Find something on display: The Letters of Thomas Sidney Cooper 1837-1890

(On paper with printed heading: Vernon Holme, Harbledown).

18 Dec. 1860

(Sketch of cattle and sheep on a mound).

T.S. Cooper ARA 1860

This is to certify that the picture sent to me by J. B. Behrens, like the above sketch, is painted by me in 1853.

Thos Sidney Cooper

‘To the Editor of the Art
Journal’

Sir

In your notice of, &, criticisms on the present Exhibitions on the Royal Academy, you state – No.203 “A Highland Dairy” – T.S. Cooper, A. Simply a landscape, with cows & figures: the animals are drawn as well as Mr. Cooper usually now draws cattle, but they are by no means so careful as of yoar.” I therefore write to inform you that I have not a picture so entitled in the exhibition, nor was the one, above described, painted by me. The particular mention of it, however, induces one to imagine either, that the mistake was designedly made, or that there was great carelessness in your method of criticising the pictures.

You will see the necessity, and justice of making this statement public, in the next number of your journal.

Your very humble servant

Thos. Sidney Cooper

2 Dorset Square
26 June 1858.

Dear Sir,

I have just received your letter from Harbledown but as I shall not return there these 14 days, I will write to my servant to send the picture to me here, & as soon as I can will let you have it & the certificate.

Yrs faithfully ThosSidney Cooper Mr Lamb Dundee

March 28th 1881

Dear Mrs Gladstone,

I have had a dreadful accident to my right hand, and write this with my left hand, to say how highly I should esteem the honour if mr Gladstone would [word crossed out by TSC] honour me with a visit to see them. I don’t know Miss Balfour’s address. She would like to see them if she knew it, and believe me,

Yours most faithfully

Tho Sidney Cooper

left hand.

Jany. 21. 1874

Dear Sir,

I am not now much in Town & go up only occasionally to the meetings of the Royal Academy, but if my name can be of any service to the Club I have no objection whatever it should be placed in the list of the committee on the conditions which you name in your letter.

(over page)

The next time I am in Town I hope to be able to visit your Club. & believe me

Yrs faithfully

Thos. Sidney Cooper

Mayor The Hon. J. Colbourne Hon.Sec.

(On the reverse the recipient has written:

T.S.Cooper R.A.

21.1.74

Will Serve [crossed out] join Committee)

16 Jany 1874

Dear Sir,

Your Letter has been forwarded to me here. & I beg you will thank the Committee of the “Temple Club, for the honour they have conferred on me in electing me an Honorary Life Member of their Cub & Believe,

Yrs Faithfully

Thos. Sidney Cooper

The Hon. J. Colbourne Hon.Sec.

16 Wellington Terrace

Jan.y 22 1841

My Dear Sir,

Will you allow me to ask your assistance in my endeavours for the fatherless.

I assure you tis a case in which benevolence will be well bestowed. & Believe me I shall esteem it a personal favour.

I am Dear Sir

Faithfully Yours

Thos. Sidney Cooper

To the President & Council of the Royal Academy.

Gentlemen,

When I was elected an associate of the Royal Academy, I received the following advice.

“When you send your picture for Exhibition; if more than one; you must placed your finished work no 1 on your list, which will be hung in the large gallery, (which you are entitled to) and when you are raised to
an Academician, and hanger, you must be sure and do the same, to

all the members works who are not on the Council &… The President is not on any hanging Committee, but he attends to see this law is observed also that no injustice is done to any member” I have been 45 years a member of the Academy, and this has always been observed, and fulfilled to e, & and by me, till last year, and this year, again my principal work is placed out the way, while 5 or 6 members have to (sic) pictures, & one has three pictures hung in No. 3 Gallery, who have right, to only one, hung there. I need not tell you, how deeply I am pained by this indignity, and injustice. I have exhibited at the Royal Academy, for 57 years, and not been absent one year during that long period. I have had an honourable and industrious life always anxious that my latter days should be free from blight or dishonour. I was associated with Callcott, Wilkie, Collins, Constable Etty Shee &…and I am quite sure, not one of them would have acted to the dishonour of any member.

Your Humbled Servant

Thos Sidney Cooper

10 July 1877

My dear Cook,

I have some important work I must finish this month, or it would have been a great pleasure to me to have joined your party. & I have also made arrangements to leave with my family for Cornwall. But I thank you all the same for your kind invite & believe me

Ys faithfully

Thos Sidney Cooper

Vernon Holme

5 Dec 1859

Dear Sir

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your favour. I think I decline to accept this offer of £52.10. for my picture of Winter. Tis the first I have painted of that class. I consider it a very successful effort.

Believe me

Ys faithfully

Thos Sidney Cooper

J. Bond Hon

(In ink across the top left corner: ‘red Dec 6th wrote Mr Fenton same day’).

10 Oct 72

My dear sir

I go to London today – so if you can call at Chepstow Villa tomorrow morning you can have the Drawing

Faithfully Yours

Thomas Sidney Cooper

Mr L Colls

(On black edged mourning paper with embossed black printed crest and address: Vernon Holme, Harbledown).

5 Sepm. 1867

Dear Sir.

You will put me in hand immediately two boards covered with paper, as usual. But be careful there is no blemish in it, as I found two small flaws in one of the last large boards. The size 34inches by 20in. & let me have them as soon as possible.

Yr Very Obliged

Thos Sidney Cooper

Mr Hogarth

1 Dec 1861

My Dear Sir

I am in the same circumstances with regard to prices of stock they being so low & I am engaged in some work, I wish to have ready by tomorrow week to take to town, when I shall receive the October dividend, & can then settle your act. But I shall write to a gentleman who owes me for a picture for the amount & if I receive it or any other during this week, I will send you a cheque.

Ys Very faithfully

Thos Sidney Cooper

Rob Cole Esq

My Dear Sir

Your favour I received yesterday in which I find an offer for my large picture of £130. I must decline it, as I have 150 Gns. in reserve with a person in town whom I believe to be a dealer. Will you have the kindness to thank the Gentleman for his offer, from me, and say I can never accept an offer so low.

You did not say who gained the prize, will you in your next. Many thanks for your kindness – Believe me

Yours faithfully

Thos Sidney Cooper

Saml. Eglington Esq
Liverpool Academy

27 Portland Terrace Sept. 28. 1937

(On black-edged mourning paper with embossed black printed crest and address: Vernon Holme, Harbledown).

Oct. 26 1867

Sir

My son sent me the package of photographs to me here, but they are too small of any purpose of mine, but you can tell me what you charge for some of them, perhaps my children may choose a few of them. If you had any larger of cattle, or could make me a few for myself only, & not others could have, I might purchase them if suited.

V. Obliged

Thos Sidney Cooper

Mr. W. Sherlock

30 April 1880

Dear W Agnew,

I was much disappointed I did not meet you at the Royal Academy private View today. I wished to congratulate you on the Very distinguished honour you have lately received long may you enjoy it. Should you be in the neighbourhood tomorrow or Sunday morning, I shall like to see you, as I must leave on Monday, having lost my only Brother.

Ys faithfully

Thos Sidney Cooper