Letter from the British Envoy to Hanover to Dr. Ernst Becker regarding a request for a photograph of a Raphael drawing purported to be in Hanover.

In response to a letter from Dr. Becker, Gordon reports that he has made enquiries about the sketch by Raphael said to belong to the municipality of Hanover, but that nothing is known of this and the municipality has no collection of pictures. He wonders whether there could be a confusion with a miniature said to be by Raphael in the Söder (Brabeck) collection which was recently sold; it was bought in by Count Stolberg, who Gordon is sure would allow it to be photographed for the Prince.

Sir Charles Eastlake, who has seen the picture, would be best able to advise on its authenticity. Gordon adds that he consulted the art collector Senator Culemann, and encloses the latter's letter to him (see VIC/ADDA10/85/426) together with a catalogue of the Söder collection, which includes two works attributed to Raphael. Culemann also mentions another picture purported to be by Raphael belonging to Baroness von der Decken. Gordon will obtain photographs of all these works if the Prince wishes.

A note by Becker at the top of the letter records the reply to be sent: Gordon should be given more details about the drawing in question, as described in Bunsen's letter of 7 May (see VIC/ADDA10/85/400).

Bunsen's letter reported that this drawing was left by its owner, August Kestner, to the city of Hanover and was now in the care of Kestner's nephew there. See VIC/ADDA10/85/435-6 for further letters on this subject.

Related Material: For related correspondence, see VIC/ADDA10/85/435-6, VIC/ADDA10/85/400 and VIC/ADDA10/85/426.