Early “Spanish Prisoner” scam letter, written in English, Zaragoza, 19 December 1905, an unusually complete and well‑preserved example of the classic fALEXANDER BENOIS – TWO AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED – PARIS, APRIL & MAY 1939 To Frank Morley Fletcher (1866–1950), British artist & colour‑woodcut pioneer French Pavilion / Exposition Internationale 1937 – Stafford Gallery Exhibition – Pre‑WWII

Two fine autograph letters signed “Alexander Benois”, written from Paris in April and May 1939, only months before the outbreak of the Second World War. Addressed to [Frank Morley?] Fletcher, the influential British artist and pioneer of the modern colour woodcut, who trained in Paris and maintained strong ties with French artistic circles.

The letters concern Benois’s watercolour exhibition at the Stafford Gallery, 13 St James’s Place, London, opening 12 May 1939, and his efforts to place works with British collectors during the tense pre‑war months. Benois writes entirely in French, apologising for his English and discussing the availability of his works.

Of particular interest is Benois’s reference to his maquettes for the French Pavilion, created for the 1937 Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques. He explains that many of these models are now on loan with their owners and cannot be offered, providing rare documentary evidence of Benois’s involvement in pre‑war French exhibition design.

Both letters retain their full signatures “Alexander Benois” in his late‑period hand.

LETTER DETAILS: 1) Paris, 17 April 1939 Benois explains that many of his French Pavilion maquettes are no longer in his possession and cannot be selected for Fletcher’s client. He directs Fletcher instead to his forthcoming Stafford Gallery exhibition in London.

2) Paris, 10 May 1939 Benois apologises for a delayed reply, noting he has been absent from Paris. He confirms his Stafford Gallery exhibition opens on 12 May and will run for two weeks. He invites Fletcher and his client to visit him in Paris once his works return in June.

Frank Morley Fletcher (1866–1950), British artist, Paris‑trained, and a central figure in the development of the modern colour woodcut. Fletcher maintained extensive connections with French artists and collectors, making him an ideal correspondent for Benois during this period.

PROVENANCE:

From a single owner collection of 3,000+ items. A chaotic uncatalogued miscellany of items from 17th to 20th Century. 

Containing, amongst many other things: ALSs (Autograph Letters Signed); Signed Photos, Posters, Ephemera, Album pages; Clipped Signatures; Signed Free Fronts; Misc Manuscript Items; etc, etc. 

Alexandre (Alexander) Nikolayevich Benois (May 1870 – Feb 1960) was a Russian artist, art critic, historian, preservationist and founding member of Mir iskusstva (“World of Art”), an art movement and magazine. As a designer for the Ballets Russes under Sergei Diaghilev, Benois exerted what is considered a seminal influence on the modern ballet and stage design