Sir James Guthrie 3p ALS 1905 Moray Place to S. Catterson Smith RSA Exhibitions For Sale

SIR JAMES GUTHRIE (1859–1930) AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) 41 MORAY PLACE, EDINBURGH – 22 FEBRUARY 1905 TO STEPHEN CATTERSON SMITH, ESQ. R.S.A. & GLASGOW INSTITUTE EXHIBITION CONTENT

A strong, exhibition‑related autograph letter signed by Sir James Guthrie, leading Scottish portrait painter and President of the Royal Scottish Academy (1902–1919). Written from his well‑known Edinburgh residence at 41 Moray Place, the letter deals with Guthrie’s difficulties supplying works for the R.S.A. Annual Exhibition and the Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts Exhibition, both major fixtures in the Scottish art calendar.

Guthrie explains that his work is “almost entirely in portrait painting,” meaning that anything he exhibits must be borrowed back from sitters — a classic problem for portraitists. He notes that the R.S.A. Exhibition is already open, while the Glasgow Exhibition comes on in a few days, leaving him “badly placed” and unable to secure a picture in time. He mentions a portrait belonging to a friend “from home at present,” and asks Catterson Smith for as long notice as possible of future receiving dates.

The recipient, Stephen Catterson Smith (1806–1872), was a major Victorian portrait painter, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, and President of the Royal Hibernian Academy. His name continued to be used in correspondence relating to studio property, estate‑held portraits, and exhibition permissions, making this a desirable artist‑to‑artist letter with excellent professional context.

TRANSCRIPTION

**41 Moray PlaceEdinburghFeby: 22nd 1905

Dear Sir,

I am sorry to say I have not been able to get a picture, much as I should have liked to send to the R.S.A.

My work is almost entirely in portrait painting so that anything I exhibit must be borrowed as the Exhibition here is open now. The one in Glasgow comes on in a few days. I am badly placed, having already borrowed what I could.

Had it been possible to send next week I think I could have got a picture, this property of a friend who is from home at present.

Perhaps another year, if it is not troubling you too much, you might give me as long notice as possible of yr: receiving date.

With much regret,

Yours trulyJames Guthrie

S. Catterson Smith Esqr**

A desirable Guthrie letter with R.S.A. and Glasgow Institute exhibition content, portrait‑loan logistics, and a named artistic correspondent — stronger than average for this period.

Condition as photos. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.

Sir James Guthrie PPRSA (Jun 1859 – Sep 1930) was a Scottish painter, associated with the Glasgow Boys. He is best known in his own lifetime for his portraiture, although today more generally regarded as a painter of Scottish Realism.

Stephen Catterson Smith (Mar 1806 – May 1872) was an English portrait-painter and president of the Royal Hibernian Academy.

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.

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