a highly interesting & most curious coll'n of tools &c from an old piece of ground at the mouth of the Wandle - 12 feet from the surface - covered by an old mill for at least 150 years. I have 98 already chisels hammers gouges &c &c I will send a full list when I can get no more.

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Ansd Aug 21/97

August 19 1897 | To: General Pitt Rivers F.R.S. | From Geo. F. Lawrence | 7 West Hill | Wandsworth, S.W.

Dear Sir

I have just got enclosed coin of Addedomaros which is rare. I can take 50/- for it which is less than half the list price of it - locality not known. I also enclose the rest of the Wandle photos which are selections of the better types of these tools &c

Some of the things are Saxon & are the first known things [insert] of that period [end insert] found here.

I am
Yours obediently
Geo. F. Lawrence

With compliments

Pitt-Rivers bought the first items (recorded in his catalogue of the second collection) in December 1896, the only item dated from June is Add.9455vol9_p2324 /25.

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L534

55 High St | Wandsworth | S.W. | Sept 18/ 8

Sir

I have a collection of stone & bone implements which I should be pleased to show you when in town, as I know you are interested in any thing prehistoric. It includes, a Thames series Palaeolithic & Neolithic arrow hd [sic] knives scrapers as well as larger things Horn hammers, [insert] flint [end insert] axes etc & a unique [insert] stone [end insert] hammer. A Palaeolithic series from this place also of my own finding, containing specimens like Canon Greenwells High Lodge "side scraper;" & Le Moustier "chopper" I have also a general collection but these, of course were [illegible because smeared] interesting.

Hoping to have the pleasure of a visit any Thursday or Friday

I remain
Yours sincerely
G.F. Lawrence

Pitt-Rivers did not purchase items from Lawrence, according to the second collection catalogue until 1896. The date of the letter is confusing, it must be 1898 in which case there are several objects to match (Note that if this is 1898, the L number is misplaced as too early in the series of letters at S&SWM PR papers which are arranged chronologically).

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L1722

30.12.1896 From | Geo. F. Lawrence | 7 West Hill | Wandsworth S.W. | To: General Pitt Rivers F.R.S.

Dear Sir

I have already had several applications for the hoe & naturally am somewhat in doubt as to its value. I am not very anxious to part with it at present, as I have only had it a few days - & as I have had it such a short time I should not be inclined to part with it unless I had a good offer. it is perfectly genuine in every way & I am advised that it is worth at least fifty guineas as no such thing is likely to be found again - it would not be safe to send but ought to be taken by hand. Of course if the price is prohibitive, I am always open to an offer.

With compliments & best wishes for the new Year

I am
Yours most obediently
Geo Lawrence

It is not clear which this object is, and whether Pitt-Rivers decided to buy it.

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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.

Pitt Rivers accessioned into his second collection catalogue several items in September 1897 from Lawrence, Add.9455vol6_p1794 /3, Add.9455vol9_p2317 /9-11, Add.9455vol9_p2318 /18-19, 30, Add.9455vol9_p2323 /11-13, Add.9455vol9_p2326 /11-12, 20, Add.9455vol9_p2330 /1-5, Add.9455vol9_p2332 /18, Add.9455vol9_p2334 /1, Add.9455vol9_p2355 /3

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L2087

Geo. F. Lawrence | 7 West Hill | Wandsworth S.W. | May 16 1898

Dear Sir

I am expressly obliged by your keeping so many of the things I ventured to send you. I think you did right in keeping the stone club, it is to my mind unique - I have never seen one before & of course could have sold it readily, but your kindness to me compels me to submit to you anything I may get that appears of interest, before showing it elsewhere.

Canon Greenwell writes me to say that Sir John Evans said when he presented the Canons portrait, that the Canon had a finder English bronze coll'n than Sir John but that Sir John had a finer foreign one.

The Canon certainly has the finest series of swords I have ever seen both in condition & variety, but I think this Knockans spear head fig 411 Evans bronze is without exception the finest piece of bronze work I have ever handled & the rich golden colour is exquisite To show the curious connexion of types I got him some years ago a spear head from the Thames identical with one he has from Eoford Northumberland fig 405 he said they might have been made in the same mould. this is curious as the type is very unusual.

I am extremely obliged to you for the cheque to hand & I beg to enclose with compliments & many thanks

I am
yours obediently
Geo F. Lawrence

Mr Boynton has permission to finish the excavations at the so called "Danes Graves" where he found the enamelled wheel headed pin I wish him every success

It is not clear exactly which set of objects Lawrence is referring to as he sold quite a few objects to Pitt-Rivers in early 1898

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B434 The London & Burma Merchandize Company Limited

Ansd Oct 17/96

Sir,

Referring to the pleasant transactions we had with you last year in Burmese carved wood curios we would ask your kind attention to the annexed list of curios we have for sale & which may interest you

If you are able to inspect these personally or instruct your agent to do so, we shall be very glad to show you every attention & sell to you at lower prices than you could obtain the articles in Burma.

Your obedient servant
The London & Burman Co Ltd H Canes

Gen Pitt Rivers | Rushmore |Salisbury

1. Carved Teak Tower (Pagoda) 20 feet high
This is very unique & probably the only specimen in England. Please see book of phono
2. Carved Shrine (6 feet high). beautifully ornamented with stones etc
3 Complete Burmese Band comprising
Set of 19 drums in native cage
Set of 15 gongs in native cage
Putila (Bamboo reeds)
Gongs
Burmese Harp see Book of photos
4 Beloo Figure made of linen & Bamboo (brought from a Burmese temple) with movable arms see phono
5 Brass Guatamas
6 13 Pictures of Burmese native life brought direct from a Pagoda
We enclose a book of phono. which will give you some idea of Tower etc

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Ansd Oct 24/96

Dear Sir,

We are duly in receipt of your favour 17 inst our lowest price for the Pagoda Tower (Hand carved teak) is £30 packed [insert] ready [end insert] for despatch. The tower is dissetible & numbered. We had an offer for this tower early in the summer for £50 but as we were unable to dispose of it till the close of the Exhibition the matter fell through.

We trust this price will meet your views & await to hear from you

Yours truly
L&B Co Ld H Canes

Gen Pitt Rivers

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Ansd Oct 17/96

Dear Sir,

I have your favour 24 inst & regret to say that in the absence of any reply from you the tower was sold on Saturday last at a better price than we offered it to you

Yours faithfully
L&B Co Ltd H Canes

Gen Pitt Rivers

Pitt-Rivers bought a couple of figures from them in September 1895, see Add.9455vol3_p1213 /1-2, some posts Add.9455vol3_p1216 /1-2, in early October he bought a carving of a waggon, Add.9455vol3_p1225 /1, he did not buy anything else.

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B438 William Mullins

Feby 26 1896 | From: William Mullins | Old China & Antique Furniture Warehouse | Dealer in old Silver Plate | 52 & 54 High St Salisbury To General Pitt Rivers

Sir

The gilt screens where [sic] carefully packed in a crate & box (which please return) & sent to Tisbury Station this day. I washed the gilt and I think you will say the work [illegible] better than they did yesterday. In making out your cheque Sir I shall leave it in your kind hands to make it Fifteen guineas instead of fifteen pounds

Yrs very truly
Wm Mullins

These are Add.9455vol3_p1254 /1-2 at a total cost of £6. In addition P-R spent £9 on a teapot, he obviously did not pay guineas. There are other letters from Mullins but these have not been transcribed.

Transcribed by AP for Rethinking Pitt-Rivers project August 2011

Dealers Correspondence K-M

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