JOHN THOMAS SMITH (1766-1833) AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, BRITISH MUSEUM PRINT ROOM, CONCERNING WEST’S GALLERY, NEWMAN STREET

A highly interesting autograph letter signed by John Thomas Smith (1766-1833), engraver, antiquary, author and Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum, written from the Print Room, British Museum and addressed to Mrs B. West, Newman Street

The letter provides remarkable behind-the-scenes evidence relating to the arrangement and promotion of a public exhibition or sale at the celebrated West family premises at 14 Newman Street, London, home of the painter Benjamin West and later the site of the documented West’s Gallery exhibitions of the 1820s.

Recipient

The recipient was formerly believed to have been Elizabeth Shewell West, wife of Benjamin West, but this identification cannot be correct, as she died in 1814, before Smith’s appointment to the British Museum.

The recipient is more plausibly Mrs B. West, namely Mary West, wife of Benjamin West Jr (“Mrs Benjamin West II”), daughter-in-law of the artist Benjamin West. Contemporary sources identify her as Mrs Benjamin West II.

Contents

Smith writes:

“Permit me to partake of your friendly family dinner today, as it will enable me to select other Drawings from the larger Portfolios to put into some of the frames in the front parlour.”

He goes on to explain that he hopes to improve a “little room” before the arrival of Frederick Yeates Hurlstone (1800-1869), the noted painter, and also his “worthy friend Mrs Strutt”, hoping they may be impressed enough to encourage public attendance.

Most revealingly, Smith writes:

“Pray stay the Catalogue and prevail upon the Adelphi to fall into my plans.”

The references to framed drawings, portfolios, exhibition rooms, public visitors and a catalogue strongly indicate ongoing preparations for a public exhibition or sale.

West’s Gallery, Newman Street

The letter corresponds closely with the documented continuation of the West family premises as West’s Gallery following the death of Benjamin West in 1820.

Surviving catalogues advertise:

“Pictures and drawings by the late Benjamin West … now exhibiting at No. 14 Newman Street”.

Another catalogue issued in 1824 records the exhibition operating from West’s New Gallery, 14 Newman Street, with paid public admission.

The present letter appears to document the practical preparation of such displays, with Smith selecting drawings from portfolios, placing works in frames and considering how the rooms would appear to influential visitors.

The West Sales

The Newman Street premises were also used for major sales of West’s collections after his death.

Christie’s sold portions of the late artist’s collection of prints and drawings at Newman Street beginning on 9 June 1820, followed by sales of pictures later the same month.

The letter therefore sits within the wider context of the exhibition, promotion and dispersal of works associated with the artistic legacy of Benjamin West.

Historical Importance

A particularly appealing association letter linking:

• John Thomas Smith, the celebrated antiquary and British Museum official;
• the West family of Newman Street;
• Frederick Yeates Hurlstone; and
• the preparation and promotion of a public exhibition or sale at the famous West family gallery.

Unlike the surviving catalogues, which simply record what was displayed, this letter provides rare first-hand evidence of the actual organisation of the display, including picture selection, room arrangement, catalogue management and promotional planning.

Original autograph lettersheet with integral address panel. Addressed: “To Mrs B. West, Newman Street” with manuscript sender’s endorsement: “From Mr Smith – B.M.” Folded for posting with seal remnants present. Age wear and handling marks consistent with an early nineteenth-century letter. Please examine scans carefully.

A scarce and historically important British Museum and West Gallery association letter.

Provenance: 

One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil. 

Winifred Alice Myers (1909 – 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004. 

John Thomas Smith, also known as Antiquity Smith  (Jun 1766 – Mar 1833), was an English painter, engraver and antiquarian. He wrote a life of the sculptor Joseph Nollekens, that was noted for its “malicious candour”, and was a keeper of prints for the British Museum.

Benjamin West PRA (Oct 1738 – Mar 1820) was an American-born British painter who specialised in history painting, creating such works as The Death of Nelson, The Death of General Wolfe, the Treaty of Paris, and Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky.

Frederick Yeates Hurlstone RBA (Dec 1800 – Jun 1869) was an English painter. He was celebrated for his historical, portrait, and genre works, particularly scenes of Spanish and Italian rustic life. Trained under Sir William Beechey and Sir Thomas Lawrence, he won prestigious medals at the Royal Academy before focusing on exhibitions with the Society of British Artists, where he served as president from 1835 until his death. Known for works like The Last Sigh of the Moor and Italian Boys Playing the National Game of Mora, Hurlstone drew inspiration from travels to Italy, Spain, and Morocco, shifting to a “picaresco” style influenced by Murillo and Velázquez. Despite his opposition to the Royal Academy’s management, he remained a prolific and influential figure, contributing over 300 works to exhibitions and earning international recognition, including a gold medal at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris.