Prince Albert's Personal Papers
Papers relating to Prince Albert’s personal life and enthusiasms
GRUNER, LUDWIG: DIRECTOR OF THE KÖNIGLICHES KUPFERSTICH-KABINETT, DRESDEN
Letter from Ludwig Gruner to Dr. Ernst Becker announcing that he intends to send several original [Raphael] drawings by courier from Dresden to England for photographing, as the glass negatives he sent by post evidently did not survive the journey.
19 Dec 1859Loose manuscript paper; mounted | 1 document (4 pages) (whole object) | RA VIC/ADDA10/85/431
The letter is marked 'Privatissimo'. Gruner regrets what has happened and remarks that he would have done better to pack the glass negatives himself rather than going to the professional packer he used. In strict confidence, he now proposes to send Becker a parcel via the British envoy who will give it to an English courier.
It will contain the original drawings of: 1. 'The Salver' (Schüssel); 2. 'St Felicitas'; 3. 'The Battle of the Horsemen'; 4. an unknown subject (represented by a line of question marks in Gruner's letter).
It will then be up to Becker to have negatives made, which can be done better and more cheaply in London than in Dresden, and to have the necessary prints made for the Prince Consort. He should then send the negatives and at least one print of each to Dresden, and should make sure that all this is done under his supervision in London, and in strict secrecy. Gruner is relieved that the two negatives of the 'Massacre of the Innocents' arrived safely. He adds that he would like three prints of the St Michael; Becker should then destroy the negative.
Gruner goes on to ask Becker to let him know the name of his successor before he leaves England, and also to give him his future address. If Becker has any objections to his plan to send the drawings, he should send a telegraphic message before Friday morning. Gruner adds that Becker should return the drawings to Dresden via courier.
He adds a postscript saying he thinks it best to send Becker's letter (see VIC/ADDA10/85/430) to Count Riesch at Neschwitz, as he will have no opportunity to see him before Easter.
See VIC/ADDA10/85/423 for Gruner's announcing the despatch of the negatives.
Related Material: For related correspondence, see VIC/ADDA10/85/423 and VIC/ADDA10/85/430.
It will contain the original drawings of: 1. 'The Salver' (Schüssel); 2. 'St Felicitas'; 3. 'The Battle of the Horsemen'; 4. an unknown subject (represented by a line of question marks in Gruner's letter).
It will then be up to Becker to have negatives made, which can be done better and more cheaply in London than in Dresden, and to have the necessary prints made for the Prince Consort. He should then send the negatives and at least one print of each to Dresden, and should make sure that all this is done under his supervision in London, and in strict secrecy. Gruner is relieved that the two negatives of the 'Massacre of the Innocents' arrived safely. He adds that he would like three prints of the St Michael; Becker should then destroy the negative.
Gruner goes on to ask Becker to let him know the name of his successor before he leaves England, and also to give him his future address. If Becker has any objections to his plan to send the drawings, he should send a telegraphic message before Friday morning. Gruner adds that Becker should return the drawings to Dresden via courier.
He adds a postscript saying he thinks it best to send Becker's letter (see VIC/ADDA10/85/430) to Count Riesch at Neschwitz, as he will have no opportunity to see him before Easter.
See VIC/ADDA10/85/423 for Gruner's announcing the despatch of the negatives.
Related Material: For related correspondence, see VIC/ADDA10/85/423 and VIC/ADDA10/85/430.
Creator(s)
Gruner, Ludwig: Director of the Königliches Kupferstich-Kabinett, Dresden (writer) [19 December 1859]
1 document (4 pages) (whole object)
