The Pillar Print of Oliver Cromwell.
Brompton, April 10th, 1852.
Dear Sir,—-As this famous Portrait seems to be an object of interest to several of your subscribers, I take the liberty of adding my mite of information concerning it. In the March Number of "Current Notes," p. 21, it is stated that Caulfield valued a good impression of it at £36, but your Correspondent remarks, that "this was all very well for a dealer's valuation," adding, that the one sold at the Strawberry Hill sale was bought by a printseller for £7. 15s. That Caulfield was nearly right in his appreciation, I find confirmed by reference to the Catalogue of the 'extensive and choice collection of Prints' formed by my uncle, the late Robert Morse, Esq. of Clarges Street, Piccadilly, which was sold by auction by the well-known Dodd, May 15th, 1816, and 27 following days. This portrait (Lot 1335), described as "an excellent impression and of the utmost rarity," sold for £30 19s 6d. This, it is true, was in the high and palmy time of print-collecting, as the prices of a few others will testify. James I. by W. Pas, sold for £14 3s 6d. Edward Somerset, Earl of Worcester, by Simon Pas, for £9 9s. Edmond Baron Sheffield, for £10. Sir Julius Cæsar, by Elstracke, for £10 10s. Frances Bridges, Countess of Exeter, by Faithorne, for £10. Lot 3602, Strutt's Dictionary of Engravers, illustrated by 2820 prints, exhibiting specimens of the works of 1680 different engravers, bound in 18 vols. sold for £288 15s. Lot 3600, Vandyck's Works, a magnificent collection of engravings after his paintings, for £198; and others in the same proportion.
Your obedient servant and collaborateur,
Charles Edmonds.
Mr. Willis.