Letter from Ludwig Gruner to Dr. Ernst Becker sending receipts and drawings, reporting on a collector in Dresden who is willing to have his Raphael drawings photographed, and asking for a letter of recommendation to see the print collection in Coburg

Gruner sends receipts and four more drawings belonging with [those of] the vases, for which no money is owing if Colonel Phipps has already paid the sum mentioned in his previous letter (see VIC/ADDA10/85/355).

He explains what he meant in that letter regarding Weigel's drawings (from the 'Spasimo' and a copy of Jacob's dream), which the latter sent to him to be photographed but which he returned because they were copies not by Raphael.

Gruner reports that the painter [August] Grahl, who lives in Dresden, has a large collection of Old Master drawings, including several by Raphael, which he will allow to be photographed for the Prince Consort in return for copies of the Windsor drawings.

He also reports that Schadow, the Director of the Royal Academy at Düsseldorf, is visiting Dresden and has told him that the Prince has given the Academy a set of 51 photographic copies of Raphael drawings at Windsor. Gruner does not wish to claim the same honour, but wonders whether there are as many as 51 that have been photographed.

Finally, Gruner asks for a letter of recommendation so that he can go and see the print collection at Coburg, which he has heard includes may very fine and rare items.

The painter is assumed to be August Grahl (1791-1868), who was living in Dresden at this time.

Related Material: For related correspondence, see VIC/ADDA10/85/355.